False Pride: A Bea Abbot Agency Mystery

At the start of Heley’s diverting 12th Bea Abbot Agency mystery (after 2017’s False Fire), Bea, the owner of the Abbot Domestic Agency, gets an unexpected visitor at her London house—Magda Summerleys, her employee who’s working as a housekeeper for art expert Lucas Rycroft. Confused and frightened, Magda carries a briefcase that Lucas has entrusted to her containing family jewels. Magda says that Bea’s ex-husband, Piers, a portrait painter Lucas is considering hiring, suggested she go to Bea for help in hiding the jewels. Next, two thugs in pursuit of Magda and the briefcase appear on Bea’s doorstep. Capable, no-nonsense Bea suffers a few bruises at their hands, but in the end the pair leave without the briefcase. (“I think they need their bottoms smacked,” she later remarks.) Soon members of the aristocratic Rycroft family start dying under unusual circumstances. Series fans will be happy to see the charming if unreliable Piers, with whom Bea remains on friendly terms, play a pivotal role. Those fond of darker English cozies will find much to savor. (Apr.)