False Face

Abbot Agency #15

by Veronica Heley

Bea Abbot’s newly married bliss is short-lived when she is dragged into a deadly game involving a famous actress, theft and murder.

Bea Abbot’s husband and talented artist, Piers, is in a state. His morning visit to actress and ‘national treasure’ Karina’s Belgravia home has ended in chaos. An antique necklace and diamond ring have been discovered missing, along with a memory stick storing Karina’s highly anticipated memoirs.

Karina’s housekeeper, Mrs Hennessey, her ghostwriter, Molly, and Piers himself are all accused of a conspiracy to rob the actress. When it transpires that the three were employed through the Abbot Agency, and some of the missing items are found in Piers’ pockets, Bea is dragged into the melee.

But as she investigates, events take a chilling turn . . . Can Bea get to the bottom of the sinister goings-on in time to save Piers’ reputation and to catch a killer?

Genres: Cozy, Ebooks, Mystery, Cozy Mystery

320 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2021

About the author

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

AKA Veronica Thorne

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read all the books in the series and this one was as good as the rest !! Great cover 🎭🎭

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

False face by Veronica Heley.
An Abbot Agency mystery Book 14.
Bea Abbot’s husband and talented artist, Piers, is in a state. His morning visit to actress and ‘national treasure’ Karina’s Belgravia home has ended in chaos. An antique necklace and diamond ring have been discovered missing, along with a memory stick storing Karina’s highly anticipated memoirs.
A good read with good characters. Great story. 4*.

[Jean-Luc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful & entertaining whodunit full of hilarious slapstick, fiendishly plotted and blessed with a cast of unforgettable characters.

In this 14th addition to the Abbot Agency Mystery, Bea is now happily married to the talented artist Piers who has been commissioned to paint a portrait of Karina, a faded movie star whose memoirs are set to be published soon. Of course Karina has hired Molly, a young & ambitious ghostwriter to write them up and Piers' portrait will be used for the book cover.

But Karina is a capricious & overbearing woman, often hysterical , a manipulative diva with lots of skeletons in her closet who lives in Belgravia with two sons, an ex-husband, a current husband and lots and lots of financial issues.....

So when Karina and her entourage start accusing Molly and Piers of stealing some of Karina's jewels,
mayhem ensues, murder follows and Bea will have to do her utmost to try to entangle this big hilarious mess full of self-centered nitwits who are a wheel short of a full set.....

A higly recommended romp full of delightful English humor and terrific comedic scenes that will definitely keep some readers in stitches for a few delicious hours......👍👍

Many thanks to Netgalley and Canongate/Severn for this wonderful ARC

[Lilmissfiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 14th novel and my first in the Abbott Agency Mystery Series and I kinda wanted to give it a go. Sometimes a light comedic cozy mystery is perfect for these short days and cold nights!
False Face follows Bea, our matriarch and soon to be detective, and her artist husband Piers, who was recently been commissioned to paint a portrait for the cover of a rather washed up movie star’s latest memoir. Like most Hollywood actresses, she hired a ghost-writer, so when the news of stolen jewellery and a missing manuscript breaks, the ghostwriter and portrait cover artist are first in line to blame. Bea’s new job? Number one investigator to get her family out of this peculiar mess! Heley’s ‘Clue-Like’ murder mystery delivers in all the ways of the classic one robbery, one murder, many suspects and many motives. But who or how many are to blame? The characters are VERY English and wildly quirky giving Heley’s ‘who done it’ a satirical edge. Not exactly my cup of tea, but if you are into this vibe, this book may be for you!

[Val · Rating 2 out of 5]

Veronica Heley has two mystery series, the Bea Abbot agency series, and the Ellie Quicke series. It has gotten to the place where they are almost indecipherable. Both women live in a large home in London with husbands, daughters (or wards) and lots of drama. Both women live lives that are overly excitable. My goodness, in the first half day of the events in this story, Bea's husband is accused of theft, a young woman comes to find refuge in their home, two irrational young men destroy their front door and try to abduct the woman, but do succeed in seriously injuring a lawyer who is also the guardian for one of the young men. Oh wait there's more! Still in the first half day. One of Bea's workers goes missing and is later found murdered. I have to watch my blood pressure when I read these. They have become way too convoluted and not at all enjoyable.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book, I don't know if I will continue reading the series. Are the police in Britain really that incompetent? Do normal people put up with other people breaking in to their homes and destroying things as readily as Bea Abbott does? I am finding the books formulaic and stretching the bounds of credulity.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Abbot Agency

Started this series ,read all 6 then it jumped to 14! What happened to Oliver and Maggie in the first 6.Sorry I paid to read this book.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying the series. Not my favorite, but still had some nice twists.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad Bea and Piers are married. Molly is incredibly annoying

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

another good tale

Crazy set of characters. Wish Bea was not so trusting of suspect people who land on her doorstep but then there wouldn’t be a story.

[Joan Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Stories

Stories I can’t stop reading. I love the English way and it warms my heart. Thank you for more stories.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun.

[jean rasbridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

am addicted

I chanced upon these - devouring them! Very clever, the characters have become very real. Sadly only one left! Enjoy.

[Anna Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and the plot. I didn't care for the ending. I need more of the bad guys lose. This ending was probably more realistic however. I really wanted Molly smacked up side the head. That being said, I like the regular occurring characters and following along as they figure out who did it and why.

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

[Donna Townsend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veronica Heley never disappoints and always impresses. This latest adventure of Bea Abbot is frankly fabulous! We have nonstop action from page one and the pace never eases.
Bea finds herself in the midst of a nightmare created by the fading actress whose portrait her husband is painting, her young biographer (who couldn’t tell you the truth if you paid her), entitled young men who bully their way through everything, two of the actress’ husbands and one hotheaded employee of the Abbot Agency. These folks barge their way into her home on several occasions, breaking in at one point. But Bea (and husband Piers) keep their cool.
I love how Heley fleshes out her characters, especially the minor ones, mostly through their dialogue. The group of invaders are obnoxious, snarky, horrid people and you know this quickly. She has a way with the bad guys! Be prepared for a fun romp with an intricate plot. If you haven’t read this series or the Murder series, you are really missing out. I suggest you subscribe to her newsletter which is sweet and informative. And once you met the children for our heroines, you’ll be hooked…!