Murder While I Smile

The Berkeley Brigade #3

by Joan Smith

Mystery and intrigue once again provide adventure for the Berkeley Brigade--the aristocratic foursome with a nose for the ton's most incriminating scandals. . . .

Headstrong Corinne deCoventry, dashing Lord Luten, dilettante poet Sir Reginald Prance, and the delightfully bungling Coffen Pattle join wits and wiles in an imbroglio over forged paintings . . . and murder.

A gorgeous, very alluring French comtesse sets her sights on Luten, who is officially engaged to Corinne--while Prance dreams of passionate amour with the exotic seductress. But the various affairs soon reveal dark secrets, as Corinne realizes her betrothed is much closer to the dealings than she ever suspected!

Genres: Mystery, Regency, Romance

217 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 26, 1997

About the author

Joan Smith is a graduate of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and the Ontario College of Education. She has taught French and English in high school and English in college. When she began writing, her interest in Jane Austen and Lord Byron led to her first choice of genre, the Regency, which she especially liked for its wit and humor.
Her favorite travel destination is England, where she researches her books. Her hobbies are gardening, painting, sculpture and reading. She is married and has three children. A prolific writer, she is currently working on Regencies and various mysteries at her home in Georgetown, Ontario.
She is also known as Jennie Gallant

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to love this one, since it was without a doubt the only Regency romance to mention my dissertation topic, the Norman writer Wace. He would be a little miffed at being called French, however. I like the series, though the main couple's misunderstandings seem a bit contrived. Not surprising, when the average regency romance careens towards the HEA in a mere one volume. I usually just read the free ones, but this series has me hooked!
1

[D.w. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series. It has many good points, it being a fun as these entitled members of the Ton continue to delve into mysteries.

There are a couple things that are against it. Coffin Prattle Prance the names of the two side kicks who I continue to confuse throughout the series. Also the POV that the author uses changes in mid scene and that is a disservice to us readers.

Otherwise I can recommend the series. 3.99 on the Apple iBookstore makes it as cheap as finding it for a penny and having an actually sent to you and take up space in the world. And this way the author should get a royalty.

It may, upon conclusion, even rate a reread.

[Elidanora · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet!!