Sometimes I'm in the mood for something light and fun, and A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder fits the bill perfectly. It combines Victorian decorum with the intrigue of a murder mystery and adds in a dash of romance. What results is something altogether charming and enjoyable.
One of my favorite things about this story is that Frances, Countess of Harleigh, is strong, independent, and audacious at a time when women are expected to be meek and dependent on a man. She has just become widowed, and is now forced to live on her own and seek her place in the world. She does so with good humor, even as her circumstances become less fortunate.
The mystery in here is its one weak point. Instead of having lots of clues so the reader can join in and figure out whodunnit, we more or less follow along as Frances pokes around, discovers things, and eventually is led to the guilty party. It's all very straightforward without any cleverness or eureka moments involved.
Even with that one weakness, I still greatly enjoyed this story. The characters in here are all extremely endearing and adorably witty, and Frances is the perfect focal point. I'll read pretty much any story with a strong female lead, so this has me hooked. Good thing it's the start of a series, and I can't wait to read more.
Readaroo Rating: 4 stars
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