False Conclusion

Abbot Agency #14

by Veronica Heley

An uninvited house guest throws Bea Abbot's summer plans into chaos, bringing danger and peril to Bea's door.

Bea Abbot is looking forward to spending the summer with her fourteen-year-old ward, Bernice, but her plans go awry when one of Bernice's schoolfriends finds herself in trouble. Evelina Trescott's uncle has died in a mysterious accident at their country house, and her aunt, Mrs Trescott, is keen to hide Evelina away from the police.

Evelina arrives on Bea's doorstep catatonic, heavily drugged up on epilepsy medication and unable to remember finding her uncle's body. Is she really a hapless victim, or is Bea harbouring a wily criminal?

The more Bea learns about the troublesome Trescotts, the more she realizes something is horribly wrong, and soon finds herself drawn into a dark web of greed, abuse, and murder.

Genres: Cozy, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Mystery

220 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2020

About the author

Veronica Heley has published more than fifty books, including crime fiction, historical, and children's titles. She is currently involved in the Ellie Quicke series of crime stories and a variety of other projects. A full-time writer, she has been married to a London probation officer since 1964, and has one musician daughter.

AKA Veronica Thorne

Reviews

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

False Conclusion by Veronica Heley is the 14th A Bea Abbot Mystery (which I wish I had known before picking up this book). I began reading False Conclusion and it felt like I was plopped down in the middle of a British dramedy. I would not recommend False Conclusion as a standalone. I felt like a fish out of water in the beginning, though, it did become easier as the story progressed. There are a variety of quirky characters from Bea Abbott to Piers, her first ex-husband. I was not a fan of any of the characters in this story. Bernice can be kind at times, but, for the most part, she comes across as a spoiled brat. The mystery had a variety of suspects all from the Trescott family. If I was Evelina, I would change my last name. Bea and her sidekicks are clever and resourceful which is handy when investigating. I was not surprised by the identity of the guilty party. False Conclusion was not my type of story. I found the details to be repetitious (the same things over and over) and Bernice’s attitude was appalling (she needed a good smack). I really did not need to know the details of each of Bernice’s fashion choices (down the shoes). While False Conclusion was not my cup of tea, I suggest you read a sample to see if it appeals to you. False Conclusion is a British mystery with a terrible tragedy, a portrait painter, a troubled teen, and a shrewd schemer.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a few things about this book I didn’t like which I previously mentioned in previous books in the series !! the stories are good enough that I keep reading 🤩

[Lghiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much to her dismay, Bea Abbot, the owner of the Abbot Agency becomes desperately entangled in the affairs of the rich and influential Trescott family. All is not as it appears in that closely knit family…well, closely knit in terms of the secrets they try to keep. Mysterious deaths keep piling up. Bea’s ward Bernice is rather forced at boarding school into a friendship role with the Trescott matriarch’s niece Evelina (Evie), a disheveled and almost incoherent teenager. Evie is meant to marry an older cousin Joshua who has promised to take care of her and, Bea suspects, her fortune too. Meanwhile, some rather disturbing patterns arise when Joshua’s tempestuous brother Benjy takes an interest in Bernice who is only 14 and also destined to be wealthy.

Veronica Heley’s False Conclusion is a good mystery that combines reasoning, investigation, and character conflicts with action. The author’s writing style insists that the reader sneak a quick peak at each “next chapter” which, of course, segues into the next and the next; it is a book that is hard to put down.

If you have been following this series, you will be interested in the relationship developments between Bea and her ex-husband Piers, a famous portrait painter whose artistic skills and quick thinking play a role in False Conclusion’s plot. If this series is new to you, don’t hesitate to dive in; you will quickly be brought up to speed on the characters and find that the plot is fresh. In fact, the intriguing opening lines throw both new and returning reader into the story without hesitation: “Bea Abbot shut the front door on her departing guests and demanded, ‘What on earth was that all about?’ ”

I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Severn House for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Donna Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure how she does it, but Bea Abbot falls into the most intriguing situations! This one took my breath away. Finding herself saddled with her ward Bernice’s odd roommate, she becomes embroiled in a whirlwind of death, drugs and downright terror as she tries to sort through the many layers of the mystery and maintain some normalcy in her life. Very intense!

I first discovered the Abbot Agency and the Ellie Quicke Mysteries about a year ago, picking one up at my local library. Probably about book 8 in the Abbot series. I was hooked in the first chapter and have tracked down all the books in both series and devoured them. Why?

The stories are filled with characters you fall in love with, except for the adult children of both heroines, who you want to smack every time they appear. The plots are complex, with the stories grabbing the reader immediately and racing through at a whirlwind pace. Our heroines are clever and resourceful, yet retain many of the insecurities we all face.

False Conclusions brings back Bea’s ex, with whom she has maintained a friendship. Fans will be delighted, I know, at their “progress”, shall I say? In the bookstore where I work in the States, I am known as the go-to person for recommendations. Heley’s books are at the top of my list.

Love, love, love this series!

[Guy Marsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading through the entire series of cozy mysteries pretty much one a day, this one really takes the cake! My pulse was racing through most of the book and it's really more of a thriller than a "cozy mystery" to me.

I have a pet peeve with all the previous books in that the timelines get messed up anytime anyone is in the kitchen cooking - a few lines are uttered and then suddenly meals are prepared and ready to eat. That didn't seem to happen in this particular book thankfully.

I highly recommend the entire series of books. Fast and easy reading and really well developed characters.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've only read one in this long running series featuring Bea Abbott and her ward Bernice but hopped right in and enjoyed this one just fine as a standalone. Bernice's friend Evelina found her uncle's body and now is drugged up and unable to communicate coherently- but she's with Bea and you know things are going to be ok. What is Evelina's family trying to hide? Why did her aunt shuffle her off to Bea? Well, Bea's going to solve the mystery of the Trescotts. She's also going to help Evelina. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A quick and well done read.

[Melissainau · Rating 3 out of 5]

This once inoffensive series has taken a weird 90-degree turn some time in the last few books. No more Maggie and Oliver, all the gentlemen want Bea in their beds, a constantly rotating agency staff roster, and increasing levels of violence - once someone punched Bea, it now happens in every book. Max and Nicole are essentially forgotten (no loss there). The books are amusing enough when they’re free, but there’s an odd change - a ghostwriter perhaps? Or strange decisions by the original author?

[Anna Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series, although I often seem to miss some of the books. But at least it gives me something to go back and find! They bad guys are very pushing, but I always like how Bea is able to figure out the crime. I like her.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the first book I read in this series and won't surely be the last as I liked it.
It's highly enjoyable and engrossing, the plot and the characters are interesting and well written, the solid mystery kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the other books in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading this series and Heley's other one for years and enjoy them. This is the first one that I noticed how well she writes about violent confrontations: action packed but not impossible. Achievable. A good idea in today's world. Women can be prepared and react appropriately. Maybe I'm reacting to current times but I really appreciated it.
Good characters and a sweet ending.

[mary pat smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Heley's best

A plot was more than a bit fanciful, unlike the previous books, which contain uncommon situations but are believable.
But Piers and Bea are together which is what most readers are hoping for.

[Janeva Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent series

I can't wait for the next book. Delightful mysteries without being crude or dark. Good against evil. Definite sense of right and wrong,and very likable characters.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

Scary and somewhat odd how Bea always ends up mothering the motherless but this one was scary and satisfying by the end. I enjoy Bea’s escapades and am glad her little family is expanding. Good read.

[Mrs KJ Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

More, more, morerish! Can't put these books down!

Another excellent mystery which tackled more serious crimes in a sensitive way. They are real page turners and I just can't wait to read the next one

[Rina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just realized that this is #14 in the series. Felt the characters and plot were over the top but enjoyed it anyway.
Would not read another.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exactly what I was in the mood for.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This is a great series.

[S L Nixon]

How does Helen do it?

Another great read. The characters are so interesting and Bea gets the job done with few errors in judgement. Just enough to thicken the plot! More, please.