Can an engaged couple's relationship survive rumor and scandal in Victorian England? Frances Wynn, widowed Countess of Harleigh, has just waved her mother and daughter off to Paris when Inspector Delaney shows up with a young woman in tow, whom he has arrested for throwing a stone at a Russian grand duke. The woman, Irena Teskey, learns that Frances is engaged to the honorable George Hazelton, then claims that in fact she's Mrs. George Hazelton. Irena also says that she's the daughter of the czar's uncle, and that George married her when he rescued her after she was abducted. When George arrives at Frances's, he denies the marriage but admits that many of Irena's outlandish claims have a grain of truth. Rumors quickly spread that George is married to Irena while also engaged to Frances. When Frances finds Irena's strangled body in her garden, George and Frances must battle rumors that George might have killed his "wife." The amateur sleuths dig into Irena's stories to find her killer. VERDICT The American-born countess's skills in maneuvering as an amateur sleuth in Victorian society are on full display in this charming historical mystery. New readers can easily pick up this fourth in the series (after A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder), and fans will delight in the dramatic conclusion.--Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

Frances Wynn, the widowed Countess of Harleigh, just can't avoid potential scandal. And murder. Both come to her door in the form of Irena Tesky, who claims to be the wife of Frances' fiancé, George Hazelton. The talkative, illegitimate daughter of a Russian aristocrat, Irena is a threat to several people, not the least of whom are Frances and George, whose social standing could be ruined if word spreads that George was already married when he became engaged to Frances. But was he? George says no, but he and Frances must prove it. Then they have something else to prove: that they aren't murderers, given the appearance of a body in Frances' garden. The plot gallops along, with an engaging supporting cast helping to lead both the couple and readers through a merry path of false leads and ever-shifting suspects, all enhanced by the neatly drawn Victorian setting. Fans of Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell novels will enjoy this latest entry (following A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder, 2020) in Freeman's engaging series.

Agatha Award winner Freeman's lively fourth Countess of Harleigh mystery (after 2020's A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder) finds Frances Wynn, Countess of Harleigh, happy in November of 1899 as she contemplates her upcoming marriage to her next-door neighbor and occasional detecting partner, the Honorable George Hazelton. Her thoughts are disrupted by the arrival of a police inspector and Irena Teskey, an attractive young French woman who announces that she is Mrs. George Hazelton. The impetuous fantasist also claims to be the owner of a London theater, the victim of serial abductions, the recipient of menacing letters, and the daughter of a Russian grand duke. Her accusations against George could lead to his and Frances's ostracism from polite society and put a damper on their nuptials, and the situation becomes even more dire when Irena is murdered in Frances's back garden. Frances and George investigate with aplomb. Freeman delivers it all: clever plotting, charming characters, plausible suspects, and red herrings galore. This historical is pure unadulterated fun. Agent: Melissa Edwards, Stonesong Agency. (Aug.)

In 1899 London, an aristocratic duo is forced to sleuth again. American-born Frances, Countess of Harleigh, a widow with a young daughter, is eagerly anticipating her wedding to the Honorable George Hazelton when their peace is shattered by the arrival of Inspector Delaney and Irena Teskey, a young woman claiming to be George's wife. Unfortunately, the scene is witnessed by gossipy Alicia Stoke-Whitney, in whose bed Frances' first husband died. Irena's been arrested for throwing a stone at a visiting Russian grand duke she claims is her cousin. Irena, who seems to have a vivid imagination, says she's an actress who co-owns a London theater and that she met George when he saved her from kidnappers. Her wild tale proves to be mostly true except for the part about being married to George, who does secret work for the government. Irena turns out to be the daughter of a Grand Duke and an unnamed aristocratic British woman; when she discloses that she's been receiving threatening letters, Frances reluctantly takes her in and the Prince of Wales tells George to investigate. The next surprise is the arrival of Mr. Bradmore, who's legally married to Irena but wants a divorce. When Irena's found strangled in Frances' garden, gossip is already rife, and the engaged couple are destined to be shunned by society unless Frances can find the killer. Amusing social mores in Victorian England make for a highly entertaining mystery. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.