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Beatrice Hyde-Clare #9
An Ominous Explosion
To be clear: Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave, does not think every dead person in London is the victim of a sinister plot. The city is large, after all, and some of its inhabitants had to have died from innocent causes. Like Peter Huzza, who was killed in a horrifying steam engine accident. It is shocking, yes, the way his body was torn apart by the explosion of his very own machine, but not entirely surprising. High-pressure steam is notoriously dangerous to harness.
There is no reason to suspect foul play.
Nope, none at all.
And yet there is that disquiet Bea feels when she pictures the decimation caused by the blast. It just doesn't seem quite decimated enough. But the alternative makes even less sense, for how could she have noticed something that one hundred other spectators missed? Believing the inventor was murdered right before their eyes—it is a wildly implausible theory.
No doubt it is. But when has Beatrice Hyde-Clare ever let the impossibility of a theory stop her?
There is no reason to suspect foul play.
Nope, none at all.
And yet there is that disquiet Bea feels when she pictures the decimation caused by the blast. It just doesn't seem quite decimated enough. But the alternative makes even less sense, for how could she have noticed something that one hundred other spectators missed? Believing the inventor was murdered right before their eyes—it is a wildly implausible theory.
No doubt it is. But when has Beatrice Hyde-Clare ever let the impossibility of a theory stop her?
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 8, 2022
352 people are currently reading
449 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Messina
65 books661 followersLynn Messina is author of more than a dozen novels, including the best-selling Fashionistas, which has been translated into sixteen languages, and a series of Regency romance novels. Her essays have appeared in Self, American Baby and the New York Times Modern Love column. She lives in New York City with her sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
June 1, 2022
This was my first Beatrice Hyde-Clare mystery and I was excited to be reading a new to me Regency mystery. All the requisites are present for a cozy read, exploding steam engines and dead persons—accident or sabotage? Unfortunately I not only was overwhelmed by the whys and wherefore of steam engines, I found it difficult to relate to characters about whom I needed more background. There are some humorous moments. I liked both Bea, Duchess of Kesgrave and her husband the Duke, Damien. I’m going to have to do some further reading of earlier titles to fully appreciate the back story.
A Victory Editing ARC via NetGalley
A Victory Editing ARC via NetGalley
August 20, 2022
I’ve sadly come to the end of the published books in this series. Happily there is another book on the way.
The second phase of the series, which takes place just after Beatrice gets married, is delightful. The humor stands out time and again as Bea and Damien solve murders. While I wish Damien had a slightly larger role during the sleuthing, there’s no denying his parts are fun and entertaining.
In this book, Bea accompanies her uncle and cousins to a demonstration of a steam powered carriage. Something goes wrong and an explosion kills one of the inventors behind the project. Bea realizes the engine was sabotaged and sets out to find out who was responsible.
Bea’s uncle and cousins are in two scenes, but they are as interesting as ever. Aunt Vera is away, so we get more personality from Uncle Horace (maybe his most lines ever).
There is so much room for this series to develop…we haven’t seen the country house, Flora’s relationship is at a standstill, Russell seems to be maturing, and Bea’s defense education has started. I hope we get to the country house soon!
The second phase of the series, which takes place just after Beatrice gets married, is delightful. The humor stands out time and again as Bea and Damien solve murders. While I wish Damien had a slightly larger role during the sleuthing, there’s no denying his parts are fun and entertaining.
In this book, Bea accompanies her uncle and cousins to a demonstration of a steam powered carriage. Something goes wrong and an explosion kills one of the inventors behind the project. Bea realizes the engine was sabotaged and sets out to find out who was responsible.
Bea’s uncle and cousins are in two scenes, but they are as interesting as ever. Aunt Vera is away, so we get more personality from Uncle Horace (maybe his most lines ever).
There is so much room for this series to develop…we haven’t seen the country house, Flora’s relationship is at a standstill, Russell seems to be maturing, and Bea’s defense education has started. I hope we get to the country house soon!
June 13, 2022
I have enjoyed Lynn’s previous novels, having partaken in her Regency Cozy Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries I was eager to return to the story of Beatrice and Damien once more. An Ominous Explosion is the 10th book in this series and these are fun, light and entertaining reads - a little romance, a little mystery and loads of banter to bring a smile to your dial.
“From almost the very beginning, I have been troubled by your recklessness, the way you bound heedlessly into danger, determined to investigate murders that have nothing to do with you,”
Quick to read and not necessary to have read others in the series (though obviously, it will enhance your experience) I highly recommend you sample some of Lynn’s writing. The characters are great with the banter between Bea and Damien an absolute highlight. I have loved this series but feel some of the shine has worn off and I struggled somewhat with this instalment. I still find the writing style unusual - dialogue that tells rather than one-to-one engagement definitely takes something away from the storytelling. You will also learn more than you ever thought possible on the development of steam engines and Bea is almost overconfident - I miss the old dynamics.
‘Only months ago she was a reticent spinster, barely capable of offering a benign reply to a remark about the weather, and now she was a confident investigator sifting through a horrifying tragedy to find a murder plot.’
With murders to solve and chaos to reign in, these light and fun regency romps (solely in the sleuth solving department) are sure to please. It is the perfect book to make that cup of tea with and while away the hour with the quick witted Beatrice and Damien Kesgrave.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
“From almost the very beginning, I have been troubled by your recklessness, the way you bound heedlessly into danger, determined to investigate murders that have nothing to do with you,”
Quick to read and not necessary to have read others in the series (though obviously, it will enhance your experience) I highly recommend you sample some of Lynn’s writing. The characters are great with the banter between Bea and Damien an absolute highlight. I have loved this series but feel some of the shine has worn off and I struggled somewhat with this instalment. I still find the writing style unusual - dialogue that tells rather than one-to-one engagement definitely takes something away from the storytelling. You will also learn more than you ever thought possible on the development of steam engines and Bea is almost overconfident - I miss the old dynamics.
‘Only months ago she was a reticent spinster, barely capable of offering a benign reply to a remark about the weather, and now she was a confident investigator sifting through a horrifying tragedy to find a murder plot.’
With murders to solve and chaos to reign in, these light and fun regency romps (solely in the sleuth solving department) are sure to please. It is the perfect book to make that cup of tea with and while away the hour with the quick witted Beatrice and Damien Kesgrave.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
August 12, 2022
Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries #10
Publication Date: 6/13/22
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 278
Goodness! What a lovely fun and entertaining read filled with wit and great good humor. I can only imagine how exasperating it must be to live with Bea, Duchess of Keswick. Then, to be her husband must make Damian’s, Duke of Keswick, hair turn prematurely gray from worry over the heedless risks she takes. I guess all of that is to say that the author definitely manages to bring the characters to life. Bea is definitely NOT your regular, run-of-the-mill duchess.
All of that said, he doesn’t limit her – he tried once, but that didn’t last long. Now, he just goes along, helps her, and does his best to protect her. You’ll love Keswick! That is how he ended up in the pre-dawn hours picking a lock to enter a large building where an explosion happened the afternoon before. Bea is certain that the explosion was purposeful and therefore, the death that occurred was murder.
Their investigation moves along and Bea and Keswick sort through and eliminate suspects as they learn more – and sometimes they add suspects back to the list. What could the motive for murder be? Was it really an accident? No, Bea is sure it wasn’t and Keswick agrees with her. Could the murderer have intended all of the dire consequences for so many people – just by murdering one man? Was the man who died really the intended victim?
I absolutely love the light and witty banter between Bea and Damian as they solve the crime. I’d say you could read this as a stand-alone, and you can, but you might have a few ‘scratch your head’ moments because you’ll have missed out on learning the backgrounds of Damian and Bea and how they came together.
I definitely enjoyed this book and hope you will as well.
Series: Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries #10
Publication Date: 6/13/22
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 278
Goodness! What a lovely fun and entertaining read filled with wit and great good humor. I can only imagine how exasperating it must be to live with Bea, Duchess of Keswick. Then, to be her husband must make Damian’s, Duke of Keswick, hair turn prematurely gray from worry over the heedless risks she takes. I guess all of that is to say that the author definitely manages to bring the characters to life. Bea is definitely NOT your regular, run-of-the-mill duchess.
“From almost the very beginning, I have been troubled by your recklessness, the way you bound heedlessly into danger, determined to investigate murders that have nothing to do with you,”
“Realizing that I can lose you at any moment to a stupid and senseless accident is a thoroughly unpleasant revelation for me. I never imagined I could feel this way, and if I had had an inkling of what was in store, I would never have knocked on your window.”
All of that said, he doesn’t limit her – he tried once, but that didn’t last long. Now, he just goes along, helps her, and does his best to protect her. You’ll love Keswick! That is how he ended up in the pre-dawn hours picking a lock to enter a large building where an explosion happened the afternoon before. Bea is certain that the explosion was purposeful and therefore, the death that occurred was murder.
What good was a Corinthian if he could not rise at dawn, fully awake and alive to all the possibilities of life?
Their investigation moves along and Bea and Keswick sort through and eliminate suspects as they learn more – and sometimes they add suspects back to the list. What could the motive for murder be? Was it really an accident? No, Bea is sure it wasn’t and Keswick agrees with her. Could the murderer have intended all of the dire consequences for so many people – just by murdering one man? Was the man who died really the intended victim?
I absolutely love the light and witty banter between Bea and Damian as they solve the crime. I’d say you could read this as a stand-alone, and you can, but you might have a few ‘scratch your head’ moments because you’ll have missed out on learning the backgrounds of Damian and Bea and how they came together.
I definitely enjoyed this book and hope you will as well.
April 25, 2022
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not affected by the giveaway.
When Aunt Vera offers to accompany the Dowager Duchess of Kesgrave to the Duke's uncle's funeral, Bea is shocked. Of course Vera asks Bea to look in on the family to make sure they're not doing anything she doesn't approve of and to make sure the dining room isn't overcome by mold. Bea finds her uncle and cousins heading for an outing to view a steam engine demonstration. Bea knows Aunt Vera wouldn't approve but Uncle Horace insists he's just looking and not investing and would Bea like to join them? Bea hesitates until Uncle Horace tells her that her mother was interested in and invested in steam engines. Naturally Bea must go. The demonstration is crowded with people eager to see Peter Huzza's new high pressure steam engine. No one is prepared for an explosion that sends Bea off into a trance contemplating life as a Sphinx. By the time she arrives home, with her hearing restored, she's pondering what caused the explosion and what happened to poor Mr. Huzza who was tending the furnace. If only she could have gotten a look at the remains of the engine. Oh wait, she's a Duchess and her beloved husband opens doors, in this case quite literarly as they enter into a new investigation together. Bea is certain someone sabotaged the engine and murdered Mr. Huzza. Damien is certain whoever it was is going to come after his precious wife! If only he would buy her a pair of boots she could run more efficiently!
I love this series but the charm has worn off now Bea and Damien are married. I liked it better when shy spinster Bea came up with madcap schemes and the Duke of Kesgrave was so besotted, he fell in line with whatever she planned. Now everyone knows her propensity for fancying herself a Lady Runner. Damien wishes she would NOT investigate murders and wants to keep her safe. He tags along on her investigation this time mainly to keep her safe.
The plot is not the most interesting. I worked at a mill museum that had a steam engine in Bea's time- as a backup power source for the water wheel and later as the main power source. I read the Poldark stories so I got the history of steam engines from Winston Graham. Steam engines don't interest me that much. This story would have bored me to tears before I took the job at the museum and learned about the hometown ironworker turned inventor who owned it. This story may not be the most popular one of the series. There's just too much history dumped on the reader even if it comes from the characters. The mystery has very few suspects but I still never guessed who, if anyone, sabotaged the engine. It sure sounded to me like the typical overfed engine that will blow up on boats and trains all the time later in the century but of course Bea is correct as always. I was starting to find her technique a little annoying as she went around accusing people of murder willy nilly without proof. She acknowledges her usual technique and everyone knows about it LOL! This time This novel didn't have that edge of your seat feeling. I was able to put it down and go to sleep and pick it up again the next morning.
Bea has really come into her own. She's almost overconfident now and acknowledges that. After only 6 weeks of marriage and 6 months of investigating murders, she's become notorious and her success has somewhat gone to her head. She's less in her head, less insecure now. Bea is super observant and sharp. She sees things no one else sees or that a murderer doesn't want seen. Her instincts are sound even if she doesn't have proof. Because she's been nearly killed so many times, now she's taking fencing lessons. She longs for a pair of leather boots from Hoby so she can run more easily but even her husband draws the line asking his bootmaker for a pair. Hoby would expire on the spot! This desire is the source of some of the witty banter between Bea and her beloved husband. Damien is still swoony. He does try to distract Bea with sex, which normally I hate, but it doesn't work with her and he knows it doesn't work but he loves her and wants her to be safe and if he can distract her and please her with someone ELSE she enjoys, all the better. (All off page of course). He will give Bea anything she desires - aside from a pair of Hoby boots. Damien is also a loving grandson. Bea helps him understand how his grandmother is feeling and how best to deal with her. Damien's instinct is to protect those he loves by worrying and wrapping them in cotton wool. Bea knows the Dowager still feels independent in spite of her great age and minor infirmities. She doesn't need him to smother her with worry just yet. I can see why the Dowager reacts badly to his worry and I would feel the same way but I know she loves her grandson. She shows it by her approval of Bea and everything Bea does.
Aunt Vera is still unintelligent and unable to handle the change in her niece's situation without nearly fainting but she's trying to make amends, or so the Duke thinks anyway. I think Aunt Vera is much kinder than Aunt Petunia Dursley but she did treat Bea pretty much the same way as Aunt Petunia treated Harry Potter. Aunt Vera can't really openly admit her mistakes based on misassumptions and to be fair, why wouldn't she believe the stories she was told? She wasn't there when Bea's parents died, she wasn't close to them to know about Bea's mother's activities. She only knows the morals she was brought up with and Bea's mother didn't fit the mold. Aunt Vera also knows how cruel the world can be to a young lady of unconventional parents. She did her best and she's trying to please her niece and nephew-in-law now. Uncle Horace seems indifferent to his wife's nagging but he's really not. He knows how much his marriage is worth and isn't about to rock the boat. He cared deeply for his only brother and is trying to make up for lost time with Bea. Flora manages not to be super annoying. She misses her beau and fights with her brother. Russell, on the other hand, really mans up! He's becoming a man and when his mother isn't around he actually acts like one. I feel bad for him now. He's trying to be a young gentleman of the ton and spread his wings. I really appreciate him more now and I think Bea does too.
The mystery involves a new high pressure steam engine invented by Mr. Peter Huzza. He builds on the concept of Trevithick's steam carriage that had exploded when the valve was left on. This engine has a melting valve that will disintegrate if the boiler gets too hot. It has a carriage that runs on tracks with gears which he envisions bringing people to the seaside (a tram, a sort of early train). I can picture the engine because of the museum I worked at but I'm not sure others will be able to. Mr. Huzza is very eager to show off his invention and play to the crowd. He's kind of a show off and even goes so far as to feed his own engine with coal while wearing white clothes. The more he plays to the crowd, the more excited people will be and will invest in his invention, I guess. He seems kind of egotistical though. Still, he doesn't deserve to be blown to smithereens. Did he make a mistake and put in too much coal? It seems unlikely because he was feeding it by hand without gloves so that limits how much coal one can place in the boiler at any given time. DID someone deliberately kill Huzza? It seems risky because there was no way of knowing he would be feeding the boiler and no way of knowing if he would be in the boiler hut at the time it exploded.
The Hyde-Clares make the aquaintance of a Mr. Grimes, a macaroni who loves steam engines and is eager to invest in one for his mill. Yet he strongly discourages everyone from investing. Could it be he wants all the shares for himself? Or is there something else going on? I think he's a paid spokesperson. He's a little too enthusiastic and discouraging people will only make them want to invest more. Reverse psychology?
Leopold Lynch, a manufacturer and partner in Huzza's business surely has no reason to kill his partner. They stand to make a fortune on the new invention. With it gone and people afraid of steam power once again, he'll lose a lot of money. When Bea and Damien show up, indeed he thinks they are creditors come to ruin him. He's also extremely drunk. I don't think he's faking it. I think he's upset at losing money and less upset at losing his partner but then some clues do point in his direction. Martin Rhodes also helped with the design of the engine. He made the valve plug and is highly regarded by both Huzza and Lynch. He too is very drunk when Bea and Damien come to ask questions. He seems sincerely upset and blames himself for Huzza's death. How awful! I don't think he has it in him to murder someone.
It was DEFINATELY the lying liar Garfield/Garrow. He lies about his name, his identity-everything. A middle class busisnessman, he works for a rival steam company, one that uses low pressure steam. Low pressure steam is deemed safter and his firm stands to make a bundle off the misfortune of Huzza if they play their cards right. He seems sleazy and feeds false information to the press to enhance his own business interests. Mr. Tarwich, his younger business partner, is the public face of the company. He doesn't seem to know much about anything. Mr. Tarwich seems nice enough but he could be in league with Garrow to sink another man's business to build their own. I think one or both men were involved in the murder. What about their clerk, Mr. Heath, is he involved? He seems passionate about the company and eager to please. He's dedicated to his work. But... he was in the army and he would know how to make a bomb! He has a powerful motive- to help his employers. I don't want it to be him. He seems nice and has a large family to feed. That would be terrible for them if Mr. Heath was a murderer.
Or was it Waugh? He's a shrewed businessman who lives to make money. He claims he just wants to develop properties and he doesn't seem interested in steam power at all. Is he lying? Mr. Waugh certainly seems ruthless enough to stop at nothing to get what he wants. Mr. Huzza's heirs were the widows and orphans of soldiers killed in the war. Would the board of governors murdered their benefactor to get their hands on the money sooner before he changed his mind? Oh Bea! This makes no sense. Why would they do that when they could potentially inherit MORE money later on down the line? If Huzza dies with the engine, what money does he have left to leave?
A more likely suspect is Lieutenant-Colonel Rupert Flexmore. He works for the military ensuring supplies get to where they need to go on time. He's very rude and keeps issuing the Regency version of "no comment" but his comments give Damien enough information to realize they've stumbled across the truth. The questions he won't answer is whether he sabotaged the engine. He had the means and opportunity but what about motive? This guy is a piece of work and he threatens Bea so he must be a villain! It must be a personal motive against Huzza.
Which one is the real murderer and why? Or does Bea see murder everywhere and it was really just a tragic accident?
This book needs a historical note for those who are unaware of the history of steam engines.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Watt
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusible...
May 3 1830: Robert Stephenson's Invicta powers the first regular passenger service in the world, linking Canterbury to the seaside town of Whitstable six miles away.
One typo: Madam instead of Madame and one anachronism: Hello was not used until the telephone. And stealing business information may be done "all the time" but it was illegal in Britain or else the American Industrial Revolution would never have gotten started in 1793!
When Aunt Vera offers to accompany the Dowager Duchess of Kesgrave to the Duke's uncle's funeral, Bea is shocked. Of course Vera asks Bea to look in on the family to make sure they're not doing anything she doesn't approve of and to make sure the dining room isn't overcome by mold. Bea finds her uncle and cousins heading for an outing to view a steam engine demonstration. Bea knows Aunt Vera wouldn't approve but Uncle Horace insists he's just looking and not investing and would Bea like to join them? Bea hesitates until Uncle Horace tells her that her mother was interested in and invested in steam engines. Naturally Bea must go. The demonstration is crowded with people eager to see Peter Huzza's new high pressure steam engine. No one is prepared for an explosion that sends Bea off into a trance contemplating life as a Sphinx. By the time she arrives home, with her hearing restored, she's pondering what caused the explosion and what happened to poor Mr. Huzza who was tending the furnace. If only she could have gotten a look at the remains of the engine. Oh wait, she's a Duchess and her beloved husband opens doors, in this case quite literarly as they enter into a new investigation together. Bea is certain someone sabotaged the engine and murdered Mr. Huzza. Damien is certain whoever it was is going to come after his precious wife! If only he would buy her a pair of boots she could run more efficiently!
I love this series but the charm has worn off now Bea and Damien are married. I liked it better when shy spinster Bea came up with madcap schemes and the Duke of Kesgrave was so besotted, he fell in line with whatever she planned. Now everyone knows her propensity for fancying herself a Lady Runner. Damien wishes she would NOT investigate murders and wants to keep her safe. He tags along on her investigation this time mainly to keep her safe.
The plot is not the most interesting. I worked at a mill museum that had a steam engine in Bea's time- as a backup power source for the water wheel and later as the main power source. I read the Poldark stories so I got the history of steam engines from Winston Graham. Steam engines don't interest me that much. This story would have bored me to tears before I took the job at the museum and learned about the hometown ironworker turned inventor who owned it. This story may not be the most popular one of the series. There's just too much history dumped on the reader even if it comes from the characters. The mystery has very few suspects but I still never guessed who, if anyone, sabotaged the engine. It sure sounded to me like the typical overfed engine that will blow up on boats and trains all the time later in the century but of course Bea is correct as always. I was starting to find her technique a little annoying as she went around accusing people of murder willy nilly without proof. She acknowledges her usual technique and everyone knows about it LOL! This time This novel didn't have that edge of your seat feeling. I was able to put it down and go to sleep and pick it up again the next morning.
Bea has really come into her own. She's almost overconfident now and acknowledges that. After only 6 weeks of marriage and 6 months of investigating murders, she's become notorious and her success has somewhat gone to her head. She's less in her head, less insecure now. Bea is super observant and sharp. She sees things no one else sees or that a murderer doesn't want seen. Her instincts are sound even if she doesn't have proof. Because she's been nearly killed so many times, now she's taking fencing lessons. She longs for a pair of leather boots from Hoby so she can run more easily but even her husband draws the line asking his bootmaker for a pair. Hoby would expire on the spot! This desire is the source of some of the witty banter between Bea and her beloved husband. Damien is still swoony. He does try to distract Bea with sex, which normally I hate, but it doesn't work with her and he knows it doesn't work but he loves her and wants her to be safe and if he can distract her and please her with someone ELSE she enjoys, all the better. (All off page of course). He will give Bea anything she desires - aside from a pair of Hoby boots. Damien is also a loving grandson. Bea helps him understand how his grandmother is feeling and how best to deal with her. Damien's instinct is to protect those he loves by worrying and wrapping them in cotton wool. Bea knows the Dowager still feels independent in spite of her great age and minor infirmities. She doesn't need him to smother her with worry just yet. I can see why the Dowager reacts badly to his worry and I would feel the same way but I know she loves her grandson. She shows it by her approval of Bea and everything Bea does.
Aunt Vera is still unintelligent and unable to handle the change in her niece's situation without nearly fainting but she's trying to make amends, or so the Duke thinks anyway. I think Aunt Vera is much kinder than Aunt Petunia Dursley but she did treat Bea pretty much the same way as Aunt Petunia treated Harry Potter. Aunt Vera can't really openly admit her mistakes based on misassumptions and to be fair, why wouldn't she believe the stories she was told? She wasn't there when Bea's parents died, she wasn't close to them to know about Bea's mother's activities. She only knows the morals she was brought up with and Bea's mother didn't fit the mold. Aunt Vera also knows how cruel the world can be to a young lady of unconventional parents. She did her best and she's trying to please her niece and nephew-in-law now. Uncle Horace seems indifferent to his wife's nagging but he's really not. He knows how much his marriage is worth and isn't about to rock the boat. He cared deeply for his only brother and is trying to make up for lost time with Bea. Flora manages not to be super annoying. She misses her beau and fights with her brother. Russell, on the other hand, really mans up! He's becoming a man and when his mother isn't around he actually acts like one. I feel bad for him now. He's trying to be a young gentleman of the ton and spread his wings. I really appreciate him more now and I think Bea does too.
The mystery involves a new high pressure steam engine invented by Mr. Peter Huzza. He builds on the concept of Trevithick's steam carriage that had exploded when the valve was left on. This engine has a melting valve that will disintegrate if the boiler gets too hot. It has a carriage that runs on tracks with gears which he envisions bringing people to the seaside (a tram, a sort of early train). I can picture the engine because of the museum I worked at but I'm not sure others will be able to. Mr. Huzza is very eager to show off his invention and play to the crowd. He's kind of a show off and even goes so far as to feed his own engine with coal while wearing white clothes. The more he plays to the crowd, the more excited people will be and will invest in his invention, I guess. He seems kind of egotistical though. Still, he doesn't deserve to be blown to smithereens. Did he make a mistake and put in too much coal? It seems unlikely because he was feeding it by hand without gloves so that limits how much coal one can place in the boiler at any given time. DID someone deliberately kill Huzza? It seems risky because there was no way of knowing he would be feeding the boiler and no way of knowing if he would be in the boiler hut at the time it exploded.
The Hyde-Clares make the aquaintance of a Mr. Grimes, a macaroni who loves steam engines and is eager to invest in one for his mill. Yet he strongly discourages everyone from investing. Could it be he wants all the shares for himself? Or is there something else going on? I think he's a paid spokesperson. He's a little too enthusiastic and discouraging people will only make them want to invest more. Reverse psychology?
Leopold Lynch, a manufacturer and partner in Huzza's business surely has no reason to kill his partner. They stand to make a fortune on the new invention. With it gone and people afraid of steam power once again, he'll lose a lot of money. When Bea and Damien show up, indeed he thinks they are creditors come to ruin him. He's also extremely drunk. I don't think he's faking it. I think he's upset at losing money and less upset at losing his partner but then some clues do point in his direction. Martin Rhodes also helped with the design of the engine. He made the valve plug and is highly regarded by both Huzza and Lynch. He too is very drunk when Bea and Damien come to ask questions. He seems sincerely upset and blames himself for Huzza's death. How awful! I don't think he has it in him to murder someone.
It was DEFINATELY the lying liar Garfield/Garrow. He lies about his name, his identity-everything. A middle class busisnessman, he works for a rival steam company, one that uses low pressure steam. Low pressure steam is deemed safter and his firm stands to make a bundle off the misfortune of Huzza if they play their cards right. He seems sleazy and feeds false information to the press to enhance his own business interests. Mr. Tarwich, his younger business partner, is the public face of the company. He doesn't seem to know much about anything. Mr. Tarwich seems nice enough but he could be in league with Garrow to sink another man's business to build their own. I think one or both men were involved in the murder. What about their clerk, Mr. Heath, is he involved? He seems passionate about the company and eager to please. He's dedicated to his work. But... he was in the army and he would know how to make a bomb! He has a powerful motive- to help his employers. I don't want it to be him. He seems nice and has a large family to feed. That would be terrible for them if Mr. Heath was a murderer.
Or was it Waugh? He's a shrewed businessman who lives to make money. He claims he just wants to develop properties and he doesn't seem interested in steam power at all. Is he lying? Mr. Waugh certainly seems ruthless enough to stop at nothing to get what he wants. Mr. Huzza's heirs were the widows and orphans of soldiers killed in the war. Would the board of governors murdered their benefactor to get their hands on the money sooner before he changed his mind? Oh Bea! This makes no sense. Why would they do that when they could potentially inherit MORE money later on down the line? If Huzza dies with the engine, what money does he have left to leave?
A more likely suspect is Lieutenant-Colonel Rupert Flexmore. He works for the military ensuring supplies get to where they need to go on time. He's very rude and keeps issuing the Regency version of "no comment" but his comments give Damien enough information to realize they've stumbled across the truth. The questions he won't answer is whether he sabotaged the engine. He had the means and opportunity but what about motive? This guy is a piece of work and he threatens Bea so he must be a villain! It must be a personal motive against Huzza.
Which one is the real murderer and why? Or does Bea see murder everywhere and it was really just a tragic accident?
This book needs a historical note for those who are unaware of the history of steam engines.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Watt
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusible...
May 3 1830: Robert Stephenson's Invicta powers the first regular passenger service in the world, linking Canterbury to the seaside town of Whitstable six miles away.
One typo: Madam instead of Madame and one anachronism: Hello was not used until the telephone. And stealing business information may be done "all the time" but it was illegal in Britain or else the American Industrial Revolution would never have gotten started in 1793!
May 12, 2022
Totally charmed! I have listened to this entire series on Audible and I adored every minute!
Bea is such a character and somehow in book one, she found a murdered body at the same time the as the Duke of Kesgrave, and voila, the journey began!
Now Bea and Kesgrave are married and although he would rather Bea not get involved in murder mysteries (yes bodies just seem to land in her way!), he goes along to support her.
This time, Messina has combined a lot of history of the Steam Engine, when an inventor gets killed by an explosion. Of course Bea thinks it is not an accident and she jumps in the try to figure out what had truly happened.
As always, humor, a little suspense, fun characters and a handsome husband who dotes on her. What more could you want?
Bea is such a character and somehow in book one, she found a murdered body at the same time the as the Duke of Kesgrave, and voila, the journey began!
Now Bea and Kesgrave are married and although he would rather Bea not get involved in murder mysteries (yes bodies just seem to land in her way!), he goes along to support her.
This time, Messina has combined a lot of history of the Steam Engine, when an inventor gets killed by an explosion. Of course Bea thinks it is not an accident and she jumps in the try to figure out what had truly happened.
As always, humor, a little suspense, fun characters and a handsome husband who dotes on her. What more could you want?
April 25, 2022
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.
Just a bit of disclosure. I love Beatrice Hyde Clare, the bookish, curious, prior wallflower spinster, and new Duchess of Kesgrave, as well as her husband, the pedantic, but so lovingly affectionate and enabling Duke. I always look forward to every book in this Regency-set cozy mystery series since book 1.
As per usual, I find the series light hearted, fun, and easy to read. I love the continued growth of the affectionate and loving relationship between the couple, and their bright and humorous banter. Bea is definitely not a snob, and still is trying to wrap her head around being lifted up to the status of being a Duchess, and the Duke is conflicted in trying to balance his love and worry for his wife, and his desire to aid and enable her in her efforts. He worries about the risks she has faced, including in his own home, but rather than wrapping her in cotton batting and controlling her, which he knows will just destroy her and their relationship, he helps her when she can, and procures resources to help her and keep her safe, including lessons in defense and weaponry.
Though, he does draw the line at lying to Hoby in order to get a pair of custom made hessians for his wife, so she can properly engage in a foot chase, which cannot be done in silk ladies slippers. After all, a stylish aristocrat has to draw the line somewhere, and he dare not mislead or potentially insult the famed bootmaker!
On saying that, I enjoyed the continuation of the story of Bea and the Duke, and their various relationships in their families and households, but I was not as engaged in this mystery as with previous ones. This one involved Bea witnessing a steam engine demonstration with her uncle and cousins, and witnessing an explosion of the same at the exhibition, annihilating the inventor. Perhaps it was because it did not directly involve Bea herself, but I did not not have the same attachment or feel the same vivacity and energy that I did with the previous stories, at least not with the actual crime/mystery itself. The characters and their details were still quite well written and enjoyable, and I enjoyed the insights into Bea's thought processes though.
So light, fun, enjoyable, but for me not as much as the previous books in the series. Still, I do love their graces, their relationship, and their quirky family and households and will be happy to read more about their adventures because they make me smile, and lift my heart.
3.25 stars out of 5.
Just a bit of disclosure. I love Beatrice Hyde Clare, the bookish, curious, prior wallflower spinster, and new Duchess of Kesgrave, as well as her husband, the pedantic, but so lovingly affectionate and enabling Duke. I always look forward to every book in this Regency-set cozy mystery series since book 1.
As per usual, I find the series light hearted, fun, and easy to read. I love the continued growth of the affectionate and loving relationship between the couple, and their bright and humorous banter. Bea is definitely not a snob, and still is trying to wrap her head around being lifted up to the status of being a Duchess, and the Duke is conflicted in trying to balance his love and worry for his wife, and his desire to aid and enable her in her efforts. He worries about the risks she has faced, including in his own home, but rather than wrapping her in cotton batting and controlling her, which he knows will just destroy her and their relationship, he helps her when she can, and procures resources to help her and keep her safe, including lessons in defense and weaponry.
Though, he does draw the line at lying to Hoby in order to get a pair of custom made hessians for his wife, so she can properly engage in a foot chase, which cannot be done in silk ladies slippers. After all, a stylish aristocrat has to draw the line somewhere, and he dare not mislead or potentially insult the famed bootmaker!
On saying that, I enjoyed the continuation of the story of Bea and the Duke, and their various relationships in their families and households, but I was not as engaged in this mystery as with previous ones. This one involved Bea witnessing a steam engine demonstration with her uncle and cousins, and witnessing an explosion of the same at the exhibition, annihilating the inventor. Perhaps it was because it did not directly involve Bea herself, but I did not not have the same attachment or feel the same vivacity and energy that I did with the previous stories, at least not with the actual crime/mystery itself. The characters and their details were still quite well written and enjoyable, and I enjoyed the insights into Bea's thought processes though.
So light, fun, enjoyable, but for me not as much as the previous books in the series. Still, I do love their graces, their relationship, and their quirky family and households and will be happy to read more about their adventures because they make me smile, and lift my heart.
3.25 stars out of 5.
April 9, 2022
This book series just makes me happy. What? A murder mystery series that brings joy? Indeed. This one especially was delightful, so many precious Bea and Kesgrave interactions. Uncle Horace, Russel and Flora too! Flora also keeps getting better and better. I never, never guess the outcome of these mysteries, I'm rather terrible at it, but at this point, ten books in, the characters are what I love anyways and the feeling of being in on these inside jokes and references. So many lingering questions though, will Bea ever get proper Hoby boots, where is Nuneaton and can we get a book written from Kesgrave's POV? It is a treat to read this series. Keep them coming Lynn Messina! I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley for a voluntary and honest review
October 31, 2022
5 stars
The speed at which I read this is probably unhealthy. But after stalking the kindle website for over a week just waiting for the release, it was absolutely worth it.
The speed at which I read this is probably unhealthy. But after stalking the kindle website for over a week just waiting for the release, it was absolutely worth it.
June 4, 2022
Oh how I love Bea!
The murder was genius, the solution plodding. Again, she was able to get people to confess just by asking them. Was it because she was a duchess? I don’t believe so. She was able to do this before she was a duchess. And the killer was right, she had to definitive proof so he should not have panicked as he did. She also did not come close to keeping her promise to Flexmore. I do still love their banter but it seemed less enthusiastically done.
The murder was genius, the solution plodding. Again, she was able to get people to confess just by asking them. Was it because she was a duchess? I don’t believe so. She was able to do this before she was a duchess. And the killer was right, she had to definitive proof so he should not have panicked as he did. She also did not come close to keeping her promise to Flexmore. I do still love their banter but it seemed less enthusiastically done.
November 30, 2022
I didn’t care for the case as much in this one as in past books. And oh my, I got more information than I ever cared to on high-pressure steam engines; I definitely found my mind wandering more than once while I listened to this audio. Unfortunately Kesgrave was more of a chaperone this time around rather than an actual participant in the investigation. Nevertheless, I still enjoy visiting with these characters and look forward to the next one.
September 28, 2023
This one was okay, I sort of suspected the person who did it. This case centers around an explosion of a steam machine that killed its inventor. Bea was on the demonstration and had seen the explosion up close and there was something suspicious about it. I would have maybe enjoyed a bit more Bea and Kesgrave banter, but it was a good book nonetheless.
December 1, 2022
3.5 stars. Good mystery though a bit slow at times. I would have enjoyed the story more if Kesgrave would have had a bigger part.
May 4, 2023
Very enjoyable
Another enjoyable murder with Bea. She is reconciling with her family and I suspect she's pregnant but doesn't know it yet.
Another enjoyable murder with Bea. She is reconciling with her family and I suspect she's pregnant but doesn't know it yet.
February 16, 2024
I'm enjoying the entire series. This is no exception. What caused the explosion? Does Bea know enough to find out?
June 21, 2022
This is the first book by this author that I have read. I found the story a bit slow and full of unnecessary descriptions. I found I just couldn’t get into the story. I prefer a story that is based solely on the mystery. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.
November 21, 2024
“You know how your mother feels about snacking. She considers it frightfully uneconomical. It is already bad enough that upon her return she will find out that her son is a brawler. Let her not also discover her daughter is a snacker.”
Uncle Hores is sassy when his wife is away! I love him, he needs more page time. Also was the word "snacker" around by in 1800s? I often wondered about the terms used in this books, many sound too modern for that time.
This book was more entertaining and funny. It made me wish for more. Its like written by someone else, or the author is going trough some happy times :)
Uncle Hores is sassy when his wife is away! I love him, he needs more page time. Also was the word "snacker" around by in 1800s? I often wondered about the terms used in this books, many sound too modern for that time.
This book was more entertaining and funny. It made me wish for more. Its like written by someone else, or the author is going trough some happy times :)
May 21, 2022
I still love this series, but this installment was just ok to me. For one thing, I don't find steam engines or business very interesting, and that was the basis of the mystery. Every time they started describing how the engines worked, I could feel my eyes glaze over.
However, Bea and Kesgrave continue to be charming partners in both life and detection.
However, Bea and Kesgrave continue to be charming partners in both life and detection.
May 30, 2023
This mystery seemed a lot more convoluted than the others. It was still fun & interesting! I always love more of Bea and the Duke. And Vera's unexpected volunteering at the beginning of the book was hilarious. Looking forward to seeing what she does next.
January 14, 2024
I like the saga and the coming of age of the steam engine. It marked such a huge departure from horse-and-buggies and was the precursor of so many changes in travel and comfort. So, I was excited about this book, the ninth in the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series.
The previous book was disappointing. This one is a step up, but still disappointing. I can’t—quite—put my finger on why, and I find that vexing. Beatrice, now the Duchess of Kesgrave, is again hot on the trail of a killer, her faithful husband, the duke, at her side. Their wordplay is still fun and immensely satisfying. But…something is lacking. I don’t believe it’s the patina of their relationship dulling. I think it isn’t the now distinct patterns of behavior that are always followed in these books. And I don’t accept that the characters are becoming jaded themselves. Still, something is off.
In this installment, we pick up where the last book left off. Aunt Vera agrees to accompany the Dowager Duchess of Kesgrave to a funeral in the duke’s stead and Beatrice is presented with a deeply perplexing anomaly. Could it be that her entire belief system, concerning her aunt, is wrong? We spend several pages on this, and it is pretty astounding given that her view of Aunt Vera has been fundamental in each of the previous eight books.
As she promised Aunt Vera, Beatrice visits her old home to check on her uncle, Flora, and Russell. The visit culminates in a visit to a demonstration of a high-pressure steam engine, something that would not have been allowed had Aunt Vera been present. And, at the demonstration, there is an ominous explosion. The high-pressure steam engine blows up.
There is a sequence after the explosion that had me going back and forth across a couple pages. Beatrice is walking around in shock. “…she took a step toward the building, then another step and another until she was halfway across the yard.” Then, to get under a plume of smoke, “she ducked down.” Then… "The wind changed directions, and she rose to her feet….” She was never off her feet. I thought maybe I missed a part where she fell, but no. The rising to her feet feels like a leftover phrase from an edit.
Another equally small issue is with the distance between a carriage and front door. After the explosion, Bea is escorted to her front door by her cousin Russell, although “the distance was barely a full yard….” I can’t think Ms. Messina is thinking of the yard (three-foot) measurement since a carriage would not be driven so close to an edifice. Perhaps a yard as in a place in front of a house? I don’t know, but it made me pause. Later, Bea watches Russell “skip down the steps” outside the house, surely more than three feet?
I do have to say that I am weary of Beatrice’s constant self-deprecations. I hope it stops sooner than later. It’s understandable to an extent. She’s lived under constant disapproval all her life and then a duke falls head over heels for her…but still…at some point she’s got to look around and admit that she’s not a sad little woman. Here, she’s musing over herself, “And yet, for all her lumpishness….” Really? She’s a lump? And, “Accustomed to the best of everything, he (the duke) had grown bored of perfection.” And that’s why he’s with her, or so she seems to believe. And this self-dismissiveness goes on and on and on. It’s become much too much.
Beatrice’s cousin, Russell, is growing up and becoming a man. It is interesting seeing how different he is when out from under his mother’s (Beatrice’s Aunt Vera) thumb. Flora remains pretty much the same, meaning she is still the most annoying character in the series. I dislike her interference in Beatrice’s investigations. I’d much rather read about the duke and Beatrice. Flora is too over the top. Beatrice’s uncle seems to be growing kinder towards Beatrice and that’s a relief after all the neglect he heaped upon her for years, allowing his wife (Aunt Vera) to ride roughshod over Beatrice.
There seem to be more modern intrusions into the Regency period in this book. In chapter 7, Bea says to her husband, “Aw, Damien, you are not senile after all.” Aw…? Really. I cannot hear a woman of that time period saying “Aw.” This interjection was first noted in 1888, well beyond this book’s timeframe.
There’s also the use of the word, lobster-box, and its first usage (according to OED) is in 1833 by writer, Michael Scott. If this book is set in the Regency era (1811-1820) then the term is not yet in use. If the book is set in the late Georgian period (through 1837), then it’s possible that the term was in use. It still jars, however.
In this story, Beatrice makes several wrong deductions and doesn’t seem to care what her accusations may do to the falsely accused. She seems more strident now. The pleasant banter between the duke and Beatrice is still a joy to read although there appears to be less and less of it. In this book, it is easy to forget that the duke is even present, he disappears so adequately from every scene he’s in with Beatrice.
Beatrice also goes off into her head and thinks about all sorts of things in the middle of her investigations. It used to be an interesting way to bring up new information and to show how Beatrice thinks, but it’s gotten old and is now irritatingly intrusive. There’s action going on and we have to sidebar to read Beatrice’s ruminations.
There are very few errors. Here is one: “…by even having the temerity even to suggest it.” That’s one too many “evens,” I think.
I rated this book 3 stars because I still love the Beatrice and Damien characters, the Duchess and Duke of Kesgrave. One of the reasons it did not get a higher rating is because it is too easy to put down and walk away from. I took over a month to read it – I kept setting it down to read other books. I always returned to it, though. I liked the steam engine controversies. I hope the next book will highlight the duke more; he really has gotten lost in the stories. He’s becoming so forgettable and that’s a mistake. He’s a fascinating character and we need to see more of him. I will definitely read the next installment; I’m totally hooked.
The previous book was disappointing. This one is a step up, but still disappointing. I can’t—quite—put my finger on why, and I find that vexing. Beatrice, now the Duchess of Kesgrave, is again hot on the trail of a killer, her faithful husband, the duke, at her side. Their wordplay is still fun and immensely satisfying. But…something is lacking. I don’t believe it’s the patina of their relationship dulling. I think it isn’t the now distinct patterns of behavior that are always followed in these books. And I don’t accept that the characters are becoming jaded themselves. Still, something is off.
In this installment, we pick up where the last book left off. Aunt Vera agrees to accompany the Dowager Duchess of Kesgrave to a funeral in the duke’s stead and Beatrice is presented with a deeply perplexing anomaly. Could it be that her entire belief system, concerning her aunt, is wrong? We spend several pages on this, and it is pretty astounding given that her view of Aunt Vera has been fundamental in each of the previous eight books.
As she promised Aunt Vera, Beatrice visits her old home to check on her uncle, Flora, and Russell. The visit culminates in a visit to a demonstration of a high-pressure steam engine, something that would not have been allowed had Aunt Vera been present. And, at the demonstration, there is an ominous explosion. The high-pressure steam engine blows up.
There is a sequence after the explosion that had me going back and forth across a couple pages. Beatrice is walking around in shock. “…she took a step toward the building, then another step and another until she was halfway across the yard.” Then, to get under a plume of smoke, “she ducked down.” Then… "The wind changed directions, and she rose to her feet….” She was never off her feet. I thought maybe I missed a part where she fell, but no. The rising to her feet feels like a leftover phrase from an edit.
Another equally small issue is with the distance between a carriage and front door. After the explosion, Bea is escorted to her front door by her cousin Russell, although “the distance was barely a full yard….” I can’t think Ms. Messina is thinking of the yard (three-foot) measurement since a carriage would not be driven so close to an edifice. Perhaps a yard as in a place in front of a house? I don’t know, but it made me pause. Later, Bea watches Russell “skip down the steps” outside the house, surely more than three feet?
I do have to say that I am weary of Beatrice’s constant self-deprecations. I hope it stops sooner than later. It’s understandable to an extent. She’s lived under constant disapproval all her life and then a duke falls head over heels for her…but still…at some point she’s got to look around and admit that she’s not a sad little woman. Here, she’s musing over herself, “And yet, for all her lumpishness….” Really? She’s a lump? And, “Accustomed to the best of everything, he (the duke) had grown bored of perfection.” And that’s why he’s with her, or so she seems to believe. And this self-dismissiveness goes on and on and on. It’s become much too much.
Beatrice’s cousin, Russell, is growing up and becoming a man. It is interesting seeing how different he is when out from under his mother’s (Beatrice’s Aunt Vera) thumb. Flora remains pretty much the same, meaning she is still the most annoying character in the series. I dislike her interference in Beatrice’s investigations. I’d much rather read about the duke and Beatrice. Flora is too over the top. Beatrice’s uncle seems to be growing kinder towards Beatrice and that’s a relief after all the neglect he heaped upon her for years, allowing his wife (Aunt Vera) to ride roughshod over Beatrice.
There seem to be more modern intrusions into the Regency period in this book. In chapter 7, Bea says to her husband, “Aw, Damien, you are not senile after all.” Aw…? Really. I cannot hear a woman of that time period saying “Aw.” This interjection was first noted in 1888, well beyond this book’s timeframe.
There’s also the use of the word, lobster-box, and its first usage (according to OED) is in 1833 by writer, Michael Scott. If this book is set in the Regency era (1811-1820) then the term is not yet in use. If the book is set in the late Georgian period (through 1837), then it’s possible that the term was in use. It still jars, however.
In this story, Beatrice makes several wrong deductions and doesn’t seem to care what her accusations may do to the falsely accused. She seems more strident now. The pleasant banter between the duke and Beatrice is still a joy to read although there appears to be less and less of it. In this book, it is easy to forget that the duke is even present, he disappears so adequately from every scene he’s in with Beatrice.
Beatrice also goes off into her head and thinks about all sorts of things in the middle of her investigations. It used to be an interesting way to bring up new information and to show how Beatrice thinks, but it’s gotten old and is now irritatingly intrusive. There’s action going on and we have to sidebar to read Beatrice’s ruminations.
There are very few errors. Here is one: “…by even having the temerity even to suggest it.” That’s one too many “evens,” I think.
I rated this book 3 stars because I still love the Beatrice and Damien characters, the Duchess and Duke of Kesgrave. One of the reasons it did not get a higher rating is because it is too easy to put down and walk away from. I took over a month to read it – I kept setting it down to read other books. I always returned to it, though. I liked the steam engine controversies. I hope the next book will highlight the duke more; he really has gotten lost in the stories. He’s becoming so forgettable and that’s a mistake. He’s a fascinating character and we need to see more of him. I will definitely read the next installment; I’m totally hooked.
May 12, 2022
Many thanks to NetGalley and Potatoworks Press for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review An Ominous Explosion. All opinions and comments are my own.
Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave is back to conduct more of what her Aunt Vera considers her “ghastly activities” in An Ominous Explosion, the tenth in the ongoing series that finds the duchess undertaking an investigation into the death of a steam engine inventor. And when I say ongoing series, be advised; these are not standalones, as much is mentioned of incidents that occurred in earlier books.
Bea is present when the “Bright Benny,” the steam engine being demonstrated blows up, taking its inventor with it. Opponents who use low pressure steam say that “strong steam” is the culprit -- such a system is dangerous. Well, what clever clogs they are. Bea doesn’t believe it for a minute. With her ever-helpful husband to assist she’s determined to prove it was sabotage. And thus, murder.
What follows is probably more than you ever wanted to know about the development of steam engines in England. There’s the usual scrambling around, interviewing witnesses, and possible suspects, while the Duke of Kesgrave looks properly menacing and Bea asks The Right Questions. Luckily for her, she gets the right answers, ending with an appeal to someone grappling with regret to get a confession. Not without a bit of Kesgrave theatricality, which one has come to expect. And one needs to overlook a few historical inaccuracies, but hey, who’s counting. Finally, to make things All Better, there’s the Kesgrave money, which will also come in very handy.
In between the business of the investigation in An Ominous Explosion readers get Beatrice Hyde-Clare still grappling with her role as a member of the upper class. Her worries about her place and how she is doing are portrayed throughout the pages. Methinks the lady doth protest too much. Time to tone this down a bit.
Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave is back to conduct more of what her Aunt Vera considers her “ghastly activities” in An Ominous Explosion, the tenth in the ongoing series that finds the duchess undertaking an investigation into the death of a steam engine inventor. And when I say ongoing series, be advised; these are not standalones, as much is mentioned of incidents that occurred in earlier books.
Bea is present when the “Bright Benny,” the steam engine being demonstrated blows up, taking its inventor with it. Opponents who use low pressure steam say that “strong steam” is the culprit -- such a system is dangerous. Well, what clever clogs they are. Bea doesn’t believe it for a minute. With her ever-helpful husband to assist she’s determined to prove it was sabotage. And thus, murder.
What follows is probably more than you ever wanted to know about the development of steam engines in England. There’s the usual scrambling around, interviewing witnesses, and possible suspects, while the Duke of Kesgrave looks properly menacing and Bea asks The Right Questions. Luckily for her, she gets the right answers, ending with an appeal to someone grappling with regret to get a confession. Not without a bit of Kesgrave theatricality, which one has come to expect. And one needs to overlook a few historical inaccuracies, but hey, who’s counting. Finally, to make things All Better, there’s the Kesgrave money, which will also come in very handy.
In between the business of the investigation in An Ominous Explosion readers get Beatrice Hyde-Clare still grappling with her role as a member of the upper class. Her worries about her place and how she is doing are portrayed throughout the pages. Methinks the lady doth protest too much. Time to tone this down a bit.
October 9, 2022
Some small spoilers...
Bea attends a demonstration of a high pressure steam engine with her uncle and cousins, while her Aunt Vera accompanies the Dowager Countess Kesgrave to attend her son's funeral. As Mr. Huzza prepares the steam engine, it explodes, obliterating him. No one else is injured. Unable to sleep that night, Bea goes to the library and studies a book on steam engines, coming to the conclusion that Mr. Huzza had been murdered. She and Kesgrave set out early to visit the site and glean what information they could. Lurking in the building was a Mr. Grimes, who had been at the scene the day before. He had stolen money from the office. Suspicious, Kesgrave and Bea followed him and learned he was not who he said he was.
As Bea and Kesgrave, who remains mostly silent during her interrogations, seek out the various suspects, from the inventor's associate, to their investors, to the owners of the rival low-pressure steam engine company that fears competition from a superior engine. A chance remark by her uncle leads them to Lieutenant-Colonel Flexmore, who was seen at the site of the explosion. They gather clues from all the suspects as Bea struggles to find the person with the obvious motive. In a very dramatic ending, she finally does.
Although completely unique, the relationship between Kesgrave and Bea rivals any of Austen's couples. Everything that comes out of Kesgrave's mouth is wonderful. This book contains the most hilarious seduction scene I've ever read, where Kesgrave murmurs negative criticism of 'The Vicar of Wakefield' in Bea's ear, which makes her wildly passionate.
As with all the books in this series, the writing is exceptional. It made me pause numerous times to reread and savor a sentence or a whole paragraph. Book 11 won't be released until January, 2023. It will be a long wait.
Bea attends a demonstration of a high pressure steam engine with her uncle and cousins, while her Aunt Vera accompanies the Dowager Countess Kesgrave to attend her son's funeral. As Mr. Huzza prepares the steam engine, it explodes, obliterating him. No one else is injured. Unable to sleep that night, Bea goes to the library and studies a book on steam engines, coming to the conclusion that Mr. Huzza had been murdered. She and Kesgrave set out early to visit the site and glean what information they could. Lurking in the building was a Mr. Grimes, who had been at the scene the day before. He had stolen money from the office. Suspicious, Kesgrave and Bea followed him and learned he was not who he said he was.
As Bea and Kesgrave, who remains mostly silent during her interrogations, seek out the various suspects, from the inventor's associate, to their investors, to the owners of the rival low-pressure steam engine company that fears competition from a superior engine. A chance remark by her uncle leads them to Lieutenant-Colonel Flexmore, who was seen at the site of the explosion. They gather clues from all the suspects as Bea struggles to find the person with the obvious motive. In a very dramatic ending, she finally does.
Although completely unique, the relationship between Kesgrave and Bea rivals any of Austen's couples. Everything that comes out of Kesgrave's mouth is wonderful. This book contains the most hilarious seduction scene I've ever read, where Kesgrave murmurs negative criticism of 'The Vicar of Wakefield' in Bea's ear, which makes her wildly passionate.
As with all the books in this series, the writing is exceptional. It made me pause numerous times to reread and savor a sentence or a whole paragraph. Book 11 won't be released until January, 2023. It will be a long wait.
May 31, 2022
Once again Bea and Damien are out to right wrongs except this time Bea isn't truly sure if a murder has actually happened. Attending an event with her relatives, a steam engine explodes killing the inventor but since this was something new, surely it was an accident?! But we know our Bea and she decides that perhaps something is truly amiss and naturally with her husbands support and involvement she starts to pursue the clues. Besides she needs a good man who can pick locks. I adore the relationship between these two, she is probably the best thing he has ever found, because she is truly not afraid to point out his foibles and yet pander to his vanity which he absolutely knows that she is doing. You also know how much these two people do love each other which for the time period would have been more unusual.
I also like the fact that her family is involved and I think this book continues to flesh out their characters . You start to understand them a little better and needless to say Aunt Vera continues to make me chuckle because she truly is clueless but is trying to figure out how to rectify her behavior. But she really is in way over her head. I also love the relationship between Damien and his grandmother; each trying not to show how much they really care for one another. Even if it is through arguing. Once again, Lynn sets up a story which has us following Bea and Damien wherever they lead us.
I also like the fact that her family is involved and I think this book continues to flesh out their characters . You start to understand them a little better and needless to say Aunt Vera continues to make me chuckle because she truly is clueless but is trying to figure out how to rectify her behavior. But she really is in way over her head. I also love the relationship between Damien and his grandmother; each trying not to show how much they really care for one another. Even if it is through arguing. Once again, Lynn sets up a story which has us following Bea and Damien wherever they lead us.
April 7, 2022
This book is a murder mystery!
Beatrice is bound to solve it.
To be clear: Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave, does not think every dead person in London is the victim of a sinister plot. The city is large, after all, and some of its inhabitants had to have died from innocent causes. Like Peter Huzza, who was killed in a horrifying steam engine accident. It is shocking, yes, the way his body was torn apart by the explosion of his very own machine, but not entirely surprising. High-pressure steam is notoriously dangerous to harness.
There is no reason to suspect foul play.
Nope, none at all.
And yet there is that disquiet Bea feels when she pictures the decimation caused by the blast. It just doesn't seem quite decimated enough. But the alternative makes even less sense, for how could she have noticed something that one hundred other spectators missed? Believing the inventor was murdered right before their eyes—it is a wildly implausible theory.
No doubt it is. But when has Beatrice Hyde-Clare ever let the impossibility of a theory stop her?
It appeared that there was more than one suspect.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.
This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Beatrice is bound to solve it.
To be clear: Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave, does not think every dead person in London is the victim of a sinister plot. The city is large, after all, and some of its inhabitants had to have died from innocent causes. Like Peter Huzza, who was killed in a horrifying steam engine accident. It is shocking, yes, the way his body was torn apart by the explosion of his very own machine, but not entirely surprising. High-pressure steam is notoriously dangerous to harness.
There is no reason to suspect foul play.
Nope, none at all.
And yet there is that disquiet Bea feels when she pictures the decimation caused by the blast. It just doesn't seem quite decimated enough. But the alternative makes even less sense, for how could she have noticed something that one hundred other spectators missed? Believing the inventor was murdered right before their eyes—it is a wildly implausible theory.
No doubt it is. But when has Beatrice Hyde-Clare ever let the impossibility of a theory stop her?
It appeared that there was more than one suspect.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley.
This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
April 11, 2022
I read the first in this regency cozy mystery series with Beatrice Hyde-Clare and An Ominous Explosion is number 10. I think the reason I didn’t read the intervening books is because I couldn’t get my library to buy them. I’m glad to see all the banter with the Duke of Kesgrave has paid off and Beatrice is a duchess now.
After recovering from her latest escapade, Bea and a crowd of spectators witness the death of a steam engine inventor in a horrifying explosion accident. But something about the incident doesn’t seem right to Bea and she sets out to prove that it was murder with Kesgrave at her side.
The beginning might feel slow for anyone who doesn’t know the side characters or who hasn’t read the previous book, but I stuck with it. Once the accident occurs and Bea takes center stage, things picked up. My complaint overall was that there’s a lot of telling rather than showing, not enough of direct conversations. Fans of the series will probably be satisfied.
I received an arc from NetGalley
After recovering from her latest escapade, Bea and a crowd of spectators witness the death of a steam engine inventor in a horrifying explosion accident. But something about the incident doesn’t seem right to Bea and she sets out to prove that it was murder with Kesgrave at her side.
The beginning might feel slow for anyone who doesn’t know the side characters or who hasn’t read the previous book, but I stuck with it. Once the accident occurs and Bea takes center stage, things picked up. My complaint overall was that there’s a lot of telling rather than showing, not enough of direct conversations. Fans of the series will probably be satisfied.
I received an arc from NetGalley
September 8, 2022
I had fun reading this. It wasn’t by any means my favourite instalment of this series, but it was an entertaining read. There was a lot less of Beatrice and Damien’s relationship in this book, although I liked the little bits we did get. They have a very lovely and affectionate relationship and I love seeing the domesticity and how comfortable they are with each other at this stage in their story.
But it’s right that, ten books into this series, Lynn Messina would start to focus more on the mystery. I’ve found some of the mysteries in later books in this series a little bit too complicated, but this one was very solid. It was well-constructed with some clever twists, and felt very well-paced.
Overall I thought this was an enjoyable addition to the series with all of the things I really enjoy about Messina’s writing: it was quirky and funny, with a clever mystery and just enough touches of romance to keep me interested. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
Content Notes:
Warnings:
Other: .
But it’s right that, ten books into this series, Lynn Messina would start to focus more on the mystery. I’ve found some of the mysteries in later books in this series a little bit too complicated, but this one was very solid. It was well-constructed with some clever twists, and felt very well-paced.
Overall I thought this was an enjoyable addition to the series with all of the things I really enjoy about Messina’s writing: it was quirky and funny, with a clever mystery and just enough touches of romance to keep me interested. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
Content Notes:
Warnings:
Other: .
January 5, 2024
Austin-Esqu Mystery Series Continues
Book 10 and I still love this series! I'm enjoying the new complexity of Bea and the Duke navigating married life and learning to work in all things as a team. The mystery element continues to be a fun puzzle and has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing to the very end. No cliffhanger but I still can't wait for the next book!
Parents- PG13 - high school and up readers
Language- none
Violence- PG- murders are kept free of overly graphic detail
Sexual Content- PG13- there is just a matter of a week or two between books so they are still very much newlyweds and while there are no actual sex scenes there are a lot of make-out scenes with some pretty steamy lead-ups to the door closing, them adjusting clothing back into place, and teasing each other about better uses of time and the like
The narrator is as always top-notch and one of the few that I can't listen to sped up. She just fits the characters so perfectly and is simply fun to listen to.
Book 10 and I still love this series! I'm enjoying the new complexity of Bea and the Duke navigating married life and learning to work in all things as a team. The mystery element continues to be a fun puzzle and has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing to the very end. No cliffhanger but I still can't wait for the next book!
Parents- PG13 - high school and up readers
Language- none
Violence- PG- murders are kept free of overly graphic detail
Sexual Content- PG13- there is just a matter of a week or two between books so they are still very much newlyweds and while there are no actual sex scenes there are a lot of make-out scenes with some pretty steamy lead-ups to the door closing, them adjusting clothing back into place, and teasing each other about better uses of time and the like
The narrator is as always top-notch and one of the few that I can't listen to sped up. She just fits the characters so perfectly and is simply fun to listen to.
May 14, 2022
An Ominous Explosion is the first book I have read by Lynn Messina. Admittedly, it may not be the best practice to jump into a series in book 10, but I was captured by the premised. I think I was able to pick up on Bea’s character and nuances fairly quickly and the author does a good job of providing back details for previous events discussed. I did not feel lost at any point; in fact, I want to go back and learn more about these characters from the beginning. In this book, Bea is present when a steam engine explodes. She has learned to trust her instinct and something about it just seems off. I love how the story captures her additional sleuthing impediments because she is a woman and how she overcomes these! Bea is quite witty and charming. I love her keen intelligence and quick mind. The mystery plays out a good pace and included the right amount of details. I really enjoyed the clean romance with her husband, Damien, and the balance he brings to her character. Lots of fun moments with these two!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.
March 21, 2023
Oh. My. God. I cannot deal any more with this series.
There was, in previous instalments, at least the attempt to have the dialogue be in sentences that would not have sounded out of place in 1800s England.
Now it’s American-style Tumblr-sassy, CONTEMPORARY DIALOGUE STRUCTURE, but in fancy words. (Beatrice actually starts sentences with “Oh, so now” — like a contemp Western teenager — and actually says “Aw, Damien, you are not senile after all” which is something that MODERN HEROINES SAY!!) To which I say fuck off, Beatrice, and fuck off again. I also am done to the fullest with her stupid fetish for beating herself up over receiving Kesgrave’s admiration. She probably also misidentifies the killer at first in this one. I don’t want to know how these flaws that I’ve been seeing in the previous books intensify in the next one.
Thank you, Ms Messina, for a stellar, simply stellar series that for me ended at Book 7 or 8.
There was, in previous instalments, at least the attempt to have the dialogue be in sentences that would not have sounded out of place in 1800s England.
Now it’s American-style Tumblr-sassy, CONTEMPORARY DIALOGUE STRUCTURE, but in fancy words. (Beatrice actually starts sentences with “Oh, so now” — like a contemp Western teenager — and actually says “Aw, Damien, you are not senile after all” which is something that MODERN HEROINES SAY!!) To which I say fuck off, Beatrice, and fuck off again. I also am done to the fullest with her stupid fetish for beating herself up over receiving Kesgrave’s admiration. She probably also misidentifies the killer at first in this one. I don’t want to know how these flaws that I’ve been seeing in the previous books intensify in the next one.
Thank you, Ms Messina, for a stellar, simply stellar series that for me ended at Book 7 or 8.
September 10, 2023
I liked this one.
More that what I thought I would, when I read the synopsis.
(But should I be surprised? Of course not - I adore this series!)
As always being a witness to Bea and her thoughts is a delight. In this one being able to be a part of her, as she is experience an explosion - her reaction, her senses, her thoughts (or lack there of) was so very well delivered and I love that just because she is the main character and sometimes rush into danger, she is still able to be chocked, frightened, vulnerable.
I adored the companionship between Bea and Kesgrave in this one. They were truly a team - of course it IS a Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mystery, but the duke was with her in all her endeavours.
He is scared for her safety and that paired the very deep affections he holds for her surprises him, and I adore him for being able to voice it and still stand by her.
I love them!
More that what I thought I would, when I read the synopsis.
(But should I be surprised? Of course not - I adore this series!)
As always being a witness to Bea and her thoughts is a delight. In this one being able to be a part of her, as she is experience an explosion - her reaction, her senses, her thoughts (or lack there of) was so very well delivered and I love that just because she is the main character and sometimes rush into danger, she is still able to be chocked, frightened, vulnerable.
I adored the companionship between Bea and Kesgrave in this one. They were truly a team - of course it IS a Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mystery, but the duke was with her in all her endeavours.
He is scared for her safety and that paired the very deep affections he holds for her surprises him, and I adore him for being able to voice it and still stand by her.
I love them!
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