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A Verity Lark Mystery #1
A Lark’s Tale
From the author of the BEATRICE HYDE-CLARE mysteries comes a new series with many fresh faces as well a few familiar old ones.
Verity Lark knows everything.
As the London Daily Gazette's popular gossip columnist, she is extremely adept at sneaking into houses, assuming disguises and overseeing a vast network of spies to ensure she stays abreast of the beau monde's comings and goings. If it sometimes seems as though she was hiding behind the settee during a particularly fierce quarrel between a husband and his wife, it's most likely because she was hiding behind the settee during their fierce quarrel.
But nobody knows her.
Writing under a pen name, Verity safeguards her anonymity via an elaborately constructed alter ego. Seemingly everywhere, Mr. Twaddle-Thum is in fact nowhere. He has never met with an informant or skulked in a dark alley. He simply does not exist. That is why she is so startled to discover he has recently been spotted at a variety of locations. A Twaddle-Sham is knocking about London and in such a ham-handed manner he is inciting people to murder.
At least that's what Verity thinks is happening when she stumbles across a plot to kill him.
Or her.
Who is the real target?
Well, see, that's just the problem because Verity can't actually say.
For the first time in years, she isn't sure of anything.
Verity Lark knows everything.
As the London Daily Gazette's popular gossip columnist, she is extremely adept at sneaking into houses, assuming disguises and overseeing a vast network of spies to ensure she stays abreast of the beau monde's comings and goings. If it sometimes seems as though she was hiding behind the settee during a particularly fierce quarrel between a husband and his wife, it's most likely because she was hiding behind the settee during their fierce quarrel.
But nobody knows her.
Writing under a pen name, Verity safeguards her anonymity via an elaborately constructed alter ego. Seemingly everywhere, Mr. Twaddle-Thum is in fact nowhere. He has never met with an informant or skulked in a dark alley. He simply does not exist. That is why she is so startled to discover he has recently been spotted at a variety of locations. A Twaddle-Sham is knocking about London and in such a ham-handed manner he is inciting people to murder.
At least that's what Verity thinks is happening when she stumbles across a plot to kill him.
Or her.
Who is the real target?
Well, see, that's just the problem because Verity can't actually say.
For the first time in years, she isn't sure of anything.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2022
793 people are currently reading
573 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 125 reviews
October 18, 2022
A Lark's Tale is the first book in a spin-off series based in the world of the original Beatrice Hyde-Clare series . I haven't read anything from the original series and never heard about the books until I came across this book.
A Lark's Tale introduces Verity Lark, a gossip columnist who holds forth a long list of disguises to help her in her work. She is also the half sister of the Duke of Kesgrave who is married to the Beatrice Hyde-Clare of the original series- an accomplished sleuth herself- whom Verity sees as a sort of rival and fodder for her gossip column.
As much as this book was amusing and fun, it was equally confounding and mind bogging.
What I most enjoyed was Verity as a character- she is smart, street savvy, spunky with ingenious disguises- and also liked her two friends Freddie and Delphine and Verity's style of sleuthing.
However, besides Verity's countless disguises that she dons throughout the book, the readers have to also keep track of a huge list of characters introduced (atleast 1-2 new characters in every chapter) and their connection to the main plot which itself has different threads and twists weaving it together. Plus, add to that Verity's endless internal musings which can go on for pages before coming back to the point on hand and it kind of became frustrating to keep track of everything that was happening. The book only has 16 chapters but each chapter stretched long and at one point I had to take a short break before coming back to the book.
Overall, a fun book which could have done with a less complicated plot and fewer characters to keep track of.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Book Whisperer and the author for the e-Arc of the book.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫
A Lark's Tale introduces Verity Lark, a gossip columnist who holds forth a long list of disguises to help her in her work. She is also the half sister of the Duke of Kesgrave who is married to the Beatrice Hyde-Clare of the original series- an accomplished sleuth herself- whom Verity sees as a sort of rival and fodder for her gossip column.
As much as this book was amusing and fun, it was equally confounding and mind bogging.
What I most enjoyed was Verity as a character- she is smart, street savvy, spunky with ingenious disguises- and also liked her two friends Freddie and Delphine and Verity's style of sleuthing.
However, besides Verity's countless disguises that she dons throughout the book, the readers have to also keep track of a huge list of characters introduced (atleast 1-2 new characters in every chapter) and their connection to the main plot which itself has different threads and twists weaving it together. Plus, add to that Verity's endless internal musings which can go on for pages before coming back to the point on hand and it kind of became frustrating to keep track of everything that was happening. The book only has 16 chapters but each chapter stretched long and at one point I had to take a short break before coming back to the book.
Overall, a fun book which could have done with a less complicated plot and fewer characters to keep track of.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Book Whisperer and the author for the e-Arc of the book.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫
September 8, 2022
Persevere! Amusing yet startling!
So I enjoyed Messina’s cosy Regency style mysteries, the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series.
Lark’s Tale however is something else. At first I felt confounded by it. I couldn’t get a handle on the story. It was as slippery as an eel, much like Mr Twaddle-Thum. It did my head in.
Verity Lark is a gossip columnist, a chameleon. Nobody knows who she is. She’s a master of disguise, so much so, even she forgets who she is. I certainly did.
I think this is the first book I’ve read in a long time where I’ve had to take notes
Verity btw is the Duke of Kesgrave half sister by the courtesan La Reina (and that complex!) That’s not an alter ego, that’s fact.
Let’s look for instance at some of Verity’s disguises, or maybe I should say Verity’s alter egos.
*Mr Twaddle-Thum the gossip columnist ( most important)
*Robert Lark another reporter, with a house and housekeeper—Verity herself. Writes occasional serious columns
*Mr Quales an opportunistic landlord
*The turnip rustic
*Dudley Tiffin, scion of the H. Tiffin and Son dynasty: Official Bug Destroyers to His Majesty and the Royal Family.
George Hogarth, goldsmith
Archie Jones, excessively fond of onions
Old Turnip
Phantom
You can see my confusion!
Beatrice Hyde-Clare married the Duke of Kesgrave much to some members of the ton’s horror. Those who spread gossip about them were ejected from Almack's. Verity called one The Almack pariah. Kesgrave had his pound of flesh.
Madelyn Norton was one of those wretches. “One moment her crisp little [entrée] card was tucked firmly in her grasp, the next it was cruelly torn from her fingers.” Banished, she’s determined to make her way back into the fold. That’s why she conceived of the idea of becoming Mr Twaddle-Thum and much to Verity’s disgust broadcast her lies high and wide. So Verity, unknown to her, is now a target.
Cut back to the opening scene in Madelyn’s bedroom and it seems there are three people in her bedroom that night, (unknown to her) with guns. Needless to say after this Madelyn repairs to the country.
Verity sees that the Duchess of Kesgrave is paying attention to a murder of a man at the Western Exchange emporium and yet the scene was reported as being attended by Constable Jones: the apprehension of Francis Altick for the murder of William Gorman and the attempted murder of Sebastian Holcroft. No mention of the duchess. Curious.
Even more curious is the involvement of Holcroft the Holy. (That had been one of Mr. Twaddle-Thum’s coinages.)
So we run from murder to mayhem, there’s also Lord Colson Hardwicke who seems to be one step (mostly) ahead of Verity. But wait! Is this the same degenerate drunk from another time? Hmm!
A wild gallop around London sleuthing and more, and I loved every minute! I’m looking forward to more of verity and more of the mysterious Hardwicke.
A BookWhisperer ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
So I enjoyed Messina’s cosy Regency style mysteries, the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series.
Lark’s Tale however is something else. At first I felt confounded by it. I couldn’t get a handle on the story. It was as slippery as an eel, much like Mr Twaddle-Thum. It did my head in.
Verity Lark is a gossip columnist, a chameleon. Nobody knows who she is. She’s a master of disguise, so much so, even she forgets who she is. I certainly did.
I think this is the first book I’ve read in a long time where I’ve had to take notes
Verity btw is the Duke of Kesgrave half sister by the courtesan La Reina (and that complex!) That’s not an alter ego, that’s fact.
Let’s look for instance at some of Verity’s disguises, or maybe I should say Verity’s alter egos.
*Mr Twaddle-Thum the gossip columnist ( most important)
*Robert Lark another reporter, with a house and housekeeper—Verity herself. Writes occasional serious columns
*Mr Quales an opportunistic landlord
*The turnip rustic
*Dudley Tiffin, scion of the H. Tiffin and Son dynasty: Official Bug Destroyers to His Majesty and the Royal Family.
George Hogarth, goldsmith
Archie Jones, excessively fond of onions
Old Turnip
Phantom
You can see my confusion!
Beatrice Hyde-Clare married the Duke of Kesgrave much to some members of the ton’s horror. Those who spread gossip about them were ejected from Almack's. Verity called one The Almack pariah. Kesgrave had his pound of flesh.
Madelyn Norton was one of those wretches. “One moment her crisp little [entrée] card was tucked firmly in her grasp, the next it was cruelly torn from her fingers.” Banished, she’s determined to make her way back into the fold. That’s why she conceived of the idea of becoming Mr Twaddle-Thum and much to Verity’s disgust broadcast her lies high and wide. So Verity, unknown to her, is now a target.
Cut back to the opening scene in Madelyn’s bedroom and it seems there are three people in her bedroom that night, (unknown to her) with guns. Needless to say after this Madelyn repairs to the country.
Verity sees that the Duchess of Kesgrave is paying attention to a murder of a man at the Western Exchange emporium and yet the scene was reported as being attended by Constable Jones: the apprehension of Francis Altick for the murder of William Gorman and the attempted murder of Sebastian Holcroft. No mention of the duchess. Curious.
Even more curious is the involvement of Holcroft the Holy. (That had been one of Mr. Twaddle-Thum’s coinages.)
So we run from murder to mayhem, there’s also Lord Colson Hardwicke who seems to be one step (mostly) ahead of Verity. But wait! Is this the same degenerate drunk from another time? Hmm!
A wild gallop around London sleuthing and more, and I loved every minute! I’m looking forward to more of verity and more of the mysterious Hardwicke.
A BookWhisperer ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
August 10, 2022
Enjoyed the introduction of a new member of the Beatrice Hyde-Clare universe in this new-series debut "A Lark's Tale," but got bogged down in the minutiae of too many villains and too many machinations.
This book will be best appreciated by those already familiar with the Beatrice Hyde-Clare books by the same author, as Verity Lark is the unacknowledged half-sister to the Duke of Kesgrave. Growing up in vastly different circumstances, Verity lives by means of her wits as the undercover gossip columnist who is everywhere and nowhere, "Mr. Twaddle-Thum." But when she realizes that someone is masquerading as her/him, and that her own life is in danger, a nefarious plot starts to unravel, and she is determined to see it through to its conclusion.
I enjoyed Verity as a character, as well as her long-suffering friends Freddie and Delphine. I also enjoyed the way she investigates the Kesgraves' investigations--it's a sort of outsider's view of their cases from the last few books. And I enjoyed her interactions with Mr. X, who starts out by forestalling her attempt to rescue a damsel in distress, and then challenges her at every turn with his inside information.
What didn't I enjoy? The plot that Verity stumbles on, mostly in the latter half of the book, is too full of people and names and layers and higher-ups and lackeys, and I just stopped keeping track after a while and skimmed.
The characterizations were fun as always, but I could wish for somewhat less complicated intrigue--or at least, with fewer names to keep track of.
Thanks to NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for this digital review copy!
This book will be best appreciated by those already familiar with the Beatrice Hyde-Clare books by the same author, as Verity Lark is the unacknowledged half-sister to the Duke of Kesgrave. Growing up in vastly different circumstances, Verity lives by means of her wits as the undercover gossip columnist who is everywhere and nowhere, "Mr. Twaddle-Thum." But when she realizes that someone is masquerading as her/him, and that her own life is in danger, a nefarious plot starts to unravel, and she is determined to see it through to its conclusion.
I enjoyed Verity as a character, as well as her long-suffering friends Freddie and Delphine. I also enjoyed the way she investigates the Kesgraves' investigations--it's a sort of outsider's view of their cases from the last few books. And I enjoyed her interactions with Mr. X, who starts out by forestalling her attempt to rescue a damsel in distress, and then challenges her at every turn with his inside information.
What didn't I enjoy? The plot that Verity stumbles on, mostly in the latter half of the book, is too full of people and names and layers and higher-ups and lackeys, and I just stopped keeping track after a while and skimmed.
The characterizations were fun as always, but I could wish for somewhat less complicated intrigue--or at least, with fewer names to keep track of.
Thanks to NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for this digital review copy!
August 31, 2022
Here's the thing- Messina's writing has improved, yes. But I stopped reading the Beatrice series because it was nonstop infodumping about how Beatrice was spinstery and ugly and smart and kesgrave was hot and stupid for loving her. I wanted to give this new series a shot, but GUESS WHAT?? TEN PERCENT IN AND WE'RE
STILL
TALKING
ABOUT
BEATRICE AND KESGRAVE
I know next to nothing about the new main character other than by virtue of her relationship with kesgrave, and the entire intro chapter was detailing things that I assume happened in the books I DIDN'T read in that series. I don't care. It's a new series- so build someone new. I don't mind cameos and nods to other books, but I'm real tired of spin-off series where we just rehash things with the old characters. It's a no from me. Readers of the previous series will be thrilled.
STILL
TALKING
ABOUT
BEATRICE AND KESGRAVE
I know next to nothing about the new main character other than by virtue of her relationship with kesgrave, and the entire intro chapter was detailing things that I assume happened in the books I DIDN'T read in that series. I don't care. It's a new series- so build someone new. I don't mind cameos and nods to other books, but I'm real tired of spin-off series where we just rehash things with the old characters. It's a no from me. Readers of the previous series will be thrilled.
May 18, 2023
I can’t believe I, a huge fan of the Beatrice Hyde-Claire series, found this book so tedious to get through. The entire book runs parallel to a few of BHC books (from Flora’s book on), but the plot is so convoluted that I was more irritated than intrigued by the moments of cross-over.
There were pages written as asides that seemed to serve the Kindle Unlimited compensation scheme better than the actually story or development of characters.
I honestly didn’t even care about Verity figuring out any of the conflicts/questions. I was invested, so I powered through.
Also, the strength of the other series is the slow burn of the relationship between main characters. The potential love interest didn’t even emerge until around page 200.
There were pages written as asides that seemed to serve the Kindle Unlimited compensation scheme better than the actually story or development of characters.
I honestly didn’t even care about Verity figuring out any of the conflicts/questions. I was invested, so I powered through.
Also, the strength of the other series is the slow burn of the relationship between main characters. The potential love interest didn’t even emerge until around page 200.
February 10, 2023
Verity Lark was dumped at a ghastly orphanage by her courtesan mother. Having to fight to survive, Verity vowed to stay strong and one day ruin the evil matron. Now, as a newspaper reporter, Robert Lark, Verity has been successful in righting wrongs but she's also turned her quill to writing as the notorious gossip monger, Mr. Twaddle Thumb. She goes through great lengths to hide her identity and makes sure Mr. Twaddle Thumb does not exist. Now, hot on the trail of another of Her Outrageousness's murder investigations, Verity discovers there's ANOTHER Twaddle Thumb - in imposter, a Twaddle Sham! *Gasp* How can that be? Verity is determined to find out who the imposter is and make them stop. It seems someone else wants to stop Twaddle Thumb too. Who is it and why do they want Twaddle Thumb dead? Verity has any number of enemies but there's no way of knowing who the would-be murderer is without a bit of sleuthing herself.
This is a weird book. The first 2/3 recap all of the Beatrice Hyde-Clare novels up to An Ominous Explosion which is referenced but Bea is still in the process of investigating that one. There's a connection to A Malevolent Connection but mostly the novel is connected to A Boldly Daring Scheme, Flora's story. If you've read Bea and Flora's adventures, you can skip a whole lot of this story. I skimmed it to get to the actual mystery. It took way too long to get there. We even know who the imposter is. I forgot but when the imposter was uncovered, I remembered exactly who they were. Their diary recaps too in case you forgot. You have to read both those books first before this one.
FINALLY, we get to the actual mystery afoot. It's the conclusion to what happens in Flora's mystery and we get a different point-of-view involving Flora's relationship with Holcroft leading into the beginning of An Extravagant Duplicity. I was wondering about that so I'm glad I got my answer. The mystery was super confusing with so many names thrown out there and trying to remember who they all were. Good thing the book has a list in the back of the major characters. It was still complicated yet deceptively simple in the end.
I'm not sure I like Verity all that much. She's had a rough life and is a survivor. She's had to be tough to survive and it makes her independent and stubborn. The only people she relies on are her best friend since the orphanage, Freddie, a newspaper publisher and Delphine, her companion. Yet Verity is a lot like Bea. She's fond of concocting elaborate ruses, fictional identities and crazy schemes in pursuit of justice. Verity has a reporter's instincts and today she'd be a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist. Instead, because of her gender, she has to hide her true identity and because investigative journalism didn't really exist, she has to resort to the gossip column to make money and get the scoop for her news stories. She also does it because she wants to get back at the ton and particularly her younger half-brother, the Duke of Kesgrave, for looking the other way when children are in need and instead pursuing frivolous pursuits such as betting on ants. To be fair, her brother doesn't even know she exists and I think he would be welcoming to her. It's no wonder he's attracted to Bea. He must unconsciously feel a connection to family. Their mother was a notorious courtesan so of course she must have been bold and daring to go after what she wanted and buck the system like that. I assume she was based on Harriette Wilson and her sisters.
Verity and her friend Freddie and other orphans were abused by a greedy, evil matron, Miss Wraithe. Freddie survived to become a newspaper publisher. He's done quite well for himself but hasn't forgotten his roots. He's still BFFs with Verity, her partner in crime. Freddie is a good man, kind and generous but he can not keep up with Verity. She runs circles around him and everyone else. She's incredibly sharp and dogged, while Freddie lets her carry on. He can't really stop her and neither can Delphine who is the Victorian "angel in the house" character. She worries about her friends and I sense she has stronger feelings for Freddie. I think Verity senses it too but for now, they're a trio of friends.
During her investigation for the villain trying to kill the Twaddle Sham, Verity meets the mysterious Mr. X and crosses metaphorical swords with him. YES verbal sparring is my favorite! Their scenes are really, really funny and I couldn't put the book down until she discovered his identity. Turns out, she knows him and he knows Twaddle Thumb. I love a good rogue character and I certain Mr. X is one. He's mysterious, intelligent and I suspect has ties to the Home Office as a sort of spy. I get the impression he's going to be her love interest but I'd almost rather not. Enemies to friends to lovers is my favorite plot but it's boring and predictable. Hopefully these two will continue to be frenemies.
Mr. Holcroft is just as boring as ever but we get a better insight into his character. He's honest and upright but I think he may have a secret. He knows Mr. X from somewhere, somehow and they're connected to the mystery. We know how Mr. Holcroft is connected but we don't know how he knows what he knows about Mr. X. We also learn Mr. Holcroft is indeed a man in love. He rhapsodizes about Flora! He understands her personality and loves her for it. I find her incredibly annoying and immature so I don't get the attraction. I like him well enough though. He could be a good ally for both Bea and Verity.
I can't say anything about the rest of the characters because it will spoil the mystery. I look forward to the next book, which will hopefully be a stand alone story and not connected to any of Bea's investigations.
This is a weird book. The first 2/3 recap all of the Beatrice Hyde-Clare novels up to An Ominous Explosion which is referenced but Bea is still in the process of investigating that one. There's a connection to A Malevolent Connection but mostly the novel is connected to A Boldly Daring Scheme, Flora's story. If you've read Bea and Flora's adventures, you can skip a whole lot of this story. I skimmed it to get to the actual mystery. It took way too long to get there. We even know who the imposter is. I forgot but when the imposter was uncovered, I remembered exactly who they were. Their diary recaps too in case you forgot. You have to read both those books first before this one.
FINALLY, we get to the actual mystery afoot. It's the conclusion to what happens in Flora's mystery and we get a different point-of-view involving Flora's relationship with Holcroft leading into the beginning of An Extravagant Duplicity. I was wondering about that so I'm glad I got my answer. The mystery was super confusing with so many names thrown out there and trying to remember who they all were. Good thing the book has a list in the back of the major characters. It was still complicated yet deceptively simple in the end.
I'm not sure I like Verity all that much. She's had a rough life and is a survivor. She's had to be tough to survive and it makes her independent and stubborn. The only people she relies on are her best friend since the orphanage, Freddie, a newspaper publisher and Delphine, her companion. Yet Verity is a lot like Bea. She's fond of concocting elaborate ruses, fictional identities and crazy schemes in pursuit of justice. Verity has a reporter's instincts and today she'd be a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative journalist. Instead, because of her gender, she has to hide her true identity and because investigative journalism didn't really exist, she has to resort to the gossip column to make money and get the scoop for her news stories. She also does it because she wants to get back at the ton and particularly her younger half-brother, the Duke of Kesgrave, for looking the other way when children are in need and instead pursuing frivolous pursuits such as betting on ants. To be fair, her brother doesn't even know she exists and I think he would be welcoming to her. It's no wonder he's attracted to Bea. He must unconsciously feel a connection to family. Their mother was a notorious courtesan so of course she must have been bold and daring to go after what she wanted and buck the system like that. I assume she was based on Harriette Wilson and her sisters.
Verity and her friend Freddie and other orphans were abused by a greedy, evil matron, Miss Wraithe. Freddie survived to become a newspaper publisher. He's done quite well for himself but hasn't forgotten his roots. He's still BFFs with Verity, her partner in crime. Freddie is a good man, kind and generous but he can not keep up with Verity. She runs circles around him and everyone else. She's incredibly sharp and dogged, while Freddie lets her carry on. He can't really stop her and neither can Delphine who is the Victorian "angel in the house" character. She worries about her friends and I sense she has stronger feelings for Freddie. I think Verity senses it too but for now, they're a trio of friends.
During her investigation for the villain trying to kill the Twaddle Sham, Verity meets the mysterious Mr. X and crosses metaphorical swords with him. YES verbal sparring is my favorite! Their scenes are really, really funny and I couldn't put the book down until she discovered his identity. Turns out, she knows him and he knows Twaddle Thumb. I love a good rogue character and I certain Mr. X is one. He's mysterious, intelligent and I suspect has ties to the Home Office as a sort of spy. I get the impression he's going to be her love interest but I'd almost rather not. Enemies to friends to lovers is my favorite plot but it's boring and predictable. Hopefully these two will continue to be frenemies.
Mr. Holcroft is just as boring as ever but we get a better insight into his character. He's honest and upright but I think he may have a secret. He knows Mr. X from somewhere, somehow and they're connected to the mystery. We know how Mr. Holcroft is connected but we don't know how he knows what he knows about Mr. X. We also learn Mr. Holcroft is indeed a man in love. He rhapsodizes about Flora! He understands her personality and loves her for it. I find her incredibly annoying and immature so I don't get the attraction. I like him well enough though. He could be a good ally for both Bea and Verity.
I can't say anything about the rest of the characters because it will spoil the mystery. I look forward to the next book, which will hopefully be a stand alone story and not connected to any of Bea's investigations.
December 16, 2022
A Lark's Tale is a welcome addition to the Beatrice Hyde-Clare universe. If you enjoy the adventures of Beatrice and her Duke, you are sure to enjoy the adventures of Verity Lark. Her tale runs parallel and in the background to several of Beatrice's adventures, so it would be best to be familiar with those stories before reading this one. My one complaint, is there are a lot of characters and it can get a little difficult to keep track of everyone. It seems someone new enters the picture every chapter. But overall it was an enjoyable read with a decent mystery. I look forward to reading more of Verity's escapades.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy.
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced reader copy.
September 4, 2022
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.
Warning- if you have not read any of Lynn Messina's Beatrice Hyde Clare series, then this book may be a bit confusing for you. There are a lot of references and cross-overs to that series.
I was not expecting how much of this story was interlinked to Beatrice, despite knowing this was about a minor character that has been referenced in the other series - the gossip columnist Mr. Twaddle-Thum.
Verity Lark has a surprising link to the Duke and Duchess of Kesgrave, and as a leading gossip columnist and journalist, is very adept at disguising herself and investigating her subjects. Over the years, she has developed quite the network of informants and spies throughout the underbelly of London. Following the exploits of Beatrice has helped improve her profile as Twaddle Thum a lot and she recently came by more information about a case that Bea seemed to be involved in. But in this investigation, she and her cohorts are drawn into a murder intrigue, and it would appear that she... or at least one of her different aliases, is at the center of this particular intrigue.
I have to admit, I love the Beatrice Hyde Clare series - I find them to be fun, lighthearted cozy mysteries and I like the dynamic of Beatrice and her Duke quite a bit.
But I found that this initial story of Verity and her friends to be very dependent on some knowledge of the Beatrice Hyde Clare stories - there was a lot of background dependent on knowing some of them here. Many times the story seemed quite bogged down by too many details. Perhaps to lay out more background for those who did not read the other series? Maybe some of it is that, but there were a lot of details such as about the background and details of Verity's various disguises. Perhaps Verity is just as pedantic as the Duke about some things.
I also found that I did not connect as much with Verity and friends as much. Perhaps because of their more working class background, they seemed a bit grimmer and less light hearted/humorous than Bea and her group? But then towards the end, when Verity seemed to open up and be more open to accepting help from others, I started to enjoy things a bit more.
Oddly enough, despite all the references to Bea and the Duke, they actually do not make an appearance in this book. But considering the surprising link between Verity and the Kesgraves, I would anticipate the two worlds coming together at some point.
2.75 stars out of 5.
Warning- if you have not read any of Lynn Messina's Beatrice Hyde Clare series, then this book may be a bit confusing for you. There are a lot of references and cross-overs to that series.
I was not expecting how much of this story was interlinked to Beatrice, despite knowing this was about a minor character that has been referenced in the other series - the gossip columnist Mr. Twaddle-Thum.
Verity Lark has a surprising link to the Duke and Duchess of Kesgrave, and as a leading gossip columnist and journalist, is very adept at disguising herself and investigating her subjects. Over the years, she has developed quite the network of informants and spies throughout the underbelly of London. Following the exploits of Beatrice has helped improve her profile as Twaddle Thum a lot and she recently came by more information about a case that Bea seemed to be involved in. But in this investigation, she and her cohorts are drawn into a murder intrigue, and it would appear that she... or at least one of her different aliases, is at the center of this particular intrigue.
I have to admit, I love the Beatrice Hyde Clare series - I find them to be fun, lighthearted cozy mysteries and I like the dynamic of Beatrice and her Duke quite a bit.
But I found that this initial story of Verity and her friends to be very dependent on some knowledge of the Beatrice Hyde Clare stories - there was a lot of background dependent on knowing some of them here. Many times the story seemed quite bogged down by too many details. Perhaps to lay out more background for those who did not read the other series? Maybe some of it is that, but there were a lot of details such as about the background and details of Verity's various disguises. Perhaps Verity is just as pedantic as the Duke about some things.
I also found that I did not connect as much with Verity and friends as much. Perhaps because of their more working class background, they seemed a bit grimmer and less light hearted/humorous than Bea and her group? But then towards the end, when Verity seemed to open up and be more open to accepting help from others, I started to enjoy things a bit more.
Oddly enough, despite all the references to Bea and the Duke, they actually do not make an appearance in this book. But considering the surprising link between Verity and the Kesgraves, I would anticipate the two worlds coming together at some point.
2.75 stars out of 5.
July 22, 2023
This was a pretty good read and my first time reading this author. I didn't realize that I needed to read the first series before this one. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
February 10, 2024
Fascinating female
This is the first in a series of an extremely capable woman who uses many disguises to write as a reporter as Robert Lark, and a gossip columnist as Mr. Twaddle-Thum. There are spies and murderers and she holds her own.
This is the first in a series of an extremely capable woman who uses many disguises to write as a reporter as Robert Lark, and a gossip columnist as Mr. Twaddle-Thum. There are spies and murderers and she holds her own.
November 19, 2022
Cute story, but the middle was confusing. The author added too many characters and lost track of the plot.
May 12, 2023
Interesting main character, a working woman in regency England, the gossip columnist Twaddle Thum. The political plot was a bit complicated. Interesting cast of characters who have been thinly sketched in, presumably we are waiting for future books.
September 9, 2022
Looking forward to the next is the series
First, I will say that I am a huge fan of Messina's Beatrice Hyde-Clare series. When I saw this spin off announced I was looking forward to it, though I was curious how it would play into the original series.
I must admit that I forced myself through the first 50% of this book. I was beginning to worry that this would be similar to her Hoyden series, which I didn't enjoy at all. A Lark's Tale started off a bit slow, with a lot of enjoyable backstory and character exploration. It was very well written with comedy, a bit of action, and some insight into the Duke and Duchess of Kesgrave from Verity's POV. I simply could not get into the story for the longest time. I think it was a combination of slow start to the real story, the confusing time line, and, most importantly, Verity Lark herself. Both of my first complaints were solved later in the story, which concluded mostly satisfactorily, though it could've continued for a bit.
My biggest complaint is that I didnt like the main character. Miss Verity Lark is the older half-sister of Damian Matlock, Duke of Kesgrave, the hero of the BHC series, and one of my favorite characters in any book ever. While he grew up with two parents (plus a murderous uncle), a full belly, and seemingly everything he could ever want, she was raised in a corrupt orphanage with little to eat, no parents, and little to call her own. She fought hard to get where she is and has seemingly always been able to get out of trouble and succeed in her plans. While, yes indeed, she is a strong female character with a wide range of skills, making her extremely confident, she also came across as over confident in herself. I noticed she would talk about how men thought too much of themselves, and then turn around and do the same thing. It seemed to me that she had a lot of inner resentment toward men, the world, and even her brother (who doesn't know of her existence). She would often make half baked, dangerous plans and refuse backup because only she was capable enough to pull it off, apparently. Though the reader was supposed to see an extremely intelligent, independent woman, I often found her a bit childish and silly. While I didn't hate her, and I definitely noticed improvement toward the end (thanks to some plans going awry and one very annoying [read: fascinating] gentleman), Verity fits very well into the category of female lead I've noticed a lot of recently and dislike greatly.
Despite these complaints, the ending, which I will not spoil, definitely brought the story back for me. I'm still more excited about the upcoming BHC book, but I'm happy to add this series to my reading list. Messina took a mystery from the original series and delved further into it in this book, which I appreciated, as i thought the original could have expounded more on the consequences of the case. The clues, while hard to follow at times with all the moving parts, were well thought out. I enjoyed the chemistry between Hardwicke and Verity and look forward to a future working relationship (or more) from them. I enjoyed Freddie and Delphine as secondary characters and the only restraining force in Verity's life, seemingly. I did find Verity's many personas very interesting and clever. I'm also curious to see if Verity and Damian meet at some point, because the relationship (or lack thereof) between the two was definitely one of the things keeping me interested in the first half of the book.
To summarize this wall of text, I wasn't sure about this book for the first, and definitely considered taking a break, I'm glad I finished it and will be looking forward to Verity Lark's next adventure. My main complaints included the delay in action, the confusing timeline (which I can see was somewhat neccessary), and the main female lead. After about half way through I found myself very interested in the story and less incline to dislike Verity. The introduction of Hardwicke and Holcroft as contrasting personalities helped a lot in the growth of her character. Im looking forward to the next book.
I apologize for the length, but I could probably write a 20 page essay for these reviews.
First, I will say that I am a huge fan of Messina's Beatrice Hyde-Clare series. When I saw this spin off announced I was looking forward to it, though I was curious how it would play into the original series.
I must admit that I forced myself through the first 50% of this book. I was beginning to worry that this would be similar to her Hoyden series, which I didn't enjoy at all. A Lark's Tale started off a bit slow, with a lot of enjoyable backstory and character exploration. It was very well written with comedy, a bit of action, and some insight into the Duke and Duchess of Kesgrave from Verity's POV. I simply could not get into the story for the longest time. I think it was a combination of slow start to the real story, the confusing time line, and, most importantly, Verity Lark herself. Both of my first complaints were solved later in the story, which concluded mostly satisfactorily, though it could've continued for a bit.
My biggest complaint is that I didnt like the main character. Miss Verity Lark is the older half-sister of Damian Matlock, Duke of Kesgrave, the hero of the BHC series, and one of my favorite characters in any book ever. While he grew up with two parents (plus a murderous uncle), a full belly, and seemingly everything he could ever want, she was raised in a corrupt orphanage with little to eat, no parents, and little to call her own. She fought hard to get where she is and has seemingly always been able to get out of trouble and succeed in her plans. While, yes indeed, she is a strong female character with a wide range of skills, making her extremely confident, she also came across as over confident in herself. I noticed she would talk about how men thought too much of themselves, and then turn around and do the same thing. It seemed to me that she had a lot of inner resentment toward men, the world, and even her brother (who doesn't know of her existence). She would often make half baked, dangerous plans and refuse backup because only she was capable enough to pull it off, apparently. Though the reader was supposed to see an extremely intelligent, independent woman, I often found her a bit childish and silly. While I didn't hate her, and I definitely noticed improvement toward the end (thanks to some plans going awry and one very annoying [read: fascinating] gentleman), Verity fits very well into the category of female lead I've noticed a lot of recently and dislike greatly.
Despite these complaints, the ending, which I will not spoil, definitely brought the story back for me. I'm still more excited about the upcoming BHC book, but I'm happy to add this series to my reading list. Messina took a mystery from the original series and delved further into it in this book, which I appreciated, as i thought the original could have expounded more on the consequences of the case. The clues, while hard to follow at times with all the moving parts, were well thought out. I enjoyed the chemistry between Hardwicke and Verity and look forward to a future working relationship (or more) from them. I enjoyed Freddie and Delphine as secondary characters and the only restraining force in Verity's life, seemingly. I did find Verity's many personas very interesting and clever. I'm also curious to see if Verity and Damian meet at some point, because the relationship (or lack thereof) between the two was definitely one of the things keeping me interested in the first half of the book.
To summarize this wall of text, I wasn't sure about this book for the first, and definitely considered taking a break, I'm glad I finished it and will be looking forward to Verity Lark's next adventure. My main complaints included the delay in action, the confusing timeline (which I can see was somewhat neccessary), and the main female lead. After about half way through I found myself very interested in the story and less incline to dislike Verity. The introduction of Hardwicke and Holcroft as contrasting personalities helped a lot in the growth of her character. Im looking forward to the next book.
I apologize for the length, but I could probably write a 20 page essay for these reviews.
August 19, 2022
With the exception of Veronica Speedwell, I don't think I've ever encountered a heroine with as much hubris and self-confidence as Verity Lark. If Plan A blows up in her face she always has a Plan B and a Plan C. She doesn't have enough backup plans though when a new rival/threat appears who is always one step ahead and sometimes waiting for her to catch up. A Lark's Tale looks to be the first in a fun new series.
November 8, 2024
Absolutely Amazing!
I thought nothing could come close to the riveting stories in the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series but I was wrong. The Verity Lark Mysteries are so captivating and intriguing, I couldn’t stop reading until I’d read every book in the series (there are only four so far). I just hope there will be many more!
I thought nothing could come close to the riveting stories in the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series but I was wrong. The Verity Lark Mysteries are so captivating and intriguing, I couldn’t stop reading until I’d read every book in the series (there are only four so far). I just hope there will be many more!
September 8, 2022
I was intrigued going into this, and I was surprised by the book as a whole. It got off to a strong start: the prologue was a really good, fun way to start this story. Firstly, I want to start by saying I thought this has a very clever, very fun concept. Lynn Messina’s recent books have really played with some of the familiar concepts of the regency cosy, and this is a really solid example of that.
Verity was a very refreshing heroine, particularly for a Lynn Messina novel. She had a lot of the hallmarks of her other heroines: Beatrice and Catherine’s cleverness, Emma’s boldness, Lavinia and Agatha’s unconventionality. But she also felt very different. There was a competence and efficiency to her and her actions that I found very refreshing. She was very capable: I liked that it was hard for other characters to outwit her, that she was worldly enough to understand the darker side of life. She was also very entertaining. I liked all of her alter-egos and how well they fit the story; it was a nice touch.
Hardwicke was a good foil to her. Like with Verity, I could see glimpses of other love interests from Messina’s books, but I liked the hints of his hardness, his cynicism. I liked that he had a personal grudge against Verity and I’m intrigued to see how this will play out in subsequent novels.
That said - I did struggle with the mystery at the heart of this book. It was undoubtedly very clever, but I thought it got a bit too complicated. I found it hard to follow towards the end and it detracted from my enjoyment of the story. I also felt like it relied too much on having read other books by Messina - and as someone who has read all of her historical novels, I still found it a little hard to follow at points.
Despite that it was still an enjoyable book. This was a solid start to a new series with some really interesting ideas, and I’m really curious to see where Messina is going to take these characters going forwards.
Content Notes:
Warnings:
Verity was a very refreshing heroine, particularly for a Lynn Messina novel. She had a lot of the hallmarks of her other heroines: Beatrice and Catherine’s cleverness, Emma’s boldness, Lavinia and Agatha’s unconventionality. But she also felt very different. There was a competence and efficiency to her and her actions that I found very refreshing. She was very capable: I liked that it was hard for other characters to outwit her, that she was worldly enough to understand the darker side of life. She was also very entertaining. I liked all of her alter-egos and how well they fit the story; it was a nice touch.
Hardwicke was a good foil to her. Like with Verity, I could see glimpses of other love interests from Messina’s books, but I liked the hints of his hardness, his cynicism. I liked that he had a personal grudge against Verity and I’m intrigued to see how this will play out in subsequent novels.
That said - I did struggle with the mystery at the heart of this book. It was undoubtedly very clever, but I thought it got a bit too complicated. I found it hard to follow towards the end and it detracted from my enjoyment of the story. I also felt like it relied too much on having read other books by Messina - and as someone who has read all of her historical novels, I still found it a little hard to follow at points.
Despite that it was still an enjoyable book. This was a solid start to a new series with some really interesting ideas, and I’m really curious to see where Messina is going to take these characters going forwards.
Content Notes:
Warnings:
September 6, 2022
Verity Lark's alter ego, Mr. Twaddle Thum, the gossip columnist, is being impersonated around town and that's a problem. Much of Verity's time is spent in various disguises to find out what's really going on among the ton. But it seems this imposter is in danger and it's her duty to keep that person safe, even if they have stolen her name. And so Verity embarks on a mystery-solving adventure in the same universe as the Beatrice Hyde Clare mysteries. In fact, Beatrice Hyde-Clare is one of Mr. Twaddle Thum's favourite targets, not to mention Verity's connection with the duke that Beatrice is married to.
I started reading this just after finishing the most recent Beatrice Hyde-Clare mystery and the side characters from that series form a more central part of this book. I find they fit in well and there's some overlap but also an interesting point of view when having a different sleuth from the same universe solving the case. For the most part, I really enjoyed this as much as the other series. I am curious to learn more, especially with regard to Verity's connection to the duke. I imagine, though, that a newcomer to this world might find it a bit overwhelming to have references to the other series flooding the story.
One thing I like is that despite Verity's ingenuity in disguise and sneaking about, she is not beyond notice in her activity. Sometimes these books show the detective as going through the motions without failure when the reality is usually very different. In any case, Verity and company are all just as interesting as Beatrice and the Duke of Kesgrave and company. I am curious as to the directions these books will take. Does this mean an end to the other series or will there be co-occurring stories. And will the two sleuths come together at some point in the future. So many questions!
Overall, I give this 3.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and The Book Whisperer for providing an advanced reader copy with no obligation. I have written this review voluntarily.
I started reading this just after finishing the most recent Beatrice Hyde-Clare mystery and the side characters from that series form a more central part of this book. I find they fit in well and there's some overlap but also an interesting point of view when having a different sleuth from the same universe solving the case. For the most part, I really enjoyed this as much as the other series. I am curious to learn more, especially with regard to Verity's connection to the duke. I imagine, though, that a newcomer to this world might find it a bit overwhelming to have references to the other series flooding the story.
One thing I like is that despite Verity's ingenuity in disguise and sneaking about, she is not beyond notice in her activity. Sometimes these books show the detective as going through the motions without failure when the reality is usually very different. In any case, Verity and company are all just as interesting as Beatrice and the Duke of Kesgrave and company. I am curious as to the directions these books will take. Does this mean an end to the other series or will there be co-occurring stories. And will the two sleuths come together at some point in the future. So many questions!
Overall, I give this 3.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and The Book Whisperer for providing an advanced reader copy with no obligation. I have written this review voluntarily.
August 13, 2022
Who is Verity Lark? Orphan, spinster, Robert Lark or, indeed, Mr. Twaddle-Thum and general busy body? She is all of them and none. 'A Lark's Tale' is a light-hearted Regency murder mystery that keeps unfurling at a frenetic pace.
Orphaned at a young age, Verity Lark has climbed out of waifdom to succeed as a journalist, writing under the pseudonym Robert Lark. However, bowing to her natural inclination for drama and being sly, Verity adds a new persona to her repertoire - Mr. Twaddle-Thum. The never sighted Mr. Twaddle-Thum divulges, twice-a-week, the beau monde's foibles and absurdities. Not to offend, mind you, but rather to keep them honest in their ridiculousness.
But the fun has halted. Members of Quality are being mysteriously knocked off. Mr. Twaddle-Thum is confounded, and instead of Twaddling happily, Verity becomes a target.
'Brace yourself, darlings, for things are about to become quite grim'.
'A Lark's Tale' is a well-written Regency mystery with such an abundance of characters, the story itself is sometimes the mystery. A list of characters, at the beginning of the story, would have been most welcome; especially as many characters have multiple names: their real name, titled name, and Twaddle name. Further, the book not only focuses on the primary mystery but on the sleuthing of stories gone by. Layer upon Layer to digest. Verity Lark and her friends Delphine and Freddie are very likable and the language and pace of the story are enjoyable in their essence - there's just a lot to unpack.
Orphaned at a young age, Verity Lark has climbed out of waifdom to succeed as a journalist, writing under the pseudonym Robert Lark. However, bowing to her natural inclination for drama and being sly, Verity adds a new persona to her repertoire - Mr. Twaddle-Thum. The never sighted Mr. Twaddle-Thum divulges, twice-a-week, the beau monde's foibles and absurdities. Not to offend, mind you, but rather to keep them honest in their ridiculousness.
But the fun has halted. Members of Quality are being mysteriously knocked off. Mr. Twaddle-Thum is confounded, and instead of Twaddling happily, Verity becomes a target.
'Brace yourself, darlings, for things are about to become quite grim'.
'A Lark's Tale' is a well-written Regency mystery with such an abundance of characters, the story itself is sometimes the mystery. A list of characters, at the beginning of the story, would have been most welcome; especially as many characters have multiple names: their real name, titled name, and Twaddle name. Further, the book not only focuses on the primary mystery but on the sleuthing of stories gone by. Layer upon Layer to digest. Verity Lark and her friends Delphine and Freddie are very likable and the language and pace of the story are enjoyable in their essence - there's just a lot to unpack.
September 3, 2022
This was DELIGHTFUL!!!
(But if you want my advice, reread Flora's book before you read it. I did not so I got a little lost with the names. It didn't affect the enjoyment but I was a bit confused at times. I'm not great with names and there are a lot in here.)
The mystery here is top notch. The characters. The pacing. A truly enjoyable evening.
Mr. Holcroft is in here. He even has a personality for a change. I'm still Team Nuneaton though!!
Everyone is White cis-het.
(But if you want my advice, reread Flora's book before you read it. I did not so I got a little lost with the names. It didn't affect the enjoyment but I was a bit confused at times. I'm not great with names and there are a lot in here.)
The mystery here is top notch. The characters. The pacing. A truly enjoyable evening.
Mr. Holcroft is in here. He even has a personality for a change. I'm still Team Nuneaton though!!
Everyone is White cis-het.
September 14, 2022
My favorite mystery series
Wonderful new set of characters to add to the BHC universe. But I definitely recommend reading the BHC series first! Not only will you enjoy this entry more, but they are just great fun! Applauded and giggled over the contemporary political commentary in a 19th Century cozy British mystery. Well done! And thank you for weaving Holcroft back in.
Wonderful new set of characters to add to the BHC universe. But I definitely recommend reading the BHC series first! Not only will you enjoy this entry more, but they are just great fun! Applauded and giggled over the contemporary political commentary in a 19th Century cozy British mystery. Well done! And thank you for weaving Holcroft back in.
March 21, 2023
This sounded interesting, but it wasn't for me. Verity just did not connect for me at all. I found her a bit self-important and a little pompous.
I have enjoyed a few of the early books in the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series by this author and may go back to that. This one just wasn't for me.
I have enjoyed a few of the early books in the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series by this author and may go back to that. This one just wasn't for me.
February 29, 2024
Such a rollicking good story.
October 23, 2023
Barbara’s rating: 3.7 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Verity Lark Mystery #1
Publication Date: 8/23/22
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 330
I enjoyed this tale, but that is because I am thoroughly familiar with this author’s other series, Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries. As a matter of fact, the way I discovered this sister series is by reading the latest BHC mystery and seeing the blurb for this book. I love that there is a sister series – and that they are inter-related. It will be interesting to watch them unfold. If you have read none of the BHC books, this first book in the new series will probably leave you a bit befuddled. So, to help a little bit …
Beatrice Hyde-Clare is the six-season spinster who up and married the most eligible ton bachelor, Damien Matlock, the Duke of Kesgrave. The little Duchess of Kesgrave keeps solving murders – with her besotted husband's full help and cooperation. This makes great fodder for the renowned gossip columnist Mr. Twaddle-Thum who likes to refer to the duchess as Her Outrageousness. Twaddle-Thum takes great delight in featuring the duchess and her exploits in his newspaper column. Verity Lark, the lead in this series IS Mr. Twaddle-Thum, and several other aliases used in her reporting and information gathering. Verity is also the illegitimate half-sister to the Duke of Kesgrave. While Verity knows who Kesgrave is, he has no idea he has a half-sister.
For me, the mystery got a bit lost in all of the BHC references, but if you parse out all of that, it was a pretty solid mystery and I enjoyed watching Verity work her way to the solution. I also enjoyed the introduction of Lord Colson Hardwicke who I definitely hope will work out to be Verity’s version of Kesgrave. Hardwicke seems to challenge Verity in ways nobody else does – and her reactions to him are interesting. I always have to have a romance in my mysteries and I’m looking forward to seeing theirs develop.
There was a lot of series set-up in this first book and that is another reason I feel the mystery was a tad lost in it all. The establishment of Verity’s background, her friends and their backgrounds, and the many disguises used by Verity in order to further her reporting and information gathering takes up a great deal of page space – but it is needed to firmly establish the setting going forward. Verity is a fun, interesting, and complex character who I am sure I’ll enjoy getting to know. It will be fun to see when/if she and Kesgrave actually meet and how that goes. Will they have a relationship or will they just each go their own way?
For me personally, this book was a definite 4-star rating. However, for someone who is unfamiliar with the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series, I’d guess it would come in at somewhere around the 2.5 to 3-star mark. I think this was a necessary book to set up the series and get everything started – and I think the next book will be a bit more of the same, but after that, I’m hoping that it will find its legs and stand on its own because I really do like the characters and the idea behind the series. So, maybe we’ll have BHC and Verity related enough to mention, but not constantly as in this book. I do hope Kesgrave and Verity come to a friendship and we’ll see them mentioned in each other’s series, but not be the main focus of the series. It will be interesting to see how the author handles the relationship beyond the second book (where, yes, Kesgrave and Verity meet).
I can recommend this book because it is filled with attractive, intelligent, very likable characters – but – you really need to be familiar with the BHC Mysteries series OR you need to be willing to parse through all of that and figure out where it all fits. Good luck and happy reading.
Series: A Verity Lark Mystery #1
Publication Date: 8/23/22
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 330
I enjoyed this tale, but that is because I am thoroughly familiar with this author’s other series, Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries. As a matter of fact, the way I discovered this sister series is by reading the latest BHC mystery and seeing the blurb for this book. I love that there is a sister series – and that they are inter-related. It will be interesting to watch them unfold. If you have read none of the BHC books, this first book in the new series will probably leave you a bit befuddled. So, to help a little bit …
Beatrice Hyde-Clare is the six-season spinster who up and married the most eligible ton bachelor, Damien Matlock, the Duke of Kesgrave. The little Duchess of Kesgrave keeps solving murders – with her besotted husband's full help and cooperation. This makes great fodder for the renowned gossip columnist Mr. Twaddle-Thum who likes to refer to the duchess as Her Outrageousness. Twaddle-Thum takes great delight in featuring the duchess and her exploits in his newspaper column. Verity Lark, the lead in this series IS Mr. Twaddle-Thum, and several other aliases used in her reporting and information gathering. Verity is also the illegitimate half-sister to the Duke of Kesgrave. While Verity knows who Kesgrave is, he has no idea he has a half-sister.
For me, the mystery got a bit lost in all of the BHC references, but if you parse out all of that, it was a pretty solid mystery and I enjoyed watching Verity work her way to the solution. I also enjoyed the introduction of Lord Colson Hardwicke who I definitely hope will work out to be Verity’s version of Kesgrave. Hardwicke seems to challenge Verity in ways nobody else does – and her reactions to him are interesting. I always have to have a romance in my mysteries and I’m looking forward to seeing theirs develop.
There was a lot of series set-up in this first book and that is another reason I feel the mystery was a tad lost in it all. The establishment of Verity’s background, her friends and their backgrounds, and the many disguises used by Verity in order to further her reporting and information gathering takes up a great deal of page space – but it is needed to firmly establish the setting going forward. Verity is a fun, interesting, and complex character who I am sure I’ll enjoy getting to know. It will be fun to see when/if she and Kesgrave actually meet and how that goes. Will they have a relationship or will they just each go their own way?
For me personally, this book was a definite 4-star rating. However, for someone who is unfamiliar with the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series, I’d guess it would come in at somewhere around the 2.5 to 3-star mark. I think this was a necessary book to set up the series and get everything started – and I think the next book will be a bit more of the same, but after that, I’m hoping that it will find its legs and stand on its own because I really do like the characters and the idea behind the series. So, maybe we’ll have BHC and Verity related enough to mention, but not constantly as in this book. I do hope Kesgrave and Verity come to a friendship and we’ll see them mentioned in each other’s series, but not be the main focus of the series. It will be interesting to see how the author handles the relationship beyond the second book (where, yes, Kesgrave and Verity meet).
I can recommend this book because it is filled with attractive, intelligent, very likable characters – but – you really need to be familiar with the BHC Mysteries series OR you need to be willing to parse through all of that and figure out where it all fits. Good luck and happy reading.
January 14, 2024
Lynn Messina's "A Lark's Tale" earns a well-deserved four stars for its clever blend of mystery, humor, and the captivating world of Verity Lark, a gossip columnist with a penchant for anonymity. This delightful tale takes readers on a whimsical romp through the streets of London, filled with disguises, intrigue, and the enigmatic Mr. Twaddle-Thum.
Verity Lark, the gossip columnist for the London Daily Gazette, is a character as intriguing as the stories she uncovers. Her ability to navigate the beau monde's secrets is unparalleled, thanks to her unique approach of remaining invisible while witnessing the comings and goings of high society. Messina skillfully weaves a narrative that combines Verity's wit, charm, and astuteness, making her a protagonist worth rooting for.
The plot takes an unexpected turn when Verity discovers that her alter ego, Mr. Twaddle-Thum, supposedly non-existent, is not only real but also in grave danger. The mystery deepens as Verity unravels a plot to murder Mr. Twaddle-Thum, leading to a series of humorous and suspenseful encounters. The author's ability to blend a cozy mystery with comedic elements adds a unique flavor to the story.
Messina's writing is sharp and engaging, filled with witty banter and clever observations. Verity's escapades, from sneaking into houses to assuming disguises, create a sense of whimsy that keeps the reader entertained throughout. The plot's unpredictability, coupled with the mystery of the real target, adds layers of intrigue, making it difficult to put the book down.
The characters in "A Lark's Tale" are well-crafted and contribute to the overall charm of the novel. Verity's journey of self-discovery, intertwined with the unfolding mystery, adds depth to the narrative. The supporting cast, including the elusive Mr. Twaddle-Thum, brings a delightful ensemble to the forefront.
While the resolution may feel a tad rushed, the overall experience of reading "A Lark's Tale" is thoroughly enjoyable. Lynn Messina has crafted a story that stands out in the mystery genre, offering readers a light-hearted and entertaining escape into the world of Verity Lark and her unconventional adventures.
In conclusion, "A Lark's Tale" is a whimsical and charming mystery that combines humor and intrigue seamlessly. Lynn Messina's storytelling prowess shines through, making this book a delightful choice for readers seeking a lighthearted romp through the gossip-filled streets of London.
Verity Lark, the gossip columnist for the London Daily Gazette, is a character as intriguing as the stories she uncovers. Her ability to navigate the beau monde's secrets is unparalleled, thanks to her unique approach of remaining invisible while witnessing the comings and goings of high society. Messina skillfully weaves a narrative that combines Verity's wit, charm, and astuteness, making her a protagonist worth rooting for.
The plot takes an unexpected turn when Verity discovers that her alter ego, Mr. Twaddle-Thum, supposedly non-existent, is not only real but also in grave danger. The mystery deepens as Verity unravels a plot to murder Mr. Twaddle-Thum, leading to a series of humorous and suspenseful encounters. The author's ability to blend a cozy mystery with comedic elements adds a unique flavor to the story.
Messina's writing is sharp and engaging, filled with witty banter and clever observations. Verity's escapades, from sneaking into houses to assuming disguises, create a sense of whimsy that keeps the reader entertained throughout. The plot's unpredictability, coupled with the mystery of the real target, adds layers of intrigue, making it difficult to put the book down.
The characters in "A Lark's Tale" are well-crafted and contribute to the overall charm of the novel. Verity's journey of self-discovery, intertwined with the unfolding mystery, adds depth to the narrative. The supporting cast, including the elusive Mr. Twaddle-Thum, brings a delightful ensemble to the forefront.
While the resolution may feel a tad rushed, the overall experience of reading "A Lark's Tale" is thoroughly enjoyable. Lynn Messina has crafted a story that stands out in the mystery genre, offering readers a light-hearted and entertaining escape into the world of Verity Lark and her unconventional adventures.
In conclusion, "A Lark's Tale" is a whimsical and charming mystery that combines humor and intrigue seamlessly. Lynn Messina's storytelling prowess shines through, making this book a delightful choice for readers seeking a lighthearted romp through the gossip-filled streets of London.
September 9, 2022
A Lark's Tale (330 pages) is the beginning of a Regency cozy mystery series by Lynn Messina, released September 6, 2022, introducing gossip columnist sleuth Verity Lark.
This mystery series is loosely related to author Messina's other Regency cozy mystery series, the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Series and Love Takes Root. This is not a Regency historic romance, with a side mystery, since there is no romance.
Verity Lark is the unacknowledged half-sister to the Duke of Kesgrave, characters from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare books, but has grown up in vastly different circumstances.
If this book was made into a movie, producers would seek a star that had always wanted to play 20 characters, using various disguises, in one film. This is because Verity has many persona and sports many disguises costunes in this story
The plot begins with multiple villans breaking into Verity's bedroom intent to kill her. People end up dead, just not Verity. But, the key mystery for investigation is who claiming to be Mr. Twaddle-Thum, the gossip columnist for the London Daily Gazette. Verity know it is impersonation because Twaddle-Thum is not a real person, just per pen name. Thus begins an investigation with burglary, murder, chases and lots of disguises.
is the beginning of a Regency cozy mystery series by Lynn Messina, released September 6, 2022, introducing gossip columnist sleuth Verity Lark.
This mystery series appears to be loosely related to author Messina's other Regency cozy mystery series, the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Series and Love Takes Root.
Verity Lark is the unacknowledged half-sister to the Duke of Kesgrave, characters from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare books, but has grown up in vastly different circumstances.
If thus book was made into a movie, producers would seek a star that had always wanted to play 20 characters, using various disguises, in one film. This is because Verity has many persona in this story
The plot begins with multiple villas breaking into Verity's bedroom intent to kill her. People end up dead, just not Verity. But, the key mystery for investigation is who claiming to be Mr. Twaddle-Thum, the gossip columnist for the London Daily Gazette. Verity know it is impersonation because Twaddle-Thum is not a real person, just per pen name. Thus begins an investigation with burglary, murder, chases and lots of disguises.
This mystery series is loosely related to author Messina's other Regency cozy mystery series, the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Series and Love Takes Root. This is not a Regency historic romance, with a side mystery, since there is no romance.
Verity Lark is the unacknowledged half-sister to the Duke of Kesgrave, characters from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare books, but has grown up in vastly different circumstances.
If this book was made into a movie, producers would seek a star that had always wanted to play 20 characters, using various disguises, in one film. This is because Verity has many persona and sports many disguises costunes in this story
The plot begins with multiple villans breaking into Verity's bedroom intent to kill her. People end up dead, just not Verity. But, the key mystery for investigation is who claiming to be Mr. Twaddle-Thum, the gossip columnist for the London Daily Gazette. Verity know it is impersonation because Twaddle-Thum is not a real person, just per pen name. Thus begins an investigation with burglary, murder, chases and lots of disguises.
is the beginning of a Regency cozy mystery series by Lynn Messina, released September 6, 2022, introducing gossip columnist sleuth Verity Lark.
This mystery series appears to be loosely related to author Messina's other Regency cozy mystery series, the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Series and Love Takes Root.
Verity Lark is the unacknowledged half-sister to the Duke of Kesgrave, characters from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare books, but has grown up in vastly different circumstances.
If thus book was made into a movie, producers would seek a star that had always wanted to play 20 characters, using various disguises, in one film. This is because Verity has many persona in this story
The plot begins with multiple villas breaking into Verity's bedroom intent to kill her. People end up dead, just not Verity. But, the key mystery for investigation is who claiming to be Mr. Twaddle-Thum, the gossip columnist for the London Daily Gazette. Verity know it is impersonation because Twaddle-Thum is not a real person, just per pen name. Thus begins an investigation with burglary, murder, chases and lots of disguises.
September 5, 2022
Verity Lark is a master of disguise, (most of them male with a few female characters thrown in for safety's sake), she has one that will fit almost any occasion she encounters as she gathers all the juicy gossip about the beau monde's newest scandals. Verity writes the titillating gossip column for the London Daily Gazette, run by her longtime friend Freddie under the pen name Mr. Twaddle-thum exposing some of societies most elite blunders. Mr. Twaddle-thum seems to gather the most intimate details, almost as if he is in the room with the characters he writes about, he truly seems to be everywhere, but as the book's description tells us, Mr. Twaddle-thum is really nowhere, except in Verity Lark's imagination. No one has ever met him, not even Verity's vast network of spies she has built up throughout London, noone has ever seen Twaddle-thum, that is until now! Verity is totally blindsided when she discovers there have been recent sightings of Twaddle, numerous sightings and whoever is posing as Twaddle is making no effort to be secretive about their identity, they behave as though trying to draw attention to Twaddle not conceal his identity. Not only does this make Verity furious, but it seems that the imposter has caught the attention of the wrong people and now someone is out to murder Mr. Twaddle-thum, Verity? Now she must solve the puzzle of who the imposter is, why they are pretending to be Twaddle (Verity) and who wants to kill Twaddle (Verity)?
I enjoyed this regency mystery spin-off from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series though I can see how some may be a little lost as there are so many characters both old and new throughout the story that it does become confusing trying to keep track of everyone and so many details it is difficult to keep it all sorted.. This was the only problem I had with this book. I enjoyed the characters and their quirky personalities and the overall plot is good, this is a nice, clean regency mystery that entertains till the end.
Thank you to The Book Whisperer and Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
I enjoyed this regency mystery spin-off from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series though I can see how some may be a little lost as there are so many characters both old and new throughout the story that it does become confusing trying to keep track of everyone and so many details it is difficult to keep it all sorted.. This was the only problem I had with this book. I enjoyed the characters and their quirky personalities and the overall plot is good, this is a nice, clean regency mystery that entertains till the end.
Thank you to The Book Whisperer and Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.
August 19, 2022
A Lark’s Tale is a regency cozy, with, as that usually entails, an anonymous social columnist casting aspersions on the gentry. That leads to him/her getting innocently embroiled in all sorts of evil doing, and is our trusty detective solving the case.
This novel leaves me with mixed thoughts about its effectiveness. I am new to Messina’s work, and may have been more enthusiastic if I were familiar with her plotting and style, but as it was the opening threw me right off, not totally convinced of the sequence of events as feasible, nor liking a secondary character being presented as the immediate focus.
Once presented with Verity Lark (a wonderful name), I warmed to the book; however, Verity herself was a bit unbelievable in her various disguises, and from the cover, very different in manner and appearance than one might visualize. Was she gawky and gaunt or was she solid enough to carry off the broad shouldered burly disguises she sometimes uses? Padding alone would not suffice. As a woman in disguise, would not her singular height set her aside and recognizable? If it takes two hours to makeup as Old Turnip, how can she just wipe it off and act as a young man so quickly? I know I should suspend my disbelief and go along for the ride, but it is just a small quibble.
The larger problem I had was how the narrative dissolved into prattle much of the time. When Messina is on top of it, I stay glued to the page and enjoy the back and forth of untangling the mystery, but about a quarter of this could have been cut and nothing of plot lost. It is a bit too convoluted. Nice ending with Hardwicke and Verity, though. I was rooting for them.
Freddie and Delphine, Verity’s sidekicks, were well drawn and I would have liked even more of them in this novel,
My rating is 2.5 but will round it up to three stars, for I think Messina fans will enjoy it. It’s a very enthusiastic start of a new series for the writer, and I wish her well with it.
Thanks to NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This novel leaves me with mixed thoughts about its effectiveness. I am new to Messina’s work, and may have been more enthusiastic if I were familiar with her plotting and style, but as it was the opening threw me right off, not totally convinced of the sequence of events as feasible, nor liking a secondary character being presented as the immediate focus.
Once presented with Verity Lark (a wonderful name), I warmed to the book; however, Verity herself was a bit unbelievable in her various disguises, and from the cover, very different in manner and appearance than one might visualize. Was she gawky and gaunt or was she solid enough to carry off the broad shouldered burly disguises she sometimes uses? Padding alone would not suffice. As a woman in disguise, would not her singular height set her aside and recognizable? If it takes two hours to makeup as Old Turnip, how can she just wipe it off and act as a young man so quickly? I know I should suspend my disbelief and go along for the ride, but it is just a small quibble.
The larger problem I had was how the narrative dissolved into prattle much of the time. When Messina is on top of it, I stay glued to the page and enjoy the back and forth of untangling the mystery, but about a quarter of this could have been cut and nothing of plot lost. It is a bit too convoluted. Nice ending with Hardwicke and Verity, though. I was rooting for them.
Freddie and Delphine, Verity’s sidekicks, were well drawn and I would have liked even more of them in this novel,
My rating is 2.5 but will round it up to three stars, for I think Messina fans will enjoy it. It’s a very enthusiastic start of a new series for the writer, and I wish her well with it.
Thanks to NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2022
This is the first book in a spin-off of the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries. I had not read any of those books and recommend reading at least a few of them before tackling this one as it is definitely not a standalone book. The plot is complex with many characters, and I kept having to look back in the book and try to figure out what was happening and who the characters were. The prologue in particular was very confusing without some previous background. I thought the book would have benefitted from a short introduction before the prologue to introduce the characters and their relationships and to set the stage for the story.
This book is set sometime after 1815 since Waterloo was mentioned. Beatrice from the previous series has married the Duke of Kesgrave. The main character in this book is Verity Lark, half-sister to the Duke, something that he doesn't know. They have the same mother but had very different upbringings. Verity grew up in an orphanage similar to the one that Jane Eyre grew up in - with little food or heat, no care or affection, and a lot of punishment.
As an adult, Verity works (disguised as a man) as a gossip columnist and publishes under the name of Mr. Twaddle-Thum, a version of the name she created for the awful woman at the orphanage. She discovers that someone has been clumsily impersonating her Twaddle-Thum persona, and has drawn the attention of a dangerous man. She is in danger, and so is the remarkably silly woman who impersonated her. The book opens when Verity has hidden in the woman's bedroom to foil an attack on her. I really liked Verity, who would disguise herself as a man and stroll into a business, take a chair and pretend to work while spying.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher Potatoworks Press through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.
This book is set sometime after 1815 since Waterloo was mentioned. Beatrice from the previous series has married the Duke of Kesgrave. The main character in this book is Verity Lark, half-sister to the Duke, something that he doesn't know. They have the same mother but had very different upbringings. Verity grew up in an orphanage similar to the one that Jane Eyre grew up in - with little food or heat, no care or affection, and a lot of punishment.
As an adult, Verity works (disguised as a man) as a gossip columnist and publishes under the name of Mr. Twaddle-Thum, a version of the name she created for the awful woman at the orphanage. She discovers that someone has been clumsily impersonating her Twaddle-Thum persona, and has drawn the attention of a dangerous man. She is in danger, and so is the remarkably silly woman who impersonated her. The book opens when Verity has hidden in the woman's bedroom to foil an attack on her. I really liked Verity, who would disguise herself as a man and stroll into a business, take a chair and pretend to work while spying.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher Potatoworks Press through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.
February 25, 2024
Being quite the big fan of the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mystery series, I, of course, had to engage at the Verity Lark mystery series at some point.
And I am glad I did.
I am also glad, that I have read the Beatrice Hyde-Clare novels (and because of that, have knowledge of the side characters) prior to this.. I think it definitely made the most sense, because of said knowledge.
I loved that Verity was so different from Beatrice, despite them both sleuthing about.
While Beatrice has a more quiet persona, an incredible memory, wit, heart and sometimes driven off course by rashness -- Verity is calculating, practical, brave, keeps her head cool and aware of her surroundings.
And Hardwicke, because of course I liked Hardwick, is more dark and mysterious in contrast to Kesgraves pride and ability to laugh at himself - though they both possess a smugness, intelligence and charm. And while Kesgrave is also full of humour, a twinkle in the eye and a deep protectiveness - not enough is known about Hardwick yet, and I am very intrigued to get to know him all the better.
I was captivated by the start and Verity's very adventurous personality and by the middle, when Hardwick is truly introduced, the story really unfolds. Some place between the start and the middle though, I feel like there was a bit a dragging and there was a lot of little details and a lot of people (and many of them side characters from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mystery) to keep track of. Which is probably why I am leaving 3 stars instead of 4.
Although, the attention to details was indeed a big part of the book - because it was exactly all the little details from past and present that brilliantly tired the entire puzzle together.
I am looking forward to follow this mystery and its characters!
And I am glad I did.
I am also glad, that I have read the Beatrice Hyde-Clare novels (and because of that, have knowledge of the side characters) prior to this.. I think it definitely made the most sense, because of said knowledge.
I loved that Verity was so different from Beatrice, despite them both sleuthing about.
While Beatrice has a more quiet persona, an incredible memory, wit, heart and sometimes driven off course by rashness -- Verity is calculating, practical, brave, keeps her head cool and aware of her surroundings.
And Hardwicke, because of course I liked Hardwick, is more dark and mysterious in contrast to Kesgraves pride and ability to laugh at himself - though they both possess a smugness, intelligence and charm. And while Kesgrave is also full of humour, a twinkle in the eye and a deep protectiveness - not enough is known about Hardwick yet, and I am very intrigued to get to know him all the better.
I was captivated by the start and Verity's very adventurous personality and by the middle, when Hardwick is truly introduced, the story really unfolds. Some place between the start and the middle though, I feel like there was a bit a dragging and there was a lot of little details and a lot of people (and many of them side characters from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mystery) to keep track of. Which is probably why I am leaving 3 stars instead of 4.
Although, the attention to details was indeed a big part of the book - because it was exactly all the little details from past and present that brilliantly tired the entire puzzle together.
I am looking forward to follow this mystery and its characters!
September 21, 2022
When I was granted the chance to read this advanced reader copy, I was happy, as I requested it based on a short but glowing review by Eloisa James. The plot seemed interesting: 19th century woman forced to readjust her path in life, actually working (as a gossip writer) because her place in society was being denied her. Naturally, she adopts a pseudonym (male), but somehow is found out and it seems her life is in danger as a result. All the makings of a good story. Then I read the prologue and found it to be ridiculous. So ridiculous I decided not to read the rest of the book. I also did not realize that there is a whole other series the author had written, and that the main character in this book is part of the previous series. That would have only confused me, because I wouldn't know who those characters were when they pop up. This is the downside of reading something by an author that is new to you: you can't really understand a current work if the character is a spin off from a previous series. It's never good to start in the middle. I wish I had found the prologue amusing rather than nonsensical. But that was not the case. I'm sure others found that to be an interesting lead-in, but not me. I cannot say that one shouldn't read this book. I'll only say that it is necessary to read the author's previous series, so that you know who's who when they pop up in this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced copy, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.
Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced copy, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.
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