rainelle_barrett's review
5.0
I love it! I absolutely love it when a book can make me laugh and have such a good time reading it. After reading it I thought to myself, you know, my family is not that crazy at all. Oh my gosh Kesgrave was literally thinking, what did he marry himself into. Who has a two hour discussion about nothing when they were called to a meeting for a very important conversation. This was hilarious. The writing is genius. The characters. The storyline and the entertainment was outstanding. I look forward to reading the next book. I give this book two snaps and a, Dawson pack your bags, don’t say anything to the family and take a much needed vacation. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
amandajeanne's review
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
jcguzzetta's review
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? No
3.0
This was interesting as always - maybe a little more chaotic than usual? And it felt like it ended very abruptly. I still enjoyed the book, as I always do. But it wasn't necessarily a favorite.
danielle_marie's review
5.0
Another great story from Lynn Messina!! I've been captivated by the adventures of Beatrice Hyde-Clare since the first book, and also love the spin-off series the author has started with the Lark's Tale.
In this book, we pick up fairly soon after the previous book ended; which is something interesting about this series in that all of the books take place within a relatively short period of time and not stretched out over years. This approach means that we can get to know Beatrice and Damian on an everyday level, and follow closely the immense changes Beatrice is going through as she continues to settle into her life as the Duchess of Kesgrave while also still solving murders. We can sense the uncertainty that Beatrice continues to feel in this new life, her hesitation to share her exciting news with her husband because of the further changes it will bring, but also the confidence that she gains in other areas, including dealing with her family. We also see the growing love Damian has for Beatrice, how well he understands her, believes in her, and just wants Beatrice to be Beatrice. It's lovely to see.
The murder mystery itself was done well, in my opinion, and did a good job of intertwining with Beatrice's life. Her mind caught up in other matters, she misses some clues until Damian points them out. As well, later on in the book, there is a lovely scene with the two of them when out investigating the murder, showing that while the solving the crime is important, so is nurturing and celebrating their love.
The clues for the crime were very subtly added in by the author, leaving a trail that once the murderer is identified, leaves the reader fully understanding how Beatrice arrived at the conclusion. It is always frustrating to me when a mystery book has a surprise conclusion for which a trail is not discernible in the book.
I'll continue to read this series, along with the spin-off and can only hope that Beatrice's and Damian's future adventures only see them happy and in love.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, we pick up fairly soon after the previous book ended; which is something interesting about this series in that all of the books take place within a relatively short period of time and not stretched out over years. This approach means that we can get to know Beatrice and Damian on an everyday level, and follow closely the immense changes Beatrice is going through as she continues to settle into her life as the Duchess of Kesgrave while also still solving murders. We can sense the uncertainty that Beatrice continues to feel in this new life, her hesitation to share her exciting news with her husband because of the further changes it will bring, but also the confidence that she gains in other areas, including dealing with her family. We also see the growing love Damian has for Beatrice, how well he understands her, believes in her, and just wants Beatrice to be Beatrice. It's lovely to see.
The murder mystery itself was done well, in my opinion, and did a good job of intertwining with Beatrice's life. Her mind caught up in other matters, she misses some clues until Damian points them out. As well, later on in the book, there is a lovely scene with the two of them when out investigating the murder, showing that while the solving the crime is important, so is nurturing and celebrating their love.
The clues for the crime were very subtly added in by the author, leaving a trail that once the murderer is identified, leaves the reader fully understanding how Beatrice arrived at the conclusion. It is always frustrating to me when a mystery book has a surprise conclusion for which a trail is not discernible in the book.
I'll continue to read this series, along with the spin-off and can only hope that Beatrice's and Damian's future adventures only see them happy and in love.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
klew's review
5.0
This series is such fun and An Extravagant Duplicity is a wonderful addition. Beatrice, Duchess of Kesgrave has settled into her marriage and huge change in circumstances to nobility from a orphaned poor relation and 26 year old spinster. She’s smart, insightful and funny….and Damian, the Duke adores her for all of it. Oddly, Bea continues to be drawn into murder investigations that currently make her the darling of the ton and the subject of fascination of a tabloid columnist. This time, she’s asked to exonerate Lord Ripley from his family’s accusations that he killed his grandfather. Ripley is a self centered dandy who wants attention and publicity and thinks Bea’s investigation will give him both. The rest of his family don’t really see him as a murderer because they think their grandfather simply fell from bed and hit is head….death by natural causes. Unfortunately, for Ripley, his aunt and his cousins, Bea’s investigation identifies a murder and the murderer. To complicate matters, Bea is pregnant and is worried the her husband will curtail her activities once he finds out. Will her way of life change forever, will her marriage suffer, will she be a good mother. All these self doubts plague her as she, once again, solves a case.
Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC of this book.
Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC of this book.
bkathi's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
5.0
readsbynush's review
4.0
*This review is based on a complementary ARC received from NetGalley*
I have to start by saying i am completely new to this author, and did not even realize this was a part of a (long) series until i had started reading, so my review may be colored by my unawareness. That said, here goes!
This is not a book to be binged. It is not a book where you start reading as a nightcap and then stay awake past your bedtime to cram it in. No, this is a book that has to be read slowly - and savored - because every sentence in this book is pure gold and worthy of full concentration. Obviously, it is hilarious, and enjoyable and so, so fun!
I grew up reading mystery books but have veered away from the genre for a while. This book reminded me just how much I adore typical whodunits. This book has all the best parts of a mystery book, mixed in with my current favorite - historical romance plus a little of the all-time favorite- humor! And just when I was beginning to think the book is solely light-hearted fun, there is a touch of angst, which serves to give an added depth to both characters and plot. Very nicely done!
Bea is an amazing character, and sometimes the duke felt very insipid next to her (this may be a consequence of my not having read the previous books).
My only little issue was that at places, it started feeling a little too repetitive. Otherwise, in terms of plot, humor, prose, characters - it is top-notch!! Most importantly, I seem to have found a new series and new author to love, and I am very excited to read some other books by Lynn Messina!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for this book!
I have to start by saying i am completely new to this author, and did not even realize this was a part of a (long) series until i had started reading, so my review may be colored by my unawareness. That said, here goes!
This is not a book to be binged. It is not a book where you start reading as a nightcap and then stay awake past your bedtime to cram it in. No, this is a book that has to be read slowly - and savored - because every sentence in this book is pure gold and worthy of full concentration. Obviously, it is hilarious, and enjoyable and so, so fun!
I grew up reading mystery books but have veered away from the genre for a while. This book reminded me just how much I adore typical whodunits. This book has all the best parts of a mystery book, mixed in with my current favorite - historical romance plus a little of the all-time favorite- humor! And just when I was beginning to think the book is solely light-hearted fun, there is a touch of angst, which serves to give an added depth to both characters and plot. Very nicely done!
Bea is an amazing character, and sometimes the duke felt very insipid next to her (this may be a consequence of my not having read the previous books).
My only little issue was that at places, it started feeling a little too repetitive. Otherwise, in terms of plot, humor, prose, characters - it is top-notch!! Most importantly, I seem to have found a new series and new author to love, and I am very excited to read some other books by Lynn Messina!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for this book!
magdalenahai's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
thenovelbook's review
3.0
Bea and Kesgrave recapture some of their investigative sparkle in this latest outing. I enjoyed this one more than some of the previous titles, as the crime and the path of the investigation seem to give the reader a pretty fair shot at figuring out what happened, which I appreciate.
Bea's deeply hidden insecurities about her marriage and her identity have been the subject of (extensive) rumination for many, many books now, but I'm happy to report that even though they're still present, they're reined in a bit. And they're also made more relevant by the introduction of a new phase of life for her and Kesgrave. All in all, this volume picked up the pace and added a bit of needed freshness for the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for this advance review copy!
Bea's deeply hidden insecurities about her marriage and her identity have been the subject of (extensive) rumination for many, many books now, but I'm happy to report that even though they're still present, they're reined in a bit. And they're also made more relevant by the introduction of a new phase of life for her and Kesgrave. All in all, this volume picked up the pace and added a bit of needed freshness for the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for this advance review copy!
ksanders013's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75