Books by M C Beaton

Book Synopsis'If you have a Wild, Unruly, or Undisciplined Daugher, two Ladies of Genteel Birth offer to Bring Out said Daughter and Refine what may have seemed Unrefinable. We can make the Best of the Worst'When Amy and Effie Tribble, two charming but impoverished spinster sisters, lose out on an inheritance, they place this advertisement in The Morning Post and hire themselves out as professional chaperones. Vowing to prepare even the most difficult misses for marriage, the Tribble sisters will spend a London season on each client, educating them in their School for Manners.Miss Harriet Brown, daughter of a Methodist minister, is the embodiment of propriety and Christian charity - too much so, perhaps, for her own good. The virtues Harriet possesses are far from fashionable but the Tribble sisters feel confident their new charge will attract a worthy vicar or two before the end of the season - if first they can vanquish confirmed rake and gambler Lord Charles Marsham who seems perversely determined to woo Harriet!Trade ReviewNicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *A delightful tale... romance fans are in for a treat * Booklist *(M C Beaton) is the best of the Regency writers * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisThe first book in M.C. Beaton's charming Poor Relation series. What do you do if you are of noble stock, but impoverished, and living in London with a certain style to maintain? One has to work... but One's relatives will be appalled when One turns One's hand to trade - and opens a hotel, The Poor Relation, offering employment to others of the same social standing and in the same awkward situation. This is precisely what Mrs Fortescue decides upon and, together with friend Colonel Sandhurst, transforms her decrepit Bond Street home into a posh hotel, offering guests the pleasure of being waited upon by the nobility. So with the help of other down-and-out aristocrats they do just that - and London's newest, and most fashionable! - hotel is born... much to the dismay of the Duke of Rowcester, Lady Fortescue's nephew, who is convinced his aunt's foray into trade will denigrate the illustrious family name!'Romance fans are in for a treat' - Booklist'[M. C. Beaton] is the best of the Regency writers' - Kirkus ReviewsTrade Reviewicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisOne cannot live of dignity alone!The poor relations banded together some time ago to run The Poor Relation Hotel in the hope their embarrassed relatives would buy them out, but as the hotel prospered, so they began to enjoy the fruit of their labour.But once again they need money to go on and so poor, faded Miss Tonks is dispatched to her rich sister to steal something valuable from her in order to keep the hotel on its feet. All the other poor relations have their doubts about Miss Tonks' chances for success, but the shy spinster as more than a few surprises up her sleeve!

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Book SynopsisAnother Poor Relation has to resort to genteel thievery to make end meet - but she gets much more than she bargains for!Cut off by her own relations, pretty, dainty widow Eliza Budley must visit some other family manor to purloin expensive baubles. Happily, the rich Marquess of Peterhouse is in his dotage and wouldn't know a relative from a bedpost, so Eliza is sent to play the imposter.But things do not go as planned and Eliza is met by the new Marquess - wickedly handsome, and with all his wits about him. And somehow Eliza finds herself confessing her bluff to him and he in turn is much taken with her daring and charm - but can he fall in love with such a scheming widow from the world of trade? Time for the other Poor Relations to get involved and help these confused lovers!

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Book SynopsisA case of mistaken identity is transformed into a case of true love!As usual, the poor relations are in need of money to finance the hotel and this time it is up to Colonel Sandhurst to come to the rescue. After coming across Sir Randolph's daughter Frederica, who is running away to escape an awful marriage to Lord Bewley, the Colonel devises a plan to force Sir Randolph to settle his six month outstanding hotel bill and save Frederica from her terrible fate.The clever plan is thwarted when Lord Bewley shows up at the drop point instead of Sir Randolph, and the poor relations must make a deal with Lord Bewley in order to get their money... and keep Colonel Sandhurst out of gaol!

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Book SynopsisThe haughty Beverley family is obsessed with regaining Mannerling, the exquisite seventeenth-century mansion gambled away by their now-deceased father, Sir Beverley. Three of the six Beverley daughters have failed to win back their ancestral estate - settling for love matches over mere bricks and mortar. Now it is Rachel's turn to woo the latest eligible bachelor-in-residence, handsome widower Charles Blackwood. Yet her plan to win the autocratic Charles almost comes to naught: At their first meeting, Rachel forgets herself and admonishes Charles for neglecting his two small children. The antics of young Beth and Mark Blackwood successfully throw Charles and Rachel together, but does Rachel love Charles for himself or for Mannerling?Trade ReviewRomance fans are in for a treat! * Booklist *Nicely atmospheric... Most notable for its gentle humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisAs one of the two remaining unmarried Beverley sisters, Belinda considers herself the last hope for Mannerling, the beloved estate gambled away by their father. Each of her four elder sisters had hoped--even schemed--to marry one of Mannerling's successive owners. But all had chosen true love over their ancestral home.Practical and duty-bound, Belinda will woo and wed Lord St. Clair, current holder of the estate. True, he is a silly fop, hardly what she desires in a husband, but she vows to make the man love her--even at the expense of her own happiness.However, dashing Lord Gyre can hardly ignore the ridiculous drama -- Belinda is far too good for that dandy St. Clair. Therefore, his lordship decides it is his duty to win the lovely Belinda's heart!Trade ReviewRomance fans are in for a treat! * Booklist *Nicely atmospheric... most notable for its gently humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisAfter a brief and ill-advised dalliance with the Suffragette movement, Lady Rose Summers' debut season in London society turns out to be a complete disaster. Rose's father suspects that her fiancé, Sir Geoffrey Blandon, is a first class scoundrel and calls in Captain Harry Cathcart to investigate.But when a malicious guest is found dead in suspicious circumstances, Rose becomes far more interested in discovering the truth than in landing a more appropriate suitor. As Harry and Rose begin to unravel this web of lies and rumours, a clever murderer sets out to make Rose's disastrous first season her last.Trade ReviewFans of the author's Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries . . . will welcome this new series of historical whodunits. * Booklist *Fans of the author's Agatha Raisin and Hamish Macbeth series should welcome this tale of aristocrats, house parties, servants, and murder. * Publishers Weekly *A lighthearted romantic romp through Edwardian snobbery, with hints of the cataclysmic changes in store for high society. * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisThe future's not so rosy for Lady Rose Summer . . .Longing for a life of emancipation, Lady Rose Summer has abandoned the comforts of her parent's house to become self supporting. But life as a working woman isn't quite as liberating as Rose has imagined - fortunately for her, though, her drudgery comes to an end when old acquaintance Freddy Pomfret is murdered and her help - and upper class connections - are required by amateur sleuth Captain Harry Cathcart.So as Rose and Harry prepare to take on the usual Edwardian social rounds, little do they expect to uncover a devious blackmail plot and an unexpected killer.Trade ReviewAn amusing brew of mystery and romance that will keep fans turning the pages. * Publishers Weekly *Fans of the author's Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries . . . will welcome this new series of historical whodunits. * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisIt would seem that even a pretend engagement cannot keep Lady Rose Summer from trouble. Bored with endless parties, teas and balls, she befriends Dolly Tremaine, a beautiful young girl newly arrived from the country and overwhelmed by the demands of the Season. Their friendship is cut tragically short, however, when Dolly is found dead in the river, with flowers in her hair and blood on her breast.Rose immediately summons her fiancé, investigator Captain Harry Cathcart, to help solve the mystery of Dolly's death - and to keep her from becoming the murderer's next victim.Trade ReviewAn amusing brew of mystery and romance that will keep fans turning the pages. * Publishers Weekly *Fans of the author's Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries . . . will welcome this new series of historical whodunits. * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisLady Rose Summer prides herself on not being a jealous woman - and she knows her engagement to Captain Harry Cathcart is only a ruse to keep her parents from shipping her off to India to find a husband. But then Harry's latest client, Dolores Duval - French, curvaceous, flirtatious - starts appearing everywhere at his side. And that changes everything.In a fit of temper Rose threatens Dolores - only to be found the very next day standing over her dead body. Only Harry can clear Rose's name - and to do that he has to put the real murderer behind bars...Trade ReviewAn amusing brew of mystery and romance that will keep fans turning the pages. * Publishers Weekly *Fans of the author's Hamish Macbeth and Agatha Raisin mysteries . . . will welcome this new series of historical whodunits. * Booklist *

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Book SynopsisThe second book in M.C. Beaton's charming Travelling Matchmaker series. The delightful Miss Hannah Pym returns to the English countryside in search of adventure and romance in distress.No sooner does Miss Pym board her next stagecoach than she finds herself embroiled in the plight of Miss Belinda Earle, a spirited heiress banished to Bath after swearing off the marriage market.When the coach founders near Baddell Castle, and the dashing Marquis of Frenton comes to the rescue, Miss Pym decides to give Fate a hand. Although the austere bachelor disdains romance, his furtive glances towards Belinda prove to Miss Pym that her expert matchmaking will soon turn this star-crossed couple into a heavenly match!'Romance fans are in for a treat' - Booklist'[M. C. Beaton] is the best of the Regency writers' - Kirkus ReviewsTrade ReviewNicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisThe third book in M.C. Beaton's charming Travelling Matchmaker series. Kind-hearted Miss Hannah Pym is off to Portsmouth in the company of the beautiful but practical Miss Penelope Wilkins. Miss Pym quickly realises that Penelope needs someone to enliven her sheltered life, someone perhaps like their handsome travelling companion, Lord Augustus Railton. Penelope, however, thinks Lord Augustus is a ne'er-do-well...Hannah's hopes for adventure, on the other hand, are fulfilled when the coach happens upon a footman who faces hanging for a crime he didn't commit. 'Romance fans are in for a treat' - Booklist '[M. C. Beaton] is the best of the Regency writers' - Kirkus ReviewsTrade ReviewNicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisThe fourth book in M.C. Beaton's charming Travelling Matchmaker series. The unsinkable Miss Pym returns to the English stagecoach in search of adventure and troubled hearts, and with her delightful schemes and discerning eye, she never fails to strike a match by journey's end. Lady Beatrice Marsham is in quite a coil. No sooner is she widowed from a brutish gambling husband, than her heartless family is forcing her into another horrid marriage. Fleeing by stagecoach to the Brighton seaside, the proud beauty meets Miss Hannah Pym, who is determined to find her a proper match. The handsome and kind Lord Alistair Munro would be perfect. Unfortunately, he is convinced of the ton gossip that proclaims Lady Beatrice a cruel flirt. Miss Pym, however, is not worried. The lady's hard heart has softened much since coming to Brighton. and though Lord Alistair disapproves of the old Lady Beatrice, by Miss Pym's clever design, he is sure to fall in love with the new and improved model...'Romance fans are in for a treat' - Booklist '[M. C. Beaton] is the best of the Regency writers' - Kirkus ReviewsTrade ReviewNicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *(M C Beaton) is the best of the Regency writers. * Kirkus *

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Book SynopsisFrom the moment honey-tressed young Annabelle met her sister Minerva's intended, Lord Sylvester, she developed a secret passion for him that obsessed her. Now she was determined to take him away from Minerva - no matter what!But Annabelle hadn't reckoned on Lord Sylvester's best friend, Peter, who falls in love with her and decides to tame her growing passions towards the wrong man!Trade ReviewNicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *A delightful tale... romance fans are in for a treat * Booklist *(M C Beaton) is the best of the Regency writers * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisRed-haired, jade-eyed Deirdre is determined to marry for Love - nothing else will do. So the fact her father's candidate for her hand, Lord Harry Desire, is well bred and good looking, interests her not a jot! But the feelings he arouses in her are truly distracting.Deirdre's discovery of what desire can mean and where her heart really lies brings about a delicious climax to this adventure of intrigue, misunderstanding - and love!Trade ReviewNicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *A delightful tale... romance fans are in for a treat * Booklist *(M C Beaton) is the best of the Regency writers * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisWhether dressed in her finery or disguised as a frump, he wanted her just the same!How can plain Frederica withstand a Season's scrutiny after the five beauties before her have married so magnificently? The only solution is to run away from home...Disguised as a chambermaid, Freddie soon finds her way into the household of the fashionable Duke of Pembury. But the wild gentleman is soon on to her tricks and finds himself escorting Freddie back to London, where, once again on the marriage mart, her sisters make over the tomboyish runaway until even she cannot recognise herself!But a certain gentleman can, and so it would seem that Freddie is not fated to be plain - or unmarried - after all....Trade ReviewNicely atmospheric, most notable for its gentle humour and adventurous spirit * Publishers Weekly *A delightful tale... romance fans are in for a treat * Booklist *Genuinely amusing...well-out in front and a dashing good show. * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisIgnorance is bliss... especially when it comes to murder!Ever since the death of his father, Fellworth Dolphin has slaved away as a waiter to support his miserly, cold-hearted mother. So when she suddenly dies Fellworth is shocked to discover she has left him a fortune. Somewhat confused, Fell teams up with a girl from work, Maggie, to investigate the source of the riches. But what they find instead is a closet full of skeletons...Is it really possible Fell's father was involved in a decades-old train robbery? And who is the mysterious woman in the portrait hidden in his mother's wardrobe? As Fell and Maggie poke around the village for answers they find themselves on a surprise-filled path to danger and adventure - but all this good fortune could come to a sudden end if they don't stay one step ahead of a cunning killer...Trade ReviewAs a holiday read The Skeleton in the Closet is just perfect. * newbooksmag.com *

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