Of Manners and Murder

[cornerofmadness]

Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hastings

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Violet is a young woman (though bordering on spinsterhood for this Victorian era time period) who was raised in India by a father who indulged her. Sephora is her half sister, a bit addle brained and very fashion conscious, as heiresses would have been at the time. Both are now living in London with their Bohemian aunt Adelia who just so happens to be Miss Hermione, an agony aunt, an advice columnist for women. Adelia has taken off with her new beau and has put Violet in charge of Miss Hermione's column.

Reluctant to do so, Violet gets swept up by a message from a young wife, Ivy, whose letters have taken on a paranoid feel, that she feels someone is out to harm her. Violet is so moved by this she goes to Ivy's hometown only to find out she is dead under mysterious circumstances.

Violet feels compelled to find out who killed Ivy, relying on her aunt's housekeeper, Bunty for help. Sephora, on the other hand, is taking risks in sneaking out to see a man who only meets up with her in non-approved settings for the time period.

I figured out much of the plot along the way but that didn't ruin the fun. I enjoyed Violet very much (Sephora, not so much). I had actually read book two first and happened to meet the author at a fair so picked up this book. It's a good series so far.



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