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The Case of the Beguiling Brooch
Dive into a thrilling private investigator mystery in The Case of the Beguiling Brooch, where suspense, secrets, and surprises collide at every turn. If you like women sleuths, you'll love following Jade Cavendish, a sharp-witted and determined female PI, as she finds herself entangled in a baffling puzzle involving a cryptic message, a priceless heirloom, and a chilling murder. With her blend of tenacity and humor, Jade plunges into a dangerous world of deception and intrigue. If you relish suspense, clever female detectives, and a touch of laughter along the way, this page-turner is tailor-made for you.
Jade Cavendish thought she was just attending another somber funeral, paying respects to the late Benji Thompson. But when an elegant woman named Hilda Bauer urgently pulls her aside, Jade's day takes an unexpected turn. Hilda's mother’s brooch, a family heirloom, was lost during World War II. Her only lead is a cryptogram left by the deceased along with a message that Jade could solve it..
A cryptic message from the dead.
Jade's curiosity is piqued as she tries to decipher the cryptogram, only to realize she first needs a key. Her quest spirals her into a labyrinth of secrets, where nothing is as it seems. Just as she begins to untangle the mystery, Jade learns that Benji's death was no accident—it was murder.
An art world full of shadows.
Determined to solve both Benji’s murder and the cryptogram, Jade dives into the enigmatic art world and unearths Benji’s link to an international art theft ring. Each clue brings her closer to the truth but also deeper into danger. With every step forward, the shadowy figure known as Valkyrie looms larger, marking Jade as the next target.
Two mysteries intertwine.
With time running out, Jade must crack the cryptogram to recover the brooch and unmask Benji’s killer. But time is running out, and the stakes are higher than ever as Valkyrie springs into action.
Don't miss this exciting second book in the Beachtown Detective Agency series
The Case of the Beguiling Brooch is an enthralling private investigator mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It blends cryptic puzzles, high-stakes drama, and dashes of humor in a captivating narrative. Join Jade Cavendish as she navigates the dark underbelly of the art world, where every revelation pulls you deeper into a web of deceit, danger, and unexpected laughs.
Discover the thrill of the chase, the allure of secrets unveiled, and moments that will make you chuckle. Buy your copy today and step into a world where every answer leads to more questions—and a smile.
Jade Cavendish thought she was just attending another somber funeral, paying respects to the late Benji Thompson. But when an elegant woman named Hilda Bauer urgently pulls her aside, Jade's day takes an unexpected turn. Hilda's mother’s brooch, a family heirloom, was lost during World War II. Her only lead is a cryptogram left by the deceased along with a message that Jade could solve it..
A cryptic message from the dead.
Jade's curiosity is piqued as she tries to decipher the cryptogram, only to realize she first needs a key. Her quest spirals her into a labyrinth of secrets, where nothing is as it seems. Just as she begins to untangle the mystery, Jade learns that Benji's death was no accident—it was murder.
An art world full of shadows.
Determined to solve both Benji’s murder and the cryptogram, Jade dives into the enigmatic art world and unearths Benji’s link to an international art theft ring. Each clue brings her closer to the truth but also deeper into danger. With every step forward, the shadowy figure known as Valkyrie looms larger, marking Jade as the next target.
Two mysteries intertwine.
With time running out, Jade must crack the cryptogram to recover the brooch and unmask Benji’s killer. But time is running out, and the stakes are higher than ever as Valkyrie springs into action.
Don't miss this exciting second book in the Beachtown Detective Agency series
The Case of the Beguiling Brooch is an enthralling private investigator mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It blends cryptic puzzles, high-stakes drama, and dashes of humor in a captivating narrative. Join Jade Cavendish as she navigates the dark underbelly of the art world, where every revelation pulls you deeper into a web of deceit, danger, and unexpected laughs.
Discover the thrill of the chase, the allure of secrets unveiled, and moments that will make you chuckle. Buy your copy today and step into a world where every answer leads to more questions—and a smile.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2024
4 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Terry Ambrose
35 books316 followersTerry Ambrose started out skip tracing and collecting money from deadbeats and quickly learned that liars come from all walks of life. He never actually stole a car, but sometimes hired big guys with tow trucks and a penchant for working in the dark when “negotiations” failed.
A resident of Southern California, he loves spending time in Hawaii, especially on the Garden Island of Kauai, where he invents lies for others to read. His years of chasing deadbeats taught him many valuable life lessons including—always keep your car in the garage.
A resident of Southern California, he loves spending time in Hawaii, especially on the Garden Island of Kauai, where he invents lies for others to read. His years of chasing deadbeats taught him many valuable life lessons including—always keep your car in the garage.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 12, 2025
Dollycas’s Thoughts
By attending the funeral of Benji Thompson Private Eye Jade Cavendish gets a new case trying to find a brooch lost during World War II. It’s not your typical case as it starts with a “cryptic message” from the newly deceased. To solve it Jade needs to find the key and in her quest to find it, she learns Benji Thompson’s death was murder and not an accident. To solve his murder and find the key Jade finds herself enmeshed in the art world and discovers Benji was part of an international art theft ring. This knowledge puts a target on her back so she needs to hurry because the stakes are higher than she ever imagined.
The author has created an interesting cast of characters for this series. Jade Cavendish is a spunky woman currently running the family business, Beachtown Detective Agency but her father and his friend are never afraid to share their opinions, and they may have pertinent information in this “game of secrets” she finds herself tangled up in. Her mother worries so she and her dad try to let her know everything that is going on. Her assistant Zoe has become a real asset. Her friend Gina had been working with Benji on a kid’s art program so she took his death hard but Gina can be a bit of a drama queen. To the core cast Mr Ambrose adds a very eclectic group of new characters to set this mystery in motion.
Jade was part of Benji Thompson’s network and he was a great resource with his contacts all over the world. Benji trusted her, setting up a real puzzle for her to solve the mystery of his death, the missing brooch, and other missing pieces of art. Mr. Ambrose plotted out this puzzle filled mystery with twists that not only tested Jade but also tested his readers. There was a large cast to keep straight and multiple secrets and connections. I admit I was taking notes.
I liked that Jade teamed up and worked with another woman to sort out clues, follow leads, and solve the puzzles in their path. Jade had to ask tough questions and earn some trust to find information about everything Benji had his fingers in. I appreciated the author’s detailed description of each situation and interaction as the investigation continued. It wasn’t until the stirring showdown that all the clues fell into place and all the details were explained. Jade gets a little help with the takedown and it made me smile. Mr. Ambrose knows just when to insert humorous moments and he did it perfectly right up until the very end.
The Case of the Beguiling Brooch was plotted with fascinating puzzles. Benji left puzzles to solve, but then it was a matter of putting all the pieces together in a way that made sense to help catch a killer, and it was a complicated process. It was confounding at times but totally enjoyable. I also learned quite a bit about art theft and all the machinations to pull it off and was reminded about cryptography which I learned about in high school.
This was a great read and a Perfect Escape.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
By attending the funeral of Benji Thompson Private Eye Jade Cavendish gets a new case trying to find a brooch lost during World War II. It’s not your typical case as it starts with a “cryptic message” from the newly deceased. To solve it Jade needs to find the key and in her quest to find it, she learns Benji Thompson’s death was murder and not an accident. To solve his murder and find the key Jade finds herself enmeshed in the art world and discovers Benji was part of an international art theft ring. This knowledge puts a target on her back so she needs to hurry because the stakes are higher than she ever imagined.
The author has created an interesting cast of characters for this series. Jade Cavendish is a spunky woman currently running the family business, Beachtown Detective Agency but her father and his friend are never afraid to share their opinions, and they may have pertinent information in this “game of secrets” she finds herself tangled up in. Her mother worries so she and her dad try to let her know everything that is going on. Her assistant Zoe has become a real asset. Her friend Gina had been working with Benji on a kid’s art program so she took his death hard but Gina can be a bit of a drama queen. To the core cast Mr Ambrose adds a very eclectic group of new characters to set this mystery in motion.
Jade was part of Benji Thompson’s network and he was a great resource with his contacts all over the world. Benji trusted her, setting up a real puzzle for her to solve the mystery of his death, the missing brooch, and other missing pieces of art. Mr. Ambrose plotted out this puzzle filled mystery with twists that not only tested Jade but also tested his readers. There was a large cast to keep straight and multiple secrets and connections. I admit I was taking notes.
I liked that Jade teamed up and worked with another woman to sort out clues, follow leads, and solve the puzzles in their path. Jade had to ask tough questions and earn some trust to find information about everything Benji had his fingers in. I appreciated the author’s detailed description of each situation and interaction as the investigation continued. It wasn’t until the stirring showdown that all the clues fell into place and all the details were explained. Jade gets a little help with the takedown and it made me smile. Mr. Ambrose knows just when to insert humorous moments and he did it perfectly right up until the very end.
The Case of the Beguiling Brooch was plotted with fascinating puzzles. Benji left puzzles to solve, but then it was a matter of putting all the pieces together in a way that made sense to help catch a killer, and it was a complicated process. It was confounding at times but totally enjoyable. I also learned quite a bit about art theft and all the machinations to pull it off and was reminded about cryptography which I learned about in high school.
This was a great read and a Perfect Escape.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
February 12, 2025
4.5 stars
Oh I enjoyed The Case of the Beguiling Brooch! Right away, Terry Ambrose hooked me on both the protagonist and the mystery, and his engaging writing voice and clever plot construction kept my interest until the very end. Not only to the end, actually, because a last minute twist that I didn’t see coming has me already eager for the next book, too!
Jade, who took over her dad’s private investigation business when he retired, is tasked with finding a brooch that’s been missing since WW2 and must follow the puzzle of clues left behind for her by her now-deceased friend. I love reading ‘treasure hunt’ type books, particularly when the majority of the hunt involves decoding clues that lead to more coded clues, and The Case of the Beguiling Brooch is one of the better ones I’ve encountered. Adding to the intrigue for me was the fact that the riddles & clues for Jade to solve were all put in place by her friend Benji before he died – and that they seem to revolve around a mysterious international art theft ring called The Guild. The possibilities made my brain whirl as I tried to puzzle things out along with Jade and a small circle of friends, new acquaintances, and family that she lets in on the case’s specifics. I enjoyed the sleuthing, as already mentioned, but I also enjoyed the relationships that she gains along the way, as well as the ones she has already established as trusted in her life. I’m still on the fence about a couple of ‘new players’ in the mix, but that’s just another thing that makes me want to read book 3 in this series as soon as it’s released!
Bottom Line: The Case of the Beguiling Brooch by Terry Ambrose is exactly the type of mystery I love reading! I really liked the main character Jade Cavendish, and the plot had me intrigued from the beginning. Ambrose’s writing voice easily draws you into the story and keeps you moving at a steady and enjoyable pace, with a few well-written twists thrown in for good measure, until all is revealed. Even though this is my first read in this series, I had no trouble orienting myself to the characters or the setting. A great mystery and a great way to spend a cozy winter weekend!
Reviewer’s Note: Followers of my reviews may want to be aware that there are some mild curse words used very infrequently in this novel, as well as ‘God’ used irreverently.
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Oh I enjoyed The Case of the Beguiling Brooch! Right away, Terry Ambrose hooked me on both the protagonist and the mystery, and his engaging writing voice and clever plot construction kept my interest until the very end. Not only to the end, actually, because a last minute twist that I didn’t see coming has me already eager for the next book, too!
Jade, who took over her dad’s private investigation business when he retired, is tasked with finding a brooch that’s been missing since WW2 and must follow the puzzle of clues left behind for her by her now-deceased friend. I love reading ‘treasure hunt’ type books, particularly when the majority of the hunt involves decoding clues that lead to more coded clues, and The Case of the Beguiling Brooch is one of the better ones I’ve encountered. Adding to the intrigue for me was the fact that the riddles & clues for Jade to solve were all put in place by her friend Benji before he died – and that they seem to revolve around a mysterious international art theft ring called The Guild. The possibilities made my brain whirl as I tried to puzzle things out along with Jade and a small circle of friends, new acquaintances, and family that she lets in on the case’s specifics. I enjoyed the sleuthing, as already mentioned, but I also enjoyed the relationships that she gains along the way, as well as the ones she has already established as trusted in her life. I’m still on the fence about a couple of ‘new players’ in the mix, but that’s just another thing that makes me want to read book 3 in this series as soon as it’s released!
Bottom Line: The Case of the Beguiling Brooch by Terry Ambrose is exactly the type of mystery I love reading! I really liked the main character Jade Cavendish, and the plot had me intrigued from the beginning. Ambrose’s writing voice easily draws you into the story and keeps you moving at a steady and enjoyable pace, with a few well-written twists thrown in for good measure, until all is revealed. Even though this is my first read in this series, I had no trouble orienting myself to the characters or the setting. A great mystery and a great way to spend a cozy winter weekend!
Reviewer’s Note: Followers of my reviews may want to be aware that there are some mild curse words used very infrequently in this novel, as well as ‘God’ used irreverently.
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
November 28, 2025
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Case of the Beguiling Brooch by Terry Ambrose has Jade Cavendish looking for a brooch and solving the murder of a dear friend.
Will Jade solve the mystery?
Jade Cavendish
Jade Cavendish is a private investigator who is mourning the loss of a dear friend. Well, that is, until she is swept into a mystery at his funeral. Jade is a fun character to follow as she's solving her cases. She still has some issues to solve on her own, which she is aware of, but she is still a nice change from a cozy mystery sleuth. I have to say that I like Jade as a character, and I may like her as a friend. It's still a toss-up, especially after these latest cases.
The Cases
Jade is tasked by Hilda Bauer at Benji's funeral with finding a brooch that was Hilda's mother's during World War 2, before they were separated. The widow then tasks her with solving Benji's murder. Two separate cases that seem to intertwine at specific points, branch out, then come back together. I have to say I was stumped about who could be the Valkyrie, and I was so off-base about the actual person.
Four Stars
My rating for The Case of the Beguiling Brooch by Terry Ambrose is four stars. Mr. Ambrose has an excellent writing style that shines in each new series he does. Granted, I have only read two of them, but they are both so different from each other. Mr. Ambrose has done a great job of showcasing a private investigator's work.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Case of the Beguiling Brooch by Terry Ambrose.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
The Case of the Beguiling Brooch by Terry Ambrose has Jade Cavendish looking for a brooch and solving the murder of a dear friend.
Will Jade solve the mystery?
Jade Cavendish
Jade Cavendish is a private investigator who is mourning the loss of a dear friend. Well, that is, until she is swept into a mystery at his funeral. Jade is a fun character to follow as she's solving her cases. She still has some issues to solve on her own, which she is aware of, but she is still a nice change from a cozy mystery sleuth. I have to say that I like Jade as a character, and I may like her as a friend. It's still a toss-up, especially after these latest cases.
The Cases
Jade is tasked by Hilda Bauer at Benji's funeral with finding a brooch that was Hilda's mother's during World War 2, before they were separated. The widow then tasks her with solving Benji's murder. Two separate cases that seem to intertwine at specific points, branch out, then come back together. I have to say I was stumped about who could be the Valkyrie, and I was so off-base about the actual person.
Four Stars
My rating for The Case of the Beguiling Brooch by Terry Ambrose is four stars. Mr. Ambrose has an excellent writing style that shines in each new series he does. Granted, I have only read two of them, but they are both so different from each other. Mr. Ambrose has done a great job of showcasing a private investigator's work.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Case of the Beguiling Brooch by Terry Ambrose.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
January 12, 2025
An intriguing case, a beguiling sleuth, a cryptogram and a missing brooch make this story a fast-paced read. When PI Jade Cavendish attends her friend Benji’s funeral, she doesn’t expect to be handed a case. Another guest hires her to find a missing family brooch. The only hint is a cryptogram Benji left for Jade. As she follows a trail of clues, she realizes Benji had a dark side she hadn’t known existed. And if she’s not careful, she might meet an early demise same as him. She navigates through his friends and acquaintances, learning about the art theft world and getting herself more entrenched in its spiral of deceit. Even worse is the suspicion that she develops for the guy she’s been dating. Can she solve the puzzle without turning him against her? If you’re looking for a fun escape and a solid mystery, this is for you!
October 31, 2024
This book is #2 in the Beachtown Detective Agency series by Terry Ambrose. I have so enjoyed reading most of his books, and the first in this series was absolutely fascinating since it takes place almost right in my backyard. This second book also takes place in the Carlsbad and Encinitas, California communities, so I can visualize the scenes vividly.
This book was both humorous and educational…now I know more about how to steal some art! I also learned about WWII art theft, about forgers, false documentation, money laundering and about art sold through the black market. It takes a village to raise a child, they say...and in this book, it takes a village to steal art!
The humor was welcomed, as it broke up the pins and needles passages. This second book was much more intense and suspenseful than the first, and it kept my attention throughout.
The protagonist and other familiar characters in the first book were present, but a colorful cast of new characters were involved, which made the plot more complicated, intriguing and fun.
It was not until almost the end when whodunnit was revealed, and I had not guessed correctly, which was satisfying.
I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by Terry Ambrose, and highly recommend this book to any reader who likes mysteries.
This book was both humorous and educational…now I know more about how to steal some art! I also learned about WWII art theft, about forgers, false documentation, money laundering and about art sold through the black market. It takes a village to raise a child, they say...and in this book, it takes a village to steal art!
The humor was welcomed, as it broke up the pins and needles passages. This second book was much more intense and suspenseful than the first, and it kept my attention throughout.
The protagonist and other familiar characters in the first book were present, but a colorful cast of new characters were involved, which made the plot more complicated, intriguing and fun.
It was not until almost the end when whodunnit was revealed, and I had not guessed correctly, which was satisfying.
I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by Terry Ambrose, and highly recommend this book to any reader who likes mysteries.
October 24, 2024
I really enjoyed The Case of the Beguiling Brooch. Private Investigator Juliet Delores "Jade" Cavendish has a knack for solving mysteries and currently runs the family's detective agency--Beachtown Detective Agency in Southern California. While attending the funeral of Benjamin Thomas, she is approached by a woman who is desperate to find a family brooch called A Mermaid's Allure. It was stolen during the war and she'd like to get it back. Jade agrees to take the case when she finds out that the mystery of the brooch's whereabouts seems to be related to Benjamin's death. What ensues involves clues, cryptic messages, and murder as Jade and her team seek the truth. This book is well written and very entertaining. I liked that the main character was female! It hooked me from the beginning and had me turning the pages to see how it all turned out. I look forward to future mysteries in this series.
November 9, 2024
Art dealer Benji Thompson`s death is deemed suspicious, and Jade Cavendish, private investigator, is tangled in the middle of the action, following leads in a case of recovering a brooch originally confiscated by the Nazis from a bank vault in Vienna, Austria, all while navigating troubled waters in her love life, perhaps facing a serious conflict of interest, not to mention jeopardizing her relationship with flighty bestie Gina.
Author Terry Ambrose weaves a taut, riveting tale, and what I especially enjoyed was the research, the detail given to various aspects of authentication, as well as details of cryptography; very fascinating and not dry, at all. “The Case of the Beguiling Brooch” deservedly earns 4 stars with its behind-the-scenes focus on fine art treasures and tough-as-nails, girl-power characters immersed in a broody, gritty, pulse-pounding narrative.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, amd am leaving a review voluntarily.
Author Terry Ambrose weaves a taut, riveting tale, and what I especially enjoyed was the research, the detail given to various aspects of authentication, as well as details of cryptography; very fascinating and not dry, at all. “The Case of the Beguiling Brooch” deservedly earns 4 stars with its behind-the-scenes focus on fine art treasures and tough-as-nails, girl-power characters immersed in a broody, gritty, pulse-pounding narrative.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, amd am leaving a review voluntarily.
October 22, 2024
Jade Cavendish is a PI with an excellent reputation for helping her clients solve their problems. While attending a funeral for her friend Benj, she is approached about taking on a new case. This takes her down a path where she learns a lot about the deceased and finds out he is not the man she thought he was. There are so many twists and turns in this book, and Jade needs help to solve puzzles that keep coming up, but she is not sure who to trust when people keep coming out of the woodwork. This is an excellent, gripping, fast paced book that I could not stop reading, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
August 16, 2025
Audiobook: I enjoyed this book as much as the first one in the series. I appreciated all the clever manipulations which controlled so much of this story. I cheered for Jade as she worked to solve her case in spite of all the obstacles. I liked Jade's relationship with her parents. My imagination was wildly active as I tried to figure out the mystery with all the distracting red herrings. I found the case intriguing. I was entertained by Leah Daniels' narration, and her performance enhanced my enjoyment of the story. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.
November 5, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this story! I am a fan of mysteries, especially when they keep me guessing, and this one did exactly that. What's more, there wasn't only one mystery being solved, there were essentially three different ones all wrapped up together! I thought Mr. Ambrose did a great job keeping all the details of the mysteries straight and keeping each subplot moving forward. The characters, settings, and background information were all intriguing and kept my interest throughout the novel. I haven't read the first book of the series yet, so I guess I'll have to check it out!
December 11, 2024
Jade went to the funeral of Benj Thompson to pay her respects. Then a woman pulls her aside and asks her to find a family heirloom that was stolen during WW Two. But there is a catch, she must decipher the cryptogram for clues. This was a mystery inside a mystery. Well done Terry! I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
November 6, 2024
Jade has her hands full. A friend has died and she suspects murder. She doesn't know who she can trust in the art world to help find a brooch and possibly solve a crime. I thought I knew who the culprit might be but there were many twist and turns that proved me wrong. Great story!
December 5, 2024
Terry Ambrose's best book yet!
Terry Ambrose's best book yet and I've read almost all of his. I'm loving this new series! Looking forward to the next one.
Terry Ambrose's best book yet and I've read almost all of his. I'm loving this new series! Looking forward to the next one.
December 2, 2024
Exciting mystery! Immensely interesting storyline. Diverse and well developed characters. Terry’s best work yet!
December 26, 2024
This is well-written and kept me interested from the start to finish. The mystery had me hooked from the first page. All the references regarding the art world and information there in were very descriptive. The book really keeps the reader tuned in, so that you don’t want to put the book down until it is finished. This is a great continuation of the series and I look forward to the next in this collection. Full disclosure: I received and ARC in return for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews