Julia Seales

When a wealthy bachelor drops dead at a ball, a young lady takes on the decidedly improper role of detective in this action-packed debut comedy of manners and murder.

Feisty, passionate Beatrice Steele has never fit the definition of a true lady, according to the strict code of conduct that reigns in Swampshire, her small English township—she is terrible at needlework, has no musical ability, and her artwork is so bad it frightens people. Nevertheless, she lives a perfectly agreeable life with her marriage-scheming mother, prankster father, and two younger sisters—beautiful Louisa and forgettable Mary. But she harbors a dark secret: She is obsessed with the true crime cases she reads about in the newspaper, even going so far as to try to solve them herself. If anyone in her etiquette-obsessed community found out, she’d be deemed a morbid creep and banished from respectable society forever.

For her family’s sake, she’s vowed to put her obsession behind her. Because eligible bachelor Edmund Croaksworth is set to attend the approaching autumnal ball, and the Steele family hopes that Louisa will steal his heart. If not, Martin Grub, their disgusting cousin, will inherit the family’s estate, and they will be ruined, or even worse, forced to move to mime-infested France. So Beatrice must be on her best behavior…which is made difficult when a disgraced yet alluring detective inexplicably shows up to the ball.

Beatrice is just holding things together when Croaksworth drops dead in the middle of a minuet. As a storm rages outside, the evening descends into a frenzy of panic, fear, and betrayal as it becomes clear they are trapped with a killer. Contending with competitive card games, tricky tonics, and Swampshire’s infamous squelch holes, Beatrice must rise above decorum and decency to pursue justice and her own desires—before anyone else is murdered.

A Most Agreeable Murder

Bonkers. What a fun ride. Like Pride and Prejudice and Clue had a weird baby. 

Megan BV

it was funny, witty, and most importantly enjoyable. While it was a bit all over the place and I would suggest writing a list of all the characters, i enjoyed reading it and wish for more.

That being said, its only 3.5 stars for me. It was all over the place, with so many little tidbits and random story pieces that it was a little confusing, and the end felt very rushed. It did however, set up for a sequel, which i feel it deserves. Its a book that i loved reading, but it is definitely not for everyone. 

Marleigh Toenyes

I really enjoyed this book.

it was funny, witty, and most importantly enjoyable. While it was a bit all over the place and I would suggest writing a list of all the characters, i enjoyed reading it and wish for more.

That being said, its only 3.5 stars for me. It was all over the place, with so many little tidbits and random story pieces that it was a little confusing, and the end felt very rushed. It did however, set up for a sequel, which i feel it deserves. Its a book that i loved reading, but it is definitely not for everyone. 

*A historical cozy mystery that couldn’t make up its mind*

It’s no secret that I love Mysteries particularly Historical Mysteries. I have a darned hard time saying no to them. Plus 

The story is set in Regency times in a small English village obessesed with an etiquette rulebook written by a local lord. Beatrice Steele tries to adhere to the rules as much as possible, but she has two major failings: she has no interest in marrying, and she is obsessed with True Crime. But the arrival of a mysterious detective and the murder of a most eligible bachelor make it hard for Beatrice to hide her passion for solving crime.

First of all, I was not expecting there to be any paranormal aspects to this story. I liked the glowing frogs, because, well I like frogs. But Beatrice’s sister's paranormal secret was "hinted" at so many times and with the subtly of a tornado. I wanted it to be revealed just so all the wink, winks would stop. But it was never outright stated. And I was left flummoxed as to why the author bothered to throw in a couple of paranormal things but didn’t actually make the story paranormal. There a quite a few Historical Paranomal Mysteries that I thoroughly enjoyed (such as 

 – which are unrelated by the way). But I don’t like with things are half-assed. Make it paranormal or don’t. Yes, there is middle ground. The entire genre of Magical Realism proves that. But hint at supernatural stuff ad nauseam without ever truly bringing it into the story. Sure, it will probably get revealed in later books, but I’m unlikely to stick around for that.

The whole book had a goofy air. I don't mind light reads, but I like to know what I'm getting into. 

 Between the corny almost paranormal elements, the comedy of manners that fell flat, and the father constantly faking his death for a laugh (that he never gets), the whole thing bordered on absurd. It seemed to be aiming for satirical and falling significantly short of the mark.

 is set in a small village obsessed with an etiquette rulebook written by a town founder. Not surprisingly, this led to a claustrophobic, restrictive life. Yes, it wasn't too far off from the historical reality. But as I mentioned, it felt like a comedy of manners gone wrong.

The story is told in Third person focused on Beatrice interspersed with miscellaneous letters, diary entries, etc. from other characters. I have to say, I was never particularly invested in the characters. It was also a third of the way through before the murder happened. There was a lot of dialogue up to that point, introduction to a large number of characters, and not much else other than prancing around in dresses. No, I didn’t guess the killer right away, but I also never had more than a passing interest in the story.

. Homage to that great book is common. I wouldn't have minded if it were well done. But the attempt just made 

 with murder mystery. But it was overdone. The winks and nods occurred with such frequency that they could be mistaken for a seizure. Quick, roll the book over, and make sure it doesn't choke on its tongue.

But it has frogs, so that's something. Enough to make me generously round up to three stars. Probably not enough to make me read the sequel though.

Characters and Character Development: 3 Stars

Colleen

2.5 Stars

*A historical cozy mystery that couldn’t make up its mind*


It’s no secret that I love Mysteries particularly Historical Mysteries. I have a darned hard time saying no to them. Plus A Most Agreeable Murder has frogs on the cover. Enough said.

The story is set in Regency times in a small English village obessesed with an etiquette rulebook written by a local lord. Beatrice Steele tries to adhere to the rules as much as possible, but she has two major failings: she has no interest in marrying, and she is obsessed with True Crime. But the arrival of a mysterious detective and the murder of a most eligible bachelor make it hard for Beatrice to hide her passion for solving crime.

First of all, I was not expecting there to be any paranormal aspects to this story. I liked the glowing frogs, because, well I like frogs. But Beatrice’s sister's paranormal secret was "hinted" at so many times and with the subtly of a tornado. I wanted it to be revealed just so all the wink, winks would stop. But it was never outright stated. And I was left flummoxed as to why the author bothered to throw in a couple of paranormal things but didn’t actually make the story paranormal. There a quite a few Historical Paranomal Mysteries that I thoroughly enjoyed (such as Half a Soul and Soulless – which are unrelated by the way). But I don’t like with things are half-assed. Make it paranormal or don’t. Yes, there is middle ground. The entire genre of Magical Realism proves that. But hint at supernatural stuff ad nauseam without ever truly bringing it into the story. Sure, it will probably get revealed in later books, but I’m unlikely to stick around for that.

The whole book had a goofy air. I don't mind light reads, but I like to know what I'm getting into. This one teetered too close to spoofy. Between the corny almost paranormal elements, the comedy of manners that fell flat, and the father constantly faking his death for a laugh (that he never gets), the whole thing bordered on absurd. It seemed to be aiming for satirical and falling significantly short of the mark.



“Only a morally corrupt city would accept her, and once she made it to Paris, she would surely be robbed by a mime and left for dead.”


A Most Agreeable Murder is set in a small village obsessed with an etiquette rulebook written by a town founder. Not surprisingly, this led to a claustrophobic, restrictive life. Yes, it wasn't too far off from the historical reality. But as I mentioned, it felt like a comedy of manners gone wrong.

The story is told in Third person focused on Beatrice interspersed with miscellaneous letters, diary entries, etc. from other characters. I have to say, I was never particularly invested in the characters. It was also a third of the way through before the murder happened. There was a lot of dialogue up to that point, introduction to a large number of characters, and not much else other than prancing around in dresses. No, I didn’t guess the killer right away, but I also never had more than a passing interest in the story.

Then there were the nods to Pride and Prejudice. Homage to that great book is common. I wouldn't have minded if it were well done. But the attempt just made A Most Agreeable Murder pale in comparison. Here are some mysterious coincidences:


-Beatrice has only female siblings
-A loathsome cousin is eager to inherit the estate and is willing to marry Beatrice
-Her mother is obsessed with marrying off her daughters and doesn't listen to their wishes and is demeaning towards her less favored offspring
-The father is financially irresponsible and takes little to no hand in managing his family
-She has a sweet, benevolent sister who is a beauty
-She has a serious sister named Mary that everyone ignores
-The live in a small English country town set in a tizzy over the arrival of a marriage man
-Grouchy love interest who won't dance
-it uses a variation of the "single man in possession of a good fortune" line


Seales is far from the first to mash up Pride and Prejudice with murder mystery. But it was overdone. The winks and nods occurred with such frequency that they could be mistaken for a seizure. Quick, roll the book over, and make sure it doesn't choke on its tongue.

But it has frogs, so that's something. Enough to make me generously round up to three stars. Probably not enough to make me read the sequel though.


RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 4 Stars
Writing Style: 2 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 3 Stars
Plot Structure and Development: 3 Stars
Level of Captivation: 3 Stars
Originality: 2 Stars 

This is one of the first books I've read that I had a really fun time while reading it. I enjoyed it so much that I finished it in less than 24 hours. 

It was funny while still keeping me invested in the plot/murder. I love the bits between chapters with the different letters, guides, and articles. This is a book I would really like to get my hands on a physical copy of because I think that would add even more to the experience of reading it. 

samantha lias

This is one of the first books I've read that I had a really fun time while reading it. I enjoyed it so much that I finished it in less than 24 hours. 

It was funny while still keeping me invested in the plot/murder. I love the bits between chapters with the different letters, guides, and articles. This is a book I would really like to get my hands on a physical copy of because I think that would add even more to the experience of reading it. 

A Most Agreeable Murder

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