"The Matter is far from settled, Miss Hermione. In fact, it has grown grave."

1885; London, England. When Violet's Aunt Adelia decides to abscond with her newest paramour, she leaves behind two volatile nieces, one dedicated housekeeper, and a mailbox full of trouble. After years of penning the replies of the most popular Agony Aunt in London, Miss Hermione, Adelia is giving up her authorial pursuits to go all-in on love. And unforunately for her elder niece, Violet, Adelia has left the fate of Miss Hermione in her hands.

And of course, the first letter Violet receives is full not of prissy pondering, but of portent.

Ivy Armstrong is in need of help like no other: strange accidents have been happening to and around her, and she confides to Miss Hermione that she fears for her life-and even sends along helpful newspaper sketches of her suspects. Violet, as a woman stymied by the repressed feminine lifestyle of her era and wedded first and foremost to good sense and good books, is determined to help Ivy. But when she visits the village where the letters were posted, Willingdale, she finds an unpleasant surprise waiting for her: Ivy is already dead, and one of her mourners may also be her murderer.

With a sassy and snobbish sister, Sephora, to care for, a murder to solve, and her own complicated feelings for a certain caddish Eli Marsh to corrall, Violet is almost too busy to dole out advice to the British. Almost.