Since the new Duchess of Kesgrave cannot be swayed from her unfortunate interest in dead bodies, Lady Abercrombie decides to confront the matter head-on by hosting a murder mystery dinner party.Gathering together several of society’s most influential members, she concocts an amusing puzzle-play, assigns roles, and stands back to allow Bea to impress them all with her ingenuity.The former spinster will be the height of fashion in no time. Huzzah!No, she won’t, Bea thinks. Her status has increased with her marriage, yes, but so have the insecurities that bedeviled her first season. Far from charming everyone with her wit, she will appall them with her inability to form coherent or interesting sentences.’Tis a three-act tragedy in the making.But then one of the guests is killed in the same manner as her ladyship’s victim and the evening turns genuinely tragic. Horrified, the august company scurry for the exits, and Bea, determined to detain all her lovely suspects, throws herself bodily against the door.Intimidated or not, she will identify the murderer—even if it guarantees her social ruin.
Beatrice Hyde-Clare. Book 7
I think this type of story has a certain name for itself, you know when in the storyline the most of events happen in one room / house and also in one evening. Here it's not entirely it, but close.
The idea is described in the summary, Lady Abercombie thought it'd be a great idea to make an evening that will showcase Bea's wit in investigations thrugh a play. The result is funnier at first. But then a tragedy strikes and one of the guests is found dead, so Bea forbids everyone from leaving. And here is the main chunk of the book, the events that take place in that room, all the communication and actions.
It sounds boring, but it's actually not. At least it was not for me. Funnily the center of attention become the conflict of two families (Bentham and Fawcett) who fucking hate each other and always try to outsmart the other family. Bea becomes more of an observer tbh, Kesgrave is even more in the background (not always, no worries). And Bea's cousine, though she has her own book, which I didn't read, because she is a bit too much also makes her appearance from time to time.
And unexpected ending, not by who did it, but just what happened.
Kesgrave may be a pretty not in the center of attention, but this man manages to leave his mark. Like in their dialogues with Bea when he says something about her need to investigate. He doesn't say "I understand you", but he explains how he sees that as her need of self-worth etc. He pays a close attention to her in general. This is why when he gets his part it is always something truly nice. To me they have more chemistry than some of the characters who might always be in your face.
Can't really believe it's already book 7, even if they're quite short.
RATE: 4,5/5.
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