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Beatrice Hyde-Clare #13
A Pernicious Fabrication
Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave, will not do the bidding of Hell and Fury Hawes. It does not matter how difficult it is to find new murder mysteries to investigate, especially ones where the victim was stabbed with a chisel. She absolutely refuses to lift a finger to help him figure out who killed one of his associates.
Nothing will persuade her, not even discovering the identity of the victim.
It is the duke’s cousin, son of the wretched Lord Myles, who also met an ugly death—bludgeoned with a candlestick—after going into business with the infamous crime lord, who rules over the worst rookery in London. Mortimer Matlock, a thwarted artist who stopped sculpting after his work was rejected repeatedly by the Royal Academy, was forging artifacts for Hawes’s illegal antiquities scheme.
Joining forces with the King of Saffron Hill, it seems, is frequently fatal.
That is an unfortunate development, then, for Bea, whose husband is determined to find out who slayed his relative. The duke shares her distrust of Hawes, whose avowals of just wanting justice for the fallen man ring hollow to him too. He believes there is more to the situation than meets the eye.
Well, obviously, yes, thinks Bea, who is unable to smother her misgivings.
Surely, they’re walking into a trap.
Readers love A Pernicious Fabrication!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A new Bea installment! I must say, I was unprepared to receive an arc, but I did! And although I am an excellent reader who reads readily, everyone says so, I had to prepare myself to start this reading feast and it was oh so worth the effort!" –Goodreads Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Anyone who’s read my reviews on the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries knows this series is my ride or die when it comes to cozy mysteries. The writing? Chef’s kiss. Bea and the Duke of Kesgrave? My fictional besties." –Goodreads Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "If you are look for a binge-worthy cozy mystery series with witty banter and a whip smart heroine, look no further than the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries!" –Goodreads Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This series never ceases to amaze me! I love the Bea and Kesgrave's universe and never miss a book." –Goodreads Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I love this series. The writing somehow has a bit of the feel of Jane Austen’s books." –Goodreads Reviewer
Nothing will persuade her, not even discovering the identity of the victim.
It is the duke’s cousin, son of the wretched Lord Myles, who also met an ugly death—bludgeoned with a candlestick—after going into business with the infamous crime lord, who rules over the worst rookery in London. Mortimer Matlock, a thwarted artist who stopped sculpting after his work was rejected repeatedly by the Royal Academy, was forging artifacts for Hawes’s illegal antiquities scheme.
Joining forces with the King of Saffron Hill, it seems, is frequently fatal.
That is an unfortunate development, then, for Bea, whose husband is determined to find out who slayed his relative. The duke shares her distrust of Hawes, whose avowals of just wanting justice for the fallen man ring hollow to him too. He believes there is more to the situation than meets the eye.
Well, obviously, yes, thinks Bea, who is unable to smother her misgivings.
Surely, they’re walking into a trap.
Readers love A Pernicious Fabrication!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A new Bea installment! I must say, I was unprepared to receive an arc, but I did! And although I am an excellent reader who reads readily, everyone says so, I had to prepare myself to start this reading feast and it was oh so worth the effort!" –Goodreads Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Anyone who’s read my reviews on the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries knows this series is my ride or die when it comes to cozy mysteries. The writing? Chef’s kiss. Bea and the Duke of Kesgrave? My fictional besties." –Goodreads Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "If you are look for a binge-worthy cozy mystery series with witty banter and a whip smart heroine, look no further than the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries!" –Goodreads Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This series never ceases to amaze me! I love the Bea and Kesgrave's universe and never miss a book." –Goodreads Reviewer
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I love this series. The writing somehow has a bit of the feel of Jane Austen’s books." –Goodreads Reviewer
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 7, 2025
370 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Messina
65 books661 followersLynn Messina is author of more than a dozen novels, including the best-selling Fashionistas, which has been translated into sixteen languages, and a series of Regency romance novels. Her essays have appeared in Self, American Baby and the New York Times Modern Love column. She lives in New York City with her sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
March 8, 2025
Her Outageousness prevails!
Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave, “Her Outrageousness” is in a pickle. She’s dreading going to Haverill Hall with its hundreds of rooms and servants to match, the “massive Matlock ancestral estate.” Beatrice is pregnant. The thought of removing to the Hall maybe by September is weighs down on her. Now she learns Lady Abercrombie has autocratically, without permission, issued invitations to a house party at the Hall. Something Bea had said she didn’t want and something the atrociously managing Lady Abercombie had no right to do!
Bea’s secretly apprehensive about how the servants at the estate will react to her.
All that fades though when the Crime Lord, “Hell and Fury” Hawes pays a visit to inform Beatrice and Kesgrave that he’s just come from the Duke’s cousin’s place and has found Mortimer dead, murdered. Hawe’s is calling in his marker. He wants Bea and the Duke to investigate.
Their investigations uncover a lively trade in fraudulent ancient artefacts, including forged Assyrian reliefs, and so much more.
The unveiling of the murderer is dangerous. Bea is not moved.
Throughout this investigation it seems Bea has come to terms with the strong person she now is.
Another fascinating tale from Messina about one of my fav. intrepid regency sleuths.
A Book Whisperer ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave, “Her Outrageousness” is in a pickle. She’s dreading going to Haverill Hall with its hundreds of rooms and servants to match, the “massive Matlock ancestral estate.” Beatrice is pregnant. The thought of removing to the Hall maybe by September is weighs down on her. Now she learns Lady Abercrombie has autocratically, without permission, issued invitations to a house party at the Hall. Something Bea had said she didn’t want and something the atrociously managing Lady Abercombie had no right to do!
Bea’s secretly apprehensive about how the servants at the estate will react to her.
All that fades though when the Crime Lord, “Hell and Fury” Hawes pays a visit to inform Beatrice and Kesgrave that he’s just come from the Duke’s cousin’s place and has found Mortimer dead, murdered. Hawe’s is calling in his marker. He wants Bea and the Duke to investigate.
Their investigations uncover a lively trade in fraudulent ancient artefacts, including forged Assyrian reliefs, and so much more.
The unveiling of the murderer is dangerous. Bea is not moved.
Throughout this investigation it seems Bea has come to terms with the strong person she now is.
Another fascinating tale from Messina about one of my fav. intrepid regency sleuths.
A Book Whisperer ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
February 21, 2025
I adore this series and I've found that despite the twisty, outrageous mysteries, I crave the little moments when Beatrice and Damien are together or with families because they are so sweet and charming.
In this installment, Damien's cousin is murdered and a crime boss asks them to investigate. The cousin is an artist who turned to work on forgeries after years of rejection from the Royal Academy. The forgery business involves a web of people, described as a tree because the branches don't all know each other, so Bea and Damien have to trek around London to interview several suspects. The highlight is the denouement, which has Bea saving the day, but also taking a huge risk. There is also a beautiful scene with Damien's grandmother when he has to tell her that her grandson is dead. It's short, but emotional.
Beatrice continues to evolve as a character, becoming more comfortable in her role as Duchess with each book. In this installment, we see a big leap forward. It's almost as if a new phase could be coming.
In this installment, Damien's cousin is murdered and a crime boss asks them to investigate. The cousin is an artist who turned to work on forgeries after years of rejection from the Royal Academy. The forgery business involves a web of people, described as a tree because the branches don't all know each other, so Bea and Damien have to trek around London to interview several suspects. The highlight is the denouement, which has Bea saving the day, but also taking a huge risk. There is also a beautiful scene with Damien's grandmother when he has to tell her that her grandson is dead. It's short, but emotional.
Beatrice continues to evolve as a character, becoming more comfortable in her role as Duchess with each book. In this installment, we see a big leap forward. It's almost as if a new phase could be coming.
February 18, 2025
I recieved a free e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own and not affected by the giveaway.
3.5 stars rounded up
Bea's biggest concern at the moment is how to avoid the house party the Duchess of Abercrombie is planning to hold a Haverill Hall, the Duke of Kesgrave's familial estate. Bea would rather accompany her family on a visit to Flora's beau Sebastian's family than host a house party! There's also the matter of a new tabloud reporter labeling Bea "The Murder Duchess" which could have negative connotations. She's about to get her wish for a distraction but learns to be careful what she wishes for when Hell and Fury Hawes shows up to ask the Bea for help solving the murder of one of his associates! He COULD just make the victim disappear and pretend that it never happened, however, the victim just so happened to be the Duke's cousin Mortimer, son of the lately deceased Lord Myles. Oh dear! Kesgrave can't let the murder of his last remaining male relative go so he sets out with his beloved Murder Duchess to find the clues and bring in the Runners. The case gets more complicated when they learn , a talented artist, was a master forger duping even the British Museum with his faux antiquities! He was part of a large network carefully controlled by Hell and Fury Hawes and Bea and Kesgrave are worried about being sucked in and the repercussions if they don't do what he wants. This could be their trickiest case yet!
EEEEE Bea is back! You must read A Lark's Release: A Regency Cozy first. I was hoping Verity and Bea would team up for this investigation as it was Verity who uncovered the forgery in the first place and began to investigate the identity of the master forger when she got sidetracked with her own murder investigation. Without Verity and Twaddle Thumb, I felt this story was lacking something. It was a lot harder to solve and more convoluted than I expected. There were many layers to the scam. A few minor historical inaccuracies took me out of the story briefly sending me off to do some research but they didn't affect the overall plot and weren't too out there. I just wanted to check on binoculars (modern ones not invented yet) and reading of the zodiac sign. Did you know Bea's birthday is July 10th and she's a Cancer?
There are a couple of swoony moments when the tables are turned and Bea has to joke Kesgrave out of his grim mood but not as many personal moments as in previous books. I actually liked them better before they were married when Bea was sneaking around and Kesgrave couldn't stay away from her. Bea is less neurotic in this story, less in her head. She's still anxious about managing a huge estate and team of servants but then Bea comes to a realization about herself at the end of the book (with some help from a friend) and is ready to turn a corner. I hope this doesn't mean the end of her adventures! I like her and identify with her because she's in her head all the time and so filled with self-doubt. Her beloved Damien has helped and she now knows he truly loves her. She's still a little shy about telling him important truths but I'm sure he's aware of Bea's anxiety anyway. He's trying to help. I think Kesgrave is more affected by his cousin's death than he realizes. Certainly he's worried about his grandmother and the family reputation. He's at his most ducal (but not pedantic ducal) here.
My heart breaks for the Dowager. Both her sons were horrible scoundrels but her grandsons both seem like kind and decent people. She loved them both and supported whatever it was they wanted to do, which is very much NOT a 19th century noble attitude but for the purposes of the story, we have a woman who has lost her entire family aside from one grandson, and her younger son was killed only weeks ago. She's still in mourning for him even though he was rotten and horrible. The Dowager loses her customary poise for a few moments and acts out of character, showing by her actions she's hurting and doesn't want to deal with it. I really liked her in previous adventures and she likes and accepts Bea for who Bea is without trying to make Bea into an august Duchess. Myles was cruel to his son who wanted nothing more than to be recognized for his artistic talent. Mortimer seemed to be, on the surface, a kind and decent man but thanks to a lifetime of horrible abuse from his father, he was unable to reach out and defend Damien or be friends with his cousin. I think if circumstances had been different, Mortimer would not have been murdered. The investigation reveals he was a scoundrel too and the one who introduced his father to Hell and Fury Hawes and not the other way around! Mortimer was in up to his neck in bad deeds all because of the horrible treatment from his father and the Royal Academy, which may have been in the pay of his father. His death is a real tragedy.
Hell and Fury Hawes is clever and cunning. At first he's charming and considers Bea a celebrity he admires but his motive soon becomes clear. He wants to entrap the Duke and Duchess of Kesgrave and make them do his bidding. He leaves hints to hook them, tries to goad Kesgrave who is too well bred to respond, and could threaten or force the couple to be a part of his network. Bea, as a mousy spinster, learned to read people. She's a good judge of character. She notices things others don't and sees through Hawes. Kesgrave only hears the words and the intent behind them. Bea wonders whether the simplest explanation, that Hawes killed Mortimer, is the right one. I think she might be right. This guy is so corrupt he has the entire neighborhood in his pay, including the magistrates. He can and does literally get away with Mortimer. Yet, he did come and risk everything to ask the Duke and Duchess to investigate. Is their investigation a distraction from something else? Did he not expect them to solve the crime or did he pin it on someone else, leading the Duke and Duchess there on purpose? I think if he killed an associate, he would want it known the associate had crossed him. That would ensure compliance from the rest of the network. Why doesn't he claim the death as his own doing anyway? Can't he get word out to his criminal enterprise without anyone else knowing? I'm very confused as to what his game is here. Perhaps just to get the Murder Duchess to work for him instead of against him?
The first witness, Joseph Foster, is amusing. He's supposedly an ornithologist but I think he enjoys spying on the neighbors for his journal contains detailed notes on the comings and goings in Mortimer's (aka Louis Rousseau) studio. He's just lazy when it comes to doing actual work and his poor daughter is like a servant in her own home. He names Susannah Brewer as one of the most frequent visitors and assumes the worst about her. She's a young woman, still a girl really, who served as Mortimer's model - excuse me - muse! Susie was his MUSE! She excelled at musing! Susie is very young, vain and shallow but the job was a godsend for her family. It was a ticket to a better life for her (probably a fast track to the demi monde). She claims Mortimer was kind and caring. He gave her little siblings a ready supply of lemon drops to keep them happy and enough money to support her mother. I don't think Susie would have murdered her meal ticket and the man who was going to make her famous. His death is a terrible blow to this family.
At the Royal Antiquaries Society we meet "Addle the Paddle." Mr. Addleton is the resident mansplainer. He misses nothing and makes no secret he believes he knows more than the rest and is eager to explain every minute detail to everyone. Mr. Kerrich, a member of the Royal Antiquaries Society, was the one to verify the Assyrian reliefs. Was he in on the scam or just ignorant? He was spotted arguing with Mortimer the night before Mortimer died. Mr. Kerrich is a nervous sort of man, vain and self-important. He tries to lie to cover his tracks and was angry with Mortimer for good reason. Mr. Kerrich is the selfish, whiny sort but I don't peg him for a murderer. He's too middle class to stab someone in the stomach with a chisel even if he is about to be on the hook foe defrauding the British government.
Rennie Rumpus is Hawes's second in command. He rules the rookery with an iron fist - quite literally as the man was once a boxer. Now he is capable of murder but stabbing isn't in his usual style. He may be a villain but he's such a charming villain! By all appearances, he's a gentleman. A gentleman with a fondness for objects d'art. He has a grand plan for the Duchess- a pastry shop chain known as Her Outrageousness's Rout Cake House! Yes please! (I don't care for Rout Cakes but that would be fun!) His scheme is presented so convincingly and the scene is absolutely hilarious. I can't believe Bea wouldn't want to go along with it! Rennie blames it on the nobility's ghastly fear of being in trade but he would handle all the operations and make all the profit. I love the idea! Of course his true purpose is to distract from the murder investigation. Edmund Renfield aka Rennie seems to be innocent but his only real alibi is his maid, Martha. She's suspicious of the quality and doesn't trust Bea and Kesgrave at all. Would she lie for her employer? Absolutely if she knows what kind of man he is. She sees him as a hero figure and would protect him if she had to.
Higgins, an antiquities dealer, is a slimy weasel but also am amusing villain. Amelia Peabody would love him while her dear Emerson would go bananas with rage. Higgins is a fool. He's well aware he's selling fakes but Hawes has convinced everyone they're like Robin Hood, doing a good deed for those who can't afford toloot steal purchase authentic antiquities. Higgins's fatal mistake is arranging antique artifacts in a way that makes it obvious they're fake. Otherwise people will ask questions and wonder where the hoard was and why no one had heard of it. Higgins has a ready story to tell Bea and Kesgrave but it's so obviously a whopper, he must know his goose is cooked. Did he murder Mortimer? Does he know who killed Mortimer? He must know he led the killer directly to the forger!
Sir Thomas Soame is the wealthy collector who sold a forgery to the British government. Verity already established this and bamboozled him. He's a very silly man and easily discomfited by our highly intelligent female sleuths. Verity ran circles around him and Bea can too. Sir Thomas makes himself look guilty by faking an injury and pretending to be ill. IIRC he ran from Verity too. His fight or flight response seems to be flight. (While he's absent, Bea and Kesgrave have a brief makeout session in the gallery!). Bea picks up on the same detail that alerted Verity to the forgery and Bea goes one step farther and puts the clues together as to why Mortimer would risk his position to deliberately put a modern bridle on an antique relief. (Or did he just forget because he was so consumed by his painting?) Sir Thomas is looking food for the murderer in terms of motive. He wants to be respected by society and considers it his due. To be exposed as a fraud would bring about his ruin. I don't see Sir Thomas actually literally killing someone with his own two hands but surely he has the money to PAY someone to do it. Is that why he's so nervous? He claims he's on edge waiting to be exposed as a fraud by the government which would make him a laughingstock in Society.
Sir Thomas claims he doesn't know the collier, Oliver Eckhart. Oliver Eckhart is Renfield's representative. Ollie served as the go-between, bringing Mortimer everything he needed and picking up finished works. Perhaps he discovered the scheme was about to come crashing down and feared Mortimer was a weak link who needed to be eliminated. Sir Thomas does name Samson Kirks who brings the shipments of reliefs to Sir Thomas.
Mr. Goddard, the chief librarian (curator) of the British Museum is a pompous fool. He doesn't like women and thinks they lack the brains to be true scholars. Yet he falls all over himself to please Kesgrave and Sir Thomas. He was eager to please Sir Thomas and ingratiate himself with this new patron that he didn't look too closely at the relief. Moron! Just wait until Bea and Verity expose him for a fool who can't tell a forgery from an authentic antiquity! He deserves to be made a fool in the press. Mr. Twaddle Thumb AND Mr. Robert Lark can both report on this story, from different angles. Oh Twaddle Thumb will have fun exposing this sycophantic ninny!
Samuel Sandby-Smith, oresident of the Royal Academy, is the one who refused Mortimer's paintings over the years. He surely was accepting bribes from Lord Myles to block Mortimer's ambition. What a louse! Even if he wasn't taking bribes, he is an idiot who wouldn't know quality art if it hit him over the head. Did HE kill Mortimer? Did Mortimer threaten to expose Sandby-Smith if S-S refused Mortimer one more time? Now Lord Myles is dead and Mortimer was painting his most exquisite work of art yet, would Mortimer still be blackballed? How much did Lord Myles pay this guy? I like Sandby-Smith for the murderer. It has nothing to do with the forged antiquities scam, just the Royal Academy scam! If that's the case, how tragic and horrible for poor Mortimer. However, S-S isn't just a painter, he's been known to buy and sell antiques. He denies any wrongdoing of course and tries to distract Bea with his enthusiasm for the artwork in the Kesgrave townhouse but she's too smart to be bamboozled. Her questioning method is ingenious and she gets the answers she was hoping for without the victim realizing he's being tricked!
Which one is the actual murderer and can Bea and Kesgrave figure it out and spare the Dowager the pain of a public trial?
Flora Hyde-Clare is funny. She's trying hard to behave like an adult and practice at her noblesse oblige. She gives Bea lessons on how to treat the servants but also has a lot of questions on how she should do so. Then Flora regresses and argues with her brother non-stop, which, for some reason, amuses the Dowager Duchess of Kesgrave. Aunt Vera shows surprising depths when confronted with unexpected death. Too bad she couldn't have been so kind and helpful to little Bea all those years ago but she's good to the Dowager and the Dowager seems to appreciate Vera's assistance. Go figure!
Viscount Nuneaton has a cameo to announce the Cheapside Advertiser has a new gossip columnist, Mrs. Flimmer-Flam, who devotes her columns to the exploits of the Murder Duchess! Gasp! I don't see the harm in it but she better be careful because I expect the Duke could have that one nipped in the bud ASAP if he wanted to. This Flimmer-Flam person seeks to take the place of Twaddle Thumb, obviously. Verity better break her promise because this Murder Duchess business makes Bea look bad, whereas Twaddle Thumb just poked fun at Bea's bizarre preoccupation with murder.
The footmen are a hoot and eager to help the Duchess with her investigation. Bea's new friend, Mrs. Palmer, plays a crucial role in spite of being only in one scene. She didn't know the shy first season Bea or the mousy spinster Bea. She only knows Her Outrageousness Bea and likes that person very much. I like Mrs. Palmer. She's a Society hostess and a political hostess. Her aim is women's suffrage which sadly won't happen for more than 100 years. She has all sorts of ingenious excuses to get out of an unwanted house party but in the end, she's more or less Bea's therapist and helps our heroine find the confidence she needs to succeed at normal Duchess things.
Another period recipe for your enjoyment:
Mrs. Elton's Rout Cakes
https://janeausten.co.uk/blogs/desser...
I didn't care for these but there are several types.
https://atasteofhistorywithjoycewhite...
I want the one with the nonpareils!
https://atasteofhistorywithjoycewhite...
Which one is Bea's favorite?
3.5 stars rounded up
Bea's biggest concern at the moment is how to avoid the house party the Duchess of Abercrombie is planning to hold a Haverill Hall, the Duke of Kesgrave's familial estate. Bea would rather accompany her family on a visit to Flora's beau Sebastian's family than host a house party! There's also the matter of a new tabloud reporter labeling Bea "The Murder Duchess" which could have negative connotations. She's about to get her wish for a distraction but learns to be careful what she wishes for when Hell and Fury Hawes shows up to ask the Bea for help solving the murder of one of his associates! He COULD just make the victim disappear and pretend that it never happened, however, the victim just so happened to be the Duke's cousin Mortimer, son of the lately deceased Lord Myles. Oh dear! Kesgrave can't let the murder of his last remaining male relative go so he sets out with his beloved Murder Duchess to find the clues and bring in the Runners. The case gets more complicated when they learn , a talented artist, was a master forger duping even the British Museum with his faux antiquities! He was part of a large network carefully controlled by Hell and Fury Hawes and Bea and Kesgrave are worried about being sucked in and the repercussions if they don't do what he wants. This could be their trickiest case yet!
EEEEE Bea is back! You must read A Lark's Release: A Regency Cozy first. I was hoping Verity and Bea would team up for this investigation as it was Verity who uncovered the forgery in the first place and began to investigate the identity of the master forger when she got sidetracked with her own murder investigation. Without Verity and Twaddle Thumb, I felt this story was lacking something. It was a lot harder to solve and more convoluted than I expected. There were many layers to the scam. A few minor historical inaccuracies took me out of the story briefly sending me off to do some research but they didn't affect the overall plot and weren't too out there. I just wanted to check on binoculars (modern ones not invented yet) and reading of the zodiac sign. Did you know Bea's birthday is July 10th and she's a Cancer?
There are a couple of swoony moments when the tables are turned and Bea has to joke Kesgrave out of his grim mood but not as many personal moments as in previous books. I actually liked them better before they were married when Bea was sneaking around and Kesgrave couldn't stay away from her. Bea is less neurotic in this story, less in her head. She's still anxious about managing a huge estate and team of servants but then Bea comes to a realization about herself at the end of the book (with some help from a friend) and is ready to turn a corner. I hope this doesn't mean the end of her adventures! I like her and identify with her because she's in her head all the time and so filled with self-doubt. Her beloved Damien has helped and she now knows he truly loves her. She's still a little shy about telling him important truths but I'm sure he's aware of Bea's anxiety anyway. He's trying to help. I think Kesgrave is more affected by his cousin's death than he realizes. Certainly he's worried about his grandmother and the family reputation. He's at his most ducal (but not pedantic ducal) here.
My heart breaks for the Dowager. Both her sons were horrible scoundrels but her grandsons both seem like kind and decent people. She loved them both and supported whatever it was they wanted to do, which is very much NOT a 19th century noble attitude but for the purposes of the story, we have a woman who has lost her entire family aside from one grandson, and her younger son was killed only weeks ago. She's still in mourning for him even though he was rotten and horrible. The Dowager loses her customary poise for a few moments and acts out of character, showing by her actions she's hurting and doesn't want to deal with it. I really liked her in previous adventures and she likes and accepts Bea for who Bea is without trying to make Bea into an august Duchess. Myles was cruel to his son who wanted nothing more than to be recognized for his artistic talent. Mortimer seemed to be, on the surface, a kind and decent man but thanks to a lifetime of horrible abuse from his father, he was unable to reach out and defend Damien or be friends with his cousin. I think if circumstances had been different, Mortimer would not have been murdered. The investigation reveals he was a scoundrel too and the one who introduced his father to Hell and Fury Hawes and not the other way around! Mortimer was in up to his neck in bad deeds all because of the horrible treatment from his father and the Royal Academy, which may have been in the pay of his father. His death is a real tragedy.
Hell and Fury Hawes is clever and cunning. At first he's charming and considers Bea a celebrity he admires but his motive soon becomes clear. He wants to entrap the Duke and Duchess of Kesgrave and make them do his bidding. He leaves hints to hook them, tries to goad Kesgrave who is too well bred to respond, and could threaten or force the couple to be a part of his network. Bea, as a mousy spinster, learned to read people. She's a good judge of character. She notices things others don't and sees through Hawes. Kesgrave only hears the words and the intent behind them. Bea wonders whether the simplest explanation, that Hawes killed Mortimer, is the right one. I think she might be right. This guy is so corrupt he has the entire neighborhood in his pay, including the magistrates. He can and does literally get away with Mortimer. Yet, he did come and risk everything to ask the Duke and Duchess to investigate. Is their investigation a distraction from something else? Did he not expect them to solve the crime or did he pin it on someone else, leading the Duke and Duchess there on purpose? I think if he killed an associate, he would want it known the associate had crossed him. That would ensure compliance from the rest of the network. Why doesn't he claim the death as his own doing anyway? Can't he get word out to his criminal enterprise without anyone else knowing? I'm very confused as to what his game is here. Perhaps just to get the Murder Duchess to work for him instead of against him?
The first witness, Joseph Foster, is amusing. He's supposedly an ornithologist but I think he enjoys spying on the neighbors for his journal contains detailed notes on the comings and goings in Mortimer's (aka Louis Rousseau) studio. He's just lazy when it comes to doing actual work and his poor daughter is like a servant in her own home. He names Susannah Brewer as one of the most frequent visitors and assumes the worst about her. She's a young woman, still a girl really, who served as Mortimer's model - excuse me - muse! Susie was his MUSE! She excelled at musing! Susie is very young, vain and shallow but the job was a godsend for her family. It was a ticket to a better life for her (probably a fast track to the demi monde). She claims Mortimer was kind and caring. He gave her little siblings a ready supply of lemon drops to keep them happy and enough money to support her mother. I don't think Susie would have murdered her meal ticket and the man who was going to make her famous. His death is a terrible blow to this family.
At the Royal Antiquaries Society we meet "Addle the Paddle." Mr. Addleton is the resident mansplainer. He misses nothing and makes no secret he believes he knows more than the rest and is eager to explain every minute detail to everyone. Mr. Kerrich, a member of the Royal Antiquaries Society, was the one to verify the Assyrian reliefs. Was he in on the scam or just ignorant? He was spotted arguing with Mortimer the night before Mortimer died. Mr. Kerrich is a nervous sort of man, vain and self-important. He tries to lie to cover his tracks and was angry with Mortimer for good reason. Mr. Kerrich is the selfish, whiny sort but I don't peg him for a murderer. He's too middle class to stab someone in the stomach with a chisel even if he is about to be on the hook foe defrauding the British government.
Rennie Rumpus is Hawes's second in command. He rules the rookery with an iron fist - quite literally as the man was once a boxer. Now he is capable of murder but stabbing isn't in his usual style. He may be a villain but he's such a charming villain! By all appearances, he's a gentleman. A gentleman with a fondness for objects d'art. He has a grand plan for the Duchess- a pastry shop chain known as Her Outrageousness's Rout Cake House! Yes please! (I don't care for Rout Cakes but that would be fun!) His scheme is presented so convincingly and the scene is absolutely hilarious. I can't believe Bea wouldn't want to go along with it! Rennie blames it on the nobility's ghastly fear of being in trade but he would handle all the operations and make all the profit. I love the idea! Of course his true purpose is to distract from the murder investigation. Edmund Renfield aka Rennie seems to be innocent but his only real alibi is his maid, Martha. She's suspicious of the quality and doesn't trust Bea and Kesgrave at all. Would she lie for her employer? Absolutely if she knows what kind of man he is. She sees him as a hero figure and would protect him if she had to.
Higgins, an antiquities dealer, is a slimy weasel but also am amusing villain. Amelia Peabody would love him while her dear Emerson would go bananas with rage. Higgins is a fool. He's well aware he's selling fakes but Hawes has convinced everyone they're like Robin Hood, doing a good deed for those who can't afford to
Sir Thomas Soame is the wealthy collector who sold a forgery to the British government. Verity already established this and bamboozled him. He's a very silly man and easily discomfited by our highly intelligent female sleuths. Verity ran circles around him and Bea can too. Sir Thomas makes himself look guilty by faking an injury and pretending to be ill. IIRC he ran from Verity too. His fight or flight response seems to be flight. (While he's absent, Bea and Kesgrave have a brief makeout session in the gallery!). Bea picks up on the same detail that alerted Verity to the forgery and Bea goes one step farther and puts the clues together as to why Mortimer would risk his position to deliberately put a modern bridle on an antique relief. (Or did he just forget because he was so consumed by his painting?) Sir Thomas is looking food for the murderer in terms of motive. He wants to be respected by society and considers it his due. To be exposed as a fraud would bring about his ruin. I don't see Sir Thomas actually literally killing someone with his own two hands but surely he has the money to PAY someone to do it. Is that why he's so nervous? He claims he's on edge waiting to be exposed as a fraud by the government which would make him a laughingstock in Society.
Sir Thomas claims he doesn't know the collier, Oliver Eckhart. Oliver Eckhart is Renfield's representative. Ollie served as the go-between, bringing Mortimer everything he needed and picking up finished works. Perhaps he discovered the scheme was about to come crashing down and feared Mortimer was a weak link who needed to be eliminated. Sir Thomas does name Samson Kirks who brings the shipments of reliefs to Sir Thomas.
Mr. Goddard, the chief librarian (curator) of the British Museum is a pompous fool. He doesn't like women and thinks they lack the brains to be true scholars. Yet he falls all over himself to please Kesgrave and Sir Thomas. He was eager to please Sir Thomas and ingratiate himself with this new patron that he didn't look too closely at the relief. Moron! Just wait until Bea and Verity expose him for a fool who can't tell a forgery from an authentic antiquity! He deserves to be made a fool in the press. Mr. Twaddle Thumb AND Mr. Robert Lark can both report on this story, from different angles. Oh Twaddle Thumb will have fun exposing this sycophantic ninny!
Samuel Sandby-Smith, oresident of the Royal Academy, is the one who refused Mortimer's paintings over the years. He surely was accepting bribes from Lord Myles to block Mortimer's ambition. What a louse! Even if he wasn't taking bribes, he is an idiot who wouldn't know quality art if it hit him over the head. Did HE kill Mortimer? Did Mortimer threaten to expose Sandby-Smith if S-S refused Mortimer one more time? Now Lord Myles is dead and Mortimer was painting his most exquisite work of art yet, would Mortimer still be blackballed? How much did Lord Myles pay this guy? I like Sandby-Smith for the murderer. It has nothing to do with the forged antiquities scam, just the Royal Academy scam! If that's the case, how tragic and horrible for poor Mortimer. However, S-S isn't just a painter, he's been known to buy and sell antiques. He denies any wrongdoing of course and tries to distract Bea with his enthusiasm for the artwork in the Kesgrave townhouse but she's too smart to be bamboozled. Her questioning method is ingenious and she gets the answers she was hoping for without the victim realizing he's being tricked!
Which one is the actual murderer and can Bea and Kesgrave figure it out and spare the Dowager the pain of a public trial?
Flora Hyde-Clare is funny. She's trying hard to behave like an adult and practice at her noblesse oblige. She gives Bea lessons on how to treat the servants but also has a lot of questions on how she should do so. Then Flora regresses and argues with her brother non-stop, which, for some reason, amuses the Dowager Duchess of Kesgrave. Aunt Vera shows surprising depths when confronted with unexpected death. Too bad she couldn't have been so kind and helpful to little Bea all those years ago but she's good to the Dowager and the Dowager seems to appreciate Vera's assistance. Go figure!
Viscount Nuneaton has a cameo to announce the Cheapside Advertiser has a new gossip columnist, Mrs. Flimmer-Flam, who devotes her columns to the exploits of the Murder Duchess! Gasp! I don't see the harm in it but she better be careful because I expect the Duke could have that one nipped in the bud ASAP if he wanted to. This Flimmer-Flam person seeks to take the place of Twaddle Thumb, obviously. Verity better break her promise because this Murder Duchess business makes Bea look bad, whereas Twaddle Thumb just poked fun at Bea's bizarre preoccupation with murder.
The footmen are a hoot and eager to help the Duchess with her investigation. Bea's new friend, Mrs. Palmer, plays a crucial role in spite of being only in one scene. She didn't know the shy first season Bea or the mousy spinster Bea. She only knows Her Outrageousness Bea and likes that person very much. I like Mrs. Palmer. She's a Society hostess and a political hostess. Her aim is women's suffrage which sadly won't happen for more than 100 years. She has all sorts of ingenious excuses to get out of an unwanted house party but in the end, she's more or less Bea's therapist and helps our heroine find the confidence she needs to succeed at normal Duchess things.
Another period recipe for your enjoyment:
Mrs. Elton's Rout Cakes
https://janeausten.co.uk/blogs/desser...
I didn't care for these but there are several types.
https://atasteofhistorywithjoycewhite...
I want the one with the nonpareils!
https://atasteofhistorywithjoycewhite...
Which one is Bea's favorite?
March 13, 2025
another great addition to the series
I enjoyed reading my favorite Lady Runner’s newest adventure. Her Grace and her oh so lovely husband are investigating the murder of a family member. Favorite characters are back, the antiquities market, cringy sycophants, misogynists and a crime boss made for a great read.
The only problem was that this doesn’t appear to be a final draft. Words were crossed out and editing was needed.
I enjoyed reading my favorite Lady Runner’s newest adventure. Her Grace and her oh so lovely husband are investigating the murder of a family member. Favorite characters are back, the antiquities market, cringy sycophants, misogynists and a crime boss made for a great read.
The only problem was that this doesn’t appear to be a final draft. Words were crossed out and editing was needed.
March 11, 2025
I love this series though I am reading it a little strangely. I started with the Lark series and received ARC's of the most recent 3 of the Beatrice series, and have been reading from the first one also, and at some point will meet in the middle. I was expecting Verity to show up to teach Bea how to shoot a gun. Maybe in the next book. This was a particularly complicated mystery. The Duke's cousin Mortimer is killed and it is discovered he was forging antiquities for a criminal enterprise lead by the King of Saffron Hill, Hell and Fury Hawes. Hawes comes to the Duchess asking her to find the killer.
There are many suspects and as the Duke and Duchess interrogate them, we learn about how the criminals operate with the help of corrupt men who need money.
The best part of these books is the banter between Bea and Damien. She still is nervous being a Duchess, so a side plot is her anxiety of hosting a house party at the country estate. I hope that is where the next book starts.
Thanks to Netgalley, the Book Whisperer and the author for my EARC. I highly recommend this series and plan to suggest the first book to my female mystery writer book club. The opinions are mine alone.
There are many suspects and as the Duke and Duchess interrogate them, we learn about how the criminals operate with the help of corrupt men who need money.
The best part of these books is the banter between Bea and Damien. She still is nervous being a Duchess, so a side plot is her anxiety of hosting a house party at the country estate. I hope that is where the next book starts.
Thanks to Netgalley, the Book Whisperer and the author for my EARC. I highly recommend this series and plan to suggest the first book to my female mystery writer book club. The opinions are mine alone.
March 20, 2025
I love Bea
Bea is getting a bit overly bold. But, for good reasons. Maybe I just enjoy scrappy Bea better? And the Hyde-Clares visiting the Dowager? Too much break of protocol. Not enough smarmy comments by the Duke either. Would still pay real money to read these.
Bea is getting a bit overly bold. But, for good reasons. Maybe I just enjoy scrappy Bea better? And the Hyde-Clares visiting the Dowager? Too much break of protocol. Not enough smarmy comments by the Duke either. Would still pay real money to read these.
December 21, 2025
3.5 stars. Not very exciting ‘mystery’ but still enjoyable book because I love the characters!
March 9, 2025
Bea and Kesgrave continue to be delightful. The murder case ties in with the Verity Lark books and I can’t wait to see how the two continue to twine. Bea also has some insight into her own character which feels natural and is a very welcome development. Bea is one of my favourite heroines and I love reading about Her Outrageousness as much as Twiddle Thum’s readers do. Long may this series continue.
May 10, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free kindle book! My opinions are my own and are freely given.
This book sounded so good that I requested it but never thought about the fact that it wasn't the first in a series. That, of course, doesn't always matter, but it did here. I was so lost at the beginning of the book. It was as if I was starting at book three of a fantasy series; that type of lost. Which, of course, not every series is going to be easy to pick up in the middle, obviously. Just would have been nice to have a sentence or two for those readers who do start in the middle.
I did end up loving it and will probably go back and read the rest of the series!
This book sounded so good that I requested it but never thought about the fact that it wasn't the first in a series. That, of course, doesn't always matter, but it did here. I was so lost at the beginning of the book. It was as if I was starting at book three of a fantasy series; that type of lost. Which, of course, not every series is going to be easy to pick up in the middle, obviously. Just would have been nice to have a sentence or two for those readers who do start in the middle.
I did end up loving it and will probably go back and read the rest of the series!
March 8, 2025
Where has the joy gone?
This was a slog. Only the dowager, Nuneaton and the Hyde-Clare's were their usual wonderful selves.
Bea did nothing. There's no spark, no verve, no sass. She did not read the investigation or really say much.
So much plodding description that it nearly put me to sleep. (Quite a few typos which is really odd)
I dislike how Bea is gaslighting herself after Damien doing so for three books. Her trauma is valid and she should not be thinking about how it discomfits him. She is not silly. She was ABUSED for decades.
Messina is a wonderful writer and I know that whatever is going on with her, she'll pull through and give us more Bea antics in the future.
If you are reading this review before reading the book, I advise you to start at the beginning of the series and maybe miss this one and the two before. Not much happens and they aren't really that fun to read. But those other books are gold!
This was a slog. Only the dowager, Nuneaton and the Hyde-Clare's were their usual wonderful selves.
Bea did nothing. There's no spark, no verve, no sass. She did not read the investigation or really say much.
So much plodding description that it nearly put me to sleep. (Quite a few typos which is really odd)
I dislike how Bea is gaslighting herself after Damien doing so for three books. Her trauma is valid and she should not be thinking about how it discomfits him. She is not silly. She was ABUSED for decades.
Messina is a wonderful writer and I know that whatever is going on with her, she'll pull through and give us more Bea antics in the future.
If you are reading this review before reading the book, I advise you to start at the beginning of the series and maybe miss this one and the two before. Not much happens and they aren't really that fun to read. But those other books are gold!
February 15, 2025
A new Bea installment! I must say, I was unprepared to receive an arc, but I did! And although I am an excellent reader who reads readily, everyone says so, I had to prepare myself to start this reading feast and it was oh so worth the effort!
The mystery was excellent. The pace of the investigation was similar to the “Murderous Tryst”, so a lot of door-to-door information collection, but being experienced blitz-investigators, the two graces completed the task within few days. The final chapter had me on the edge of my seat. Although, I have to side with Dazzling Damien on this one: his concern was warranted, since it wasn’t a harmless stunt to throw.
However, at this rate their extended group of acquaintances will be extinguished before the house party can even start (and I am not talking about the corpses of the Incomparables!). Of course, someone has to die for the mystery to be solved, but what about unassuming neighbors or their staff? (chefs excluded, because not again, obviously)
This installment glitters with linguistic delights, a gripping mystery, unexpected fan fodder, drop-ins from some of the characters that were missed in the previous books and genius business ideas. Also, a plot thread from the last Verity book. An enticing gobelin of stories, thoughts and developments!
I am already queuing at the first ever “Her Outrageousness’s Rout Cake House”, which (in my mind) naturally will open on July 10th, the international rout cake day, and the entrance will only be granted upon the utterance of the right code word (“lemon drop”). Although, I am more interested in those asparagus tartelettes (in March no less! This hothouse is good for more than pineapples) which will be available for members only, obviously.
Just to put it out there, because those are so delightful! :
Muses will muse, brawlers will brawl and overlords of the underworlds will manage (but probably without keeping in mind the fundamental humanity of their subjects). And now I have to think about a way to causally drop “I am such an excellent muse” into conversations.
Thanks to netgally for the arc. The opinions are my own, some of the linguistic gems are borrowed from “A Pernicious Fabrication”, because they are so good, they need to be in constant use.
The mystery was excellent. The pace of the investigation was similar to the “Murderous Tryst”, so a lot of door-to-door information collection, but being experienced blitz-investigators, the two graces completed the task within few days. The final chapter had me on the edge of my seat. Although, I have to side with Dazzling Damien on this one: his concern was warranted, since it wasn’t a harmless stunt to throw.
However, at this rate their extended group of acquaintances will be extinguished before the house party can even start (and I am not talking about the corpses of the Incomparables!). Of course, someone has to die for the mystery to be solved, but what about unassuming neighbors or their staff? (chefs excluded, because not again, obviously)
This installment glitters with linguistic delights, a gripping mystery, unexpected fan fodder, drop-ins from some of the characters that were missed in the previous books and genius business ideas. Also, a plot thread from the last Verity book. An enticing gobelin of stories, thoughts and developments!
I am already queuing at the first ever “Her Outrageousness’s Rout Cake House”, which (in my mind) naturally will open on July 10th, the international rout cake day, and the entrance will only be granted upon the utterance of the right code word (“lemon drop”). Although, I am more interested in those asparagus tartelettes (in March no less! This hothouse is good for more than pineapples) which will be available for members only, obviously.
Just to put it out there, because those are so delightful! :
Muses will muse, brawlers will brawl and overlords of the underworlds will manage (but probably without keeping in mind the fundamental humanity of their subjects). And now I have to think about a way to causally drop “I am such an excellent muse” into conversations.
Thanks to netgally for the arc. The opinions are my own, some of the linguistic gems are borrowed from “A Pernicious Fabrication”, because they are so good, they need to be in constant use.
March 7, 2025
Rating: 3* of five
The Publisher Says: Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave, will not do the bidding of Hell and Fury Hawes. It does not matter how difficult it is to find new murder mysteries to investigate, especially ones where the victim was stabbed with a chisel. She absolutely refuses to lift a finger to help him figure out who killed one of his associates.
Nothing will persuade her, not even discovering the identity of the victim.
It is the duke’s cousin, son of the wretched Lord Myles, who also met an ugly death—bludgeoned with a candlestick—after going into business with the infamous crime lord, who rules over the worst rookery in London. Mortimer Matlock, a thwarted artist who stopped sculpting after his work was rejected repeatedly by the Royal Academy, was forging artifacts for Hawes’s illegal antiquities scheme.
Joining forces with the King of Saffron Hill, it seems, is frequently fatal.
That is an unfortunate development, then, for Bea, whose husband is determined to find out who slayed his relative. The duke shares her distrust of Hawes, whose avowals of just wanting justice for the fallen man ring hollow to him too. He believes there is more to the situation than meets the eye.
Well, obviously, yes, thinks Bea, who is unable to smother her misgivings.
Surely, they’re walking into a trap.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Entertaining. The art-forgery and antiquities-smuggling aspects are what drew me in initially, and while these plot points drive the story they aren't the focus (if you see what I mean) as much as the web woven by and for the Duchess. It's book thirteen in a series, so good lawsy me have I missed a lot.
I'm not sure I'll go get three through twelve. Don't start here, but if like me you're a fan of Regency-set stuff, pick up book one. I enjoyed it more than this one; most likely because I missed so much in the middle.
The Publisher Says: Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave, will not do the bidding of Hell and Fury Hawes. It does not matter how difficult it is to find new murder mysteries to investigate, especially ones where the victim was stabbed with a chisel. She absolutely refuses to lift a finger to help him figure out who killed one of his associates.
Nothing will persuade her, not even discovering the identity of the victim.
It is the duke’s cousin, son of the wretched Lord Myles, who also met an ugly death—bludgeoned with a candlestick—after going into business with the infamous crime lord, who rules over the worst rookery in London. Mortimer Matlock, a thwarted artist who stopped sculpting after his work was rejected repeatedly by the Royal Academy, was forging artifacts for Hawes’s illegal antiquities scheme.
Joining forces with the King of Saffron Hill, it seems, is frequently fatal.
That is an unfortunate development, then, for Bea, whose husband is determined to find out who slayed his relative. The duke shares her distrust of Hawes, whose avowals of just wanting justice for the fallen man ring hollow to him too. He believes there is more to the situation than meets the eye.
Well, obviously, yes, thinks Bea, who is unable to smother her misgivings.
Surely, they’re walking into a trap.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Entertaining. The art-forgery and antiquities-smuggling aspects are what drew me in initially, and while these plot points drive the story they aren't the focus (if you see what I mean) as much as the web woven by and for the Duchess. It's book thirteen in a series, so good lawsy me have I missed a lot.
I'm not sure I'll go get three through twelve. Don't start here, but if like me you're a fan of Regency-set stuff, pick up book one. I enjoyed it more than this one; most likely because I missed so much in the middle.
February 18, 2025
Anyone who’s read my reviews on the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries knows this series is my ride or die when it comes to cozy mysteries. The writing? Chef’s kiss. Bea and the Duke of Kesgrave? My fictional besties.
That said, the last book left me feeling mildly concerned—Bea was a little off her game, a little indecisive, and I wasn’t fully in love with it. So, when I picked up book 13 (yes, 13! We are deep in this series), I had a tiny moment of trepidation.
I should not have worried.
This time, Bea and her adoring husband, Damien, find themselves entangled in two mysteries:
1. A murder in the family – Damien’s cousin has been killed in cold blood.
2. An art crime ring – Because why stop at one scandal when you can expose an entire network?
Technically, they’re acting on orders from Hawley—yes, that Hawley, the criminal overlord of London—but let’s be real. Bea has never been one for taking orders. Justice will be served.
Bea is BACK. The indecisiveness from the last book? Gone. She’s sharper, more confident, and—while she hasn’t fully realised just how much she’s grown since book one—she’s getting there. There’s a quiet shift in how she sees herself, and it’s incredibly satisfying to watch unfold. All hail Queen Bea. The writing is as brilliant as ever. Messina’s signature wit and perfectly paced storytelling are in full force.
The relationship between Bea and Damien continues to be one of my favourites in the genre. Smart, supportive, full of teasing banter—I could read about these two forever.
This series continues to be one of my absolute favourites, and A Pernicious Fabrication just solidified that even further. Messina delivers another sharp, engaging, and delightfully twisty mystery, and I am already counting down to the next one.
Long live Bea. Long live this series.
Final Verdict: 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
That said, the last book left me feeling mildly concerned—Bea was a little off her game, a little indecisive, and I wasn’t fully in love with it. So, when I picked up book 13 (yes, 13! We are deep in this series), I had a tiny moment of trepidation.
I should not have worried.
This time, Bea and her adoring husband, Damien, find themselves entangled in two mysteries:
1. A murder in the family – Damien’s cousin has been killed in cold blood.
2. An art crime ring – Because why stop at one scandal when you can expose an entire network?
Technically, they’re acting on orders from Hawley—yes, that Hawley, the criminal overlord of London—but let’s be real. Bea has never been one for taking orders. Justice will be served.
Bea is BACK. The indecisiveness from the last book? Gone. She’s sharper, more confident, and—while she hasn’t fully realised just how much she’s grown since book one—she’s getting there. There’s a quiet shift in how she sees herself, and it’s incredibly satisfying to watch unfold. All hail Queen Bea. The writing is as brilliant as ever. Messina’s signature wit and perfectly paced storytelling are in full force.
The relationship between Bea and Damien continues to be one of my favourites in the genre. Smart, supportive, full of teasing banter—I could read about these two forever.
This series continues to be one of my absolute favourites, and A Pernicious Fabrication just solidified that even further. Messina delivers another sharp, engaging, and delightfully twisty mystery, and I am already counting down to the next one.
Long live Bea. Long live this series.
Final Verdict: 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 4, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and BookFunnel for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.
Another comfortable cozy historical mystery, and furthering our look into the life of Beatrice, the Duchess of Kesgrave and how she is fitting into her role as a bride, a wealthy, socially prominent Duchess, a mother to be, and of all things, a woman becoming more noted and infamous for investigating murders!
As Bea tries to overcome her own lack of confidence in her role as Duchess, and what is expected of her social duties, she is given another murder to solve. She and her husband discover that his cousin, the son of the murdered Uncle Myles, is the latest homicide victim, and his demise was announced to them, by of all people, noted crime lord Hell and Fury Hawes. Not only is he the one to bring them this unexpected and unwelcome news, but he is exhorting them to solve the murder. It turns out that cousin Mortimer has been an active participant in a forgery scheme of Hawes, and Hawes wishes for the Kesgraves to solve his murder for Hawes to root out a traitor in his own organization.
Bea and the Duke are leery of being under the paw of the criminal kingpin, but nonetheless, they cannot allow the death of his cousin to go without a proper investigation and to find the culprit responsible. If not for the sake of justice, then also for closure and their own peace of mind, and for the sake of the Dowager Duchess, Mortimer and Kesgrave's grandmother as well.
A cozy murder mystery with an intriguing story of forgery, and fraud in the art and antiquities world of Regency England, mixed in with family grief and relationships, with some lighthearted moments and dialogue typical of Bea, Kesgrave, and her relations. I do love the affection and support between Bea and her husband as they try to balance their lives between what would be their normal social duties, such as Bea planning (or trying to avoid) social events as expected of a Duchess, and their unexpected roles as investigators, especially Her Outrageousness. Bea is still stuck between her perception of herself as a wallflower spinster, and her new self, as an investigator who is a woman of intelligence, perception, bravery, boldness, earning notice - she seems to have some difficulty reconciling the two, and is being gently supported and encouraged by her husband.
I am looking forward to how the planned house party and the cherub play into the Kesgrave future - even though this is book 13 - I have not yet had enough of the Kesgraves and want more.
4 stars out of 5
Another comfortable cozy historical mystery, and furthering our look into the life of Beatrice, the Duchess of Kesgrave and how she is fitting into her role as a bride, a wealthy, socially prominent Duchess, a mother to be, and of all things, a woman becoming more noted and infamous for investigating murders!
As Bea tries to overcome her own lack of confidence in her role as Duchess, and what is expected of her social duties, she is given another murder to solve. She and her husband discover that his cousin, the son of the murdered Uncle Myles, is the latest homicide victim, and his demise was announced to them, by of all people, noted crime lord Hell and Fury Hawes. Not only is he the one to bring them this unexpected and unwelcome news, but he is exhorting them to solve the murder. It turns out that cousin Mortimer has been an active participant in a forgery scheme of Hawes, and Hawes wishes for the Kesgraves to solve his murder for Hawes to root out a traitor in his own organization.
Bea and the Duke are leery of being under the paw of the criminal kingpin, but nonetheless, they cannot allow the death of his cousin to go without a proper investigation and to find the culprit responsible. If not for the sake of justice, then also for closure and their own peace of mind, and for the sake of the Dowager Duchess, Mortimer and Kesgrave's grandmother as well.
A cozy murder mystery with an intriguing story of forgery, and fraud in the art and antiquities world of Regency England, mixed in with family grief and relationships, with some lighthearted moments and dialogue typical of Bea, Kesgrave, and her relations. I do love the affection and support between Bea and her husband as they try to balance their lives between what would be their normal social duties, such as Bea planning (or trying to avoid) social events as expected of a Duchess, and their unexpected roles as investigators, especially Her Outrageousness. Bea is still stuck between her perception of herself as a wallflower spinster, and her new self, as an investigator who is a woman of intelligence, perception, bravery, boldness, earning notice - she seems to have some difficulty reconciling the two, and is being gently supported and encouraged by her husband.
I am looking forward to how the planned house party and the cherub play into the Kesgrave future - even though this is book 13 - I have not yet had enough of the Kesgraves and want more.
4 stars out of 5
March 29, 2025
With a visit to the duke's ancestral home on the horizon, Bea is filled with feelings of inadequacy about the enormity of the task ahead of her. Then she learns that the officious Lady Abercrombie has gone behind her back and sent out invitations to a house party. Is there any way she can uninvite the guests?
Her looming worries are momentarily suspended when she and Kesgrave learn about the murder of his cousin, Mortimer Matlock, from none other than Hell and Fury Hawes himself. One of his schemes involves the creation of a fake antiquities market. Mortimer, a frustrated artist, was the one who made the fake Assyrian reliefs that were sold to unsuspecting customers. It's fascinating to follow the labyrinths of their thinking as they try to find the murderer. They must navigate the complex world of Hawes, the Overlord of the Underworld, the King of Saffron Hill, in London's criminal subculture.
I wanted a bit more of the sweet attraction between Bea and Kesgrave, one of the most unusual pairings in Regency fiction. She's a somewhat scrawny, ordinary-looking spinster, orphaned at a young age and taken in by her aunt and uncle, where she spent years trying disappear into the woodwork. Until she met the brilliant, handsome, and commanding Duke of Kesgrave, when they worked together to solve a murder at a country house party in Book 1. He's obsessively pedantic, which she happens to love, but can't help teasing him about. They are married now and expecting a child, so the tension about whether they would ever get together is gone. In spite of that, the few little gestures of affection between them are endearing. I just wanted more of them. 4.5 stars
Her looming worries are momentarily suspended when she and Kesgrave learn about the murder of his cousin, Mortimer Matlock, from none other than Hell and Fury Hawes himself. One of his schemes involves the creation of a fake antiquities market. Mortimer, a frustrated artist, was the one who made the fake Assyrian reliefs that were sold to unsuspecting customers. It's fascinating to follow the labyrinths of their thinking as they try to find the murderer. They must navigate the complex world of Hawes, the Overlord of the Underworld, the King of Saffron Hill, in London's criminal subculture.
I wanted a bit more of the sweet attraction between Bea and Kesgrave, one of the most unusual pairings in Regency fiction. She's a somewhat scrawny, ordinary-looking spinster, orphaned at a young age and taken in by her aunt and uncle, where she spent years trying disappear into the woodwork. Until she met the brilliant, handsome, and commanding Duke of Kesgrave, when they worked together to solve a murder at a country house party in Book 1. He's obsessively pedantic, which she happens to love, but can't help teasing him about. They are married now and expecting a child, so the tension about whether they would ever get together is gone. In spite of that, the few little gestures of affection between them are endearing. I just wanted more of them. 4.5 stars
May 22, 2025
I feel like there was a lot of development in this one. I wasn't expecting the assyrian reliefs from veritys last book to make a return in beas story. I felt like the mystery went round and round in circles a little bit but the conclusion was satisfying to me, it was deep, dramatic, and dangerous. words of affirmation from Mrs palmer, her aunts transformation regarding interactions with the dowager, and facing off with hawes FINALLY have bea recognizing her own potential and capability. loved having nuneaton and flora pop in to the story. I stg if we don't go to this fucking country home soon; the slow ass timeline in this series is so crazy, so much happens in such little time like it took 40 books for them to get married and now 40 more until they go to kesgraves other house meanwhile there is a new murder every 3 days. my main bummer throughout this whole series tho is that I don't always feel like bea reacts appropriately to harrowing events, like it's fun and cheeky that her and damian have their little quirks and banter, but 2 seconds after he saw your life and your babys potential life flash before his eyes, I don't think it's time for jokes bea. I felt the same way after bro almost strangled her in the other book, I wish we saw a more outward reaction to the scary stuff that happens to bea every now and again, especially when it's only in front of kesgrave, that extra insight into the emotional intimacy between them would be great to see
still praying for a book with more povs; the ultimate would be bea, verity, and flora all in one book 🤯 can't see it ever happening lol but I would love
still praying for a book with more povs; the ultimate would be bea, verity, and flora all in one book 🤯 can't see it ever happening lol but I would love
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2025
Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mystery #13
Publication Date: 3/7/2025
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 328
Beatrice (Bea), Her Outrageousness, the Duchess of Kesgrave, has another murder to solve, and it hits close to home. Mortimer Matlock, the Duke’s first cousin, has been brutally murdered in his art studio – with one of his own implements. How did they learn of Mortimer’s demise? Well!! The notorious criminal Hell and Fury Hawes, known as the King of Saffron Hill, has visited them and asked them to solve the murder because it might appear he committed the crime – and he did not. No, they would never do Hawes any favors, but this is a crime they must solve because the Duke’s grandmother deserves justice for her other grandson.
Both Bea and Kesgrave suspect Hawes wants more than a solution to the murder, but they don’t know what it could be. Asking for their help will cause them to look into much of his criminal enterprise, and he would never do that without a very compelling reason. What else might he want?
Their inquiries lead them into a fake antiquities scheme that even extends to the British Museum. Nobles and criminals are involved in the scheme, and Bea and Kesgrave must navigate it all while keeping themselves safe.
I absolutely love this series! Quirky, humorous, warm, interesting Bea keeps the bad guys and Kesgrave guessing about what she’ll do next – and her leaps of logic are priceless. If you like an interesting mystery with wit and humor, then you’ll love this book and this series.
Series: Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mystery #13
Publication Date: 3/7/2025
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 328
Beatrice (Bea), Her Outrageousness, the Duchess of Kesgrave, has another murder to solve, and it hits close to home. Mortimer Matlock, the Duke’s first cousin, has been brutally murdered in his art studio – with one of his own implements. How did they learn of Mortimer’s demise? Well!! The notorious criminal Hell and Fury Hawes, known as the King of Saffron Hill, has visited them and asked them to solve the murder because it might appear he committed the crime – and he did not. No, they would never do Hawes any favors, but this is a crime they must solve because the Duke’s grandmother deserves justice for her other grandson.
Both Bea and Kesgrave suspect Hawes wants more than a solution to the murder, but they don’t know what it could be. Asking for their help will cause them to look into much of his criminal enterprise, and he would never do that without a very compelling reason. What else might he want?
Their inquiries lead them into a fake antiquities scheme that even extends to the British Museum. Nobles and criminals are involved in the scheme, and Bea and Kesgrave must navigate it all while keeping themselves safe.
I absolutely love this series! Quirky, humorous, warm, interesting Bea keeps the bad guys and Kesgrave guessing about what she’ll do next – and her leaps of logic are priceless. If you like an interesting mystery with wit and humor, then you’ll love this book and this series.
November 25, 2025
I have enjoyed this series (as an audiobook). It’s been a little while since I listened to the others... but I am seriously wondering if this was written by someone else? Or if Lynn is just having a hard time?
I especially enjoyed the first one. In fact most of them! I don’t recall any of them striking me as... methodical? Plodding? Lackluster? As this one.
I’m not sure what it is exactly. I can’t put my finger on it. But I think there is WAY TOO MUCH rumination/inner dialogue (much more than ever before.) It is almost entirely about the clever Bea's deductions and actions. It's mostly in her head. She seems barely involved with anyone else. All of the other familiar characters are reduced to cardboard. And rarely speak, or interact with her. I actually miss them! They were fully fleshed before.
I don’t know what else to say. I almost DNF dozens of times. But kept going, because luckily I was listening before bed. So the fact that it wasn’t very involving was probably beneficial. But it was also kind of hard to follow (when tired) for some odd reason. So wordy about inconsequentials and plot moving very slowly, I suppose. Not only does the plot move slowly, it meanders.
If this had been the first book (or any of the others) I would have stopped. I even listened to The Lark's spin offs. And other Messina books.
But this one just seems off!
I can’t believe Lynn Messina wrote it?
It’s like the counterfeit that is the main subject.
(Is the subject a hint?)
I almost never write reviews...
Maybe I am done with this series now.
I especially enjoyed the first one. In fact most of them! I don’t recall any of them striking me as... methodical? Plodding? Lackluster? As this one.
I’m not sure what it is exactly. I can’t put my finger on it. But I think there is WAY TOO MUCH rumination/inner dialogue (much more than ever before.) It is almost entirely about the clever Bea's deductions and actions. It's mostly in her head. She seems barely involved with anyone else. All of the other familiar characters are reduced to cardboard. And rarely speak, or interact with her. I actually miss them! They were fully fleshed before.
I don’t know what else to say. I almost DNF dozens of times. But kept going, because luckily I was listening before bed. So the fact that it wasn’t very involving was probably beneficial. But it was also kind of hard to follow (when tired) for some odd reason. So wordy about inconsequentials and plot moving very slowly, I suppose. Not only does the plot move slowly, it meanders.
If this had been the first book (or any of the others) I would have stopped. I even listened to The Lark's spin offs. And other Messina books.
But this one just seems off!
I can’t believe Lynn Messina wrote it?
It’s like the counterfeit that is the main subject.
(Is the subject a hint?)
I almost never write reviews...
Maybe I am done with this series now.
March 1, 2025
Another wonderful chapter in the murder investigations by Her Outrageousness, Beam Duchess of Kesgrave. As dedicated readers of the series will see, this book picks up very soon after that last murder that Bea and her husband Damien Duke of Kesgrave solved. Bea is pregnant (although that word is never uttered in nineteenth century Britain), still serving as the adult in her pre-marriage family, the Hyde-Clares and happily almost settled in her happy and unconventional marriage. While Bea is fearless in her pursuit of justice for a murder victim, she’s still very unsure of her abilities as a duchess even though Damien and the Dowager Duchess have love her completely and have absolute confidence in her. The parallel dilemmas facing Bea are the very scary prospect of holding a summer house party at the huge ducal country estate and the murder of Damien’s cousin Mortimer. Mortimer had fallen into a counterfeit antiquities plot with the king of London’s underworld. Oddly, the gangster asks Bea and Damien to find the killer…not to avenge Mortimer’s murder but to punish whoever it was who ended the lucrative counterfeit system…Mortimer was the skilled counterfeiter. While they know that they are being used by the gangster, Bea and Damien agree because Mortimer was Damien’s cousin and a favorite of his grandmother’s, the Dowager. This series is charming, funny and engaging. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2025
I thank NetGalley and Potatoworks Press for an advance reader copy of A Pernicious Fabrication. All opinions and comments are my own.
“Oh what a tangled web we weave” indeed, as the Kesgraves (and readers) will discover, and you might need a scorecard to follow along as to the who and the what and the where when the “King of Saffron Hill,” London’s most notorious crime boss, asks them to find out who’s murdered one of his treasured minions.
Another personal tragedy is the catalyst for a convoluted mystery that will tests the talents of the Duke and Duchess of Kesgrave to the fullest, but one they will solve with their usual panache, while Beatrice does what she does best -- fret at dealing with her place in society. You’d think after thirteen books she’d have a better handle on this, and readers would be spared the hand-wringing a bit. Perish the thought. And Mr. T-T may have departed the field, but unfortunately there’s a new gossip-monger in town to contend with, alas.
With the usual detailed look at London and its inhabitants, and an ending that has Bea showing her mettle, A Pernicious Fabrication will keep you guessing as to whether new -- or age-old -- motives for murder are behind the death of a promising artist. The “murder duchess” can continue her activities for another day.
“Oh what a tangled web we weave” indeed, as the Kesgraves (and readers) will discover, and you might need a scorecard to follow along as to the who and the what and the where when the “King of Saffron Hill,” London’s most notorious crime boss, asks them to find out who’s murdered one of his treasured minions.
Another personal tragedy is the catalyst for a convoluted mystery that will tests the talents of the Duke and Duchess of Kesgrave to the fullest, but one they will solve with their usual panache, while Beatrice does what she does best -- fret at dealing with her place in society. You’d think after thirteen books she’d have a better handle on this, and readers would be spared the hand-wringing a bit. Perish the thought. And Mr. T-T may have departed the field, but unfortunately there’s a new gossip-monger in town to contend with, alas.
With the usual detailed look at London and its inhabitants, and an ending that has Bea showing her mettle, A Pernicious Fabrication will keep you guessing as to whether new -- or age-old -- motives for murder are behind the death of a promising artist. The “murder duchess” can continue her activities for another day.
March 5, 2025
A Pernicious Fabrication is another delightful edition of the Beatrice Hyde Clare Mysteries by Lynn Messina. The reader joins Bea as she navigates two problematic events vying for her attention. There is the daunting prospect of hosting a summer house party at the ducal country estates and the mystery of Damon’s cousin Mortimer’s murder. Bea is reluctant to take on the investigation but that has more to do with her skepticism of the criminal mastermind Hell and Fury Hawes, who seeks their assistance to root out the killers from among his underlings. While Kesgrave shares her misgiving, he is intent on pursuing justice for his cousin.
The story involves forgery, murder, and fraud in the world of antiquities. It also explores Bea struggles to reconcile her perception of herself as the shy voiceless spinster with her new role as a self-assured outspoken investigator. This is a fantastic series with wonderful characters that you cannot help but love and this installment is no exception. Bea and Damon are such a great couple, and I adore their interaction. I highly recommend this series to those who enjoy historical cozy mysteries and to those who love this Beatrice Hyde Clare world. This is another great addition to the series.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Book Whisperer for an eARC of the book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The story involves forgery, murder, and fraud in the world of antiquities. It also explores Bea struggles to reconcile her perception of herself as the shy voiceless spinster with her new role as a self-assured outspoken investigator. This is a fantastic series with wonderful characters that you cannot help but love and this installment is no exception. Bea and Damon are such a great couple, and I adore their interaction. I highly recommend this series to those who enjoy historical cozy mysteries and to those who love this Beatrice Hyde Clare world. This is another great addition to the series.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Book Whisperer for an eARC of the book. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 8, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.
Considering that I read this latest book by Lynn Messina before reading any other of the numerous prequels, I got the gist pretty quickly. Thank you, Ms Messina, for quickly filling in the details I needed to know.
Beatrice (Bea), Duchess of Kesgrave, has shown herself to be quite a detective, and it has not escaped the notice of the criminal elements in London. So when one of the most notorious mobsters shows up at her London residence requesting her help in solving the murder of one of his associates, she is not overly surprised, but she is not inclined to help him either. But when he reveals that the murder victim is her husband's cousin, she and the Duke feel it is necessary to at least look at the crime.
With their rank in society and her notoriety as a crime solver, they have entree into almost any place in London. And when the crime web stretches all the way to the London Museum, it becomes even more important to find the killer and make sure justice is done.
The insights into London Society (with a capital S!), as well as the impunity with which the criminals operate in this pre-Scotland Yard era are interesting and I found this to be a delightful story. AND a mystery that I did not solve, which I always appreciate!!
Considering that I read this latest book by Lynn Messina before reading any other of the numerous prequels, I got the gist pretty quickly. Thank you, Ms Messina, for quickly filling in the details I needed to know.
Beatrice (Bea), Duchess of Kesgrave, has shown herself to be quite a detective, and it has not escaped the notice of the criminal elements in London. So when one of the most notorious mobsters shows up at her London residence requesting her help in solving the murder of one of his associates, she is not overly surprised, but she is not inclined to help him either. But when he reveals that the murder victim is her husband's cousin, she and the Duke feel it is necessary to at least look at the crime.
With their rank in society and her notoriety as a crime solver, they have entree into almost any place in London. And when the crime web stretches all the way to the London Museum, it becomes even more important to find the killer and make sure justice is done.
The insights into London Society (with a capital S!), as well as the impunity with which the criminals operate in this pre-Scotland Yard era are interesting and I found this to be a delightful story. AND a mystery that I did not solve, which I always appreciate!!
June 25, 2025
In the most recent Beatrice Hyde-Clare novel, raiders follow Bea as she takes on a new case, the murder of her husband’s cousin and the son of Lord Myles, who also died an early and untimely death. With an odd murder weapon, another suspicious death in the family, and a massive antiquities forgery scheme operating in the heart of London, the dual investigations of Bea and the Duke of Kesgrave may lead them straight into a trap or to the murderer because nothing is as easy or straightforward as they seem. Entertaining, interesting, and a brilliant addition to the series, this novel gives readers a chance to see Bea and the Duke operating in-the-know together while also uncovering a new part of the criminal underworld of the nineteenth century. The characters are, once again, the stars of the novel, and the introduction of new character conflicts and dynamics really expands the cast list and the factors at play around this latest investigation. Messina has once again created a fascinating and unique new historical mystery that fans of the series will enjoy, especially as things become more complicated and Bea continues to grow as a duchess and an investigator in this brilliant historical mystery series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for the advance copy.
February 25, 2025
I have to admit that it took me a little bit into the book to remember the previous storylines with Bea and Verity Lark in order to make sense of where things left off. Sometimes recaps go a bit too far but I could have used a little bit more info. Other than that, it was a great mystery with interesting and amusing characters and twists and turns that kept me guessing. I have to admit that my favorite part was probably the discussion of a string of bakeries devoted to Bea’s love of rout cakes and while she made the right choice turning them down, I would have enjoyed seeing them come to fruition. It was interesting to see a bit more of the human and soft side to the dowager duchess and her relationship with Kesgrave (and Bea). While I need a book to have an engaging mystery, I appreciated the abundance of amusing side characters to keep things interesting as well, especially the footman/butler/drivers expressing their opinions. I hope to see a more integrated crossover with Verity Lark and a shooting lesson in the near future as poor Bea needs a good instructor.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
March 6, 2025
It's another outing for the Duchess of Kesgrave as detective and it's another fun romp in regency London. Bea's already under pressure with the upcoming move to the country and for the house party she's expected to give. But there are matters closer to home with yet another murder needing her assistant. The difference this time is one of the previous villains is one who brings it to her attention and asks her to solve it. She has no intention of doing anything to help this man until a detail comes out about the identity of the victim. Soon the Duchess and Duke are up to their necks in dealing with fraud, antiquities and the art world.
I will note that there are quite a few references to a previous case from a book I haven't read yet. Having read many of the books, though, I was able to enjoy this just as well. It just makes a reminder to me to acquire more of the earlier books so I can enjoy these even more thoroughly.
As always, this was a fun read and I highly recommend it. Thank you to Book Whisperer and Netgalley for providing a free advanced reader copy. I have left this review voluntarily.
I will note that there are quite a few references to a previous case from a book I haven't read yet. Having read many of the books, though, I was able to enjoy this just as well. It just makes a reminder to me to acquire more of the earlier books so I can enjoy these even more thoroughly.
As always, this was a fun read and I highly recommend it. Thank you to Book Whisperer and Netgalley for providing a free advanced reader copy. I have left this review voluntarily.
February 25, 2025
If you are look for a binge-worthy cozy mystery series with witty banter and a whip smart heroine, look no further than the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries! In this latest installment, A Pernicious Fabrication, Lynn Messina once again pulls us into the world of Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave as she navigates yet another murder mystery.
Over the previous 12 books, we've watched Beatrice bloom from a wallflower into a Duchess and mother-to-be. This cozy mystery continues the story line, with the Duke and Duchess again working together, this time to solve the murder of the Duke's cousin. I always enjoy being immersed in the Duchess of Kesgrave's world, and appreciate that she has insecurities and worries, just like the rest of us. The Duke, as always, is a swoony yet realistic hero.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Over the previous 12 books, we've watched Beatrice bloom from a wallflower into a Duchess and mother-to-be. This cozy mystery continues the story line, with the Duke and Duchess again working together, this time to solve the murder of the Duke's cousin. I always enjoy being immersed in the Duchess of Kesgrave's world, and appreciate that she has insecurities and worries, just like the rest of us. The Duke, as always, is a swoony yet realistic hero.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 8, 2025
A Delightful Reunion with Old Friends
I was watching the clock waiting for the 7th of March so I could download this book! It's everything I hoped it would be and more. I can't believe how much I adore this series that I feel like I'm getting reacquainted with old friends with each installment. Once again, Lynn has surpassed my expectations. Thank you for yet another fabulously fun read.
PS I saw another reader was just as eager to download this installment that they already tried on 5 March BUT then proceeded to review this book with a one star because they could not download it. Dear Reader: It was only released on 7 March! There's no reason to give a poor review based on what you perceived to be a technical glitch which was not a glitch at all but your failure to check the dates accurately. That is really poor form!
I was watching the clock waiting for the 7th of March so I could download this book! It's everything I hoped it would be and more. I can't believe how much I adore this series that I feel like I'm getting reacquainted with old friends with each installment. Once again, Lynn has surpassed my expectations. Thank you for yet another fabulously fun read.
PS I saw another reader was just as eager to download this installment that they already tried on 5 March BUT then proceeded to review this book with a one star because they could not download it. Dear Reader: It was only released on 7 March! There's no reason to give a poor review based on what you perceived to be a technical glitch which was not a glitch at all but your failure to check the dates accurately. That is really poor form!
March 12, 2025
I love this series.
The writing somehow has a bit of the feel of Jane Austen’s books.
The heroine, Bea, is as always: clever and funny, and even though she is a product of the 1830’s, seems completely relatable to a 21st century reader. Her husband, Kesgrave, is everything you want a hero to be: good looking of course, but also smart, strong (emotionally and physically) and—most importantly—fully supportive and admiring of his beloved wife.
The mystery is never a Scooby Doo manipulative ending. There’s always a logical sequence to the plot. And somehow the exposition in the story comes off as more narrative (á la Mr. Spock) rather than tedious.
My only criticism of these books is that I’d like them to be much longer. Too short of a story for the wait between books.
It will be a sad, long wait for the next Beatrice H-C book. But I’ll be reading it the day it’s out!
The writing somehow has a bit of the feel of Jane Austen’s books.
The heroine, Bea, is as always: clever and funny, and even though she is a product of the 1830’s, seems completely relatable to a 21st century reader. Her husband, Kesgrave, is everything you want a hero to be: good looking of course, but also smart, strong (emotionally and physically) and—most importantly—fully supportive and admiring of his beloved wife.
The mystery is never a Scooby Doo manipulative ending. There’s always a logical sequence to the plot. And somehow the exposition in the story comes off as more narrative (á la Mr. Spock) rather than tedious.
My only criticism of these books is that I’d like them to be much longer. Too short of a story for the wait between books.
It will be a sad, long wait for the next Beatrice H-C book. But I’ll be reading it the day it’s out!
February 17, 2025
I enjoyed this more than I thought when I started it. The premise was a bit insane to me - a criminal overlord comes to Bea and Kesgrave when his forgerer is murdered. This one deals with the very lucrative world of antiquities and what happens when a fabulously talented artist - the duke's cousin no less - is denied access to the Royal Academy. There's one scene in this where Bea is presented with a rout cake business venture that had me in absolute stitches. I had to suspend my disbelief when our favourite couple rubs shoulders with criminal masterminds in their own neighbourhood and escape unscatched but I thought the plot was riveting and I loved their romance very very much.
What a great series.
My endless thanks to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for this ARC!
What a great series.
My endless thanks to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for this ARC!
March 12, 2025
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lynn Messina for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Pernicious Fabrication coming out March 7, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave, will not do the bidding of Hell and Fury Hawes. It does not matter how difficult it is to find new murder mysteries to investigate, especially ones where the victim was stabbed with a chisel. She absolutely refuses to lift a finger to help him figure out who killed one of his associates.
Nothing will persuade her, not even discovering the identity of the victim.
It is the duke’s cousin, son of the wretched Lord Myles, who also met an ugly death—bludgeoned with a candlestick—after going into business with the infamous crime lord, who rules over the worst rookery in London. Mortimer Matlock, a thwarted artist who stopped sculpting after his work was rejected repeatedly by the Royal Academy, was forging artifacts for Hawes’s illegal antiquities scheme.
Joining forces with the King of Saffron Hill, it seems, is frequently fatal.
I really enjoy this author’s writing. I haven’t read all the books in the series, but I love regency mysteries. I think Beatrice is a strong character. I enjoy her interactions with Damien. The first half of the book was really fun. There were some choices made that I wasn’t super on board with. But overall, I really enjoyed this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys regency mysteries!
Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave, will not do the bidding of Hell and Fury Hawes. It does not matter how difficult it is to find new murder mysteries to investigate, especially ones where the victim was stabbed with a chisel. She absolutely refuses to lift a finger to help him figure out who killed one of his associates.
Nothing will persuade her, not even discovering the identity of the victim.
It is the duke’s cousin, son of the wretched Lord Myles, who also met an ugly death—bludgeoned with a candlestick—after going into business with the infamous crime lord, who rules over the worst rookery in London. Mortimer Matlock, a thwarted artist who stopped sculpting after his work was rejected repeatedly by the Royal Academy, was forging artifacts for Hawes’s illegal antiquities scheme.
Joining forces with the King of Saffron Hill, it seems, is frequently fatal.
I really enjoy this author’s writing. I haven’t read all the books in the series, but I love regency mysteries. I think Beatrice is a strong character. I enjoy her interactions with Damien. The first half of the book was really fun. There were some choices made that I wasn’t super on board with. But overall, I really enjoyed this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys regency mysteries!
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