Description

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Of Manners and Murder is the first in the delightful new Dear Miss Hermione mystery series from Anastasia Hastings.

"Evokes the shocking revelations of Wilkie Collins, the social acuity of Jane Austen and the comic melodrama of Oscar Wilde."—Wall Street Journal

1885: London, England. When Violet's Aunt Adelia decides to abscond with her newest paramour, she leaves behind her role as the most popular Agony Aunt in London, "Miss Hermione," in Violet's hands.

And of course, the first letter Violet receives is full, not of prissy pondering, but of portent. Ivy Armstrong is in need of help and fears for her life. But when Violet visits the village where the letters were posted, she finds that Ivy is already dead.

She'll quickly discover that when you represent the best-loved Agony Aunt in Britain, both marauding husbands and murder are par for the course.

About the Author

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Anastasia Hastings has, over a thirty-year career, published more than sixty novels in a number of different genres and under a number of names––Miss Hermione would approve. Anastasia lives outside of Cleveland with her husband, David; her Airedale, Eliot Ness; and a Russell Terrier named Tequila Elizabeth. Of Manners and Murder was the first in the Dear Miss Hermione mystery series.

Praise For…

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A 2024 Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee!

“Delightful . . . The book’s thrilling denouement evokes the shocking revelations of Wilkie Collins, the social acuity of Jane Austen and the comic melodrama of Oscar Wilde.”—The Wall Street Journal

“Highly recommended series debut for fans of cozy sub-genre.”—Mystery Tribune

“[The] characters add to the charm of this welcome new series.”—The Akron Beacon Journal, "Book Talk" column

“[A] witty series launch…Hastings imbues her endearing lead with sufficient depth to make the plot plausible. Allison Montclair readers will be eager for the sequel.”—Publishers Weekly

“A series of surprising revelations leads to a shocking conclusion. The first in a series steeped in Victorian mores offers a dashing heroine and an impressive pile of red herrings.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Satisfying… includes tricky plot twists and a beautifully described Victorian setting.”—Booklist

“An entertaining historical mystery.”—Library Journal

“The writing is crisp and witty, and the plot wonderfully intertwined with all the characters, with nothing superfluous.”—Historical Novel Society

“Funny at times, this series debut is also an adventurous and thoughtful look at a time when women’s lives were on the brink of change. And it’s a puzzling whodunit to boot.”—First Clue Newsletter

"A delightful and engrossing first entry in the Dear Miss Hermione series. With an intriguing mystery, a dash of familial turmoil, and a blossoming romance, Of Manners and Murder is great fun from start to finish. I eagerly await Miss Hermione's next escapade!"—Ashley Weaver, author of the Amory Ames and Electra McDonnell series