Of Manners and Murder

Mia Hutchinson-Shaw expertly narrates Hastings’s (author of Murder of a Mail-Order Bride under the name Mimi Granger) first installment in the “Dear Miss Hermione Mystery” series, set in mid-1880s England. When she takes over her Aunt Adelia’s secret position as the popular advice columnist Miss Hermione, the last thing Violet expects is to be embroiled in a murder case. The author of her first letter previously wrote to Miss Hermione asking how to best settle into her new position as a wife. The latest letter suggests that someone is trying to murder her. Using clues sent in the letter, Violet sets off in search of its author, only to find that she is too late. Investigating the circumstances of the death is made more difficult by secrets and lies, but Violet’s unconventional and inquisitive nature convinces her to solve the crime. With her expressive delivery, Hutchinson-Shaw provides a lively, entertaining experience. She is skilled at differentiating each character and capturing their personality, as viewed through Violet’s first-person perspective.