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Mohrbooks Literary Agency
Sebastian Ritscher
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English
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THE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY OF ILL-MANNERED LADIES

Alison Goodman

An adult debut historical novel of mystery and adventure with a dash of romance, by New York Times bestselling YA author Alison Goodman.
If you binged on Bridgerton and fervently wished for rebellious Eloise to be able to avoid the marriage trap and put her sharp mind and insatiable curiosity to greater use, you will love Goodman's Lady Augusta Colebrook - a witty and whip-smart amateur detective at the heart of Regency London taking her rightful place in the grand literary tradition of independent lady sleuths.

Lady Augusta (aka Gus) is doggedly unmarried, bored by society, and tired of being dismissed as an old maid (at 42). Worried about her twin sister Julia who is grieving for her dead betrothed, Gus decides they need a distraction, and one soon presents itself: to rescue their friend's goddaughter, Caroline, from her violent husband.

The sisters set out with a plan, however their carriage is accosted by a highwayman who Gus accidentally shoots in the scuffle, and who turns out to be a disgraced passing acquaintance - Lord Evan Belford. Lord Evan was charged with murder and exiled to Australia twenty years ago; how is it that he is back and holding up ladies at gunpoint?

With him bleeding and insensible by the side of the road and Caroline in grave danger, they have no choice but to take Lord Evan with them on their rescue mission and use their wiles to gain entry into Caroline's manor home. Through clever improvisation, heart racing near misses, Lord Evan regaining consciousness in time to lend a gentlemanly hand, and a weaponized Wedgwood urn, Caroline's life is saved, and a connection sealed between Gus and Evan before the two must part ways.

Back in London and her beau monde life, Gus can't stop thinking about her intriguing comrade and his fall from grace. A bit of digging convinces her he was falsely accused, and she wants to help him overturn his murder charge, but how? The answer lies in the very problems that propelled Gus into irritated action; the singular invisibility of old age and spinsterhood. And so starts the secret life of the Colebrook twins: unnoticed old maids to most, but unseen champions to those in need - society be damned.

Alison Goodman is the New York Times bestselling author of Eon and Eona and The Dark Days Club series. She is not only a terrifically talented writer whose work inspires reactions like "masterful, beguiling", "immersive, action-packed", "rich in description", delicious", "leaves us hungry for more", "Feminists [will] swoon!"*; she is also an expert in Regency - praised for her "impeccable research [that] shines through on every page... and brings to life questions of freedom and choice for women", and her "masterful grasp of historical milieu". She has been known to dance a mean contra-dance, has a wardrobe full of historically accurate Regency clothes, and will travel a long way for a good high-tea. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and in non-Covid times, travels to the U.S., U.K., and Europe to promote her books.
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Published 2023-05-30 by Berkley

Comments

Fresh and fearless, Alison Goodman's exquisitely written, impeccably-researched genre-blending novel shines a light in the darkest corners of Regency England. The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies is part heart-racing adventure, part gothic mystery, part tantalizing romance, and wholly wonderful. I can't wait for the next installment!

All three adventures are marked by successively mounting complications that fans of either the Regency period or take-no-prisoners feminism will cheer. Think of the Bridgerton novels with the steamy sex replaced by female-forward action sequences.

Fans of Georgette Heyer's Regency novels will savor this mystery from "Dark Days Club" series author Goodman. Well-developed characters, a touch of romance, and cases involving social issues of the period enhance the experience.

A joyous romp through Regency England that is equally entertaining, revealing, feminist, heartbreaking and humorous... The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies is an unexpected delight that blends historical romance with adventure, crime-solving and a bold feminist undertone. This book would be loved by anyone looking for a historical adventure that breaks the bounds of convention to feature women "past their prime" taking matters into their own hands.

Goodman's ladies are the undercover Regency heroes we've been waiting for! This is sparkling, thrilling, romantic fun.

UK: Piatkus ; ANZ: HarperCollins ; French: Albin Michel ; Russian: Ripol

Witty and poignant, this is a clever twist on historical romance and mystery. The Colebrook twins are the Regency's answer to Holmes and Watson!

Fierce, funny, and often dark, this is an eye-opening portrait of a colorful yet misogynistic period in English history. Readers will be eager to return for the duo's next adventure.

If you love Georgette Heyer, you'll love The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies. Smart and sassy and featuring heroines of a certain age, this is the Regency I've been waiting for. Adventure! Mystery! A touch of romance! This delightful novel has it all!

A vibrant tale of two plucky women of a certain age who craved more from life than merely attending tea parties and balls, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies is a truly delightful romp through the Regency period. Alison Goodman has crafted a feminist adventure story that will have you cheering on the unconventional Colebrook sisters in all their exploits.

A refreshing new arrival on the historical mystery scene! A wise, kind, and sharp-tongued sleuth solves crime in a well-portrayed Regency England. A must-read for lovers of the Regency and historical mysteries alike.