Despite suffering a few initial setbacks, the former Beatrice Hyde-Clare has settled into her new position nicely.Thanks to Lady Abercrombie’s machinations, she has secured the admiration of society and finally earned the respect of her staff. Even the lessons in defending herself, which her husband, the Duke of Kesgrave, insists she take if she wants to continue in her dangerous avocation, are going well. Save for the dreaded pineapple chunks chef André insists on putting in her beloved rout cakes, everything is perfect.But then she learns from a most unlikely source that Kesgrave’s malevolent uncle is scheming to destroy her happiness. Determinedly, she resolves to meet the threat head on—a plan that immediately goes awry when the duke asks her to allow him to handle the matter.Stand idly by while dark forces muster?Well, no, Bea can’t possibly do that—especially not when the villainous relation winds up bludgeoned to death with a candlestick.
Beatrice Hyde-Clare. Book 8
I had true laugh out loud moment when book started with Bea and her pineapple dilemma. Honestly, I love when book has some of their own quirks, even if it doesn't really matter, but it adds to the picture nontheless. I've seen the latest covers, imagine me just rolling around because it had the pineapple on it, this joke is never ending.
Otherwise it felt so good to be back. Witty writing style, fun and easy-going plot. Everything set for you to have a good time if you're up for it.
This time the story is more about Beatrice and Damien instead of it centering on the mystery.
Since the two became married they did not have any conflicts, it doesn't mean what this book describes is a big conflict they had, but it's still a pretty obvious hurdle that was expected. And what is really great that the two of them take it upon themselves to communicate instead of shtting down. Well, at one point Damine was most insistent on that and props to him.
Thing is both Beatrice and Damien lived such different lives and of course to Beatrice what happens between the two of them is much more than she could have ever expected from a huasband, someone who promised to be equal with her. But the only problem arising was that sometimes Damien makes decisions without prior discussion with her, even if he bases it on his own knowledge of her. But what she wants is to be true equals, were they talk and discuss, it doesn't mean she wants to always win the argument, she can do as he wants if he presents his argument. But for that they need most basic communication face-to-face. And it's not like Damien did those things maliciously, it's just the bad habit of who they were until their marriage. Both she and him has been living a completely different life with completely different expectations from their partners, then they fell in love, even if they were so different. They can't change with a snap, but they still have enough love and respect for communicating like adults.
This is what I found the most central to anything else.
I mean I love their moments together, they share a lot of tender affection. It's interesting to see them grow and change. Beatrice is not someone who wants her husband to change solely for her and not put any effort, even if he promised her she can do as much. Same for him.
What I love the most about the serie sis that you really can't take one and read it, it's such a fascinating tapestry that slowly reveals itself. Even mysteries themselves have connection to Bea and her husband or not.
As mention this time mystery is not so prevelent and it's not a big deal. Although the mystery is connected to Damien's uncle who actually planned to hire someone to make him a widower.
True to her self Bea at first actually did not put much into it, some that she admitted to have as this carelessness, which was not malicious or thoughtless. Only a week ago she protected herself from an intruder and she is safe and sound, so maybe that emboldened her to think less of the real threat before she realized it's not as innocent.
This also adds to their overall dynamic because Damien always cares for her safety, while she can bolt somewhere without thinking much about it.
But the mystery itself is solved pretty quickly, only knowing most of what participants of it had to say for Bea to come to conclusion who did it and why.
Maybe one of the aprticipants will be appearing again in future book, I have no idea, it's just usually like that.
Otherwise I'm not spoiling the rest of it, it's such a short book and it's actually a delight to read.
RATE: 4/5.