A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder

Countess of Harleigh Mystery Series, Book 1

By: Dianne Freeman

Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman

Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleigh, enjoys more freedom as a widow than she did as a wife. After an obligatory year spent mourning her philandering husband, Reggie, she puts aside her drab black gowns, leaving the countryside and her money-grubbing in-laws behind. With her young daughter in tow, Frances rents a home in Belgravia and prepares to welcome her sister, Lily, arriving from New York - for her first London season.

No sooner has Frances begun her new life than the ghosts of her old one make an unwelcome appearance. The Metropolitan police receive an anonymous letter implicating Frances in her husband's death. Frances assures Inspector Delaney of her innocence, but she's also keen to keep him from learning the scandalous circumstances of Reggie's demise. As fate would have it, her dashing new neighbor, George Hazelton, is one of only two other people aware of the full story.

While busy with social engagements on Lily's behalf, and worrying if Reggie really was murdered, Frances learns of mysterious burglaries plaguing London's elite. The investigation brings death to her doorstep, and Frances rallies her wits, a circle of gossips, and the ever-chivalrous Mr. Hazelton to uncover the truth.

©2018 Dianne Freeman (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Exceptional blending

No nagging anachronisms that I spotted. Frances was an intriguing blend of Victorian scruples and American individualism with a large helping of curiosity. George was an excellent mix of Campion and Wimsey, as widely read detective fans may recall. Highly recommended.

Fun story but didn't care for narration

This is a fun story and am glad it is a series; can't wait to listen to the next one. I love stories set in England, especially in the past, and murder mysteries are my favorite.

The only thing that bothered me with this audiobook was the narration. Another reviewer mentioned the same thing, how her voice goes up at the end of every sentence. To me it made the main character sound haughty and somewhat exasperated, and I'm sure that was not the intent.

So, annoying but not enough to keep me from listening to the next one!

Distracting narrator.

the narrator ended every sentence in an up tone which became very distracting. It sounded like she was interpreting every sentence as iif it was a question.

Not impressed.

A decent story, but poor reader made it difficult to get through. Hard to get through.

Reader is truly terrible

The story was great and I loved the characters and the chemistry between them, but the book was excruciating to listen to due to the reader. This could be a fabulous series with a different narrator. I hope the next book gets a narrator that can do it justice.

Narrator was irritating to me

Would have enjoyed the story more but for the narrator. Her countenance was very annoying to me, so much so that i would find myself drifting away. Normally if this happens during a story I rewind, but i wanted to finish without having to hear her any longer.

Loved It

This was a great first in series with wonderful characters, a touch of humor, a hint of romance, a challenging mystery, and the promise of so much more.

My favorite author / narrator combination!

Great story that has kept me interested from the start. The mystery is really good and it includes good humor. The narrator is perfect for the story. LOVED it! I’m definitely ordering the next!

Fun quirky story

Narrator could be better her tone grated a bit but the story was quite good with a lot of humor in it

So Entertaining! Nice break from Regency romances!

Love the 1st bk (I thought was this author, same style, same mystery, etc.) & this 1 (I thought was the 2nd, but now find was the 1st), but am definitely on to the next bk! Gets you "hook, line, & sinker," as they say! I absolutely love the change from the wonderful Regency love stories...I just needed a break...yet this is still within the beloved Regency Era. This author & narrator have done it! Such mysterious stories, & you just can't wait to hear what happens next! Twists, turns, a bit of romance & intrigue & the wonderful voice of the narrator-making for an almost perfect book. My only disappointments were the hints of the (what I thought was) 1st bk & this of a budding, sweet romance, yet we don't see the fruition of it coming to pass & are left guessing. But if course, that draws us n2 the next bk where maybe we'll hear the answer! If you need a break from Regency romances but still want to stay in the beautiful time period/era, this author has done it! When done with this series I'll gladly return to the normal Regency Romances! For now, I can't wait for the next book in this series! Very good! Highly recommend! 👍❤️