A Vicious Machination By Lynn Messina. Apparently this is the 12th book in a series that I haven’t read but here we are. Beatrice has to go and get some woman off the hook for murder and she’s a strong woman. You need to know she’s a strong woman who needs to man. I actually liked her much more than she wasn’t doing murder related shit. Maybe I would love her if I had read the previous 11 so take my word for nothing.

Clearly, CLEARLY the best in the series by a MILE and restored my faith in the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mysteries.

Verity Lark, the Duke’s half-sister is thrown into Newgate for a murder she didn’t commit. She published an article about a female blackmailer and was then found at the scene of the crime, holding the weapon. Beatrice is dead set on proving Verity’s innocence even though the list of suspects - everyone who was paying off this woman - is the longest she’s dealt with yet.

Amazing, everything about this.

- The plot is riveting!! Every suspect is so unique with his of her own secret . There are period details and even the mention of a scientific discovery I thought was so interesting.

- Even though some disturbing things are mentioned, the author doesn’t dwell on them, this book’s tone is really well-balanced. The story very much advocates for prison and orphanage reform.

- Beatrice and Kesgrave’s romance is lovely, flirty and fun. I loved spending time with them. He is so in awe of his wife’s talents and she loves that he’s a duke and yet so in touch with the realities of the world. I love them!

- Verity is a Sherlock type of detective. She’s brilliant and Beatrice is very impressed with her methods. I know she has a spin-off series I can’t wait to read it too!

I’ve only read the first 6 books in the series and this is #12 but I jumped ahead a little because this is a NetGalley ARC. Thank you, NetGalley and Book Whisperer for this!

This is a good historical mystery. Well done in a way that will keep you wanting to read until the very end.

This is another fun read in a series featuring Verity Lark. I recommend reading this series in order as it makes more sense that way.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Much as it pains me to admit it- because this has been one of my favorite series- I’m starting to lose interest.

Six months passed between the first and second books; but only about four months have passed between Book 3 and this latest installment, which is number *12*. It’s becoming a bit tedious- Bea’s pregnancy is already starting to feel boring, and I don’t think she’s past the first trimester yet…

Similarly, I always joked that the Duke of Kesgrave was unnaturally perfect as a character, but I was ok with that! Unfortunately even Kesgrave is starting started to bother me a bit. Both he and Bea emphasized often in the beginning of the series that they considered each other equals, but lately his main role seems to be soothing her constant anxieties.

I’d love to see a return to the witty banter of the earlier books. I think Bea and the Duke becoming parents could be just the “reset” this series needs, but at this point I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep reading long enough to get there.

A murder frame-up that caused Lady Bea and the Duke to get involved. Filled with malicious rumors and secrets, this cozy made an interesting read. Although it was not filled with much excitement and intrigue, the Duke and Duchess made it an engaging and entertaining read.

This is my first Lynn Messina (and then I quickly realized this is book 12 in the series) and it definitely won't be the last. Her writing style is perfect for a cozy mystery vibe and I LOVE the regency backdrop.

As we meet our protagonist, Beatrice Hyde-Clare, again, she's involved in a new mystery that hits close to home. In this book the intersection of the BHC and Verity Lark series grows considerably as Verity has been arrested and charged with murder. Bea still hasn't met Verity yet and it's in her effort to make the acquaintance that she learns of the charge. It isn't long before she's in deep, impulsively, taking on some seriously risky behavior as she moves her investigation along. Meanwhile she earns a bit of wrath from Damien for putting herself in danger. We meet several of the usual characters from both series and the book continues and we enjoy all we've come to know of this series.

I personally like just about everything I've read by Lynn Messina, including some of her earlier series. This one is no different and I was completely satisfied by the end. I rate this book four stars and thank Netgalley and Book Whisperer for giving me and free copy of this book. I've added this review voluntarily.

I'm afraid I just couldn't get into A Viscous Machination by Lynn Messina. I read thirty percent but felt I wasn't making fast enough progress in what I thought was a historical murder mystery. The prose was just too wordy for me.

A Vicious Machination by Lynn Messina is a murder mystery that will have you trying to figure out "whodunit" but you will not be able to solve the mystery! This is the 12th book in this series, but it is the first one that I have read. This is a cozy type mystery set in the Regency Era. It was interesting to read about the different methods and even the language used in that time period. I enjoyed reading the book and I will try to read some of the earlier books in this series. I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley and BookWhisperer and I always review every book that I read.

The plot and characters are well developed and they mystery will keep you guessing. It took me a short while to get into the flow of the story because this is #12 and I feel it would have been easier if I started with the first book in the series. However, I feel that this book can be read as a stand-alone. Enjoy.

Lynn Messina writes a regency mystery with lots of action and an adorable independent heroine who chases murderers with her husband,, the Duke of Kesgrave. A blackmailer has been murdered and one of their friends, Miss Lark, is charged with the crime. Many suspects who were blackmailed by the deceased had motive. The foibles of Regency upper and middle classes are exposed. Fun read.

It's the crossover-event Bea & Verity fans have been waiting for in "A Vicious Machination," lucky number 13 in the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mystery series. The first face-to-face meeting of intrepid sleuths Bea and her somewhat sister-in-law Verity Lark!

Verity has been framed for murder of Agnes Wraithe, the corrupt former headmistress of an orphanage who was also a despicable blackmailer. Bea and Kesgrave set out to prove Verity's innocence before they decamp to their country estate and enjoy their impending parenthood.

Now, I haven't read any of the Verity Lark books, but I gather her love interest is Lord Colson because he's the only other character that helps "Her Outrageousness" at all significantly sus out the real killer. So, the crossover is 80/20 at best.

The questioning of multiple suspects became a bit tedious for me and the number of characters referenced was hard to follow, especially for someone who has only read 9 out of the 13 books.

I'm upset that book ended without a scene of Verity being reunited with the Kesgraves after she was exonerated. Perhaps that will be in the next Verity Lark adventure? It felt like the payoff was left out which was disappointing.

Lynn Messina has once again delivered a complex plot with dozens of potential suspects, each with unique backgrounds and personalities, all which Bea, accompanied by Kesgrave , interview . This time, though, we get to see the developing bond between the "murder duchess" and her spouse. Their conversations, which start as a discussion of the recent interview results, often end with a revelation of their growing love. This time, it's Kesgrave's estranged sister who is in need of their help, though she denies it. Would she have murdered the victim, knowing blame would certainly come back to her, or has she been framed? There are plenty of misleading red herrings to keep the reader guessing far into the novel. A very enjoyable read. Now I can hardly wait for the next one.

A quick read that kept me entertained with the thought of my in laws in prison!!! But Bea has a better disposition than I might in the same conditions, so works tirelessly to prove her newly introduced sister in law innocent of all crimes. This series has proven to be a favorite for anyone who enjoys a mystery that's not so dark.

I have enjoyed every story by this author and love that two series have crossed with the main characters meeting each other.

With that said, Bea finds herself investigating to help Verity get out of jail! If you have not read this series or the Verity Lark series, I encourage you to right now!!

Humor, murder, suspense and everything you could ever want in a historical mystery will take you through until the end!!

In the latest Beatrice Hyde-Clare mystery, Beatrice is prevented from meeting her husband’s recently discovered half-sister because Verity Lark has been arrested for murder and sent to Newgate prison. The evidence points to Verity being guilty, but the case and the evidence are too neat for a lady detective like Beatrice Hyde-Clare. As she continues to investigate the murder of her half-sister-in-law’s childhood bully, Beatrice realizes that something else must be behind this arrest and so she sets out to prove Verity’s innocence. With high and personal stakes in this particular investigation, readers will solve the case with Beatrice, Verity, and a host of familiar and unfamiliar faces. As far as historical mystery series go, the Beatrice Hyde-Clare and Verity Lark series are absolutely fascinating and incredible, and this first direct overlap between the two series meets all expectations. The characters and the mystery itself are, of course, incredibly detailed and complex, and readers will enjoy solving the case for Verity’s innocence as the novel progresses. An excellent continuation of the series, fans of the two series will definitely enjoy the latest book and the interactions between the two female protagonists, perhaps paving the way for future joint investigations in future books.

I have been a reader of this series from book one. I tried the accompanying series, the lead being Verity Lark, and didn't connect with it. This story connects with that one and didn't quite do it for me. It is well-written and the mystery unravels nicely but I didn't connect as I usually do with the characters. The slain tormentor is one who abused children which I didn’t enjoy delving into. For many fans, I am sure this will still be a pleasurable read for them.

Courtesy of Netgalley and The Book Whisperer, I received the ARC of A Vicious Machination by Lynn Messina, a cozy Regency mystery in her Beatrice Hyde-Clare series. These delightful novels are witty, clever, and well written, combining suspense with an astute process of deduction as Bea proceeds to solve a murder. Great story with a twist!

A Vicious Machination is a fast-paced historical mystery in a fantastic series. It thrills, intrigues and entertains all the way through.
I adore the banter and teasing between Kesgrave and Bea., not to mention the fact that they can't quite keep out of the way of murder and mayhem.
I wanted to see a little bit more interaction between Kesgrave and Verity but I will continue reading the series to see how things turn out.
The mystery here was intriguing and very puzzling. The list of potential suspects was potentially endless considering it could be anyone associated with the orphanage. I found the names of some of the characters to be quite awkward to read but they were amusing.
I enjoyed this mystery and I'm looking forward to the next adventure.

A twisty mystery with some fun and loving banter between Beatrice, the main character, and her husband. This book relies on things that happened in previous books and in another series the author writes so it definitely helps to have done so to get all the connections, etc. though it can be read alone as I did it.

This series is fast paced; the books have happened in about a year or so. Combined with some outrageous behavior for a Duchess really requires some suspension of disbelief. Some of the nicknames seem a bit childish. I don't know, for some reason it hits me more with this series than some others.

But still, I enjoyed it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.