In Dianne Freeman’s charming Victorian-era mystery series, Frances Wynn, the American-born Countess of
Harleigh, finds her sister’s wedding threatened by a vow of vengeance.
London is known for its bustle and intrigues, but the sedate English countryside can host—or hide—any number
of secrets. Frances, the widowed Countess of Harleigh, needs a venue for her sister Lily’s imminent wedding, away
from prying eyes. Risings, George Hazleton’s family estate in Hampshire, is a perfect choice, and soon Frances, her
beloved George, and other guests have gathered to enjoy the usual country pursuits—shooting, horse riding, and
romantic interludes in secluded gardens.
But the bucolic setting harbors a menace, and it’s not simply the arrival of Frances’s socially ambitious mother.
Above and below stairs, mysterious accidents befall guests and staff alike. Before long, Frances suspects these “accidents”
are deliberate, and fears that the intended victim is Lily’s fiancé, Leo. Frances’s mother is unimpressed by Lily’s groom-to-be
and would much prefer that Lily find an aristocratic husband, just as Frances did. But now that Frances has
found happiness with George—a man who loves her for much more than her dowry—she heartily approves of Lily’s
choice. If she can just keep the couple safe from villains and meddling mamas.
As Frances and George search for the culprit among the assembled family, friends, and servants, more victims fall
prey to the mayhem. Mishaps become full-blooded murder, and it seems that no one is safe. And unless Frances can
quickly flush out the culprit, the peal of wedding bells may give way to another funeral toll. …