A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder (A Countess of Harleigh Mystery)

The adventurous Countess Harleigh finds out just how far some will go to safeguard a secret in Dianne Freemans latest witty and delightful historical mystery . . . Though American by birth, Frances Wynn, the now-widowed Countess of Harleigh, has adapted admirably to the quirks and traditions of the British aristocracy. On August twelfth, otherwise known as the Glorious Twelfth, most members of the upper class retire to their country estates for grouse-shooting season. Frances has little interest in huntingfor birds or a second husbandand is expecting to spend a quiet few months in London with her almost-engaged sister, Lily, until the throng returns. Instead, shes immersed in a shocking mystery when a friend, Mary Archer, is found murdered. Frances had hoped Mary might make a suitable bride for her cousin, Charles, but their courtship recently fizzled out. Unfortunately, this puts Charles in the spotlightalong with dozens of others. It seems Mary had countless notes hidden in her home, detailing the private indiscretions of societys elite. Frances can hardly believe that the genteel and genial Mary was a blackmailer, yet why else would she horde such juicy tidbits? Aided by her gallant friend and neighbor, George Hazelton, Frances begins assisting the police in this highly sensitive case, learning more about her peers than she ever wished to know. Too many suspects may be worse than none at allbut even more worrying is that the number of victims is increasing too. And unless Frances takes care, shell soon find herself among them . . . Engrossing . . . Freeman takes a witty look at Victorian polite society. Historical mystery fans will be delighted. Publishers Weekly