A Scandalous Deception: A Regency Cozy cover art

A Scandalous Deception: A Regency Cozy

Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries, Book 2

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A Scandalous Deception: A Regency Cozy

By: Lynn Messina
Narrated by: Jill Smith
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About this listen

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.

©2018, 2019 Lynn Messina (P)2019 Lynn Messina Cosy Historical Mystery Regency Regency Romance Romance Fiction England

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All stars
Most relevant
I enjoyed the first novel in the series, so it was no hardship to move to this second edition. However, the first one and ahalf chapters really were a struggle to get through. If I had not read the first novel, then the second novel would have sufficed, but to go over in such detail, the exploits of the first book was to me, Really unnecessary!

But, persevering from that, this was a delightful cozy mystery and the ending brought a smile to my face! You will enjoy this very much!

Fabulous, Fabulous Ending!

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The start of a new Season, and 26 years old Beatrice Hyde-Clare has endured six of them already, all without securing an eligible husband. So she no longer has any illusions that this year she will sparkle with witty conversation and dazzle with stunning good looks. Just the contrary, in fact. And although looking forward to seeing again the Duke of Kesgrave, with whom she had previously developed a surprisingly pleasant aquaintanceship, this time the London elite will surround him and she doubts he will even remember her name.

In order to salve the fears of her adoptive family, she had invented a suitor, but with their interest now in overdrive, she realizes she needs to dispose of this mythical man, determining that the best way to do this is to place an obituary notice in the newspaper, which she does, only to have another man literally fall dead at her feet. He had been stabbed. And the dagger in his back looked rather familiar ...

So begins this delightful tale of murder, mystery and manners in Regency society and the reuniting of Bea and Kesgrave in pursuit of the truth. With echoes of Jane Austen, the socially mismatched couple follow clues, make sweeping deductions and further their friendship to Bea's growing confusion. A nice, gentle who-dun-it? within the turbulence of Regency manners and amusing dialogue. As narrator, Jill Smith's Crystal clear presentation adds sparkle to the text as she also gives different voice to the numerous characters. The whole is a delight.

My thanks to the rights holder of A Scandalous Deception, second book in this series by author Lynn Messina. At my request via Audiobook Boom, I was very fortunate in being freely gifted a complimentary copy. Thank you. My not having read book one in no way diminished my enjoyment of this one and I can recommend it to anyone who enjoys light historical murder mysteries with the hint of romance in the air.

A moment of evil intent.

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The second murder mystery in the series, A Scandalous Deception was even more fun than A Brazen Curiosity.

The beginning of the audiobook felt a little slow to someone who had listened to A Brazen Curiosity recently. I felt that we spent too long in Bea’s head (both thinking about the previous story, and general thoughts) before the excitement really got started.

The narration has definitely improved since A Brazen Curiosity, there are far fewer mispronunciations. There is still something a little peculiar about the way she pronounces her rs, but it took me very little time to get my ear in.

As to the story itself, this is another wonderful romp of a cozy crime. I loved the plot, I loved Bea’s growing confidence, and I loved her ongoing relationship and snark with the Duke of Kesgrave.

Highly recommended to anyone looking for a fun, light hearted, Regency cozy crime.

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

A Fun Regency Cozy Crime

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A brilliant follow up to A Brazen Curiosity. I listened to this book in one day and I am itching for the next book in the series.
I thought it hilarious that Bea would go to a newspaper office to put in a death notice for her fictitious former love. Not only that but a murder victim falls dead at her feet at the same time! The whole scene was thoroughly entertaining and had me gripped.
I love the friendship that Bea and the Duke have. There is a hint of possible romance as the author teases us with 'will they or won't they' and I am adoring every minute of it.
Excellently narrated and a fantastic read. I am a firm fan of the series!

I voluntarily reviewed an advance review audio copy.

Loved every minute

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Thoroughly enjoyed this after initially struggling with the first one in the series.
It isn't as good as the Hoyden series but it's still well worth a credit.

Excellent

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