This was my first Sparks and Bainbridge novel and despite not having all the background info from reading previous books I still really enjoyed this mystery. I found the two MCs very engaging and both of the mysteries that were happening simultaneously were equally interesting. I would definitely go back and read more Sparks and Bainbridge mysteries.

I read book 1 in the series and liked it enough, but didn’t read another until this one. And I’m really glad I did. Sparks and Bainbridge are witty, clever and smart, and the entire book just flew by. The resolution for all of the plots was very satisfying. This is a series has clearly developed the characters well and is worth the read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for the arc.

I love this mystery series, set in England post war. The two main characters, Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge are the owners of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Both have unique personalities and strengths, which help when they find themselves in the middle of another murder. Mrs. Bainbridge is waiting the decision of the Court of Lunacy, since her past included a stay in a sanitarium after her husband’s death in the war. When the lawyer representing her is murdered, Mrs, Bainbridge is a prime suspect. Add in the murder of a dying lady who hired the Bureau to find a wife for her husband once she dies, and you have another great mystery. Highly recommend this series. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Sparks & Bainbridge mystery number five is set in post-World War II London. The unmarried, slightly risqué Iris Sparks and her friend, the widowed, rather conventional Gwen Bainbridge, have gone into partnership in an ideal niche market: matching single women to the man of their dreams in a world where a shortage of men is a conspicuous problem.

Enter the eponymous lady from Burma. She needs help finding a new wife for her husband, who, due to her fatal illness, will soon be a widower. Tender-hearted Gwen cannot bear the thought that this woman might commit suicide to avoid a painful end, so she extracts a promise from her. Nevertheless, the woman is found dead in Epping Forest a short time later and a not-so-bumbling country policeman, a bit out of his depth in London, says it didn’t look like suicide to him.

Upon retaining a client, Iris and Gwen pull three cards each from their respective files in hopes of finding at least one matching name. Needless to say, using brains and instinct, their intimate knowledge of their clients leads to some successful partnerships, for which they are paid handsomely. Gwen’s aristocratic life, full of problems such as proving to the Court of Lunacy that she’s not insane (giving rise to fascinating tidbits on the British legal system), is posed against Iris, stone-broke and dating Archie, a con man with plenty to offer her. Archie’s slang is the only thing that doesn’t ring true.

There’s much more going on here than a dating service: multiple murder, cheating husbands, corporate stealing, child custodianship and bug collecting. Iris and Gwen are a perfect foil for each other in this delightfully amusing series.

Iris and Gwen must solve the murder of "A Lady from Burma" while managing their own complicated private lives - especially Gwen, who will finally have a court hearing to remove the conservatorship and label of lunacy she has had since the death of her husband. The author does a great job of bringing together several plot threads into the resolution of the mystery. The relationship between the two leads is funny and empathetic and supportive, with great dialogue. I recommend reading the series in order to watch the progression of the characters' relationships and Gwen's legal storyline. Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for the ARC.

Montclair’s Sparks and Bainbridge remains one of my favourite mystery series with this latest addition, The Lady From Burma. I expect Sparks and Bainbridge to pale and stale, to wane, but it remains as fresh and engaging as the first, The Right Sort of a Man.

The Lady From Burma sees one-half of my favourite amateur sleuths, aristocratic Gwen Bainbridge, get a good dose of vindication while Gwen and Iris (Sparks)’s love lives take peculiar twists and turns. I don’t know where Montclair is going, but wherever it is, I’ll follow. Oh yes, there are some murders too; the publisher’s blurb will help with that:

In the immediate post-war days of London, two unlikely partners have undertaken an even more unlikely, if necessary, business venture – The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. The two partners are Miss Iris Sparks, a woman with a dangerous – and never discussed – past in British intelligence and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge, a war widow with a young son entangled in a complicated aristocratic family. Mostly their clients are people trying to start (or restart) their lives in this much-changed world, but their new client is something different. A happily married woman has come to them to find a new wife for her husband. Dying of cancer, she wants the two to make sure her entomologist, academic husband finds someone new once she passes.

Shortly thereafter, she’s found dead in Epping Forest, in what appears to be a suicide. But that doesn’t make sense to either Sparks or Bainbridge. At the same time, Bainbridge is attempting to regain legal control of her life, opposed by the conservator who has been managing her assets – perhaps not always in her best interest. When that conservator is found dead, Bainbridge herself is one of the prime suspects. Attempting to make sense of two deaths at once, to protect themselves and their clients, the redoubtable owners of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau are once again on the case.

If you’re looking for a focussed mystery, you won’t find it in The Lady From Burma, at least not until all the seemingly disparate threads are brought together and their connections are revealed. The premise is sad, but genius: Mrs. Remagen’s tragic story, singular and original, launches Gwen and Iris’s latest mission. For missions they are, Gwen and Iris aren’t about finding the “answer” to a mystery-puzzle. Like their matchmaking business, which heals hearts too long neglected during war, their involvement in murder investigations is about bringing justice, redressing wrong, and finding peace for those left in a murder’s wake. Certainly, whether finding matches, finding murderers, or finding lovers, Gwen and Iris’s own lives are anything but peaceful. Much to the reader’s pleasure.

In this particular case, their lives are embroiled in Mrs. Remagen’s sad story. The war too is ever present: how it has touched the lives of everyone, how it has changed them, and how difficult it is to reestablish normality and peace of mind. Sparks’s intelligence service past makes her flippantly vulnerable, full of cynical, uncaring bravado, which is, as these cases prove, not true at all. Gwen is mourning her husband, Ronnie, whose loss caused her to suffer a mental collapse and has put her freedom and assets under the “conservator”, a thread established in book 1 and continued in subsequent volumes.

In society’s eyes, Gwen and Iris are mad, bad, and dangerous to know (to borrow from Lady Caroline Lamb). In actuality and for those who know and love them (my favourites, Gwen’s butler Percival and Iris’s friend, Salvatore “Sally” Danielli), they are piercingly intelligent, capable of great love and loyalty, and life-savers. They can’t save Mrs. Remagen, and couldn’t have even if she wasn’t murdered, but they can help a great new character, PC Hugh Quinton, find her murderer. More than the sleuthing and various love interests, Sparks and Bainbridge are about friendship. How they help and support each other; their banter and affection, their understanding of how the war broke them and what the other needs to heal, are what make this a great series. In this particular volume, it looks like there are new horizons for Gwen and Iris and I can’t wait for their next match-making, sleuthing mission. Miss Austen would have loved Montclair’s vulnerable, sharp woman. With her, we agree The Lady From Burma possesses “no charm equal to tenderness of heart,” Emma.

Allison Montclair’s The Lady From Burma is published by Minotaur Books. It was released on July 25th. (If you haven’t read the previous volumes, start at the beginning and make your way to The Lady From Burma. You would enjoy the overarching narrative ARC that makes Sparks and Bainbridge who they are.) Please note I received an e-ARC from Minotaur Books, via Netgalley, for the purpose of writing this review. This does not impede the free expression of my opinion.

Pub Day Book Feature: A Lady From Burma 🌺

⁉️: Do you enjoy the genre of historical fiction?

Post-WorldWar II fiction and memoirs often tend to be difficult to read, because of the stories that they share. Set in London, two unlikely novels partners have undertaken an interesting business venture - The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Miss Iris Sparks and Gwendolyn Bainbridge, a war widow to a young son with roots to a complicated aristocratic family. Most families are trying to reimagine their lives in post-war era.

One day, A happily married woman has come to them to find a new wife for her husband. Dying of cancer, she wants the two to make sure her entomologist, academic husband finds someone new once she passes.

Shortly thereafter, she's found dead in Epping Forest, in what appears to be a suicide. But that doesn't make sense to either Sparks or Bainbridge. At the same time, Bainbridge is attempting to regain legal control of her life, opposed by the conservator who has been managing her assets - perhaps not always in her best interest. When that conservator is found dead, Bainbridge herself is one of the prime suspects. Attempting to make sense of two deaths at once, to protect themselves and their clients, the redoubtable owners of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau are once again on the case.

Thank you @minotaur_books and Allison Montclair for the gifted copy!

#TheLadyFromBurma #AllisonMontclair #HistoricalFiction #MinotaurBooks

Gwendolyn and Iris own a marriage agency. They have been hired by Mrs Adela to find her husband a new wife. Mrs. Adela is dying of cancer and she wants her husband to have someone to take care of him after her death. But, when Mrs. Adela is found dead in Epping Forest of an apparent suicide, the clues do not add up!

I loved these two ladies. Not only are they witty, they are great friends to each other, not just work partners. I was captivated with Gwendolyn and her plight. It seems Gwendolyn has been in a sanitarium and she is trying to dissolve her conservatorship and boy is this a process. I have not read any of the books in this series. It is not necessary that you do so, BUT…the sanitarium story is something I must go back and find out!

I enjoyed how this mystery unfolded. It is not at all what I expected when I picked this book up. This would be a perfect read for by the pool or on the beach.

Need a good, Agatha Christie like mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest opinion.

This is the fifty novel in a series of mysteries. Set in the UK in the post WWII era, the protagonists are two women who have set up a matchmaking business. The backgrounds of the two protagonists are interesting; one is an aristocrat, and the other served in the SOE during the war.

In this particular book, a woman comes into the matchmaking agency seeking after receiving a diagnosis of a terminal illness. She seeks a new wife to take care of her husband. In the meantime, one of the agency owners has to fight to get control of an estate she holds interest in.

This series was new to me, I found it interesting and will certainly read more in the series.

I didn't realize this was a series but I didn't feel lost.

I enjoyed this book but did find myself skimming paragraphs.

I loved the two female protagonists, Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge. They were well developed and very likeable. They run The Right Sort Marriage Bureau, a matchmaking agency in London at the end of WWII and one day, "The Lady from Burma", walks in and makes an unusual request that sets Iris and Gwen on a course to uncover a murder.

The pacing was for the most part on point. I did get a bit bored in parts so perhaps the pacing (for me) could have been a bit faster.

I would read another book in this series as I loved the two main characters

The Lady from Burma is the fifth book in the Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery series by Allison Montclair. This is one of the best historical mystery series ever! I've read a lot of them lately, so trust me on this. This is the second one I've read; the first was book three. I had no problem following along without having read all previous volumes, as the mystery in each stands alone. I desperately want to read all that I missed. (I am attempting to lower the mountainous stack of my TBR pile first; if it falls over it will kill me!)

In the immediate aftermath of World War II, the co-proprietors of The Right Sort Marriage Bureau are working hard to build up their business. Miss Iris Sparks worked in British Intelligence during the war, and Mrs. Gwen Bainbridge is a war widow who has a complicated home life and has a conservator in charge of managing her assets (due to her time in a mental hospital after the death of her beloved husband Ronnie). They seem to be an odd pairing of business partners and friends, but it works. A happily married woman comes in for their services, but not for herself; she is dying of cancer, and she wants to make sure her entomologist, academic husband has someone new after she dies. Not long after she is found in a forest, dead, and it appears to have been suicide. Sparks and Bainbridge, however, don't believe it was; and as they tend to do, they begin investigating her death. During this same time, Gwen is attempting to regain legal control over her life, but she's having trouble with the conservator who has been managing her assets, and apparently not in her best interests. When the conservator is found dead, Gwen is one of the prime suspects. Two cases to investigate at once? Not a problem for The Right Sort Marriage Bureau!

The mysteries in this series are extremely entertaining, but it's the incredible characters who make this series such a joy! Iris Sparks is one tough cookie. How tough is she? She dates a mobster! Though she doesn't talk about it, she worked for British Intelligence during the war. Who knew her experience would help in a marriage bureau?! She has contacts and resources that most police forces don't have, so that helps when they fall into murder investigations. It's obvious she cares about Gwen and has sympathy for the horrible experiences the woman went through, but she doesn't coddle her; she's kind, but she can show tough love. Gwen is a very complex character. She attempted suicide when her husband was killed in the war, and she was placed in an institution. There was another suicide attempt later. She lost her freedom, control of her assets and custody of her son. Though she's been through the wringer, it's obvious she's no marshmallow, either. She is now trying to regain custody of her son from her sometimes-odious father-in-law, regain control of her assets from her conservator and take her place on the family's Board of Directors. The conservator is not making things easy for her, and it becomes clear why later. The first investigation into the death of the wife with cancer is hard enough, but when Gwen is suspected of murder things go from bad to worse. Are the cases connected? There are some wonderful supporting characters in this series. Iris's mob boyfriend Archie is attempting to take things further in their relationship, but Iris isn't sure if that's what she wants to do. Gwen's beau Sally (Salvatore Danielli) is crazy about her, but there don't seem to be sparks between them. I love Constable Hugh Quinton, a (I believe) new character who is investigating the first death. The mystery(ies) here are really intriguing and will have you guessing the entire time. I adore this series because the stories tug on your emotions: I run the gamut from shocked, on the verge of tears or laughing out loud from the dialogue between Iris and Gwen. This is a great series, and I can't wait to see what Iris and Gwen get up to next!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The Lady from Burma is sure to be one of my top reads ;for this year. From the first pages I was drawn in to the characters and the story, Though there are other books in the series, I didn't feel like I was missing anything.
There are several different plot lines going through the book, and Montclair navigated all of them seamlessly and brought them all together quite believably.
The setting in post WW1 London was drawn well and I was particularly fascinated by the workings of the Court of Lunacy-- what a great name! Highly recommended for readers of crime fiction, historical fiction, and novels with strong women characters.

I love, love love this series. I will forever be rooting for Ms. Sparks and Mrs. Bainbridge. They always find themselves in the middle of a murder (or two!) and always manage to make their way out. The character development for this one was top notch and I can't wait to see what these ladies get up to next!

I love the Right Sort Marriage Agency! Mrs. Bainbridge and Iris are two strong-minded and determined women in a time where women were meant to be meek and unassuming. They are ahead of their time and know it.

In this story, Mrs. Bainbridge is finally getting her day in court to clear her name, that is , if nothing stops it. Enter the lady from Burma with a strange request, yet somehow sweet and thoughtful. From there you embark on a journey that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat wondering what's going to happen next.

Recommended!!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review “The Lady from Burma.” All opinions and comments are my own.

That prologue can’t bode well for The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. And the proprietors of said bureau, Iris Sparks and Gwendolyn Bainbridge, really don’t need any trouble. This being the fifth book in the post-WWII historical mystery series, they’ve seen their share. So, what’s in store for our two stalwarts in “The Lady from Burma?” Allison Montclair makes sure you won’t be disappointed.

Before I get started, must mention one thing. The section, in Chapter Two in which Gwen tells a client that suicide is unacceptable, contains some of the most beautiful and hopeful words you might ever read. It’s passages like that that make reading such a wonderful endeavor.

There’s so much going on in this one, you’ll need to pay attention. The title case, which seems rather straightforward -- but odd; you’ll see -- takes an evil turn. Gwen’s “I’m no longer crazy” case is finally coming up for its final hearing; can we hope that everything will work out for our girl? Gentle reader, what do you think? And one mustn’t forget the romantic life of our two lovelies; lots going on there, too. There’s even a new policeman on the case for a while, a rather nice fellow. Wouldn’t mind seeing him crop up in another future book somehow.

Everything gets wrapped up, including bringing to justice some rather despicable people. Life goes on -- brighter, perhaps. Gwen makes her final goodbye to Ronnie, another moving scene. Things are definitely looking up. And the Bureau actually has some work to do, although surprises abound there. Can we dare hope that things might settle down for Iris and Gwen? Probably not, I expect that author Allison Montclair has other plans. There’s always another wrong to right.

Lady Gwen Bainbridge, an aristocrat, and Iris Sparks, who served with Intelligence during WWII, are the proprietors of a marriage bureau. Their usual clients are young women looking for a husband. When Mrs. Remagen arrives, she is looking for her husband’s next wife. She is dying, but wants him to have someone to care for him. Shortly after signing a contract with them she is found dead. It is ruled a suicide but a sharp young constable believes it was murder. Gwen and Iris have been involved with investigations in the past and Iris offers the constable assistance.

Gwen suffered a breakdown after the death of her husband. She has had a conservator approved by the Lunacy Court to handle all of her affairs. She has now petitioned the court to declare her sane and return control of her life back to her. Parsons, her conservator, challenges her petition. When he is later found dead, Gwen becomes the prime suspect. She has no choice but to find his killer if she wants to succeed in her court case. Two murders and the discovery of embezzlement once more put Gwen and Iris in danger. These two women have the ability to read people and discover clues overlooked by the authorities that makes them a force to reckon with. Fans of Agatha Christie will delight in this latest entry in Allison Montclair’s series. I would like to thank NetGalley for providing this book for my review.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher, but all thoughts and expressions expressed are my own. The Lady from Burma is the latest title featuring the Right Sort Marriage Bureau and its proprietors Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge and Miss Iris Sparks. This book can be read as a standalone, but I think most readers would appreciate reading the series from the beginning; this series is awesome so go read the previous titles now and come back for this one! The latest client in this title is Mrs. Ramagen who is dying and wants to pre-pay for the Right Sort to match her beloved husband with a someone after her death and he is ready. When she turns up dead (and not from natural causes), Iris and Gwen find themselves once again involved in a murder investigation. The timing couldn't be worse for Gwen as she is so close to having the guardianship over her removed, provided she can convince the court that she is sane. Iris is dealing with her own past as well as trying to do everything within her power to support Gwen.

I love the friendship between Gwen and Iris even though they are so different. They are always there to support each other even when that might mean some tough love. Supporting characters are well done, especially the lovable Sally. The mystery in this one is especially well done and kept me entertained and guessing until the end. I'm a huge fan and think this series just keeps getting better.

I had been hesitant to read this series because I thought that the idea of a wedding service (matching up people to get married) was an unlikely premise for a cozy series. I am happy to announce I was wrong. It works.

It is set in post WWII London, where two unlikely partners (business that is), Iris Sparks, single and with a mysterious past in British intelligence, and Gwendolyn Bainbridge, war widow and single mother to a son whose ties to an aristocratic family are complicated, match people looking for a new start in their much changed world. Their newest client is different than most: she is looking for a new wife for her husband! She is dying from cancer and wants to help him move on. But when she is discovered dead of an apparent suicide, the pair think something fishy is going on.

Meanwhile, Bainbridge is attempting to regain control of her life, particularly against the conservator who may not be managing her financial assets in her best interests. When the conservator is murdered, Bainbridge is the main suspect and once again the pair must delve into detective work to save their business and maybe their lives....

I like the friendship and working relationship between Bainbridge and Sparks. They support and challenge each other as they attempt to get on with life after the war. The author does a good job of painting a picture of post-WWII London that still suffers from restrictions and rationing and the difficulties of carrying on.

The mystery is a bit complicated but it definitely holds your interest. I look forward to reading more of Sparks and Bainbridge.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Sparks and Bainbridge…welcome back! Readers are in for a treat in this fifth entry in a most enjoyable historical mystery series. It may be best to read this books in order but readers will be okay if they just begin where they want. Enough information is given to ground the reader.

Who are these women? Iris Sparks is pretty sparky. For one thing, she is dating a gangster. Gwendolyn Bainbridge is a widow and mother who was declared mentally incompetent but is making her way back to full control of her life as the story opens.

These two run a marriage bureau in post war England. Their work often leads to their involvement in murders.

A main plot in this book centers on a client who comes in to look for a second wife for her husband as she is dying of an illness…but will her actual death be a natural one? Readers will turn the pages as the case is solved.

Mrs. Remagen’s husband/widower is a unique character. An entomologist, hewants to return to the field. Miraculously, a good match is found for him but will it go forward?

Over the course of the novel, readers also deepen their understanding of Sparks and Bainbridge. This adds to the reader’s enjoyment.

I very much liked this entry in the series and already can’t wait for what comes next!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

I'm loving this series so much! Each book seems to get better and better and I love that all the characters keep coming back in the next book. In this book, a woman comes in to sign up to get her husband a new wife because she's ill and she wants to make sure he's taken care of in the future. When she turns up dead, Iris and Gwen get involved to try and figure out who killed her, getting in some trouble of their own along the way. During all of this Gwen is trying to get through some court issues in the quest to get custody of her son back from the in-laws. Great entertaining story and I can't wait for the next in the series!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.