There is nothing quite like slipping back into a familiar historical mystery series—especially when the couple at the center feels like old friends you can trust to solve any scandal that crosses their path. A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murders delivers that exact charm. It whisks readers from the elegance of Victorian London to the glittering, shadow-filled corners of Paris, where secrets hide behind velvet curtains and everyone has something to protect.
If you love witty banter, clever sleuthing, and a married couple who works together with seamless—and sometimes comedic—precision, this installment in the Countess of Harleigh series is truly a treat.
Title: A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murder
Author: Dianne Freeman
Series: Countess of Harleigh Mysteries
Genre: Historical Mystery
Rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐
Disclaimer
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I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
My Thoughts:
Frances and George Hazelton continue to be one of my all-time favorite mystery-solving power couples. Fresh off their honeymoon, they’re hoping for a peaceful vacation in Paris… but mystery finds them faster than a Parisian pastry shop.
An old acquaintance seeks Frances’s help investigating the man courting her daughter—a man whose wife was murdered under suspicious circumstances just last year. And in true Hazelton fashion, Frances and George cannot resist the pull of a puzzle that needs solving.
One of the joys of this series is how seamlessly the Hazeltons work together. Their relationship sparkles with affection, humor, and mutual respect. They bring warmth to even the darkest corners of an investigation, whether they’re politely (and not-so-politely) poking around friends’ homes for clues or drawing unexpected connections that the local police haven’t yet uncovered.
This case leads them straight into the dazzling world of Parisian theatre—including the dressing room of the legendary Sarah Bernhardt herself—which adds glamour, chaos, and a delightful peek behind the velvet curtain. Between dramatic personalities and long-buried grudges, the Hazeltons find themselves navigating rivals, secrets, and scandalous whispers.
I laughed at their banter, felt the tension during risky moments, and thoroughly enjoyed every twist and turn. Each book in this series feels like settling into a cozy armchair with familiar friends who happen to stumble upon murder wherever they go—and I’m never mad about it.
Publisher’s Blurb:
In the latest USA Today bestselling, Victorian Era-set Countess of Harleigh Mystery from multi-award winning author Dianne Freeman, Frances Hazelton and her husband, George, uncover the secrets of backstage Paris to find out who’s acting the role of a killer to chilling perfection…
Frances and George are enjoying some well-deserved leisure time in Paris when an old acquaintance from London, Alicia Stoke-Whitney, seeks Frances’s help to investigate a personal matter. Alicia’s daughter is being courted by Carlson Deaver, a wealthy American shadowed by a very suspicious tragedy.
Less than a year ago, Carlson’s wife, a former actress, was murdered, her body discovered in one of the more dubious quartiers in Paris. Though authorities guess it was a robbery gone wrong, no one was ever brought to justice. Until Daniel Cadieux, Inspector for the Sûreté, follows a startling new lead. None other Sarah Bernhardt, legendary icon of the Paris stage, receives a piece of jewelry stolen from the victim, along with an incriminating note: I know what you did.
It opens a new door for the Hazeltons’ investigation, as well. But not a soul believes that the Divine Sarah would become entangled in something so disreputable as murder—even if she and the late Mrs. Deaver did have a history of theatrical clashes. Amid questions of revenge, blackmail, scandals, and secrets, more poisoned pen letters follow, and suspects abound. Now it’s up to Francis and George to infiltrate the most elite social circles of Paris, and find a culprit before another victim faces their final act.
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Final Thoughts:
If you love historical mysteries filled with warmth, wit, and a hint of danger, this installment is a must-read. Frances and George shine brighter with every book, and A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murders delivers exactly what longtime fans will crave—along with enough intrigue, charm, and clever twists to satisfy new readers too.
Have you read this series yet? Let’s chat about it in the comments!
Which do you love most in a historical mystery: a glamorous setting, a clever sleuth, or an unforgettable cast of side characters?
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