Month: May 2025

A Pernicious Fabrication by Lynn Messina

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

A Pernicious Fabrication (Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries, #13)

Barbara’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Series: Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mystery #13
Publication Date: 3/7/2025
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 328

Beatrice (Bea), Her Outrageousness, the Duchess of Kesgrave, has another murder to solve, and it hits close to home. Mortimer Matlock, the Duke’s first cousin, has been brutally murdered in his art studio – with one of his own implements. How did they learn of Mortimer’s demise? Well!! The notorious criminal Hell and Fury Hawes, known as the King of Saffron Hill, has visited them and asked them to solve the murder because it might appear he committed the crime – and he did not. No, they would never do Hawes any favors, but this is a crime they must solve because the Duke’s grandmother deserves justice for her other grandson.

Both Bea and Kesgrave suspect Hawes wants more than a solution to the murder, but they don’t know what it could be. Asking for their help will cause them to look into much of his criminal enterprise, and he would never do that without a very compelling reason. What else might he want?

Their inquiries lead them into a fake antiquities scheme that even extends to the British Museum. Nobles and criminals are involved in the scheme, and Bea and Kesgrave must navigate it all while keeping themselves safe.

I absolutely love this series! Quirky, humorous, warm, interesting Bea keeps the bad guys and Kesgrave guessing about what she’ll do next – and her leaps of logic are priceless. If you like an interesting mystery with wit and humor, then you’ll love this book and this series.

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Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood

On By TracyIn Contemporary, New To Me Author, Paranormal / Fantasy, Standalone Title, Tracy's Reviews, Young AdultLeave a comment

RewitchedRewitched by Lucy Jane Wood

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: September 17, 2024

Belladonna “Belle” Blackthorn is a witch from a very powerful magical family. Belle came into her powers at 15, but has maintained a primarily non-magical life, she does use small incantations but for the most part she hasn’t really embraced her magic and has pretty much taken it for granted. She works at a charming little bookstore and lives with her best friend (who doesn’t know she is a witch), she is content but doesn’t take any risks. So, when she gets visit from Rune, a warlock in her coven, she learns that on her thirtieth birthday, she must present herself to the coven to undergo the EquiWitch trial, and be judged worthy of keeping her powers, she is understandably thrown for a loop.

The trial doesn’t go well, but thanks to a loophole, Belle is given a second chance to prove herself to the coven, but the catch is that she will have only 30 days to prepare or risk losing her powers for good. Her magical mentor has a shady past and may or may not have killed his brother, but upon meeting Artorius “Arty” Day, she can’t believe he could be the villain the coven leaders said he is. With Arty’s help Belle delves into magic and realizes how much she wants to keep her powers. But when things turn dark, she may have to give up her magic to keep the people she loves safe.

This was a charming, well-written witchy story with wonderful characters and a happy ending. I loved Belle, she is caught between two worlds and at thirty still hasn’t decided what she is doing with her life. I loved watching her rediscover the thrill of magic and moving outside of her comfort zone. Overall, this was a good read with likable characters, secrets, magic, danger, shocking revelations, dear friends and family, an annoyingly good-looking warlock and a spectacular ending. This is my first time reading this author, and while I felt the story dragged a bit at times and I would have enjoyed a bit more romance, overall, I enjoyed her writing style and am looking forward to her next book.