The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies

De: Alison Goodman

Narrado por: Kristin Atherton

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.

Excellent Listen

Strong female protagonists adventurously righting wrongs while navigating indignities, restraints, and horrors of Regency era mysogyny. Well written. Engaging performance. Left you wanting more.

Solid first book

Thoroughly enjoyed this first book in a new mystery series! I love the narrator, and I think the story is a strong, interesting and fun look at the regency era. 

The characters are well fleshed out, interesting, and so easy to care about and fret over as they get into MANY dangerous situations. I can’t wait for Gus’s next story so I can find out what happens next.

My only complaint is what I find in so many of the stories from this era - which is the author’s desire to emphasize over and over how the MC doesn’t believe in God. I know Faith was a common thing, but the often aggressive use of apostasy felt heavy handed and maybe personal? Again, great book but that stuff made me roll my eyes. Don’t write what it seems like you don’t know, you know?

Truth about Women

I loved how honest this author was about what actually happened to women in that era, and reminds me us of how much injustice still happens to women today. Well read, interesting characters, I enjoyed every minute.

NOT a light and amusing regency romance

This was not what I expected based on the cover art and marketing blurb— it is quite good but rather dark, dealing with the icky parts of regency law as it pertains to women and graphically depicts the abuses allowed.

Georgian drama

The author’s narrative was well written and had the most interesting flow from beginning to end. The narrator was quite good at getting across the feelings of the characters. I truly look forward to the next chapter of The Benevolent Society of Ill Mannered Women!