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Beatrice Steele #2

Un crimen entre bastidores

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Tras Un crimen con clase regresa la serie que «combina con un ritmo irresistible lo mejor de dos universos literarios tan británicos como el suspense de Agatha Christie se mezcla con la ingeniosa frivolidad de Jane Austen» (Silvia López, El Periódico de España)

«Una segunda entrega llena de vivacidad en la que nuestra detective Beatrice Steele cambia los provincianos alrededores de Swampshire por el ajetreo y el bullicio de Londres. […] ¡Larga vida para esta serie!».
Publishers Weekly

Han pasado unos meses desde que Beatrice resolvió el crimen que sacudió a su pequeño condado de Swampshire, pero no por ello ha disminuido su sed de misterio. La vida en Londres junto a la señorita Bolton, una molesta acompañante encargada de encontrarle un buen marido, alterna entre bailes estivales y presentaciones en sociedad y fugaces escapadas al nuevo despacho de detectives que regenta con el apuesto e inteligente inspector Vivek Drake.

Cuando Percival Nash, un famoso y admirado cantante de ópera londinense, les hace una visita para pedirles ayuda, los compromisos que antes parecían condicionar la libertad de Beatrice se convierten de pronto en el escenario ideal para investigar una enigmática muerte. A medida que los crímenes empiezan a sumarse, Beatrice y Vivek tendrán que integrarse en los círculos de la alta sociedad y entre los bastidores de los teatros londinenses para descubrir secretos que han permanecido guardados durante décadas y quizá también un prospecto amoroso para Beatrice.

La crítica ha dicho sobre Un crimen con clase:

«Recomendado hasta la viralidad por el boca a boca, este thriller de tacitas combina con un ritmo irresistible lo mejor de dos universos literarios tan británicos como el suspense de Agatha Christie se mezcla con la ingeniosa frivolidad de Jane Austen».

Silvia López, El Periódico de España

«Irreverente, satírica y ¡muy pertida!».
Kirkus Reviews

«Trepidante y adictiva, [...] dulce [...] y reconfortante».

Roxana Ioana, WhitePaperBy

«Hay una pasión de la autora por Jane Austen, [...] y buena literatura».

Juan Carlos Galindo, Babelia

«Un exquisito cóctel que mezcla elementos de la serie Bridgerton, de Orgullo y prejuicio de Jane Austen y de Los misterios de Miss Marple de Agatha Christie. [...] El ingenio, carcajadas y suspense».
People (Libro de la semana)

A Crime Behind the Scenes (Spanish Edition), A Terribly Nasty Business

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 24, 2025

417 people are currently reading
9711 people want to read

About the author

Julia Seales

4 books1,186 followers

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Profile Image for Rosh ~catching up slowly~.
2,383 reviews4,905 followers
September 11, 2025
In a Nutshell: A historical mystery set in Regency-era England. The second book in the Beatrice Steele series. I found this more like a typical cozy mystery with a dash of humour rather than an Austen satire, unlike the first book. That’s probably why I didn’t enjoy it as much; cosy mysteries aren’t my thing. Still, a good pastime option if you read it in the right spirit. Better to go in series order.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Plot Preview:
After the successful resolution of her first murder case, Beatrice has moved to London, with the indefatigable Miss Bolton acting as her chaperone. Inspector Drake and Beatrice have started their own detective agency, but their business is yet to flourish as Sir Huxley still gets all the prominent cases.
When a famous opera singer approaches them to clear his name of a murder allegation, Beatrice and Drake know it is the golden opportunity to prove their capabilities. However, the case isn't as straightforward as it initially seemed, and soon, the detective duo find themselves in a hot mess.
The story comes to us in Beatrice’s third-person perspective, with some interludes from other media such as letters, newspaper articles, and the like.


I first read Book One of this series , “A Most Agreeable Murder” in July 2023 and had a lot of fun with its amusing parody combining Austen’s novels with Christie’s mysteries. I had such nice memories of it that I even reread it willingly before beginning this sequel. I was prepared for Book Two to deliver on the same lines of smart fun, if not better.

This didn’t go exactly to plan!

The main reason Book One worked so well for me was that I am a huge fan of Jane Austen. To see her satirical dramas converted into satirical murder mysteries was hilarious. It felt like an entertaining homage to the spirit of Austen’s novels. This book didn’t remind me of any of Austen’s works. Rather, it functioned more like a regular cozy mystery (with a few comical elements.) I am not much of a cozy mystery fan, so there went half my motivation!

Technically, this book can work as a standalone as it fills in the character and plot gaps wherever needed. However, the story is in direct continuation of the events of Book One, plus this novel contains many spoilers from that mystery, including the crucial reveal about the identity of the murderer. So if you plan to read both the books, better to go in series order.

This story is a little darker compared to the previous novel. The prologue itself contains a murder. While there are some funny moments and remarks, the overall tone is quite serious. The murder mystery is mostly decent, though I could identity the guilty party fairly early into the plot – always a disappointment when this happens.

Just as in Book One, this book also covers several interesting themes, some of which are a repeat from the earlier story such as the poor life choices (if any) available to girls of marriageable age, racial discrimination and wealth bias. This book further covers the topic of the relevance of art and artists in a civilized society. Quite an interesting choice of theme!

Many of the characters from the first book make a return in this sequel, and the author ensures that their characters traits are in continuity. Beatrice is still obsessed with crime, Drake is still efficient but standoffish, Miss Bolton still has her Mary-Poppins-ish hat, Mr. Steele is still a prankster, Mrs. Steele is still intent on ensuring a good match for Beatrice, and France is still the bête noire of all Swampshire residents. The only key change in the cast is that the ubiquitous frogs have been replaced by ubiquitous flying squirrels. It was fun to meet all the old characters again, though I am greatly disappointed that Mary doesn’t get a role, which means that her secret (to be clear, a secret only to the characters, not to the readers) has still not been addressed. Perhaps in Book Three?

Of course, as the location of the story has moved from Swampshire to London, there are many additions to the cast of characters. They range from interesting to infuriating. It was a relief to see no one on the likes of grubby Mr. Grub this time around; I didn’t miss the grossness at all.

While I did know that this book would capitalise on the rapport between Beatrice and Drake and convert it to attraction, I didn’t expect to see a triangle pop up. (I should have taken a better look at the book cover!) I can't say I was a fan of it, especially as it wasn’t even that convincing without a build-up. Still, it was not the core focus of the plot; that’s a plus.

The ending went a little OTT, both in terms of the infodump (which is omnipresent in this subgenre) and in the reveal and modus operandi (which wasn’t too convincing.)

A shoutout to the gorgeous cover art – it represents the book excellently.

Overall, mostly mixed feelings. I didn’t hate the book, but I didn’t love it either. It is more suited to cozy mystery lovers who would enjoy a dash of comedy and a love triangle mixed in with murderous mayhem.

There is a clear clue about where the book will move on next, so I hope that Book Three will be strong on the mystery but stronger on the parody.

Recommended to historical cozy mystery fans.

3 stars.


My thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Random House for providing the DRC of “A Terribly Nasty Business” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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Profile Image for EveStar91.
267 reviews274 followers
July 27, 2025
The Neighborhood Association of Gentlemen Sweetbriarians (NAGS) Presents: THE LONDON SEASON

The second Beatrice Steele book A Terribly Nasty Business follows her to London as she solves her investigative firm's first real case with partner Vivek Drake and navigates the London season. The book is as wacky as the first, with flying squirrels and nostalgic mentions of glowing frogs, but Julia Seales' witty humor also aids discussing the themes of freedom (lack of) and gender inequality in the Regency era.

The story arc had enough space for Beatrice's introspective growth, even amidst the humor, and the plot progression made for an easy light page turner. The strength of the book on the whole, as well as the series, is Seales' parodic writing and satirical world-building. Recommended to anyone looking for a light-hearted funny murder mystery.

I see the influence that a painting, a song, a performance, has on people’s hearts and minds. It can effect change. Topple the correct ways and order of society. Give power to those who have never had it...

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Random House for an advanced copy, the review is entirely honest.

Beatrice Steele series:
Book 1: A Murder Most Agreeable Review

🌟🌟🌟1/4
[3/4 star for the premise and the whole book; 3/4 star for the writing; Half a star for the characters and their growth; Half a star for the world-building; 3/4 star for the story and themes - 3 1/4 stars in total, rounded down to an integer.]
Profile Image for Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus).
Author 23 books728 followers
June 27, 2025
3.5 Stars

One Liner: Mindless fun but with important themes

After solving a murder (in the previous book), Beatrice Steele feels like things are finally falling into place. She relocated from Swampshire to London with her trusted chaperone, Miss Bolton. Beatrice and Inspector Drake start their detective agency, D.S. Investigations. However, the elusive Sir Huxley is still considered the only real detective in the city.

When a string of murders put her and her investigating partner in the middle of a mess, Beatrice must survive the threats on their lives, the disturbances in their partnership, the pressure from her mother to marry well, and a lot more!

The story comes in Beatrice’s third-person POV with snippets like news articles, letters, notes, etc.

My Thoughts:

Well, in a way, it’s not different from the previous book. But it becomes a bit darker. I would recommend starting at the beginning. This series is an OTT farcical blend of Austen and Christie’s works. So, you have a P&P-type set-up with a murder mystery.

The writing style is quirky, satirical, and fun. Maybe not as fun as book one, but it is still good. I laughed out loud many times at the deliberate absurdity of the situation.

Since the FMC moved from Swampshire to Sweetbriar in London, frogs have been replaced by… flying squirrels. Not as fun, sadly, but deadlier!

I like the themes, though. Suppression of arts and artists, the noblemen trying to control society with restrictions, banning arts, gender bias, vehemently opposing women’s freedom, etc., are central to the plot. However, the book doesn’t feel preachy or heavy, thanks to the lighthearted writing style.

The mystery starts on an interesting note. Since it is a cozy book, you can easily figure out the twists and reveals before the main characters. But the pacing is good, so you don’t have to wait long for them to catch up.

Beatrice seems uncertain and tentative in the new setting. While it aligns with the plot changes, I did miss her spunk from book one. Luckily, she gets back on track towards the end.

There’s the dreaded love triangle, which wasn’t too bad due to the lingering comic presence. It seems to have been sorted to an extent. I can only hope there won’t be a curveball in the next book.

That ending is a perfect bait for book #3! I’m so curious about what will happen. As long as there won’t be unwanted complications in the love track, I’ll be eager for the next installment.

Oh, the comedy quotient is a bit less in the second half as the seriousness increases. I never thought I’d say this, but I miss Mary (we get updates about her, don’t worry)! We still don’t have any explanation, though there are many clues.

To summarize, A Terribly Nasty Business indeed deals with a terribly nasty business of murders, control, and infuriating men with a generous dose of silliness and fun. Rounding up since it was entertaining.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #ATerriblyNastyBusiness

P.S.: There were no frogs. :/



****
Pre-read: I knew there would be book #2! Can't wait to read it (hope it has some frogs).
Profile Image for Caitlin.
61 reviews10 followers
April 19, 2025
A cozy mystery with sass, secrets, and just the right amount of scandal! Think: witty banter, quirky characters, and plot twists that’ll keep you flipping pages with a smirk.

If you love your mysteries clever, charming, and a little chaotic—this one’s calling your name.

Rating: 4.5/5

Vibe: Murder, but make it fun.

Would I recommend? Absolutely—preferably with tea and a scone.
Profile Image for Laubythesea.
594 reviews1,945 followers
September 18, 2025
2,5 ⭐️

Meh, ósea no mal, pero el primero me encantó y este me ha aburrido en algunas partes
Profile Image for Heather B..
3 reviews
December 16, 2025
Pre rating this 5 stars cause I already know it’s gonna be amazing! Can’t wait to see what Beatrice and Drake do next

Having now read this book, I am standing behind that 5 star review.

Hilarious, romantic, and constantly keeping the reader on their toes with each twist and turn, A Terribly Nasty Business is a more than worthy follow up to A Most Agreeable Murder. I will constantly recommend these books to everyone I know. I can’t wait for the third, and hopefully many more adventures, of Steele and Drake.

Mild Spoilers Below….

HUXLEY GO AWAY!
Profile Image for ß.
544 reviews1,264 followers
July 6, 2025
Aw i was really looking forward to this. The mystery, the characters, and even the romance just wasn’t as fun as it was in the first book
Profile Image for Literary Redhead.
2,706 reviews692 followers
January 27, 2025
This grand sequel to the author's famed histfic mystery debut set my heart aglow! I adore the quirky Beatrice Steele, growing in her role as an inspector in London, teamed up again with the handsome Detective Drake. The story will charm and engage you with suspense, romance, and a mystery that truly keeps you guessing. Brava, Julia, and may we see many more wacky Beatrice/Drake tales!
Profile Image for Meredith Stepien.
321 reviews3 followers
July 3, 2025
YAY!! Just as fun as the first one! So silly and goofy and fun!!!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Raquel San Martín.
701 reviews102 followers
August 25, 2025
 Aquí vamos de nuevo con la encantadora e intuitiva Beatrice Steele y su nuevo compañero (en la resolución del crimen) Vivek Drake.

Beatrice ha escapado de Swampshire  y ha llegado a Londres, donde abre una agencia de detectives junto a Drake. Por supuesto, todavía lleva sus obligaciones impuestas por su madre de encontrar un esposo rico para mantener a la familia. ¿Con suerte, su nueva carrera generará suficiente dinero para permanecer soltera? El único problema es que su clientela es escasa.

Afortunadamente, un actor desesperado y popular los contrata para demostrar su inocencia en un reciente asesinato de aristócratas. Beatrice debe pensar rápidamente para asegurar una invitación a la más codiciada de las reuniones sociales para investigar más a fondo.

Me gusta que las historias se hayan expandido a un escenario más grande que la ciudad original de Swampshire, espero que los nuevos amigos de Beatrice continúen apareciendo en futuros libros y, por supuesto, me encanta la relación entre Beatrice y Drake.

En conclusión, una serie que me está dando muy buenas ratos de lectura, divertidos, románticos y de pensar quien es el culpable, sin duda no dejes escapar las aventuras de nuestra alocada Beatrice.
Profile Image for Stella.
860 reviews344 followers
October 3, 2025
Even better than the first book! Beatrice is as clever as ever. It is like Bridgerton meet Agatha Christie. The mystery was fun, fast-paced, and the end was satisfying. On top of that, the humour was on-point.

I didn't expect there was going to be subtle romance in this one. The tension was a nice added touch.

We really need more regency murder mysteries. I am so glad I picked up this series based on a recommendation from India Holton. I need moreeee.
Profile Image for pilarentrelibros.
197 reviews391 followers
September 2, 2025
He leído Un crimen entre bastidores de Julia Seales y tengo que decirlo: me lo he pasado en grande. 🎭🔍 No suelo leer cozy crimes, pero este libro me ha entretenido muchísimo y ha sido justo lo que necesitaba: una lectura ligera y divertida después de varias novelas más densas que me tenían el cerebro en modo exprimidor. 🍋📚
La historia nos lleva a la regencia (sí, esa época de bailes, corsés imposibles y mucha taza de té ☕👗), pero en vez de obsesionarnos con los pretendientes, seguimos a Beatrice Steele, una protagonista más interesada en resolver asesinatos que en cazar marido. Y francamente, ¡qué refrescante es leer a un personaje así! Entre sospechosos peculiares, un inspector que no pasa desapercibido y diálogos llenos de chispa, la trama mezcla misterio con humor de manera súper entretenida.
El caso se entiende de forma independiente, pero es cierto que algunos guiños y dinámicas vienen de la primer entrega „Un crimen con clase“. No es obligatorio leerlo primero, pero seguro que te hará disfrutar aún más de la relación y comprender mejor las relaciones y desavenencias de ciertos personajes.
Lo mejor: no pretende ser un thriller de esos que te dejan sin dormir, pero mantiene la intriga hasta el final y, sobre todo, te regala un rato de evasión con buen humor. Ideal si buscas algo ameno, con un aire de serie británica llena de misterio y sarcasmo. 🇬🇧✨
En resumen: Un crimen entre bastidores me ha gustado, me ha entretenido y me ha dado justo ese respiro que necesitaba. Y aunque sigo sin ser fan absoluta del género, reconozco que Julia Seales sabe cómo atraparme. Yo ya estoy pensando en qué casos le esperan en el futuro a la señorita Steele. 😉
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3,5/5)
Profile Image for Jessie Kratzer.
63 reviews2 followers
March 29, 2025
This was a fun and enjoyable read! This is definitely a very good cozy historical mystery! The romance and history of this book and the fun twists, you should absolutely give this book a try!! Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book.
Profile Image for Georgiana 1792.
2,403 reviews161 followers
October 11, 2025
Una serie Regency sempre sopra le righe, un'ironizzazione dei Regency Romance in cui la massima aspirazione di Beatrice Steele, la protagonista, non è di sposarsi ma di risolvere crimini. E in questo affare oltremodo sgradevole si trova coinvolta in una serie di assassini, in cui le vittime sono i membri dei NAGS (Neighbour Association of Gentlemen Sweetbriarians - dove Sweetbriar è il quartiere di Londra in cui Beatrice si è trasferita per partecipare alla Season, con la stravagante Miss Helen Bolton come chaperon), persone che vorrebbero abolire ogni genere di arte e sottomettere il genere femminile più di quanto non sia sottomesso.
Beatrice ha aperto in segreto la sua agenzia di investigazioni in società con Vivek Drake e la coppia viene ingaggiata da Percival Nash, un attore che è stato accusato del primo omicidio per dimostrare la sua innocenza, nientepopodimeno che da Sir Lawrence Huxley, l'ex mito di Beatrice ed ex socio di Vivek, l'investigatore più idolatrato di Londra, che non saprebbe trovare i propri occhiali neanche se li avesse sulla fronte. Beatrice riesce a farsi notare e a essere inserita nella lista del Rose, dove si organizzano gli eventi mondani più prestigiosi, e dove i membri più importanti dei NAGS, come Mr. Horace Vane, per esempio, esercitano la propria influenza.
Ricompare un personaggio pieno di risorse che credevamo essersi volatilizzato in Delitto al ballo, mentre ci sono nuove amiche da conoscere (fan del club di Sir Huxley, che Beatrice finge di ammirare ancora, anche se ormai sa tutto circa i suoi metodi). Il rapporto della ragazza con Drake è sempre professionale, anche se la reciproca stima e la complicità nel risolvere i casi li avvicinano sempre più.
Profile Image for Jaime.
134 reviews3 followers
September 3, 2025
Another delightful Regency-era spoof and tribute from Ms. Seales. A Terribly Nasty Business picks up where the last book left off. After solving her first case back home in Swampshire, Beatrice Steele has left her quaint (and overly proper) village behind for London.

There, she and her partner, Inspector Vivek Drake, have opened their own detective agency and only await their first big case. Unfortunately with Sir Lawrence Huxley - the famous sleuth - around scooping up most of the work, and Beatrice's mother hounding her to marry (Beatrice may have told her a tiny lie about being there for the Season), this is proving easier said than done.

That is until members of a prominent gentleman's society begin dying. The main suspect is a prominent actor. But as Beatrice learned in her last case, things are not always what they seem. She will need all her wits about her, and maybe a few more "morbid creeps" to take down this killer.

This book was as delightful and funny as the first. i had to highlight the lines that made me laugh out loud (and sometimes snort) because there were so many of them.

There was a bit more romance this time as well, which made my little heart happy. I'll gladly recommend this book to anyone who likes Jane Austen-esque stories with wit and humor, as well as any that enjoyed the first book. Four out of five stars. Thank you to Netgalley, Random House, and Ms. Julia Seales for the advanced reader copy. This review is voluntary, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Lata.
4,925 reviews254 followers
July 25, 2025
Beatrice Steele is now in the Sweetbriar neighborhood of London, a partner in D&s investigations with bbb Drake. Though eager to tackle significant cases, they are relegated to solving small problems, such as nnnnnnnnn. This is because of the odious fake detective, Mr jjj Huxley, whose fame and successful resolutions to cases are reported regularly in the papers. (We know he uses tips and answers from fans, and the labour of others (e.g. Mr. Drake) without attribution, from book one.

Beatrice’s mother constantly urges her to take the Season seriously, as the Steele family’s financial fortunes are grave. Beatrice wishes she could avoid the whole thing, but her dedicated chaperone, and strange understanding of fashion,, miss Botton, eagerly takes her to events.though Beatrice is locked out of real opportunities till she takes matters into her own hands, gaining an entrée to local Society from a fashion setter in Sweetbriar.

The Sweetbriar neighborhood is plagued by two things, flying squirrels, and a group of extra conservative gentlemen eager to control, abuse and destroy the artists’ careers , shopkeepers whose goods are deemed too liberal or risqué, and the minds of the gentlewomen who reside in the neighbourhood.

When an actor is accused by NAGs (these hateful gentlemen), he comes to D&S for help. Beatrice is thrilled, and begins her inquiries with the local gentry, while pretending to her chaperone that she is husband hunting. Drake loathes Society’s conventions, and begins his own inquiries, causing friction between Beatrice and him. This is only exacerbated by her growing feelings for him, and Huxley, who is there at parties, and attempting to flirt with her.

I really liked this entry. Beatrice is inventive, imaginative, observant, and has good instincts, which she puts to good use in her investigation. She's also rightly upset with Drake, who on the one hand pushes her away and doesn't share what he's up to consistently, and on the other hand is clearly falling for her, as she is for him. When they finally begin working together on the case, which exposes the nastiness of the men of NAGs, they make a good team. While temporarily stopped in their tracks, Beatrice knows NAGs bear watching.

And, she proves that she's a good investigator, and by the end, has achieved a way to keep doing what she loves. I cannot wait for what she and Drake get up to next.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Random House Publishing Group - Random House for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Profile Image for Melanie Tyson.
108 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2025
I’m just completely obsessed with these books, the stories, the characters… everything! I cannot wait for more Beatrice Steele!
Profile Image for Theresa.
92 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2025
Ah! Here we go again with lovely intuitive Beatrice Steele and her new partner (in solving crime) Vivek Drake. I definitely enjoyed the first book in this series so was pleased to receive an advanced copy to review.

Beatrice has escaped Swampshire (phew!) and made it to London where she opens up a business solving mysteries. Of course, she still carries her obligations from her loving and mercenary mama to find a rich husband to support the family. Hopefully her new career will bring in enough money to remain unmarried instead? The only problem is their clientele is sparse.

Fortunately, a desperate and popular thespian hires them to prove his innocence in a recent aristocrat murder. Beatrice must think quickly on her feet to secure an invitation to the most coveted of social gatherings to investigate further.

Dusted with a fine layer of humor and fun, Beatrice and Vivek traipse their way through a myriad of suspicious characters and intriguing secrets. I felt this story was better than the first! And if you’re waiting to see if romance is in the air for our dear Beatrice, you’ll definitely want to read on. Thanks so much Netgalley and Random House publishing for the advanced copy! All opinions are of course, my own.
Profile Image for Rachel.
2,352 reviews99 followers
June 27, 2025
A Terribly Nasty Business: A Beatrice Steele Novel by Julia Seales is the second book in this delightful historical mystery series.

I love this series. I don’t know if I have mentioned that yet or not? Lol. I enjoyed A Most Agreeable Murder, which is the first book, and I liked this almost as well…so close. (Probably because I knew what to expect specifically with the added humor aspect). It was still a good mystery, with action, intrigue, interesting characters and dynamics…along with funny quips, quick one-liners, and random observations and comments that kept me on my toes.

Will I read the next one? You bet.

I enjoyed the pacing, the content, and I look forward to the next case that Beatrice and Drake are pulled into.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Random House for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 6/24/25.
Profile Image for Sasha.
574 reviews17 followers
June 29, 2025
“If you are going to help catch murderers, you must do it the proper way: accompanied by an unmarried, middle aged woman!”

Oh how I adore this series! In this sequel, Beatrice once again joins forces with Drake, but this time in London, to man their detective agency and solve all the crimes and cases that are given to them. While doing that, also they must navigate the social scene and the increasing letters from Beatrice’s mother which makes for an amazing mix to humor, mystery, romance, and from time to time, flying squirrels. It’s a superb combination, what’s not to love?

Things to look forward to:
-secret societies
-outrageous hats
-mimes
-a small love triangle (I usually hate these but it’s fine so well here)
-an inspector rivalry
-Beatrice making friends

I cannot wait to read more of this series! I need a new book immediately!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review


Profile Image for Leandra.
486 reviews543 followers
September 21, 2025
Actual Rating: 4.75

So. Much. Fun!!

I loved the humor, the well-plotted mystery, and the variety of unique odd-ball characters! This series has easily become one that I will anticipate with each new addition!
Profile Image for tiffany.
557 reviews220 followers
July 13, 2025
2.5

still so fun and silly, but the writing feels like it's a first draft idk everything just feels kinda stilted and clumsy and i was bored by page 100
Profile Image for Kaitlyn.
307 reviews3 followers
September 24, 2025
I loved the first one; the humor, the wit, everything just worked. This book was sadly a letdown! It just felt stilted and didn’t work in the same way.
Profile Image for Tracy Redden.
177 reviews10 followers
June 24, 2025
I love a good cozy Victorian English mystery and “A Terribly Nasty Business” was such a shear delight to read and an entertaining sequel to “A Most Agreeable Murder”.

This definitely gave vibes of Bridgerton meets Miss Scarlett and the Duke.

Julia Seales brings back the adorable Miss Beatrice Steele and the reserved Mr. Drake. This time they partner up to solve the murder at a high social club in Sweetbriar, London.

Miss Beatrice Steele has finally found her calling and is now the partner in DS Investigations having moved to the big city of London, from her small country estate. She undoubtedly revels in the role as Inspector Steele, even if she has to sneak around to work with her colleague, Inspector Drake as they are hired to find out who murdered one of the elite from a prestigious association. I so love that Beatrice always is witty, head strong, and undoubtedly clever, but also innocent when it comes to matters of the heart. She can never resist running into secret rooms, trapped doors or jumping literally head first into trouble to solve a case.
The banter between Beatrice and Drake turns up a little more, then add in the quirky side characters, dubious scandals and witty humour, A Terribly Nasty Business delivers a true Victorian cozy mystery.

Oh and the end of the last chapter 7* note - made me laugh out loud 🤭🤭

Thank you to NetGally and Random House Publishing for the opportunity to read this e-arc and provide a review.
Profile Image for Rachel Taylor.
468 reviews3 followers
February 14, 2025
After finally solving her first murder case, Beatrice Steele is back in a second installment of the Beatrice Steele series. In this novel, she is embarking upon a season in London, both as a young woman in search of a husband, and a young inspector in search of a killer. Because a killer is in fact about the upper London society, hiding amongst all of the attacking squirrels in the neighborhood of Sweetbriar. With the artist community in danger of censorship, upperclass men being murdered left and right, romantic tension between Inspector Drake, and frequent reminders from her mother that their family is on the brink of destitution, Beatrice has plenty on her mind in this novel.

For me, this was an enjoyable novel in the series, but not quite as charming as the first. Wtih the first novel, I was laughing frequently and excited to continue on. This second installment was missing a bit of the humor and had a murder mystery that was a little convoluted for me to follow. Not a bad read, and a series I still very much plan on following, but not one that was quite as exciting as the first.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for my e-ARC!
16 reviews
December 16, 2025
¿Qué puede haber mejor que un cruce entre Agatha Christie y Jane Austen? ¿Entre el misterio y la regencia? Ya te digo yo que nada.

El primer libro me gustó mucho pero entraba en un terreno desconocido y era el momento de adentrarme en la trama y conocer a los personajes. En esta segunda entrega sin embargo, ya conozco a los personajes principales y me he encariñado con ellos. El misterio de este libro atrapa tanto como el primero, pero sin duda ha sumado puntos el ligero acercamiento entre Beatrice y Drake (a una le gusta el salseo romántico), aunque he agradecido que sea de esas historias que se cocinan a fuego lento. Así que yo espero que el tercer libro llegue prontito, porque ya que no tengo nuevos capítulos de "Los misterios de Laura" pues Julia Seales tendrá que complacerme con más asesinatos de época.
Profile Image for Dianne.
1,845 reviews158 followers
April 30, 2025
This book was not as amusing as the first in this series, but it was humorous. It is a story of intrigue, lies, censorship, romance, and murders. This is a book with more characters than good sense; it was difficult at times to keep track of who was who, especially since the author interchanges first names with last names, so you must remember who is who by other means!

I really want to see a book about Mary-I, or shall I say, we have an inkling of what she may be, but are not 100% positive. She would make a good addition to the Inspectors team! She seems like she would be great at sniffing out clues!

A worthy read, and one that I'm sure book clubs would enjoy discussing.


*ARC supplied by the publisher Random House, the author, and NetGalley.
Profile Image for Taylor Givens.
592 reviews56 followers
July 9, 2025
This series is a lot of fun! I liked this a little bit less than the first book but I’m excited for the next installment. This is easy to read, light, and funny and I love that the romance elements take the backseat.
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