A CHRISTMAS GUIDE TO FAMILY AND MURDER (Countess of Harleigh Mystery #9) by Dianne Freeman will be released on September 29, 2026, by Kensington.
Frances Hazelton is looking forward to a quiet Christmas at her sister-in-law’s country estate. Instead, a storm blows through, and the men go to help with the cleanup. Meanwhile, Frances, Fiona, and the children find the local doctor’s body on the estate and wind up investigating the man’s murder. Joshua Penhollow was not well liked, and there are plenty of suspects. Now if only they can find the killer before Christmas.
What promises to be a picturesque Christmas in the country turns into a murder investigation in A CHRISTMAS GUIDE TO FAMILY AND MURDER. I enjoyed Fiona getting more time in the spotlight and her contributions to the investigation. She and Frances make a great team—though not quite as good as Frances and George. The kids’ Christmas murder mystery story starring characters heavily based on Frances and George was a fun plotline. Overall, A CHRISTMAS GUIDE TO FAMILY AND MURDER in an enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.