Of Hoaxes and Homicide: A Dear Miss Hermione Mystery -- Anastasia Hastings - Hardcover

The second in the delightful Dear Miss Hermione mystery series from Anastasia Hastings--when you represent the best-loved Agony Aunt in Britain, fielding questions from both irate housekeepers and heartbroken mothers is par for the course...

"Dear Miss Hermione--what is a mother to do?"

Sensible Violet Manville and her very ladylike half-sister Sephora are absolutely bored, thank you very much. Though neither of them would ever admit it aloud, they're missing the thrill of playing detective.

So when Violet receives a letter from "A Heartbroken Mother" sent to her alter-ego, the Agony Aunt known to the world only as Miss Hermione, her pulse can't help but quicken. The daughter in question has gotten caught up in a cult: the Hermetic Order of the Children of Aed. Rumors of human sacrifices, mystical doings, and a ghost in the ruined Alburn Abbey where the Children pray have gripped the public consciousness, helped along by a series of novels about the group, written by the mysterious Count Orlando, and clearly this girl has fallen prey.

Miss Hermione's investigation soon collides with very real life when Violet discovers a surprising connection to the cult. With the dashing-but-frustrating Eli Marsh turning up and a member of the Children poisoned, Violet and Sephora--along with their ever-trusty housekeeper Bunty--may have more intrigue than they can manage.

Author: Anastasia Hastings
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Published: 01/30/2024
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 8.50h x 6.10w x 2.00d
ISBN: 9781250848581

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal Prepub Alert 08/01/2023 pg. 1
Publishers Weekly 11/20/2023
Kirkus Reviews 12/01/2023
Booklist 12/22/2023

About the Author
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.