A Brazen Curiosity

A Brazen Curiosity, A Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mystery – a Regency Cozy by Lynn Messina

Miss Beatrice Hyde-Clare is introduced in this book as a 26-year-old orphan living with her Uncle and Aunt Vera and cousins, Russell, 21, and Flora, 19. They have been invited to a visit to the country home of Lord and Lady Skeffington, a school friend of Vera and another guest, Mrs. Otley.

This is a cozy mystery and all the houseguests become suspects when Mr. Otley is found dead in the library with a gash to his head from a candlestick. It sounds like a “Clue” game. Bea was looking for a book to read and discovers the body and Damien Matlock, Duke of Kesgrave standing over the body.

She had an instant dislike to the arrogant duke but being a poor relative who is mousy, she can only imagine what she would do to him. He orders her to return to her room and not be caught in a compromising situation. Bea knows it is insulting that he would consider it a horror to be forced to marry her and uses that as an excuse to torment him later.

When Bea is awakened by her aunt and cousin, they tell her Mr. Otley committed suicide. Bea is determined to find out the truth and runs into the duke, who is also investigating the murder, which is why he had the magistrate rule Otley’s death a suicide. They join forces temporarily, but it is Bea who uncovers the truth.

The story follows the rules of a cozy with the murder off stage and no sex. The victim was unscrupulous and disliked, so the suspects are numerous with different motives. The setting is quaint with a restricted suspect group. The only thing missing is a cat. The danger level ramps up for the heroine at the end, but she solves the murder. For those who write or enjoy Regency and Cozy Mysteries, this is a good combination to satisfy both.

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#Regency #Cozymystery #mystery #LynnMessina

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