Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Verity Lark Mysteries #5
Publication Date: 7/11/25
Period: Regency
Number of Pages: 408

I always look forward to each new entry into the Verity Lark series, and this one was well worth the wait. As always, it is filled with wit and good humor along with a superior cast of characters and a great mystery.

It seems Twaddle-Thum has a competitor, Mrs. Flimmer-Flam, and she’s out to get Her Outrageousness, The Duchess of Kesgrave. That will never do! Not only has Flimmer-Flam called the duchess a murderer, but she’s also maligned the good name of Twaddle-Thum. So, all hands are on deck to track down Flimmer-Flam’s identity and set the record straight.

Who is behind Flimmer-Flam? Is it just someone with a grudge against the Duchess? Is it more than one person? How many bodies will there be before the mystery is solved?

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, but I did find it a bit slow in places. I loved seeing Verity’s anxiety in dealing with the Duchess – and how they might actually work through it all. The growth in Verity’s relationship with Hardwicke was a delight to watch as well because of her reaction to actually realizing she has feelings.

If you’re looking for a witty, humorous read with wonderful characters and a great mystery, you should give this book a try.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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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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