In this historical mystery novel, sisters Violet and Sephora find themselves involved with a cult as they try to rescue a friend from a false accusation of murder. While the Children of Aed profess to be earth and nature loving, their leaders also bilk followers out of expensive possessions. When a member of the cult uncovers their schemes, he dies of poisoning and his intended fiance is accused of his murder. As Sephora and Violet infiltrate the group undercover as Seekers,they also end up in the middle of a dangerous game of magical tricks as well as an inheritance scheme.

While this is part of a series, the story can be read as a standalone. Readers who enjoy novels with intrigue and featuring plucky independent women will find this novel to be a welcome addition to their reading repertoire.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. ( )

After the thrill of solving a murder, sensible Violet Manville is finding life a bit mundane. When ‘Miss Hermione’ receives a letter from a heartbroken mother concerned about her daughter's involvement in a cult, she leaps into action to bring the girl back home. Things become critical when it is discovered that not only is the run away her sister’s dearest friend, but the cult may be hiding a murderer. Can Violet discover the truth with helpd from her flighty sister and their housekeeper Bunty?

I listened to the audio version of the first book and I was interested to see what happens next! I will admit I was a bit alarmed when this book began with Sephora’s point of view. I wasn’t fond of her in the first book and, although she has character growth in this book, I still don’t like her. Violet was still delightful and I enjoyed following her investigation.

The plot moved at a good pace. While the narrative stays with Violet, there are scenes with Sephora doing her part of the investigation. I guessed the culprit early on, but it was interesting to learn the ‘why’ behind the crime.

I would recommend this to readers looking for a cozy historical mystery series. I received an advance copy through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. ( )

It is 1885 in London and Violet is still writing the Dear Miss Hermione column. Most of the letters are mundane, offering no challenge and leaving her a bit bored but when she receives a letter from a distraught mother about her daughter who has run off to join a cult, the Children of Aed. Violet’s interest is piqued. And when she learns the runaway is her flighty half-sister, Sephora’s best friend, Margaret, she is determined to bring the girl home. While she leaves town to infiltrate the cult, she asks their housekeeper, Bunty to do some investigating in London while keeping Sephora out of it. Unfortunately, Sephora is not so easily distracted and soon she too is involved. But when a murder occurs, it is only a matter of time before the sisters find themselves knee deep in danger.

Of Hoaxes and Homicide is the second historical cozy mystery by Anastasia Hastings and it is an entertaining mystery with an interesting plot, likeable characters and with a nice touch of humour as well as a bit of romance. The story is split between Violet and Sephora, each with their own distinct voice. I did guess who dunnit pretty quickly but, despite this, the plot kept my interest throughout, so much so that I finished it in one day. I have thoroughly enjoyed both books in this series and look forward to the next entry in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review ( )

amateur-sleuth, sisters, sly-humor, verbal-humor, situational-humor, 1885, England, cozy-mystery, historical-novel, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, lies, secrets, suspense, murder investigation, suspicion*****

Finally the second installation in the Dear Miss Hermione series!
Practical, scholarly Violet lived a peripatetic life in places where tea grows with her father and family. Now she lives in London with her ditzy half-sister Sephora, and usually with her aunt (who just fled with a latest love which left Violet with tasks), and the rock solid help of Bunty. The tasks that were left involved taking over the Agony Aunt column known to the world only as Miss Hermione! Both Violet and Sephora were bored until there was a letter to Hermione that coincided with an article in the news (and a series of novels) about the group about a cult meeting in the park. Suspicion reigns and they follow the group out to their country headquarters and so the sleuthing begins even before the first body is discovered. Good fun in a lively cozy that I really enjoyed!
I requested and received an EARC from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )

This story is the second in the Dear Hermione mysteries. It is set in England in 1885 and stars two very different sisters. Violet is the practical, scholarly one and Sephora is the young, flighty and romantic one. As the story begins, both young ladies are bored with their lives after the excitement of solving a murder in the first book.

When Violet, who has taken over the role of agony aunt from her aunt, receives a letter from a despairing mother whose daughter has joined a cult, she is determined to investigate and bring the young lady home to her parents.

Then Violet discovers that the missing young lady is Sephora's best friend Margaret who had entangled herself with the Children of Aed. Penny dreadfuls written about the cult speak of human sacrifices and other atrocities. Violet is determined to go to the cult to find Margaret and is equally determined to leave her flighty younger half-sister behind safe in London. But Sephora isn't content to stay out of the investigation and ends up trailing Bunty to all sorts of dodgy places and inserting herself in the investigation.

While Violet is dealing with being drugged and seeing a man die of poisoning and seeing Margaret "confess" to the crime, Sephora and Bunty are trying to learn more about the murder victim in London where he is something of a man of mystery.

This was an engaging story with great characters. I like that Violet learns to see her sister Sephora better and begins to treat her as an equal instead of a burden. I also liked that Sephora showed that she was more than a propriety obsesses, fashion obsessed young person. ( )