Gwen Bainbridge, one of the owners of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau in post-World War II London, wants to throw a New Year's Eve party for their clients, and once she's convinced the other owner (and friend), Iris Sparks, the rush is on to make everything ready.
The first problem is the venue, and Iris Sparks' boyfriend happens to be refurbishing an empty building. When the two women check the building's suitability, the workers knock a wall down and a body is found. At first, the body is assumed to be a victim of the Blitz, but it's not. The dead man was stabbed to death.
This makes for an uncomfortable situation for Iris Sparks. Her beau, Archie Spelling, owns the building and has ties to various enterprises on both the right and wrong sides of the law... and the police investigator is her ex-fiancé. Gwen has her own problems as she's entering the world of dating for the first time since her husband died.
Sparks and Bainbridge really don't want to be involved in the search for another killer, but that person may be closer to home than is comfortable. When it comes to protecting their clients, their business, and themselves, these two will do everything they can.
~
If lovers of historical mysteries haven't read one of Allison Montclair's Sparks & Bainbridge mysteries, they really need to do something about it. This series puts readers right in post-World War II London and serves up one strong mystery after another as well as two of the best characters in crime fiction. Setting, mystery, character? You know you can't resist!
I have to admit that, if I'd paid more attention, whodunit would not have been a huge surprise here, but I was distracted. As in all the other books, the main reason why I love this series is the two main characters. In Murder at the White Palace, Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge continue to grow and change as a result of the life experiences they share.
Due to that pesky Official Secrets Act, we may never know exactly what Iris Sparks did during the war, but she's only just realizing the profound effect it has had on her. Her service during the war has changed her view of the world and the people in it, and she's just beginning to realize that she may need to change, too.
On the other hand, Gwen Bainbridge has had a very traumatic, emotionally charged time of it. When her husband was killed in the war, Gwen had a complete breakdown and was hospitalized. Her husband's aristocratic family took complete control of her life as well as that of her small son. It's been an uphill battle, but Gwen has finally gained her independence, and it's a thrill to see her beginning to spread her wings and fly.
As you can see, I'm more wrapped up in the lives of the characters than I am in the mystery, but the mystery is good, too. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: this is a marvelous series that you really need to read. Due to the character development, it's best to start at the beginning with The Right Sort of Man. I know you'll fall under the spell of Iris and Gwen, just like I did.
Murder at the White Palace by Allison Montclair
eISBN: 9781250854223
Minotaur Books © 2024
eBook, 320 pages
Historical Mystery, #6 Sparks & Bainbridge
Rating: A
Source: Net Galley
I'm so glad this one lived up to your expectations, Cathy. Historical fiction can be great - especially if it puts you in a place and time without 'information dump.' And I still think the Marriage Bureau is an innovative idea for a context!
ReplyDeleteYes, the marriage bureau idea is perfect.
DeleteThese characters are so great! They're why I like this series so much, too. :D
ReplyDeleteThey are wonderful, aren't they? :-)
DeleteI'm impatiently waiting for my hold to come in at the library 😊. I'm looking forward to reading this! Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThis is true for me also! 🙂
DeleteGretchen, I hope that library hold comes in soon! I really love the progression of the two main characters.
DeleteI'll try to work a library hold spell for you and Gretchen. ;-)
DeleteI’ve not had the chance to get to this author yet. Sounds good.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent series, Mystica.
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