I’m never quite sure how to review these books! This series has become one of my favorites, but it definitely took me some time to get used to the writing style and to warm up to the heroine, so I can see how it might not be everyone’s cup of tea (no pun intended).

Furthermore, I read these books almost exclusively for the relationship between Bea and the Duke, but the series is technically a mystery one. The mysteries are usually serviceable at best, and I often cannot quite grasp exactly how the character(s) solved it. This book is no exception in that respect.

Overall, I liked the book very much, mainly for the character development.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Love the cover. Highly recommend.

Beatrice Hyde-Clare doesn't believe all deaths in London are the result of a sinister plot. But in the case of Peter Huzza, she has a few concerns that it was not an innocent accident. With the help of her husband, the Duke of Kesgrave, she works it all out and solves the mystery.

I should point out that previously I had only read the first book in this series and so I have missed out on a few details from earlier stories. But that didn't stop my enjoyment of the tenth book in the series. I am a bit of a sucker for these regency cozy mysteries and this did not disappoint. There's a mystery, witty banter between the couple and some clever investigation.

Overall, a fun read that I give 3.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and Potatoworks Press for giving me an advanced reader copy. I am providing this review voluntarily.

Readers of the series will be happy to see their favorite detective couple return. However, the grooves of the series are being worn so deep, they could be considered ruts. Newcomers are unlikely to be charmed by Beatrice’s mooning over her husband’s pedantry without the backstory of their courtship. However, it was nice to see familiar faces solving a new mystery.

This is the first book by this author that I have read. I found the story a bit slow and full of unnecessary descriptions. I found I just couldn’t get into the story. I prefer a story that is based solely on the mystery. I received this as an ARC from Netgalley and freely give my review.

I have enjoyed Lynn’s previous novels, having partaken in her Regency Cozy Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries I was eager to return to the story of Beatrice and Damien once more. An Ominous Explosion is the 10th book in this series and these are fun, light and entertaining reads - a little romance, a little mystery and loads of banter to bring a smile to your dial.

“From almost the very beginning, I have been troubled by your recklessness, the way you bound heedlessly into danger, determined to investigate murders that have nothing to do with you,”

Quick to read and not necessary to have read others in the series (though obviously, it will enhance your experience) I highly recommend you sample some of Lynn’s writing. The characters are great with the banter between Bea and Damien an absolute highlight. I have loved this series but feel some of the shine has worn off and I struggled somewhat with this instalment. I still find the writing style unusual - dialogue that tells rather than one-to-one engagement definitely takes something away from the storytelling. You will also learn more than you ever thought possible on the development of steam engines and Bea is almost overconfident - I miss the old dynamics.

‘Only months ago she was a reticent spinster, barely capable of offering a benign reply to a remark about the weather, and now she was a confident investigator sifting through a horrifying tragedy to find a murder plot.’

With murders to solve and chaos to reign in, these light and fun regency romps (solely in the sleuth solving department) are sure to please. It is the perfect book to make that cup of tea with and while away the hour with the quick witted Beatrice and Damien Kesgrave.







This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

New to this author and series so was not sure if the book would be as good as the blurb, i was not disappointed and thoroughly enjoyed this read, Even though i was not in the know regards the characters and backgrounds it was easy enough to follow and not let it distract from the story

Will definately look for more of these

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy

This was my first Beatrice Hyde-Clare mystery and I was excited to be reading a new to me Regency mystery. All the requisites are present for a cozy read, exploding steam engines and dead persons—accident or sabotage? Unfortunately I not only was overwhelmed by the whys and wherefore of steam engines. I found it difficult to relate to characters about whom I needed more background. There are some humorous moments, I liked both Bea, Duchess of Kesgrave and her husband the Duke, Damien. I’m going to have to do some further reading of earlier titles to fully appreciate the back story.

A Victory Editing ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Despite having read none of the books earlier in the series, I felt right at home reading this. I very much enjoyed it and got a feel for the characters and setting right away. I didn't guess the mystery, which is always appreciated, and I am curious to read more of the books in this series.

I knew this was the 10th in a series and was expecting some backstory but I didn't expect it to a sort of follow up to another story.
That said I liked the characters and the styel of writing. i will try other books as I'm curious
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

An Ominous Explosion is the first book I have read by Lynn Messina. Admittedly, it may not be the best practice to jump into a series in book 10, but I was captured by the premised. I think I was able to pick up on Bea’s character and nuances fairly quickly and the author does a good job of providing back details for previous events discussed. I did not feel lost at any point; in fact, I want to go back and learn more about these characters from the beginning. In this book, Bea is present when a steam engine explodes. She has learned to trust her instinct and something about it just seems off. I love how the story captures her additional sleuthing impediments because she is a woman and how she overcomes these! Bea is quite witty and charming. I love her keen intelligence and quick mind. The mystery plays out a good pace and included the right amount of details. I really enjoyed the clean romance with her husband, Damien, and the balance he brings to her character. Lots of fun moments with these two!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Lynn Messina's Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries are always an interesting read! This time the Duchess goes to check on her Uncle and Cousins while her Aunt is out of town and accompanies them to a demonstration of a new railroad engine that ends in a horrible accident. But Beatrice is not so sure and decides to investigate. As she and the Duke look into the incident, Beatrice starts to doubt herself, is she seeing a murder when it is just a terrible accident?

This is a fun and easy read. I enjoy the characters and the way Beatrice's mind works. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #AnOminousExplosion,.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Potatoworks Press for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “An Ominous Explosion.” All opinions and comments are my own.

Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave is back to conduct more of what her Aunt Vera considers her “ghastly activities” in “An Ominous Explosion,” the tenth in the ongoing series by Lynn Messina that finds the duchess undertaking an investigation into the death of a steam engine inventor. And when I say ongoing series, be advised; these are not standalones, as much is mentioned of incidents that occurred in earlier books.

Bea is present when the “Bright Benny,” the steam engine being demonstrated blows up, taking its inventor with it. Opponents who use low pressure steam say that “strong steam” is the culprit -- such a system is dangerous. Well, what clever clogs they are. Bea doesn’t believe it for a minute. With her ever-helpful husband to assist she’s determined to prove it was sabotage. And thus, murder.

What follows is probably more than you ever wanted to know about the development of steam engines in England. There’s the usual scrambling around, interviewing witnesses, and possible suspects, while the Duke of Kesgrave looks properly menacing and Bea asks The Right Questions. Luckily for her, she gets the right answers, ending with an appeal to someone grappling with regret to get a confession. Not without a bit of Kesgrave theatricality, which one has come to expect. And one needs to overlook a few historical inaccuracies, but hey, who’s counting. Finally, to make things All Better, there’s the Kesgrave money, which will also come in very handy.

In between the business of the investigation in “An Ominous Explosion” readers get Beatrice Hyde-Clare still grappling with her role as a member of the upper class. Her worries about her place and how she is doing are portrayed throughout the pages. Methinks the lady doth protest too much. Time to tone this down a bit.

This is a slightly different style to other books in this series. it contained the continuation of the story of Bea and the Duke, and their quirky relationships in their families and households as you would expect, However I was not as engaged in this mystery as with previous ones I learned more about steam than I wanted to know and this was not an obvious murder like the other's it made it a bit more heavy going than expected having read all the series. Still the banter and dialogue would in over any existing fans but isn't the best book for a new reader to start with I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Totally charmed! I have listened to this entire series on Audible and I adored every minute!

Bea is such a character, and somehow in book one, she found a murdered body at the same time the as the Duke of Kesgrave, and voila, the journey began!

Now Bea and Kesgrave are married and although he would rather Bea not get involved in murder mysteries (yes bodies just seem to land in her way!), he goes along to support her.

This time, Messina has combined a lot of history of the Steam Engine, when an inventor gets killed by an explosion. Of course Bea thinks it is not an accident and she jumps in the try to figure out what had truly happened.

As always, humor, a little suspense, fun characters and a handsome husband who dotes on her. What more could you want?

In the past few months I’ve binged read Lynn Messina’s delightful series about quirky wallflower Beatrice who has the knack for solving mysteries. In the earlier books, she attracted the attention of the Duke of Kesgrave and, by this entry in the series, she’s now the Duchess of Kesgrave. The mystery is interesting and Beatrice exercises her deductive skills as she and the Duke visit various suspects and ask questions trying to figure out who has the motive and ability to engineer the “ominous explosion” of the title.

The main complaint I have is that there are lots of references to characters and events from earlier novels in the series. I read those books in the past couple of months and I couldn’t remember some of these details or characters. There is very little help given to the reader to learn who these people are who appear or are referenced in the novel. I don’t need for the whole plots of earlier books to be summarized each novel, but I don’t think anyone who hasn’t read the earlier books relatively recently would enjoy this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I was somewhat disappointed in this one. I've read all the others in the series and enjoyed Bea's investigations and her relationship with her husband, Kesgrave. But in this book, the plot and characters seem to be overpowered by irrelevant descriptions and pointless, excessive babbling about nothing. None of it added to the sense of period, the plot or gave any added depth to the characters. It just took up space. I found my eyes glazing over constantly and ended up skimming through a lot. It is a shame because Bea is an interesting character and the plot was a good one. Unfortunately, they both seemed to get lost.

I love this series but the charm has worn off now Bea and Damien are married. I liked it better when shy spinster Bea came up with madcap schemes and the Duke of Kesgrave was so besotted, he fell in line with whatever she planned. Now everyone knows her propensity for fancying herself a Lady Runner. Damien wishes she would NOT investigate murders and wants to keep her safe. He tags along on her investigation this time mainly to keep her safe.

The plot is not the most interesting. I worked at a mill museum that had a steam engine in Bea's time- as a backup power source for the water wheel and later as the main power source. I read the Poldark stories so I got the history of steam engines from Winston Graham. Steam engines don't interest me that much. This story would have bored me to tears before I took the job at the museum and learned about the hometown ironworker turned inventor who owned it. This story may not be the most popular one of the series. There's just too much history dumped on the reader even if it comes from the characters. The mystery has very few suspects but I still never guessed who, if anyone, sabotaged the engine. It sure sounded to me like the typical overfed engine that will blow up on boats and trains all the time later in the century but of course Bea is correct as always. I was starting to find her technique a little annoying as she went around accusing people of murder willy nilly without proof. She acknowledges her usual technique and everyone knows about it LOL! This time [she manages to figure out whodunit before the murderer comes after her! At least after accusing other people... (hide spoiler)] This novel didn't have that edge of your seat feeling. I was able to put it down and go to sleep and pick it up again the next morning.

Bea has really come into her own. She's almost overconfident now and acknowledges that. After only 6 weeks of marriage and 6 months of investigating murders, she's become notorious and her success has somewhat gone to her head. She's less in her head, less insecure now. Bea is super observant and sharp. She sees things no one else sees or that a murderer doesn't want seen. Her instincts are sound even if she doesn't have proof. Because she's been nearly killed so many times, now she's taking fencing lessons. She longs for a pair of leather boots from Hoby so she can run more easily but even her husband draws the line asking his bootmaker for a pair. Hoby would expire on the spot! This desire is the source of some of the witty banter between Bea and her beloved husband. Damien is still swoony. He does try to distract Bea with sex, which normally I hate, but it doesn't work with her and he knows it doesn't work but he loves her and wants her to be safe and if he can distract her and please her with someone ELSE she enjoys, all the better. (All off page of course). He will give Bea anything she desires - aside from a pair of Hoby boots. Damien is also a loving grandson. Bea helps him understand how his grandmother is feeling and how best to deal with her. Damien's instinct is to protect those he loves by worrying and wrapping them in cotton wool. Bea knows the Dowager still feels independent in spite of her great age and minor infirmities. She doesn't need him to smother her with worry just yet. I can see why the Dowager reacts badly to his worry and I would feel the same way but I know she loves her grandson. She shows it by her approval of Bea and everything Bea does.

Aunt Vera is still unintelligent and unable to handle the change in her niece's situation without nearly fainting but she's trying to make amends, or so the Duke thinks anyway. I think Aunt Vera is much kinder than Aunt Petunia Dursley but she did treat Bea pretty much the same way as Aunt Petunia treated Harry Potter. Aunt Vera can't really openly admit her mistakes based on misassumptions and to be fair, why wouldn't she believe the stories she was told? She wasn't there when Bea's parents died, she wasn't close to them to know about Bea's mother's activities. She only knows the morals she was brought up with and Bea's mother didn't fit the mold. Aunt Vera also knows how cruel the world can be to a young lady of unconventional parents. She did her best and she's trying to please her niece and nephew-in-law now. Uncle Horace seems indifferent to his wife's nagging but he's really not. He knows how much his marriage is worth and isn't about to rock the boat. He cared deeply for his only brother and is trying to make up for lost time with Bea. Flora manages not to be super annoying. She misses her beau and fights with her brother. Russell, on the other hand, really mans up! He's becoming a man and when his mother isn't around he actually acts like one. I feel bad for him now. He's trying to be a young gentleman of the ton and spread his wings. I really appreciate him more now and I think Bea does too.

The mystery involves a new high pressure steam engine invented by Mr. Peter Huzza. He builds on the concept of Trevithick's steam carriage that had exploded when the valve was left on. This engine has a melting valve that will disintegrate if the boiler gets too hot. It has a carriage that runs on tracks with gears which he envisions bringing people to the seaside (a tram, a sort of early train). I can picture the engine because of the museum I worked at but I'm not sure others will be able to. Mr. Huzza is very eager to show off his invention and play to the crowd. He's kind of a show off and even goes so far as to feed his own engine with coal while wearing white clothes. The more he plays to the crowd, the more excited people will be and will invest in his invention, I guess. He seems kind of egotistical though. Still, he doesn't deserve to be blown to smithereens. Did he make a mistake and put in too much coal? It seems unlikely because he was feeding it by hand without gloves so that limits how much coal one can place in the boiler at any given time. DID someone deliberately kill Huzza? It seems risky because there was no way of knowing he would be feeding the boiler and no way of knowing if he would be in the boiler hut at the time it exploded.

The Hyde-Clares make the aquaintance of a Mr. Grimes, a macaroni who loves steam engines and is eager to invest in one for his mill. Yet he strongly discourages everyone from investing. Could it be he wants all the shares for himself? Or is there something else going on? I think he's a paid spokesperson. He's a little too enthusiastic and discouraging people will only make them want to invest more. Reverse psychology?

Leopold Lynch, a manufacturer and partner in Huzza's business surely has no reason to kill his partner. They stand to make a fortune on the new invention. With it gone and people afraid of steam power once again, he'll lose a lot of money. When Bea and Damien show up, indeed he thinks they are creditors come to ruin him. He's also extremely drunk. I don't think he's faking it. I think he's upset at losing money and less upset at losing his partner but then some clues do point in his direction. Martin Rhodes also helped with the design of the engine. He made the valve plug and is highly regarded by both Huzza and Lynch. He too is very drunk when Bea and Damien come to ask questions. He seems sincerely upset and blames himself for Huzza's death. How awful! I don't think he has it in him to murder someone.

It was DEFINATELY the lying liar Garfield/Garrow. He lies about his name, his identity-everything. A middle class busisnessman, he works for a rival steam company, one that uses low pressure steam. Low pressure steam is deemed safter and his firm stands to make a bundle off the misfortune of Huzza if they play their cards right. He seems sleazy and feeds false information to the press to enhance his own business interests. Mr. Tarwich, his younger business partner, is the public face of the company. He doesn't seem to know much about anything. Mr. Tarwich seems nice enough but he could be in league with Garrow to sink another man's business to build their own. I think one or both men were involved in the murder. What about their clerk, Mr. Heath, is he involved? He seems passionate about the company and eager to please. He's dedicated to his work. But... he was in the army and he would know how to make a bomb! He has a powerful motive- to help his employers. I don't want it to be him. He seems nice and has a large family to feed. That would be terrible for them if Mr. Heath was a murderer.

Or was it Waugh? He's a shrewed businessman who lives to make money. He claims he just wants to develop properties and he doesn't seem interested in steam power at all. Is he lying? Mr. Waugh certainly seems ruthless enough to stop at nothing to get what he wants. Mr. Huzza's heirs were the widows and orphans of soldiers killed in the war. Would the board of governors murdered their benefactor to get their hands on the money sooner before he changed his mind? Oh Bea! This makes no sense. Why would they do that when they could potentially inherit MORE money later on down the line? If Huzza dies with the engine, what money does he have left to leave?

A more likely suspect is Lieutenant-Colonel Rupert Flexmore. He works for the military ensuring supplies get to where they need to go on time. He's very rude and keeps issuing the Regency version of "no comment" but his comments give Damien enough information to realize they've stumbled across the truth. The questions he won't answer is whether he sabotaged the engine. He had the means and opportunity but what about motive? This guy is a piece of work and he threatens Bea so he must be a villain! It must be a personal motive against Huzza.

Which one is the real murderer and why? Or does Bea see murder everywhere and it was really just a tragic accident?

This book needs a historical note for those who are unaware of the history of steam engines.

I’ve always loved the Beatrice Hyde-Clare books and the mysteries she and Kesgrave untangled, but I’m sad to say I didn’t love this particular installment.

The plot felt rushed - over before it had truly begun and I miss the witty banter throughout between Kesgrave and Bea.

If you prefer a mystery with little romance, you’ll probably like this one but as I compare it to the previous books in the series, I couldn’t help but find it wanting.

Nevertheless I will likely continuing reading the series only because I love the characters Messina created and the mysteries she concocts but I’d be remiss if I didn’t say how much I missed the fun aspects of Bea and Kesgrave’s relationship.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.

Just a bit of disclosure. I love Beatrice Hyde Clare, the bookish, curious, prior wallflower spinster, and new Duchess of Kesgrave, as well as her husband, the pedantic, but so lovingly affectionate and enabling Duke. I always look forward to every book in this Regency-set cozy mystery series since book 1.

As per usual, I find the series light hearted, fun, and easy to read. I love the continued growth of the affectionate and loving relationship between the couple, and their bright and humorous banter. Bea is definitely not a snob, and still is trying to wrap her head around being lifted up to the status of being a Duchess, and the Duke is conflicted in trying to balance his love and worry for his wife, and his desire to aid and enable her in her efforts. He worries about the risks she has faced, including in his own home, but rather than wrapping her in cotton batting and controlling her, which he knows will just destroy her and their relationship, he helps her when she can, and procures resources to help her and keep her safe, including lessons in defense and weaponry.

Though, he does draw the line at lying to Hoby in order to get a pair of custom made hessians for his wife, so she can properly engage in a foot chase, which cannot be done in silk ladies slippers. After all, a stylish aristocrat has to draw the line somewhere, and he dare not mislead or potentially insult the famed bootmaker!

On saying that, I enjoyed the continuation of the story of Bea and the Duke, and their various relationships in their families and households, but I was not as engaged in this mystery as with previous ones. This one involved Bea witnessing a steam engine demonstration with her uncle and cousins, and witnessing an explosion of the same at the exhibition, annihilating the inventor. Perhaps it was because it did not directly involve Bea herself, but I did not not have the same attachment or feel the same vivacity and energy that I did with the previous stories, at least not with the actual crime/mystery itself. The characters and their details were still quite well written and enjoyable, and I enjoyed the insights into Bea's thought processes though.

So light, fun, enjoyable, but for me not as much as the previous books in the series. Still, I do love their graces, their relationship, and their quirky family and households and will be happy to read more about their adventures because they make me smile, and lift my heart.

3.25 stars out of 5.