Superb sequel to a book I already loved. More adventures (mis adventures?) of great characters and very funny!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

This is book two in a series, but can be read as a stand alone novel

I loved the characters, especially Beatrice Steele, She has become an amazing inspector in London, and teams up again with hunky, Detective Drake.

The book is full of mystery, suspence and romance.

You will love it!

Our book begins with a knife plunging into Walter Shrewsbury’s chest.

Beatrice returns in ‘A Terribly Nasty Business’, having moved out of Swampshire and into London where she is being pushed by her mother and her chaperone Miss Bolton to find a suitable match. But Beatrice is in London to catch killers not sweethearts. However our protagonist does point out, exceedingly handsome and cheerful men can be cold blooded murderers.

Beatrice finds herself in a tangled web between the accused (artists and performers of any kind) and the accusers (self appointed NAGS who dictate what will and will not be allowed), and realizes this case is about more than identifying the true killer. “If the artists are silenced, I shudder to think what might happen to the rest of us.”

I absolutely loved the second book in this series, and cannot wait for the third installment. Anyone who loves a regency novel with comedy and a little bit of murder will enjoy this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Bonus (I found this quote hilarious) “We are gentlemen! If we want someone killed, or anyone’s limbs chopped off, we will get our valet to do it for us.”

Julia Seales did it again!

A Terribly Nasty Business, despite its name, is such a delightful read. Every line and chapter fills me with such joy. I kid you not I could not stop smiling as I read this book. Even though mystery is not my preferred genre, A Terribly Nasty Business is without a doubt among my favorite of 2025!

In this exciting sequel to A Most Agreeable Murder, we join Beatrice in London as she split her time between securing a wealthy husband in the London season and her detective work as one half of DS Investigation. If you love the courting and the season of Regency era story, this book is for you! And if you are like me and feel sad about saying goodbye to Swampshire and its many eccentric quirks, fear not, Sweetbriar London is just as delightfully funny a setting as Swampshire.

The plot is engaging and it was very satisfying to see all the clues throughout come together in the end. It did feel a bit more gruesome than book 1 but still not squeamishly so. I also love the main conflict surrounding the art as presented in the novel. In this age of increasing censorship, though presented in a satirical way, it speaks to the importance of artists and arts in our society.

But the strength of this book is in its characters! I swear, I love them all so much, especially my girl Beatrice. Her resilience and wits once again capture my heart (and the hearts of a few others 👀) and it is so satisfying seeing her asserting herself and her investigative skills throughout the novel. I really appreciate Julia Seales not making Beatrice a perfect heroine. Our protagonist is flawed but that makes her growth through A Terribly Nasty Business so much more rewarding.

We also get to see other sides to Inspector Drake (some, admittedly more frustrating than others) and his developing relationship with our heroine is a highlight for me and my romantic heart. (I swoon so many times throughout the book. This is romance!!!!!!!!!) I also adore the new characters in London, especially Beatrice's new friends and cannot wait to see more of them in the sequel (please tell me there is a sequel!!!!)

I cannot recommend this book enough. Read this if you're a fan of cozy mystery, if you love a slowburn romance, if you love humorous and witty characters, if you like fun. A Terribly Nasty Business has solidified Miss Julia Seales to be one of my favorite and auto buy author. I cannot wait to purchase and hold in my hand a physical copy of A Terribly Nasty Business and all of its future sequels. Please read it, it will bring you so much joy, I promise!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Absolutely fabulous! This is a great read. Clever. Different. Not formulaic.

When I found this book on NetGalley - thank you- I proceeded to find the first of the series. Then I was hooked!

I am excited to see how this goes and the author progresses in the series. 6 stars if I could!

Bravo.

I highly recommend this hilarious Regency-era mystery! The silly elements of this series sort of read like YA but I find it so entertaining! 'A Terribly Nasty Business' is an even richer blend of amateur detective sleuthing, larger-than-life characters, and slow burn romance than 'A Most Agreeable Murder'. Plus the London scene provides plenty of drama. ;) Julia Seales does every aspect of these books well, I am wholeheartedly looking forward to book 3!

Special thanks to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really enjoyed reading this book and found it almost impossible to put down! The characters were not only relatable but also so much fun to follow with their witty dialogue bringing them to life! The plot was engaging, full of surprises and kept me hooked from start to finish. The book was fast paced and explored love, friendships and murder! I'm so thrilled I had the chance to experience this story!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"A Terribly Nasty Business" by Julia Seales is the second installment in a comedic, tongue-in-cheek cozy mystery series set in Regency era England. The first book in this series was hilarious and charming and the second book followed in its footsteps. The story includes several of the same lovable characters, as well as a new cast of absurd side characters, but the setting switches to a fictional neighborhood in London. There were laugh-out-loud moments, intriguing clues, and good overall story progression.

This book was a sheer delight! Sequels can be tricky, but from Swampshire to Sweetbriar, I'll follow Beatrice Steele anywhere. In fact, I think the ending, with all of its twists and turns, was much cleaner than the first book in the series.

In this second installment, we get to spend more time with Beatrice, Inspector Drake (a lovely grumpy to her sunshine, if you can call a crime-junkie “sunshine”), and the quirky Miss Bolton. The Steele family continues to interject opinions and take up the footnotes. (I will never not love footnote-Mary.) We also get to know Sir Lawrence Huxley, and we are introduced to a cast of new characters, including two new friends for Beatrice, high society snobs, and an artist community that ranges from the truly talented to the most annoying of street mimes. Oh, and flying squirrels and gargoyles replace the frogs and squelch holes of Swampshire. Like the first book in the series, this novel is just pure fun!

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!