Um...I have mixed feelings about this one. Before starting it I thought I would fall in love with it. After starting it I thought I was going to hate it. Upon finishing it, I liked it well enough?

I'll get to the good things first: Beatrice was a great main character. The thing that made this book was the banter between Beatrice and Inspector Drake. I loved the mystery solving aspect and I always love when an unlikely duo has to work together to solve a crime. This was also a locked house mystery as it all takes place over one night. Drake was probably the most interesting character in this book. An illegitmate son of a gentleman and an indian woman, exiled from polite society, also happens to have lost an eye at some point due to circumstances that aren't really explained. I would have read a 'non comedy' book about him. He was clever and a really fun love interest.

But the thing I didn't like about the book is very hard to actually seperate from the rest of it. The comedy elements did NOT work for me unfortunately. They were ridiculous. I understand that's the point, that they're extremely exaggerated on purpose, but I don't think they added anything to the story. In fact I think this would have been funnier if it had been more of a dry sense of humour, sarcasm, etc. That would have felt more in keeping with the Jane Austen inspiration.

I get that this was a parody and some times it was funny. But I'm not a 12 year old boy so I don't find whoopee cushions funny. The apparent paranormal elements of werewolves were just stupid and came out of nowhere. It was all just too on the nose. One of the antagonists, Mr Grub - aka our pride and prejudice Mr Colins insert - was so over the top disgusting that at one point I found it almost difficult to read about (think snot, drool and feces.) Like, the author didn't need to do this. I can tell she is a talented writer, these elements I think actually eclipsed that and took things into the absurd. Perhaps the comedy will work for some people but it wasn't for me. I also don't feel that the blurb truley represents the tone of this book. It makes it sound like a lot of similar period mysteries which is what drew me too this in the first place. It doesn't tell you that it's essentially a slapstick comedy.

The ending makes me wonder if this is going to be a series as there is a certain element that didn't get resolved in this book which disappointed me. Overall it was a fun and enjoyable read, but the comedy elements let it down. I would read more from the author if they wrote something a little less surreal. But again I think this will work for some people, and perhaps sometimes we have to admit a certain style just isn't for everyone.

I loved, loved, loved, this story! This book was really well written and managed to be both humorous, whilst remaining in the age it was set in, whilst also dealing with a topic not really humorous (murder). It kept me gripped throughout, and I must admit it kept me guessing till the end. I would heartedly recommend this book, and will be looking for more from this author

3.5 stars

Pride and Prejudice meets A Series Of Unfortunate Events in this Regency romance/cozy mystery. One of the Steele sisters must be married to save their family home from the hands of their greedy Cousin Grub. But Beatrice harbours a dark and thoroughly disreputable secret: a passion for murder! Well, solving murders anyway. When the wealthy, eligible guest of honour drops dead at a ball, Beatrice must solve the case while maintaining her own reputation, even when partnered with the most incorrigible, vexing Inspector she's ever met. (He's the only Inspector she's ever met.)

A fun, farcical romp. Would make a great movie!

Incredibly funny novel, the humour made me laugh out loud sometimes. The characters are a bit exaggerated but I think this is part of the humour. Mr Steele plays silly jokes upon all and sundry, and Mrs Steele is a controlling mother determined to get her daughters, Beatrice and Louisa, happily married. It looks like she will succeed, but the bridegroom to be gets murdered.
I will not give any more of the plot away, or it might spoil the novel, but I would recommend the book as a good read.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.

I was definitely drawn in by the name of this, the cover and the premise which all lined up perfectly to be a great entertaining read. And it certainly was!

At times it kind of felt like a bit of a spoof of a regency novel, where I wasn’t quite sure if they were making fun, being serious or a part of the story! But it definitely made it entertaining.

It was very easy to read but at times things felt a little silly. I’m not sure if that was the intention but it was a fun book for it. A murder committed at ‘Stabmort house’, ‘Croaksworth’ and living in ‘Swampshire’ has me inclined to believe it was meant to be a bit of a joke and tongue in cheek but it worked for the story.

I did love the characters (even if some were largely over the top, flamboyant and stereotypical). I’d love to know how Mr Steele would really have faired in regency times acting in such a manner as a head of a household with such a flair for humour would have been interesting to say the least. Mr Grub was again aptly named for his slimy and instantly put offish manner and the Steele girls were all interesting to follow.

I did enjoy the plot and story, with Inspector Drake at the helm solving the mystery with Beatrice at his side to maintain propriety. There were many twists and turns and I certainly didn’t guess ‘whodunnit’. I’m a big fan of the regency era which was a deciding factor in picking this one up.

Over all a fun book, not to take too seriously and one that I enjoyed from start to finish.

Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.