Murder in the Pleasure Gardens

This was one of the few places I could fine this book to complete the series. The book arrived as stated in desciption. Shipping time was good.

Beau Brummell, London's arbiter of fashion and dandy extraordinaire is sick of the food at White's, his usual gentleman's club. He decides to open Watier's with both elegant cuisine and high stakes gambling. Before long trouble erupts when a young officer, Lieutenant Nevill excuses one of London's most upright citizens, Theobald Jacombe, of cheating at cards. Heated words are spoken and a duel is scheduled the following day. Beau, somewhat of a champion of the young officer, agrees to be his second. Before the duel takes place, Jacombe is murdered at Vauxhall's Pleasure Gardens. Nevill is accused of the crime. Told in the first person voice of Beau Brummell, the author gives you a good sense of time and place. The story told in a sarcastic, witty style, moves along at a nice pace. It never gets boring. Attention is paid to historical detail and many real people, including Beau, make an appearance in the story. Unfortunately a less than satisfying denouement keeps the story from receiving an unqualified recommendation. Nonetheless, it is still a good book for fans of historical mysteries.

Most of society in Regency London thinks that Beau Brummell is a glorified dandy who cares for nothing but the cut and style of his clothes. He is a personal friend of the Prince Regent and is invited to all the parties the Ton gives. One day while dining at his club White's, he realizes it doesn't please his palate. He opens his own club Waitiers, which becomes an overnight hit, serving delectable food and allowing the clientele to indulge in gambling.One night at the club, some men are playing cards when Lieutenant Nevill accuses Mr. Jacombe of cheating. Mr. Jacombe, a man with a high position in the government and known for his kindness and honor, is so angry he challenges the soldier to a duel. Before that can happen, Mr. Jacombe is murdered and witnesses place Lieutenant Nevill at the scene holding a gun. Beau, who knows the lieutenant, doesn't believe he is guilty and goes out of his way to prove it.The hero of this regency mystery actually existed with his closest friends knowing he was intelligent so it should not surprise history buffs that Beau could have been a brilliant detective. As he examines the victim's life, he learns that the man was not a paragon of virtue but a vile predator who had many people wishing him dead. The who-done-it is fascinating and it is obvious that Rosemary Stevens does her research because MURDER IN THE PLEASURE GARDEN is an accurate vivid depiction of life in Regency England.Harriet Klausner