In Victorian England, in high society, a scandal is not permissible (this does not mean 'something' is not going on, it just can't make it into the local gossip), so you can imagine the impact of someone showing up saying she is married to George Hazelton, currently engaged to Frances Wynn (widow of the late Earl of Harleigh). This same woman claims all sorts of other odd things, too, but which are true? Then, a man shows up saying he is her husband. To further complicate matters, her body is found in Frances' garden. Untangling this web of lies makes for another fun entry to the Countess of Harleigh Mystery series by Dianne Freeman. This one is A Fiancee’s Guide to First Wives and Murder.

This would be a fun book to read in December, but July is when I found it, so July is when I read it! A Toot Hansell Christmas Cracker, by Kim M. Watt. It's one of the Beaufort Scales books, but does not to be read in any particular order with the others (well, except maybe the first one so you know what's going on). It's also a fun spin on the Twelve Days of Christmas song ... with recipes! Christmas really is a magical time of year. Not all of it good.

Reading Hermit With Dog