Category: Victorian Era (1837-1901)

In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria’s reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of continental Europe.
Preceded by: Regency era
Followed by: Edwardian era
Monarch: Victoria

A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder by Dianne Freeman

On By BarbaraIn Audiobook, Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)Leave a comment

A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder (Countess of Harleigh, #2)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Countess of Harleigh Mystery #3
Publication Date: 6/25/19
Period: Victorian London
Number of Pages: 306 (Audiobook 8 Hrs)

I absolutely loved this series from the first book I read – which happens to have been book 3. I was excited to find both a wonderful new-to-me author and a charmingly witty cozy mystery series with likable and interesting characters – and even a delicious romance. I finished reading the books following the third one and now finishing this one brings me up-to-date with the series. I can definitely tell you that each and every book has been a wonderful, funny, interesting, mystery with dialogue and prose that make you feel as if you are right there in the scene with the characters.

Several years ago, young American-born heiress, Frances Wynn, was married to the profligate Earl of Harleigh. Her parents wanted a title and the Earl wanted her plentiful dowry. It seems everyone got something out of the match except Frances. Now, Reggie is deceased and Frances has more freedom than she’s ever known. She and her daughter, Rose, have left the earl’s estate to live in London and she’s found life there very interesting. Her next-door neighbor, George Hazelton is proving to be quite interesting as well.

Frances has just learned that a friend, Mary, has died – actually, she was murdered – and Frances’s cousin, Charles, is under suspicion. Charles is the only one of her in-laws that she finds even remotely tolerable, so she surely doesn’t want to see him accused of murder. Her next-door neighbor, George, does work for the government on occasion and it seems he is involved in some aspects of this case – so – naturally – they team up to solve the murder and save Charles.

Goodness, what a tangled web they uncover. Blackmail? Maybe – or maybe not. Untangling all the threads in the web will be even harder with all of the intrigue and red herrings that are thrown into the mix.

While working hard to solve the mystery, Frances also has to deal with her younger sister’s betrothal. Frances worries that her sister is marrying too young and keeps comparing that situation to her own. She definitely doesn’t want her sister to be in the same situation Frances was in with Reggie. Then, there is also her budding romance with George.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Sarah Zimmerman and she did a lovely job. She has a pleasant voice and delivers an excellently paced narrative. Her characters are distinct and the best thing is, you can hear the good-natured humor in her voice as you navigate through the book. Excellently done.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching Frances and George navigate the societal strictures of the ton while managing to elicit the clues needed to solve the murder. The villain may surprise you – or not – but all the tangled webs will definitely keep your attention. I hope you’ll read the book to see just how engaging the characters are and how well-plotted and well-paced the mystery is.

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The Lady of a Sultan by Linda Rae Sande

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)2 Comments

The Lady of a Sultan (The Ladies of the Aristocracy)Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: The Ladies of the Aristocracy #2
Publication Date: 1/6/23
Period: 1841 – Victorian – Ottoman Empire
Number of Pages: 332

This book was a delightful surprise! While I always enjoy Linda Rae Sande’s books, this one was a departure from her usual locations and circumstances and I thoroughly enjoyed her departure. Heavens – we have honest-to-goodness (or badness) pirates, a Sultan, a Duchess, a rescue (or is it?)! What more could you ask for? A sizzling romance, you say? Well – you definitely get one – and then another for good measure.

Charlotte, Duchess of Chichester, has just completed her year of ‘official’ mourning for her husband and is contemplating her future. She’ll never marry again because she has already loved and now lost the love of her life. Her son is now the new duke and he has a perfectly lovely and capable new duchess, so he doesn’t need her. With the encouragement of several of her friends, she decides to take a couple of years to travel. What a momentous decision that turns out to be!

Do pirates still ply the waters of the Mediterranean? Evidently, they do, because the ship on which Charlotte and her lady’s maid, Parma, are traveling is attacked, boarded, and overtaken by pirates. They are a nasty bunch and take Charlotte and Parma to the Ottoman Empire to sell them into slavery.

Sultan Ziyaeddin is also contemplating his life – past and future. He is still mourning the loss of his one true love even after more than twenty years. Yes, he is a Sultan and has many concubines, but none of those bring him joy. They don’t even slake his lust anymore. Then, there is his empire. He wants to end all the wars, build universities, create a banking system, and generally modernize everything. He’s made a start, but how much can he accomplish in his remaining lifetime?

Ziyaeddin is both enraged and enthralled when a pirate offers to sell him a beautiful woman – for his harem or as a slave. He is enraged by the pirate – but captivated by the woman with the snapping eyes. While he would never purchase her, or force her, he would be very happy should she choose to join his household.

Ziyaeddin and Charlotte are both instantly drawn to each other, but their worlds are so far apart. Could they actually forge a loving, lasting relationship? You’ll just have to read the book to see.

We always get two romances in this author’s books and this one is no exception. Ziyaeddin and Charlotte each have a child who finds their match as well. Ah! Love is in the Mediterranean air.

I really do appreciate that this book features two middle-aged people who are both seeking to figure out what to do with the rest of their lives. It does often get tiring reading about very young women finding their HEAs. Those stories are always lively and entertaining, but there is just something sigh-worthy about an older couple finding that the best is not all behind them.

I hope you’ll enjoy this book as much as I did should you choose to read it. Oh – and by the way – if you’d like to read the story of Charlotte’s first romance, it is in The Grace of A Duke from the Daughters of the Aristocracy series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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