Of Manners and Murder

Dear Miss Hermione, Book 1

By: Anastasia Hastings

Narrated by: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw

Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

1885, London, England. When Violet's Aunt Adelia decides to abscond with her newest paramour, she leaves behind her role as the most popular Agony Aunt in London, Miss Hermione, in Violet's hands. And of course, the first letter Violet receives is full, not of prissy pondering, but of portent: Ivy Armstrong is in need of help and fears for her life. But when Violet visits the village from which the letter was posted, she finds Ivy dead. Soon Violet discovers that when you represent the best-loved Agony Aunt in Britain, both marauding husbands and murder are par for the course.

©2023 Anastasia Hastings (P)2023 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Charming!

The characters are so lovable and the mystery itself is engaging. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series.

Fetching Mystery cavorts lightly upon both manners and murder

Whimsical intersection of propriety, ambiguity, noble character and the unrelenting search for truth. Prepare to smile and chuckle the Wi ding path way of one plucky, bold spirited English woman’s convoluted trail to “catch a killer”

Agony aunt Victorian feminist mystery

This is an entertaining mystery set in Victorian England featuring a young woman who takes over her aunt’s “agony aunt” magazine column and comes across a possible murder of one of the women letter writers. The story is engaging and kept me interested. It includes chapters written from the point of view of the feminist’s silly younger sister, which initially seemed grating, but are necessary for contrast of the conventional to the unconventional heroine. And they also tue in to the mystery she begins to investigate and unravel. Enjoyable entertainment!

So sorry Beatrice!

My husband and is enjoyed this mystery equally. It spelled the miles, stunningly told by the very articulate voice of the narrator. We stepped back into a different time where sleuthing unfolds at a pace that mirrors an era and social setting. Bravo! Our heroine rises above the expectations of her class and breeding- she has an inquisitive mind and is not afraid to use it. Wonderful listen. Dietre Mc

Completely ordinary

It's thoroughly predictable and don't feel it's worth a whole credit (too late for me!) but I did listen all the way through, and used it as the book to listen to while multitasking.

Delightful and surprising

I cannot wait for the next book in this series. The narrator is perfect for the story. The characters delightful!

Not for me

I should have read all of the reviews. In the beginning the plot seemed interesting and I thought I had found a good period cozy mystery. However, it didn't take me long to realize that I wouldn't finish it. The elaborate language and writing made it difficult for me to commit to the story and the characters. I returned it. The narrator tried but could not save this story.

Yuck

This is a terrible book . I just couldn’t even finish it. What else in there to say?

Uninspired

Predictable story, unrealistic reasons for being involved, and even going for the stretch that people would even consider talking to her and for some reason she would decide to investigate, the cast that we are presented with is almost completely irredeemable and annoying. I finished the book because I wasted a credit on it and hoped it would in some way turn it around before the end. Our leading lady switches between confident know it all, and bubble headed idiot. Her half sister is annoying the entire time. The late story love interest is chauvinistic and rude, but so gorgeous she just kind of rolls with it. And I predicted the end by the mid point. I wish I had borrowed this from the library so that I could guilt free give it back and have used the credit on something worth purchasing.

As far as the narrator, she does a good job performing what was written, it's just too bad she didn't have better material.

Please save yourself, and check it out before you purchase it more thoroughly than I did.