There's a LOT of Regency romance out there, and I'll read most of it, from the divine to the ridiculous. The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies is a true step above most books in the genre, grappling realistically and unflinchingly (and often graphically) with the real horrors of women's lives during the period. Yet the social commentary, much of which is still horrifyingly relevant, is nonetheless delivered plausibly in context of an engaging, often mad-cap adventure story, told by a woman who absolutely refutes the ridiculous Regency notion of being "on the shelf." I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
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.
This is a wild ride of a book, kept on the rails only by the author's splendidly steady hand with tone (it never goes too dark) and pacing and by the indomitable Margo herself. It recalls Elinor Lippman at her best, but is also absolutely its own story--zany and unpredictable, for sure (aliens on OnlyFans!) but grounded throughout in our main character's faith in herself and love for her child.
'Enormously entertaining and lovable' Nick Hornby, New York Times
'Nonjudgmental, original and very funny; the book is warm and generous too. I loved it' India Knight, Sunday Times STYLE
** Big Little Lies creator David E. Kelley is to adapt for A24 - a TV show starring Nicole Kidman and Elle & Dakota Fanning **
Margo Millet's got money troubles. As the child of a Hooter's waitress and an ex-Pro-Wrestler, she's always known she'd have to make it on her own. When she finds herself pregnant by her college professor - who is very keen not to be involved -…
This is a historical road novel (set in the 1960s) that sneaks up on you. It starts out slowly enough and then suddenly characters are on collision courses both with one another and with historical events that still resonate today. It's reminiscent of Amor Towles, Michael Cunningham, and Beatriz Williams in both style and the richness of the period setting--and just as satisfying as the best from each of those writers.
Set against the assassination of JFK, a poignant and evocative crime novel that centers on a desperate cat-and-mouse chase across 1960s America-a story of unexpected connections, daring possibilities, and the hope of second chances from the Edgar Award-winning author of The Long and Faraway Gone.
Frank Guidry's luck has finally run out.
A loyal street lieutenant to New Orleans' mob boss Carlos Marcello, Guidry has learned that everybody is expendable. But now it's his turn-he knows too much about the crime of the century: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Within hours of JFK's murder, everyone with ties to…
Four women. Four enchantments. One man. But he is no handsome prince, and this is no sugar-sweet fairy tale. Jo, Abony, Ranjani, and Maia all have something in common: they have each been cursed by the CEO of their workplace after he abused his power to prey on them. He wants them silent and uses his sinister dark magic to keep them quiet about what he did. But Jo, Abony, Ranjani and Maia are not fairy-tale princesses waiting to be rescued. They are fierce, angry women with a bond forged in pain, and they’re about to discover that they have power of their own.
In this sharply written, bitingly relevant modern fable, the magic is dark and damaging, and the women are determined to rescue themselves.
