An Excellent Thing in a Woman

Sparks & Bainbridge Mysteries, Book 7

By: Allison Montclair

Narrated by: Polly Lee

The owners of The Right Sort Marriage Bureau are back, and more determined than ever to bring love matches to the residents of post-WWII London . . . so something as trivial as a murder investigation isn't going to stop them!

London, 1947. Spirited Miss Iris Sparks and ever-practical Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge are called to action when Gwen's beau Salvatore "Sally" Danielli is accused of murder!

Sally has taken a job at the BBC studios at Alexandra Palace, but when the beautiful Miss JeanneMarie Duplessis—one of the Parisian performers over for a new variety show—is found dead in the old theatre, a number of inconvenient coincidences make him Suspect No.1.

Just days earlier, Miss Duplessis had arrived at The Right Sort, desperately looking for a husband—any husband—to avoid having to return to Paris. As the plot thickens, Iris is pulled back into the clandestine circles she moved in during the war and it soon becomes apparent that to clear Sally's name, she and Gwen would need to go on the hunt for a killer once more!

©2025 Allison Montclair (P)2025 Tantor Media

Another wonderful adventure!

I love this series based on two extraordinary women, friends and business partners as they deal with the events of in their own lives and help others to find love and companionship in the "Right Sort" marriage bureau which they co-own. Along the way they help with matters royal or relating to national security or Scotland Yard cases with aplomb, courage, grace, skill and intelligence.

Sparks & Bainbridge get better and better

Another excellent entry in the best historical fiction series of the 21st century. Absolutely don’t miss it. If you haven’t read the others, you must start with the first book and follow the duo’s adventures from the beginning. I promise you’ll fall in love with Gwen and Iris and the marvelous supporting cast as they face trials and triumphs together. One last note, Allison Montclair is the pen name of Alan Gordon. I don’t think I’ve read another man who has written women and female friendship so perfectly. Enjoy!

Character Arcs Galore

I have read all the books in this series to great enjoyment, but one of the things I love the most is the depth of the character arcs. No one is a stereotype and everyone grows. The humor is an added bonus, and I never see the endings coming until I am well into it which I enjoy. I don’t want to figure out the ending too far ahead of the main characters. A most enjoyable series! 

Totally Enjoyable

Have listened to the entire series and enjoyed all of them but this one was absolutely the best! Nice and complicated, interesting characters and lots of WW II historical background. The friendship between Iris and Gwen continues to grow in a most comfortable way. Strongly recommend the entire series!!!!