I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

I enjoyed this book and read it in one day. I felt like I was there with the characters. I would definitely recommend this book to all my family and friends.

When I requested - and later began reading - this book, I didn't realize that it is the third book in the series. Because of this, I was pretty confused with the characters and the heroine's alter egos. This is wholly my fault and not the fault of the author. I fully intend on reading the first two books in the series and then returning to finish this installment.

This, unfortunately was a DNF for me. I really tried to get the hang of the book, but it just was not meant to be. I stopped at 36%
1. The narrator(Verity) always gave TMI. Something that was supposed to be a paragraph will turn to a page.
2. I didn't like that Verity spoke for the other characters. It confused me a lot.

I didn't like this book, but you might like it

Courtesy of The Book Whisperer and Netgalley, I received the ARC of A Lark's Conceit by Lynn Messina. Third in the Verity Lark Regency period cozy mystery series, this is a very witty and well written story. Following another adventure of the self assured and self sufficient woman of many disguises as she becomes entwined in an abduction attempt and a murder scheme is highly entertaining!

this is a strong third entry in the Verity Lark Mysteries series. It had everything that I was looking for from the previous two books. The characters felt like they were supposed to and enjoyed from the mystery genre. It left me wanting to read more in this world and from the author. Lynn Messina wrote a great book and has a great writing style that I was hoping for.

In the latest Verity Lark mystery, Lynn Messina picks up right where she left off -- with Verity seething over Hardwicke’s treatment of her. Verity’s musings, however, are abruptly stopped with an assassination attempt on her life! Bringing Verity and her many aliases into contact with the French embassy, foreign affairs, and a series of conspiracies against Verity and Hardwicke, the two must stop these conspiracies and figure out who is behind the attempts on both their lives -- and that’s not even including unraveling their hot and cold relationship! Messina brings various narrative threads back into this novel -- particularly the threads of Verity’s childhood and parentage and the lingering traumas from both -- and how others perceive these aspects of Verity’s character, resolving some unanswered questions nicely. Of course, Messina’s characters are wonderfully developed, and these new murderers and antagonists are particularly complex and devious, which readers will enjoy. Other relationships and characters continue to develop throughout this novel, and these existing relationships and established characters’ development are the highlight of this novel. Another strong period piece and cozy mystery, Lynn Messina continues to bring this world to life through her complex and enjoyable protagonist, Verity Lark, and her shenanigans and investigations with the rest of her close circle of friends.

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and Lynn Messina

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

A Lark’s Conceit By Lynn Messina is a good series. It has excellent characters with different points of view: Verity Lark was raised in an orphanage. To be better put, she got out of the orphanage with her life. Her friends, Freddie and Delphine, were there with her and have escaped to relatively successful lives as well. Freddie is the editor of a newspaper and as such has hired Robert Lark as a reporter. Lark is seldom seem, but does an excellent job for them. He’s not seen because he does not exist. Verity writes for Robert and has escapades in his name. She also writes a gossip column which is wildly popular.. She has recently met her half-brother, the Duke of Kesgrave, sho has disclosed her existence to their grandmother. The Dowager Duchess expedited Verity’s dismissal to the orphanage as she did not approve of her son’s choice of consort and so the resulting grandchild was beneath her notice. She did, however, provide funds to the proprietress of the orphanage to make Verity’s life better. She has just discovered the woman kept the money for herself and wants to make amends.

Because she doesn’t have enough to do, Verity is also a sleuth, unable to keep wrongs from being righted. This is the third mystery in the series and although I love the characters, I had a little trouble getting into it. The mystery is a good one, complicated and interesting. Colson Hardwicke has made it known his interest in her has been revived and as much as she should be angry over his previous treatment of her, she is interested, too. It is an intriguing story with twists and turns and even more interesting characters. Thanks Lynn Messina for creating these characters!

I was invited to read A Lark’s Conceit by Book Whisperer. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BookWhisperer #LynnMessina #ALarksConceit

This book is the third book in the series. It did take me a few chapters to start to figure out what was going on, that being said the dialogue with the heroine did keep me interested as she was thirty unwed, and an illegitimate child which I would imagine for that time would be a scandal. But she was quick-witted with the comebacks and smart. This book turned out to be a mystery and once I realized that this only made the story that much more interesting. A very good book with very good characters and worth the read.

A good story! I get such a kick out of Verity. She is amazing becoming another person will her many disguises. She makes my heart jump when she is following someone or going into buildings. I do feel sorry for her love interest. She sure doesn't give him any encouragement. So much to like about this book.

Book #3 in this cozy mystery with a twist series. Each book can be read as a stand alone but I'm pretty sure if you read one of them, you'll want to read them all. The titled Lark is Verity Lark, a woman of many personalities that has survived an unusual upbringing that makes her the perfect character in a cozy mystery. Her mystery this time is both personal and professional, or professional and personal, whichever one works best to describe Lynn Messina's unusual plotting. Verity is puzzling her relationship (?) with Colson Hardwicke when an attempt is made to kidnap her. Turning the tables, she will find herself smack in the middle of Harwicke's latest espionage.

The Lark series is an unusual cozy series that is entertaining as well as different from any other cozy I've ever read. In a good way.....

Full disclosure! I love Lynn Messina and her writing and Verity Lark is in a league of her own!

A reporter at the Gazette who does not give up on a story and a gossip, she lands herself in a pickle.
Characters are so much fun and the mystery keeps your attention until the end!

Sparkling wit and delightful dialogue only want me to read more!

A Lark’s Conceit
(Verity Lark Mysteries 3)
Lynn Messina



Lynn Messina is the author of more than 25 books, by my count. A significant acheivement!
Her best known series are Love Takes Root, Beatrice Hyde-Clare mysteries, and the Verity Lark mysteries.



This is the third book in the Verity Lark series, but it is my first. Its main character is a spinster by the name of Verity Lark, who has multiple personas and likes to work out complicated situations. Her mother is a former woman of ill repute, who married a Duke. She has recently met her half brother for the first time. Verity was raised in an asylum for orphans that sounds more like an institute for the torture of children. While she has the facts about her birth mother she has no information on her father.

She shares a residence with Delphine, their cook, and the maid. Verity grew up with Freddie and Delphine, who are still her family unit. Delphine, is championing Hardwicke, as an acceptable suitor for Verity. Hardwicke understands her because his job and her pastimes align. In this episode, Verity is upset with him. I thought I understood why only to find out at the end that I only had a small portion of the issue. There is one murder, no gore.

The book begins with a glimpse of the end. That was one of many instances of Ms. Messina doing things differently. I enjoyed it, the book wasn’t an easy read though. I would advise anyone to read the first two books in the series as there are many confusing moments where people or events are referenced but we receive no backstory. There are also tie-ins to the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mystery series. Again, I greatly caution any newbie to please read the first two books!

Due to this I am troubled with how to rate this book. I did not enjoy being left out of the references and jokes, or the scenes where a previous event was central to what was happening but a catch up/review wasn’t given. The mystery was unexpected and enjoyable. 3*** from the new confused reader.

4**** from the reader who went to read books 1-2 and then re-read book three, now capable of truly understanding the story. My only disappointment after that was how it ended. It’s not a cliffhanger, the mystery is solved. But it ends with plans being made and revenge being sought. I am looking forward to book four!







Thank you to Netgalley, Ms. Messina, and the publisher for the ARC.

Verity Lark returns for her third outing in this book, which is just as enjoyable as its predecessors. This time, there's a kidnap attempt on Verity from her own bedroom. The question is why? Verity devotes her time to working out the answer. She's helped along by more of her disguises and also her friends, Freddie and Daphne. Colson Hardwicke is also involved, in between his attempts to court Verity, which is definitely not an easy thing to do. Of course, there is a murder involved, even though Verity claims she's not keen on going around solving them. And just around the edges of the story, the connection with her half-brother, the Duke of Kesgrave is explored just a bit more.

One thing I noticed more in this book was the internal dialogue of Verity, particularly when it comes to Colson Hardwicke and his interaction with her. I don't know if there was more this time or if it just seemed more extreme or what. It was kind of maddening at times to listen in, because she did sometimes create mountains out of molehills. I was pleased to see a bit of progress in the pair and their understanding of each other. I am curious to see how it will affect the future stories too.

This really is an interesting series, interwoven with the Beatrice Hyde-C;lare books. Ideally it would be good to at least read some of that series to understand this one more fully. I just don't think you can have Verity Lark without BHC. As always Lynn Messina writes an amusing tale and it's always sure to be a fun excursion.

Overall, I rate this book 4 stars. I would like to thank Netgalley and Book Whisperer for giving me an advanced reader copy. I have provided this review voluntarily.

Verity Lark has burrowed her way into my Regency-loving heart, not that there was ever any doubt she would do so. I fell in love immediately after reading the first book in the Verity Lark Mysteries series, and I've been a devout follower ever since.

In this third installment, Verity finds herself caught in the middle of a murder plot in the French Embassy during the post-Napoleonic War era, which naturally causes quite the political scandal between France and England. Verity and her friends will have to dig into their usual bag of tricks (and disguises) in order to salvage the relationship between the two countries and save the day.

One thing I love about the Verity Lark Mysteries is the way they're fully integrated into the Regency Era, and Lynn Messina's beautiful writing perfectly captures the time period with the witty banter, the mannerisms of "polite society," and the balance between comedy and manners. There were some grammar and formatting issues I noted when reading the Kindle edition, which is perhaps my only nitpicking point to address. But, overall another great adventure for Verity Lark and her companions, and hopefully not the last.

Another great installment in the Verity Lark series, which is also becoming even more linked up with the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mystery series!

Every time I read one of Lynn Messina's books, I am astounded at the level of detail in the writing. There isn't a lot of dialogue in the book and the reader spends A LOT of time in Verity Lark's head, but it works well. We are able to better understand how and why she processes information as she receives it, thinks through possibilities, and, critically, how she perceives and engages in the world around her. In this book, Verity's worldview results in misunderstanding her love interest's intentions, which, when confronted about this, forces her to really rethink how she approaches life and the people in it.

The mystery itself is quite engaging and I felt the complexity was explained exceptionally well such that when the culprit is revealed, it just makes sense. And the climatic scene when they apprehend the culprit has a delightful twist that was set up in the opening pages of the book.

I'm really excited to see what comes next in this series and I really hope that one day, Verity and Beatrice interact because that will be the ultimate payoff for fans of the two series!!!

Thanks to the author for an eARC of the book; all thoughts are my own.

Historical drama,book three in this series featuring Verity Lark.. She is in trouble again but doesn't know why as an intruder tries to abduct her from her bedroom. An intriguing and unusual story.

Book 3 of Verity Lark Mysteries and another great read. Verity Lark is back with more craziness and mysteries. These books are a bit of fun and they are easy to read. I enjoy the main character as she brings a quirkiness to the story which I enjoy.

Another entertaining and enjoyable read and I like that they aren't too long and I can get stuck into reading, relaxing and enjoying. The writing i good and flows well making it easy to follow as well. Another good story in this series and look forward to seeing what comes next.

Thank you NetGalley and Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Verity is awakened one night by an intruder. She bops him and ties him up in her basement, loosely tied, so that she can follow him when he escapes. He is then pushed out of the 3rd floor window and dies. Now Verity must try to find out whodunit.