Thouroughly enjoyable

I have enjoyed each book more as the series has developed and have now come to love the main characters, given life by not only Jill Smiths narration, but also Lynn Messina’s writing...can’t wait for the next one!!

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Intriguing story.

Another captivating mystery in the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series. In this intriguing story Bea learns a lot about her parents, her family and herself.
The banter between Bea and Kesgrave is as enjoyable as ever, and I loved Jill Smith’s excellent narration.

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An enjoyable listen

I found the plot somewhat obvious, but overall the book is a fun and enjoyable experience.

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So much fun!

I cannot tell you how much I loved this audiobook. The story is excellent, somehow exceeding the brilliance of the previous three books. I absolutely loved Kesgrave in this one, and it was a joy to see the relationship between him and Bea deepening. I feel that theirs will be a happy marriage.

The mystery element of the story was closer to home this time, and thus seemed a little more serious, but it was handled well and didn’t detract from the humour of the writing.

The narration was also excellent, and seemed (to me) to have improved since book 3. The only bits that sounded odd to me were the pronunciation of iron and one other word. The expression, as always, was spot on.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a light hearted mystery/regency romance, though to fully appreciate it, you need to have read the previous three books.

I was given a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

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A welcome return for one of my favourite couples

A Nefarious Engagement: A Regency Cozy, Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries, Book 4 by Lynn Messina is the fourth book in a charming series which follows a determined bluestocking and her fastidious Duke as they find their way out of whatever tangle Bea has managed to get herself into. This time Beatrice's mysteries are far closer to home than any she has been forced to confront before.

As with the preceding books in the series, far too much of this book's opening is devoted to describing each of the earlier plots, which serves little purpose. It detracts a little from the joy I feel at returning to these characters, and can make the first chapter or two rather slow going.

That aside, it is always a delight to meet once more with Bea and Kesgrave, for their relationship is full of wit and warmth. That is perhaps most evident in this outing, when the depth of the Duke's understanding of Beatrice's character is matched only by his unwavering affection for her. And she needs it, more than ever, as she faces the most personal murder mystery yet; the deaths of her parents. This book wove together many of the strands of the previous books, and Bea required all the skills she had mastered during her other investigations to get to the bottom of things. It also provided a wonderful opportunity to get to know Kesgrave better, and imagining him picking locks in grand houses as a curious, entitled little boy was adorable enough that I almost didn't mind him being named Damian.

There were moments in this book which were some of my favourites of the series so far. I very much enjoy the interactions between Bea and Kesgrave and they felt far more like a team in this book. Their relationship always makes me smile and his profound respect for Beatrice's bluestocking-eccentricities is as charming as the pride she has in his meticulous precision. Yet, even their most tender moments have any sickly-sweetness tempered by teasing and dry wit, and it is easy to imagine their love enduring throughout their lives together, which cannot often be said for Regency couplings.

Whilst we did not get to see as much of the Dowager as I would have liked, we were introduced to the delightfully inquisitive and opinionated Mrs Palmer. I can imagine her being a good - if challenging - friend to Bea, and that is something we have not really seen. The closest thing to a friend Bea really has is Kesgrave, and it would be interesting to see how she interacted with another bright, articulate woman who could keep up with her.

One of the most surprising aspects of this story was the way in which Messina did such a good job of redeeming Aunt Vera. Always neurotic and often unfeeling, Vera's treatment of her niece has always seemed rather thoughtless and resentful, so it was fascinating to glimpse another side to her - and her motivations - this time around. On the opposite scale, I was a little disappointed that the Earl's story ended the way it did, as I had hoped that his proclivities tended in a slightly different direction, which would have tied in nicely with an earlier moment in the book and would have aligned with the noticeably more progressive tone of this novel compared to the others.

The narrator, Jill Smith, embodies Miss Hyde-Clare very well, bringing her to life with a sprightly sincerity that makes Bea very appealing. The audiobook is still plagued by a sprinkling of mispronunciations but they do not detract from the enjoyment of the story and are far less obtrusive than in some of the previous books. Smith's narration is, overall, very engaging and full of character.

Both the author and the narrator have worked hard to polish and perfect each new release, and it shows in the blossoming quality of the books. As Beatrice and Kesgrave gain confidence in their footing with each other, so, it feels, has the team responsible for sharing them with us. I recommend this series to everyone who enjoys cosy mysteries or Regency romance, but I would advise starting with the first book in the series, A Brazen Curiosity, to avoid spoilers.

*I received this audiobook free of charge in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

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Brilliant series!

I can't get enough of this series and I really hope that there are plenty more Beatrice stories lined up.
Beatrice and the Duke are such a cute couple. Their interactions always leave me smiling especially when they use their own special way of communicating by naming things in order. Beatrice's relatives are just as annoyingly entertaining in this book too and I can't help feeling sorry for every time they scold her.
The mystery involving the deaths of Beatrice's parents was a great read.
Lots of mystery, intrigue and romance. The perfect Regency cosy.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reading audio copy.

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Could have been better

I have enjoyed listening to Bea’s story but found it hard to listen to so much of her overthinking. The play out of all her inner thoughts sometimes made me forget what was happening in the story so I skipped a few minutes every now and again. It’s an interesting mystery though and overall kept me interested.

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