Rating: Good
Source: Publisher
Description: In a London slowly recovering from World War II, two very different women join forces to launch a business venture in the heart of Mayfair--The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Miss Iris Sparks, quick-witted and impulsive, and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge, practical and widowed with a young son, are determined to achieve some independence and do some good in a rapidly changing world.
But the promising start to their marriage bureau is threatened when their newest client, Tillie La Salle, is found murdered and the man arrested for the crime is the prospective husband they matched her with. While the police are convinced they have their man, Miss Sparks and Mrs. Bainbridge are not. To clear his name--and to rescue their fledging operation's reputation--Sparks and Bainbridge decide to investigate on their own, using the skills and contacts they've each acquired through life and their individual adventures during the recent war.
Little do they know that this will put their very lives at risk.
Genre: Mystery - Historical
Why I Picked This Book: I have been loving historical mysteries lately and this one looked like a lot of fun.
My Impression: This is the first in a series that has a truly amazing amount of potential. The characters are both intelligent and use their very different skill sets well. They seem to genuinely like and respect each other and I really liked both of them. I fell in love with Montclair's writing style from the very beginning. She's funny and sharp with a brightness that really made it shine. The premise itself is fantastic. I love the premise for the series itself. The marriage bureau is both novel and provides a perfectly logical reason for Gwen and Iris to investigate the murder and get to know the victim and suspects. But not only is it a fun read but there are some poignant moments too. Both Iris and Gwen have experienced real tragedy and they both have their own personal struggles. I found Gwen's especially poignant and my heart really broke for her.
What kept this from being a 4 or 5 star read for me was really first book syndrome. There's so much that has to be established with the premise and characters that there were times when the plot kind of bogged down. It was never a book that was difficult to read but there were times I felt a little impatient.
Large parts of this book really sparkled and Montclair's voice felt very fresh and different from anything I've come across before. I'm so excited to see where this series goes and will definitely be looking for the further adventures of Bainbridge and Sparks.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely! I'm really looking forward to book 2.
Would I Recommend this Book? Absolutely! If you enjoy historical mysteries than I think you'd really like this one.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
I like that this a historical cozy Katherine. Wonderful review and lovely find!
ReplyDeleteOk I can see this has huge potential, I love the things that you list that are very positive about the book, all point to a promising series coming up.
ReplyDeleteI've been enjoying historical mysteries lately too. This sounds like a good one.
ReplyDeleteThat's a time period and place I like reading about. Nice review!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to reading this one and am glad you liked it, Katherine. Hopefully the series will improve as it goes.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting duo in an interesting time period.
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