Greetings from Victorian London. I’m delighted to be here with you today. My name is Charlotte Deaver, but everyone calls me Lottie, and I must confess I’m not the main character of the Countess of Harleigh mysteries. Lady Harleigh visited with you last year and she thought it would be nice to introduce you to someone new. Introducing people is what she does after all, when she’s not solving murders. I’m visiting from New York so she can launch me into London Society. My mother dropped me off here on her way to Paris to visit one of her gentleman friends. She thinks my father and I don’t know about her gentleman friends, but honestly, everyone knows, which at least partially accounts for my abysmal lack of success in New York society. The other part might be due to the small fire I started at Delmonico’s when I knocked over a candelabra. I suppose I’m just a teensy bit clumsy, but it was only a little fire.
Nevertheless, a London season was my chance for a fresh start in a new place while my mother was otherwise occupied. Unfortunately, my arrival was ill-timed. In late July, most aristocratic families have retired to their country homes. The garden parties, receptions, and balls I’d been so nervous about were long over—much to my relief! You see, I’m rather awkward in social situations, or any situation really. Lady Harleigh describes me as always having a spot on my gown, ink on my fingers, and a trail of disaster in my wake. The disaster part might be a bit overstated, but not by much.
Lady Harleigh was quite at a loss for what to do with me until her friend, Mrs. Archer, was murdered. If the loss of a friend wasn’t bad enough, her cousin, Mr. Charles Evingdon, is the prime suspect. How anyone could imagine him committing murder is completely beyond my comprehension. He’s so kind and considerate. Some people find him to be a bit of a dunderhead, but I think he’s charming. And those dimples!
Ahem, what I mean to say is Lady Harleigh and I are pooling our skills and working in partnership to prove his innocence and find the real murderer. And there is no end of possible suspects. As it turns out, Mrs. Archer had a cache of notes—hundreds of them—with the scandalous secrets of nearly every prominent person in London. Reviewing the notes is an arduous task, but questioning suspects is rather thrilling. I’ve never done anything quite so exciting, and of course clearing Mr. Evingdon’s good name is very important, as is keeping him from the hangman’s noose. I have other plans for that gentleman. Wish us luck!
You can read more about Lottie in A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder, the second book in the “Countess of Harleigh” historical mystery series, released June 25, 2019.
How far will some go to safeguard a secret? In the latest novel in Dianne Freeman’s witty and delightful historical mystery series, the adventurous Countess Harleigh finds out . . .
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 each year, 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 hunting—for birds or a second husband—and is expecting to spend a quiet few months in London with her almost-engaged sister, Lily, until the throng returns.
Instead, she’s 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 spotlight—along with dozens of others. It seems Mary had countless notes hidden in her home, detailing the private indiscretions of society’s 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 all—but even more worrying is that the number of victims is increasing too. And unless Frances takes care, she’ll soon find herself among them . . .
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About the author
Dianne Freeman is a life-long book lover who left the world of corporate finance to pursue her passion for writing. After co-authoring the non-fiction book, Haunted Highway, The Spirits of Route 66, she realized her true love was fiction, historical mystery in particular. She also realized she didn’t like winter very much so now she and her husband pursue the endless summer by splitting their time between Michigan and Arizona. Her debut novel, A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder won a Lefty Award for Best First Novel and has been nominated for an Agatha and a Mary Higgins-Clark Award.
To learn more about Dianne, visit her website at difreeman.com
All comments are welcomed.
Thanks to Dianne Freeman for donating a print copy of A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder. Contest ends June 30, 2019 and is limited to U.S. residents. Please leave comment in box below. The winner will be notified by email (so check your spam folder). Good luck everyone!
This sounds like my kind of book! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Sounds like a great read!!!
Thank you for the giveaway…..
Thank you!
I hope you enjoy it, Linda! Good luck!
Yay! I’ve been eagerly awaiting publication of this book. Loved book one.
Thanks, Barb! Hope you enjoy this one!
Sounds titillating!
Hope you enjoy it!
Her books are always a great read. Thanks for a chance to win one of Dianne’s books I have not read the yet.
Thank you, Linda! Good luck in the drawing!
I would love to read this series. Thanks for the giveaway.
Good luck in the drawing!
I loved the first book in this series, and anxiously await the second. Historical mysteries with ladies who don’t obey all society’s rules are my favorite books!
Hi Gail. I’m so glad you enjoyed the first book! Good luck!
This sounds like a fun read. Thank you for this chance.
Hi Carolyn. Hope you enjoy it!
A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder sounds so good — I can’t wait to read it! Thanks for a Day In The Life of Lottie Deaver — it’s fun to hear from supporting characters ~
Lottie is a fun character to write so I’m glad you enjoyed a snippet of her life.
Thanks for this captivating story which sounds so enjoyable and unique.
Thank you, Anne. I hope you enjoy it!
This historical mystery is a fascinating book which I would enjoy greatly.
Thanks, April! Good luck in the drawing!
What a fun sounding series. Thank you so much for the chance to win!
Thanks for entering, Autumn. Good luck!
I loved Etiquette and Murder! Can’t wait to read Gossip and Murder. Hopefully there is more George too!
Hi Pat! I’m so glad you loved Etiquette! There is definitely more George in Gossip!
Enjoyed hearing from Lottie.
Lottie was a fun character to create. I’m glad you like her!
I had come across A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder earlier this year at my library. It was a charming and fun read. Have been looking forward to your second book and revisiting your characters.
Thank you! I hope you enjoy Gossip and Murder as well!
Sounds like a great historical mystery. Can’t wait to read.
Thanks, Dianne. Hope you enjoy it!
I’m looking forward to seeing how Lady Harleigh & Lottie solve the case.
It’s a tricky situation, but they are determined!
Sounds like a good one.
Thanks, I hope you enjoy it!
Wow! I’d really like to win this one!
Thanks, Amy! Good luck!
I loved the first book in this series and am looking forward to more of Lady Harleigh.
Hi Rochelle. So glad to hear you enjoyed the first book! Good luck in the drawing!
Bought book one and pre ordered book two.Love the covers.
**** WINNER ****
A Lady’s Guide to Gossip and Murder is Celia Fowler
Congratulations!