Title: The Legacy of Beauregarde
Author: Rosa Fedele
Published: July 10th 2018
Publisher: MoshPit Publishing
Pages: 424
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Noir, Suspense
RRP: $39.99
Rating: 3.5 stars
The Beauregarde women have lived in the shadow of The Seminary for four generations. And there is nothing conventional about Marcela, or her family.When the decadent and obsessive Gordana acquires the iconic Sydney property and invites a television crew to film the building’s transformation into a magnificent showpiece, strangers suddenly penetrate Marcela’s world, each with a dark secret of their own.But Marcela conceals a sinister bond which inextricably ties her to the derelict estate, holding the power to not only unravel Gordana’s grand designs, but expose bloodstained treachery, long-buried betrayals and lies.
My review:
An immersive experience awaits the reader when they select The Legacy of Beauregarde, by author and artist Rosa Fedele. This is Fedele’s second book and can be read very easily as a standalone novel, however it does intersect with Fedele’s first novel, The Red Door, which I had the pleasure of reviewing back in 2015. If you are a fan of strong mystery novels, with a touch of gothic noir, suspense and twists aplenty, this is a book I would recommend to you.
The Legacy of Beauregarde revolves around the Beauregarde women, who have lived in the looming presence of a Sydney based Seminary for four generations. When one of the women, Gordana, secures the Seminary for herself she sets in motion a complex refurbishment process, involving a television crew to film the whole thing. But the Seminary has many dark secrets to give up, which is opened up through the redesign experience. As Gordana’s plans for the Seminary renovation launch into full swing, betrayals, lies and a litany of treachery tied to the house is slowly revealed. For all those tied to this mansion, it is a time of reckoning.
If you are seeking a challenging piece of Australian fiction, The Legacy of Beauregarde is a great place to begin your reading journey. This is a book that is best described as alternative, it stands out from the crowd and it doesn’t quite fit into the lines of mainstream fiction. If you select the second novel by author and artist Rosa Fedele, expect an entrancing reading experience. Fedele’s book is structured in eight parts, with a large range of character voices, which begin each chapter. Marking each part changeover is a poignant quote and a piece of artwork, which was completed personally by the author, Rosa Fedele. Each accompanying art work adds another dimension to the unfolding story and the characters that populate this novel, it is an incredibly visual experience.
I have quite a weakness for Australian gothic fiction, old houses and the mysteries that surround them always fascinate me. Fedele’s new novel is based around the secrets that revolve around a Sydney Seminary, once in the hands of the Catholic Church. When the book opens, the Seminary is purchased by one of the lead characters. Fedele maintains our interest in this segment of her novel, there are good array of secrets, betrayals, lies and acts of treachery that give themselves up as the book progresses. Expect the unexpected within this involving narrative!
Other touches that worked for me in The Legacy of Beauregarde was the time period. The book is set in Sydney, Australia in the 1990’s, over the course of a few months. I enjoyed this timeline. I also appreciated the references to Australian pop culture and icons that were filtered through the novel. Those who are fans of reality television shows that focus on home renovations will be quite taken by these sequences of The Legacy of Beauregarde.
There is an expansive character base that fills in the pages of The Legacy of Beauregarde. It can be a little complex to get your head around. Personally it took me some time to adjust my mindset to this heavy and interchanging list. However, once you have a firm handle of the character set and work out the connections to the wider puzzle at hand, it does come as a welcome surprise. There were some interesting revelations and complex dialogue sequences that go hand in hand in The Legacy of Beauregarde.
A touch of the supernatural, some flecks of mystery, a good dose of suspense and a measure of rich gothic detail marks The Legacy of Beauregarde. I encourage readers who are after a winding, slightly offbeat style of book to consider reading The Legacy of Beauregarde, the original author artwork alone makes it worthy of selection.
The Legacy of Beauregarde by Rosa Fedele was published on 10th July 2018 by MoshPit Publishing. Details on how to purchase the book can be found here.
To learn more about the author of The Legacy of Beauregarde, Rosa Fedele visit here.
*I wish to thank the author, Rosa Fedele for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Legacy of Beauregarde, is book #81 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
Mrs B's Book Reviews 
I loved Theresa’s Behind the Pen with Rosa Fedele, absolutely fascinating. I don’t think I’ve ever come across an adult illustrated novel before. Makes me very interested in this book. April is intrigued too as she loves writing and did a three year Advanced Diploma in Visual Arts. April and some friends of hers are hoping to exhibit their art work at Project Contemporary Artspace – it’s a terrific place for local artists to exhibit.
Stunning review by the way.
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Wow that is exciting art news for April and her friends. I do wish them every success, it sounds wonderful. I enjoyed Theresa’s Behind the Ben too, a very unique edition. And yes, Rosa’s work is in a class of its own.
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Great review Amanda, I have linked this in the spec fiction round-up
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Thank you so much! I saw today and again what a fantastic round up! Congrats on a job well done!
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