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The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies (2023)

by Alison Goodman

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2751996,771 (4.03)39
"A high society amateur detective at the heart of Regency London uses her wits and invisibility as an 'old maid' to protect other women in a new and fiercely feminist historical mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Alison Goodman. Lady Augusta Colebrook, "Gus," is determinedly unmarried, bored by society life, and tired of being dismissed at the age of forty-two. She and her twin sister, Julia, who is grieving her dead betrothed, need a distraction. One soon presents itself: to rescue their friend's goddaughter, Caroline, from her violent husband. The sisters set out to Caroline's country estate with a plan, but their carriage is accosted by a highwayman. In the scuffle, Gus accidentally shoots the ruffian, only to discover he is Lord Evan Belford, an acquaintance from their past who was charged with murder and exiled to Australia twenty years ago. With Lord Evan injured and unconscious, the sisters have no choice but to bring him on their mission to save Caroline. What follows is a high adventure full of danger, clever improvisation, heart-racing near misses, and a little help from a revived and rather charming Lord Evan. Back in London, Gus can't stop thinking about her unlikely (not to mention handsome) comrade-in-arms. She is convinced Lord Evan was falsely accused of murder, and she is going to prove it. She persuades Julia to join her in a quest to help Lord Evan, and others in need-society be damned! And so begins the beguiling secret life and adventures of the Colebrook twins"--… (more)
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English (15)  Dutch (1)  All languages (16)
Showing 1-5 of 15 (next | show all)
Light and predictable but also insightful and shocking in regards to the madhouse.
Going to look for more books by this author. ( )
  kakadoo202 | Jan 14, 2024 |
Rollicking Regency fun - can't wait for the next one. ( )
  LolaReads | Jan 13, 2024 |
The appalling social conditions for women and children are brought forward in this 1812 adventure. The main characters are two unmarried sisters, older women living independently in London. The elder (Lady Augusta) is a strong-willed woman, unconventional by the days' standards, having an admirable sense of social justice. The younger (Lady Julia) appears as a milder, quietly assertive but conventional person, who comes into her own as she discovers the perfidy amongst the upper classes.

The author has excelled in researching her novel's setting and the societal constraints of the day. Readers learn of the awful powers of the men in the family and the lengths they will go to in controlling the females and children. This story is not an easy read because the descriptions are so vivid involving this mistreatment. Nevertheless, it was a compelling read, though the sister's antics do beg us to suspend belief here and there.

The dedication completely resonated with me: This book is dedicated to all the women out there who no longer have the patience or desire to put up with any nonsense. ( )
  SandyAMcPherson | Jan 4, 2024 |
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

Hello Fellow Reader,

Oh my gosh, how have I been sleeping on Alison Goodman? I now have to scour the internet looking for all her novels because if they are anything like The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies, Goodman may be my new must-buy author. This cover doesn't do this book justice, the pretty pastel colors make you think this may be a light-hearted cozy mystery but little do you know this covers some dark heavy topics in its pages.

Goodman has absolutely hooked me with this book, which I hope is a series (I am pretty sure it is) because I will need to read the right away. I immediately fell in love with the logical, witty, and brave Augusta/Gus who although she takes a lot of risks in her need to help people (some of which I didn't agree with) is just absolutely divine. I even love Julia who plays the straight-woman to Augusta's rashness. I even loved the romance with Lord Evan, who I also really liked.

There are three cases, plus one over-arching case, all of which were incredibly interesting and different from each other. I love that despite the restrictions that Gus has because she is a woman she still goes above and beyond and gets things done. There were a few times that Like Gus I wanted to rage at how dismissive and stifling some of the men were, especially Duffy, Gus and Julia's brother.

Overall, I loved this book and will be waiting with bated breath for a second one. ( )
  latteslipsticklit | Nov 16, 2023 |
A charming Regency-era adventure that is, hands-down, the most enjoyable thing I've read this year. Spinster sisters Gus and Julia rescue women and children from exploitive and abusive situations with the help of their butler and an old friend who is on the run from the law. ( )
  fionaanne | Nov 14, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 15 (next | show all)
A refreshing change from of pace from the blushing 21 year olds that dominate this genre, our heroine this time is ' old maid " of 42.... This one sparkles with intelligence and intriguing mystery almost as beguiling as the romantic plot.
added by vancouverdeb | editThe Globe and Mail (Canada) (Jul 1, 2023)
 
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This book is dedicated to all the women

out there who no longer have the patience or desire

to put up with any nonsense.
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We were to meet him at midnight in the Dark Walk.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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"A high society amateur detective at the heart of Regency London uses her wits and invisibility as an 'old maid' to protect other women in a new and fiercely feminist historical mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Alison Goodman. Lady Augusta Colebrook, "Gus," is determinedly unmarried, bored by society life, and tired of being dismissed at the age of forty-two. She and her twin sister, Julia, who is grieving her dead betrothed, need a distraction. One soon presents itself: to rescue their friend's goddaughter, Caroline, from her violent husband. The sisters set out to Caroline's country estate with a plan, but their carriage is accosted by a highwayman. In the scuffle, Gus accidentally shoots the ruffian, only to discover he is Lord Evan Belford, an acquaintance from their past who was charged with murder and exiled to Australia twenty years ago. With Lord Evan injured and unconscious, the sisters have no choice but to bring him on their mission to save Caroline. What follows is a high adventure full of danger, clever improvisation, heart-racing near misses, and a little help from a revived and rather charming Lord Evan. Back in London, Gus can't stop thinking about her unlikely (not to mention handsome) comrade-in-arms. She is convinced Lord Evan was falsely accused of murder, and she is going to prove it. She persuades Julia to join her in a quest to help Lord Evan, and others in need-society be damned! And so begins the beguiling secret life and adventures of the Colebrook twins"--

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