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A Verity Lark Mystery #2
A Lark's Flight
Verity Lark — England's most tenacious gossip, the London Daily Gazette ’s most dogged reporter — relishes a challenge, which is why she refuses Colson Hardwicke's offer of menial employment. If the infuriating scoundrel really needs the sister of a radical reformer to be distracted with girlish chitchat, then he can bloody well erupt into giggles!
She has more important things to do — namely, figuring out why Hardwicke is interested in the radical reformer. During her previous run-in with him, he had shown himself to be the superior tactician, and she is determined to even the score. Proving that the radical reformer is an escaped fugitive is one way. Saving the country from a Luddite insurrection is another.
But when Verity stumbles across a dead man in a rundown boarding house, the competition suddenly stops being a game. There is more going on than she had ever imagined, and as she struggles to untangle Hardwicke's web of machinations, she is forced to wonder if she has been a pawn all along.
She has more important things to do — namely, figuring out why Hardwicke is interested in the radical reformer. During her previous run-in with him, he had shown himself to be the superior tactician, and she is determined to even the score. Proving that the radical reformer is an escaped fugitive is one way. Saving the country from a Luddite insurrection is another.
But when Verity stumbles across a dead man in a rundown boarding house, the competition suddenly stops being a game. There is more going on than she had ever imagined, and as she struggles to untangle Hardwicke's web of machinations, she is forced to wonder if she has been a pawn all along.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2023
213 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Messina
53 books647 followersLynn Messina is author of more than a dozen novels, including the best-selling Fashionistas, which has been translated into sixteen languages, and a series of Regency romance novels. Her essays have appeared in Self, American Baby and the New York Times Modern Love column. She lives in New York City with her sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
July 29, 2023
This was delightful.
I was on the fence about picking up another one in the series, as I found the first one to be quite hectic with too many characters and villains and overly referential to the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series in a way that felt like it kind of clogged up the story. But this second novel in the Verity Lark series was so good! The plot was more straightforward and fairly easy to follow, and there was plenty of fresh humor. I chuckled often while reading. I also enjoyed being surprised by a couple of interesting relationships starting to develop in Verity's life.
I was on the fence about picking up another one in the series, as I found the first one to be quite hectic with too many characters and villains and overly referential to the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series in a way that felt like it kind of clogged up the story. But this second novel in the Verity Lark series was so good! The plot was more straightforward and fairly easy to follow, and there was plenty of fresh humor. I chuckled often while reading. I also enjoyed being surprised by a couple of interesting relationships starting to develop in Verity's life.
June 2, 2023
Have you ever tried to untangle a particularly complicated series of knots in the chain of a favorite necklace? There are times when you aren't sure you're making any progress, moments when you think you've made progress just to find out the knot you've just loosed is setting up another one to take hold, times when you worry that you'll never wear your necklace again, and then there is that wonderful moment when you realize you see the route to the end of your task. That moment is almost more rewarding than actually putting that necklace on.
That is the experience of reading A Lark's Flight by Lynn Messina. To be fair, that's the experience of reading every book by Lynn Messina. They are complex, layered mysteries, thick with internal dialogue, and are absolutely delightful.
This second book in Verity Lark's series has the heroine diving into a murder investigation that intersects with an investigation of insurrectionists that her potential love interest, Colson Hardwicke, is pursuing. Colson is fascinated by Verity, but in the potentially beautiful moments where he tells her of his esteem, she deflects. Verity can't fathom that this man is giving her authentic compliments. These little moments, where she's on the cusp of trusting him, are bittersweet. She's so close to letting him in, but her past, including a childhood spent in a miserable orphanage, has her misconstruing his words into challenges or veiled insults.
At the same time, we have a promise of an interaction with Damien, Duke of Kesgrave, and Verity's brother right in the prologue. Anyone who has read the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series in which Damien sleuths with his wife will delight as the timelines of the two series come together after running parallel for two books.
If one does jump into Lynn Messina's universe with this book or this series, I can't help but hope the urge to read her other series will be followed.
I was given an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
That is the experience of reading A Lark's Flight by Lynn Messina. To be fair, that's the experience of reading every book by Lynn Messina. They are complex, layered mysteries, thick with internal dialogue, and are absolutely delightful.
This second book in Verity Lark's series has the heroine diving into a murder investigation that intersects with an investigation of insurrectionists that her potential love interest, Colson Hardwicke, is pursuing. Colson is fascinated by Verity, but in the potentially beautiful moments where he tells her of his esteem, she deflects. Verity can't fathom that this man is giving her authentic compliments. These little moments, where she's on the cusp of trusting him, are bittersweet. She's so close to letting him in, but her past, including a childhood spent in a miserable orphanage, has her misconstruing his words into challenges or veiled insults.
At the same time, we have a promise of an interaction with Damien, Duke of Kesgrave, and Verity's brother right in the prologue. Anyone who has read the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series in which Damien sleuths with his wife will delight as the timelines of the two series come together after running parallel for two books.
If one does jump into Lynn Messina's universe with this book or this series, I can't help but hope the urge to read her other series will be followed.
I was given an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 6, 2023
A labyrinth of a mystery
I’m a huge fan of Messina’s and in Verity Lark she has outdone herself. For Verity is a chameleon, and every guise she adopts has a personality cut from whole cloth. So the reader needs to pay attention. Where Beatrice, Duchess of Keswick is an anomaly of the Ton, Verity dwells in the world of trade.
Messina writes with a satiric eye
and subtle humour; the conversations between Verity and Delphine are a joy. Yet the humour is the spoonful of sugar that lets her explore themes of abandonment, cruelty, poverty and avarice. As usual, her characters are flesh and blood (though I suspect Verity is part superwoman). A cornucopia of delight, but again, pay attention.
I’m a huge fan of Messina’s and in Verity Lark she has outdone herself. For Verity is a chameleon, and every guise she adopts has a personality cut from whole cloth. So the reader needs to pay attention. Where Beatrice, Duchess of Keswick is an anomaly of the Ton, Verity dwells in the world of trade.
Messina writes with a satiric eye
and subtle humour; the conversations between Verity and Delphine are a joy. Yet the humour is the spoonful of sugar that lets her explore themes of abandonment, cruelty, poverty and avarice. As usual, her characters are flesh and blood (though I suspect Verity is part superwoman). A cornucopia of delight, but again, pay attention.
May 21, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not affected by the giveaway.
3.55 stars rounded down
Damien Matlock, Duke of Kesgrave, is bewildered when he spots a woman who looks exactly like his mother at Fortescue's Asylum for Pauper Children. He can't get her out of his mind. Surely he's imagining things, although the Duchess's portrait still hangs by the staircase. He's determined to find out who she is and her connection to his mother. Meanwhile, Verity Lark is incensed when Colson Harwicke, who claims he admires her, offers her an assignment. The assignment is well beneath Verity's skill level. Why, anyone can GIGGLE! Why does Hardwicke need Verity to giggle at the sister of a Mr. Fitch? Who is Mr. Fitch and what is Hardwicke's interest in him? Verity is determined to accept the challenge she is certain Hardwicke has issued and stalk this Mr. Fitch until she finds what he's about. She's surprised to discover Mr. Fitch has ties to a reform society. What's Hardwicke's stance on reform? As a younger son, he should be sympathetic. The truth surprises Verity even more and leads to more stalking and a gruesome murder. Her next challenge: figure out who murdered the mysterious Mr. Smith and why - before Hardwicke. When lives are at stake, Verity is forced to rely on the one person she never thought she would ask for help! Can she make the very important people see the truth in time to prevent innocent people from being killed?
This second volume in the series is slightly better than the first. The story meanders a bit in the beginning and takes awhile to get to the point. It doesn't become a murder mystery until about the halfway mark. Then I couldn't put it down. There's a lot of repetition of Bea's adventures, including An Extravagant Duplicity. If you haven't read that one, continue with Verity's story and then Bea's. Verity's story also happens simultaneously with Bea's latest investigation. Verity seems to figure things out though so if you don't want to be spoiled with even a guess, go ahead and read Bea's story and skim over those passages in Verity's. All the labor history and reform society business was also a bit confusing at first. The information is summarized and repeated later so it makes more sense. I worked in a textile mill museum so I'm quite familiar with the stocking frame and poor working conditions. It's kind of sad that it took a good century and a half to achieve the things people in this book are asking for and they're still fighting the fight for a better life. This plot is very current.
I'm still not sure I like Verity. She's so incredibly stubborn and independent that she fully believes that Hardwicke is playing some kind of elaborate game of chess with her. He has manipulated her but I'm not sure he did it on purpose and I don't think he's doing what she thinks he is. She can't admit that she's attracted to him and that he might be attracted to her based on intellect. Verity is prickly without reason. She has Freddie and Delphine to be her family. Freddie is her male alter ego, ready to change the world with his newspaper and Delphine's sweet nature keeps Verity alive. Verity also seems to have a vendetta against her brother for no good reason. He's only just discovered her existence. She wouldn't have inherited anything anyway even if she was legitimate and the daughter of the Duke. She seems to take delight in teasing him and felt prepared to both feel sorry for him yet gloat when he married a dull Society beauty. I don't know why she's so shocked by Bea's exploits because hers are even zanier! It comes as no surprise when
I love a good rogue and Hardwicke is no exception. I don't think he's playing chess with Verity though. I get the impression he's involved in something he can't tell her about. The government is so very hush hush at this time. He's hinted there's more to him than Verity realizes and I also think he's falling in love with her. She seems him as an adversary but I don't think he sees himself that way. His last speech made me swoon!
Personally I think Hardwicke and Verity are both wrong about Fitch. I see Fitch as an opportunist. I think he's both an informer AND a reformer. He claims to be for non-violent resistance which is great but I bet he ran at the first sign of violence up north and informed on his fellow reformers. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a history of doing such a thing. I can't think why Verity wouldn't think of that. Fitch seems nice enough. He's genial, kind and passionate. He's a great speaker and gets people to hand over their meager wages to join the cause. His sister is rather silly and lacks intelligence. She's not perceptive enough to see through Verity's disguise and prattles on and on. What she reveals is quite surprising, yet not entirely. What mystery is afoot here? There's something going on Verity can't see.
The mystery is tied to an uprising in the north last Christmas and the Luddite movement. Luddites were not opposed to machines, they were opposed to the exploitation of the workers who were treated like machines. (Workers were known as "hands" and when the machines wear out, the owners got new ones. When the workers wore out, the owners did the same.) I know that story well and am very familiar with the stocking frame they smashed! The leaders of the uprising were rounded up and executed for the crime of wanting a better life. No evidence suggests they were violent. (See Peterloo Massacre) Some members are still at large with a bounty on their heads. Verity believes Mr. Fitch might be one of them. Which one is he: Vane, Horne or Pocock? What about Mr. Smith? I think he is the labor leader and Fitch is a poseur and Smith is out to get Fitch.
Who are the next suspects Verity must investigate? Mr. Lemon seemed cranky when printing up handbills. He's suspicious of new people and doesn't want to give away information for free. Mr. Ossenford and Mr. Dircks are the prime suspects. What cause do they have to meet with a wealthy stocking merchant? A-ha! I knew it. Someone or several someones are poseurs. I think they were paid to inform on the rebels and cause trouble. Mr. Ossenford is not very nice and he's cranky, while Mr. Dircks is a bit of an idiot. He'll save his own skin and rat someone else out if you push him hard enough. I think Verity isn't pushing hard enough! Mr. Winthrop seems nice enough but a little selfish. He makes some good points, if Verity's story were true. Mr. Davidge is a klutzy idiot who can't do anything right. I feel bad for him though! Dylan Morton is a sad, angry drunk; disillusioned and possibly dangerous. Disillusionment leads men to behave recklessly and he's really angry at everyone and the world. Morton has a bad temper. I would guess that he could and would kill a man in cold blood. Clemmon Miller is a petty thief, in trouble a lot for thievery. He's lazy and doesn't seem like he could be a murderer.
Mr. Smith's landlady, Mrs. Buglehorn, is quite the character. She takes penny pinching to the extreme, charging her boarders fees for every little thing, like tea cups and for NOT doing things like coming to breakfast or being late with rent. Her cavalier reaction to finding a dead body in her boarding house is surprising. I quite like her even though she's horrible and I hope she's not the murderer. The timing doesn't quite fit.
Mr. Kingsley, an under-secretary at Whitehall, is a moron. He is quick to threaten Verity (in disguise) and shut down whatever it is she isn't seeing. She thought she was handing him a suspect and instead ended up with another mystery. Under-Secretary Grint is more fair and willing to listen yet he too sees violent rebellion and insurrection around the corner when nothing of the sort is going on! Neither of them talk to each other of course. One thing I've learned from my historical mysteries is that government departments never ever talk to each other about what's going on and are often working towards the same goal separately with different tactics! I'd love it if Lord Sidmouth were a fictional character who would get his comeuppance for being a truly horrible human being, but alas, the Home Secretary, was an evil conservative politician who was so completely against the idea of reform that he manufactured excuses to murder innocent people and pass draconian laws that prevented working class people from getting ahead.
Mrs. Chaffey, the orphan asylum matron, is wonderful. Endlessly cheerful even in the face of adversity, she appreciates all the help she can get and sees the glass as half full. She knows there are endless structural problems with the building and the best SHE can do is see to the emotional well-being of the children and make sure they are educated too. I like her a lot.
I hope this isn't the end of the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series. I want to see Verity and Bea team up and run circles around the men. I think the Duke could keep up but Hardwicke will need time to get used to them and catch up. It would be a lot of fun for the four of them to investigate together.
3.55 stars rounded down
Damien Matlock, Duke of Kesgrave, is bewildered when he spots a woman who looks exactly like his mother at Fortescue's Asylum for Pauper Children. He can't get her out of his mind. Surely he's imagining things, although the Duchess's portrait still hangs by the staircase. He's determined to find out who she is and her connection to his mother. Meanwhile, Verity Lark is incensed when Colson Harwicke, who claims he admires her, offers her an assignment. The assignment is well beneath Verity's skill level. Why, anyone can GIGGLE! Why does Hardwicke need Verity to giggle at the sister of a Mr. Fitch? Who is Mr. Fitch and what is Hardwicke's interest in him? Verity is determined to accept the challenge she is certain Hardwicke has issued and stalk this Mr. Fitch until she finds what he's about. She's surprised to discover Mr. Fitch has ties to a reform society. What's Hardwicke's stance on reform? As a younger son, he should be sympathetic. The truth surprises Verity even more and leads to more stalking and a gruesome murder. Her next challenge: figure out who murdered the mysterious Mr. Smith and why - before Hardwicke. When lives are at stake, Verity is forced to rely on the one person she never thought she would ask for help! Can she make the very important people see the truth in time to prevent innocent people from being killed?
This second volume in the series is slightly better than the first. The story meanders a bit in the beginning and takes awhile to get to the point. It doesn't become a murder mystery until about the halfway mark. Then I couldn't put it down. There's a lot of repetition of Bea's adventures, including An Extravagant Duplicity. If you haven't read that one, continue with Verity's story and then Bea's. Verity's story also happens simultaneously with Bea's latest investigation. Verity seems to figure things out though so if you don't want to be spoiled with even a guess, go ahead and read Bea's story and skim over those passages in Verity's. All the labor history and reform society business was also a bit confusing at first. The information is summarized and repeated later so it makes more sense. I worked in a textile mill museum so I'm quite familiar with the stocking frame and poor working conditions. It's kind of sad that it took a good century and a half to achieve the things people in this book are asking for and they're still fighting the fight for a better life. This plot is very current.
I'm still not sure I like Verity. She's so incredibly stubborn and independent that she fully believes that Hardwicke is playing some kind of elaborate game of chess with her. He has manipulated her but I'm not sure he did it on purpose and I don't think he's doing what she thinks he is. She can't admit that she's attracted to him and that he might be attracted to her based on intellect. Verity is prickly without reason. She has Freddie and Delphine to be her family. Freddie is her male alter ego, ready to change the world with his newspaper and Delphine's sweet nature keeps Verity alive. Verity also seems to have a vendetta against her brother for no good reason. He's only just discovered her existence. She wouldn't have inherited anything anyway even if she was legitimate and the daughter of the Duke. She seems to take delight in teasing him and felt prepared to both feel sorry for him yet gloat when he married a dull Society beauty. I don't know why she's so shocked by Bea's exploits because hers are even zanier! It comes as no surprise when
I love a good rogue and Hardwicke is no exception. I don't think he's playing chess with Verity though. I get the impression he's involved in something he can't tell her about. The government is so very hush hush at this time. He's hinted there's more to him than Verity realizes and I also think he's falling in love with her. She seems him as an adversary but I don't think he sees himself that way. His last speech made me swoon!
Personally I think Hardwicke and Verity are both wrong about Fitch. I see Fitch as an opportunist. I think he's both an informer AND a reformer. He claims to be for non-violent resistance which is great but I bet he ran at the first sign of violence up north and informed on his fellow reformers. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a history of doing such a thing. I can't think why Verity wouldn't think of that. Fitch seems nice enough. He's genial, kind and passionate. He's a great speaker and gets people to hand over their meager wages to join the cause. His sister is rather silly and lacks intelligence. She's not perceptive enough to see through Verity's disguise and prattles on and on. What she reveals is quite surprising, yet not entirely. What mystery is afoot here? There's something going on Verity can't see.
The mystery is tied to an uprising in the north last Christmas and the Luddite movement. Luddites were not opposed to machines, they were opposed to the exploitation of the workers who were treated like machines. (Workers were known as "hands" and when the machines wear out, the owners got new ones. When the workers wore out, the owners did the same.) I know that story well and am very familiar with the stocking frame they smashed! The leaders of the uprising were rounded up and executed for the crime of wanting a better life. No evidence suggests they were violent. (See Peterloo Massacre) Some members are still at large with a bounty on their heads. Verity believes Mr. Fitch might be one of them. Which one is he: Vane, Horne or Pocock? What about Mr. Smith? I think he is the labor leader and Fitch is a poseur and Smith is out to get Fitch.
Who are the next suspects Verity must investigate? Mr. Lemon seemed cranky when printing up handbills. He's suspicious of new people and doesn't want to give away information for free. Mr. Ossenford and Mr. Dircks are the prime suspects. What cause do they have to meet with a wealthy stocking merchant? A-ha! I knew it. Someone or several someones are poseurs. I think they were paid to inform on the rebels and cause trouble. Mr. Ossenford is not very nice and he's cranky, while Mr. Dircks is a bit of an idiot. He'll save his own skin and rat someone else out if you push him hard enough. I think Verity isn't pushing hard enough! Mr. Winthrop seems nice enough but a little selfish. He makes some good points, if Verity's story were true. Mr. Davidge is a klutzy idiot who can't do anything right. I feel bad for him though! Dylan Morton is a sad, angry drunk; disillusioned and possibly dangerous. Disillusionment leads men to behave recklessly and he's really angry at everyone and the world. Morton has a bad temper. I would guess that he could and would kill a man in cold blood. Clemmon Miller is a petty thief, in trouble a lot for thievery. He's lazy and doesn't seem like he could be a murderer.
Mr. Smith's landlady, Mrs. Buglehorn, is quite the character. She takes penny pinching to the extreme, charging her boarders fees for every little thing, like tea cups and for NOT doing things like coming to breakfast or being late with rent. Her cavalier reaction to finding a dead body in her boarding house is surprising. I quite like her even though she's horrible and I hope she's not the murderer. The timing doesn't quite fit.
Mr. Kingsley, an under-secretary at Whitehall, is a moron. He is quick to threaten Verity (in disguise) and shut down whatever it is she isn't seeing. She thought she was handing him a suspect and instead ended up with another mystery. Under-Secretary Grint is more fair and willing to listen yet he too sees violent rebellion and insurrection around the corner when nothing of the sort is going on! Neither of them talk to each other of course. One thing I've learned from my historical mysteries is that government departments never ever talk to each other about what's going on and are often working towards the same goal separately with different tactics! I'd love it if Lord Sidmouth were a fictional character who would get his comeuppance for being a truly horrible human being, but alas, the Home Secretary, was an evil conservative politician who was so completely against the idea of reform that he manufactured excuses to murder innocent people and pass draconian laws that prevented working class people from getting ahead.
Mrs. Chaffey, the orphan asylum matron, is wonderful. Endlessly cheerful even in the face of adversity, she appreciates all the help she can get and sees the glass as half full. She knows there are endless structural problems with the building and the best SHE can do is see to the emotional well-being of the children and make sure they are educated too. I like her a lot.
I hope this isn't the end of the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series. I want to see Verity and Bea team up and run circles around the men. I think the Duke could keep up but Hardwicke will need time to get used to them and catch up. It would be a lot of fun for the four of them to investigate together.
June 3, 2023
As usual, absolutely fabulous. But I expected nothing else from Messina. Each of the Bea and Co. stories have me addicted, and I am waiting with baited breath for the next volume in this enthralling universe. And to add sugar to route cake, everytime I come away from these stories, I love Kesgrave even more, which I was beginning to think impossible. Brava, Messina! Brava!
May 24, 2023
A Lark’s Flight by Lynn Messina is the second installment in the Verity Lark Mystery series. The story takes place in 1816 London and is set in the universe of the Beatrice Hyde-Clare saga and runs parallel to it with many overlapping incidents, mentions and characters. I have to admit I have not read either the first part of this series or any in the Beatrice Hyde Clare series. I went in blind and I loved it. Though it will be more enjoyable to read the series in order, it is not a necessity. Having said that, I will be reading the author's prior work as her characters were really interesting and after so much mention of Her Outrageousness, I’m quite intrigued with her and the Duke of Kesgrave.
Summary- The plot follows Verity Lark who is a smart, stubborn, cunning, confident and a shrewd reporter and found her employment in Journalism by donning the aliases of Robert Lark, a serious and respectable reporter and Mr. Twaddle-Thum, the gossip columnist whose main target has always been the Duchess of Kesgrave which he dubbed as ‘Her Outrageousness’ and her benign affairs. She is profoundly competent in her job but when Colson Hardwicke compliments her so (after a job in book 1) and asked her to be his aide and play the part of a giggling sister for his investigation she takes offense and refuses him while deciding on taking the case nonetheless by herself just so to let him know that she is not only astoundingly competent but actually superior than him in intellect. What follows is a simple yet very entertaining investigation but when Verity found a man murdered in a rundown boarding house, things take an interesting and more serious turn.
My thoughts- I really like the author’s writing style which is witty as well as very straight. Her characters are delightfully interesting and I personally really liked Delphine and Mrs. Buglehorn. The banter between Delphine and Verity was perfect and humorous. It was really fun watching her don so many personalities during her investigation and was proof of how good she was at her job. Her mind worked in so many ways and the way she comes to a conclusion is so very fascinating to watch. Verity’s confusion of her feelings for Hardwicke were pretty evident by her inner dialogues.
“Giving Colon Hardwicke a compliment, it appeared , was just beyond her reach”
“Just because she did not value his admiration did not mean she did not want it”
Although she was quite frustrating at instances where she was adamant in finding an ulterior motive in everything Hardwicke did even when his appreciation for her was plain in sight.
Verity’s wittiness, her razor sharp intellect and her oh-so-many humorous personalities has left me definitely wanting for more. I would love to see the Duke, Duchess, Verity and Hardwicke working together and hope the author will grace us with that next.
Thank you NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for providing me with an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Summary- The plot follows Verity Lark who is a smart, stubborn, cunning, confident and a shrewd reporter and found her employment in Journalism by donning the aliases of Robert Lark, a serious and respectable reporter and Mr. Twaddle-Thum, the gossip columnist whose main target has always been the Duchess of Kesgrave which he dubbed as ‘Her Outrageousness’ and her benign affairs. She is profoundly competent in her job but when Colson Hardwicke compliments her so (after a job in book 1) and asked her to be his aide and play the part of a giggling sister for his investigation she takes offense and refuses him while deciding on taking the case nonetheless by herself just so to let him know that she is not only astoundingly competent but actually superior than him in intellect. What follows is a simple yet very entertaining investigation but when Verity found a man murdered in a rundown boarding house, things take an interesting and more serious turn.
My thoughts- I really like the author’s writing style which is witty as well as very straight. Her characters are delightfully interesting and I personally really liked Delphine and Mrs. Buglehorn. The banter between Delphine and Verity was perfect and humorous. It was really fun watching her don so many personalities during her investigation and was proof of how good she was at her job. Her mind worked in so many ways and the way she comes to a conclusion is so very fascinating to watch. Verity’s confusion of her feelings for Hardwicke were pretty evident by her inner dialogues.
“Giving Colon Hardwicke a compliment, it appeared , was just beyond her reach”
“Just because she did not value his admiration did not mean she did not want it”
Although she was quite frustrating at instances where she was adamant in finding an ulterior motive in everything Hardwicke did even when his appreciation for her was plain in sight.
Verity’s wittiness, her razor sharp intellect and her oh-so-many humorous personalities has left me definitely wanting for more. I would love to see the Duke, Duchess, Verity and Hardwicke working together and hope the author will grace us with that next.
Thank you NetGalley and The Book Whisperer for providing me with an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2023
I’m definitely warming to Verity Lark and her found family. In this book she is determined to prove just how capable and competent she is, but might also be forced to examine a few of her prejudices along the way.
September 3, 2024
I really hope that Verity is not meant to be a likable person. I remain utterly baffled at the loyalty she has from her 'friends' - given she treats them as inferior to her 98% of the time I am shocked that they are as supportive to her as they are. I get that they are meant to have all suffered being in the orphanage together which would create bonds, but the other two have turned out to be well rounded people unlike Verity who is just conceited and selfish. Verity is absolutely insufferable so whilst I am reading the third book in this series (which is a slog and has taken me 3 says so far, I am SO CLOSE to DNFing it despite having maybe 30 minutes of reading to go, that's how unbearable Verity is) I will 100% never pick up another Verity Lark Mystery book.
May 20, 2023
I received a free ARC copy of this book. But I just love this Spin-off from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries Books and would have bought it anyway. I like the Verity Lark character with her diversity of disguises and her process of figuring out the problem. Having read the Beatrice Hyde-Clare books, I can enjoy the references that are made to Bea's activities.
May 19, 2023
Verity on the trail!
What joy it is to make Verity Lark’s acquaintance again. Shrewd, with an Holmsian intellect, an ingrained sense of honor, and able to think every way which on a problem. No straight lines for this woman. Working incognito using three major personas there’s newspaper gossip columnist, Mr. Twaddle-Thum, as a serious writer masquerading as her non existent brother, Robert Lark. Holding these together plus being herself is incredible.
When Colson Hargreaves throws down the gauntlet, (or at least that’s how Verity sees it )by inelegantly asking her to spy on an Arnold Fitch for him just using her“girlish laugh,” Verity is incensed into action. She refuses Colson but determines to investigate secretly without knowing. When she presented her information he would know her abilities,
This leads her to a reform movement which consisted of the Blanketerring movement and the Yarwellians protesting over machinery taking away people’s livelihood, and an involvement with a murder. All the while Verity is searching for evidence of Arnold Fitch’s involvement under the auspices of the Home Office spying against the Movement in these matters and simultaneously managing to enlarge his own coffers. And then there’s the Duke of Kesgrave! Now Verity had always known they shared a mother, the courtesan Duchess La Reina, but the Duke was unaware of Verity’s existence. Happenstance or something else’s leads the Duke and Duchess to Fortescue’s Asylum for Pauper Children, just as Verity is exiting. Mr Twaddle-Thum inside Verity’s head composes various scenarios for what might be. But for Verity,
“It was utterly bewildering, his presence at Fortescue’s, the way he had suddenly appeared, like Banquo at the banquet, an inexplicable figure, so ghostly and strange. In all her imaginings, she had never pictured him there, in the shadow of that crumbling old pile of stones she used to call home…
But for Damien, Due of Kesgrave, it’s a different type of mystery,
Damien “assured himself again that the woman whom he had seen on this very threshold a few days before was not his sister. The resemblance was only a coincidence or—and he considered this prospect to be the more likely one—a mistake on his part.” Still Damien is disturbed enough to keep searching.
Verity’s alter egos are on their job, Twaddle-Thum and Robert Lark. Not to mention her 101 other useful, often hilarious and frustrating disguises
Her ability to make herself into someone else, from a less than respectable boarding house madam to a footman or intrepid business man is breathtaking. I’m thoroughly besotted with Verity.
The link with the Duke and Duchess of Kesgrave is becoming even more fascinating.
I left her with a whole lot of suppositions about what could be and I’m definitely wanting more.
A Book Whisperer ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
What joy it is to make Verity Lark’s acquaintance again. Shrewd, with an Holmsian intellect, an ingrained sense of honor, and able to think every way which on a problem. No straight lines for this woman. Working incognito using three major personas there’s newspaper gossip columnist, Mr. Twaddle-Thum, as a serious writer masquerading as her non existent brother, Robert Lark. Holding these together plus being herself is incredible.
When Colson Hargreaves throws down the gauntlet, (or at least that’s how Verity sees it )by inelegantly asking her to spy on an Arnold Fitch for him just using her“girlish laugh,” Verity is incensed into action. She refuses Colson but determines to investigate secretly without knowing. When she presented her information he would know her abilities,
This leads her to a reform movement which consisted of the Blanketerring movement and the Yarwellians protesting over machinery taking away people’s livelihood, and an involvement with a murder. All the while Verity is searching for evidence of Arnold Fitch’s involvement under the auspices of the Home Office spying against the Movement in these matters and simultaneously managing to enlarge his own coffers. And then there’s the Duke of Kesgrave! Now Verity had always known they shared a mother, the courtesan Duchess La Reina, but the Duke was unaware of Verity’s existence. Happenstance or something else’s leads the Duke and Duchess to Fortescue’s Asylum for Pauper Children, just as Verity is exiting. Mr Twaddle-Thum inside Verity’s head composes various scenarios for what might be. But for Verity,
“It was utterly bewildering, his presence at Fortescue’s, the way he had suddenly appeared, like Banquo at the banquet, an inexplicable figure, so ghostly and strange. In all her imaginings, she had never pictured him there, in the shadow of that crumbling old pile of stones she used to call home…
But for Damien, Due of Kesgrave, it’s a different type of mystery,
Damien “assured himself again that the woman whom he had seen on this very threshold a few days before was not his sister. The resemblance was only a coincidence or—and he considered this prospect to be the more likely one—a mistake on his part.” Still Damien is disturbed enough to keep searching.
Verity’s alter egos are on their job, Twaddle-Thum and Robert Lark. Not to mention her 101 other useful, often hilarious and frustrating disguises
Her ability to make herself into someone else, from a less than respectable boarding house madam to a footman or intrepid business man is breathtaking. I’m thoroughly besotted with Verity.
The link with the Duke and Duchess of Kesgrave is becoming even more fascinating.
I left her with a whole lot of suppositions about what could be and I’m definitely wanting more.
A Book Whisperer ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
February 10, 2024
I received an EARC and began the book without realizing it is book 2 in 1 series and is also connected to a second series, all of which I plan to read as I loved the character of Verity Lark.
Verity is a unique character who grew up in an orphanage and has managed to make a career as a journalist and gossip columnist. The dialogue is witty, especially in scenes where Verity disguises herself as various characters to help solve mysteries. I highly recommend this book and do plan to read more of Messina's books.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Book Whisperers for this EARC. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and this is mynhonest review.
Verity is a unique character who grew up in an orphanage and has managed to make a career as a journalist and gossip columnist. The dialogue is witty, especially in scenes where Verity disguises herself as various characters to help solve mysteries. I highly recommend this book and do plan to read more of Messina's books.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Book Whisperers for this EARC. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and this is mynhonest review.
November 8, 2023
DNF
I just couldn't get into this one. Too issue-based, too obscurely begun, and very draggy. Paragraphs of inner thoughts and explanatory narrative separated the lines of dialogue, which I found fatiguing.i liked the first book, but this sequel lost me.
I just couldn't get into this one. Too issue-based, too obscurely begun, and very draggy. Paragraphs of inner thoughts and explanatory narrative separated the lines of dialogue, which I found fatiguing.i liked the first book, but this sequel lost me.
October 24, 2023
Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: A Verity Lark Mystery #2
Publication Date6/2/23
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 325
I enjoyed this interesting, fast-paced tale better than the first entry in the series. But I knew I would because that first book had to set up all the characters, the formats, the settings, and pay the proper amount of homage to the sister series, Beatrice Hyde-Clare while still managing to set up an interesting mystery. The first book seemed to fall a tad short in the mystery department and oversell in the sister series department. This book seems to have hit its stride with its many fewer mentions of ‘Her Outrageousness’ while still presenting an excellently delivered mystery. Oh! And lest I forget – Verity Lark meets – face to face – her half-brother – the Duke of Kesgrave. I think the author handled that part of the book wonderfully and left us all to guess what will happen next between brother and sister. We get a hint of what Kesgrave might want in the 11/3/23 release of A Murderous Tryst from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mystery series, but even that doesn’t tell us for sure. We’ll just have to put on our waiting shoes and pace the floors for a while.
In the first book, we met (and loved) Lord Colson Hardwicke, the disgraced son of a Marquess. Has he redeemed himself or was he never what people believed him to be? Verity was unsure at the end of the first book, so she’s still unsure at the beginning of this book, but she knows he intrigues her – and he challenges her. How dare he! Well, he didn’t realize it was a challenge, but Verity, being Verity, took it as a challenge and set off to beat him at his own game. Yes! You will definitely love both Verity and Hardwicke.
Northern England has seen much unrest among its population with the advent of the Luddites and people losing skilled jobs to machines. The upper echelons of the British government are afraid the unrest and insurrection are headed to London in the guise of the formerly peaceful Society of Yarwellian Philosophers and have placed a spy within the organization. Of course, the government being the government, they also placed a spy to spy on the spy. 😊 Who is Arnold Fitch? Is he a true patriot?
As one does, 😊 Verity is going about her normal information gathering and comes across the body of a man who has been stabbed to death, in his own bed, in a shabby rooming house. Hardwicke is in the room as well – but Verity is sure (isn’t she?) that he didn’t commit the murder. So, who did? Was it Arnold Fitch? If not him, who? There are lots of Yarwellians out there, would they murder a defenseless old man to protect their mission? Or, are those Yarwellians just exactly the peaceful society they claim?
Goodness, such excitement! You’ll be flipping pages as fast as you can read them to see what happens next. Then, Hardwicke disappears just when Verity has vital information to impart. Where can he be? How can she pass the information along to those who desperately need it? And what, in heaven's name, is she supposed to do with the brother who has just knocked on her door? Enlist his help, of course.
This was such an engrossing, exciting, witty, and fun read! If you love intelligent, challenging, likable, and engaging characters along with a mystery that sucks you in, then you’ll enjoy this book. Happy Reading! Now, I just have to wait for what will seem like forever, for the next book to become available.
Series: A Verity Lark Mystery #2
Publication Date6/2/23
Period: Regency London
Number of Pages: 325
I enjoyed this interesting, fast-paced tale better than the first entry in the series. But I knew I would because that first book had to set up all the characters, the formats, the settings, and pay the proper amount of homage to the sister series, Beatrice Hyde-Clare while still managing to set up an interesting mystery. The first book seemed to fall a tad short in the mystery department and oversell in the sister series department. This book seems to have hit its stride with its many fewer mentions of ‘Her Outrageousness’ while still presenting an excellently delivered mystery. Oh! And lest I forget – Verity Lark meets – face to face – her half-brother – the Duke of Kesgrave. I think the author handled that part of the book wonderfully and left us all to guess what will happen next between brother and sister. We get a hint of what Kesgrave might want in the 11/3/23 release of A Murderous Tryst from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mystery series, but even that doesn’t tell us for sure. We’ll just have to put on our waiting shoes and pace the floors for a while.
In the first book, we met (and loved) Lord Colson Hardwicke, the disgraced son of a Marquess. Has he redeemed himself or was he never what people believed him to be? Verity was unsure at the end of the first book, so she’s still unsure at the beginning of this book, but she knows he intrigues her – and he challenges her. How dare he! Well, he didn’t realize it was a challenge, but Verity, being Verity, took it as a challenge and set off to beat him at his own game. Yes! You will definitely love both Verity and Hardwicke.
Northern England has seen much unrest among its population with the advent of the Luddites and people losing skilled jobs to machines. The upper echelons of the British government are afraid the unrest and insurrection are headed to London in the guise of the formerly peaceful Society of Yarwellian Philosophers and have placed a spy within the organization. Of course, the government being the government, they also placed a spy to spy on the spy. 😊 Who is Arnold Fitch? Is he a true patriot?
As one does, 😊 Verity is going about her normal information gathering and comes across the body of a man who has been stabbed to death, in his own bed, in a shabby rooming house. Hardwicke is in the room as well – but Verity is sure (isn’t she?) that he didn’t commit the murder. So, who did? Was it Arnold Fitch? If not him, who? There are lots of Yarwellians out there, would they murder a defenseless old man to protect their mission? Or, are those Yarwellians just exactly the peaceful society they claim?
Goodness, such excitement! You’ll be flipping pages as fast as you can read them to see what happens next. Then, Hardwicke disappears just when Verity has vital information to impart. Where can he be? How can she pass the information along to those who desperately need it? And what, in heaven's name, is she supposed to do with the brother who has just knocked on her door? Enlist his help, of course.
This was such an engrossing, exciting, witty, and fun read! If you love intelligent, challenging, likable, and engaging characters along with a mystery that sucks you in, then you’ll enjoy this book. Happy Reading! Now, I just have to wait for what will seem like forever, for the next book to become available.
May 25, 2023
Verity Lark or Robert Lark or Twaddle strike again. Verity Lark is the illegitimate daughter of a famous courtesan who became a duchess. Babies are inconvenient for courtesans so Verity was dumped at a horrible orphanage as a newborn. Now in her 30’s, Verity has survived a very rough Regency England childhood and now thrives under the guise of her fictitious brother Robert, a successful investigative reporter, and Twaddle-Thum, an infamous gossip reporter, both writing for the London Gazette published by her lifelong friend and fellow orphan Frederick Somerset Reade. Verity is brilliant, resourceful and competitive. In addition to her secret identities, she is also the half sister on the Duke of Kesgrave. Kesgrave knows nothing about her and their shared, deceased hated and selfish mother. These two characters, along with Kesgrave’s wife Bea are crossovers from Messina’s other series…the wonderful Beatrice Hyde-Clare mysteries. In this book, some questions are answered in both series. Please read both…they are great.
In the first book of the Verity series, A Lark’s Tale, we also meet Lord Colton Hardwick, the disinherited second son of the Marquess of Ware. Who may be a wastrel or a talented investigator or something more intriguing. There may be sparks between them or an ego driving competition. This time, Hardwick asks Verity to work on an investigation of radicals (although they seem reasonable to modern readers) and Luddite’s threatening the status quo. Verity thinks Colson’s offer of assignment is trivial and a condescending affront to her skills. Let the games begin….
Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC of this book.
In the first book of the Verity series, A Lark’s Tale, we also meet Lord Colton Hardwick, the disinherited second son of the Marquess of Ware. Who may be a wastrel or a talented investigator or something more intriguing. There may be sparks between them or an ego driving competition. This time, Hardwick asks Verity to work on an investigation of radicals (although they seem reasonable to modern readers) and Luddite’s threatening the status quo. Verity thinks Colson’s offer of assignment is trivial and a condescending affront to her skills. Let the games begin….
Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC of this book.
May 30, 2023
A Lark’s Flight by Lynn Messina was a slightly different Regency mystery. There are two stories here, although one takes precedence: Verity Lark and her multiple personas, as well as The Duke of Kesgrave, seeing her one day and believing she looked just like his dead mother. Lying to his wife for the first time, he sets off to investigate. One of Verity’s personas is that of investigator, in which she has many disguises. In this case she is “partnered” with a man named Hardwicke who is investigating sedition against his government. Yes, Verity discovers he is a government agent. This part of the story is very convoluted and I’m not at all sure it’s worth the bother. Between crossing swords with Hardwicke and conducting her own investigation it gets boring.
Verity is a good character, possibly a little ADHD which is why she needs to have so much going on all the time. Her pretending to be her brother, Robert, who writes for a newspaper is intriguing, as she never puts in an appearance at the office but continues to do good work, so they let her/him alone. Her second persona as a gossip columnist is equally as entertaining. She never has to admit it is her, for obvious reasons. If the whole thing weren’t quite so convoluted it would be better. I had trouble staying in the story, in fact it put me to sleep. The plot was complicated, as many spy stories are, but not written as well as it might have been. I am amazed when I read reviews of people who lived this book. It was OK.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Lark’s Flight by The Book Whisperer, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #TheBookWhisperer #LynnMessina #ALarksFlight
Verity is a good character, possibly a little ADHD which is why she needs to have so much going on all the time. Her pretending to be her brother, Robert, who writes for a newspaper is intriguing, as she never puts in an appearance at the office but continues to do good work, so they let her/him alone. Her second persona as a gossip columnist is equally as entertaining. She never has to admit it is her, for obvious reasons. If the whole thing weren’t quite so convoluted it would be better. I had trouble staying in the story, in fact it put me to sleep. The plot was complicated, as many spy stories are, but not written as well as it might have been. I am amazed when I read reviews of people who lived this book. It was OK.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Lark’s Flight by The Book Whisperer, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #TheBookWhisperer #LynnMessina #ALarksFlight
May 28, 2023
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lynn Messina for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Lark’s Flight coming out June 2, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Verity Lark is England's most unshakable gossip and the London Daily Gazette's most dogged reporter. She loves a great challenge, which is why she refuses Colson Hardwicke's offer of lower employment.
She has more important things to do — figuring out why Hardwicke is interested in the radical reformer. During her previous talk with him, he had shown himself to be the superior tactician, and she is determined to even the playing field. Proving that the radical reformer is an escaped fugitive is one way. Saving the country from a Luddite insurrection is another.
But when Verity comes across a dead man in a lowdown boarding house, the competition suddenly stops being a game. There is more going on than she had ever imagined, and as she struggles to untangle Hardwicke's web of machinations, she is forced to wonder if she has been used all along.
I haven’t actually read the first book, so it took a little time getting into the story. I personally enjoy more dialogue and this story had more description. It was a little difficult to get to know the characters’ personalities through the description for me. I would’ve liked to see more insight into their motives. The second half of the book did pick up a lot more for me and I enjoyed it a lot.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys regency mysteries!
Verity Lark is England's most unshakable gossip and the London Daily Gazette's most dogged reporter. She loves a great challenge, which is why she refuses Colson Hardwicke's offer of lower employment.
She has more important things to do — figuring out why Hardwicke is interested in the radical reformer. During her previous talk with him, he had shown himself to be the superior tactician, and she is determined to even the playing field. Proving that the radical reformer is an escaped fugitive is one way. Saving the country from a Luddite insurrection is another.
But when Verity comes across a dead man in a lowdown boarding house, the competition suddenly stops being a game. There is more going on than she had ever imagined, and as she struggles to untangle Hardwicke's web of machinations, she is forced to wonder if she has been used all along.
I haven’t actually read the first book, so it took a little time getting into the story. I personally enjoy more dialogue and this story had more description. It was a little difficult to get to know the characters’ personalities through the description for me. I would’ve liked to see more insight into their motives. The second half of the book did pick up a lot more for me and I enjoyed it a lot.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys regency mysteries!
June 3, 2023
Verity Lark is the perfect combination of wit and intellect! Her brain is always thinking ten steps ahead of everyone around her, which makes her so annoyed when Hardwicke can not only keep up with her but can challenge her to solve a mystery he is working on. The mystery plot was so complicated that I spent the entire book trying to unravel the hundreds of threads Verity pulled on in her many disguises. I really enjoyed that this book had characters from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mysteries without letting the characters from those books control this plot. The first book in this series got a little confusing as Lynn Messina tried to separate it from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series, but this one stood on its own! I loved it as a companion series and also as a standalone novel. I love the characters and how they interact with each other. The romance plotline barely existed as both characters rarely interacted and were very much in denial about their feelings, but I loved their tension! I hope Lynn Messina writes more books in this series so we can see the romance develop over time. She is a master of the slow-burn tension over a series, and I hope she does it again in this series!
Thank you to The Book Whisperer and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this mystery and hope there are more books in this series soon!
Thank you to The Book Whisperer and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I really enjoyed this mystery and hope there are more books in this series soon!
July 23, 2023
Verity Lark- just as compelling as Beatrice Hyde-Clare. Verity is adept at using her skills of disguise and investigation during her day to day life as Mr. Twaddlethumb, London's most eminent gossip columnist. Secure in her abilities, she takes offense when Colson Hardwicke offers her a job to impersonate his sister as he investigates a man who he suspects is acting as a double agent. She instead takes it as a challenge, and undertakes her own investigation. The stakes are higher in this case than usual for Verity's line of work, but she's definitely up for the challenge.
What a fun little story. I haven't yet read the first book in this spin off series, A Lark's Tale, but had no trouble jumping into this one, and I appreciated its connection to the most recent entry in the Beatrice series. I was instantly engaged in the mystery, and in love with Verity's character. She has the perfect disguise for every situation and isn't afraid to put herself in harm's way to find the truth. I also enjoyed her antagonistic relationship with Hardwicke; you know they will end up being perfect for each other, if she's just willing to give it a chance. Lovely historical fiction with a strong leading lady. Would recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
What a fun little story. I haven't yet read the first book in this spin off series, A Lark's Tale, but had no trouble jumping into this one, and I appreciated its connection to the most recent entry in the Beatrice series. I was instantly engaged in the mystery, and in love with Verity's character. She has the perfect disguise for every situation and isn't afraid to put herself in harm's way to find the truth. I also enjoyed her antagonistic relationship with Hardwicke; you know they will end up being perfect for each other, if she's just willing to give it a chance. Lovely historical fiction with a strong leading lady. Would recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 14, 2024
As Lynn Messina’s Beatrice Hyde-Clare books are in my top all-time favourite series, I have felt compelled to read these books only because they are intertwined the BHC.
I don’t enjoy Verity Lark as a character as I don’t like the sensational side of newspaper writing, so after the first book, I wasn’t going to read anymore. I have, because I don’t want to miss out on anything that is added for Bea and Kesgrave.
This book seemed like it was trying to do too many things and got bogged down in the political agenda web.
I understand why Verity doesn’t feel she can trust Hardwicke to begin with, as it goes with her character description but her character development was too slow. I was sick of the many different disguises and felt more interaction with Hardwicke would have added to her character and made the story more enjoyable.
Hardwicke is a great character and I enjoy his character arc.
I hope Delphine and Freddie get their own stories in the next one.
This was a struggle to finish. I hope this series ends with the third one as I’d prefer not to have to read a separate series to add to the series I love.
2 and 1/2-3 stars. Jill Smith is an awesome narrator.
I don’t enjoy Verity Lark as a character as I don’t like the sensational side of newspaper writing, so after the first book, I wasn’t going to read anymore. I have, because I don’t want to miss out on anything that is added for Bea and Kesgrave.
This book seemed like it was trying to do too many things and got bogged down in the political agenda web.
I understand why Verity doesn’t feel she can trust Hardwicke to begin with, as it goes with her character description but her character development was too slow. I was sick of the many different disguises and felt more interaction with Hardwicke would have added to her character and made the story more enjoyable.
Hardwicke is a great character and I enjoy his character arc.
I hope Delphine and Freddie get their own stories in the next one.
This was a struggle to finish. I hope this series ends with the third one as I’d prefer not to have to read a separate series to add to the series I love.
2 and 1/2-3 stars. Jill Smith is an awesome narrator.
May 26, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.
Well, I say unbiased but by now everyone should know that I absolutely adore anything this author writes. Her skill with witty dialogue and complicated mystery is second to none.
In this instalment we get more of the implacable Duke of Kesgrave which made me so happy, as he and his wife Beatrice are my favourite Cozy Mystery duo. It looks like his half-sister Verity (not a spoiler if you have read any of this series) and Hardwicke might give them a run for their money. In this book Verity stops mass murder, basically behind Hardwicke's back and he adores her for it. You'll adore her too.
I absolutely loved this book, as I fully expected to, and can't wait for the next one.
Well, I say unbiased but by now everyone should know that I absolutely adore anything this author writes. Her skill with witty dialogue and complicated mystery is second to none.
In this instalment we get more of the implacable Duke of Kesgrave which made me so happy, as he and his wife Beatrice are my favourite Cozy Mystery duo. It looks like his half-sister Verity (not a spoiler if you have read any of this series) and Hardwicke might give them a run for their money. In this book Verity stops mass murder, basically behind Hardwicke's back and he adores her for it. You'll adore her too.
I absolutely loved this book, as I fully expected to, and can't wait for the next one.
June 13, 2023
Lynn Messina's latest book, A Lark's Flight, is a delightful read. We meet up with Verity Lark again as she takes on a murder mystery while seeking out more fodder for her gossip column and other news reports. She has long been watching her half-brother, the Duke of Kesgrave, and more recently his wife. In this installment she gets a bit closer, and it definitely leaves the reader waiting for more of the story. Meanwhile, she dances around the presence of Lord Colson Hardwicke, constantly trying to show she is a capable woman (even though he already knows this). I do believe her defences might be about to fall by the end of this installment. I look forward to further stories from this series.
I give this book fourr stars. Thank you to Netgalley and The Book Whisperer for the free advanced reader copy. I have provided this review voluntarily.
I give this book fourr stars. Thank you to Netgalley and The Book Whisperer for the free advanced reader copy. I have provided this review voluntarily.
May 30, 2023
I received an ARC of this book but would have read it anyway. I thoroughly have enjoyed Ms. Messina's Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries of which this is a spin-off. The author has a deft hand with characterizations, making the reader want to know more about the people. In this case Verity is the illegitimate daughter of the courtesan who married a duke, becoming the elder sister of the Duke of Kesgrave who married Beatrix. Ms. Messina also does great work in her historical references to the reform movement of the 1800s in England without being pedantic. I wondered about her mentioning Burnley Blanketeers and had to Google them because it sounded made up for the story. They did exist. Anyway read this book. You will enjoy it.
June 3, 2023
Well this was delightful!!! And such a surprise!
Lynn messaged me today with a free copy!! How sweet! (Totally honest review though!!)
We read this as our reading date book. I think it moved better than the first book, which had too many people in it for my brain. It was intriguing, heartfelt, a good mystery, and made just a smidge of progress relationship wise.
I don't think we've been in the duke's head before; I really enjoyed that. I like how the two series are intermingling.
Verity is extremely (but not astoundingly😂) competent and that is delightful. She knows her worth, damnit.
I enjoy the trio of friends that are a found family. Bea was so alone.
I also enjoy the exploration of the callous casually violent government. Well done, Lynn.
Lynn messaged me today with a free copy!! How sweet! (Totally honest review though!!)
We read this as our reading date book. I think it moved better than the first book, which had too many people in it for my brain. It was intriguing, heartfelt, a good mystery, and made just a smidge of progress relationship wise.
I don't think we've been in the duke's head before; I really enjoyed that. I like how the two series are intermingling.
Verity is extremely (but not astoundingly😂) competent and that is delightful. She knows her worth, damnit.
I enjoy the trio of friends that are a found family. Bea was so alone.
I also enjoy the exploration of the callous casually violent government. Well done, Lynn.
Read
July 1, 2023Not quite as...
I have read and adored the entire New and the Duke series I love them so much I am thinking about reading them again to get ready for the next one!
I enjoyed the first Verify novel a great deal - th duke of Mesh gave has sister? What fun.
But second one? Well there is a lot to love - her friends, her budding feelings for Hardwick, the Duke finding her. All great fun.
I just got bogged down by paragraphs of FACTS... Like reading the menu at a really bad restaurant! I know that is just my opinion and other will love every word. But I think too many words arranged in boring pages of text takes away from the story.
I look forward to the next book, and hope to love every page. Well done!
I have read and adored the entire New and the Duke series I love them so much I am thinking about reading them again to get ready for the next one!
I enjoyed the first Verify novel a great deal - th duke of Mesh gave has sister? What fun.
But second one? Well there is a lot to love - her friends, her budding feelings for Hardwick, the Duke finding her. All great fun.
I just got bogged down by paragraphs of FACTS... Like reading the menu at a really bad restaurant! I know that is just my opinion and other will love every word. But I think too many words arranged in boring pages of text takes away from the story.
I look forward to the next book, and hope to love every page. Well done!
December 7, 2023
Marvelous Author
I discovered Lynn Messina a few months ago on Kindle Unlimited and have now read and enjoyed all the Beatrice Hyde Park mysteries and the two Lark books. I’m eagerly awaiting the continuation of each series.
What do I love about her writing? First, Messina’s books are very well-written. There’s no ponderous prose that needs extensive editing found in many Regency romances. Her use of language is light and and witty. I love that her heroines in these two series are plain, mid-twentyish spinsters with sharp minds who can’t believe that the handsome heroes will choose them over a ‘diamond of the first water.’ The happy endings are predictable, of course, but it’s such fun arriving there.
I discovered Lynn Messina a few months ago on Kindle Unlimited and have now read and enjoyed all the Beatrice Hyde Park mysteries and the two Lark books. I’m eagerly awaiting the continuation of each series.
What do I love about her writing? First, Messina’s books are very well-written. There’s no ponderous prose that needs extensive editing found in many Regency romances. Her use of language is light and and witty. I love that her heroines in these two series are plain, mid-twentyish spinsters with sharp minds who can’t believe that the handsome heroes will choose them over a ‘diamond of the first water.’ The happy endings are predictable, of course, but it’s such fun arriving there.
June 7, 2024
im also giving book 2 a 3 but a higher 3 than book 1. i still think knowing the story from kesgraves pov in book 12 of BHC mystery series is what hindered my enjoyment seeing as i already knew where everything was going. hoping that book 3 will not have that issue for me but the problem is that i would rather spoil and verity lark story than a BHC story so potentially this off shoot will always get shafted. i like the characters but the rehashing definitely slows things down for me. for gods sake lynn give us more hardwicke; i thouroughly appreciated the ~"i didn't need you, i wanted you" line from hardwicke but verity doesn't need to do everything on her own to prove her competence; we all know she is capable on her own so now i hope to see more teamwork
May 30, 2023
This is a Spin-off from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries books which I have read and would recommend you do the same to get the full benefit of this series. .I like the Verity Lark character with her witty .dialogue especially in scenes where Verity disguises herself as various characters to help solve mysteries which does make the mysteries very complex. I like this spin off series and love the references and overlap to the Duke and Duchess of Kesgrave duo from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mystery series, which I love also. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 28, 2023
Another fun tale by Ms. Messina
The second book in the Verity Lark mystery series, which is set in the universe of the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mysteries is another fun romp. It was an interesting twist to have Verity stumble, across a murder in the midst of a different investigation, and find that solving a murder was more complicated and tedious than expected. Her comparisons of her approach, and her perception of Ms. Hyde-Clare’s approach to murders was also an interesting cross play between the two leading ladies.
This is an enjoyable light read, but having context from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mysteries, and the first verity lark mystery is a necessity.
The second book in the Verity Lark mystery series, which is set in the universe of the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mysteries is another fun romp. It was an interesting twist to have Verity stumble, across a murder in the midst of a different investigation, and find that solving a murder was more complicated and tedious than expected. Her comparisons of her approach, and her perception of Ms. Hyde-Clare’s approach to murders was also an interesting cross play between the two leading ladies.
This is an enjoyable light read, but having context from the Beatrice Hyde-Clare mysteries, and the first verity lark mystery is a necessity.
June 21, 2023
Another Great Book by This Author
At first, it was hard for me to like Verity. I live Bea and the Duke, and she didn't like her half-brother, so I didn't like her. This book turned that around. We see sides of Verity we didn't see before. A new love interest? Her sleuthing skills were taken to a new level and appreciated by even more. Her disguises, her questioning techniques, the way her mind is always working-all make for a book that keeps one reading. I now wait expectantly for the next book in either series!
At first, it was hard for me to like Verity. I live Bea and the Duke, and she didn't like her half-brother, so I didn't like her. This book turned that around. We see sides of Verity we didn't see before. A new love interest? Her sleuthing skills were taken to a new level and appreciated by even more. Her disguises, her questioning techniques, the way her mind is always working-all make for a book that keeps one reading. I now wait expectantly for the next book in either series!
August 4, 2023
Entertaining
Before you read the Verity Lark books, please read the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series. Beatrice is a plain spinster living with relatives who treat her like an unpaid servant. Until she and the Duke of Kesgrave meet at a house party. That series is delightful as Beatrice causes as uproar in Society. The Verity Lark books continue and supplement the Beatrice stories while introducing another unique spinster who refuses to conform to the roles assigned women. Ms. Messina writes with wit and originality.
Before you read the Verity Lark books, please read the Beatrice Hyde-Clare series. Beatrice is a plain spinster living with relatives who treat her like an unpaid servant. Until she and the Duke of Kesgrave meet at a house party. That series is delightful as Beatrice causes as uproar in Society. The Verity Lark books continue and supplement the Beatrice stories while introducing another unique spinster who refuses to conform to the roles assigned women. Ms. Messina writes with wit and originality.
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