A Ghastly Spectacle: A Regency Cozy

Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries, Book 8

By: Lynn Messina

Narrated by: Jill Smith

Length: 7 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

Since the new Duchess of Kesgrave cannot be swayed from her unfortunate interest in dead bodies, Lady Abercrombie decides to confront the matter head-on by hosting a murder mystery dinner party. Gathering together several of society’s most influential members, she concocts an amusing puzzle-play, assigns roles, and stands back to allow Bea to impress them all with her ingenuity.

The former spinster will be the height of fashion in no time. Huzzah!

No, she won’t, Bea thinks. Her status has increased with her marriage, yes, but so have the insecurities that bedeviled her first season. Far from charming everyone with her wit, she will appall them with her inability to form coherent or interesting sentences.

’Tis a three-act tragedy in the making.

But then, one of the guests is killed in the same manner as her ladyship’s victim, and the evening turns genuinely tragic. Horrified, the august company scurry for the exits, and Bea, determined to detain all her lovely suspects, throws herself bodily against the door. Intimidated or not, she will identify the murderer - even if it guarantees her social ruin. 

©2021 Lynn Messina (P)2021 Lynn Messina

Disappointed

Normally I have enjoyed Lynn Messina books but this one frustrated me to no end. The banter between her two main characters has grown exponentially to the point that the verbal sparing completely drowns out the story line. There is a fine line between jocularity and down right silliness and this book crossed that line. I also normally enjoy the narrator’s enthusiasm but in this book I think the animated presentation contributed to the absurdity of the behaviors of her characters and overall becomes a distraction from the storyline.

Wow!!!

This is one of my favorites! It’s very “Agatha Christie” with a romantic flair. Plot is intricate again, and it’s wonderful hearing Lady Beatrice out all the puzzle pieces together. The only thing that I don’t like is the constant mention of how “plain” she is. Love the magnifying g glass symbol!!! I can feel the love between them…it was there from the first instant they laid eyes on each other…❤️

Lack of support for Bea

The beginning of the tale comes with a murder - no surprise. However, during the story, where was Kesgrave's intolerance of how the Ton spoke to and about Bea, especially while in his presence? In other books he got angry when she was insulted. Or at least check with her to see if he needed to take action. Our heroine, of course would take it in stride and deal with it.
The mystery was good and did keep me guessing, and I adored the narration, but this one wasn't my favorite of the series. It kind of lacked the spark in my mind.

A Ghastly Spectacle

This book definitely has my favorite climactic sequence in the series thus far. (I’ll admit I’m a huge sucker for a good ‘relief-induced expressions of affection’ scene.) The eleventh-hour reveal was presented beautifully as always, with this one being particularly impressive as it turns the narrative on its head. Overall, this was another fantastic entry in this engaging series.
I received a free Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Wonderful

So glad to get back to the Duke and Bea! Another delightful mystery and so glad to see Bea get her due in a little more acceptance.

Storyline and narration perfect as usual! Thank you Lynn!

A little like a regency game of Clue 😁

Lots of characters and dialogue to keep track of, but in a fun and clever way!

Not my favorite BHC mystery, but still a good one.

Jill Smith was great as always. I like the way she brings the characters to life. I would love to see a story from Damien's perspective. I think every fan is waiting on that one! Maybe Bea gets pregnant and is bedridden with morning sickness and Damien has to take the helm? Not a terrible premise. Please🙏 keep this series going! It's one of my Top 5 favorite series of all-time! Definitely worth your listen. Can't wait for the next one!

Too much internal dialogue!

I have enjoyed this historical romance series about a poor orphaned spinster and a duke solving murder mysteries. I've always waited impatiently for the next installment of this well written book. The first five chapters of book eight, consist of a running internal dialogue from the female lead about how frightened she is to speak with the guest at a dinner party given in her honor. This seemed backwards to me, she had begun to become more assertive and self assured with each new book. Chapter six picked up the story line and I finally began to enjoy the book, but there were only eight chapters left, what a waste of the first five chapters. Enjoyed the narration as always and I am still a fan of this series.

Just Gets Better!! Love This Series!

Still one of my favorite series. It seems many go down hill around books 7-8, but this series has not! I love the writing style with the snarky banter in a Jane Austin-like era and characters with the mix of a murder mystery. I have listened to this entire series with my 14-year-old daughter and just started it with my two boys (12 & 16). They are now on book 3 and thoroughly enjoying the books too.

The narrator does an incredible job with all the acting and all the voice differentiations, she's in my top 10 favorite narrators along with Jim Dale.

Highly Recommend this series to cozy mystery and Jane Austin fans!!!

Beatrice got it right in the end…

This one ran the gamut of emotions and every time I thought I had figured out who did it I turned out to be wrong. I absolutely adore it when the author fools me. Enjoy!