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Rating: 
Summary: I'd give it ten stars if I could!
Review: Good writing is seldom easy: wonderful writing, never. When a story flows along as smoothly as does this one, you know the author has lavished great amounts of time and attention to it. It's even more difficult to produce a wonderful story, one that's written well, and complicated by taking place in a different time and place than the one we live in. Rosemary Stevens has obviously studied the Regency period more than most of us, and it shows to great effect in this, her second mystery novel featuring that marvelous arbiter of all things fashionable--George 'Beau' Brummell. Since no one is alive now (at least I don't think there is) who actually knew the Beau, the author has created him from the bits and pieces to be found in the many books, magazines and newspapers that have come along since the early 1800s. I'll go so far as to say that if the 'real' Beau wasn't exactly as Rosemary has created him, then he certainly should have been! Warm, witty, wry, intelligent, and a connoisseur of all things--especially life, this Beau is indeed very special. Perhaps more so, even, than he is reported to have thought of himself. His attention to detail stands him in excellent stead when laboring in the role of detective. But then, was any detective more blessed by his confederates than the Beau? Chakkri and Robinson form the perfect team to sniff out and report back to their leader. Each in his own fashion, of course. And of course, every man needs a woman by his side to bolster his ego occasionally, and to encourage his subtleties in a society not particularly known for its subtlety. Frederica, the Duchess of York fills that need wonderfully well, and even though she is entirely given over to dogs, still Freddie and the Beau are a formidable pair. The other woman in his life is Miss Lydia Lavender, who runs a home for distressed women, and is anything but distressed herself! While the Beau's first adventure was set in London, this one takes him to Brighton, the formerly sleepy village made into a posh resort by Prince George, who would soon become the Prince Regent, and subsequently King George IV. Where Prinny goes, the other fashionables follow, as do the problems besetting the Heir Apparent. In this episode, the Prince has received anonymous letters threatening his life. Although surrounded by guards, and his own personal taster, Prinny still turns to his friend, Brummell, to find out the identity of the mysterious author. Goodness knows--there are any number of folks who might have liked to create trouble for the sometimes selfish, unthinking monarch-to-be. Unfortunately, before that puzzle is solved, two other crimes occur: the body of a young lady is found washed up on the beach, during a walk by Beau and Freddie. More disastrous, however, is a wonderful antique snuff box, making it's debut in the company of its owner, Lord Petersham, and which appears to have contained poisoned snuff! By a stroke of fate, Prinny escapes the poison, although everyone present knew he was to be the first to experience the new blend of snuff! Other 'personalities' of the era wander through the Pavilion and the pages of this book, each contributing in his or her own way, finally leading Beau to a most satisfactory conclusion. Prinny lives to spend more money that he doesn't have, and Beau--? Well, we'll have to wait and see, I guess. I hope it doesn't take too long, though. Hurry, Rosemary! Write faster! Please?
Rating:
Summary: I'd give it ten stars if I could!
Review: Good writing is seldom easy: wonderful writing, never. When a story flows along as smoothly as does this one, you know the author has lavished great amounts of time and attention to it. It's even more difficult to produce a wonderful story, one that's written well, and complicated by taking place in a different time and place than the one we live in. Rosemary Stevens has obviously studied the Regency period more than most of us, and it shows to great effect in this, her second mystery novel featuring that marvelous arbiter of all things fashionable--George 'Beau' Brummell. Since no one is alive now (at least I don't think there is) who actually knew the Beau, the author has created him from the bits and pieces to be found in the many books, magazines and newspapers that have come along since the early 1800s. I'll go so far as to say that if the 'real' Beau wasn't exactly as Rosemary has created him, then he certainly should have been! Warm, witty, wry, intelligent, and a connoisseur of all things--especially life, this Beau is indeed very special. Perhaps more so, even, than he is reported to have thought of himself. His attention to detail stands him in excellent stead when laboring in the role of detective. But then, was any detective more blessed by his confederates than the Beau? Chakkri and Robinson form the perfect team to sniff out and report back to their leader. Each in his own fashion, of course. And of course, every man needs a woman by his side to bolster his ego occasionally, and to encourage his subtleties in a society not particularly known for its subtlety. Frederica, the Duchess of York fills that need wonderfully well, and even though she is entirely given over to dogs, still Freddie and the Beau are a formidable pair. The other woman in his life is Miss Lydia Lavender, who runs a home for distressed women, and is anything but distressed herself! While the Beau's first adventure was set in London, this one takes him to Brighton, the formerly sleepy village made into a posh resort by Prince George, who would soon become the Prince Regent, and subsequently King George IV. Where Prinny goes, the other fashionables follow, as do the problems besetting the Heir Apparent. In this episode, the Prince has received anonymous letters threatening his life. Although surrounded by guards, and his own personal taster, Prinny still turns to his friend, Brummell, to find out the identity of the mysterious author. Goodness knows--there are any number of folks who might have liked to create trouble for the sometimes selfish, unthinking monarch-to-be. Unfortunately, before that puzzle is solved, two other crimes occur: the body of a young lady is found washed up on the beach, during a walk by Beau and Freddie. More disastrous, however, is a wonderful antique snuff box, making it's debut in the company of its owner, Lord Petersham, and which appears to have contained poisoned snuff! By a stroke of fate, Prinny escapes the poison, although everyone present knew he was to be the first to experience the new blend of snuff! Other 'personalities' of the era wander through the Pavilion and the pages of this book, each contributing in his or her own way, finally leading Beau to a most satisfactory conclusion. Prinny lives to spend more money that he doesn't have, and Beau--? Well, we'll have to wait and see, I guess. I hope it doesn't take too long, though. Hurry, Rosemary! Write faster! Please?
Rating:
Summary: BEST MYSTERY NOVEL OF ALL TIME!
Review: I am a mystery novel reader.... and this book - The Tainted Snuf Box: A Beau Brummell Mystery by Rosemary Stevens is the best I have read yet! It is fascinating, intriguing, and historical!
Rating:
Summary: The character makes this a thrilling mystery
Review: In 1805, Mr. Beau Brummel, the arbiter of style and good taste, joins the Prince of Wales in Brighton. The Prince fled London out of fear for his life after receiving several threatening notes. Mr. Brummel takes the Prince's theatrics so seriously that he continues to work on the perfect knot of his cravat. At the Prince's Pavilion, Sir Simon, a throwback to an age of ostentatious overkill, serves as the food taster to his Highness. In a short time, Simon insults Beau and his friend Lord Perry, who threatens to kill the pompous butt licker. Lord Petersham mixes some snuff making a new blend. As expected, he offers the first taste to the Prince of Wales. However, Sir Simon adamantly demands to test the snuff to insure no poison has been included as an ingredient. Simon dies. Everyone except Beau believes that Petersham tried to assassinate the Prince. Beau begins to investigate because he knows the Prince has several enemies and so did that odious cow Simon, including Brummel's friend Lord Perry. THE TAINTED SNUFF BOX, the sequel to DEATH ON A SILVER TRAY, is an entertaining historical mystery that showcases an intriguing era in the English aristocracy. The characters seem very real as if the audience is witnessing the regency period first hand. Beau knows more than wardrobe as he makes an intelligent amateur sleuth because he understands people so well. Rosemary Stevens provides more than just a cleverly drawn who-done- it, she gifts her fans with a powerful period piece wrapped inside a strong mystery. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: an intriguing and delightful mystery
Review: No sooner has he successfully solved the murder of a rather obnoxious countess, then Beau Brummell finds himself embroiled in a new mystery: that of discovering who wants to murder the Prince of Wales! Convinced that someone is trying to assassinate him, the Prince of Wales has moved his court to the Pavilion in Brighton. Brummell, having completed his commission (from the Duchess of York, no less) to discover who had actually murdered the poisonous Countess of Wraybourne, has decided to shake the dust of London from his elegant boots, and join his prince at the sea resort. However things at the Pavilion prove to be tense and unpleasant. The Prince has surrounded himself with guards, and seems to be perpetually in the company of a rather odious baronet, Sir Simon, who has appointed himself the Prince's official food taster. Brummell is appalled at the situation. Not only is Sir Simon a horrid little toad of a man, with little manners and an excruciating taste in clothes, but he also seems to hold a rather unhealthy sway over the Prince of Wales, and looks close to usurping Brummell's place in the Prince's life. The only bright spark currently is that the Duchess of York is also in residence, so that Brummell can now spend as much time as he'd like with the woman who has first place in his heart. One morning while walking on the beach with the Duchess, the pair discover the body of a young well dressed young lady. Preliminary examinations reveal that she was killed by a sharp blow to the head and then thrown into the sea. No one knows who the young lady is, and she seems destined for an unmarked grave. However events soon unfold in a manner that claims Brummell's attention away from the unknown woman. Brummell's good friend Petersham has just created a new blend of snuff, and has promised the Prince that he will be the first to try it. And so the following night Petersham presents the Prince with his new blend. But before the Prince can take a pinch, Sir Simon insists on sampling the snuff first. Imagine everyone's horror when Sir Simon violently chokes to death before their very eyes. Suspicion falls on Petersham for trying to murder the Prince. Brummell knows that his friend is innocent, but has a hard time making his point the hysterical Prince of Wales and the unimaginative Bow Street Runners. He is further hampered by Petersham himself who does not seem to see the danger he is in, and refuses to take the investigation seriously. Brummell soon comes to the conclusion that only he can save his friend from ruin and discover who poisoned the snuff and why. "The Tainted Snuff Box" is a really fun read that successfully transported me to English drawing rooms of the early 19th century. While the plot of this mystery is not too complex, it is a very interesting and intriguing one. The mystery unfolded at a brisk and fast pace, and the characters, primary and secondary, were all well developed; I especially liked that Rosemary Stevens inserted the fascinating Lydia Lavender into this mystery. This is one appealing and interesting character that really made this novel more enjoyable for me. "The Tainted Snuff Box" is a charming and delightful mystery, and definitely a fun read.
Rating:
Summary: Good series, very different protagonist
Review: This is Beau Brummell's second mystery. He is in Brighton visiting Prinny at his Pavilion. The Prince Regent is in fear of his life and has appointed a slimey baronet, Sir Simon as his food taster. The Beau and his friends don't trust him, but are alarmed when he drops dead at dinner after trying Lord Petersham's snuff. Suspicion rests on Petersham and Brummell's reputation is is shreds, so he must solve the mystery. I am really enjoying this series. I always liked the character of Beau Brummell, and was saddened at how his life ended up. He had a good run while it lasted. I have a hard time reconciling my memories of what I have read about the Duchess of York to the apparent grand passion Brummell has for her. The hair and messes of 107 dogs would revolt the man I have read about. But I have only read fiction books with him as a character, and even then a long time ago. I look forward to the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Good series, very different protagonist
Review: This is Beau Brummell's second mystery. He is in Brighton visiting Prinny at his Pavilion. The Prince Regent is in fear of his life and has appointed a slimey baronet, Sir Simon as his food taster. The Beau and his friends don't trust him, but are alarmed when he drops dead at dinner after trying Lord Petersham's snuff. Suspicion rests on Petersham and Brummell's reputation is is shreds, so he must solve the mystery. I am really enjoying this series. I always liked the character of Beau Brummell, and was saddened at how his life ended up. He had a good run while it lasted. I have a hard time reconciling my memories of what I have read about the Duchess of York to the apparent grand passion Brummell has for her. The hair and messes of 107 dogs would revolt the man I have read about. But I have only read fiction books with him as a character, and even then a long time ago. I look forward to the next book.
Rating:
Summary: keeps you reading -- unexpected and fun
Review: Who would expect the hero to be a fashion snob? At first glance it seems as if that's what our hero is going to be. Yet he's fun and open-minded and, if not the opposite of snobbish, at least not too high-minded to mind a joke at his expense. The first person viewpoint goes well with this series, allowing us to see all his views and inside knowledge. We find ourselves rooting for the fashion-conscious, social conscious narrator. What I especially like about this series is that the hero always has a good reason for getting involved. He's no world-weary private eye, but rather a loyal friend with a rapier sharp wit and plenty of wits about him. In short, this series is fresh, readable, and fun. We root for and sympathize at the right places, and end up wanting more. Very hard to put down!
Rating:
Summary: keeps you reading -- unexpected and fun
Review: Who would expect the hero to be a fashion snob? At first glance it seems as if that's what our hero is going to be. Yet he's fun and open-minded and, if not the opposite of snobbish, at least not too high-minded to mind a joke at his expense. The first person viewpoint goes well with this series, allowing us to see all his views and inside knowledge. We find ourselves rooting for the fashion-conscious, social conscious narrator. What I especially like about this series is that the hero always has a good reason for getting involved. He's no world-weary private eye, but rather a loyal friend with a rapier sharp wit and plenty of wits about him. In short, this series is fresh, readable, and fun. We root for and sympathize at the right places, and end up wanting more. Very hard to put down!
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