As a big fan of the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mysteries, I was hesitant about reading this series. I was afraid Verity would just be “lower-class Bea.” But while the two women certainly have some similarities (a tendency to overthink, for one), Verity and her series are both very original and quite enjoyable.

I really enjoyed the first chapter of this book, which was told from the Duke of Kesgrave’s POV. While “crossover” episodes often feel like filler, this chapter was well done and allowed us to learn more about Damien, and by extension, Verity.

Like Verity herself, Colson Hardwicke is an intriguing, well-written character, and it’s enjoyable to watch Verity trying to figure him out at the same time the reader is! It’s also quite fun to see Verity- who does not really trust people in general, but has a particularly low opinion of men, grappling with their growing attraction, which age does not yet recognize.

Like the BHC series by this author, the mysteries are generally secondary to the characters for me, so I won’t give a verdict there. But I will say that this is a satisfying installment in an excellent series that I enjoy very much and wholeheartedly recommend.

The author has managed to achieve something special here in this storyline. We have a female need truly independent for her time. She has an adversary that is more romantic friend than enemy. Verity has a reputation that is spotless and she is sought after in a society that relates women to menial tasks or responsibilities. A body is found in a rundown section with ties to her enemy Colson Hardwicke, she finds she needs answers for herself and Colson. Stellar

This was a charming and delightful story. The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were engaging and witty. I highly recommend this fun and quick read! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

I continue to enjoy Lynn Messina's books and look forward to each new release.
I love how intertwined the Verity Lark series is with the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series, which could prove challenging for new readers.

Messina continues to ride heavily detailed mysteries, which I really like. I definitely find I have to pay close attention so I don't miss the clues and the red herrings. It can be a blink-and-miss-it situation if your mind drifts or eyes get pulled from the page.

I like the ongoing character development of Verity and her friends, as well as the mind knots she tangles herself up in over Hardwicke (really looking forward to how this relationship progresses!).

Beatrice and Damien, the Duchess and Duke of Kesgrave, are frequently mentioned and featured in this book as Verity's life becomes more intwined with theirs, though they don't fully realize it. With their frequent presence in the book, it is becoming more critical that readers also read the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series (which I also love), otherwise many references would not make sense. Accordingly, I would be hesitant to recommend this book as a standalone, but would recommend at least reading the first Verity Lark book and the most recent two Beatrice books, at the very least, in order to get a fuller understanding of the world Messina has created.

All in all, a fun mystery and I will be back to read more!!

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of the book. The review is entirely my own opinion.

Not your typical mystery book. This was different than I expected, and not at all what I anticipated the ending would be. If you like unique reads this is a good one.

Verity Lark- just as compelling as Beatrice Hyde-Clare. Verity is adept at using her skills of disguise and investigation during her day to day life as Mr. Twaddlethumb, London's most eminent gossip columnist. Secure in her abilities, she takes offense when Colson Hardwicke offers her a job to impersonate his sister as he investigates a man who he suspects is acting as a double agent. She instead takes it as a challenge, and undertakes her own investigation. The stakes are higher in this case than usual for Verity's line of work, but she's definitely up for the challenge.

What a fun little story. I haven't yet read the first book in this spin off series, A Lark's Tale, but had no trouble jumping into this one, and I appreciated its connection to the most recent entry in the Beatrice series. I was instantly engaged in the mystery, and in love with Verity's character. She has the perfect disguise for every situation and isn't afraid to put herself in harm's way to find the truth. I also enjoyed her antagonistic relationship with Hardwicke; you know they will end up being perfect for each other, if she's just willing to give it a chance. Lovely historical fiction with a strong leading lady. Would recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This period mystery romp took me quite a few chapters to get into but by the end I was thinking I’d go back and read the first one and am also looking forward to the next Verity Lark mystery. Thank you to #netgalley and #pitatoworkspress for this. copy of #alarksflught to read and review, all opinions are my own.

In the latest Verity Lark mystery, Lynn Messina has created an engaging, high-stakes, and enthralling mystery. Verity, now knowing her brother’s identity, keeps calm and carries on, rising to Hardwicke’s challenging of her investigative abilities as she solves another murder, this one murdered in a boarding house and somehow tied to a Luddite insurrection. Verity Lark, clever, capable, and captivating as ever, uses her many talents -- disguise, deduction, and old-fashioned persistence -- to work her way into the center of Hardwicke’s and the Luddites’ webs. Messina once again continues to create clever historical mysteries with strong plots and interesting events built into them, but the characters remain the stars of her mysteries. Verity continues to grow as a character, yet her interactions with her friends, enemies, family, and confusing belligerent ally (Hardwicke) reveal Verity’s true depths as a woman investigator. Messina’s ability to create lively, engaging, and amusing characters serves her well, especially when compared with the dastardly vagabonds that Verity pursues. Messina’s historical mysteries provide fun and occasionally mind-boggling diversions for her readers, while her understanding of historical events adds to the authentic feel of her novels.

Verity Lark is an incurable gossip and reporter. She refuses a job that she finds menial and doesn't care for and definitely does not want to work for the man. Life continues for Verity. Then a man's body is found in a shady part of town. Verity is involved and perhaps a bit over head in trying to solve the mystery. This is the second book in the series and it can be read as a stand-alone. It is a good and quick read.

Lynn Messina's latest book, A Lark's Flight, is a delightful read. We meet up with Verity Lark again as she takes on a murder mystery while seeking out more fodder for her gossip column and other news reports. She has long been watching her half-brother, the Duke of Kesgrave, and more recently his wife. In this installment she gets a bit closer, and it definitely leaves the reader waiting for more of the story. Meanwhile, she dances around the presence of Lord Colson Hardwicke, constantly trying to show she is a capable woman (even though he already knows this). I do believe her defences might be about to fall by the end of this installment. I look forward to further stories from this series.

I give this book fourr stars. Thank you to Netgalley and The Book Whisperer for the free advanced reader copy. I have provided this review voluntarily.

A great follow on from the first book in this series sees Verity Lark is at it again and this book is definitely an entertaining read.

This is a mystery to get your teeth stuck into, with many layers, an abundance of mystery and wonderful to read. Verity becomes involved in a murder investigation adn with her smarts, courage and confidence she is all in. She makes the investigation very intriguing and the other characters in the book are great and well thought out supporting characters.

A well written and easy to read book that is fun and entertaining yet holds your interesting with the mystery and the investigation and murder. Easy reading doesn't mean it is boring as this in no way is that and will keep you reading and wanting more.

A great read and I look forward to seeing what comes next for Verity Lark.

Thank you NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I tried so hard to get into this, but just was having a difficult time following the story! I've read tons of great reviews, so I think maybe this one just wasn't for me. I may have fared better if I had read the first one recently to help grasp some of the story line. I think this might be a wonderful audiobook to explore and I may have an easier time keeping things straight via audio! If you love regency romance, I'm bet you will enjoy this!

Thank you to The Book of Whispers, the author and Netgalley for my Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Verity Lark is the perfect combination of wit and intellect! Her brain is always thinking ten steps ahead of everyone around her, which makes her so annoyed when Hardwicke can not only keep up with her but can challenge her to solve a mystery he is working on. The mystery plot was so complicated that I spent the entire book trying to unravel the hundreds of threads Verity pulled on in her many disguises. I really enjoyed that this book had characters from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mysteries without letting the characters from those books control this plot. The first book in this series got a little confusing as Lynn Messina tried to separate it from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series, but this one stood on its own! I loved it as a companion series and also as a standalone novel. I love the characters and how they interact with each other. The romance plotline barely existed as both characters rarely interacted and were very much in denial about their feelings, but I loved their tension! I hope Lynn Messina writes more books in this series so we can see the romance develop over time. She is a master of the slow-burn tension over a series, and I hope she does it again in this series!

Thank you to The Book Whisperer and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this mystery and hope there are more books in this series soon!

I really tried but just could not get into this book. I think its just not my cup of tea, as I see some lovely five star reviews. I reread the Netgalley synopsis and just expected something with more dynamism. Its taking a very long time to get going and I find myself looking to skip parts that seem more descriptive. I don't find the narrative is holding my attention so I'm stepping away.

With thanks to The Book of Whispers, the author and Netgalley for my Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

What's not to love that is written by this author? Having listened in audible to the entire Beatrice Hyde-Clare series and enjoyed every second, I was so glad to see this new series..

Delightful characters (with Verity being 3 in one!), murder and mystery set this off to a remarkable, fun journey to finding out what is going on!!

Cannot wait for more!

Thank you NetGalley and Book Whisperer for the advance copy. New to Lynn Messina and will definitely be checking out more of her books after this. As this is I believe the second book in the Lark series it took me a chapter or two to figure out the multitude of characters and personas but once into the swing of Messina’s fast paced and witty style it was a joy to read along and discover who and what next. With overtones of Sherlock Holmes but with a strong female lead in a time when most women were hiding behind their ruffles and feathers and doing their husbands’ bidding, it was unusual and refreshing, humorous and clever. Very enjoyable and I look forward to reading more.

I am a big Lynn Messina fan, having started with the Harlow sisters and graduating to the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mysteries. I read the first "Lark" book and was looking forward to this sequel. I still get somewhat "lost" when the female protagonist goes through every thought in her head before making a statement or decision, but I've learned to just go with the flow and not rush, just to get to more of the plotline. However, it can be annoying if you're not used to that. This one was a little slower to rope me in, but then, as usual, it did, and I stayed up late to finish the unraveling of the convoluted flight. It was nice to "see" (SPOILER to follow)

the Duke from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series make an appearance -- and what a delightful and entertaining appearance -- in this book.

These books are certainly NOT steamy and I appreciate that. I find it much more enjoyable to enjoy characters, plots, and mysteries than repetitive "bedroom" (or carriage, parlor, library, study, etc., etc., ad nauseum) scenes. Ms. Messina's books are highly entertaining and just plain fun, and her characters are highly developed and engrossing.

I very much look forward to more books about these protagonists, both Bea and Verity. #NetGalley #ALarksFlight

This one was a bit of a miss for me.

Too many pages of description before any dialogue happens. I wanted to like the story but it moved too slow for me. I am sure that it will find its perfect readers who will enjoy it immensely!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review it..

A Lark’s Flight by Lynn Messina was a slightly different Regency mystery. There are two stories here, although one takes precedence: Verity Lark and her multiple personas, as well as The Duke of Kesgrave, seeing her one day and believing she looked just like his dead mother. Lying to his wife for the first time, he sets off to investigate. One of Verity’s personas is that of investigator, in which she has many disguises. In this case she is “partnered” with a man named Hardwicke who is investigating sedition against his government. Yes, Verity discovers he is a government agent. This part of the story is very convoluted and I’m not at all sure it’s worth the bother. Between crossing swords with Hardwicke and conducting her own investigation it gets boring.

Verity is a good character, possibly a little ADHD which is why she needs to have so much going on all the time. Her pretending to be her brother, Robert, who writes for a newspaper is intriguing, as she never puts in an appearance at the office but continues to do good work, so they let her/him alone. Her second persona as a gossip columnist is equally as entertaining. She never has to admit it is her, for obvious reasons. If the whole thing weren’t quite so convoluted it would be better. I had trouble staying in the story, in fact it put me to sleep. The plot was complicated, as many spy stories are, but not written as well as it might have been. I am amazed when I read reviews of people who lived this book. It was OK.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Lark’s Flight by The Book Whisperer, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #TheBookWhisperer #LynnMessina #ALarksFlight

Historical drama which took a long time to get going and left me very confused at times. Got better as it went on and became an enjoyable read.