The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies

by Alison Goodman

A Washington Post Best Mystery Novel of 2023

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 and injures 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. 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.

• ISBN10: 0593440811
• ISBN13: 9780593440810
• Publish Date: 30 May 2023
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 464
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780593440810

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies is the first book in a new historical mystery series by Alison Goodman. Released 30th May 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 464(!) pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This is an exceptionally well written mystery romp, full of skullduggery and with a basically historically accurate framework, done so seamlessly that it's not easy to tell where real history fades into fiction. The protagonists are deliciously written, especially Gus, who is -firmly- on the shelf, thank you very much, and has absolutely no desire to put up with anyone's foolishness. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 15 hours 33 minutes and is expertly narrated by Kristin Atherton. She has a well modulated, professionally trained alto voice with a cut-crystal RP accent which translates well to this read. She doesn't overpower the read, and listeners will find her pleasantly neutral and not invasive (or screechy or difficult to listen to). 

Four and a half stars for both the audio and print versions. Definitely one for the fans of historical mysteries. The feminist overtones and "protagonists of a certain age who are unwilling to put up with the world's nonsense" are delightful and not -too- heavy handed. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.