Reviews

A Treacherous Performance by Lynn Messina

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storydarling's review against another edition

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funny mysterious medium-paced

4.5

notbeforebreakfast's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I love our leads, always an A+. This book’s mystery felt a bit overdone and somewhat stretched away from main issues. It could have done with less characters, as it was less compelling.

Content Warnings

desertlover's review against another edition

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2.0

2.5 STARS

I have enjoyed the series, but this installment was a struggle.

caseyet's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

thatnatiam's review

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3.0

This has been probably my least favorite of the series so far. I enjoy spending time with the characters, but this story was less compelling and a bit more muddled than the other books in the series.

thenovelbook's review against another edition

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4.0

With sparkling dialogue between Bea and her duke and plenty of absurd social and investigative situations, the latest entry in this series will not disappoint those who are already fans of Miss Beatrice Hyde-Clare, the (anything but) drab and dreary spinster.

In this installment, Bea has to confront her (self-described) archnemesis. Did you know that a well brought up young lady in the Regency era could have an archnemesis? Well, Bea does, and the existence of such a person has a major impact on her self-image in the past and present. The former Miss Brougham (now Mrs. Norton) pops up and offers Bea a puzzle too good to resist, in spite of the fact that she's about to get married--and already has a reputation in serious need of shoring up.

Bea's path to valuing herself properly has been ongoing for the past several novels, and although most of the novel is played for comedy, there is something very touching about the way she is learning to know herself.

Content note: Although Kesgrave seems determined to make it to the altar with virtue intact, things get somewhat amorous in a couple of scenes in the latter half of the book. It doesn't last too long, but it's a bit more than what is found in a typical Regency rom-com.