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Beatrice Steele #1
螆谓伪蟼 蟺慰位蠉 蔚蠀蠂维蟻喂蟽蟿慰蟼 蠁蠈谓慰蟼
螌蟿伪谓 苇谓伪蟼 蟺位慰蠉蟽喂慰蟼 蔚蟻纬苇谓畏蟼 蟺蔚胃伪委谓蔚喂 蟽蟿慰谓 蠁胃喂谓慰蟺蠅蟻喂谓蠈 蠂慰蟻蠈, 渭喂伪 未蔚蟽蟺慰喂谓委未伪 伪谓伪位伪渭尾维谓蔚喂 蟿慰谓 伪谓维蟻渭慰蟽蟿慰 蟻蠈位慰 蟿畏蟼 谓蟿蔚蟿苇魏蟿喂尾, 蟽蔚 渭喂伪 魏蠅渭蠅未委伪 纬蔚渭维蟿畏 未蟻维蟽畏.
螚 未蠀谓伪渭喂魏萎 Beatrice Steele 未蔚谓 蔚委谓伪喂 伪魏蟻喂尾蠋蟼 渭喂伪 芦蟽蠅蟽蟿萎 未蔚蟽蟺慰喂谓委蟼禄: 蔚委谓伪喂 蠁蟻喂蠂蟿萎 蟽蟿慰 魏苇谓蟿畏渭伪, 未蔚谓 未喂伪胃苇蟿蔚喂 渭慰蠀蟽喂魏苇蟼 喂魏伪谓蠈蟿畏蟿蔚蟼 魏伪喂 畏 味蠅纬蟻伪蠁喂魏萎 蟿畏蟼 蔚委谓伪喂 蟿蠈蟽慰 魏伪魏萎 蟺慰蠀 蟿蟻慰渭维味蔚喂 蟿慰谓 魏蠈蟽渭慰. 螤伪蟻伪魏慰位慰蠀胃蔚委 蠈渭蠅蟼 渭蔚 蟿蔚蟻维蟽蟿喂慰 蟺维胃慰蟼 蟿伪 蔚纬魏位萎渭伪蟿伪 蟽蟿喂蟼 蔚蠁畏渭蔚蟻委未蔚蟼. 螝伪蟿维 蟿伪 维位位伪, 味蔚喂 渭喂伪 伪蟺慰位蠉蟿蠅蟼 蔚蠀蠂维蟻喂蟽蟿畏 味蠅萎 渭蔚 蟿畏谓 渭畏蟿苇蟻伪 蟿畏蟼 蟺慰蠀 蠈位慰 蟺伪谓蟿蟻慰位慰纬维蔚喂, 蟿慰谓 蟺伪蟿苇蟻伪 蟿畏蟼 蟺慰蠀 蠈位慰 魏维谓蔚喂 蟺位维魏蔚蟼, 魏伪喂 蟿喂蟼 未蠀慰 渭喂魏蟻蠈蟿蔚蟻蔚蟼 伪未蔚位蠁苇蟼 蟿畏蟼 鈥� 蟿畏谓 蠈渭慰蟻蠁畏 Louisa 魏伪喂 蟿畏谓 维蠂蟻蠅渭畏 Mary.
危蟿慰谓 蠂慰蟻蠈, 畏 Beatrice 蟺蟻慰蟽蟺伪胃蔚委 谓伪 蔚委谓伪喂 蟿蠉蟺慰蟼 魏伪喂 蠀蟺慰纬蟻伪渭渭蠈蟼. 螢伪蠁谓喂魏维, 蟽蟿伪 渭喂蟽维 蔚谓蠈蟼 渭喂谓慰蠀苇蟿慰蠀, 慰 蟺蔚蟻喂味萎蟿畏蟿慰蟼 蔚蟻纬苇谓畏蟼 Edmund Croaksworth 蟺苇蠁蟿蔚喂 谓蔚魏蟻蠈蟼. 螆尉蠅 渭伪委谓蔚蟿伪喂 畏 魏伪蟿伪喂纬委未伪 魏喂 畏 尾蟻伪未喂维 蔚尉蔚位委蟽蟽蔚蟿伪喂 蟽蔚 渭喂伪 蠁蟻蔚谓委蟿喂未伪 蟺伪谓喂魏慰蠉, 蠁蠈尾慰蠀 魏伪喂 蟺蟻慰未慰蟽委伪蟼, 伪蠁慰蠉 蔚委谓伪喂 尉蔚魏维胃伪蟻慰 蟺蠅蟼 蠈位慰喂 蔚委谓伪喂 蟺伪纬喂未蔚蠀渭苇谓慰喂 渭伪味委 渭蔚 苇谓伪谓 未慰位慰蠁蠈谓慰. 螚 Beatrice 蟺蟻苇蟺蔚喂 谓伪 蠀蟺蔚蟻尾蔚委 蟿畏谓 魏慰蟽渭喂蠈蟿畏蟿伪 魏伪喂 蟿畏谓 蔚蠀蟺蟻苇蟺蔚喂伪, 纬喂伪 谓伪 蠁苇蟻蔚喂 蟿畏 未喂魏伪喂慰蟽蠉谓畏 鈥� 蟺蟻喂谓 纬委谓蔚喂 魏喂 维位位慰蟼 蠁蠈谓慰蟼.
螚 未蠀谓伪渭喂魏萎 Beatrice Steele 未蔚谓 蔚委谓伪喂 伪魏蟻喂尾蠋蟼 渭喂伪 芦蟽蠅蟽蟿萎 未蔚蟽蟺慰喂谓委蟼禄: 蔚委谓伪喂 蠁蟻喂蠂蟿萎 蟽蟿慰 魏苇谓蟿畏渭伪, 未蔚谓 未喂伪胃苇蟿蔚喂 渭慰蠀蟽喂魏苇蟼 喂魏伪谓蠈蟿畏蟿蔚蟼 魏伪喂 畏 味蠅纬蟻伪蠁喂魏萎 蟿畏蟼 蔚委谓伪喂 蟿蠈蟽慰 魏伪魏萎 蟺慰蠀 蟿蟻慰渭维味蔚喂 蟿慰谓 魏蠈蟽渭慰. 螤伪蟻伪魏慰位慰蠀胃蔚委 蠈渭蠅蟼 渭蔚 蟿蔚蟻维蟽蟿喂慰 蟺维胃慰蟼 蟿伪 蔚纬魏位萎渭伪蟿伪 蟽蟿喂蟼 蔚蠁畏渭蔚蟻委未蔚蟼. 螝伪蟿维 蟿伪 维位位伪, 味蔚喂 渭喂伪 伪蟺慰位蠉蟿蠅蟼 蔚蠀蠂维蟻喂蟽蟿畏 味蠅萎 渭蔚 蟿畏谓 渭畏蟿苇蟻伪 蟿畏蟼 蟺慰蠀 蠈位慰 蟺伪谓蟿蟻慰位慰纬维蔚喂, 蟿慰谓 蟺伪蟿苇蟻伪 蟿畏蟼 蟺慰蠀 蠈位慰 魏维谓蔚喂 蟺位维魏蔚蟼, 魏伪喂 蟿喂蟼 未蠀慰 渭喂魏蟻蠈蟿蔚蟻蔚蟼 伪未蔚位蠁苇蟼 蟿畏蟼 鈥� 蟿畏谓 蠈渭慰蟻蠁畏 Louisa 魏伪喂 蟿畏谓 维蠂蟻蠅渭畏 Mary.
危蟿慰谓 蠂慰蟻蠈, 畏 Beatrice 蟺蟻慰蟽蟺伪胃蔚委 谓伪 蔚委谓伪喂 蟿蠉蟺慰蟼 魏伪喂 蠀蟺慰纬蟻伪渭渭蠈蟼. 螢伪蠁谓喂魏维, 蟽蟿伪 渭喂蟽维 蔚谓蠈蟼 渭喂谓慰蠀苇蟿慰蠀, 慰 蟺蔚蟻喂味萎蟿畏蟿慰蟼 蔚蟻纬苇谓畏蟼 Edmund Croaksworth 蟺苇蠁蟿蔚喂 谓蔚魏蟻蠈蟼. 螆尉蠅 渭伪委谓蔚蟿伪喂 畏 魏伪蟿伪喂纬委未伪 魏喂 畏 尾蟻伪未喂维 蔚尉蔚位委蟽蟽蔚蟿伪喂 蟽蔚 渭喂伪 蠁蟻蔚谓委蟿喂未伪 蟺伪谓喂魏慰蠉, 蠁蠈尾慰蠀 魏伪喂 蟺蟻慰未慰蟽委伪蟼, 伪蠁慰蠉 蔚委谓伪喂 尉蔚魏维胃伪蟻慰 蟺蠅蟼 蠈位慰喂 蔚委谓伪喂 蟺伪纬喂未蔚蠀渭苇谓慰喂 渭伪味委 渭蔚 苇谓伪谓 未慰位慰蠁蠈谓慰. 螚 Beatrice 蟺蟻苇蟺蔚喂 谓伪 蠀蟺蔚蟻尾蔚委 蟿畏谓 魏慰蟽渭喂蠈蟿畏蟿伪 魏伪喂 蟿畏谓 蔚蠀蟺蟻苇蟺蔚喂伪, 纬喂伪 谓伪 蠁苇蟻蔚喂 蟿畏 未喂魏伪喂慰蟽蠉谓畏 鈥� 蟺蟻喂谓 纬委谓蔚喂 魏喂 维位位慰蟼 蠁蠈谓慰蟼.
472 pages, Paperback
First published June 27, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,245 reviews
July 24, 2023
Pride and Prejudice meets Clue meets Shrek with werewolves, gags, gothic elements but also a parody鈥�? 馃樀鈥嶐煉�
Needless to say, this book didn鈥檛 really seem to know what exactly it wanted to be. It suffered from debut author syndrome, where the author was chock full of ideas and decided to use them all in this first book. This was鈥�. a bit of a mess.
It had way too many characters to keep track of, included annotations, lists and side information galore, but all that being said this wasn鈥檛 without its charm. It had a goofiness and absurdity that I enjoyed, and its ott commentary on the restrictive nature of society for women at the time was both ridiculous and hilarious. This author has talent with satire, she just needs to tone it down, A LOT. I felt a mite beat over the head with all the 鈥榡okes鈥�. I love farce and I liked some of this but this was over-long and its quirkiness was overdone and tiresome. There was a character that spoke in rhyme and another in sailing metaphors and glow in the dark frogs that had no significance to anything. This would really benefit from strict editing, more focus and a solid foothold in ONE genre. The mystery itself was mostly decent until the end when it kept going and going with more twists than a bag of liquorice. The Clue-like atmosphere was nostalgic - as that was an excellent mystery parody - this, however, was not. Rounded up to three stars because this author seems like a cute person and the cover is very pretty.
Update: I hear this has been optioned for a movie, so best of luck to the screenwriter who takes this on. 馃ゴ
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Needless to say, this book didn鈥檛 really seem to know what exactly it wanted to be. It suffered from debut author syndrome, where the author was chock full of ideas and decided to use them all in this first book. This was鈥�. a bit of a mess.
It had way too many characters to keep track of, included annotations, lists and side information galore, but all that being said this wasn鈥檛 without its charm. It had a goofiness and absurdity that I enjoyed, and its ott commentary on the restrictive nature of society for women at the time was both ridiculous and hilarious. This author has talent with satire, she just needs to tone it down, A LOT. I felt a mite beat over the head with all the 鈥榡okes鈥�. I love farce and I liked some of this but this was over-long and its quirkiness was overdone and tiresome. There was a character that spoke in rhyme and another in sailing metaphors and glow in the dark frogs that had no significance to anything. This would really benefit from strict editing, more focus and a solid foothold in ONE genre. The mystery itself was mostly decent until the end when it kept going and going with more twists than a bag of liquorice. The Clue-like atmosphere was nostalgic - as that was an excellent mystery parody - this, however, was not. Rounded up to three stars because this author seems like a cute person and the cover is very pretty.
Update: I hear this has been optioned for a movie, so best of luck to the screenwriter who takes this on. 馃ゴ
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 1, 2023
In a Nutshell: A mostly agreeable parody of Regency-era dramatic mysteries, combining elements from historical fiction, Regency romance, cosy mystery, satire, and humour. A good debut work, but it tries too hard and hence stumbles a bit. Nevertheless, a fun experience. To be read with all logic kept firmly aside and with your wacky hats on.
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
馃槏 Jane Austen fans will be mostly happy to see the number of Easter eggs scattered in this Austen pastiche. Right from plot elements such as 鈥渢aking a turn around the room to show off our figures to advantage鈥�, to some of the character names and personalities that are directly or indirectly inspired by Austen鈥檚 novels, to places like Gretna Green and Bath, to the mention of minor Austen elements such as 鈥淔ordyce鈥檚 Sermons鈥� 鈥� we Austenites will find plenty of inside jokes. Of course, some purists might end up offended at some of the content. But I read the plot in the spirit of 鈥渓aughing with Austen鈥� rather than 鈥渓aughing at Austen鈥� (the latter being something I would never do), so I had a merry time. Moreover, Austen herself was quite satirical in her works, and a similar tone persists in this work, though at a more burlesque level.
馃槏 The book doesn鈥檛 poke fun only at Regency tropes but also at Brit tropes. Whether it鈥檚 their tendency to talk about the weather or their (historical) disdain for all things French, the plot incorporates these English quirks with great finesse.
馃槏 Beatrice makes for an outstanding lead character, a part of which is because she is not perfect unlike so many Regency heroines. Her passion for crime solving, her lack of talent in anything creative, and her determined personality turn her into a MC we can root for despite her flaws.
馃槏 A majority of the secondary characters also have their own charms (and harms.) Most of these characters fit some or the other clich茅d Regency role, but in a farcical way. Some characters are given distinct characteristics such as Captain Pe帽a's propensity for sailing metaphors, Daniel's tendency to rhyme his maxims, Mr. Steele鈥檚 love for pranks and Mr. Ashford鈥檚 obsession with tonics. All this adds to the fun.
馃槏 I like how the characters come from a variety of backgrounds in a Bridgerton-series kind of way, but their ethnicity isn鈥檛 used as an excuse for exoticism. Vivek Drake was my favourite, for obvious reasons.
馃槏 The mystery aspect of the book is fairly satisfying. As a locked room mystery, it uses the setting of Stabmort Park (which seems to be aptly named, just as Swampshire is!) quite well, right from its turrets to its marshy grounds. The author does a good job of keeping multiple characters on the radar of suspense. Though the final section gets a tad too convoluted, it is still fairly gripping. I admit, I am not a big fan of cosy mysteries, and I hate extended info-dumps. But the reveal scene in this book was pretty decent and I made it through without rolling my eyes.
馃槏 Though there is a repeated mention of 鈥渢ingling sensations during arm brushes", there is no 鈥渞omantic romance鈥� in the plot. I always like books that don鈥檛 force their lead characters into a romantic relationship.
馃槏 An added Yay for that gorgeous cover art!
Bookish If Onlys:
馃槓 The youngest Steele sister, Mary, had a lot of potential in her arc. But both on the page and off, her character remains mostly behind the scenes. I wish her character had received as much prominence as the other two Steele sisters, and also that her unusual physical characteristic had been elaborated upon. (I have my suspicions about the reason, but the book should have tackled this rather than leaving it dangling.)
Bookish Nays:
馃槪 Right from the first page, the book is quite tongue-in-cheek. Though I am a fan of Austen鈥檚 timeless classics, I still chortled at how the author used the same lines in a hilarious fashion to poke fun at the common tropes. But humour is best served in moderation. When physical grossness such as snot and spittle is used to elicit laughs, it isn鈥檛 funny anymore, and is not even true to Austen鈥檚 voice. A character named Grub, who seems to be modelled on Mr. Collins, has the most disgusting portrayal that goes much over the top and kills the enjoyment. Toning down Grub鈥檚 grubby personality would have helped.
Bookish Doubt:
馃憖 What was with all the frogs? Did anyone get the literary significance of that? Or was it poking fun at some other trope? Or am I simply trying to assign a meaning where there is none, 脿 la most English teachers?
All in all, this is a book that doesn鈥檛 take itself seriously, and thus, it will work best when you too don鈥檛 take it seriously. Go in with the right expectations and laugh along with it to enjoy the ride better. For a debut work, it does pretty well without shoving in a bucket-load of themes. I will certainly look forward to more books by this author.
My heart says that this is being planned as a series. If so, Mary鈥檚 character needs and deserves more attention in the subsequent books.
Recommended to Regency mystery lovers who have a quirky sense of humour and can read parodies in the right spirit.
3.75 stars. (Would have gone a bit higher had I enjoyed cosy mysteries more.)
My thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Random House and NetGalley for the DRC of 鈥淎 Most Agreeable Murder鈥�. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Story Synopsis:
Regency-Era England. (The year is left to our imagination.)
Swampshire is a swampy little township that no one has heard about, with its key features being swamps, frogs, and hail. Nevertheless, it has its set of loyal residents who follow the set of rules laid down by the founding father Baron Ashbrook a long time ago.
One such family is the Steele family, whose eldest daughter Beatrice Steele is burdened with the responsibility of having to marry well. Sadly, she has no talent that could make her a good wife, with her needlework, artwork, and music being equally bad. The only interest that she has is an unhealthy passion for true crime cases, which she reads on the sly in newspapers, quite against the guiding rules about acceptable behaviour for ladies.
When a person drops dead at a ball the Steele family is attending at Stabmort Park, Beatrice sees it as a great opportunity to employ her detective skills.
The story comes to us mostly in the limited third person perspective of Beatrice, with the rest of the details being supplied by letters, newspaper articles, and other media.
Bookish Yays:
馃槏 Jane Austen fans will be mostly happy to see the number of Easter eggs scattered in this Austen pastiche. Right from plot elements such as 鈥渢aking a turn around the room to show off our figures to advantage鈥�, to some of the character names and personalities that are directly or indirectly inspired by Austen鈥檚 novels, to places like Gretna Green and Bath, to the mention of minor Austen elements such as 鈥淔ordyce鈥檚 Sermons鈥� 鈥� we Austenites will find plenty of inside jokes. Of course, some purists might end up offended at some of the content. But I read the plot in the spirit of 鈥渓aughing with Austen鈥� rather than 鈥渓aughing at Austen鈥� (the latter being something I would never do), so I had a merry time. Moreover, Austen herself was quite satirical in her works, and a similar tone persists in this work, though at a more burlesque level.
馃槏 The book doesn鈥檛 poke fun only at Regency tropes but also at Brit tropes. Whether it鈥檚 their tendency to talk about the weather or their (historical) disdain for all things French, the plot incorporates these English quirks with great finesse.
馃槏 Beatrice makes for an outstanding lead character, a part of which is because she is not perfect unlike so many Regency heroines. Her passion for crime solving, her lack of talent in anything creative, and her determined personality turn her into a MC we can root for despite her flaws.
馃槏 A majority of the secondary characters also have their own charms (and harms.) Most of these characters fit some or the other clich茅d Regency role, but in a farcical way. Some characters are given distinct characteristics such as Captain Pe帽a's propensity for sailing metaphors, Daniel's tendency to rhyme his maxims, Mr. Steele鈥檚 love for pranks and Mr. Ashford鈥檚 obsession with tonics. All this adds to the fun.
馃槏 I like how the characters come from a variety of backgrounds in a Bridgerton-series kind of way, but their ethnicity isn鈥檛 used as an excuse for exoticism. Vivek Drake was my favourite, for obvious reasons.
馃槏 The mystery aspect of the book is fairly satisfying. As a locked room mystery, it uses the setting of Stabmort Park (which seems to be aptly named, just as Swampshire is!) quite well, right from its turrets to its marshy grounds. The author does a good job of keeping multiple characters on the radar of suspense. Though the final section gets a tad too convoluted, it is still fairly gripping. I admit, I am not a big fan of cosy mysteries, and I hate extended info-dumps. But the reveal scene in this book was pretty decent and I made it through without rolling my eyes.
馃槏 Though there is a repeated mention of 鈥渢ingling sensations during arm brushes", there is no 鈥渞omantic romance鈥� in the plot. I always like books that don鈥檛 force their lead characters into a romantic relationship.
馃槏 An added Yay for that gorgeous cover art!
Bookish If Onlys:
馃槓 The youngest Steele sister, Mary, had a lot of potential in her arc. But both on the page and off, her character remains mostly behind the scenes. I wish her character had received as much prominence as the other two Steele sisters, and also that her unusual physical characteristic had been elaborated upon. (I have my suspicions about the reason, but the book should have tackled this rather than leaving it dangling.)
Bookish Nays:
馃槪 Right from the first page, the book is quite tongue-in-cheek. Though I am a fan of Austen鈥檚 timeless classics, I still chortled at how the author used the same lines in a hilarious fashion to poke fun at the common tropes. But humour is best served in moderation. When physical grossness such as snot and spittle is used to elicit laughs, it isn鈥檛 funny anymore, and is not even true to Austen鈥檚 voice. A character named Grub, who seems to be modelled on Mr. Collins, has the most disgusting portrayal that goes much over the top and kills the enjoyment. Toning down Grub鈥檚 grubby personality would have helped.
Bookish Doubt:
馃憖 What was with all the frogs? Did anyone get the literary significance of that? Or was it poking fun at some other trope? Or am I simply trying to assign a meaning where there is none, 脿 la most English teachers?
All in all, this is a book that doesn鈥檛 take itself seriously, and thus, it will work best when you too don鈥檛 take it seriously. Go in with the right expectations and laugh along with it to enjoy the ride better. For a debut work, it does pretty well without shoving in a bucket-load of themes. I will certainly look forward to more books by this author.
My heart says that this is being planned as a series. If so, Mary鈥檚 character needs and deserves more attention in the subsequent books.
Recommended to Regency mystery lovers who have a quirky sense of humour and can read parodies in the right spirit.
3.75 stars. (Would have gone a bit higher had I enjoyed cosy mysteries more.)
My thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Random House and NetGalley for the DRC of 鈥淎 Most Agreeable Murder鈥�. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
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July 1, 2023
Happy Publication Day!
June 27, 2023
3.75猸愶笍
Satirical, humorous, a tad silly yet twisty听A Most Agreeable Murder听by听Julia Seales听is a locked room mystery set in Regency-era England. A spoof of Regency-era romances and tropes and Agatha Christie-ish mysteries, the story revolves around twenty-five-year-old Beatrice Steele of Swampshire, England (known for its squelch holes). Beatrice is the eldest of three daughters. Her mother is eager to find her daughters suitable matches given that in the absence of a male heir their assets would be inherited by a distant cousin (the utterly revolting Mr. Martin Grub, who seems quite taken with Beatrice) upon Mr. Steele鈥檚 demise. The annual Autumnal Ball at Stabmort Park, hosted by the Ashwoods, one of Swampshire鈥檚 most influential families, with a particularly affluent and eligible bachelor in attendance has Mrs. Steele hopeful to make a match for one of her daughters. When a murder takes place at the venue, Beatrice finds herself assisting Inspector Vivek Drake (the former assistant of renowned London detective Sir Huxley of whom Beatrice is a huge fan and whose exploits she secretly follows). The strict code of conduct for Swampshire ladies (as explicitly stated in The Lady鈥檚 Guide to Swampshire) forbids them to show any interest in such morbid matters along with other norms failing which might result in being banished or exiled to France. Beatrice is thrilled at the opportunity to try her hand at solving an actual mystery, though she鈥檚 not particularly happy about having to work with Inspector Drake. Trapped at the venue due to inclement weather and without any external assistance, Beatrice and Drake leave no stone unturned as they try to find the culprit who is clearly one of the attendees 鈥� among whom are Beatrice鈥檚 friends and family.听 听
Evenly paced and well-written, I found this to be a fun read with several laugh-out-loud moments, an interesting cast of characters and an endearing protagonist. I enjoyed the dynamic between Drake and Beatrice and liked how the plot is structured. While the final reveal wasn鈥檛 completely unpredictable, I did like how we got there and was surprised several times along the way. There are quite a few sub-plots incorporated into the murder mystery and though all of them weren鈥檛 resolved adequately (the plot does get a bit convoluted toward the end), I was satisfied with how the author chose to end this story. However, I would have liked Beatrice鈥檚 youngest sister Mary鈥檚 storyline to have been explored in more depth beyond the comic (and OTT) element. I appreciated the humor and the twists (a tad OTT but not so much that detracts from the overall reading experience).听 Multiple suspects and red-herrings and some truly wacky characters (some with rather telling names) make for an engaging read.
You鈥檒l be entertained, provided you don鈥檛 overthink it and choose to enjoy the ride!
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.听
June 27, 2023
3.75猸愶笍
Satirical, humorous, a tad silly yet twisty听A Most Agreeable Murder听by听Julia Seales听is a locked room mystery set in Regency-era England. A spoof of Regency-era romances and tropes and Agatha Christie-ish mysteries, the story revolves around twenty-five-year-old Beatrice Steele of Swampshire, England (known for its squelch holes). Beatrice is the eldest of three daughters. Her mother is eager to find her daughters suitable matches given that in the absence of a male heir their assets would be inherited by a distant cousin (the utterly revolting Mr. Martin Grub, who seems quite taken with Beatrice) upon Mr. Steele鈥檚 demise. The annual Autumnal Ball at Stabmort Park, hosted by the Ashwoods, one of Swampshire鈥檚 most influential families, with a particularly affluent and eligible bachelor in attendance has Mrs. Steele hopeful to make a match for one of her daughters. When a murder takes place at the venue, Beatrice finds herself assisting Inspector Vivek Drake (the former assistant of renowned London detective Sir Huxley of whom Beatrice is a huge fan and whose exploits she secretly follows). The strict code of conduct for Swampshire ladies (as explicitly stated in The Lady鈥檚 Guide to Swampshire) forbids them to show any interest in such morbid matters along with other norms failing which might result in being banished or exiled to France. Beatrice is thrilled at the opportunity to try her hand at solving an actual mystery, though she鈥檚 not particularly happy about having to work with Inspector Drake. Trapped at the venue due to inclement weather and without any external assistance, Beatrice and Drake leave no stone unturned as they try to find the culprit who is clearly one of the attendees 鈥� among whom are Beatrice鈥檚 friends and family.听 听
Evenly paced and well-written, I found this to be a fun read with several laugh-out-loud moments, an interesting cast of characters and an endearing protagonist. I enjoyed the dynamic between Drake and Beatrice and liked how the plot is structured. While the final reveal wasn鈥檛 completely unpredictable, I did like how we got there and was surprised several times along the way. There are quite a few sub-plots incorporated into the murder mystery and though all of them weren鈥檛 resolved adequately (the plot does get a bit convoluted toward the end), I was satisfied with how the author chose to end this story. However, I would have liked Beatrice鈥檚 youngest sister Mary鈥檚 storyline to have been explored in more depth beyond the comic (and OTT) element. I appreciated the humor and the twists (a tad OTT but not so much that detracts from the overall reading experience).听 Multiple suspects and red-herrings and some truly wacky characters (some with rather telling names) make for an engaging read.
You鈥檒l be entertained, provided you don鈥檛 overthink it and choose to enjoy the ride!
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.听
January 28, 2023
#Random House
You asked for my honest opinion, and I am sorry, I found this to be insulting to Jane Austen, who is witty, and can make you laugh out loud at her very astute observations of human nature, but she is never cruel and this author is cruel. I find poor Mr. Steele a buffoon, crass, and not a funny prankster. I find Mrs. Steele a very poor form of plagiarism almost, in the form of Mrs. Steele, it's obviously based on Mrs. Bennett from Pride & Prejudice. The rhyming drove me nuts, not funny in the least, the gentle observations by Jane Austen are heavy handed and cruel in this book. I understand satire, this goes beyond to an ugly trope of Agatha Christie, who in my opinion, in the no Google age, a genius of her craft, she herself made Poirot's little mannerisms make you smile, not take a hammer out to her creations. I cannot recommend it. I appreciate your kindness in allowing me to read it, but trust me, it was hard going.
Thank you,
carolintallahassee
You asked for my honest opinion, and I am sorry, I found this to be insulting to Jane Austen, who is witty, and can make you laugh out loud at her very astute observations of human nature, but she is never cruel and this author is cruel. I find poor Mr. Steele a buffoon, crass, and not a funny prankster. I find Mrs. Steele a very poor form of plagiarism almost, in the form of Mrs. Steele, it's obviously based on Mrs. Bennett from Pride & Prejudice. The rhyming drove me nuts, not funny in the least, the gentle observations by Jane Austen are heavy handed and cruel in this book. I understand satire, this goes beyond to an ugly trope of Agatha Christie, who in my opinion, in the no Google age, a genius of her craft, she herself made Poirot's little mannerisms make you smile, not take a hammer out to her creations. I cannot recommend it. I appreciate your kindness in allowing me to read it, but trust me, it was hard going.
Thank you,
carolintallahassee
April 14, 2025
If you thought you were starting a traditional, historical mystery/romance set in a bucolic English village, that notion was knocked on its ear in the second paragraph. The humor permeates every scene in this book and while that has it solidly in "caper" territory, we still get some striking comments about the role of women and societal norms in 1800s England.
The story follows Beatrice Steele, the oldest of three daughters in her family, as she goes to an autumn ball at nearby Stabmort Park. Though she halfheartedly thinks about marriage like the other young women, Beatrice's passion is reading about crime and sending suggestions to a London-based detective whose cases are described in the press. When there's a murder at the ball, she teams up with the detective's former partner to solve the crime.
The relationship between Beatrice and the detective is the strongest of the many romantic subplots in the story. In a delightful conclusion, her future looks bright, but her story does not end in the expected, settled way. There's a hint of wonderful possibilities for Beatrice, though. We do get a wedding in the epilogue...it's just not the one that's expected.
This was a delightful romp that played with the historical romance/mystery genre. There are some aspects of the village and society there that are absurd, but also hilarious and entertaining. There were moments of modern language, but they don't detract for the fun story and interesting characters.
The story follows Beatrice Steele, the oldest of three daughters in her family, as she goes to an autumn ball at nearby Stabmort Park. Though she halfheartedly thinks about marriage like the other young women, Beatrice's passion is reading about crime and sending suggestions to a London-based detective whose cases are described in the press. When there's a murder at the ball, she teams up with the detective's former partner to solve the crime.
The relationship between Beatrice and the detective is the strongest of the many romantic subplots in the story. In a delightful conclusion, her future looks bright, but her story does not end in the expected, settled way. There's a hint of wonderful possibilities for Beatrice, though. We do get a wedding in the epilogue...it's just not the one that's expected.
This was a delightful romp that played with the historical romance/mystery genre. There are some aspects of the village and society there that are absurd, but also hilarious and entertaining. There were moments of modern language, but they don't detract for the fun story and interesting characters.
February 19, 2025
A Most Agreeable Murder is a light-hearted and fun read following Beatrice Steele as she struggles to hide her fascination with solving murders in a Regency Era society with many rules about propriety. Julia Seales is clearly inspired by Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and Agatha Christie in the creation of her characters and story, but she introduces a lot more humor into her writing and world-building to give this comedic romance in a mystery setting.
At the beginning of the book, Beatrice Steele finds herself in a locked room mystery (or a locked mansion in a hailstorm mystery) and has to put aside her prejudices to solve it, all while trying to save her family estate from entailment. As the story unfolds, she finds that many of the people around her are also hiding something from the rest of the world. The story arcs well until the end which seems a little cluttered. The characters are interesting and it is good to see some diversity in stories of that era. The main characters see some development and some of the others are also fleshed out as the story progresses, but a few are not believable and seemed to be sacrificed to have comedy/ red herrings in the plot. The writing and the world- building go hand in hand to provide a lot of laughs in this read even though some of the humor is on the nose. It is not clear if the setting is indeed Regency Era with regards to some of the propriety rules the women have to follow like having to be very strong and baking scones themselves, but it's definitely funny.
馃専馃専1/2
The rating which is 2 1/2 stars is rounded up to an integer 3 as the book delivers what it promises.
[Half a star for the premise and the whole book; Half a star for the characters; Half a star for the story arc; Half a star for the writing; Half a star for the world-building - Two and a half stars on the whole.]
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
At the beginning of the book, Beatrice Steele finds herself in a locked room mystery (or a locked mansion in a hailstorm mystery) and has to put aside her prejudices to solve it, all while trying to save her family estate from entailment. As the story unfolds, she finds that many of the people around her are also hiding something from the rest of the world. The story arcs well until the end which seems a little cluttered. The characters are interesting and it is good to see some diversity in stories of that era. The main characters see some development and some of the others are also fleshed out as the story progresses, but a few are not believable and seemed to be sacrificed to have comedy/ red herrings in the plot. The writing and the world- building go hand in hand to provide a lot of laughs in this read even though some of the humor is on the nose. It is not clear if the setting is indeed Regency Era with regards to some of the propriety rules the women have to follow like having to be very strong and baking scones themselves, but it's definitely funny.
馃専馃専1/2
The rating which is 2 1/2 stars is rounded up to an integer 3 as the book delivers what it promises.
[Half a star for the premise and the whole book; Half a star for the characters; Half a star for the story arc; Half a star for the writing; Half a star for the world-building - Two and a half stars on the whole.]
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2025
I cannot believe that I am only at the 10% mark in this book and have already laughed several times, hard enough to nearly wet myself.
This book reminds me very much of one of my beloved historical romances but with a little more whimsy!
This was a read that was well worth my time. There are a lot of giggles, a tiny bit of romance, and a very, very complicated murder with many red herrings.
I don't know how to describe this book. It sure wasn't your typical historical. Instead, it was a delightful mix of Regency historical, comedy, and mystery.
All I can say is do yourself a favor and try this book. You can't go wrong. There is something in it for every type of reader.
I hope there will be more stories set in Swampshire (even the name of the town gives me a fit of giggles), and I would love to know more about Mary. If you read this, you too will be curious about just how the author will treat Mary. Is she what I think she is, or is there another explanation? Only one way to find out!!!
*ARC supplied by the publisher Random House, the author, and NetGalley.
This book reminds me very much of one of my beloved historical romances but with a little more whimsy!
This was a read that was well worth my time. There are a lot of giggles, a tiny bit of romance, and a very, very complicated murder with many red herrings.
I don't know how to describe this book. It sure wasn't your typical historical. Instead, it was a delightful mix of Regency historical, comedy, and mystery.
All I can say is do yourself a favor and try this book. You can't go wrong. There is something in it for every type of reader.
I hope there will be more stories set in Swampshire (even the name of the town gives me a fit of giggles), and I would love to know more about Mary. If you read this, you too will be curious about just how the author will treat Mary. Is she what I think she is, or is there another explanation? Only one way to find out!!!
*ARC supplied by the publisher Random House, the author, and NetGalley.
June 3, 2023
Provided by netgalley for a free and honest review.
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 house the murder takes place in is called 'Stabmort' and I just kept thinking of that bit in Jessica Jones when she's like "Killgrave? Was Murdercorpse already taken?"
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.
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 house the murder takes place in is called 'Stabmort' and I just kept thinking of that bit in Jessica Jones when she's like "Killgrave? Was Murdercorpse already taken?"
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.
December 22, 2024
But as I always say, a single man in possession of a good fortune sometimes is actually not single. He's often a total liar.
A great parody understands the genre perfectly, and A Most Agreeable Murder understands both the regency romance and the whodunit so well. There's so much genuine care for the regency novel put into this parody! The characters feel like wonderful commentaries on Pride and Prejudice, giggling at its quirks not out of mockery but out of love.
Beatrice Steele is an unmarried lady of marriageable age. So it's too bad she seems so preoccupied with murder, rather than finding a husband. Her secret could probably stay secret, were it not for a fiasco at a ball: When Edmund Croaksworth, well, croaks.
Our intrepid cast consists of Beatrice Steele; sisters Mary and Louisa, and her Bennett-parent-parody parents; childhood best friend Daniel Ashbrook, his complicated sister Arabella, and their judgmental father; superstitious Miss Bolton; 鈥渙rphaned鈥� Caroline Wynn; and disreputable Francois Fan. And rounding them all out is Inspector Vivek Drake, ready to investigate the murder 鈥� but why ever was he here in the first place?
While I'm not sure I found it terribly surprising per se, the solution was very fun. Beatrice's character arc is compelling, and the relationship between her and Inspector Drake builds well. Overall, this will just be a very fun romp for anyone who loves the more humorous aspects of a good Jane Austen and a good Agatha Christie. Those with less familiarity with either probably won't get much from this, but that's what I like about it.
"If you think any of this is funny, you are sorely mistaken," Mr. Steele told Frank.
"Of course I don't think it's funny!" Frank insisted.
"Even worse! You have no sense of humor!"
| | | |听
February 8, 2024
袧械褋锌芯写褨胁邪薪芯 鈥� 褋懈谢褜薪芯 褋锌芯写芯斜邪谢芯褋褟! 袛褍卸械 褋屑褨褕薪邪, 蟹邪褏芯锌谢懈胁邪 泄 写芯斜褉邪 泻薪懈卸泻邪. 袣邪卸褍, 褟泻 蟹邪褌褟褌邪 褕邪薪褍胁邪谢褜薪懈褑褟 褨 袛卸械泄薪 袨褋褌褨薪, 褨 袗覒邪褌懈 袣褉褨褋褌褨. 啸芯褔褍 锌褉芯写芯胁卸械薪薪褟!
April 14, 2023
This was a delightful read. It鈥檚 a tongue in cheek story, so read it for what it is. It鈥檚 not going to be historically accurate or anything like that. It鈥檚 a parody鈥�.and I loved it. I laughed, smiled, & it definitely put me in a great mood. The humor & snarky remarks were great. The characters were wonderful, the mystery was fun, and I absolutely cannot wait for, hopefully, another book.
September 26, 2023
Why was this so freaking funny and delightful? Jane Austen meets Murder mystery and add a big splash of hilarious commentary on the silliness of the rules of lady etiquette in the regency period. The perfect Rachel book. 馃グ
July 5, 2023
very surreal to read a book written by your college friend! congrats julia on this fun, twisty, cozy mystery romp that i finished in basically one sitting
January 24, 2023
This is goofy, fun, and not what I expected at all. But there isn't a murder until almost 30% in, and we spend most of the time leading up to it being introduced to all the guests..
There are a ton.
Too many zany details (her sister is a werewolf?) not enough actual story.
full review on
There are a ton.
Too many zany details (her sister is a werewolf?) not enough actual story.
full review on
December 26, 2022
thank you netgalley, random house, and julia seales for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! it鈥檚 a unique and fun novel that mixes historical fiction, comedy, and mystery into one book. it includes great social commentary on the time period and would be great for fans of quirky historical novels, for example, like the wisteria society for lady scoundrels. some parts were a little *too* odd for my taste, such as the suggestion that the main character鈥檚 sister is a werewolf/supernatural being? however, i did enjoy it, and really like the main character beatrice. i couldn鈥檛 solve the mystery but was continuously guessing who could have done it. if you like these genres, i recommend picking it up!
May 18, 2024
Well that was really fun, and I did this one on audio......
Add a huge cup of Victorian with a dollop of satire/poking fun. Throw in a murder, a sassy heroine (within the confines of proper breeding of course), and a haunted mansion and estate. Season well with secrets and mayhem, and throw in a turret or two.
This truly was just fun. I enjoyed it. Thank you to the Crime Tag of the Month that gave me an excuse to read it.
Add a huge cup of Victorian with a dollop of satire/poking fun. Throw in a murder, a sassy heroine (within the confines of proper breeding of course), and a haunted mansion and estate. Season well with secrets and mayhem, and throw in a turret or two.
This truly was just fun. I enjoyed it. Thank you to the Crime Tag of the Month that gave me an excuse to read it.
August 22, 2023
La familia Steele al completo es invitada al baile de oto帽o de los Ashbrook, el clan m谩s pudiente y respetado de Swampshire. 驴Ser谩 esta una buena ocasi贸n para comprometer a una de sus hijas y acabar as铆 con el problema de sucesi贸n en el que se encuentran? Sin embargo, pronto el evento se ti帽e de sangre con la muerte, con pinta de asesinato, de uno de los invitados鈥μ� Suerte que un detective llegado desde Londres estuviera all铆, pero鈥� su presencia no deja de ser sospechosa porque no hab铆a sido invitado. Aunque est谩 feo, porque bueno, alguien ha muerto, el suceso tambi茅n resulta interesante para Beatrice Steele, nuestra protagonista, quien en secreto es una gran aficionada a la resoluci贸n de cr铆menes sobre los que lee en el peri贸dico.
听
驴Qu茅 por qu茅 lo hace en secreto? Bueno, pues si los c贸digos de conducta del Reino Unido de la 茅poca de Regencia ya eran estrictos para las mujeres, lo son a煤n m谩s en Swampshire donde imperan las normas constrictoras recogidas en la 鈥楪u铆a de conductas para damas鈥�, escrita por supuesto por un hombre, y que marca pr谩cticamente el exilio para quien las incumpla.
听
鈥楿n crimen con clase鈥� confirma mi amor por el cozy crime, un g茅nero que he empezado a leer hace poco (al principio con muchas dudas) pero que poco a poco ha ido consolid谩ndose como lectura confort para mi cuando quiero entretenerme, re铆rme y no pensar demasiado. Esta es una de esas novelas donde te das cuenta que la autora se divirti贸 much铆simo escribi茅ndola, y eso se contagia a qui茅n la lee.
听
Un misterio de 茅poca escrito con mucho humor, rozando lo absurdo en ocasiones. No se trata de una historia que busque verosimilitud, tienes que dejarte llevar por lo que pasa, por loco que resulte en alguna ocasi贸n (especialmente tirando al final). Como todo lo que conlleva humor y risas, hay que conectar, y yo lo hice de lleno, le铆 esta novela con palomitas en mano, sin poder despegarme de ella.
听
Una historia que se desarrolla principalmente a base de conversaciones e interrogatorios, que me hicieron sentir que estaba leyendo una partida de Cluedo e, inevitablemente, te vienen a la cabeza las historias de asesinato de habitaci贸n cerrada de Agatha Christie. Pero鈥� las referencias y gui帽os no acaban ah铆: Orgullo y Prejuicio, Jane Eyre y Sherlock Holmes entre otros son claras fuentes de inspiraci贸n a las que Julia Seales busca rendir homenaje en esta historia c贸mica.
听
Una novela que utiliza ese ambiente que nos es tan familiar de las novelas de Austen de familias con problemas econ贸micos, con prisas por casar a sus hijas para no quedarse en la calle en caso de fallecimiento del patriarca, que visitan a menudo a sus vecinos, para contarnos una historia de misterio con la que es dif铆cil no pas谩rselo bien. Una novela para leer con ganas de divertirse, cuando no busques algo serio y que no deja pasar la oportunidad de hacer una cr铆tica afilada a los valores de un tiempo pasado pero鈥� que a veces, no est谩n tan distantes de los nuestros.
听
Una novela que siento que deja la puerta abierta a convertirse en serie, que cierra perfectamente el misterio, pero deja con la miel en los labios de conocer m谩s sobre algunos personajes secundarios.
听
Aunque creo que se le pueden encontrar fallos o algunos detalles sin respuesta, es una novela que me tuvo con una sonrisa toda la lectura. Un libro con el que me lo pas茅 genial, fresco y ligero, poco m谩s le pido yo a un cozy crime.
听
驴Qu茅 por qu茅 lo hace en secreto? Bueno, pues si los c贸digos de conducta del Reino Unido de la 茅poca de Regencia ya eran estrictos para las mujeres, lo son a煤n m谩s en Swampshire donde imperan las normas constrictoras recogidas en la 鈥楪u铆a de conductas para damas鈥�, escrita por supuesto por un hombre, y que marca pr谩cticamente el exilio para quien las incumpla.
听
鈥楿n crimen con clase鈥� confirma mi amor por el cozy crime, un g茅nero que he empezado a leer hace poco (al principio con muchas dudas) pero que poco a poco ha ido consolid谩ndose como lectura confort para mi cuando quiero entretenerme, re铆rme y no pensar demasiado. Esta es una de esas novelas donde te das cuenta que la autora se divirti贸 much铆simo escribi茅ndola, y eso se contagia a qui茅n la lee.
听
Un misterio de 茅poca escrito con mucho humor, rozando lo absurdo en ocasiones. No se trata de una historia que busque verosimilitud, tienes que dejarte llevar por lo que pasa, por loco que resulte en alguna ocasi贸n (especialmente tirando al final). Como todo lo que conlleva humor y risas, hay que conectar, y yo lo hice de lleno, le铆 esta novela con palomitas en mano, sin poder despegarme de ella.
听
Una historia que se desarrolla principalmente a base de conversaciones e interrogatorios, que me hicieron sentir que estaba leyendo una partida de Cluedo e, inevitablemente, te vienen a la cabeza las historias de asesinato de habitaci贸n cerrada de Agatha Christie. Pero鈥� las referencias y gui帽os no acaban ah铆: Orgullo y Prejuicio, Jane Eyre y Sherlock Holmes entre otros son claras fuentes de inspiraci贸n a las que Julia Seales busca rendir homenaje en esta historia c贸mica.
听
Una novela que utiliza ese ambiente que nos es tan familiar de las novelas de Austen de familias con problemas econ贸micos, con prisas por casar a sus hijas para no quedarse en la calle en caso de fallecimiento del patriarca, que visitan a menudo a sus vecinos, para contarnos una historia de misterio con la que es dif铆cil no pas谩rselo bien. Una novela para leer con ganas de divertirse, cuando no busques algo serio y que no deja pasar la oportunidad de hacer una cr铆tica afilada a los valores de un tiempo pasado pero鈥� que a veces, no est谩n tan distantes de los nuestros.
听
Una novela que siento que deja la puerta abierta a convertirse en serie, que cierra perfectamente el misterio, pero deja con la miel en los labios de conocer m谩s sobre algunos personajes secundarios.
听
Aunque creo que se le pueden encontrar fallos o algunos detalles sin respuesta, es una novela que me tuvo con una sonrisa toda la lectura. Un libro con el que me lo pas茅 genial, fresco y ligero, poco m谩s le pido yo a un cozy crime.
December 10, 2023
携 写褍卸械 蟹写懈胁芯胁邪薪邪, 褖芯 袣小袛 胁懈写邪谢懈 褑褞 泻薪懈谐褍. 袧邪 屑褨泄 锌芯谐谢褟写, 褑械 薪械 蟹芯胁褋褨屑 褩褏 卸邪薪褉, 邪谢械 褟 褩屑 写褍卸械 胁写褟褔薪邪, 斜芯 褉芯屑邪薪 馃敟
袩褉芯褕褍 袣小袛 胁懈写邪胁邪褌懈 斜褨谢褜褕械 泻薪懈谐 胁 褑褜芯屑褍 锌褨写卸邪薪褉褨 馃グ
笑械 写械褌械泻褌懈胁薪邪 褨褋褌芯褉褨褟 胁 褋械褌褌褨薪谐褍 袪褨写卸械薪褋褨 械褉邪, 写械 谐芯谢芯胁薪邪 谐械褉芯褩薪褟 薪械 蟹胁懈褔邪泄薪邪 写褨胁褔懈薪邪 褌芯谐芯 褔邪褋褍 - 胁芯薪邪 薪械 谢褞斜懈褌褜 胁懈褕懈胁邪褌懈 褌邪 屑邪谢褞胁邪褌懈, 胁芯薪邪 锌芯谢褞斜谢褟褦 褉芯蟹胁始褟蟹褍胁邪褌懈 褋锌褉邪胁懈 锌褉芯 胁斜懈胁褋褌胁邪.
袙芯薪邪 蟹 褋褨屑始褦褞 锌褉懈褩卸写卸邪褦 薪邪 斜邪谢 写芯 写褉褍蟹褨胁 写懈褌懈薪褋褌胁邪, 褨 褌邪屑, 褟泻 锌芯 蟹邪泻芯薪褍 卸邪薪褉邪, 褋褌邪褦褌褜褋褟 胁斜懈胁褋褌胁芯. 袛芯锌芯屑邪谐邪褌懈屑械 褩泄 芯写懈薪 褨蟹 谐芯褋褌械泄 斜邪谢褍, 褟泻懈泄 胁懈褟胁谢褟褦褌褜褋褟 锌芯屑褨褔薪懈泻芯屑 胁褨写芯屑芯谐芯 薪邪 胁褋褞 袗薪谐谢褨褞 写械褌械泻褌懈胁邪.
袧械 写懈胁谢褟褔懈褋褜 薪邪 褕胁懈写泻褨褋褌褜 锌芯写褨泄, 斜芯 胁褋械 胁褨写斜褍胁邪褦褌褜褋褟 蟹邪 芯写薪褍 写芯斜褍, 褉芯屑邪薪 褔懈褌邪胁褋褟 写褍卸械 谢械谐泻芯 褌邪 褑褨泻邪胁芯.
袚芯谢芯胁薪褨 谐械褉芯褩 写褍卸械 褉褨蟹薪褨 褌邪 锌芯-褋胁芯褦屑褍 褑褨泻邪胁褨. 袪械泻芯屑械薪写褍褞 胁褋褨屑 锌芯褑褨薪芯胁褍胁邪褔邪屑 芯斜芯褏 卸邪薪褉褨胁 鉁�
袩褉芯褕褍 袣小袛 胁懈写邪胁邪褌懈 斜褨谢褜褕械 泻薪懈谐 胁 褑褜芯屑褍 锌褨写卸邪薪褉褨 馃グ
笑械 写械褌械泻褌懈胁薪邪 褨褋褌芯褉褨褟 胁 褋械褌褌褨薪谐褍 袪褨写卸械薪褋褨 械褉邪, 写械 谐芯谢芯胁薪邪 谐械褉芯褩薪褟 薪械 蟹胁懈褔邪泄薪邪 写褨胁褔懈薪邪 褌芯谐芯 褔邪褋褍 - 胁芯薪邪 薪械 谢褞斜懈褌褜 胁懈褕懈胁邪褌懈 褌邪 屑邪谢褞胁邪褌懈, 胁芯薪邪 锌芯谢褞斜谢褟褦 褉芯蟹胁始褟蟹褍胁邪褌懈 褋锌褉邪胁懈 锌褉芯 胁斜懈胁褋褌胁邪.
袙芯薪邪 蟹 褋褨屑始褦褞 锌褉懈褩卸写卸邪褦 薪邪 斜邪谢 写芯 写褉褍蟹褨胁 写懈褌懈薪褋褌胁邪, 褨 褌邪屑, 褟泻 锌芯 蟹邪泻芯薪褍 卸邪薪褉邪, 褋褌邪褦褌褜褋褟 胁斜懈胁褋褌胁芯. 袛芯锌芯屑邪谐邪褌懈屑械 褩泄 芯写懈薪 褨蟹 谐芯褋褌械泄 斜邪谢褍, 褟泻懈泄 胁懈褟胁谢褟褦褌褜褋褟 锌芯屑褨褔薪懈泻芯屑 胁褨写芯屑芯谐芯 薪邪 胁褋褞 袗薪谐谢褨褞 写械褌械泻褌懈胁邪.
袧械 写懈胁谢褟褔懈褋褜 薪邪 褕胁懈写泻褨褋褌褜 锌芯写褨泄, 斜芯 胁褋械 胁褨写斜褍胁邪褦褌褜褋褟 蟹邪 芯写薪褍 写芯斜褍, 褉芯屑邪薪 褔懈褌邪胁褋褟 写褍卸械 谢械谐泻芯 褌邪 褑褨泻邪胁芯.
袚芯谢芯胁薪褨 谐械褉芯褩 写褍卸械 褉褨蟹薪褨 褌邪 锌芯-褋胁芯褦屑褍 褑褨泻邪胁褨. 袪械泻芯屑械薪写褍褞 胁褋褨屑 锌芯褑褨薪芯胁褍胁邪褔邪屑 芯斜芯褏 卸邪薪褉褨胁 鉁�
October 12, 2023
Mary: Im not like other girls
Beatrice: .......We know
Mary: ...in fact, im not even a girl at all......
Beatrice: ...?
Mary: Im a pterdodactyl 馃
Beatrice: 馃憗馃憚馃憗
Beatrice: Mother! you were right................
Mary: Ill go wonder about the mysteries of the world now........
(it wouldnt let me add it to my status update 馃様)
EDIT: ok i just have to say that I loved this book so so much......
I think I'll write a review later or smth so yeah..........
EDIT: OK now the review....
The plot:
So basically this is set in like the 1900's? I think? so basically it is about this family the Steeles'. Mrs. Steele has only really ever wanted one thing; for her daughters to get married to wealthy and good men. She has three daughters, Mary, Lousia, and Beatrice. (the order is youngest to oldest) Uh so none of them really like Mary cuz like shes pretty sketchy..........馃
But yeah so they kind of always forget about her..... Lousia is the favorite, the golden child. Everyone loves her and she is everything a proper lady should be. Beatrice is just kinda there..... Mrs. Steele doesnt pay too much attention to her but yeah......
So basically they live in a town called Swampshire and yes it is a very swampy town....cant forget the glowing frogs!!! 馃惛
But anyways, Swampshire was discovered by this guy................uh.......................... something Ashbrook (guys dont blame me.... his name was only in there like 2 times) So then yeah the Ashbrooks are the most wealthiest family. The dude who discovered Swampshire also wrote A Lady's Guide to Swampshire volumes 1 AND 2 like bruh are you serious rn? so basically, all women have these guides and have to use them........ Oh wait.. there is a Travel Guide with the Lady's Guide too.......
But anyways back to the Steeles....
Beatrice didnt really have any skills but one day she stumbled upon the newspaper and was intrigued by the crime section. she read it and immediately was hooked. The investigator in these crimes was Sir Huxley and his "partner" Investigator Drake....... (Drake fans, dont go crazy) (I put partner in "" because Huxley treated him more like an assisstant) But anyways, the two were in England, i think, and they solved a bunch of cases together. Beatrice loved reading these and went in her turret? (if you didnt know, a turret is like an attic) but yeah so she told her mom that she was daydreaming about a guy.... like who does that? if only it was like that so I could tell my parents i was in love and read all day in my room 馃憤 time to get out the time travel machine........ (that was kinda cringey.. dont come for me) But anyways she was so invested in her crime that she took notes and sent her theories to Sir Huxley. In the end, we find out that he was using her information to solve the case....... is she really that smart? I think not...... (im sorry Beatrice but its hard to avoid the truth) So basically, Sir Huxley and Drake were working on this one case with missing jewels and stuff from this one guy. Drake knew that the guy's wife was the one who stole them but Huxley was in love with her, Verity Swan (CoHo??) Verity blamed it on the innocent butler and Huxley believed her. Drake was so annoyed with him that he left. Huxley told everyone that it was the butler and never revealed the truth. So moral of the story, Huxley is a lovesick liar 馃挃
Back to the actual story.......
So basically the Ashbrook family is Hugh Ashbrook, the father. ....Susan?........ Ashbrook, the mother but she died. Arabella, the daughter and Daniel, the son. So Hugh was this guy who actually went to a fortune teller and wasted billions of dollars on tonics and creams (guys not that kind of cream.... no dirty minds allowed 馃き) but anyways, he kind of told himself that he had illnesses even though I guess it was just grief after his wife's death. He really loved her I guess and when she died, all of this medicine stuff started happening. but anyways... It was a really haily and rainy day when the Ashbrooks hosted a ball. The Steele women (besides Mary kind of) were listening to Lousia about some news that Arabella told her; there was going to be a special guest, Mr. Croaksworth. yes a very random name but we'll roll with it. He came from France. Everyone was surprised. Swampshire hated France and really anyone who came from there.
Ok guys sorry a break from that but there is some stuff I missed..... So Mr. Grub is Mrs. Steele's cousin. He said that Mr. Steele was unfit to be a father and that he shouldnt be able to keep his fortune so he tried to steal the little fortune the Steeles had. they got the mail before they were meant to leave. so that was a panicking moment. Mr. Grub was like digusting, absolutely disgusting. I hated him but honestly i think the reader is supposed to hate him. but anyways,
So Mr. Croaksworth was from France and there was this whole thing that happened. Arabella and Mr. Croaksworth were engaged like what? 2 years or something before. The Croaksworths thought that the Ashbrooks weren't good enough (they were going broke because of Hugh's little addiction with medicine and stuff.... it wasnt explained till like the end) so then yeah Mr. Croaksworth broke off the engagement since his parents wanted him to and eventually Arabella did too. Hugh was pretty mad but he told everyone that the broken engagement was a mutual agreement even though it wasnt....
So Hugh's goal for the ball was that they would get back together again (spoiler alert, they dont)
Mrs. Steele got Lousia ready the most because she thought that Lousia would catch Mr. Croaksworth's eye and hopefully get engaged. Mr. Croaksworth's parents died so he was able to pick who he wanted to marry... and he also had his family's entire fortune which was a lot im guessing. but yeah so he sees Lousia and immediately falls in love. so yeah... ok another part I missed.... im sorry guys there's a lot to this........ so when the Steele's were coming to the ball in their carriage, Beatrice saw someone walking in the hail. When she got a better look, she saw it was INSPECTOR DRAKE. Beatrice really had a grudge against him and then decided to leave him but it was too late. Her father had already asked him and Drake was walking towards the carriage. Drake turned out to be Mr. Croaksworth's guest. So yeah.... Daniel and Beatrice were "friends" (Beatrice thought but Daniel never liked her.....) so they walked together and stuff. I really liked him 馃ス
But anyways....... they are just dancing after a break and stuff when Mr. Croaksoworth goes "the angel isnt really the angel!" and guess what... he dies
so thats the mystery.....
Beatrice and Drake go to try and solve this case....
There is a lot of finger pointing and Beatrice made me really mad sometimes............
In the end Hugh and Daniel also died......
they thought Hugh was the killer but Daniel told Beatrice everything and was trying to get her to marry him so they could do things together........... but yeah im not really getting into any more details (ok just one, Daniel tried to kill Beatrice by strangling her and drowning her but Drake and Lousia saved her) (she was getting too close to the truth so he wanted to end her) and oh yeah, Mr. Croaksworth was poisoned
The characters:
Beatrice- she was okay, just got me really mad sometimes
Lousia- she was okay too, i felt kinda bad for her since she didnt have a choice in a lot of stuff in her life but couldnt do anything since she was an obedient child
Mary- uh... we never got to find out her true form 馃
Mr. Steele- he was so amazing. He was a trickster and was always scaring people and doing pranks. that s why Mr. Grub said he was not fit to be a parent; he was too immature but like no
Mrs. Steele- i think she really did love the girls but she really wanted to see them get married
Miss Bolton- I didnt mention her at all but I loved her so much! the part on the roof was too much I love her. such a sweetie (she was kinda giving Effie Trinket vibes idk why)
Mr. Grub- Absolutely disgusting. I hate him. Gross. Rude. Ugly as heck 馃槵
Daniel- I loved him too. (he had a Jacks look too i think so yeah) His sayings and stuff was kinda cringe but still.......... RIP
Arabella- Beatrice described her as a snob but like i didnt think that. she was okay...
Hugh-Like he wasted the Ashbrooks' fortune but I feel bad for him... he lost his wife and didnt know how to cope with her death 馃槶
Carolyn- can i just say that she is a great liar? i would never suspected that
Captain Pena- I think he really loved Carolyn (or Verity) but idk maybe it was part of the act
Overall, 5/5 i loved it and def recommend
This is like the longest review I have ever written 馃槄 and its really out of the place so forgive me
Bye loves 馃グ
Beatrice: .......We know
Mary: ...in fact, im not even a girl at all......
Beatrice: ...?
Mary: Im a pterdodactyl 馃
Beatrice: 馃憗馃憚馃憗
Beatrice: Mother! you were right................
Mary: Ill go wonder about the mysteries of the world now........
(it wouldnt let me add it to my status update 馃様)
EDIT: ok i just have to say that I loved this book so so much......
I think I'll write a review later or smth so yeah..........
EDIT: OK now the review....
The plot:
So basically this is set in like the 1900's? I think? so basically it is about this family the Steeles'. Mrs. Steele has only really ever wanted one thing; for her daughters to get married to wealthy and good men. She has three daughters, Mary, Lousia, and Beatrice. (the order is youngest to oldest) Uh so none of them really like Mary cuz like shes pretty sketchy..........馃
But yeah so they kind of always forget about her..... Lousia is the favorite, the golden child. Everyone loves her and she is everything a proper lady should be. Beatrice is just kinda there..... Mrs. Steele doesnt pay too much attention to her but yeah......
So basically they live in a town called Swampshire and yes it is a very swampy town....cant forget the glowing frogs!!! 馃惛
But anyways, Swampshire was discovered by this guy................uh.......................... something Ashbrook (guys dont blame me.... his name was only in there like 2 times) So then yeah the Ashbrooks are the most wealthiest family. The dude who discovered Swampshire also wrote A Lady's Guide to Swampshire volumes 1 AND 2 like bruh are you serious rn? so basically, all women have these guides and have to use them........ Oh wait.. there is a Travel Guide with the Lady's Guide too.......
But anyways back to the Steeles....
Beatrice didnt really have any skills but one day she stumbled upon the newspaper and was intrigued by the crime section. she read it and immediately was hooked. The investigator in these crimes was Sir Huxley and his "partner" Investigator Drake....... (Drake fans, dont go crazy) (I put partner in "" because Huxley treated him more like an assisstant) But anyways, the two were in England, i think, and they solved a bunch of cases together. Beatrice loved reading these and went in her turret? (if you didnt know, a turret is like an attic) but yeah so she told her mom that she was daydreaming about a guy.... like who does that? if only it was like that so I could tell my parents i was in love and read all day in my room 馃憤 time to get out the time travel machine........ (that was kinda cringey.. dont come for me) But anyways she was so invested in her crime that she took notes and sent her theories to Sir Huxley. In the end, we find out that he was using her information to solve the case....... is she really that smart? I think not...... (im sorry Beatrice but its hard to avoid the truth) So basically, Sir Huxley and Drake were working on this one case with missing jewels and stuff from this one guy. Drake knew that the guy's wife was the one who stole them but Huxley was in love with her, Verity Swan (CoHo??) Verity blamed it on the innocent butler and Huxley believed her. Drake was so annoyed with him that he left. Huxley told everyone that it was the butler and never revealed the truth. So moral of the story, Huxley is a lovesick liar 馃挃
Back to the actual story.......
So basically the Ashbrook family is Hugh Ashbrook, the father. ....Susan?........ Ashbrook, the mother but she died. Arabella, the daughter and Daniel, the son. So Hugh was this guy who actually went to a fortune teller and wasted billions of dollars on tonics and creams (guys not that kind of cream.... no dirty minds allowed 馃き) but anyways, he kind of told himself that he had illnesses even though I guess it was just grief after his wife's death. He really loved her I guess and when she died, all of this medicine stuff started happening. but anyways... It was a really haily and rainy day when the Ashbrooks hosted a ball. The Steele women (besides Mary kind of) were listening to Lousia about some news that Arabella told her; there was going to be a special guest, Mr. Croaksworth. yes a very random name but we'll roll with it. He came from France. Everyone was surprised. Swampshire hated France and really anyone who came from there.
Ok guys sorry a break from that but there is some stuff I missed..... So Mr. Grub is Mrs. Steele's cousin. He said that Mr. Steele was unfit to be a father and that he shouldnt be able to keep his fortune so he tried to steal the little fortune the Steeles had. they got the mail before they were meant to leave. so that was a panicking moment. Mr. Grub was like digusting, absolutely disgusting. I hated him but honestly i think the reader is supposed to hate him. but anyways,
So Mr. Croaksworth was from France and there was this whole thing that happened. Arabella and Mr. Croaksworth were engaged like what? 2 years or something before. The Croaksworths thought that the Ashbrooks weren't good enough (they were going broke because of Hugh's little addiction with medicine and stuff.... it wasnt explained till like the end) so then yeah Mr. Croaksworth broke off the engagement since his parents wanted him to and eventually Arabella did too. Hugh was pretty mad but he told everyone that the broken engagement was a mutual agreement even though it wasnt....
So Hugh's goal for the ball was that they would get back together again (spoiler alert, they dont)
Mrs. Steele got Lousia ready the most because she thought that Lousia would catch Mr. Croaksworth's eye and hopefully get engaged. Mr. Croaksworth's parents died so he was able to pick who he wanted to marry... and he also had his family's entire fortune which was a lot im guessing. but yeah so he sees Lousia and immediately falls in love. so yeah... ok another part I missed.... im sorry guys there's a lot to this........ so when the Steele's were coming to the ball in their carriage, Beatrice saw someone walking in the hail. When she got a better look, she saw it was INSPECTOR DRAKE. Beatrice really had a grudge against him and then decided to leave him but it was too late. Her father had already asked him and Drake was walking towards the carriage. Drake turned out to be Mr. Croaksworth's guest. So yeah.... Daniel and Beatrice were "friends" (Beatrice thought but Daniel never liked her.....) so they walked together and stuff. I really liked him 馃ス
But anyways....... they are just dancing after a break and stuff when Mr. Croaksoworth goes "the angel isnt really the angel!" and guess what... he dies
so thats the mystery.....
Beatrice and Drake go to try and solve this case....
There is a lot of finger pointing and Beatrice made me really mad sometimes............
In the end Hugh and Daniel also died......
they thought Hugh was the killer but Daniel told Beatrice everything and was trying to get her to marry him so they could do things together........... but yeah im not really getting into any more details (ok just one, Daniel tried to kill Beatrice by strangling her and drowning her but Drake and Lousia saved her) (she was getting too close to the truth so he wanted to end her) and oh yeah, Mr. Croaksworth was poisoned
The characters:
Beatrice- she was okay, just got me really mad sometimes
Lousia- she was okay too, i felt kinda bad for her since she didnt have a choice in a lot of stuff in her life but couldnt do anything since she was an obedient child
Mary- uh... we never got to find out her true form 馃
Mr. Steele- he was so amazing. He was a trickster and was always scaring people and doing pranks. that s why Mr. Grub said he was not fit to be a parent; he was too immature but like no
Mrs. Steele- i think she really did love the girls but she really wanted to see them get married
Miss Bolton- I didnt mention her at all but I loved her so much! the part on the roof was too much I love her. such a sweetie (she was kinda giving Effie Trinket vibes idk why)
Mr. Grub- Absolutely disgusting. I hate him. Gross. Rude. Ugly as heck 馃槵
Daniel- I loved him too. (he had a Jacks look too i think so yeah) His sayings and stuff was kinda cringe but still.......... RIP
Arabella- Beatrice described her as a snob but like i didnt think that. she was okay...
Hugh-Like he wasted the Ashbrooks' fortune but I feel bad for him... he lost his wife and didnt know how to cope with her death 馃槶
Carolyn- can i just say that she is a great liar? i would never suspected that
Captain Pena- I think he really loved Carolyn (or Verity) but idk maybe it was part of the act
Overall, 5/5 i loved it and def recommend
This is like the longest review I have ever written 馃槄 and its really out of the place so forgive me
Bye loves 馃グ
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2024
3.5/5
袉写械邪谢褜薪械 锌芯褦写薪邪薪薪褟 写械褌械泻褌懈胁褨胁 袗谐邪褌懈 袣褉褨褋褌褨 蟹 胁邪泄斜芯屑 袘褉褨写卸械褉褌芯薪褨胁
袦褨褋褑褟屑懈 斜褍谢芯 褌褉芯褏懈 薪褍写薪芯胁邪褌芯, 邪 屑褨褋褑褟屑懈 褋屑褨褕薪芯 胁褨写 邪斜褋褍褉写薪芯褋褌褨 褋懈褌褍邪褑褨褩.
些芯写械薪薪懈泻 袣褉芯褍泻褋胁芯褉褌邪 褨 泄芯谐芯 "薪邪褋懈褔械薪懈泄 写械薪褜" 屑械薪械 蟹薪邪褌薪芯 锌芯胁械褋械谢懈胁. 携 褌邪泻褨 蟹邪锌懈褋懈 褉芯斜懈谢邪 胁 褋胁芯褩 8-9 褉芯泻褨胁 褨 褌芯 胁 屑械薪械 锌芯写褨泄 蟹邪 写械薪褜 斜褍谢芯 斜褨谢褜褕械馃槀 袩褉芯泻懈薪褍胁褋褟, 锌芯褩胁, 芯写褟谐薪褍胁褋褟, 锌芯谐褍谢褟胁, 锌械褉械芯写褨胁褋褟, 薪械锌褉邪胁懈谢褜薪芯 锌械褉械芯写褨胁褋褟, 锌芯泻谢懈泻邪胁 谢邪泻械褟, 褖芯斜 泄芯谐芯 芯写褨胁, 锌芯胁械褔械褉褟胁 褨 褌邪泻 胁褌芯屑懈胁褋褟, 褖芯 谢械写胁械 锌懈褕械. 袘褨写薪械薪褜泻懈泄.
小褞卸械褌薪褨 锌芯胁芯褉芯褌懈 写谢褟 屑械薪械 斜褍谢懈 薪械芯褔褨泻褍胁邪薪懈屑懈, 胁斜懈胁褑褞 褟 薪械 胁谐邪写邪谢邪, 褏芯褔邪 胁 褟泻懈泄褋褜 屑芯屑械薪褌 胁懈褉褨褕懈谢邪, 褖芯 褟 褖械 褌芯泄 楔械褉谢芯泻 褨 胁褋械 蟹'褟褋褍胁邪谢邪, 褌褨谢褜泻懈 蟹 屑芯褌懈胁芯屑 锌褉芯谐邪写邪谢邪. 袗谢械 薪褨, 邪胁褌芯褉泻邪 胁褋械 锌械褉械泻褉褍褌懈谢邪 锌芯 褋胁芯褦屑褍.
袚械褉芯褩 薪邪 锌芯褔邪褌泻褍 胁懈写邪褞褌褜褋褟 褌邪泻懈屑懈 锌褉懈褋褌芯泄薪懈屑懈 邪褉懈褋褌芯泻褉邪褌邪屑懈, 邪谢械 胁 泻褨薪褑褨 胁懈褟胁懈褌褜褋褟, 褖芯 泻芯卸械薪 屑邪褦 褋胁芯褞 斜褉褍写薪褍 褌邪褦屑薪懈褑褞.
袙械谢懈泻邪 褍胁邪谐邪 锌褉懈写褨谢褟褦褌褜褋褟 械褌懈泻械褌褍, 锌褉邪胁懈谢邪屑 褨 薪芯褉屑邪屑 锌芯胁械写褨薪泻懈. 袗 褌邪泻芯卸 谐邪褉薪芯 锌芯泻邪蟹邪薪芯 褋褌邪薪芯胁懈褖械 卸褨薪泻懈 胁 褌褨 褔邪褋懈.
袙 泻薪懈蟹褨 锌褉懈褋褍褌薪褟 谢褞斜芯胁薪邪 谢褨薪褨褟. 袗谢械 胁芯薪邪 屑邪泄卸械 薪械锌芯屑褨褌薪邪. 小褌芯褋褍薪泻懈 谐械褉芯褩胁 屑械薪褨 薪邪谐邪写褍胁邪谢懈 屑褨褋褌械褉邪 袛邪褉褋褨 褨 袝谢褨蟹邪斜械褌 - 褋锌褉芯褖械薪邪 胁械褉褋褨褟. 袙褨薪 锌芯褏屑褍褉懈泄 褨 斜褍褉泻芯褌谢懈胁懈泄, 胁芯薪邪 胁械褋械谢邪 褨 卸懈褌褌褦褉邪写褨褋薪邪. 袧械胁懈薪薪褨, 胁懈锌邪写泻芯胁褨 写芯褌懈泻懈, 胁褨写 褟泻懈褏 胁 泻芯卸薪芯谐芯 锌芯写懈褏 锌械褉械褏芯锌谢褞褦 褨 芯斜屑褨薪 褕锌懈谢褜泻邪屑懈. 袧褨褟泻芯谐芯 褎谢褨褉褌褍, 褔懈 锌芯褑褨谢褍薪泻褨胁. 袗谢械 褑械 薪械 蟹邪胁邪卸邪谢芯 屑械薪褨 胁斜芯谢褨胁邪褌懈 蟹邪 褩褏薪褞 锌邪褉褍.
袟邪谐邪谢芯屑, 褑械 斜褍谢芯 薪械锌芯谐邪薪芯, 邪谢械 薪械 锌褉褟屑 胁邪褍
袉写械邪谢褜薪械 锌芯褦写薪邪薪薪褟 写械褌械泻褌懈胁褨胁 袗谐邪褌懈 袣褉褨褋褌褨 蟹 胁邪泄斜芯屑 袘褉褨写卸械褉褌芯薪褨胁
袦褨褋褑褟屑懈 斜褍谢芯 褌褉芯褏懈 薪褍写薪芯胁邪褌芯, 邪 屑褨褋褑褟屑懈 褋屑褨褕薪芯 胁褨写 邪斜褋褍褉写薪芯褋褌褨 褋懈褌褍邪褑褨褩.
些芯写械薪薪懈泻 袣褉芯褍泻褋胁芯褉褌邪 褨 泄芯谐芯 "薪邪褋懈褔械薪懈泄 写械薪褜" 屑械薪械 蟹薪邪褌薪芯 锌芯胁械褋械谢懈胁. 携 褌邪泻褨 蟹邪锌懈褋懈 褉芯斜懈谢邪 胁 褋胁芯褩 8-9 褉芯泻褨胁 褨 褌芯 胁 屑械薪械 锌芯写褨泄 蟹邪 写械薪褜 斜褍谢芯 斜褨谢褜褕械馃槀 袩褉芯泻懈薪褍胁褋褟, 锌芯褩胁, 芯写褟谐薪褍胁褋褟, 锌芯谐褍谢褟胁, 锌械褉械芯写褨胁褋褟, 薪械锌褉邪胁懈谢褜薪芯 锌械褉械芯写褨胁褋褟, 锌芯泻谢懈泻邪胁 谢邪泻械褟, 褖芯斜 泄芯谐芯 芯写褨胁, 锌芯胁械褔械褉褟胁 褨 褌邪泻 胁褌芯屑懈胁褋褟, 褖芯 谢械写胁械 锌懈褕械. 袘褨写薪械薪褜泻懈泄.
小褞卸械褌薪褨 锌芯胁芯褉芯褌懈 写谢褟 屑械薪械 斜褍谢懈 薪械芯褔褨泻褍胁邪薪懈屑懈, 胁斜懈胁褑褞 褟 薪械 胁谐邪写邪谢邪, 褏芯褔邪 胁 褟泻懈泄褋褜 屑芯屑械薪褌 胁懈褉褨褕懈谢邪, 褖芯 褟 褖械 褌芯泄 楔械褉谢芯泻 褨 胁褋械 蟹'褟褋褍胁邪谢邪, 褌褨谢褜泻懈 蟹 屑芯褌懈胁芯屑 锌褉芯谐邪写邪谢邪. 袗谢械 薪褨, 邪胁褌芯褉泻邪 胁褋械 锌械褉械泻褉褍褌懈谢邪 锌芯 褋胁芯褦屑褍.
袚械褉芯褩 薪邪 锌芯褔邪褌泻褍 胁懈写邪褞褌褜褋褟 褌邪泻懈屑懈 锌褉懈褋褌芯泄薪懈屑懈 邪褉懈褋褌芯泻褉邪褌邪屑懈, 邪谢械 胁 泻褨薪褑褨 胁懈褟胁懈褌褜褋褟, 褖芯 泻芯卸械薪 屑邪褦 褋胁芯褞 斜褉褍写薪褍 褌邪褦屑薪懈褑褞.
袙械谢懈泻邪 褍胁邪谐邪 锌褉懈写褨谢褟褦褌褜褋褟 械褌懈泻械褌褍, 锌褉邪胁懈谢邪屑 褨 薪芯褉屑邪屑 锌芯胁械写褨薪泻懈. 袗 褌邪泻芯卸 谐邪褉薪芯 锌芯泻邪蟹邪薪芯 褋褌邪薪芯胁懈褖械 卸褨薪泻懈 胁 褌褨 褔邪褋懈.
袙 泻薪懈蟹褨 锌褉懈褋褍褌薪褟 谢褞斜芯胁薪邪 谢褨薪褨褟. 袗谢械 胁芯薪邪 屑邪泄卸械 薪械锌芯屑褨褌薪邪. 小褌芯褋褍薪泻懈 谐械褉芯褩胁 屑械薪褨 薪邪谐邪写褍胁邪谢懈 屑褨褋褌械褉邪 袛邪褉褋褨 褨 袝谢褨蟹邪斜械褌 - 褋锌褉芯褖械薪邪 胁械褉褋褨褟. 袙褨薪 锌芯褏屑褍褉懈泄 褨 斜褍褉泻芯褌谢懈胁懈泄, 胁芯薪邪 胁械褋械谢邪 褨 卸懈褌褌褦褉邪写褨褋薪邪. 袧械胁懈薪薪褨, 胁懈锌邪写泻芯胁褨 写芯褌懈泻懈, 胁褨写 褟泻懈褏 胁 泻芯卸薪芯谐芯 锌芯写懈褏 锌械褉械褏芯锌谢褞褦 褨 芯斜屑褨薪 褕锌懈谢褜泻邪屑懈. 袧褨褟泻芯谐芯 褎谢褨褉褌褍, 褔懈 锌芯褑褨谢褍薪泻褨胁. 袗谢械 褑械 薪械 蟹邪胁邪卸邪谢芯 屑械薪褨 胁斜芯谢褨胁邪褌懈 蟹邪 褩褏薪褞 锌邪褉褍.
袟邪谐邪谢芯屑, 褑械 斜褍谢芯 薪械锌芯谐邪薪芯, 邪谢械 薪械 锌褉褟屑 胁邪褍
April 16, 2025
Imagine Clue set in Regency England, and you'll begin to get a taste of the delightful chaos that is A Most Agreeable Murder. This novel blends the elegance of a Jane Austen setting with the intrigue of a classic whodunit, creating a murder mystery that's as clever as it is charming.
Full of twists and turns, the story keeps you guessing until the very end, all while winking at the tropes of both historical romance and detective fiction. The characters are vibrant, the dialogue sparkles with wit, and the satire is spot-on. Julia Seales manages to write with a tone that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern.
If you love period dramas but wish someone would throw a dead body into the mix, this one鈥檚 for you.
Full of twists and turns, the story keeps you guessing until the very end, all while winking at the tropes of both historical romance and detective fiction. The characters are vibrant, the dialogue sparkles with wit, and the satire is spot-on. Julia Seales manages to write with a tone that feels both timeless and refreshingly modern.
If you love period dramas but wish someone would throw a dead body into the mix, this one鈥檚 for you.
February 24, 2024
3,5 estrellas
Curiosa mezcla entre una novela con un toque Jane Austen y meticulosa resoluci贸n de un asesinato en habitaci贸n cerrada al estilo Agatha Christie.
La din谩mica de la trama funciona, aderezada por los secretos y trapicheos familiares y la resoluci贸n del caso policial me ha resultado sorprendentemente s贸lida, como 煤nico punto negativo he de se帽alar lo irritante que me ha parecido la protagonista, pero queda compensado por el detective鈥�
Os la recomiendo, policial ligero y optimista (de esos que ahora se clasifican como cozy crime) que aunque yo no soy muy cozy si es verdad que de vez en cuando se agradece un poco de optimismo y cuquez鈥�
Recomendable para curarse de lecturas amargas, o para una lectura ligera.
Curiosa mezcla entre una novela con un toque Jane Austen y meticulosa resoluci贸n de un asesinato en habitaci贸n cerrada al estilo Agatha Christie.
La din谩mica de la trama funciona, aderezada por los secretos y trapicheos familiares y la resoluci贸n del caso policial me ha resultado sorprendentemente s贸lida, como 煤nico punto negativo he de se帽alar lo irritante que me ha parecido la protagonista, pero queda compensado por el detective鈥�
Os la recomiendo, policial ligero y optimista (de esos que ahora se clasifican como cozy crime) que aunque yo no soy muy cozy si es verdad que de vez en cuando se agradece un poco de optimismo y cuquez鈥�
Recomendable para curarse de lecturas amargas, o para una lectura ligera.
December 10, 2022
A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales was such a fun and easy read. I loved the combination of historical fiction, mystery and comedy. When I first saw the premise for this book I was intrigued to see how it would play out and I loved it. The regency vibes with the detective work truly made this an entertaining book. This book had me guessing all the time and I did not know what was going to happen next. Overall it was a very enjoyable book with intelligent, witty, and funny characters.
P.S. I also want to see more of Mary. I was very intrigued by her the entire book.
Thank you to Random House publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this e-arc!
P.S. I also want to see more of Mary. I was very intrigued by her the entire book.
Thank you to Random House publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this e-arc!
August 22, 2023
鈥橦ow could one be content with an afternoon spent playing the pianoforte when a killer was on the loose?鈥�
From the very first page, I knew this was going to be 5 stars. Wow did Julia Seales just look into my brain and write me a book? I think she did because A Most Agreeable Murder was an absolute delight and just satisfied me in every way.
What an amazing debut for Julia Seales. I can feel a lot of potential from this author and I鈥檓 really excited to see what she writes next. Perhaps a sequel exploring Beatrice and Inspector Drake鈥檚 first case together in London?? I would certainly love to see that.
This was an incredibly witty book, a level of humour I really love especially in historical books (like India Holton)It was fun and yet within all the silliness, there was actual social commentary about how the regency era treated and viewed women. As a lover of Jane Austen, I thought this book was genius. The way Julia Seales took archetypes and tropes from the classics and implemented them in her book was brilliant - it was refreshing too to follow Beatrice Steele, a heroine who was courageous, wished for more and took it, and felt very realistic. She was a wonderful mixture of Emma Woodhouse and Catherine Moorland. She had her flaws and her flaws messed things up but I liked that. It felt very Jane Austen because a lot of her heroines tend to make mistakes, misconceptions and errors.
I loved how ridiculous and flamboyant the characters were. Every character stood out - it was fantastic. Julia Seales did well controlling scenes where all the characters were there and gave all equal page time so the reader got a sense of all of them. It made trying to figure out the mystery much more fun. I was SO far off though once it was revealed who did it- it was a VERY good twist!! It felt like a Agatha Christie indeed.
I really loved, as well as everything else, that Beatrice and Drake had chemistry INSTANTLY but they also initially disliked each other. And obviously as they worked together to figure out who murdered Mr. Croaksworth, they came to rely on each other. They improved each other which I loved, very much like Pride and Prejudice in that sense.
Just a fabulous book I very much enjoyed and loved!
From the very first page, I knew this was going to be 5 stars. Wow did Julia Seales just look into my brain and write me a book? I think she did because A Most Agreeable Murder was an absolute delight and just satisfied me in every way.
What an amazing debut for Julia Seales. I can feel a lot of potential from this author and I鈥檓 really excited to see what she writes next. Perhaps a sequel exploring Beatrice and Inspector Drake鈥檚 first case together in London?? I would certainly love to see that.
This was an incredibly witty book, a level of humour I really love especially in historical books (like India Holton)It was fun and yet within all the silliness, there was actual social commentary about how the regency era treated and viewed women. As a lover of Jane Austen, I thought this book was genius. The way Julia Seales took archetypes and tropes from the classics and implemented them in her book was brilliant - it was refreshing too to follow Beatrice Steele, a heroine who was courageous, wished for more and took it, and felt very realistic. She was a wonderful mixture of Emma Woodhouse and Catherine Moorland. She had her flaws and her flaws messed things up but I liked that. It felt very Jane Austen because a lot of her heroines tend to make mistakes, misconceptions and errors.
I loved how ridiculous and flamboyant the characters were. Every character stood out - it was fantastic. Julia Seales did well controlling scenes where all the characters were there and gave all equal page time so the reader got a sense of all of them. It made trying to figure out the mystery much more fun. I was SO far off though once it was revealed who did it- it was a VERY good twist!! It felt like a Agatha Christie indeed.
I really loved, as well as everything else, that Beatrice and Drake had chemistry INSTANTLY but they also initially disliked each other. And obviously as they worked together to figure out who murdered Mr. Croaksworth, they came to rely on each other. They improved each other which I loved, very much like Pride and Prejudice in that sense.
Just a fabulous book I very much enjoyed and loved!
May 16, 2023
I loved this book so much! Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The narration was funny and entertaining. You can definitely tell the author was inspired by Pride and Prejudice and Agatha Christie鈥檚 mysteries. The cast of characters was probably one of the best aspects of the book for me. Each of them had their own individual character quirks.
The book follows the perspective of Beatrice Steele, who is fascinated with true crime cases reported in the newspaper, specifically the ones that get solved by a well known detective whom she is a huge admirer of. She attends a ball where a wealthy bachelor drops dead, and she is thrown in the middle of a murder investigation, at which point the book turns into a classic whodunit murder mystery.
The writing was great and the story included some cool things in between chapters like newspaper articles and letters, which gave insight on some of the characters. This was a 5 star read for me because I enjoyed my reading experience.
With that being said, it wasn鈥檛 a thrilling book. It is more classified in the cozy mystery genre. The actual solving of the mystery did go all over the place at times and I wasn鈥檛 surprised when everything was revealed, but I did love the ending and how it opened itself up to becoming a series, and I definitely would read a sequel to this book.
The narration was funny and entertaining. You can definitely tell the author was inspired by Pride and Prejudice and Agatha Christie鈥檚 mysteries. The cast of characters was probably one of the best aspects of the book for me. Each of them had their own individual character quirks.
The book follows the perspective of Beatrice Steele, who is fascinated with true crime cases reported in the newspaper, specifically the ones that get solved by a well known detective whom she is a huge admirer of. She attends a ball where a wealthy bachelor drops dead, and she is thrown in the middle of a murder investigation, at which point the book turns into a classic whodunit murder mystery.
The writing was great and the story included some cool things in between chapters like newspaper articles and letters, which gave insight on some of the characters. This was a 5 star read for me because I enjoyed my reading experience.
With that being said, it wasn鈥檛 a thrilling book. It is more classified in the cozy mystery genre. The actual solving of the mystery did go all over the place at times and I wasn鈥檛 surprised when everything was revealed, but I did love the ending and how it opened itself up to becoming a series, and I definitely would read a sequel to this book.
January 26, 2025
I received this book as a Christmas gift (thank you 馃槝). It was beautifully and creatively wrapped as a blind date with a book, mystery genre! I was so excited to open the package and read this book, and it didn鈥檛 disappoint! I enjoyed the mystery and comedy throughout and the Agatha Christie and Jane Austen vibes. Obviously not to their caliber, but it was a fun and entertaining cozy mystery, especially as a debut novel. I look forward to the next installment in this series, set to be released in June 2025.
The characters were interesting, and I hope we learn more about Mary in future books. I loved all the informative and fun extras at the beginning and end of the book, and also the letters, etc. between the chapters. The cover is beautiful and nicely done to represent the story.
Thanks for the great read! 馃┓馃摎
The characters were interesting, and I hope we learn more about Mary in future books. I loved all the informative and fun extras at the beginning and end of the book, and also the letters, etc. between the chapters. The cover is beautiful and nicely done to represent the story.
Thanks for the great read! 馃┓馃摎
August 16, 2023
The best thing about this book is its cover. No good as a murder mystery, romance, or historical fiction. If someone found the Parasol Protectorate books too logically consistent, historically accurate, and subtly written, this might be the book for them.
September 22, 2023
It took me forever to read this. The premise seemed right up my alley but I thought the writing was clunky and awkward. I think the author was attempting sarcasm and wit, but it didn鈥檛 land for me.
November 24, 2023
Un libro ligero y entretenido.
October 22, 2023
袛谢褟 屑械薪械 褌褍褌 胁褋械 斜褍谢芯 褨写械邪谢褜薪芯. 校 邪胁褌芯褉泻懈 褔褍写芯胁械 锌芯褔褍褌褌褟 谐褍屑芯褉褍, 谢械谐泻懈泄 褋褌懈谢褜 薪邪锌懈褋邪薪薪褟, 写褉邪屑懈 褌邪 褌邪褦屑薪懈褑褜 褌褍褌 薪邪泻褉褍褌懈谢懈 褋褌褨谢褜泻懈, 褖芯 薪褨 薪邪 褋械泻褍薪写褍 薪械 斜褍谢芯 薪褍写薪芯 褨 胁褋械 锌芯褌褨屑 写褍卸械 谐邪褉薪芯 褉芯蟹泻谢邪谢懈 锌芯 锌芯谢懈褔泻邪褏. 袨褋芯斜邪 胁斜懈胁褑褨 褌邪 褖械 写械褏褌芯 胁懈褟胁懈谢懈褋褟 写芯褋懈褌褜 屑芯褌芯褉芯褕薪芯-泻褉懈胁邪胁懈屑懈, 屑械薪褨 褑械 写褍卸械 褋锌芯写芯斜邪谢芯褋褟, 斜芯 写褍屑邪谢邪, 褖芯 褉芯蟹胁'褟蟹泻邪 屑芯卸械 斜褍褌懈 褌械卸 褌邪泻芯褞 谢械谐械薪褜泻芯褞 褌邪 泻褍屑械写薪芯褞, 邪谢械 薪褨 - 褌褍褌 褌褉芯褏懈 锌褋懈褏芯锌邪褌褨胁 写芯写邪谢懈.
袛褍卸械 褋锌芯写褨胁邪褞褋褟, 褖芯 邪胁褌芯褉泻邪 蟹褉芯斜懈褌褜 蟹 褑褜芯谐芯 褋械褉褨褞 褨 屑懈 褖械 锌芯褔懈褌邪褦屑芯 锌褉芯 锌褉懈谐芯写懈 袘械邪褌褉褨褋 褌邪 袙褨胁械泻邪.
P.S. The Murder of Mr. Wickham 褏芯褌褨谢芯 斜褍褌懈 褑褨褦褞 泻薪懈卸泻芯褞, 邪谢械 锌褉芯胁邪谢懈谢芯褋褟 锌芯 胁褋褨褏 锌褍薪泻褌邪褏 (蟹薪邪薪薪褟 锌械褉褋芯薪邪卸褨胁 袛卸械泄薪 袨褋褌褨薪, 写械褌械泻褌懈胁薪邪 褋泻谢邪写芯胁邪, 谢褞斜芯胁薪邪 谢褨薪褨褟), 褌芯写褨 褟泻 褑褟 褨褋褌芯褉褨褟 锌芯泻邪蟹邪谢邪, 褟泻 谢械谐泻芯 褨 薪械胁懈屑褍褕械薪芯 屑芯卸薪邪 胁褋械 褑械 芯斜'褦写薪邪褌懈 鉂わ笍
袛褍卸械 褋锌芯写褨胁邪褞褋褟, 褖芯 邪胁褌芯褉泻邪 蟹褉芯斜懈褌褜 蟹 褑褜芯谐芯 褋械褉褨褞 褨 屑懈 褖械 锌芯褔懈褌邪褦屑芯 锌褉芯 锌褉懈谐芯写懈 袘械邪褌褉褨褋 褌邪 袙褨胁械泻邪.
P.S. The Murder of Mr. Wickham 褏芯褌褨谢芯 斜褍褌懈 褑褨褦褞 泻薪懈卸泻芯褞, 邪谢械 锌褉芯胁邪谢懈谢芯褋褟 锌芯 胁褋褨褏 锌褍薪泻褌邪褏 (蟹薪邪薪薪褟 锌械褉褋芯薪邪卸褨胁 袛卸械泄薪 袨褋褌褨薪, 写械褌械泻褌懈胁薪邪 褋泻谢邪写芯胁邪, 谢褞斜芯胁薪邪 谢褨薪褨褟), 褌芯写褨 褟泻 褑褟 褨褋褌芯褉褨褟 锌芯泻邪蟹邪谢邪, 褟泻 谢械谐泻芯 褨 薪械胁懈屑褍褕械薪芯 屑芯卸薪邪 胁褋械 褑械 芯斜'褦写薪邪褌懈 鉂わ笍
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