A Scandalous Deception: A Regency Cozy by Lynn Messina Series: Beatrice Hyde Clare Mysteries #2
Published by Potatoworks Press on August 1, 2018
Genres: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Historical
Pages: 216
Format: eBook
Buy on Amazon
As much as Beatrice Hyde-Clare relished the challenge of figuring out who murdered a fellow guest during a house party in the Lake District, she certainly does not consider herself an amateur investigator.
So when a London dandy falls dead at her feet in the entryway of a London Daily Gazette, she feels no compulsion to investigate. It was a newspaper office, after all, and reporters are already on the case as are the authorities. She has her own problems to deal with anyway-such as extricating herself from a seemingly harmless little fib that has somehow grown in into a ridiculously large fiction.
Truly, she has no interest at all. Except the dagger that killed the poor earl seemed disconcertingly familiar...And so Bea is off to the British Museum because she cannot rest until she confirms her suspicion, while trying to allay her family's concerns and comprehend the Duke of Kesgrave's compulsion.
For the handsome lord has no reason to waste his time solving a mystery alongside a shy spinster. And yet he turns up everywhere she goes.
-----------
Readers, you got me started on a Regency cozy mysteries kick and I have been absolutely loving the Beatrice Hyde Clare Mysteries series by Lynn Messina. Funny, the ongoing romance (the series continues the romance element) is delightful, and the mysteries are cozy and interesting. So far (I am up to Book 4), this one was probably my least favorite mystery wise but it was such a fast paced, funny read that I didn’t mind.
Beatrice is so entertaining as she continues to come into her own, finding her voice and bearing up under lectures from Aunt Vera. She has a new supporter in her cousin, Flora, a co-conspirator with one of the maids, and can’t seem to shake the interference of the Duke. Figuring out she has a skill for investigation, Beatrice begins to spread her wings in London.
These books are kisses only, with some mature subject matter, and violence that is mostly off page and not too graphic, although there is one assault scene in this one that was intense.
This is the type of series that you do need to read in order, but I recommend it if you are in the mood for a funny Regency based cozy mystery series.
If you want to see my review on the first of this series, check it out here: Lynn Messina: A Brazen Curiosity – Regency Reader (regrom.com)
Thanks so much for this review. These books have been on my radar, but I haven’t tried them yet because I, a.) have so much in my TBR I am drowning in good stuff to read, and b.) I just haven’t come across a view in the many blogs I follow. I know, I could have read the reviews on Amazon or Goodreads, but then item (a.) above interrupts. I love historical mysteries. I will definitely put this series on my wish lists. Thanks again.
Thanks Michelle! I hear you on the TBR pile. I wanted to greet the New Year with clean decks, but impossible with so many great books on the planet. Let us know how you like the series when you do get an opportunity to read it. We will continue to post reviews of other books in the series over the next few months.