Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I love a regency period murder mystery, and this sequel was just as much fun as the first book! This series follows Beatrice Steele, a young woman who is obsessed with reading about murder cases in the paper, despite her mother’s attempts at redirecting her focus on finding a husband. In this second installment, Beatrice has ventured away from Swampshire to London for the season, with her chaperone Miss Bolton. The season takes a nasty turn when at the first ball Beatrice attends, a dead body is discovered.

I adore Beatrice as a funny and smart main character, along with the eccentric side characters she encounters. This book is ridiculous and silly in the best way and I love how unserious it is. The romantic subplot was well done and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds in the next book. If you like Veronica Speedwell, I think you would enjoy this series!

In the second book of the Beatrice Steele series, Beatrice has left Swampshire behind and settled in London, accompanied by her chaperone, Miss Bolton. Ready to begin her career as an inspector, Beatrice teams up with Inspector Drake at their newly established agency, DS Investigations, eager for their first big case. However, her mother believes Beatrice is simply making her way through London's high society to find a rich husband.

In the artsy neighborhood of Sweetbriar, Beatrice attends exclusive events at the Carnation and Tulip Clubs. But Miss Bolton encourages her to aim higher, advising Beatrice to get an invitation to the Rose Club, the most elite establishment with the wealthiest bachelors. Then, a murder occurs at the Rose, and London's renowned Inspector Sir Huxley suspects Percival Nash, a famous actor, to be the culprit. He requests DS Investigations' help to solve the case and prove Nash’s innocence. Beatrice is thrilled to finally be handed a real case and jumps into action, determined to crack the mystery and secure her place in the high society of the Rose.

This sequel didn't disappoint. Beatrice Steele remains a captivating character—sharp, bold, and ahead of her time. Her quick wit and clever quips bring humor and lightness to the story, while her determination and independence drive the plot. As a reader, you're actively piecing together the clues alongside Beatrice, making the mystery even more engaging. At its heart, this book is not just a fun read, but also a thoughtful commentary on social expectations, women's rights, and the challenges faced by those considered different.

Julia Seales delivers another delightfully witty and suspenseful mystery in Close, the follow-up to A Most Agreeable Murder. Brimming with charm, humor, and a touch of the absurd, this book is a perfect blend of Regency manners and murder mystery, making for an utterly entertaining read.

Beatrice Steele, now an aspiring detective in London, is as tenacious and endearing as ever. Her dynamic with the ever-practical Inspector Drake remains a highlight, full of amusing clashes and undeniable chemistry. While Beatrice dreams of solving thrilling cases, reality is far less glamorous—tracking down lost pets and dealing with societal expectations. But when a string of murders shakes the city, she and Drake are thrown into a scandal that could make or break their fledgling agency.

Seales’ writing sparkles with clever dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments, perfectly balancing humor with mystery. The setting of Sweetbriar, with its mix of elegance and chaos (including an infestation of flying squirrels), adds to the novel’s quirky charm. The mystery itself is well-paced and satisfyingly intricate, leading Beatrice and Drake through lavish ballrooms, shadowy theaters, and unexpected dangers.

For fans of lighthearted yet smart historical mysteries, Close is a must-read. Seales continues to prove she has a knack for blending comedy, romance, and detective work into a truly delightful package. Whether you’re here for the intrigue, the sharp banter, or Beatrice’s indomitable spirit, this book delivers on all fronts.

5 stars!! I absolutely loved this second installment of the Beatrice Steele series and can’t wait for more! Sequels can sometimes be disappointing, but I definitely didn’t feel that way about A Terribly Nasty Business. While we don’t get as much insight into all of the same characters from the first book (does anyone else want more Mary? AND WHAT IS WITH THE WEREWOLF REFERENCES??? I MUST KNOW!), we got more of Beatrice, Drake, and Miss Bolton as well as some wonderful new friends in London. The mystery itself was satisfying, and the ending seems to perfectly set up a third installment. The writing, the story, and the characters all shine here, and I will be checking NetGalley frantically to request the ARC for the next one when it’s available!

This series makes me so happy. I loved the first book and this second one did not disappoint. I love some humor in my cozy mystery and this series integrates its absurdity in a way that fits right into the storylines and mysteries. I love Beatrice’s desire to be a respected investigator and to find romance with someone who doesn’t just see her in a traditional female role, despite her mother’s letters to send money to fix the family estate. I’m going to need a book that focuses more on her sister Mary because I see another whole series/spin-off just waiting to be written. Every character in this book is fascinating and leaves me wanting to know more about them. The mystery had its own twists and turns and was not as clear-cut as you might expect. I hope I can look forward to this series putting out a new installment each year, squirrels or not squirrels, I will be waiting eagerly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.

Another fun adventure with Steele and Drake. They are now in London and are partners in the new detective agency they start up. Beatrice also has to go through The Season with her chaperone, Miss Bolton. When she gets a new murder case, she’s excited & now the Season has just got better. Eccentric characters, mystery, flying squirrels, & some (possible) love, this book was charming. With that cliffhanger, I can’t wait for next book.

This sequel to the humorous first book by Julia Seales in this series which I read in 2023, is right on par. Same satirical humor, light-hearted writing with a bit of romance thrown in to the plot this time. There are some fun references to modern day (2 fast, 2 furious, anyone?! Haha!) while maintaining the time period shes set it in. I don’t quite know how something so ridiculous works so well! But a fun read once again, I’ll be looking for the next one for sure!

A sequel that doesn’t disappoint!

Such a fun read! Think Jane Austen meets Agatha Christie. Satirical, romantic, comedy, murder mystery.

I love the dry sense of humour.

I hope to see more of Beatrice and Drake!

This grand sequel to the author's famed histfic mystery debut set my heart aglow! I adore the quirky Beatrice Steele, growing in her role as an inspector in London, teamed up again with the handsome Detective Drake. The story will charm and engage you with suspense, romance, and a mystery that truly keeps you guessing. Brava, Julia, and may we see many more wacky Beatrice/Drake tales!

A Terribly Nasty Business by Julia Seales is the second installment in a murder mystery series set in 1800's London. It is about lady detective Beatrice Steele who investigates the murders of 3 men with her handsome business partner and fellow detective, Inspector Drake.

I was worried that this sequel wouldn't be as good as the first, but I was wrong! A Terrible Nasty Business has a little bit of everything from mystery, adventure, comedy, even romance. The mystery was expertly written and I was even left guessing until the very end of the book! It was just complex enough to keep your attention but still very manageable to read. I also love that it sets itself up well for more books in the series. It reminds me a lot of the show Miss Scarlet and the Duke which is one of my favorites. Above all, it was a very clean book. Adults and teens alike can feel comfortable reading it without being worried about the content. Thank you Julia Seales for another amazing installment. I can't wait to read more about Beatrice Steele!

This sequel was a fantastic follow-up that truly did not disappoint! Once again, the author delivered the fun and lighthearted tone that made the first installment so enjoyable, while adding more depth to the plot. Watching Beatrice navigate life in London, her evolving relationship with Drake, and the twists and turns in Sweetbriar was both engaging and satisfying. I particularly enjoyed seeing Beatrice grow into her role as an inspector, and Seales left just the right amount of intrigue at the end to make me eager for the next book. An absolute delight!

Another great mystery from Seales. With Beatrice now firmly in London, what she thought would be her way out of the oppressive world of Swampshire turns out to be more of the same. Thankfully, she's got murder to keep her mind sharp and Seales' excellent blend of satirical comedy to keep me invested. Also, Mary's still a werewolf. Love that.