A Scandalous Deception: A Regency Cozy

Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries, Book 2

De: Lynn Messina

Narrado por: Jill Smith

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

So entertaining!

A lovely tale. Loving this series and looking forward to hearing more of Bea’s adventures!

More please!!

I am hooked on this series. Love the witty banter and energy. They remind me of a non-paranormal version of the “soulless” series. Please record more!

Excellent!

Wonderful! I couldn’t turn it off! Lynn Messina is an outstanding writer andJill Smith is the best narrator!!! Characters came to life. Plot was marvelous—intricate twists and turns. Can’t wait to read the next in the series! ❤️

Well-written!

Twists and turns and sexual tension. Left me hanging for the next sequel!

Jill Smith did a great job narrating and bringing the characters to life.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Delightful!!

A Scandalous Deception by Lynn Messina is so delightful and refreshing. Beatrice is a character after my heart. She has an inner strength that most women of her time did not possess or show. I love her interactions with the Duke. They have such witty banter. Jill Smith is wonderful bringing these characters to life. She gives them distinguishable voices, so I know who is speaking. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I will definitely listen to more books by this author and narrator.

Entertaining if occasionally implausible period romantic mystery

The two main characters have grown on me from their beginnings as somewhat over-the-top. I might even be prevailed upon to listen to the third book in the series. But the narrator needs serious pronunciation coaching. She sounds like an American trying to do a British accent and as a result it is often overdone, the word “nod”, for example, coming out as “node”. And what she does to the occasional French word is unforgivable given that such pronunciations are available on any computer. Nevertheless, I did laugh out loud a few times, and the romance ultimately held my attention. The writer does have a wonderful attitude which comes through in her prose.

Third Time Listening To A Great Series

Yes, I have listened to this entire series twice before, and if I am honest, will admit to reading the entire series before that as well. I listen to many other books in between, but still come back to listen again.

I love the character development of Beatrice as she from mouse to the woman she knows herself to be. I love her determination to keep moving forward in her personal development rather than lapse back into fear and insecurity.

I also like the author’s development of the romance between Beatrice and the duke. It is a slow, but not too slow, building of liking to respect to love. The banter between all parties in this book still makes me laugh out loud and enjoy the absurdity of Bea’s family life and burgeoning love for the duke.

These books are mysteries. Very good mysteries, in fact. I never did guess the who, what, why and how. Even now during my re-listens, I’m often amazed at how the author has answered those questions and solved the mystery.

Funny and cute mystery romance

Not too horrifying, not too sappy, not too innocent, just right. You can’t help but to feel the heartache of the main character without hurting too much. Hoping and waiting for Bea’s dreams to come true, while still tolerably sure they will.

Excellent book two!

Book one in this series was a breath of fresh air and the introduction of a much put-upon main character who struggled to find her voice. In book two, she has hit her stride!!!!

Bea stumbles upon another dead body, this time trying to keep her family from finding out that she lied. In so doing, she comes in contact with the Duke from book one and the mystery solving begins. I loved their interactions! The author succeeded in making quips and barbs no less poetic than that famous balcony scene.

This is the second book in the series but there is enough information in this listen that it can be a stand alone. Don't do that to yourself though. Go back to book one and discover the genesis of Bea!!!!

The narrator has a fair amount of special as well! The Regency period is all about attitude and Smith puts you right in the ballroom with all that silk and lace. She's awesome.

I liked the mystery but I liked more what was happening between Bea and the Duke. That little zig at the end was unfair!! (Loved it though!)

So fun & clever!

This second book in the series is every bit as fun & clever as the first, in fact even more so! This was a very fun, clean, romantic romp. Beatrice as a heroine is oh so smart and it's fun to see her grow into herself despite her family. It's also nice to see the relationship between Bea & the Duke start to grow. It left me wanting more & I'll definitely be back for more in the next installment!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.