Three Reviews for the Price of One Post!

 

First Line from Prologue: Île de la Cité, Paris 2019. The fire peels Notre Dame like an illuminated manuscript soaked in water, its layers separating, releasing their secrets.

Skylark is a dual-timeline story about underground Paris. The timelines take place in 1664 and 1939, and concern the daughter of a master dyer at the Gobelin Tapestry Works who tries to save her father when he is unjustly accused of a crime, and a psychiatrist faced with the Nazi persecution of Jews.

The prologue concerning the burning of Notre Dame led me to expect more from the present day; however, it was used just to show readers how certain events can uncover stories and secrets. 

Seventeenth-century dye-making techniques and the three hundred plus kilometers of tunnels and catacombs under Paris made for some very interesting reading, but the story ultimately never engaged me as much as I thought it might. 

Skylark by Paula McLain

eISBN: 9781668028179

Atria Books © 2026

eBook, 464 pages

Historical Fiction, Standalone

Rating: B

Source: Net Galley

First Lines: I never meant to see what was in his drawer. I was never a mother who snooped.

In this thriller, two teenage girls have been found dead in a wealthy Chicago suburb, and high school counselor Abby Rosso begins to suspect that her son might be their killer.

Occasionally, I forget that I have to be careful with the psychological thrillers that I choose to read. In the case of What Boys Learn, I found whodunit to be much too easy to deduce and the neurotic Abby Rosso extremely annoying. The pace of the book was very slow, and more editing would not only have sped the story along but also not given me the time to realize how little I cared for any of the characters.

What Boys Learn by Andromeda Romano-Lax

eISBN: 9781641296922

Soho Press © 2026

eBook, 464 pages

Standalone Psychological Thriller

Rating: D

Source: Net Galley

First Line from Prologue: Cambridge, 1935. The banks of the River Cam were a bustle of activity on the first day of the Lent Bumps.

When Iris Sparks' friend from her Cambridge days is suspected of being a Soviet operative, British Intelligence coerces her to find out the truth. First, she and business partner/friend Gwen Bainbridge must find a way for the suspect to hire their marriage service.

I have enjoyed this series from the very first book, and having the opportunity to see the irrepressible Iris Sparks in her university days was a treat. Fire Must Burn also gives readers a chance to watch a spy-in-training while navigating the murky dealings of the intelligence service. 

While reading this eighth book in the series, I suddenly realized that one of the reasons I like it so much is the repartee between Sparks and Bainbridge, and that repartee is reminiscent of T. E. Kinsey's Lady Hardcastle series, another favorite of mine.  

Bring on the next adventure for Iris and Gwen! These books are definitely "more-ish."

Fire Must Burn by Allison Montclair

eISBN: 9781448315949

Severn House © 2026

eBook, 256 pages

Historical Mystery, #8 Sparks & Bainbridge

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley

An Excellent Thing in A Woman by Allison Montclair

 

First Line: Archie was dead, to begin with.

Gwen Bainbridge's beau, Salvatore "Sally" Danielli, has taken a job at the BBC Studios at Alexandra Palace, but when one of the Parisian performers for a new variety show is found dead in the theater, several inconvenient coincidences make Sally the prime suspect. 

Fortunately, Sally has two women determined to prove his innocence. Just days earlier, the dead woman had arrived at The Right Sort Marriage Bureau looking for a husband--any husband-- to avoid returning to Paris. As Gwen Bainbridge and Iris Sparks begin to search for answers, Sparks finds ties to the secret world she left behind when World War II ended. 

Once again, these two indomitable women find themselves searching for a killer.

~

Allison Montclair's Sparks & Bainbridge historical series continues to be one of my favorites. The growth of the main characters is wonderful, and An Excellent Thing in a Woman continues to let readers share in the lives of two strong, intelligent, and witty women.

Another thing I love about this series is the attention to detail. I really get a feel for post-World War II London. In this latest installment, readers get a behind-the-scenes look at the BBC Studios, and when Gwen buys a television, we see how that one item immediately begins to impact our lives.

The Official Secrets Act also plays a part in the book. Sparks' work during the war ties into the murder of the French woman, and trying to solve the crime isn't easy when she's signed documents stating that she's not allowed to mention anything she did during the war.

I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series. This is the third murdered client of The Right Sort Marriage Bureau, and I think the author is going to shake things up in book eight. Bring it on! 

An Excellent Thing in a Woman by Allison Montclair

eISBN: 9781448312382

Severn House © 2025

eBook, 211 pages

Historical Mystery, #7 Sparks & Bainbridge

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley

Murder at the White Palace by Allison Montclair

 

First Line: "I've just had the most wonderful idea!" said Gwen.

 

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

The Lady from Burma by Allison Montclair

 

First Line: He sat on the edge of the narrow bed, reaching for the black wool socks he had stuffed into his shoes.

 

Most of the people who come to the Right Sort Marriage Bureau are people trying to start (or restart) their lives in post-war London. But Miss Iris Sparks and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge have a new client who is very different. She is a happily married woman who wants them to find a new wife for her husband. Dying of cancer, she wants to ensure her entomologist, academic husband finds someone new to share his life with.

 

Not long afterward, the woman is found dead in Epping Forest, the victim of an apparent suicide, and that makes absolutely no sense to Sparks and Bainbridge. However, Gwen Bainbridge's attention is focused on her pending appearance in court to regain legal control of her life. All is not going well; the man appointed as her conservator has not been managing her assets in her own best interests. When the conservator is found dead, Gwen naturally becomes the prime suspect. 

 

Solving two deaths at once will be no easy task, but if anyone can do it, you can count on Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge.

 

~

 

Once again, Allison Montclair [pseudonym of Alan Gordon] has a winner in the newest Sparks and Bainbridge historical mystery, The Lady from Burma. The various clients who walk through the doors of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau keep readers firmly in tune with post-World War II London and all the types of people who are trying to put their lives back together. 

 

The solutions to the deaths of the client and the conservator certainly kept me guessing, but I was even more interested in Gwen Bainbridge's fight to regain legal control of her life. Gwen basically came unglued when her husband was killed in the war, and the depth of her grief caused her husband's aristocratic family to take away custody of her young son and to have her committed to a mental institution. It's been an uphill battle, but it is obvious to all the readers of this series that it's more than time for Gwen to be back in charge. Her relationship with her in-laws has evolved slowly, and she's made the effort to learn how to deal with her income once she has it in her own control. What's maddening is her reaction-- in court and directly afterward-- to the machinations of her conservator. I wanted to give her a little shake and yell, "Snap out of it!" Not that I've fallen under the spell of these characters or anything...

 

An absorbing mystery, the engrossing lives of the two main characters, a pitch-perfect setting, and witty dialogue that absolutely sparkles. I love this series and hope that it continues for a good long time. If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge, I suggest you begin at the beginning with The Right Sort of Man. These two very different women make quite a formidable team.

The Lady from Burma by Allison Montclair

eISBN: 9781250854209

Minotaur Books © 2023

eBook, 336 pages

 

Historical Mystery, #5 Sparks & Bainbridge mystery

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley

The Unkept Woman by Allison Montclair

 

First Line: The black Wolseley roared down Welbeck Street and came screeching to a halt behind the two patrol cars double-parked at Number 51.

 

For Gwendolyn Bainbridge and Iris Sparks, owners of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau, it seems as though their pasts simply refuse to leave them alone. Gwen, whose beloved husband was killed during the war, is still fighting her in-laws to have control of her life and the life of her son. In Iris's case, her work as an intelligence agent is coming back to haunt her.

 

Iris finds herself being followed and then approached by a young woman who has a very personal connection with one of Iris's former lovers. But something just doesn't add up in the woman's story, and Iris finds out that her past could be very dangerous indeed.

~

I fell in love with Allison Montclair's Sparks & Bainbridge historical mysteries from the very first one, The Right Sort of Man, and I'm happy to say that my affair with these two continues in this fourth book, The Unkept Woman. As usual, the wit and humor sparkle, beginning with the wordplay in the title itself. Normally, when I think of the word "unkept", I think of something that's messy or untidy, but that's not how it's being used here. Sparks and Bainbridge are two women who aren't being "kept" by any man. They are two women from totally different backgrounds who are learning how to live their lives on their own terms without needing to rely on anyone else, and I love being an observer on their journey.

 

The Unkept Woman delves deeper into Iris Sparks' background as an intelligence officer during World War II. Some of her associates are proving to be hazardous to her health, and this is all exacerbated by the fact that the British intelligence community is now having to change its focus from the Nazis to the Soviets, who are everywhere in London, sticking their noses into every dark corner in an attempt to gather information.

 

While Sparks is trying to navigate her past, Bainbridge is showing us the ins and outs of trying to regain control of her future, of her own life, her own finances, and the life of her young son. When her husband was killed, Gwen's grief was so profound that her in-laws had her committed to an asylum with them as her guardians in control of her and her son. There's one thing about The Good Old Days: they didn't mince words. Gwen is finding out that she now has to deal with the Master of Lunacy in the Lunacy Court in order for her to regain control and have the decision overturned. (I don't know how I'd feel if I had to introduce myself as the Master of Lunacy... or would that be the Mistress of Lunacy...)

 

Bainbridge has been told categorically that she cannot be seen to participate in any sort of investigation; it could have a dire effect on her chances in Lunacy Court. But how can she stand by when Sparks needs her help? These are definitely interesting times for the two women as Sparks finds herself going to, among other places, a refuge camp in the course of her investigation. 

 

Once again, The Unkept Woman dishes up a mouth-watering buffet of mystery, mayhem, wit, and wisdom, and I think it's time that I admit that I have a crush on Percival the butler with his "derby of discretion." That man is a star. On a final note, many of you may know that the British have a reputation for standing in lines, or as they call them, "queues". There's a bit of that in The Unkept Woman, and Gwen tells her young son and his friend, "Remember, boys, anything with a queue is something worth waiting for"-- which, come to think of it, describes this entire series. If you haven't made the acquaintance of Gwen Bainbridge and Iris Sparks, it's time to stop waiting and start at the beginning with The Right Sort of Man. These books are so much fun!

The Unkept Woman by Allison Montclair

eISBN: 9781250750358

Minotaur Books © 2022

eBook, 315 pages

 

Historical Mystery, #4 Sparks & Bainbridge mystery

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley

A Rogue's Company by Allison Montclair

 

First Lines: August 1, 1946. It is said that the first naval conflict of what was then called the Great War took place far removed from the main European theatres.

 

The future looks bright for the Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Business has picked up, and Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge have had to expand their office and hire a receptionist. Then Lord Bainbridge returns from Africa sooner than expected, and everything goes to hell in the proverbial handbasket. The widowed Gwen's father-in-law and legal guardian, Bainbridge is set to undo everything that Gwen holds dear, including sending her six-year-old son to a hated boarding school.

But there's more going on than Lord Bainbridge riding roughshod over his entire household. There's a new client at the marriage bureau whom Iris and Gwen begin to suspect of having a hidden agenda which just might include the Bainbridge family. Then a murder and kidnapping occur, and Iris and Gwen are forced to seek help from a very unsavory source, but with lives at stake, they have no alternative.

~

I couldn't be happier that I discovered Allison Montclair's Sparks & Bainbridge historical mystery series when the very first book, The Right Sort of Man, appeared. This series, now on book three, has done nothing but get better and better, and I think I spent most of the time while reading A Rogue's Company with a big smile on my face... that is when I wasn't actually laughing out loud.

Montclair doesn't spend a lot of time giving us period detail. A simple line mentioning "piles of rubble waiting to be collected from the bomb sites" is more than sufficient to put me firmly on the streets of post-war London, and Gwen's conversation with young Stephen Burleigh is a strong reminder of soldiers coming home from the war and the horrors that they had to endure.

If Montclair doesn't spend a lot of time setting her stage, what does she do? She tells a fast-paced marvelous tale of deception and abduction that keeps readers putting the pieces together-- and loathe to put the book down until it's finished. More than that, she continues to develop her fantastic cast of characters. 

 

After what's happened in the previous two books, Gwen begins taking self-defense classes, and it's her continuing maturation that often takes center stage. Gwen led a sheltered, privileged life until the death of her husband during the war. When he died, she came emotionally unglued. Her grief was so intense that her in-laws put her in a hospital, made themselves her legal guardian, and took away custody of her six-year-old son, Ronnie. In the first two books, Lord and Lady Bainbridge were nothing but despicable, but now in A Rogue's Company, we begin to see cracks appear. Subtle changes can be seen. Motivations raise their heads above the parapet. The lord and lady are no longer cardboard cut-out villains, and that's something to applaud.

Even secondary characters and those with bit parts shine in this book. Little Ronnie is a typical boy and an absolute sweetheart. If I want to get somewhere fast, I'm going to insist that Barry drives me, and Percival the "plummy-voiced berk" is just the butler I'd want to have in my own establishment. The dialogue sparkles in A Rogue's Company, and for those of you who are fans of T.E. Kinsey's Lady Hardcastle mysteries think of the banter between Lady Hardcastle and Flo. (For those who aren't acquainted with Lady Hardcastle, please take note of my recommendation.) Iris and Gwen can keep me laughing, and once the story revs up and really motors along, I cheered (sometimes out loud) whenever Gwen faced down the loathsome Lord Bainbridge.

Granted, the marriage bureau business had only a walk-on part in this book, but it was there, and Iris and Gwen show readers that they know how to come up with innovations to expand their business. I really want it to expand, too, because Allison Montclair has me hook, line, and sinker. I am now in dire need of an annual Sparks & Bainbridge fix. For the uninitiated, as much as I'd like you to start with book one and read the three books in order, you can actually pick up A Rogue's Company and not feel lost or confused. Once you do, you're going to find yourself in need of that annual fix, too. Mark my words.

A Rogue's Company by Allison Montclair

eISBN: 9781250750334

Minotaur Books © 2021

eBook, 342 pages

 

Historical Mystery, #3 Sparks & Bainbridge mystery

Rating: A+

Source: Net Galley

A Royal Affair by Allison Montclair

First Lines: "Men find me intimidating," boomed Miss Hardiman. "That's the problem."

Partners Miss Iris Sparks and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge have gained a bit of notoriety from the case they solved the previous month. They're hoping that this means more revenue and a bigger office for the Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Sturdier furniture and a secretary would be nice, too. When Lady Matheson walks into the office, she just might be the answer to their prayers. Working for the Queen "in some capacity," Lady Matheson hires them for a discreet investigation. Princess Elizabeth has set her heart on a dashing Greek prince, and a blackmailer is trying to throw a monkey wrench into the whole affair.

The palace needs to keep this out of the gossip circles, but it's also necessary to find out if the prince does have any skeletons in his closet. Every ounce of skill, intelligence, and discretion Sparks and Bainbridge possess are going to be needed to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion. After all, that bigger office and the secretary are at stake.

Having enjoyed the first book in the series, The Right Sort of Man, a great deal, I looked forward to A Royal Affair with a great deal of anticipation. I am so happy to say that this second book met and exceeded all my expectations. Isn't it great when that happens?

Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge are two excellent characters. They both bring completely different skill sets to the table. Gwen is widowed, with a young son who is in the custody of his rich, titled grandparents. Gwen loved her husband with all her being, and when he was killed, she fell to pieces and spent some time in a sanatarium. Her mother-in-law is never going to let her forget this or willingly give up control of her grandson. Gwen is determined to prove that she's capable of raising her son. She brings knowledge of the upper classes (and all that entails) along with her intelligence and finely tuned intuition to the partnership with Iris Sparks.

Iris Sparks is a Cambridge graduate whose past is shrouded in all sorts of things, not least the Official Secrets Act. She's out of the spy business, but she brings that bag of tricks, her quick intelligence, and sense of humor to The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. The women have become fast friends-- almost sisters. Gwen is the perfect choice to help Iris with her PTSD, and Iris knows how to deal with Gwen's grief. Their repartee is one of the joys of A Royal Affair. It's light, it's witty, it's quick, and the pages turn faster and faster.

With a finely crafted, intricate plot that reminded me of "The Sting" from time to time, one thing was obvious: Sparks' past in the spy business was going to be an integral part of the story. That made me worry. You see, I don't really like spy stories. What I prefer are characters who are out of the business yet able to use their skill sets for straightforward, honest good, not some shadowy, convoluted outcome with neither heart nor morals. I was so relieved at how Montclair dealt with all the spy shenanigans!

In fact, I was enchanted by the entire book. If you're in the mood for something light and witty, something that has some meat on its bones, some solid historical research, and a tightly woven plot...something that's Pure-D Fun to read, pick up a copy of A Royal Affair. Better yet, begin at the beginning with The Right Sort of Man (even though A Royal Affair stands alone well). You really shouldn't miss an opportunity to spend time with Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge.

Now begins the hard slog of waiting for book three.

A Royal Affair by Allison Montclair

eISBN: 9781250178404

Minotaur Books © 2020

eBook, 320 pages

Historical Mystery, #2 Sparks & Bainbridge mystery

Rating: A+

Source: Net Galley

The Right Sort of Man by Allison Montclair

First Line: Tillie climbed the stairs from the Bond Street Station out to Davies Street, blinking in the afternoon light.

London is slowly recovering from World War II, and there are many men and women who want to put the war behind them and begin new, normal lives. This gave two women the idea to start a business: the Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Miss Iris Sparks is quick-witted and impulsive, with many things in her past that she can't talk about. Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge is a widow with a young son who wants to achieve some independence from her aristocratic harridan of a mother-in-law. They're just the sort of women to make a success of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Except for one thing.

Their newest client, Tillie La Salle, is found murdered and the man arrested for the crime is the prospective husband Iris and Gwen had matched her with. The police are convinced they have their man. Iris and Gwen know they haven't. Not only are they determined to save an innocent man, they know they have to: the future of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau depends upon it.

The Right Sort of Man is a winner that I enjoyed from first page to last. I can see fans of Susan Elia MacNeal and Jacqueline Winspear falling for it, too. The period detail adds so much depth to the story. Trying to navigate through the streets of London with its bombed-out buildings, years of "make do and mend," ration coupons... Montclair draws you into this world with ease. The mystery is a strong one, too. The author kept me guessing, and a large piece of the puzzle involves the life of the dead woman, Tillie La Salle.

But the strongest part of the book is the team of Iris and Gwen. Gwen has led a rather sheltered life, and the death of her husband devastated her. As a result, her dragon of a mother-in-law usurped all the power in their relationship. But Gwen is not a timid little mouse. Now she is stronger and willing to do what it takes to regain control of her own life and the life of her little boy. On the other hand, Iris is quick, brave, and smart-- and since a lot of her recent past is gagged by the Official Secrets Act, you don't know for sure just what she's capable of or what she's going to do. They make a formidable pair, and the banter between them is a delight. (It reminds me a bit of Lady Hardcastle and her maid Florence in T.E. Kinsey's historical series.)

Strong mystery, excellent setting, and two marvelous characters-- bring on Iris and Gwen's next adventure!
 

The Right Sort of Man by Allison Montclair

eISBN: 9781250178374

Minotaur Books © 2019

eBook, 325 pages

Historical Mystery, #1 Right Sort Marriage Bureau mystery

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley