Murder at the White Palace by Allison Montclair

June 18, 2024

Murder at the White Palace by Allison Montclair

It's December 1946, and The Right Sort marriage bureau is celebrating peace and its first holiday season with a New Year's Eve ball. They have a growing client list, and they are in the black financially. The only problem is, all of the venues that they contact are already booked. So they turn to Iris's gangster boyfriend Archie for help, since he always has just the place or a guy with the right connections. But during renovations of an old dance hall, a body is found in the wall of a basement storage area, thought at first to be someone trapped during the Blitz. The truth turns out to be far more complicated (just like the girls' personal lives).

Entertaining historical mystery, #6 in the series featuring former spy Iris Sparks and widowed socialite Gwen Bainbridge. A satisfying plot that includes plenty of snarky dialogue and interesting side characters. We are left with a cliffhanger regarding Iris and Archie's romance. At least Gwen doesn't cry as much in this one. Read the series in order from the beginning. Recommended for readers who enjoy historical mysteries, particularly those set after World War II.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

New Year's Eve at a London ballroom circa 1940s

Don't Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino

October 17, 2023

Don't Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino

Returning home after her second year in college (which her father allowed her to attend primarily to find a husband), Marilyn Kleinman is confined to living under her father's rules again, which include attending services every Saturday. After being caught kissing their rabbi's son in front of the whole congregation, Marilyn finds herself shipped off to spend the summer with her great-aunt Ada who is the best-known matchmaker in Philadelphia. It's either that or marry the rabbi's son, who she barely knows. Marilyn isn't expecting much from the summer, but Ada turns out to be a lot different than she expected. In a good way.

Sweet and heart-warming, perfect for when you need something light and fun. This is a great choice for a beach or vacation read.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

The Jersey Shore, circa 1960

The Unkept Woman by Allison Montclair

September 27, 2023

The Unkept Woman by Allison Montclair

Miss Iris Sparks and Mrs. Gwen Bainbridge are co-owners of The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Following the end of World War II, many people are alone and adrift, and the two women have a talent for matching people up. But Gwen still struggles to retain guardianship of her son, and Iris' undercover activities during the war are catching up with her. When a woman is found shot to death in Iris' apartment, Iris finds herself at the top of the suspect list.

The fourth adventure for Sparks and Bainbridge, this one centered on Iris (who I personally feel is a lot more interesting and doesn't cry nearly as much as Gwen). We do learn more about Gwen's troubles, but there is very little about the agency and their clients. The ending indicates that there will be continuing adventures. I would recommend reading the series in order.

A Rogue's Company by Allison Montclair

August 4, 2021

A Rogue's Company by Allison Montclair

The Right Sort Marriage Bureau is flourishing, with new clients, new offices, and a new secretary. Proprieters Iris Sparks and Gwendolyn Bainbridge are slowly starting to get their heads above water. But Gwen's life is disrupted when her father-in-law returns from Africa with his own plans for her son, including boarding school. At the same time, a new client with his own agenda signs on with the company. A murder and a kidnapping force Iris and Gwen to seek help from friends of Iris' underworld boyfriend.

This is Sparks and Bainbridge #3. It's an entertaining mystery series set right after World War II. The peripheral characters are highly entertaining. Gwen is kind of irritating and wishy-washy but she's getting better.

The Right Sort of Man by Allison Montclair

July 12, 2019

The Right Sort of Man by Allison Sinclair

Post-World War II London is still in shock:  many residents died fighting in the war and during the Blitz, and some parts of the city are in shambles, especially the neighborhoods around the docks, the airport, and the industrial areas.  Both food and clothing are still rationed and in short supply.  With so much loss, a number of single Londoners no longer know where or how to go about making connections with others.

Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge establish the Right Sort Marriage Bureau to assist single Londoners looking for a life partner.  Their combined skills help them identify what a client is really looking for and find a suitable match.  Both women also have secrets in their backgrounds.  The business has a promising start (seven marriages in three months!), until one of their clients is found murdered shortly before she was to meet up with her first potential match.

This was such an entertaining book, perfect in tone for vacation reading.  Gwen’s frequent crying gets to be a little annoying (but she is working on it), but Iris and the witty dialogue more than make up for it.  The Right Sort of Man almost a cozy, but the setting, atmosphere, and themes are darker.  Readers who enjoyed the Lady Hardcastle mysteries by T. E. Kinsey will enjoy this first title in a new series, and I for one look forward to future Sparks & Bainbridge mysteries.