Review: Of Hoaxes and Homicide by Anastasia Hastings

 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. And 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 conscious, 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 that the runaway daughter in question is Sephora's dearest friend Margaret. Violet sets off to the Children's compound in Nottintham to convince her to return to London. But with the dashing-but-frustrating Eli Marsh running around and a member of the Children found poisoned to death, Violet and Sephora—along with their ever-trusty housekeeper Bunty—may have more intrigue than they can manage.

Of Hoaxes and Homicide by Anastasia Hastings

My rating: 4 of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Violet Manville and her sister Sephora are bored. Something neither would admit out loud.

So when Violet receives a letter from a heartbroken mother sent to her alter ego, Miss Hermione, she can't help but feel a little excited. The daughter of Heartbroken Mother has gotten caught up in a cult known as the Hermetic Order of the Children of Aed.

Wild rumors of human sacrifices, rituals, and ghosts that take place in the ruined Alburn Abbey where the Children pray have gripped the public. The rumors have also been helped along by a series of novels written by the mysterious Count Orlando.

Violet's investigation soon collides with real life when she discovers that the runaway is Sephora's best friend Margaret. Violet sets off to the Children's compound to convince Margaret to return to London. But the dashing Eli Marsh is lurking around the compound and a member is found poisoned to death.

Will it be too much for Violet, Sephora and their trusty housekeeper Bunty can manage?

Thanks so much to the author and Minotaur/Macmillan for this ARC to review.

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