Another wonderful instalment in the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries series!
Though perhaps not as exciting or page-turning as some of the previous instalments, this book was a solid, enjoyable read.
Definitely worth reading if you enjoy a regency mystery.

An interesting mystery with very proper English. I had not read the previous books in the series which made it difficult to follow. Those who have read all of the books would probably enjoy it.

A cozy crime story set in Regency England from one of the queens of the genre, Lynn Messina (the 13th in her Beatrice Hyde=Clare Mysteries series). The writing has a light touch. An enjoyable read, perfect for a bit of escapism. I love the covers and titles of this series ❤️- they're very enticing.

Favourite line: "I am afraid I have no idea which. Mrs. Yeamond's Book of Etiquette: A Sensible Guide to Good Breeding and Comprehensive Directory to the Adherences of Society does not address the proper placement of heads on pikes."

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Another winner from Ms. Messina. I love historical mysteries and this didn't disappoint. I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going on. A great way to pass time. Looking forward to more.

This is such a fun series. Every character, dialogue, and scene is written with humor. The mystery is almost secondary to the scenes of characters with humorous flaws interacting with the two main protagonists, the Duke and Duchess of Kesgrave. If you’ve read the earlier works, you’ll know that Bea started off as a shy wallflower who happened to encounter the Duke when a murder happened at a country house party. Now they’re married, and the Duchess is still investigating murders with the help of her loving husband. They’re a great pair and I enjoy their interactions. This is another enjoyable entry in this series.

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.

Duchess Beatrice is reluctant to investigate a murder at the behest of a notorious criminal, even when the victim is her husband’s cousin. Despite his own distrust, the duke insists on uncovering the truth, drawing them both into a twisted and dangerous mystery.

I loved this story. The writing uses a formal style that I find requires intense concentration in order to understand it. The mystery was twisty and heart-wrenching, with an intriguing cast of characters.

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

Another great installment to the series. Bea is back on form to solve this complex and convoluted mystery after the last books where her pregnancy was affecting her thought processes in a negative way. This is a very sweet installment as they Duke and Duchess do most of the investigating on their own allowing us to see into their relationship again with the cheering each other up with lots of banter and humour. Can't wait for it to be baby time and see how things go with that. This is a go to series for me. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Love, love, love this series! The funny part is my favorite characters were included but without Lark!

I love the whole universe of books and now I have to patiently wait for the rest.

I highly recommend you start at the beginning and read A Brazen Curiosity.

Messina is a fluid writer and I enjoy all of her Regency series of books.

I have to admit that it took me a little bit into the book to remember the previous storylines with Bea and Verity Lark in order to make sense of where things left off. Sometimes recaps go a bit too far but I could have used a little bit more info. Other than that, it was a great mystery with interesting and amusing characters and twists and turns that kept me guessing. I have to admit that my favorite part was probably the discussion of a string of bakeries devoted to Bea’s love of rout cakes and while she made the right choice turning them down, I would have enjoyed seeing them come to fruition. It was interesting to see a bit more of the human and soft side to the dowager duchess and her relationship with Kesgrave (and Bea). While I need a book to have an engaging mystery, I appreciated the abundance of amusing side characters to keep things interesting as well, especially the footman/butler/drivers expressing their opinions. I hope to see a more integrated crossover with Verity Lark and a shooting lesson in the near future as poor Bea needs a good instructor.

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

If you are look for a binge-worthy cozy mystery series with witty banter and a whip smart heroine, look no further than the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries! In this latest installment, A Pernicious Fabrication, Lynn Messina once again pulls us into the world of Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave as she navigates yet another murder mystery.

Over the previous 12 books, we've watched Beatrice bloom from a wallflower into a Duchess and mother-to-be. This cozy mystery continues the story line, with the Duke and Duchess again working together, this time to solve the murder of the Duke's cousin. I always enjoy being immersed in the Duchess of Kesgrave's world, and appreciate that she has insecurities and worries, just like the rest of us. The Duke, as always, is a swoony yet realistic hero.

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

Thanks to NetGalley and BookFunnel for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

Another comfortable cozy historical mystery, and furthering our look into the life of Beatrice, the Duchess of Kesgrave and how she is fitting into her role as a bride, a wealthy, socially prominent Duchess, a mother to be, and of all things, a woman becoming more noted and infamous for investigating murders!

As Bea tries to overcome her own lack of confidence in her role as Duchess, and what is expected of her social duties, she is given another murder to solve. She and her husband discover that his cousin, the son of the murdered Uncle Myles, is the latest homicide victim, and his demise was announced to them, by of all people, noted crime lord Hell and Fury Hawes. Not only is he the one to bring them this unexpected and unwelcome news, but he is exhorting them to solve the murder. It turns out that cousin Mortimer has been an active participant in a forgery scheme of Hawes, and Hawes wishes for the Kesgraves to solve his murder for Hawes to root out a traitor in his own organization.

Bea and the Duke are leery of being under the paw of the criminal kingpin, but nonetheless, they cannot allow the death of his cousin to go without a proper investigation and to find the culprit responsible. If not for the sake of justice, then also for closure and their own peace of mind, and for the sake of the Dowager Duchess, Mortimer and Kesgrave's grandmother as well.

A cozy murder mystery with an intriguing story of forgery, and fraud in the art and antiquities world of Regency England, mixed in with family grief and relationships, with some lighthearted moments and dialogue typical of Bea, Kesgrave, and her relations. I do love the affection and support between Bea and her husband as they try to balance their lives between what would be their normal social duties, such as Bea planning (or trying to avoid) social events as expected of a Duchess, and their unexpected roles as investigators, especially Her Outrageousness. Bea is still stuck between her perception of herself as a wallflower spinster, and her new self, as an investigator who is a woman of intelligence, perception, bravery, boldness, earning notice - she seems to have some difficulty reconciling the two, and is being gently supported and encouraged by her husband.

I am looking forward to how the planned house party and the cherub play into the Kesgrave future - even though this is book 13 - I have not yet had enough of the Kesgraves and want more.

4 stars out of 5

Another wonderful chapter in the murder investigations by Her Outrageousness, Beam Duchess of Kesgrave. As dedicated readers of the series will see, this book picks up very soon after that last murder that Bea and her husband Damien Duke of Kesgrave solved. Bea is pregnant (although that word is never uttered in nineteenth century Britain), still serving as the adult in her pre-marriage family, the Hyde-Clares and happily almost settled in her happy and unconventional marriage. While Bea is fearless in her pursuit of justice for a murder victim, she’s still very unsure of her abilities as a duchess even though Damien and the Dowager Duchess have love her completely and have absolute confidence in her. The parallel dilemmas facing Bea are the very scary prospect of holding a summer house party at the huge ducal country estate and the murder of Damien’s cousin Mortimer. Mortimer had fallen into a counterfeit antiquities plot with the king of London’s underworld. Oddly, the gangster asks Bea and Damien to find the killer…not to avenge Mortimer’s murder but to punish whoever it was who ended the lucrative counterfeit system…Mortimer was the skilled counterfeiter. While they know that they are being used by the gangster, Bea and Damien agree because Mortimer was Damien’s cousin and a favorite of his grandmother’s, the Dowager. This series is charming, funny and engaging.

Bea and Kesgrave are at it again
When Kesgrave’s cousin is found murdered in his secret art studio, he and Bea are called on to find the murderer by Hawes, the head of a criminal organization. As they proceed in their investigation layer upon layer of deceit and secrets. How high in society and how high in Hawes’ organization will they find themselves going in pursuit of justice? And what is their motivation? An entertaining read. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

I adore this series and I've found that despite the twisty, outrageous mysteries, I crave the little moments when Beatrice and Damien are together or with families because they are so sweet and charming.

In this installment, Damien's cousin is murdered and a crime boss asks them to investigate. The cousin is an artist who turned to work on forgeries after years of rejection from the Royal Academy. The forgery business involves a web of people, described as a tree because the branches don't all know each other, so Bea and Damien have to trek around London to interview several suspects. The highlight is the denouement, which has Bea saving the day, but also taking a huge risk. There is also a beautiful scene with Damien's grandmother when he has to tell her that her grandson is dead. It's short, but emotional.

Beatrice continues to evolve as a character, becoming more comfortable in her role as Duchess with each book. In this installment, we see a big leap forward. It's almost as if a new phase could be coming.

I always look forward to the next installment of Lynn Messina's Lady Beatrice Hyde-Clare books, and this one was as welcome as each one before it. Ms. Messina had such a identifiable way of writing of the thoughts and thought processes of her main character -- with humor, irony, and insight -- so it is fun to go along with the storyline while following the whys and wherefores of Bea's internal deliberations. Again, there is a convoluted mystery for Bea to solve, with the delighted and admiring assistance of the duke. Personally, I generally get lost in the details of the twists and turns of the mystery itself, but it hardly matters to me when I am so entertained by Bea and her endeavors and adventures. Another recommendation from this happy reader. I voluntarily leave this review. #APerniciousFabrication #NetGalley

This series never ceases to amaze me!

I love the Bea and Kesgrave's universe and never miss a book.

This time we are catapulted into the investigation of Kesgrave's cousin murder, prompt by Hell and Fury Hawes' request.

As always the characters are marvelously crafted, the story well thought out and the dialogues wonderfully entertaining.

Can't wait for the next book!

I have received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, thanks to the author for it.

3.5 stars rounded up.

EEEEE Bea is back! You must read A Lark's Release first. I was hoping Verity and Bea would team up for this investigation as it was Verity who uncovered the forgery in the first place and began to investigate the identity of the master forger when she got sidetracked with her own murder investigation. Without Verity and Twaddle Thumb, I felt this story was lacking something. It was a lot harder to solve and more convoluted than I expected. There were many layers to the scam. A few minor historical inaccuracies took me out of the story briefly sending me off to do some research but they didn't affect the overall plot and weren't too out there. I just wanted to check on binoculars (modern ones not invented yet) and reading of the zodiac sign. Did you know Bea's birthday is July 10th and she's a Cancer?

There are a couple of swoony moments when the tables are turned and Bea has to joke Kesgrave out of his grim mood but not as many personal moments as in previous books. I actually liked them better before they were married when Bea was sneaking around and Kesgrave couldn't stay away from her. Bea is less neurotic in this story, less in her head. She's still anxious about managing a huge estate and team of servants but then Bea comes to a realization about herself at the end of the book (with some help from a friend) and is ready to turn a corner. I hope this doesn't mean the end of her adventures! I like her and identify with her because she's in her head all the time and so filled with self-doubt. Her beloved Damien has helped and she now knows he truly loves her. She's still a little shy about telling him important truths but I'm sure he's aware of Bea's anxiety anyway. He's trying to help. I think Kesgrave is more affected by his cousin's death than he realizes. Certainly he's worried about his grandmother and the family reputation. He's at his most ducal (but not pedantic ducal) here.

My heart breaks for the Dowager. Both her sons were horrible scoundrels but her grandsons both seem like kind and decent people. She loved them both and supported whatever it was they wanted to do, which is very much NOT a 19th century noble attitude but for the purposes of the story, we have a woman who has lost her entire family aside from one grandson, and her younger son was killed only weeks ago. She's still in mourning for him even though he was rotten and horrible. The Dowager loses her customary poise for a few moments and acts out of character, showing by her actions she's hurting and doesn't want to deal with it. I really liked her in previous adventures and she likes and accepts Bea for who Bea is without trying to make Bea into an august Duchess. Myles was cruel to his son who wanted nothing more than to be recognized for his artistic talent. Mortimer seemed to be, on the surface, a kind and decent man but thanks to a lifetime of horrible abuse from his father, he was unable to reach out and defend Damien or be friends with his cousin. I think if circumstances had been different, Mortimer would not have been murdered. The investigation reveals he was a scoundrel too and the one who introduced his father to Hell and Fury Hawes and not the other way around! Mortimer was in up to his neck in bad deeds all because of the horrible treatment from his father and the Royal Academy, which may have been in the pay of his father. His death is a real tragedy.

Hell and Fury Hawes is clever and cunning. At first he's charming and considers Bea a celebrity he admires but his motive soon becomes clear. He wants to entrap the Duke and Duchess of Kesgrave and make them do his bidding. He leaves hints to hook them, tries to goad Kesgrave who is too well bred to respond, and could threaten or force the couple to be a part of his network. Bea, as a mousy spinster, learned to read people. She's a good judge of character. She notices things others don't and sees through Hawes. Kesgrave only hears the words and the intent behind them. Bea wonders whether the simplest explanation, that Hawes killed Mortimer, is the right one. I think she might be right. This guy is so corrupt he has the entire neighborhood in his pay, including the magistrates. He can and does literally get away with Mortimer. Yet, he did come and risk everything to ask the Duke and Duchess to investigate. Is their investigation a distraction from something else? Did he not expect them to solve the crime or did he pin it on someone else, leading the Duke and Duchess there on purpose? I think if he killed an associate, he would want it known the associate had crossed him. That would ensure compliance from the rest of the network. Why doesn't he claim the death as his own doing anyway? Can't he get word out to his criminal enterprise without anyone else knowing? I'm very confused as to what his game is here. Perhaps just to get the Murder Duchess to work for him instead of against him?

The first witness, Joseph Foster, is amusing. He's supposedly an ornithologist but I think he enjoys spying on the neighbors for his journal contains detailed notes on the comings and goings in Mortimer's (aka Louis Rousseau) studio. He's just lazy when it comes to doing actual work and his poor daughter is like a servant in her own home. He names Susannah Brewer as one of the most frequent visitors and assumes the worst about her. She's a young woman, still a girl really, who served as Mortimer's model - excuse me - muse! Susie was his MUSE! She excelled at musing! Susie is very young, vain and shallow but the job was a godsend for her family. It was a ticket to a better life for her (probably a fast track to the demi monde). She claims Mortimer was kind and caring. He gave her little siblings a ready supply of lemon drops to keep them happy and enough money to support her mother. I don't think Susie would have murdered her meal ticket and the man who was going to make her famous. His death is a terrible blow to this family.

At the Royal Antiquaries Society we meet "Addle the Paddle." Mr. Addleton is the resident mansplainer. He misses nothing and makes no secret he believes he knows more than the rest and is eager to explain every minute detail to everyone. Mr. Kerrich, a member of the Royal Antiquaries Society, was the one to verify the Assyrian reliefs. Was he in on the scam or just ignorant? He was spotted arguing with Mortimer the night before Mortimer died. Mr. Kerrich is a nervous sort of man, vain and self-important. He tries to lie to cover his tracks and was angry with Mortimer for good reason. Mr. Kerrich is the selfish, whiny sort but I don't peg him for a murderer. He's too middle class to stab someone in the stomach with a chisel even if he is about to be on the hook for defrauding the British government.

Rennie Rumpus is Hawes's second in command. He rules the rookery with an iron fist - quite literally as the man was once a boxer. Now he is capable of murder but stabbing isn't in his usual style. He may be a villain but he's such a charming villain! By all appearances, he's a gentleman. A gentleman with a fondness for objects d'art. He has a grand plan for the Duchess- a pastry shop chain known as Her Outrageousness's Rout Cake House! Yes please! His scheme is presented so convincingly and the scene is absolutely hilarious. I can't believe Bea wouldn't want to go along with it! Rennie blames it on the nobility's ghastly fear of being in trade but he would handle all the operations and make all the profit. I love the idea! Of course his true purpose is to distract from the murder investigation. Edmund Renfield aka Rennie seems to be innocent but his only real alibi is his maid, Martha. She's suspicious of the quality and doesn't trust Bea and Kesgrave at all. Would she lie for her employer? Absolutely if she knows what kind of man he is. She sees him as a hero figure and would protect him if she had to.

Higgins, an antiquities dealer, is a slimy weasel but also am amusing villain. Amelia Peabody would love him while her dear Emerson would go bananas with rage. Higgins is a fool. He's well aware he's selling fakes but Hawes has convinced everyone they're like Robin Hood, doing a good deed for those who can't afford to (steal/loot?) purchase authentic antiquities. Higgins's fatal mistake is arranging antique artifacts in a way that makes it obvious they're fake. Otherwise people will ask questions and wonder where the hoard was and why no one had heard of it. Higgins has a ready story to tell Bea and Kesgrave but it's so obviously a whopper, he must know his goose is cooked. Did he murder Mortimer? Does he know who killed Mortimer? He must know he led the killer directly to the forger!

Sir Thomas Soame is the wealthy collector who sold a forgery to the British government. Verity already established this and bamboozled him. He's a very silly man and easily discomfited by our highly intelligent female sleuths. Verity ran circles around him and Bea can too. Sir Thomas makes himself look guilty by faking an injury and pretending to be ill. IIRC he ran from Verity too. His fight or flight response seems to be flight. (While he's absent, Bea and Kesgrave have a brief makeout session in the gallery!). Bea picks up on the same detail that alerted Verity to the forgery and Bea goes one step farther and puts the clues together as to why Mortimer would risk his position to deliberately put a modern bridle on an antique relief. (Or did he just forget because he was so consumed by his painting?) Sir Thomas is looking food for the murderer in terms of motive. He wants to be respected by society and considers it his due. To be exposed as a fraud would bring about his ruin. I don't see Sir Thomas actually literally killing someone with his own two hands but surely he has the money to PAY someone to do it. Is that why he's so nervous? He claims he's on edge waiting to be exposed as a fraud by the government which would make him a laughingstock in Society.

Sir Thomas claims he doesn't know the collier, Oliver Eckhart. Oliver Eckhart is Renfield's representative. Ollie served as the go-between, bringing Mortimer everything he needed and picking up finished works. Perhaps he discovered the scheme was about to come crashing down and feared Mortimer was a weak link who needed to be eliminated. Sir Thomas does name Samson Kirks who brings the shipments of reliefs to Sir Thomas.

Mr. Goddard, the chief librarian (curator) of the British Museum is a pompous fool. He doesn't like women and thinks they lack the brains to be true scholars. Yet he falls all over himself to please Kesgrave and Sir Thomas. He was eager to please Sir Thomas and ingratiate himself with this new patron that he didn't look too closely at the relief. Moron! Just wait until Bea and Verity expose him for a fool who can't tell a forgery from an authentic antiquity! He deserves to be made a fool in the press. Mr. Twaddle Thumb AND Mr. Robert Lark can both report on this story, from different angles. Oh Twaddle Thumb will have fun exposing this sycophantic ninny!

Samuel Sandby-Smith, oresident of the Royal Academy, is the one who refused Mortimer's paintings over the years. He surely was accepting bribes from Lord Myles to block Mortimer's ambition. What a louse! Even if he wasn't taking bribes, he is an idiot who wouldn't know quality art if it hit him over the head. Did HE kill Mortimer? Did Mortimer threaten to expose Sandby-Smith if S-S refused Mortimer one more time? Now Lord Myles is dead and Mortimer was painting his most exquisite work of art yet, would Mortimer still be blackballed? How much did Lord Myles pay this guy? I like Sandby-Smith for the murderer. It has nothing to do with the forged antiquities scam, just the Royal Academy scam! If that's the case, how tragic and horrible for poor Mortimer. However, S-S isn't just a painter, he's been known to buy and sell antiques. He denies any wrongdoing of course and tries to distract Bea with his enthusiasm for the artwork in the Kesgrave townhouse but she's too smart to be bamboozled. Her questioning method is ingenious and she gets the answers she was hoping for without the victim realizing he's being tricked!

Which one is the actual murderer and can Bea and Kesgrave figure it out and spare the Dowager the pain of a public trial?

Flora Hyde-Clare is funny. She's trying hard to behave like an adult and practice at her noblesse oblige. She gives Bea lessons on how to treat the servants but also has a lot of questions on how she should do so. Then Flora regresses and argues with her brother non-stop, which, for some reason, amuses the Dowager Duchess of Kesgrave. Aunt Vera shows surprising depths when confronted with unexpected death. Too bad she couldn't have been so kind and helpful to little Bea all those years ago but she's good to the Dowager and the Dowager seems to appreciate Vera's assistance. Go figure!

Viscount Nuneaton has a cameo to announce the Cheapside Advertiser has a new gossip columnist, Mrs. Flimmer-Flam, who devotes her columns to the exploits of the Murder Duchess! Gasp! I don't see the harm in it but she better be careful because I expect the Duke could have that one nipped in the bud ASAP if he wanted to. This Flimmer-Flam person seeks to take the place of Twaddle Thumb, obviously. Verity better break her promise because this Murder Duchess business makes Bea look bad, whereas Twaddle Thumb just poked fun at Bea's bizarre preoccupation with murder.

The footmen are a hoot and eager to help the Duchess with her investigation. Bea's new friend, Mrs. Palmer, plays a crucial role in spite of being only in one scene. She didn't know the shy first season Bea or the mousy spinster Bea. She only knows Her Outrageousness Bea and likes that person very much. I like Mrs. Palmer. She's a Society hostess and a political hostess. Her aim is women's suffrage which sadly won't happen for more than 100 years. She has all sorts of ingenious excuses to get out of an unwanted house party but in the end, she's more or less Bea's therapist and helps our heroine find the confidence she needs to succeed at normal Duchess things.

Anyone who’s read my reviews on the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries knows this series is my ride or die when it comes to cozy mysteries. The writing? Chef’s kiss. Bea and the Duke of Kesgrave? My fictional besties.

That said, the last book left me feeling mildly concerned—Bea was a little off her game, a little indecisive, and I wasn’t fully in love with it. So, when I picked up book 13 (yes, 13! We are deep in this series), I had a tiny moment of trepidation.

I should not have worried.

This time, Bea and her adoring husband, Damien, find themselves entangled in two mysteries:

1. A murder in the family – Damien’s cousin has been killed in cold blood.

2. An art crime ring – Because why stop at one scandal when you can expose an entire network?

Technically, they’re acting on orders from Hawley—yes, that Hawley, the criminal overlord of London—but let’s be real. Bea has never been one for taking orders. Justice will be served.

Bea is BACK. The indecisiveness from the last book? Gone. She’s sharper, more confident, and—while she hasn’t fully realised just how much she’s grown since book one—she’s getting there. There’s a quiet shift in how she sees herself, and it’s incredibly satisfying to watch unfold. All hail Queen Bea. The writing is as brilliant as ever. Messina’s signature wit and perfectly paced storytelling are in full force.

The relationship between Bea and Damien continues to be one of my favourites in the genre. Smart, supportive, full of teasing banter—I could read about these two forever.

This series continues to be one of my absolute favourites, and A Pernicious Fabrication just solidified that even further. Messina delivers another sharp, engaging, and delightfully twisty mystery, and I am already counting down to the next one.

Long live Bea. Long live this series.
Final Verdict: 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


(ARC provided by NetGalley. All opinions are my own.)

The storyline is interesting, there are a lot of different secondary characters/suspects. some sweet moments between Bea and Kesgrave and a bit of humor, that had me laughing out loud and made for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I love the interaction between Bea and her husband Kesgrave as they interview all the suspects in the case.

I enjoyed this more than I thought when I started it. The premise was a bit insane to me - a criminal overlord comes to Bea and Kesgrave when his forgerer is murdered. This one deals with the very lucrative world of antiquities and what happens when a fabulously talented artist - the duke's cousin no less - is denied access to the Royal Academy. There's one scene in this where Bea is presented with a rout cake business venture that had me in absolute stitches. I had to suspend my disbelief when our favourite couple rub shoulders with criminal masterminds in their own neighbourhood and escape unscatched but I thought the plot was riveting and I loved their romance very very much.

What a great series.

My endless thanks to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for this ARC!