False Conclusion

by Veronica Heley

Much to her dismay, Bea Abbot, the owner of the Abbot Agency becomes desperately entangled in the affairs of the rich and influential Trescott family. All is not as it appears in that closely knit family…well, closely knit in terms of the secrets they try to keep. Mysterious deaths keep piling up. Bea’s ward Bernice is rather forced at boarding school into a friendship role with the Trescott matriarch’s niece Evelina (Evie), a disheveled and almost incoherent teenager. Evie is meant to marry an older cousin Joshua who has promised to take care of her and, Bea suspects, her fortune too. Meanwhile, some rather disturbing patterns arise when Joshua’s tempestuous brother Benjy takes an interest in Bernice who is only 14 and also destined to be wealthy.

Veronica Heley’s False Conclusion is a good mystery that combines reasoning, investigation, and character conflicts with action. The author’s writing style insists that the reader sneak a quick peak at each “next chapter” which, of course, segues into the next and the next; it is a book that is hard to put down.

If you have been following this series, you will be interested in the relationship developments between Bea and her ex-husband Piers, a famous portrait painter whose artistic skills and quick thinking play a role in False Conclusion’s plot. If this series is new to you, don’t hesitate to dive in; you will quickly be brought up to speed on the characters and find that the plot is fresh. In fact, the intriguing opening lines throw both new and returning reader into the story without hesitation: “Bea Abbot shut the front door on her departing guests and demanded, ‘What on earth was that all about?’ ”

I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Severn House for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery, Christian

Notes: 1. #14 in the Abbot Agency Mystery Series, but would work as a standalone.
2. Although not overtly a Christian book, the author does show Bea’s reliance on God through a few short prayers for wisdom and protection during difficult times.

Publication: July 7, 2020—Severn House Publishers

Memorable Lines:

His hand on her shoulder had been heavy. He’d meant her to feel the weight of his hand, and to remind her of the power behind it. He was smiling, but his eyes glittered, needle sharp. He had ceased to dismiss her as a pawn in the game.

She stared into the future. It was a dark pit, filled with crashing noises and a seething tangle of snakes. It was more real than her bedroom. It horrified her. She couldn’t look away. She couldn’t even pray.

“Forgiveness comes with understanding. And remorse. And courage to look into the future and not back at the past.”

A Web Of Intrigue And Murder....
A Bea Abbot mystery and the fourteenth entry in this long running series. Summer plans go badly awry as Bea is pulled into an unexpected web of intrigue and murder. An engaging plot, as always a credible protagonist in Bea and a colourful cast of supporting characters. A very worthy entry in this wholly entertaining and enjoyable series.

It's the first book I read in this series and won't surely be the last as I liked it.
It's highly enjoyable and engrossing, the plot and the characters are interesting and well written, the solid mystery kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the other books in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

False Conclusion by Veronica Heley is the 14th A Bea Abbot Mystery (which I wish I had known before picking up this book). I began reading False Conclusion and it felt like I was plopped down in the middle of a British dramedy. I would not recommend False Conclusion as a standalone. I felt like a fish out of water in the beginning, though, it did become easier as the story progressed. There are a variety of quirky characters from Bea Abbott to Piers, her first ex-husband. I was not a fan of any of the characters in this story. Bernice can be kind at times, but, for the most part, she comes across as a spoiled brat. The mystery had a variety of suspects all from the Trescott family. If I was Evelina, I would change my last name. Bea and her sidekicks are clever and resourceful which is handy when investigating. I was not surprised by the identity of the guilty party. False Conclusion was not my type of story. I found the details to be repetitious (the same things over and over) and Bernice’s attitude was appalling (she needed a good smack). I really did not need to know the details of each of Bernice’s fashion choices (down the shoes). While False Conclusion was not my cup of tea, I suggest you read a sample to see if it appeals to you. False Conclusion is a British mystery with a terrible tragedy, a portrait painter, a troubled teen, and a shrewd schemer.

I've only read one in this long running series featuring Bea Abbott and her ward Bernice but hopped right in and enjoyed this one just fine as a standalone. Bernice's friend Evelina found her uncle's body and now is drugged up and unable to communicate coherently- but she's with Bea and you know things are going to be ok. What is Evelina's family trying to hide? Why did her aunt shuffle her off to Bea? Well, Bea's going to solve the mystery of the Trescotts. She's also going to help Evelina. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A quick and well done read.

I really enjoy this series, although I often seem to miss some of the books. But at least it gives me something to go back and find! They bad guys are very pushing, but I always like how Bea is able to figure out the crime. I like her.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.