1. Did you like the book? Why or why not?

2. Who was your favorite character in the story? Your least favorite? Why?

3. The theme of family duty plays a large role in the story. The oldest son will inherit wealth and property, but also the responsibility for caring for it, growing it, and passing it on to the next generation. Younger sons must make their own way in the world. Daughters are expected to make advantageous matches, hand everything they own to their husbands, and live a blameless life. All are expected to keep the family name respectable. If you had to choose, where would you want to be in this hierarchy?

4. Do you think hiding the circumstances of Reggie’s death played a part in what happened later or would it all have happened in the same way if it had been revealed? Why?

5. Once “everything started to happen”, why do you think Frances did not tell the truth about her husband’s death to the inspector?

6. What do you think of the tradition of “mourning” where family must wear black, have no visitors, attend no parties, do no traveling, etc.? Is it a good idea? Why or why not?

7. Frances has a rare advantage for a woman in 1899 because she has a small fortune of her own which allows her some independence. Do you think women of today have a more independent spirit? Or did women of that era simply lack the opportunity to express it?

8. What is the purpose of having a “social season” (from March to September) in London? Do you approve? Disapprove? Does it still happen today?

9. Did you know who was stealing the valuables (snuffboxes, necklace, bracelet, etc.) before it was revealed? Did you figure out why the thefts were occurring?

10. Did you figure out who killed Capshaw and why?

11. It turns out that Reggie’s death was no accident. Why was he killed? Did you suspect his murderer?

12. The villains in the story aren’t just “bad guys” but people who see no other way out of a bad situation. Do you feel any sympathy for them despite their poor choices?

13. Frances and Graham decide to tell no one about Delia’s actions because “it would hurt the children”. Do you think that was the right move? Should they have exposed her? Mentor Public Library Page 3 of 3 March 2020

14. In the Victorian aristocracy the persona a person showed publicly was often different from who they were at home. Everyone in this story is hiding something from the general public. In our era of social media, we tend to put everything “out there,” yet because we’re online we can be anonymous. Is the public/private persona still prevalent today?

15. Were you satisfied with the ending of the story? If you could change it, what would you do to make it better?

16. Many of the books we read are heavy, thought provoking, and dark. A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder is a light, fun read. What type of book do you prefer and why?

17. A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder was Freeman’s debut book, the second of the series has been published, and a third is due out soon. Will you read any of them?