Set in London, England in 1885 Of Manners and Murder (2023) starts off with a secret. Miss Hermione, the most popular advice columnist in England, is actually Adelia Manville. Violet Manville, who lives with her aunt, suddenly finds herself becoming the mysterious Miss Hermione when Aunt Adelia takes off on a European vacation.

Violet, a would-be scholar and recluse, is the opposite of her wealthy and frivolous step-sister, Sephora, who delights in being a social butterfly. Violet doesn’t tell Sephora that she is the new Miss Hermione–Sephora like most women of that time regards Miss Hermione’s advice as wise and correct.

One of Violet’s first letters asking Miss Hermione for advice involves a young woman who has recently married. Her concern revolves around the number of accidents that she’s involved with. When Violet goes to visit the woman who wrote the letter to Miss Hermione, she finds out the woman is dead. Violet immediately suspects foul play and starts her investigation.

Meanwhile, Sephora’s new boyfriend suddenly disappears and Sephora risks her life in the more dangerous neighborhoods of London looking for him. The sisters searching intersects as a murderous plot reveals itself. If you’re in the mood for a classic Victorian mystery, give Of Manners and Murder a try. GRADE: B