I love Lynn Messina's writing! Her character's are well developed and her plots move at a rapid pace. This novel had twists and turns and was a delight to read. I look forward to the next adventure that Verity finds herself involved in.

At the beginning of the book Verity Lark is in prison. Once released she begins to investigate a series of crimes - art forgery, art theft, and eventually a murder. Her investigation, with the assistance of her friend Delphine and potential suitor Hardwicke, also leads to revelations about her own past and family. The author does a good job tying together all of the plot lines at the end and moving the relationship between Hardwicke and Verity forward. This is the 4th book in the series, and I think a new reader would be confused by the characters' relationships and back stories that are alluded to but not explained in detail. There are also numerous long passages of Verity musing about possible disguises or analyzing in detail her relationship with Hardwicke; these passages bring the action to a grinding halt but are easily skimmed or skipped. Thanks to NetGalley and Potatoworks Press for the ARC.

Like always, huge thanks to Lynn Messina, her publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC.

What can I say, Ms. Messina is on automatic read/buy for me. I discovered her Beatrice Hyde series eight books in and have steadily devoured everything she's published since. I have loved her way of melding both series together while keeping each FMC true to herself, and the focus of their own books. My ONLY complaint is that I know we're in for a long wait where Verity and Hardwicke are concerned *cries in slowburn*.

Hello! Firstly, many thanks, indeed, to Netgalley for having sent me an ARC of a Lark's Release. What a fun, romp this book was! Lynn Messina's writing is quite engrossing, and there are so many details to consider. Each chapter brings a delight and light all its own, amidst one full, amazing story and plot of wonderful, brilliantly-developed characters. I love the Verity-Hardwicke connection. I also love the British Museum incorporation. Verity is on a mission, it appears, after Newgate, and it is a great treasure to see this very strong-willed heroine in action. The various aliases and costumes remind one of watching a cute PBS Mystery series! Thank you! :)

thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read another fantastic Lynn Messina book!

the series has really come into its own and the fourth instalment was no different
compared to others in the series, there are few bea + verity moments
I must admit I love the crossover and think the books are at their best with direct bea + verity interaction, so will eagerly be awaiting the next release in either series

a joy to read (as always)

Thanks to assistance from her half-brother's wife, Verity Lark escapes the murder charge that put her in Newgate Prison. She's out and starting to look at some aspects of life a bit differently, particularly her relationship with Hardwicke. Unfortunately, she can't relax for too long because it soon becomes evident someone is trying to kill her. And her dear friend Daphne almost became victim to this attempt.

The fourth installment in the Verity Lark series continues to entertain well. Verity's character develops at a faster pace in this one and her relationship with Colson seems to affect much of the change. After being jailed for a crime, she didn't commit, she starts to understand that she needs the support of others at times in her life. It's a hard fact to accept but she's coming around. It's a lot of new territory for Verity and I like the way she takes it on like other challenges.

I highly recommend this one and rate this 4.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and the Book Whisperer to giving me a free copy to read in advance. I have provided this review voluntarily.

I love everything this author writes and always look forward to a new mystery!

Verity is so entertaining with her various disguises and the humor found in the stories. If you have not read this series, I encourage you to start at the beginning. You will thank me later!!

I love this series!! Verity is released from Newgate Prison, where she ended up in the previous book. She has promised to teach her Outrageousness how to shoot, which she ruminates on throughout the book. Which series will she end up teaching her in I wonder. I hope it is the next Beatrice book.
Meanwhile, Verity dons many disguises as she and Hardwick work to solve an antiquities crime as well as a murder.
The book begins about 5 days in the future, and the rest of the book gets us to that scene. It is a quite clever set up and I enjoyed the journey. We learn quite a bit about Verity's past, and why she has such a difficult time allowing herself to feel emotions. Hardwick stands by her, but eventually does get angry with her in a very devious fashion. When we finally learn who the villain is, I felt quite heartbroken for Verity. However, it does cause her to look inside of herself and finally recognize her emotions. I loved the ending.
Thanks to Netgalley, the Book whisperer and the publisher for the EARC. I highly recommend you read at least this series, and at least the first few Beatrice books. They really do build upon each to give a better view and character development.

This was a strong fourth book in the Verity Lark Mystery series, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed a lot. It was everything that I wanted in this universe and enjoyed the mystery going on in this. Lynn Messina has a great writing style and am excited for more from them.

I thoroughly enjoyed Messina's latest in the ongoing adventures of Verity Lark and Lord Colson Hardwicke. The variety of "undercover" characters she inhabits are very clever and I wonder how they might play if one of these volumes was ever made into a movie. I was reminded of the many disguises used by Sherlock Holmes in movies and television productions where no one ever seemed to recognize him or his voice even when he played women characters. The not so subtle undertones of the role of women in the social strata of the times and Verity's all consuming desire to be seen as an independent, smart, resourceful and successful woman and how that conflicts with the slow building relationship between her and Colson easily echoes down to current times. I especially enjoy Messina's use of the vernacular of the times in reminding us how language has developed and changed and in some ways become less colorful. I heartily recommend this series for readers who enjoy historical fiction that immerses the reader in the social mores, dress and language of a particular time and also presents characters who are fully fleshed out with all of their doubts and fears fully exposed.

A murder throws Verity into a deadly conspiracy that threatens everyone she cares about, forcing her to confront a ruthless enemy determined to eliminate her.

I enjoyed this book as well as the earlier ones in the series, which I recommend reading in order. The author’s writing style is entertaining, although I sometimes get confused by the disguises and the quick changes from one scene to another. The characters are likable and the plot intriguing.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Book #4 in the Verity Lark regency cozy series. Lynn Messina is not your typical cozy author. Her characters are true characters, their lives are so busy you wonder how they find time to solve crime. Messina has several series and an extensive back library of similar entertaining characters and her books are always fast reads. If you love cozy mysteries, you'll definitely love Verity Lark!!!

I LOVE Lynn Messina’s writing. She is always a Go To.

I highly recommend starting with A Brazen Curiosity - the first of the Beatrice Hyde-Clark mysteries.

Verity Lark is a spin off of those novels - no spoilers!!!

She starts with Beatrice and the mysteries continue on with Verity being the sleuth solver. In this novel Verity also has to find out why someone wants her gone - permanently!

This book follows closely on from the last so I’d recommend at least reading that first. Verity is recently released from Newgate so is not feeling the best. Thank goodness she stumbles onto a forged antiquities ring when she visits the British Museum with Hardwicke. Finally—something benign to focus her brain on.
Then a murderer strikes close to home, threatening every member of her household & she realizes just how grossly she misunderstood the situation. Far from harmless, the counterfeit scheme is in deadly earnest, A very well written entertaining murder mystery. The characters have depth, the pace is good & I was kept guessing as to who the villain was. I really like Verity & I’m also enjoying her relationship with Colson & enjoy how it is developing
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

Another great addition to an already good series. I was entertained and once again enjoyed Verity Lark and her antics. This one is easy to read, loved the mystery and murder and never got bored as there was something around each corner, or better still at the turn of each page.

I had no problem getting through this book in a day, enjoying it, loving the characters and wondering all along... Who Dunnit!?

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

Another story featuring Verify Lark and her adventures. Found it a bit dry at times,lots of over thinking but an enjoyable read

Verity Lark, a magnificent, often bizarre, woman!

Verity Lark’s busy mind leaves me astounded. She’s a master of disguise’s balancing them with aplomb and always ready to search out the odds and make the best decision she can, even when sorely tested, under fire as it is.
Having just been released from Newgate, she’s now being accused of stealing an artefact from the British Museum.
Her neighbour is poisoned with a treat meant for Verity. Both Delphine and Verity feel a bit queasy by the closeness of the call.
Verity continues to investigate the death using her Mr Twaddle-Thum persona. Relations with Hardwick go from intense, to cordial, to downright aggravated on Verity’s side, back to intense. After all how can Verity handle a man who has the decency to treat her as a partner? Verity’s definitely thrown.
To see the unvocalized behavior between the two in their investigative processes is a thing of beauty. Why is Verity annoyed, even fearful of this?
In the meantime someone powerful is behind Verity’s troubles, but who?
The disclosure is alarming and rather sad.
Verity come closer to who her father is. To think she’d been sired by such a degenerate reprobate, his throwing her to the wolves is a reflection on him not Verity.
And Verity still hasn’t given shooting lessons to Her Outrageousness, the Duchess of Kesgrave!
I’ve grown very fond of Verity. This is another wonderful gallop through her zany amazing life built from the ashes of a sordid, harsh childhood.

A Book Whisperer ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Verity Lark (aka Mary Price) is “released” because she gains two startling insights into who she truly is…both in her emotions and her genealogy. At the end of the last Lark book, Verity was released from Newgate prison after she was cleared of a murder charge by the half sister-in-law, the Duchess of Kesgrave. This book picks up immediately after her release and, together with her childhood friends Freddie and Delphine….truly the only “family” she’s had since her time in the orphanage, Verity becomes entangled in an antiquities counterfeit scheme while simultaneously battling for her life being threatened by an unknown foe. Verity also continues her partnership with Lord Colson Hardwicke as their relationship continues to unfold at a torturously slow burn. The bottomless wickedness and complete lack of moral accountability of Verity’s tormentor is shocking. But Verity, as always, is up to the challenge, even when her stubbornness and lack of self-preservation is in full swing. Verity is a terrific character and her “adventures” are always entertaining.

Once again, an intricate and well worked plot in this series of verity lark as an intrepid reporter/sleuth/disguise artist. At one point a mystery about art forgery, it developed into a murder case and highlighted the differential treatment handed out to the gentry compared to ordinary people. While I really enjoyed this novel, for me it relied upon knowledge of the characters who appeared in earlier books in the series. That in itself is a recommendation to read them all!

This book starts right at the close of the last Beatrice Hyde-Clare mystery. It recaps bits of that story from Verity’s perspective and continues with the current Verity mystery. If you are a fan of both series, you are aware that the two series have become intertwined. I don’t know if it will stay that way or not, but, for the moment, it is kind of fun. I just don’t want them to become so intertwined they are basically one series.

Verity isn’t sleeping since ‘Her Outrageousness’ proved Verity’s innocence and got her released from Newgate prison. Now, someone is trying to send her back to prison for antiquities theft. Then, there is a murder, and . . . Who could possibly have that much cold hatred for her? Who has she offended so much? Surely it isn’t against her personally, so it must be something to do with her Twaddle newspaper column. Or not. The murder for which she was sent to Newgate was because of her past – could this be from her past as well? It seems attacks are coming at her from all directions. Will one of them succeed?

With the able help of master spy Lord Colson Hardwicke and her two childhood friends, Delphine and Freddy, the mystery is unraveled and they are all shocked at what they learn. Who would have thought?

I always enjoy reading this author’s books and this was an excellent addition. We learned a little more of Verity’s past and we saw what I hope is a fair-sized shift in Verity’s relationship with Colson. Verity is growing more and more well-rounded in each book and I am enjoying watching her cope with the mysteries while she grows and comes to grips with her past. Another thing I truly enjoy is the many personas she adopts to ferret out information for her Twaddle stories and her stories written as Robert Lark. Those characters and how Verity uses them will keep you smiling.

This was a quick, entertaining read with wonderful, charismatic characters and a mystery that will have you scratching your head. I am usually good at figuring out the villain(s), but this time – well – it eluded me. I hope you will enjoy reading this book as much as I did.

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