I'm finally getting into some more challenging books, after a long time away, and this is certainly more challenging than many of my recent reads! The Devil In Beauty is a mystery set in London in 1811. Lord Trevelin (Trev) is disfigured and in social disgrace following a duel the previous year over a married woman. We get flashbacks regarding the time immediately surrounding the duel, and how Trev became disfigured and his expulsion from polite society. At the beginning of the book, his friend Willy Gilbert (disabled after a riding accident), has been carted off to Newgate Prison on the assumption that he has killed his younger brother Johnny.  Trev is tasked to find out the truth about the murder and get Willy out of prison, by the very people who have shunned him previously, and still shun him.



Senor Rey, who is visiting from Barcelona and teaching Lady Vawdrey his native Catalan, helps him in the investigations. This is despite their rivalry over Miss Woodmansey, a rather short woman who likes them both and is spirited enough to want to take part in any investigations. Meanwhile, there is the matter of Lady Vawdrey's diamond necklace that had gone missing months previously, girls from the workhouse that have gone missing (presumed dead), unexplained screams in the night, illegal gambling parties, and various relationships that have become inappropriate or have broken down.

The reader is able to guess at some of what went on, but there are confessions required from various people to confirm what actually happened. There is a little foreshadowing of the big ending, but still, it was a different scene to many recent mysteries, but which would tie in with the interests of polite society.

Trevelin is not the most charming of characters - there are hints that even before the duel, he was a bit of a bounder - but the months after receiving the scar that disfigured his face, along with the social exclusion, has made him harsh, lonely, insecure and self conscious. He still has his money, but prefers to stay in the house of one of his friends rather than his own house - which suits him until the family return home to Ireland.  He has access to High Society, by dint of his money, title and upbringing, but they treat him poorly, as a means to an end. 

The ending is not particularly happy - the issues have been resolved but much and many have been lost in the process. There is an appearance at the end (spoilers!) that could turn the tone of future books in several different ways, which could be either good or bad, depending.

The Devil in Beauty is the first in a series about Lord Trevelin, looking to get back in the good graces of the ton. . Horribly disfigured, Trevelin is tasked with looking into the death of a childhood friends brother. The plot thickens with a missing necklace, a gaming hell, missing bodies and a chance at romance for Trevelin. The book moved along at a steady pace, but it was pretty clear early on who the villain was, but not how all the pieces fit together. If you like Captain Lacey of the Ashley Gardner series, Trevelin will be a welcome addition to your "to read" shelf.

The Devil in Beauty
Did William (Willy) Gilbert kill his 15 year old brother John? What would be the motive?
We also learn very slowly through flashbacks how Lord Julian Trevelin, a marquis, acquired the long scar that disfigured his mouth and one cheek six months before, and of the ensuing negative reputation that caused him to become an ostracized loner. Not only is he attempting to return to the society that shuns him, he and Senor Rey, a poor, Spanish nobleman, who earns money tutoring the titled class, attempt to solve the mystery surrounding the murder in order to free Willy, the prime suspect.
One clue seems to be that John was found by his front door, fully dressed, early in the morning. Even though Willy is jailed as the probable murderer, it would have been almost impossible for him to commit it, because he was severely disabled a while before due to a riding accident. He was found undressed, next to his dead brother with the murder knife in his hand, but there was no blood on his shirt. Before the accident that crippled him, Willy was a childhood friend of Julian’s. Willy still has a good mind but is unable to clearly express himself due to the injuries that he sustained following the accident.
The mystery also describes the squalid conditions in 1811 London jails, where having money was of utmost importance so it could be used to bribe guards for better surroundings. Also it was essential to bring food for the prisoner, because the jail food was hardly edible. Due to these conditions many suspected criminals died of illness before ever reaching a trial. For these added reasons, Julian is determined to have Willy released as soon as possible.
The reader also learns about upper class society and how one’s position was fixed and immovable. Mr. Throckmorton, the valet and housekeeper to Lady Vawdry, was born in a workhouse, but she became his patron and raised and educated him as well as a son. As a result he did not fit into a class. He was too educated to marry a servant and could not marry a society woman because of his background.
There is also a second set of house keys that are missing and could play a part in the murder.
Other possible suspects also include Mr. Huther, the tutor, who spends too much time away from his job frequenting the Manwaring house, because Mrs. Manwaring holds illegal gambling parties. Her jealous husband is another suspect in the murder.
In addition, women from the workhouse are going missing. What has happened to them? Since Mrs. Vawdrey accompanied by Throckmordon volunteer at the workhouse, are they involved in the disappearances?
To make matters worse the elaborate and valuable diamond necklace of Lady Vawdrey’s vanishes.
Julian and Senor Rey must solve all of these puzzles in order to find the murderer and the reason for the murder.
I found the last chapter a little surprising and strange. Let’s see what he does in the next book.
3.9/5

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Very interesting and well written book. I highly recommend!

This was not quite Regency romance aka Georgette Heyer though I was hoping for that. It was however very good reading.

The Marquis is under a cloud. Despite his title, he is finding it heavy going as he is not invited for parties of the ton, he gate crashes them. His title is not helping him, nor is his fortune. Normally quite enough to attract the ladies! or rather the mothers who are on the look out always for eligible men. This time around it is not working.

His reputation in ruins, it is isnt helped when he finds himself supporting Willie a disabled boy of also a very good family who now finds himself accused of his brother's murder. A more unlikely murderer cannot be found, and our Marquis with the support of a Senhor of doubtful antecedents and a young Miss whom our Marquis has lost his heart to - are determined to defend Willie despite the strange behaviour and reticence of Willie's parents Mr and Mrs Gilbert in the whole scenario.

The story got complicated, and though the storyline was a good one and very descriptive it was too I lost a bit of interest three quarters of the way through though I did finish the read. Giving the details at the end will spoil it for readers but it was a good mix of murder/mystery with a touch of romance and life during the period well told.

Goodreads and Amazon review up on 14/8/2017. Review on my blog december 2017.

This was a very detailed, deliberate, regency mystery. The story is filled with vivid details about what life was like during that time period, and the mystery kept providing more information that kept the reader involved and guessing. While I enjoyed this book, the pacing wasn't great, as there were brief lulls and occasional instances of repetitive moments that kept the story from flowing smoothly.

Possibly the most interesting part of this book was the main character, Julian "Trev" Silvester, the Marquis of Trevelin. Based on his poor reputation in society and ostracism, you would expect him to be a hardened, jade man, but he is surprisingly emotional and sensitive. As I kept reading I was continually fascinated by Trevelin's interactions with the other characters, both by their reaction to him and how he deals with people of all social standings.

Finally, I was unsure how I felt about the direction the ending of the book took, as it seemed to come out of nowhere, but I'm curious what it means and how it will play out in the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

2.5 stars
I liked the hero in this story, but I never warmed up to his plight. The story was delivered in a too monocordic style for my taste.
The scientific take on the murders, like a 19th century SCI, and the seemingly well researched plot might appeal to other readers, but for me it was too slow placed and full of details.
The hero’s devotion to his friend Willy is poignant.
I’m not sure if I’ll be reading other stories in The Lord Trevelin Mysteries – this one wasn’t thrilling enough.

"Trev", the Marquis of Trevelin, has lost his reputation in society but he continues to fight to have what was once him. He jumps at the chance to help his friend who has been accused of murder. Can he find a killer before danger catches up to him?

I've read and enjoyed Heidi Ashworth's books, so when I had the chance to read this start to a series, I was delighted. For the most part, I enjoyed it. It's written in first person, so we are with Trev every step of the way. Through flashbacks, the reader learn what happened that changed his life so drastically. Trev is a sympathetic character, and I immediately sympathized with what he had to endure.

The mystery was excellent, with enough twists and turns to make it interesting. The minor characters that Trev encounters were interesting in their own ways.

What robbed my enjoyment of the book was the supernatural, which I strongly dislike. The reader is warned before the story begins that a certain house is considered one of the most haunted, however I didn't realize it would have such a bearing in how the story ends. If it hadn't been for that one element, this would easily have been a new favorite.

For readers who enjoy a historical story and don't mind a ghostly edge, would enjoy this well written book.

"The Devil in Beauty" is a mystery set in 1811 in London. Lord Trevelin is disfigured and in social disgrace. When a friend is taken to Newgate Prison more because he's disabled than because he's likely to have murdered his brother, Trev investigates to find the true murderer. A man visiting from Barcelona helps him despite their rivalry over Miss Woodmansey, a short woman who likes them both and thinks it'd be exciting to help solve a mystery. Her role was more to cause tension than to help, though.

The mystery was complex enough that confession was required to confirm exactly what happened, though you could guess at parts. Trev had a temper and cruel tongue at times, but the main characters were generally interesting and engaging. The story was not a happy one. Quite a few people died from various causes, including suicide. Nice historical details about Newgate, social manners, and such were woven into the story.

There was no bad language or sex. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting novel, though it was different from what I expected from the book description.

October 1811 and disgraced Julian Silvester, the Marquis of Trevelin vows to clear his friend Willy Gilbert of killing his younger brother. An acquinatnce of his, Lady Vawdrey, has had her diamond necklace stolen and he agrees to find it and the guilty party. But is there a connection between the two events. His aim is to get back his good name and be welcomed back into society.
I really enjoyed this well-written, historical mystery, with some good rounded characters and look forward to the next book.