2.5 stars

Much like the way the titles of the Beatrice Steele books indicate a tonal shift from "agreeable" to "nasty", I unfortunately found myself not enjoying this sophomore novel as much as I did the debut. Where in the first book Beatrice Steele felt like an morbidly creepy Lizzie Bennett in her oddball town of Swampshire, we have a bit of a fish-out-of-water situation with Beatrice moving to London to participate in the Season during this installment. While this did bring out some really great comedic moments that had me laughing out loud, most of what we saw made Beatrice come off as more of a more irritating Lydia or Kitty Bennett stereotype.

On top of that, the mystery elements did not completely land for me. As an actor myself, I thought the idea of censorship and artists being framed for crimes that they did not commit to be fantastic. However, so much of what was happening felt blatantly obvious to me that I was just waiting for the characters to catch up to me. There are a few great extra twists at the end that did make things more interesting (and we also get to see more of Beatrice's Elizabeth-like nature assert itself in the book's climax); however, it all just felt a little too late.

That being said, I totally called the cliffhanger ending and it is enough to keep me continuing with the series. I just hope that we get to see the characters and plots continue to develop rather than stagnating.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!

I loved this book. It was silly, goofy and a fun mystery. An all-around pleasure to read an I can't wait to read more from Julia Seales.

This second installment in the misadventures of Beatrice Steele has the same absurdist streak, sly writing, and strong characters as the very engaging first book. While you could read this as a standalone, I think you would get more enjoyment from having also read the first. Having proven her investigative mettle in her hometown in the first book, Beatrice is setting up shop in London in this book. She attempts to navigate the social season while also getting her detection firm with partner Inspector Drake off the ground. A compelling if slightly convoluted murder mystery runs alongside some interesting character development and deepening relationships. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

In my review for the first book in this series, I called it cuckoo bananas. This second book may be even more so, if that’s possible. No matter what this book is trying to be, it is a lot of fun. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the bizarre reality of this cozy historical mystery. Thanks to Random House for the ARC.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was an enjoyable cozy mystery that mostly lived up to its predecessor. I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first book, but it was fun to see the characters' world expand. The characters felt stronger to me in this one, which was a plus. I liked seeing the leads grow as individuals and partners. Miss Bolton is also a gem. The mystery didn't completely hold my attention though and I found myself skimming at times. It was a fun book overall though and I'm already looking forward to the next one.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. This book was a fun adventure perfect for the fans of Jane Austen. This book had mystery, romance, and adventure. I would definitely recommend if you enjoy historical of mystery novels.

I am, as usual, in love with this book.

We picked up right where we left off on the last one where Beatrice and Drake are now partners and our newest setting is London, right before the opening of the "Season"

We had big revelations, newly formed friendships, progression of the times. a woman finding who she is and what she is worth all while set in gorgeous misogynistic London

I really loved that impasse we came to with Drake and Huxley. Miss Bolton was one of the characters that I could not get enough of, she made me realize I need more Hats and Tassels haha! Beatrice is exactly who she was in the first book and I adore her even more now.

Everyone who has read any of my reviews knows that I love a good mystery and this book was wonderful. I still think I like the first one best, but this one is not far behind, please continue writing them.

Fun, breezy mystery. I missed the extreme quirkiness of the first book of the series but this was still enjoyable and charming. Some parts were very predictable, some parts at the end went pretty off the rails, but overall I enjoyed meeting up with Beatrice and Vivek again. I'm in for book 3!

My thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC via netgalley.

In the follow up to A Most Agreeable Murder, readers will be delighted to reacquaint themselves with Beatrice Steele. Now in London for her season, chaperoned by the eccentric hat-loving Ms. Bolton, Beatrice has partnered with Inspector Drake to form DS Investigations. When a wealthy member of an elite club is murdered, a local actor is suspected but he enlists the help of Beatrice and Drake to prove his innocence. To investigate, the two must find a way to enter the most exclusive club, the Rose, which surely hides the real killer.

A Terribly Nasty Business is another delightful romp from Julia Seales. The characters are charming, the mystery is great fun, the pacing is fast, and any lover of cozy mysteries will fly through this. I can't wait for the next installment.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

A Terribly Nasty Business (Julia Seales)
Publishing Date: June 24, 2025
Genre(s): Historical fiction (Regency), mystery, humor
Page Count: 320 pages
Rating: 4.5 stars

The first book in the Beatrice Steele series, A Most Agreeable Murder, was one of my favorite books of 2024, so I couldn’t wait to read book two of this delightfully madcap Regency mystery series. I was absolutely chuffed when I got approved for an Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) - thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse !!

This second book did NOT disappoint. It’s just as silly and fun - for instance, the characters have to dodge flying squirrels that infest the London neighborhood of Sweetbriar. In this volume, intrepid amateur detective Beatrice Steele has moved from her small, quirky town of Swampshire to establish a detective agency in London with the prickly Inspector Drake. The new agency, DS Investigations, is off to a slow start, and Beatrice is concerned that Inspector Drake is not taking their partnership seriously. But then the arts-hating members of the Neighborhood Association of Gentleman Sweetbriarians (NAGS) are murdered one by one and Beatrice and Inspector Drake go undercover at the exclusive Rose Club to find the culprit.

After reading hard-hitting and intense books, it is so nice to have a comfort series where every time I pick up the book it makes me smile. There is action and suspense, but it is a guarantee that everything will work out in the end. Seales took everything I loved in the first book - the witty dialogue, the Beatrice/Inspector Drake romance, family shenanigans, a mystery that kept me guessing - and did it again, without falling into the trap of making the story too repetitive or over-the-top. I already cannot wait for the third book!

Sequels can be tough, but I'm happy to report that this book was just a delightful as the first. Beatrice is now in London partnering with Inspector Drake in a detective agency. Here we get to meet the infamous Inspector Huxley as they compete to solve a series of murders. There are a lot of satirical commentary about the upperclass and artists. Overall the book is good fun and with a clever outcome. When can I read the next one?!

Beatrice Steele is back again! If you were a fan of "A Most Agreeable Murder", you will find "A Terribly Nasty Business" just as loveable. This book picks up approximately where "A Most Agreeable Murder" left off. Beatrice has traveled to London for the social season and to solve murders with her partner, Inspector Drake. True to character, she is much more interested in catching criminals than catching a husband!

I have mixed feelings about this book. I spent the first half feeling unengaged and slightly annoyed by the absurdist humor - although having read "A Most Agreeable Murder", I knew this was par for the course. If you are prepared for that going in and enjoy farce/absurdist humor than this book is for you! As I read on, I really enjoyed the plot, the new characters, the twists, the social commentary, and the relationships between the characters. I felt this second installment benefited from a change of scenery - the last book felt a little too closed to me. I ended up enjoying it more than "A Most Agreeable Murder." Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Julia Seales, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book so much. Of course this book has little things that could have made it better, but it's one of those books that I enjoyed so much that I can't think of much to criticize.
One of my favourite genres has to be historical mystery and this book was so fun and very interesting. I actually enjoyed it even more than the first book. The settings, characters, plot, and conflict were all done very well. The pacing was good and consistent, but it would be nice to have more significant subplots woven in. I love this author and her books and I will be reading anything else she releases.

quality rating: 9.5/10
enjoyment rating: 5 stars
vulgarity: none
spice: none
violence: very little

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC

Cozy and funny those are the two words i would use to define this book
I say julia certain did keep the level from a most agreeable murder the first one i loved so much i devoured
Fans of lysa keyplas julia quinn and other period books come here beatriz adventures are certainly funny to follow

This book was so wonderful to read. I enjoyed every second of it. Im grateful for the opportunity to read it. I might be obsessed with this author now! I can’t wait to read more from her.

Loved being back with Beatrice and her ever logical partner Vivek! This sequel did not dissapoint from gruesome murders to high society husband hunting this book had it all! Loved the romantic tension between Beatrice and Vivek as well as the excellent banter! I knew after book one this would be a series I would definitely continue and I'm happy to say I continue to be a fan! A special thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and the cover art for this series is BEAUTIFUL! I hope there are ten more books in this series!

I liked the first book in this series well enough, but this was a definite upgrade in humor, romantic tension, and multilayered mystery! Greatly looking forward to the next story in Beatrice’s life!

'The Neighborhood Association of Gentlemen Sweetbriarians (NAGS) Presents: THE LONDON SEASON'

The second Beatrice Steele book A Terribly Nasty Business follows her to London as she solves her investigative firm's first real case with partner Vivek Drake and navigates the London season. The book is as wacky as the first, with flying squirrels and nostalgic mentions of glowing frogs, but Julia Seales' witty humor also aids discussing the themes of freedom (lack of) and gender inequality in the Regency era.

The story arc had enough space for Beatrice's introspective growth, even amidst the humor, and the plot progression made for an easy light page turner. The strength of the book on the whole, as well as the series, is Seales' parodic writing and satirical world-building. Recommended to anyone looking for a light-hearted funny murder mystery.

"I see the influence that a painting, a song, a performance, has on people’s hearts and minds. It can effect change. Topple the correct ways and order of society. Give power to those who have never had it..."

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Random House for an advanced copy, the review is entirely honest.

🌟🌟🌟1/4
[3/4 star for the premise and the whole book; 3/4 star for the writing; Half a star for the characters and their growth; Half a star for the world-building; 3/4 star for the story and themes - 3 1/4 stars in total, rounded down to an integer.]

Wait,
This book is an absolute gem! As a fan of mystery romance novels, I can confidently say this one stands out. The story is not only fun and engaging but keeps you guessing at every turn. Even though I had a few hunches, the execution blew me away. I was thoroughly captivated by the vibrant world. I’m especially drawn to the time period, which pulled me in right from the start. While the humor can be a bit cheesy at times, it adds to the charm and overall enjoyment. This was such a delightful read! I can't wait for its release, as I plan to grab a physical copy. Trust me, you won’t regret giving this book a try!

This book has taken elements of mystery and romance and turned them up a notch into full-blown farce. The result is highly stylized-there are plenty of Regency mysteries and Regency romances, but not many that take place in a fantasy locale only half-heartedly called London and with elements that are blatantly anachronistic (for example, painters did not use acrylics in the early nineteenth century, as I suspect the author is well aware.) All the anarchic humor led to some sacrifices in character development and the chemistry between the two leads. It took me a while to get into it, but I eventually did.