Anyone who’s read my reviews on the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries knows this series is my ride or die when it comes to cozy mysteries. The writing? Chef’s kiss. Bea and the Duke of Kesgrave? My fictional besties.

That said, the last book left me feeling mildly concerned—Bea was a little off her game, a little indecisive, and I wasn’t fully in love with it. So, when I picked up book 13 (yes, 13! We are deep in this series), I had a tiny moment of trepidation.

I should not have worried.

This time, Bea and her adoring husband, Damien, find themselves entangled in two mysteries:

1. A murder in the family – Damien’s cousin has been killed in cold blood.

2. An art crime ring – Because why stop at one scandal when you can expose an entire network?

Technically, they’re acting on orders from Hawley—yes, that Hawley, the criminal overlord of London—but let’s be real. Bea has never been one for taking orders. Justice will be served.

Bea is BACK. The indecisiveness from the last book? Gone. She’s sharper, more confident, and—while she hasn’t fully realised just how much she’s grown since book one—she’s getting there. There’s a quiet shift in how she sees herself, and it’s incredibly satisfying to watch unfold. All hail Queen Bea. The writing is as brilliant as ever. Messina’s signature wit and perfectly paced storytelling are in full force.

The relationship between Bea and Damien continues to be one of my favourites in the genre. Smart, supportive, full of teasing banter—I could read about these two forever.

This series continues to be one of my absolute favourites, and A Pernicious Fabrication just solidified that even further. Messina delivers another sharp, engaging, and delightfully twisty mystery, and I am already counting down to the next one.

Long live Bea. Long live this series.
Final Verdict: 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


(ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.)

The storyline is interesting, there are a lot of different secondary characters/suspects. some sweet moments between Bea and Kesgrave and a bit of humor, that had me laughing out loud and made for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I love the interaction between Bea and her husband Kesgrave as they interview all the suspects in the case.

I enjoyed this more than I thought when I started it. The premise was a bit insane to me - a criminal overlord comes to Bea and Kesgrave when his forgerer is murdered. This one deals with the very lucrative world of antiquities and what happens when a fabulously talented artist - the duke's cousin no less - is denied access to the Royal Academy. There's one scene in this where Bea is presented with a rout cake business venture that had me in absolute stitches. I had to suspend my disbelief when our favourite couple rub shoulders with criminal masterminds in their own neighbourhood and escape unscatched but I thought the plot was riveting and I loved their romance very very much.

What a great series.

My endless thanks to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for this ARC!

This was an intense whodunnit that drew you into its plot the more you read. I found it hard to identify with characters to start, but the book grew on me and ended up being a thoroughly enjoyable read. There are some well established characters as this is the latest in a series of books focusing on a duchess nicknamed ‘her outrageousness’ as she bucks social trends to satisfy her urge to investigate a crime. The plot is intricate and well worked with a few red herrings thrown in, making this an absorbing novel.

A new Bea installment! I must say, I was unprepared to receive an arc, but I did! And although I am an excellent reader who reads readily, everyone says so, I had to prepare myself to start this reading feast and it was oh so worth the effort!
The mystery was excellent. The pace of the investigation was similar to the “Murderous Tryst”, so a lot of door-to-door information collection, but being experienced blitz-investigators, the two graces completed the task within few days. The final chapter had me on the edge of my seat. Althoug, I have to side with Dazzling Damien on this one: his concern was warranted, since it wasn’t a harmless stunt to throw.
Nevertheless, at this rate their extended group of acquaintances will be extinguished before the house party can even start (and I am not talking about the corpses of the Incomparables!). Of course, someone has to die for the mystery to be solved, but what about unassuming neighbors or their staff? (chefs excluded, because not again, obviously)
This installment glitters with linguistic delights, a gripping mystery, unexpected fan fodder, drop-ins from some of the characters that were missed in the previous books and genius business ideas. Also, a plot thread from the last Verity book. An enticing gobelin of stories, thoughts and developments!
I am already queuing at the first ever “Her Outrageousness’s Rout Cake House”, which (in my mind) naturally will open on July 10th, the international rout cake day, and the entrance will only be granted upon the utterance of the right code word (“lemon drop”). Although, I am more interested in those asparagus tartelettes (in March no less! This hothouse is good for more than pineapples) which will be available for members only, obviously.
Just to put it out there, because those are so delightful! :
Muses will muse, brawlers will brawl and overlords of the underworlds will manage (but probably without keeping in mind the fundamental humanity of their subjects). And now I have to think about a way to causally drop “I am such an excellent muse” into conversations.
Thanks to netgally for the arc. The opinions are my own, some of the linguistic gems are borrowed from “A Pernicious Fabrication”, because they are so good, they need to be in constant use.

Part of a series featuring the Duke and Duchess Kesgrave who solve murders together. A bit slow to get started but soon perked up. A good read.