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An Arabella Beaumont Mystery #3
Death and the Cyprian Society
Arabella Beaumont, courtesan, adventuress, and sleuth, romps her way through Regency London into a dangerous affair of blackmail. . .
Arabella Beaumont is the fortunate possessor of one of England's most celebrated bodies--with a formidable business brain to match. Her latest venture: transforming a London hotel into a social club for courtesans. To afford the lavish renovations, Arabella needs her featherbrained friend Constance Worthington to repay the fortune she owes her. And now that Constance has a wealthy protector, Pigeon Pollard, she's finally good for the cash.
Alas, the imprudent Constance has also been dallying with Lady Ribbonhat's footman, and a mysterious blackmailer is threatening to tell all. If Constance pays up, there will be no money left for Arabella's renovations;if she doesn't, the cuckolded Pigeon is bound to leave her penniless. But as the case escalates rapidly from extortion to murder, Arabella's life, as well as her fortune, hangs precariously in the balance. . .
Praise For Death And The Courtesan
"Saucy. . .the effervescent and free-thinking Arabella is a delightful heroine." --The Bellingham Herald
"Historical mystery readers fond of arch and ribald takes on the genre will best appreciate Christie's debut." --Publishers Weekly
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 30, 2014
About the author
Pamela Christie
3 books10 followersPamela Christie lives in Seattle and teaches English. Death and the Courtesan is her first published novel.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 16, 2015
Another delightful entry in this Regency series staring Courtesan Arabella and her sister Bunny. Like the previous two, this story is full of fascinating tales of revenge, murder and lust. And clothing. Lots of delicious clothing. In this book Bella must solve the murder of a blackmailer in order to free her sometime friend Constance. Why? Because Constance owes Bella tens of thousands of pounds. It's a delightful romp through Regency England and a glimpse into the naughty men and women of Britain. It's a fun and light tale, unlike Anne Perry or Jacqueline Winspear's novels. But no matter. Bella and Bunny give entertainment a plenty.
March 18, 2020
An enjoyable historical romp in the Regency age with a member of the demi-mode and mystery. Arabella sparkled more in this book than the 1st book in the series. At times, that seemed a bit contrived and forced.
May 29, 2018
From the back cover (which made the book sound very interesting):
"Arabella Beaumont is the fortunate possessor of one of England's most celebrated bodies--with a formidable business brain to match. Her latest venture transforming a London hotel into a social club for courtesans. Arabella needs her featherbrained friend, Constance Worthington to repay the fortune she owes her. And now that Constance has a wealthy protector, Pigeon Pollard, she's finally good for the cash.
Alas, the imprudent Constance has also been dallying with Lady Ribbonhat's footman, and a mysterious blackmailer is threatening to tell all. If Constance pays up, there will be no money left for Arabella's renovations. But as the case escalates rapidly from extortion to murder, Arabella's life, as well as her fortune, hangs precariously in the balance...."
So my interest was peaked by the above two paragraphs, unfortunately the inside contents did little (nothing what-so-ever) to hold my interest.
The author tries too hard and comes up with a losing hand... The writing was stilted, affected, trite stiff, & overly clever.... I didn't like the characters, I didn't feel badly for them.
Even more annoying was the habit of the author to add *'d footnotes at the bottom of most pages attempting in a weakly witty manner of explaining previous happenings & past conversations.
"Arabella Beaumont is the fortunate possessor of one of England's most celebrated bodies--with a formidable business brain to match. Her latest venture transforming a London hotel into a social club for courtesans. Arabella needs her featherbrained friend, Constance Worthington to repay the fortune she owes her. And now that Constance has a wealthy protector, Pigeon Pollard, she's finally good for the cash.
Alas, the imprudent Constance has also been dallying with Lady Ribbonhat's footman, and a mysterious blackmailer is threatening to tell all. If Constance pays up, there will be no money left for Arabella's renovations. But as the case escalates rapidly from extortion to murder, Arabella's life, as well as her fortune, hangs precariously in the balance...."
So my interest was peaked by the above two paragraphs, unfortunately the inside contents did little (nothing what-so-ever) to hold my interest.
The author tries too hard and comes up with a losing hand... The writing was stilted, affected, trite stiff, & overly clever.... I didn't like the characters, I didn't feel badly for them.
Even more annoying was the habit of the author to add *'d footnotes at the bottom of most pages attempting in a weakly witty manner of explaining previous happenings & past conversations.
July 29, 2019
I love this series! It's a favourite and I always enjoy the stories. This was no exception.
Arabella is a wonderful character. She's clever, resourceful, determined and funny [even when she doesn't necessarily mean to be]. She knows who she is and what she wants and she goes after it.
The humour in this series is delightful! It's tongue-in-cheek and cheeky with buckets of double-entendres. This series doesn't take itself seriously and that makes for a super-fun read.
All the characters in this series are hilarious - again, even when they don't intend to be - and the scrapes they get themselves into make for a highly entertaining story each time I read one of these books. It is light, fun, silly reading and I enjoy it immensely
Arabella is a wonderful character. She's clever, resourceful, determined and funny [even when she doesn't necessarily mean to be]. She knows who she is and what she wants and she goes after it.
The humour in this series is delightful! It's tongue-in-cheek and cheeky with buckets of double-entendres. This series doesn't take itself seriously and that makes for a super-fun read.
All the characters in this series are hilarious - again, even when they don't intend to be - and the scrapes they get themselves into make for a highly entertaining story each time I read one of these books. It is light, fun, silly reading and I enjoy it immensely
September 27, 2019
This is not the worst book ever written, but it's in the top 50. The author's attempt to mimic/parody both Jane Austen and Charles Dickens is trite and saccharine. Her "clever" nods at the reader only enhance her self congratulatory tone; she's so proud of herself for writing such a clever book. And the little dig at those who hadn't read the previous entry in this series is the smug icing on the cake. It makes me a little sad that it's gotten high reviews from others.
August 28, 2017
playful little romp in Regency England with the demi monde. Love Arabella and her courtesan friends. Mystery, Intrigue, blackmail and MURDER
December 1, 2018
I was ok. Bella seems to be a bit wishy-washy at times. But at least Kendrick finally got some backbone ( in the last book). I'd read more from the author, if she had more out.
February 19, 2017
Just fairly disappointing. I liked the characters, but I just found the ending of the story unsatisfying. I felt there was too much build up and not enough resolution.
May 3, 2015
This was exactly the book I wanted to read, exactly when I wanted to read it, but the cover was such a turn-off that I almost passed it up: A generic woman, shown from the nose-down, in a purple-striped dress, standing next to a brown striped couch, holding a letter. Seriously? How is that supposed to make people go, “Ooo! I have to read this!”? It isn’t. There is nothing interesting about the cover art or the title, and incidentally, courtesans wore expensive and eye-catching gowns. This one looks like something a postulant would wear to an interview at the convent.
But the book itself...Ah! What a treat! Christie deftly weaves history, humor, bawdiness and great storytelling together for one of the most satisfying reads of the year. Don’t miss this, (or the other two Arabella books) if you’re: well-read, wise, funny and in the mood for something entirely original. Just do yourself the favor of ripping the cover off before you start reading. It’s a shame, really – I’ve got a feeling that these wonderful books are being overlooked simply because their covers make them look stupid.
But the book itself...Ah! What a treat! Christie deftly weaves history, humor, bawdiness and great storytelling together for one of the most satisfying reads of the year. Don’t miss this, (or the other two Arabella books) if you’re: well-read, wise, funny and in the mood for something entirely original. Just do yourself the favor of ripping the cover off before you start reading. It’s a shame, really – I’ve got a feeling that these wonderful books are being overlooked simply because their covers make them look stupid.
January 28, 2015
I am so fortunate! I got a preview copy of this book, and I got to have the author, herself sign it! She was so gracious and delightful at her January 17th signing at the Seattle Mystery Bookshop. So lucky I knew about it! Even her friends are interesting! Anyway, to the book: This is a terrific expansion of the Arabella Beaumont Regency mystery series. The mystery in this book is quite intricate, with lots of quirky characters to love (and hate!), and a bigger appearance of her ne'er-do-well rogue brother of hers, Charles. And now Belinda is in Scotland and the Reverend of Effing has gone away to tend his bruised... oh, but I should give nothing away! I promise you will laugh and be carried away in this lovely, fast-read of a mystery.
October 26, 2015
Death & the Cyprian Society by Pamela Christie
This series is a nice light read when you just want to relax (in the tub) with a book. I like regency literature so was not sure I would enjoy these stories. The few I have read are light, frothy entertainment and only sort of follows the rules of regency literature. The main character is much too “modern” to be a true courtesan of her era but she is so likeable! So far the books only qualify for a PG rating which suits me just fine. If you enjoy a light mystery and historical fiction give this series a try.
This series is a nice light read when you just want to relax (in the tub) with a book. I like regency literature so was not sure I would enjoy these stories. The few I have read are light, frothy entertainment and only sort of follows the rules of regency literature. The main character is much too “modern” to be a true courtesan of her era but she is so likeable! So far the books only qualify for a PG rating which suits me just fine. If you enjoy a light mystery and historical fiction give this series a try.
June 5, 2015
In her third adventure, Arabella Beaumont, London's most well-known courtesan, opens a ladies club. After all, gentlemen have their clubs; why not the ladies? And, of course, Arabella once again finds it necessary to solve a murder mystery. Well-drawn characters and good dialog make this quick read very entertaining.
December 16, 2016
More fun sexy silliness with the peerless Regency courtesan detective Arabella Beaumont. The ending to this seemed less complete, more up-in-the-air, than previous -- can only think being set up for a sequel? Still, would have liked more closure. Nevertheless a fun way to spend some commutes with a Kindle.
Want to Read
April 20, 20154-20-15 Happened upon it on the online library when looking for something else.Looked good.
May 28, 2017
hysterical! but wait!! gah!!! how can this be the last volume thus far, I have to know what happens next!! please bring Bella back in all her hilarious naughtiness for another book!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews