* Named Best Mystery of 2019 by ALA's Reading List Council *
"Stellar...Both leads are complex, well-developed characters, whose penchant for humorous byplay never comes at the expense of the plot...Fans of Maisie Dobbs and Bess Crawford will be delighted." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Fans of M. C. Beaton will relish the wit, and followers of Susan Elia MacNeal and Jacqueline Winspear will enjoy the depth and the period detail. Readers will want to get on the reserve list for the next Iris and Gwen adventure!" —Booklist
"The Right Sort of Man Marriage Bureau's debut is exactly the right sort to have readers hoping for a second date!" —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Sparkles with excellence as the author devises a first-rate plot, invests her heroines with depth and charm, paints an atmospheric portrait of postwar London and provides a bit of romance." —The Fredericksburg Freelance Star
"With a fun historical setting and two witty heroines, readers will enjoy this duo." —The News & Sentinel
"Brimming with wit and joie de vivre but sneakily poignant under its whimsical surface, The Right Sort of Man is an utter delight and a fantastic kickoff to a new series." —BookPage
"The plot moves quickly, well-paced with unexpected twists. There are moments of light-heartedness and moments of deep emotion, adding depth and dimension and lifting this book well out of the field of run-of-the-mill historical mysteries. The dialogue is fast-paced and funny, with some of the best one-liners I’ve seen in a novel." —Historical Novel Society (Editor's Choice)
"Full of heart, astute, and darkly comic, The Right Sort of Man is a keenly observed historical mystery set in post-WWII London about two women, a former intelligence agent and war widow, who join forces and set up a marriage bureau with the mission to knit lives together, while grappling with their own pasts." —Cara Black, New York Times bestselling author
"The Right Sort of Man is the right sort of book! I loved every minute of this delightful adventure with two thoroughly modern women fighting for a place in a rapidly changing world. Can't wait for the next installment!" —Victoria Thompson, bestselling author of Murder on Union Square
"Utterly fabulous! Vivid historical detail, gorgeous prose, and witty, unforgettable characters all combine to make The Right Sort of Man one of the best books I’ve read this year. Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Susan Elia MacNeal. I can’t wait to read Iris and Gwen’s next adventure!” —Anna Lee Huber, bestselling author of the Lady Darby Mysteries
"Rarely have I seen a novel that manages to be so charming and so substantial at the same time. The Right Sort of Man does more than nail post-WWII London in pitch-perfect setting and language—it introduces a female dynamic duo with whom I very quickly fell in love. The end of this book left me with a single thought: when can I read the next Iris and Gwen adventure?" —Lyndsay Faye, author of The Gods of Gotham and Jane Steele
★ 2019-02-18
A war widow joins a former spy in setting up a matrimonial agency.
Losing her husband, Ronnie, to combat in World War II sends Gwendolyn Bainbridge into an incapacitating depression. When she emerges from her extended stay in a private sanitarium, she learns that her mother-in-law, Lady Carolyne Bainbridge, has won the legal right to manage all of Gwen's affairs, including legal guardianship of Gwen's young son. But a chance meeting with Iris Sparks, whose work for the War Office is best summed up as "I can't tell you that," gives Gwen a renewed sense of purpose. The ill-assorted pair decide to open a matrimonial agency. Iris, who's been engaged multiple times, brings a wealth of experience about what does or doesn't make couples click, while Gwen adds a smattering of clerical skills as well as the determination to do something worthwhile. Fueled by their disparate talents, The Right Sort Marriage Bureau enjoys a modicum of success before the roof caves in. Tillie La Salle, an East Ender who works in a dress shop, enlists their help in finding a spouse to take her far away from Shadwell. Almost immediately afterward, she's found murdered, and the police arrest Richard Trower, Iris and Gwen's initial match for her. The tabloids have a field day with the story. It takes wit, grit, and ingenuity for the pair to save their agency. The account of game Gwen's efforts to navigate London public transport is worth the purchase price all on its own.
The Right Sort Marriage Bureau's debut is exactly the right sort to have readers hoping for a second date.
