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Abbot Agency #9
False Impression
Caught in the Middle
When Leon Holland arrives at Bea Abbot’s domestic agency needing an alibi, she can’t refuse him. The new head of Holland Holdings’s British division is a friend, and Bea won’t let a friend be wrongfully arrested for murder. Then Orlando Lethbury, faux fiancé of Leon’s scatterbrained niece, turns up also needing an alibi—for the same murder case. One of the two victims was his own father. Overnight, Bea’s Kensington house becomes a haven for other targets, helpers and assorted houseguests.
For an agency that doesn’t investigate murder, Bea and her staff have their hands full. As the body count grows, so do the questions. Who wants to destroy Leon? Will the Holland family empire survive this bloodbath? And is Bea next on the hit list? The death threats bombarding the agency certainly suggest Bea should watch her step…
When Leon Holland arrives at Bea Abbot’s domestic agency needing an alibi, she can’t refuse him. The new head of Holland Holdings’s British division is a friend, and Bea won’t let a friend be wrongfully arrested for murder. Then Orlando Lethbury, faux fiancé of Leon’s scatterbrained niece, turns up also needing an alibi—for the same murder case. One of the two victims was his own father. Overnight, Bea’s Kensington house becomes a haven for other targets, helpers and assorted houseguests.
For an agency that doesn’t investigate murder, Bea and her staff have their hands full. As the body count grows, so do the questions. Who wants to destroy Leon? Will the Holland family empire survive this bloodbath? And is Bea next on the hit list? The death threats bombarding the agency certainly suggest Bea should watch her step…
298 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
298 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Heley
94 books128 followersVeronica 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
AKA Veronica Thorne
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 20, 2019
Once upon a time there was Queen Bea Abbot, she had a court full of jesters and one gay blade. Prince Charming returned to her castle, swept her off her feet and they lived happily ever after?
Another (Book #9) fairy tale farce with the Queen getting a little racy in her old age! She seems to always find trouble in her little kingdom, but it is magically whisked away with the wave of a magic wand. She may run a domestic agency hiring out maids, but this is no Cinderella story!!
This author will never get more than 3 stars from me, but I still love reading about these zany characters. Three more to go and then I can return to the real world. 👑🐝
Another (Book #9) fairy tale farce with the Queen getting a little racy in her old age! She seems to always find trouble in her little kingdom, but it is magically whisked away with the wave of a magic wand. She may run a domestic agency hiring out maids, but this is no Cinderella story!!
This author will never get more than 3 stars from me, but I still love reading about these zany characters. Three more to go and then I can return to the real world. 👑🐝
April 9, 2017
This Abbott Agency book touches on elder abuse. Leon Holland feels he might an alibi. He asked Bea if she could remember what time he got there. His niece Sikhs is staying with Bea. Her home is busting with strays now that Maggie and Olivier are not living with her. A friend of Dilys, Orlando has moved into the apartments. Their parents expect them to married. They are not interested in marriage. Dilys plugs in Orlando's phone into the Bea's computer infecting the Agency's computers. In a nearby park a couple of bodies are found. Both have been murdered One is Orlando's father and good friend of Leon. It is a hectic time at Bea's home as she struggles to keep the Agency open. The twists and turns the tale takes will keep you turning g the pages. I recommend this book and series.
April 30, 2019
I’ve read several Ellie Quick mysteries. Some folks mentioned they preferred Abbot Agency books, so I checked one out. It’s okay, but Bea and Leon are a bit too cutesy for me.
Bea runs an employment agency, and a young woman who needs help is staying with her. Then, a nasty virus hits the computers at Bea’s business, and Leon is attacked at a swimming pool. Plus, both Leon and Bea’s companies get hit by nasty threatening messages.
Fairly entertaining.
Bea runs an employment agency, and a young woman who needs help is staying with her. Then, a nasty virus hits the computers at Bea’s business, and Leon is attacked at a swimming pool. Plus, both Leon and Bea’s companies get hit by nasty threatening messages.
Fairly entertaining.
May 14, 2023
Mayhem and A Little Romance
Our heroine Bea’s business is besieged by dark forces. Friends and family intervene and are variously injured and waylaid, but in the end love conquers almost all. The final three chapters feel ghost-written, a brisk wrap-up with long-standing major characters barely mentioned. If I didn’t already know the series survived this episode I’d think these chapters an aggravated salute to a non-renewing publisher. I hope better days are ahead!!!
Our heroine Bea’s business is besieged by dark forces. Friends and family intervene and are variously injured and waylaid, but in the end love conquers almost all. The final three chapters feel ghost-written, a brisk wrap-up with long-standing major characters barely mentioned. If I didn’t already know the series survived this episode I’d think these chapters an aggravated salute to a non-renewing publisher. I hope better days are ahead!!!
November 10, 2023
It seems to ne that this book was almost written by a different author. The capharacters are very different from previous books. Maybe I noticed it because I was binge reading them, but I wonder what happened?
October 31, 2015
Ninth in the appealing but not too cozy Abbott Agency mystery series where all kinds of messes including murders are cleaned up.
May 13, 2023
I'm now an avid reader of The Abbott Agency mysteries, and like Bea Abbott a lot.
She's trying to run a successful agency that caters to domestic needs, but keeps finding herself - often very reluctantly - involved in solving complex problems that end up with deep evil intent.
Now her life is also complicated by Leon Holland, a gentleman of about her own age she came to know in the very tragic situation in the previous book in this series.
Not only is Leon determined to be a very big part of her life; now he needs her help when he strongly suspects his life is in danger.
The whole situation becomes immensely complicated, but Leon is right. Before too long Bea realizes a whole lot of people are standing in the way of someone or several someones who want to control Leon's brother's financial empire, and several of them are already dead. She's not feeling too safe either.
All of these mysteries get pretty involved so the reader has to pay close attention. But that's one of the things that draw me to them.
She's trying to run a successful agency that caters to domestic needs, but keeps finding herself - often very reluctantly - involved in solving complex problems that end up with deep evil intent.
Now her life is also complicated by Leon Holland, a gentleman of about her own age she came to know in the very tragic situation in the previous book in this series.
Not only is Leon determined to be a very big part of her life; now he needs her help when he strongly suspects his life is in danger.
The whole situation becomes immensely complicated, but Leon is right. Before too long Bea realizes a whole lot of people are standing in the way of someone or several someones who want to control Leon's brother's financial empire, and several of them are already dead. She's not feeling too safe either.
All of these mysteries get pretty involved so the reader has to pay close attention. But that's one of the things that draw me to them.
July 29, 2023
A Bea Abbott mystery: Bea Abbot wishes she'd never got mixed up in the affairs of the Holland family, when she finds her house and agency under siege. Bea Abbot's friend Leon Holland has asked for her help in establishing an alibi. He had a narrow escape from being run down in the road, and then he was lured with a mysterious message to a car park to meet someone who did not turn up. Matters escalate when two bodies are found in the car park, slumped over their steering wheels, stabbed to death.
April 21, 2023
READ THIS SERIES!
This is probably my favorite series ever! First, main character Bea a is a woman in her 60s who is competent, intelligent, attractive, and capable. Through the series, she grows even more so. Every character is fully formed and a bit quirky. The mysteries are complicated and fully realized. For best understanding, start with the first and read through the series, but each can also be read individuals.
This is probably my favorite series ever! First, main character Bea a is a woman in her 60s who is competent, intelligent, attractive, and capable. Through the series, she grows even more so. Every character is fully formed and a bit quirky. The mysteries are complicated and fully realized. For best understanding, start with the first and read through the series, but each can also be read individuals.
July 6, 2017
Another in the wonderful series of books about the Abbot Agency. I wonder if these have been incorporated into a TV series. If not, they should be. More fun that Murder She Wrote. But I am biased towards the Brits. A large cast of characters and they all get along. Several even pair off, including Bea and Leon. Murder and a lot of mayhem but it all comes right in the end.
March 5, 2023
Good
This has cleverly moved on , a bit like you've missed a book as some of the old characters have naturally moved on. While some from the previous book have stayed on . The religious buts aren't to annoying. The plot was very good and if you have read the previous few books it's more enjoyable as some people and places are already known . Looking forward to the next.
This has cleverly moved on , a bit like you've missed a book as some of the old characters have naturally moved on. While some from the previous book have stayed on . The religious buts aren't to annoying. The plot was very good and if you have read the previous few books it's more enjoyable as some people and places are already known . Looking forward to the next.
July 29, 2020
The relationship between the main character and her male friend slowly dancing around issues because it's difficult for him to communicate took a bit from the adventure. The story line is good. Great for anyone enjoying a good English mystery
March 17, 2023
intricate story
Amazing how Bea gets caught into these mysteries and picks up lost souls along the way. I appreciate that the stories get wrapped up nicely in the end. And it’s nice to see the characters develop.
Amazing how Bea gets caught into these mysteries and picks up lost souls along the way. I appreciate that the stories get wrapped up nicely in the end. And it’s nice to see the characters develop.
December 20, 2023
A great series of whodunnits
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all nine books about feisty Bea Abbot and her agency. They’re well written and the characters have depth. A pleasing, satisfying conclusion, too.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all nine books about feisty Bea Abbot and her agency. They’re well written and the characters have depth. A pleasing, satisfying conclusion, too.
December 28, 2023
Prepare for some sleepless nights!
These cosy mysteries are so addictive that I can't put them down and go to sleep! Veronica Heley skilfully draws you in and keeps you guessing right up to the end - really great page turner for us insomniacs!!
These cosy mysteries are so addictive that I can't put them down and go to sleep! Veronica Heley skilfully draws you in and keeps you guessing right up to the end - really great page turner for us insomniacs!!
August 16, 2024
It's always sad when a series runs out of steam. In my opinion, this one has. Without the more realistic characters from earlier books, this became a set of unbelievable incidents happening to a set of unbelievable characters.
Read
August 1, 2020Categories
Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
An Abbot Agency Mystery
Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
An Abbot Agency Mystery
March 14, 2023
Love Bea
Your characters are wonderful and the plots are unexpected. I have read 3 of your books and hope to read many more.
Your characters are wonderful and the plots are unexpected. I have read 3 of your books and hope to read many more.
March 14, 2023
Really enjoying this series. The characters feel like family.
June 27, 2023
cosy is not a word I would use!
A breath holding read at times, and deadly dull at others, missed Maggie and Oliver in this tale. Looking forward to the next one
A breath holding read at times, and deadly dull at others, missed Maggie and Oliver in this tale. Looking forward to the next one
November 26, 2023
Bea’s world
This was a fantastic story. Didn’t include her awful son and daughter in law.
Missed Maggie and Oliver.
Will start the next book tomorrow.
This was a fantastic story. Didn’t include her awful son and daughter in law.
Missed Maggie and Oliver.
Will start the next book tomorrow.
July 8, 2024
Another rip-roaring page-turner. Skulduggery is afoot and the usual pooling of the talents and resources of friends is brought in to save the day.
February 2, 2025
Bea with Leon solves the crime together with the her employees and all those who live with her. Ok
April 26, 2025
Unputdownable as usual
June 18, 2023
Leon is more and more in the picture. Anna, head of the training college is with Hari - head of a security firm. Dylis, daughter of Briscoe and niece to Leon has a Bildungsroman during the novel due to the love of a good man, Keith who is a tech whiz, helping Bea figure out who is out to get her.
Along the way 3 are murdered and there are multiple attempts on Leon as revenge from Dennis Valentine & wife Jennifer when Leon tried to force Dennis into early retirement. (Villains are definitely the flat characters.)
A little more complicated than the rest but, as usual, all’s well that ends well
Along the way 3 are murdered and there are multiple attempts on Leon as revenge from Dennis Valentine & wife Jennifer when Leon tried to force Dennis into early retirement. (Villains are definitely the flat characters.)
A little more complicated than the rest but, as usual, all’s well that ends well
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2015
I like Bea Abbot and her business setting of a domestic service agency. Bea's agency, along with her friendship of an aristocrat, provides a plausible source for a supply of intrigue and mystery. Being a fan of British murder mysteries, this is a great setting. I appreciate the presence of, yet toned down, love interests on the part of many of the characters, albeit some developed rather quickly. The author steers away from graphic violence or the description thereof, expletives, and intimacy in scenes beyond a peck on the cheek or hand-holding. When the story is engaging, those things are not needed, and that is the case with False Impression. I appreciate an author who can write a book without relying on massive 007-type scenes or heavy breathing to fill the pages; if I want to read about romance, I will read a romance. I did feel that some of the villains' henchmen in the book were a bit overly meek, almost childlike in their responses. Maybe a little more backbone for the actual bad guys would be energizing. The author's short bio on the inside back mentioned her involvement in her church, and this was not surprising since her character does what I felt was a considerable amount of praying as part of the story, the dialogue of which is included. Nothing wrong with that, but I wouldn't want to have a lot of it in every book. I was interested in the development of the story and in the mechanics of the murders. Some of the resolutions were neat and tidy, appearing to have been based quite a bit on surmising, rather than investigation (of which there is actually very little), which turned out to be spot on every time. I appreciate a summation, but there was a fair amount of repetition of the sequence of events throughout the book. Most of one chapter was devoted to recounting all previous events. However, that is favorable to being vague or unclear, so not a major problem for me. I nearly gave it four stars, I even changed it back and forth a couple of times, but I decided to stay with three. This is the first Bea Abbot mystery I have read, and I will read another.
November 3, 2014
False Impression: A Bea Abbot British Murder Mystery
By
Veronica Heley
What it's all about...
Bea...runs a domestic service company from her home but is involved in so many other things!
Her "friend" Leon needs her help. She is helping Dilys...a sort of lost soul related to Leon, and Orlando...another lost soul/semi closeted homosexual who is supposed to be marrying Dilys. She meets with her ex husband and even meets regularly with DI Durrell...friendships only and seems to spend tons of time feeding her friends...tea and toast or biscuits as needed...eggy breakfasts and dinners, too! Bea also seems to be housing tons of people. Her house is home to her business, people she befriends and her beautiful chubby kitty...Winston. Then...sort of all of a sudden a man is found dead in a swimming pool parking lot and a woman is found dead there, too. Bea's house is bugged, people are kidnapped or held hostage or trapped in buildings and Leon's business is threatened. He can't get to his elderly brother and things turn nasty! Gas leaks, disappearances, more bugs and very bad people! This book was so good!
This is my first experience with Bea Abbot and I was totally thoroughly charmed by her.
Why I wanted to read it...
I love cozy mysteries and this one was both cozy, fast paced and addictive!
What made me truly enjoy this book...
I actually loved reading all about Bea. Her thoroughness, the way she feeds everyone and her relative calmness amidst tons of crazy riled up characters was actually quite fun! I loved Watson!
Why you should read it, too...
If you love cozy English mysteries filled with quaint and quirky characters...I think you will love this series. It was really surprising to me and I want to read more Bea books. I did some research about the author and she is a sweet looking little white haired lady who says she has lots more stories in her! Hurray!
November 1, 2014
Bea Abbot runs a successful domestic agency but somehow she still seems to get mixed up in murder, mayhem and other skulduggery. This time her friend Leon Holland has inadvertently involved her in his fight with an unseen enemy who may or may not be his brother. When Leon and a picturesque young man called Orlando, the son of a business associate, are lured to a car park in an attempt to frame one or other of them for murder Bea offers sanctuary. But her house is soon bursting at the seams as she already has Dilys - Leon's drippy niece, staying with her.
When the Abbot Agency starts receiving threatening and abusive e-mails and their computers are infected with a virus Bea really starts to think someone may be out to get her as well as certain members of the Holland family. This is a very well plotted cosy mystery where events move quickly and no one is to be trusted. Even though there is plenty of tension there are still some funny incidents - such as Bea's excellent way of dealing with unwelcome callers!
If you want a crime novel without bad language or graphic violence then try this excellent series. They don't have to be read in order but it is interesting to see how the series characters develop if you do read them in order. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
When the Abbot Agency starts receiving threatening and abusive e-mails and their computers are infected with a virus Bea really starts to think someone may be out to get her as well as certain members of the Holland family. This is a very well plotted cosy mystery where events move quickly and no one is to be trusted. Even though there is plenty of tension there are still some funny incidents - such as Bea's excellent way of dealing with unwelcome callers!
If you want a crime novel without bad language or graphic violence then try this excellent series. They don't have to be read in order but it is interesting to see how the series characters develop if you do read them in order. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.
January 7, 2015
One of the best so far in this series. It's nice to see Mrs. Abbot come into her own.
September 10, 2015
enjoyable to read - good characters - lots of action. Will continue to read this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews