An Art Lover's Guide to Paris and Murder - (Countess of Harleigh Mystery) by Dianne Freeman

About the Book

"Frances and her husband, George, have two points of interest in Paris. One is an impromptu holiday to visit the Paris Exposition. The other is personal. George's Aunt Julia has requested her nephew's help in looking into the suspicious death of renowned artist Paul Ducasse. Though Julia is not entirely forthcoming about her reasons, she is clearly a woman mourning a lost love. At the exposition, swarming with tourists, tragedy casts a pall on the festivities. A footbridge collapses. Julia is among the casualties. However, she was not just another fateful victim. Julia was stabbed to death amid the chaos. With an official investigation at a standstill, George and Frances realize that to solve the case they must dig into Julia's life -- as well as Paul's -- and question everything and everyone in Julia's coterie of artists and secrets. They have no shortage of suspects. There is Paul's inscrutable widow, Gabrielle. Paul's art dealer and manager, Lucien. Julia's friend Martine, a sculptress with a jealous streak. And art jurist, Monsieur Beaufoy. The investigation takes a turn when it's revealed that George has inherited control of Julia's estate -- and another of her secrets. While George investigates, Frances safeguards their new legacy, and is drawn further into danger by a killer determined to keep the past buried."--

Book Synopsis

Filled with Victorian-era intrigue for readers of Rhys Bowen, Deanna Raybourn, Tasha Alexander, and Julia Seales, Dianne Freeman's Agatha Award-winning series takes a delightful jaunt to the City of Light as Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of Harleigh, encounters a murder scene at the Paris Exposition.

Frances and her husband, George, have two points of interest in Paris. One is an impromptu holiday to visit the Paris Exposition. The other is personal. George's Aunt Julia has requested her nephew's help in looking into the suspicious death of renowned artist Paul Ducasse. Though Julia is not entirely forthcoming about her reasons, she is clearly a woman mourning a lost love.

At the exposition, swarming with tourists, tragedy casts a pall on the festivities. A footbridge collapses. Julia is among the casualties. However, she was not just another fateful victim. Julia was stabbed to death amid the chaos. With an official investigation at a standstill, George and Frances realize that to solve the case they must dig into Julia's life--as well as Paul's--and question everything and everyone in Julia's coterie of artists and secrets.

They have no shortage of suspects. There is Paul's inscrutable widow, Gabrielle. Paul's art dealer and manager, Lucien. Julia's friend Martine, a sculptress with a jealous streak. And art jurist, Monsieur Beaufoy. The investigation takes a turn when it's revealed that George has inherited control of Julia's estate--and another of her secrets. While George investigates, Frances safeguards their new legacy, and is drawn further into danger by a killer determined to keep the past buried.

Review Quotes

Praise for the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series

"Numerous plot twists, well-drawn characters, and immersive details of the life and times in turn-of-the-century Victorian England distinguish this historical cozy." --Booklist on A Newlywed's Guide to Fortune and Murder

"Fans of witty, lighthearted Victorian mysteries will be enthralled." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW on A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder

"This delightful debut historical mystery introduces an appealing and smart female lead who relishes her newfound independence. The supporting cast of equally captivating characters further complement this atmospheric historical, set in the ballrooms and breakfast rooms of Victorian London. Fans of Georgette Heyer will appreciate the hints of romance, while aficionados of Deanna Raybourn or D.M. Quincy will delight in the banter-filled dialogue and period details." --Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW on A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder

"The Victorian backdrop perfectly sets off this amusing and challenging romantic mystery." --Kirkus Reviews on A Bride's Guide to Marriage and Murder

"The Agatha Award-winning author of A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder is adept at misdirection. Witty British conversation and social history as viewed by an American will continue to appeal to fans of Victorian mysteries." --Library Journal on A Newlywed's Guide to Fortune and Murder

"Zesty...Clever plotting matches appealing characterizations. Freeman continues to delight." --Publishers Weekly on A Bride's Guide to Marriage and Murder

"Will appeal to fans of Regency and Victorian cozies that are heavy on romance, as well as to followers of Elizabeth Peters and Deanna Raybourn." --Booklist on A Bride's Guide to Marriage and Murder

"Danger, drama, and intrigue combine in this whodunit." --Woman's World Book Club Pick on A Bride's Guide to Marriage and Murder

"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, and fans will delight in the dramatic conclusion." --Library Journey, (STARRED REVIEW) for A Fiancee's Guide to First Wives and Murder

"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 in Freeman's engaging series." --Booklist on A Fiancee's Guide to First Wives and Murder

"Freeman delivers it all: clever plotting, charming characters, plausible suspects, and red herrings galore. This historical is pure unadulterated fun." --Publisher's Weekly on A Fiancee's Guide to First Wives and Murder

"Amusing social mores in Victorian England make for a highly entertaining mystery." --Kirkus Reivew on A Fiancee's Guide to First Wives and Murder

"Delightful...Frances will do whatever she needs to get to the bottom of Irena's murder and ensure her own happily ever after." --Mystery Scene Magazine on A Fiancee's Guide to First Wives and Murder

"Set against the background of a luxurious English country house, peopled by the titled upper class and their (frequently more interesting) downstairs counterparts, A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon (preferably with tea and scones)." --Historical Novel Society on A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder

"Fans of Sherlock Holmes and Murder on the Orient Express will delight over this tale." --Woman's World Book Club Pick for A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder

"A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder is a thoroughly enjoyable closed-circle-of-suspects mystery, and the shooting-party atmosphere adds to the ambiance." --Criminal Element

"If practiced well, the oft-maligned art of gossip can unearth as much evidence as a CSI team...Dianne Freeman handles class disparity with care and has created a world that readers will want to explore in more depth as the series continues." --BookPage on A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder

"Engrossing...Freeman takes a witty look at Victorian polite society. Historical mystery fans will be delighted." --Publishers Weekly on A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder

"A charming period mystery with enough sexual tension and credible suspects to keep the reader guessing." --Kirkus Reviews on A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder

"The full cast of talkative aristocrats, the lighthearted tone, and the fast pace will keep readers actively engaged. This would make a wonderful introduction to cozy mysteries for fans of Regency or Victorian romance, and it will also hit the mark for followers of Elizabeth Peters and Deanna Raybourn." --Booklist on A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder

"Wide-ranging and absorbing and includes some clever surprises." --Mystery Scene on A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder

"Lovers of acrostics and word-puzzles will find much to enjoy in A Lady's Guide to Gossip and Murder and will undoubtedly look forward to Lady Frances's next Lady's Guide adventure." --Criminal Element

"A delightful tale of shenanigans among the British aristocracy. Lady Frances feels very real--not too smart and spunky but no shrinking violet either." --Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of the Royal Spyness and Molly Murphy mysteries

About the Author

Dianne Freeman is the acclaimed author of the Agatha and Lefty Award winning Countess of Harleigh Mysteries, a two time finalist for the Macavity's Sue Feder Memorial Award, and a finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She spent thirty years working in corporate accounting and finance and now writes full time. Born and raised in Michigan, she and her husband now split their time between Michigan and Arizona. Visit her at DiFreeman.com.