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Beau Brummell #2

The Tainted Snuff Box

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Regency fashion icon Beau Brummell must deduce who poisoned the Prince of Wales' bodyguard before his friend is executed for the crime.

292 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

7 people are currently reading
101 people want to read

About the author

Rosemary Stevens

16 books31 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Rosemary Stevens has won the Agatha Award and the Romantic Times Award for Best First Mystery. She has appeared on the IMBA bestseller list several times for her Beau Brummell Mystery Series published in North America by the Penguin Group and in France by EDITIONS DU MASQUE.

Other Regency-set books include four Regency Romances. The Cats of Mayfair series includes A CRIME OF MANNERS, MISS PYMBROKES RULES, LORD & MASTER, AND HOW THE ROGUE STOLE CHRISTMAS.

Under the name Rosemary Martin, Rosemary is the author of the Murder-A-Go-Go mystery series also published by Penguin in the United States and listed as "Required Reading" by the New York Post.

Rosemary also wrote PASTA MORTEM (2018) which is part of Ellery Adams's Supper Club series.

Her current project is the Jane Austen Town Mysteries. Death Comes to Jane Austen Town is a November 2025 release.

Rosemary lives in Central Virginia with her family including two Siamese cats.

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5 stars
38 (20%)
4 stars
74 (40%)
3 stars
61 (33%)
2 stars
11 (5%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for bluerose.
846 reviews
October 3, 2022
No one is more surprised than I to find that the second book in this charming little throwaway series leveled up to a four-star read! The mystery was well-plotted, the period detail is on point, and Beau Brummell continues to delight. I'm actually invested now! Bring on book three!
Profile Image for Regency_Fan_ Michelle RegencyFanMichelleAndMore.
603 reviews12 followers
December 4, 2025
This delightful mystery is a must-read, offering a captivating glimpse into the Regency period. Beau Brummel's fascinating character is beautifully portrayed, and his rare Siamese cat is a wonderful addition. With its engaging storyline and vivid descriptions, Ms. Stevens' mystery will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Profile Image for Eden.
2,225 reviews
February 12, 2024
2024 bk 15. Brummel is back again, and cornered into solving a mystery when one of his best friends is accused of trying to kill the Prince of Wales. It was interesting hearing of Brighton in its early days as a resort for the Prince and his cronies (and other cronies) and a little of the price of a peerage. There are several murders to solve, people to keep track of - and, oh joy! - Mr. Lavender and his daughter make another appearance. Such fun.
Profile Image for Larry.
3,057 reviews17 followers
January 29, 2022
Beau Brummel is still very much a man of his era, but I am starting to like him a bit more (Perhaps he reminds me a bit too much of myself at times.). The plot is easily followed and the main characters are quite interesting. I definitely recommend this book and feel like it is well worth your time and effort.
Profile Image for Suz Davidson.
126 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2019
Amusing period piece, with enough intrigue to hold interest, yet light enough to provide an enjoyable break from the seriousness of real life. Nothing too graphic, either in romance or violence, so good for younger readers, too.
Profile Image for Nancy H.
3,131 reviews
February 3, 2023
This is a good period mystery featuring the ultra-fashionable Beau Brummell as the person who solves the mystery. It is a good read for those who like historical mysteries set in England.
Profile Image for Gloria.
107 reviews1 follower
September 25, 2008
Since I'm writing this over a month since I first read this book, I really don't remember it. I do recall that I liked it slightly better than the last. Wait . . . It's coming back to me . . . oh, yeah, this was the book where Brummell investigates an attempted murder of the Prince of Wales. And along the way gets involved in some underhand cult. It doesn't make that much sense. However, Rosemary Stevens held things kinda together. She is still using that cat plot device thing, and I don't like the way she portrays Brummell's mannerisms. But the interplay between Brummell and Miss Lavender, a women who helps him investigate, is interesting. I'll stick around for the third book, and see if this series goes anywhere.
Profile Image for Dharia Scarab.
3,255 reviews8 followers
November 30, 2016

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Profile Image for Alice.
1,189 reviews39 followers
August 31, 2014
Delightful, tasteful and fun

Beau Brummell extends himself beyond his usual field of expertise to solve the mystery of poisoned snuff presented to Prinney. The case is more complicated than it first appears and there are several clever twists. What I like is the excellent attention to historical details, personalities, Recency behavior and values. Brummell is a most delightful dandy and a very loveable character. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. By the way this is Book #2, although no harm was done in reading it first. There were references made to events from the first book but they were not of importance to this story.
1,353 reviews6 followers
February 25, 2015
Beau Brummell solves another crime this time the attempted poisoning of the Prince himself. Takes up right after the events of the first book as the Beau arrives in Brighton were Prinny fled after getting death threats. Beau's friends and himself are caught in the investigation as suspects and he and the darned cat are on the case. The cat is less annoying this time but equally key in murder solving. Will keep reading because they are cute and murder plots are nice motives if not totally in solving.
Profile Image for Pat.
343 reviews2 followers
October 28, 2013
Regency fashion icon Beau Brummell must deduce who poisoned the Prince of Wales' bodyguard before his friend is executed for the crime.

Like these books. The fashion restrictions of the time add interest as does the character of Beau Brummel.
Profile Image for Karen.
246 reviews10 followers
September 19, 2011
This book is a murder mystery set in Regency England. It's a very amusing look at society and the customs of those times.
408 reviews
March 29, 2015
Really slow start, but then picked up. Cat solving crimes and faster than the humans at that is ridiculous. Humorous characters and backgrounds, but gets old after a while.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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