A Brazen Curiosity by Lynn Messina

A Brazen Curiosity

Lynn Messina 

2018

4/5 stars

It is 1816, and twenty-six-year-old Beatrice Hyde-Clare is a member of an English country house party.  Orphaned twenty years ago, Bea lives with her aunt, uncle, and cousins who, though not actively unkind, never let her forget that she is a poor relation.  Mousey and timid, Bea finds herself tongue-tied and panicky in society, and is still unmarried as a result of her disastrous debut Season some years ago.  However, when she stumbles upon fellow houseguest, the Duke of Kesgrave, standing over a murdered man, Bea finds herself able to converse with the annoying Duke firmly and intelligently as they combine forces to solve the mystery.

This is a charming cozy mystery taking place in Regency society, and is a definite nod to the mistress of Regency novels, Georgette Heyer.  Bea is a delightful character, and it's a pleasure to watch her overcome the trained submissive humility and find the true feisty, confident woman hidden inside.  Her friendship with Kesgrave is tempered by her prejudices against him, and her assumptions about her likability.  As she begins to enjoy his company more and more, the relationship becomes bittersweet to Bea in a most realistic way.  

Messina generally writes well, and has obviously researched the Regency period as she was able to use the cant, describe the clothing, and (except for a few instances) create a credible atmosphere.  The dialogue was often clever and amusing, and the characters, while still stereotypical of a Regency novel, were mostly believable. The mystery itself is interesting with a satisfactory ending, and, despite all the clues being in the open, not easy to solve right away.  

Overall, I enjoyed it from start to finish and am glad I chose to try it despite the negative reviews.  Those who enjoy light historical mysteries will most likely find A Brazen Curiosity charming as well.  I am certainly looking forward to reading more in the series.