THE BENEVOLENT SOCIETY OF ILL-MANNERED LADIES was such a fun historical mystery! I loved the strong female leads, with all their wit and banter.

Lady Augusta and Lady Julia are twin sisters, in their forties, are considered spinsters of their time. They’re bored with society and find themselves in the position to help women in need.

WHAT TO EXPECT
-cozy Regency mystery
-themes of strong women, fighting the patriarchy
-fast paced
-adventurous story

*many thanks to Berkley, PRH audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy

I am always on the hunt for mysteries that are new and exciting and when I had the opportunity to read this new series featuring two middle-aged “spinster” sisters, Gus and Julia and who just seem to find themselves drawn to murder and intrigue without really even asking for it. When the sisters help a friend with getting out of a nasty blackmail scheme unscathed, the friend is soon singing their praises to all of London’s fashionable set. When the sisters are asked to rescue an abused wife from her noble and terrifying husband, they embark on the adventure traveling by carriage to rescue the fair maiden. The sisters are held up at gunpoint by a pair of highwaymen, and when Gus accidently shoots one of the highwaymen, she is startled to learn that she has just injured Lord Evan Belford.

Lord Belford has an interesting past. He was arrested for murder and then he was commuted to Australia to serve out his sentence there. He escaped and has been on the run for the past twenty years and now has suddenly turned back up on English soil trying to rob two travelling ladies. Gus and Julia aren’t sure how to handle their newly injured companion and set out to continue on their task as planned with him along for the ride. Lord Belford soon proves to be an formidable ally and the sisters embark on several more investigations throughout the book.

This book was a refreshing debut in what promises to be a historical mystery series to watch in the future. This series features two older sisters who have been through the societal marriage market, but who did not find marriage as expected. They have come to accept their lives and depend greatly on each other. These sisters are not the typically mystery novel heroines that we readers see in most historical mystery series and that makes these characters refreshing. Think Jane Austen meets murder mysteries and intrigue at every corner. I found this book hard to put down and enjoyed the fact that the author created several little mysteries in one book instead of one continuous mystery. That was also a neat little surprise that made this book a lot of fun to read.

Overall Rating: 4.5 stars
Author: Alison Goodman

Series: The Ill-Mannered Ladies #1

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: May 30, 2023

Pages: 460

Genre: Historical Mystery

Get It: Amazon

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the publisher, through NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review. I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.

When you want historical fiction with a pinch of self-awareness and a spine along with the pretty dresses and societal rules of pining. Lovely read!

This was maybe longer than it needed to be, but I really enjoyed it and will expectantly waiting on the next book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

This was really fun. I would read the next book in the series and hope it won't be too long before it's out. I loved the cover. I would purchase this for my library.

For all who have sadly missed the genuine flavour of Regency era novels, this is a must read! I had all but given up on finding anything new and had resigned myself to re-reading my old favourites rather than subjecting myself to any more idiocy and was delightfully surprised to find a new addition to my favourites.

Review (#giftedbook): The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies
This story was both awesome and infuriating. Awesome because I love historical mysteries featuring badass female characters sticking it to "the man"...but infuriating because this is Regency England, MC Lady Augusta is a 42-year-old "spinster," and men are the WORST. Special mention goes to Lady Augusta's (and her twin, Lady Julia's) brother, whom I hate with a fiery passion. FIERY PASSION.

This novel is broken up into three separate "cases" that have some interrelatedness. While I obviously don't have a complete understanding of Augusta's (Gus's) situation, I empathized with her need to be more than people think she is, and to make the world a better place for women. Insert an intriguing romantic interest and lots of action, and you have a lovely, layered novel that definitely sets up for another book.

I only read a sample, but it was intriguing.
The 2 sisters had a very good dialogue. Going back-and-forth into their backstory. The end diverse seemed very challenging, as is their position in society. I'd want to read the book to see which sister gets her love story first and if it has anything to do with the earl Duffy as they call him.

Thank you so much for the excerpt!

What a TREAT! A spunky older spinster main character who decides to use her overlooked status to the advantage of people who need help-- first, a friend being blackmailed by her ex-lover, then a young girl (whoops! a group of girls) stolen into prostitution, then a young woman (whoops!again! a house-ful of women!) legally but unethically held in a mental institution, and-- throughout and on the horizon-- her love-interest disgraced peer who was framed for murder, sentenced to Australia, and who has since escaped custody, worked as a seaman, and was undertaking a bit of highway robbery before their first encounter. Readers will appreciate the secondary characters who bring some natural-feeling diversity to the story-- the MC's twin sister is neurodiverse (eidetic memory) and ill (cancer); the rescued sister of the love interest is queer (we also meet her partner, and a second side character is also gay-- we're likely to see a lot of him in the next novel); and a prominent character is the family butler, a formerly-enslaved Black man. These identities don't feel out of place or shoe-horned in or forced, and they bring a lovely depth to a story that could have tried to get away with a very white, very upper-class setting.

Not quite 5 stars for me, because some sections felt very blocky. It's not necessarily too busy, just kind of poorly-incorporated. The MC's sister receives a cancer diagnosis early in the book; as both their mother and their aunt (mother's sister) died of cancer, they are both understandably afraid and upset. The MC loses her faith, which is certainly reasonable, but is almost info-dumpy in the intensity of its first appearance in the story. A few other elements also felt poorly-incorporated, for all that they made sense as story elements.

Still, I really had fun with this and I wish the second one was available now! (Sadly, there isn't even a title announced on the author's website yet.) This would be a great recommendation for readers who liked the older protagonists of [book:Killers of a Certain Age|60149532], or anyone who likes historical fiction with one or more overlaps with romance, mystery, and/or adventure.

eARC from NetGalley.

Regency Era? Yep
A damsel living life on her terms? Yep
A roguish exile? Yep.
A very enjoyable read - an old maid protecting women, while fighting for the truth of an accused and exiled Lord. Could not wish for more!

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies, with its catchy title and witty heroines, was a gem! It was better than I expected, keeping me up late at night as the Colebrook twins became embroiled in dangerous adventures that highlighted their smarts and feminist views.

Lady Augusta and Lady Julia are two "spinster" twin sisters who, at the mature age of forty-two, are bored with high society and are too smart to sit back and do nothing when opportunities present themselves to help out women disadvantaged by their position or status. I love historical fiction with women who are ahead of their time. The sisters perform daring rescues, but the one that takes place in an insane asylum, as they were called back then, was an eye-opening read, as the author does not spare us the abhorrent treatment of its patients.

There is much to like about this novel. First off, it's witty, with a clever plot and memorable characters. There's a bit of romance too. It's well written with never a dull moment. And it's fun for a change to have the heroines be of a more mature age.

This first book in the series starring the Colebrooke sisters is off to a fantastic start. Don't let the page count deter you. I raced through this one and it turned out to be one of my best reads this year. If you like entertaining historical fiction with worthy themes, adventure, mystery, and heart-pounding rescues, you will love this book.

Lady Augusta Colebrook and her twin sister, Lady Julia, are 42 years old (Lady Augusta is the elder, by 15 minutes). Julia has lost her beloved fiance, Robert, in a hunting accident and she still mourns him. She also have breast cancer, which is, of course, a death sentence in 1815 London. While on their way to visit a friend, they are accosted by a highwayman that Augusta shoots. Augusta and Julia quickly learn the wounded man in Lord Evan Belford, who was convicted of murder 20 years ago and transported to Australia. Augusta becomes convinced that Lord Evan was wrongly convicted and she decides to investigate what happened. Meanwhile, she and her sister have decided to assist women who are in untenable situations rather than sit by the fire and embroider as other spinsters might do. Lord Evan becomes Augusta's reluctant co-conspirator. But then Evan and Augusta must rescue Evan's younger sister from a madhouse. A fun read, recommended.

This is a fun regency story. I’m used to reading regency romance but this regency mystery was a fun change. This is book one in a new series and I’m excited to continue. At the age of 42 Augusta is considered a spinster. I’m nearing the age of 42 in a few months and this poor thing is straight up considered an old lady in these times. Her twin sister Julia is grieving the death of her betrothed and these two need something to take their minds off their circumstances.
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They are on a mission to rescue their friend’s goddaughter from a violent husband. I don’t ever like to give too much away in a mystery but this is a great old fashioned mystery!
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I’m excited for book 2!
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Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Lady Augusta and her twin sister Julia, find themselves helping their acquaintance out of a sticky situation which leads to more requests for help. At 42, the sisters are considered old maids, which they use to their advantage to help women and girls. The book is split into three main cases, ranging from saving a women from being killed by her husband, to rescuing girls who had been trafficked to a brothel, to freeing women who had been committed to a madhouse. The running theme throughout the book is also about the sister's autonomy and their precarious relationship with their brother. Overall, a well-written Regency mystery featuring two sisters of means who are dealing with the issues of the times and navigating them to the best of their ability to help other women.

This book was very different from the normal Regency mystery or romance. The characters, in their 40s, are considered old and unimportant. This is certainly a true assessment of the times. Issues such as women's illnesses and the plight of women at the hand's of men make this a very different tale. The main characters are twin sisters who, though financially independent are subject to the will and whims of their brother who, in my opinion, is a man of his times and not very nice. The sisters launch into a series of rescues helping friends and those less fortunate then themselves. Along the way they enlist the help of a fugitive member of the nobility who himself, needs their assistance. This is the first of a new series and I look forward to more installments.

Absolutely delightful. It’s a relief to encounter characters that can relate to, even if I know some of their opinions may be anachronistic. But then again, there must have been forward thinking people back then, just like now. Anyway, I’m very excited to continue the series as it develops!

What a great book! Regency era with elements of romance but not a typical romance. Elements of mystery but not a mystery! A fun Read with plenty of adventure. Twin sisters that help out a friend and discovery they have a knack for getting in and out of trouble. Oh, and they are 42! Main characters are never over 30!

This is such a detour for Alison Goodman, and I'm so glad it's here. This tells the tale of the two spinster sisters of wealth and standing who decide to start helping women who can't help themselves. While they end up in dangerous situations, they have to use thier wits, bravery, and society upbringing to get them out of trouble. There's a fabulous love interest, and the Regancy setting is always a delight. I'm so happy there will be a sequel. Highly recommended.

Don’t let the cute cover fool you, this Regency mystery delves into some pretty dark underbellies of English history. Imagine an Anne Perry mystery with a darling cover and you have an apt comparison. Through the eyes of Lady Augusta Colebrook or “Gus” as her loved ones call her, some of the worst degradations against women are revealed. She and her twin sister are called upon to solve three different mysteries with the help of Lord Evan Belford who is currently on the run after being charged with murder and exiled.

The first mystery involves a lady who’s being blackmailed. The blackmailer was once her lover, but now threatens to expose her through the letters she’s written to him unless she pays him off. Augusta and Julia attempt to retrieve the letters and stop the blackmailer.

The second mystery is perhaps the most heinous and involves child trafficking. “Gus” enlists the help of Lord Belford to break into a brothel and rescue a little girl who’s been kidnapped. While there, they notice other young girls and attempt to rescue them risking their lives.

In the third mystery, Augusta accepts a desperate plea from Lord Belford to help him rescue his sister who’s been wrongly imprisoned in an asylum. The two pose undercover and go to work in the asylum as husband and wife. What they discover is enough to turn the strongest stomach. However, Evan has a Bow Street runner after him as well as a bounty hunter. Though Gus believes him innocent, she fears for his safety. It’s a fast-paced, nail-biting conclusion as they try to extract Evan’s sister and evade capture.

“Gus” is a complicated character. She’s very much a feminist, extremely sarcastic, and strong willed. Circumstances involving her father, twin, and spoiled younger brother have made her somewhat bitter and agnostic. When she meets Lord Evan, she immediately falls for the dashing man who understands and respects her. Her twin Julia is the calm to Gus’ storm who goes from being peaceable and unruffled to a force to be reckoned with.

I listened to the audiobook version and thoroughly enjoyed the narrator. She has the perfect voice for this book and really brings out the personalities of each character. I liked the way she voiced both male and female characters.

Despite the dark and depressing circumstances of the book, there are some humorous moments and a hint of romance. However, for the most part, it deals with some intense, tawdry subjects some readers might find difficult to read about. There are mentions of cancer including descriptions of surgery, incidences of violence, some profanity, and innuendo. I’d probably rate this PG-13. If you are a fan of historical mysteries and don’t mind delving into darker subjects, you might enjoy this. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher but also purchased the audiobook. All opinions are my own and freely given. 3 1/2 stars

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies is immersive feminist historical fiction set in Regency London that revolves around two unmarried twin sisters in their forties who gets involved in a series of rescue adventures that saves women and children from a dangerous and life-threatening situations.

I absolutely love this book and I already want to read the next books in the series. Writing is engaging, emotive, fast-paced and thrilling with enough tension and drama. The story is told from Augusta’s perspective. I loved the format of the book dividing the story into three parts for three different cases and adventures in order starting in June 1812 along with the base storyline of Augusta and her twin sister Julia’s life.

Augusta is my most favorite character. She sure will be on my favorite kick-ass heroines list. She is fiery, strong, brave, and independent woman with adventurous spirit who refused to conform to society’s norms and ideas of how unmarried women of her age should do and should behave. She is logical, and compassionate, with abundance of self-respect and has no patience or tolerance for nonsense. I was amazed by her quick thinking and courageous nature. She improvised a lot in all cases and I’m surprised how all her plans worked out in each case.

It was great to know more about her relationship with her dead father. Her love for Julia and fear of losing her to cancer like their mother and grandmother is touching.

Julia is the polar opposite of Augusta. She always sees a better and brighter side, is quick to forgive, and rarely gets enraged, and follows Augusta wherever she goes and whatever she does. Their sisterly and twin bond was amazing and nothing could break it. They face everything together. It was sad to see Julia suffering from early-stage of breast cancer. I admired her for supporting Augusta and following her in all the cases even with her poor physical health.

Lord Evan was my second favorite. He is smart and charming highwayman. He appears dishonorable but we soon can see he still is honorable gentleman that he was before he was convicted for murder and was stripped of his to-be-title of marquess. I was curious to know more about him, it was clear he wasn’t the person who would murder anyone but that mystery remains unsolved in this book (I can’t wait to read that in next book). However, we get into the mystery of why he absconded in the third case.

Reading situations of all women in this era makes me think, how they could even live or how they lived was really living, how men could sleep and wander in society after such horrible acts. It makes me grateful for being born in today’s world and admire all strong female historical figures even more who could achieve and do more with their limited options or I should say with no options.

There are many themes and layers that included – women’s position in this era, how little law and religion supported women, patriarchal society, social casts, superstitions, child trafficking, horrible conditions in asylums, women’s maltreatment in the madhouse, misogyny, and many other things. Early 1800s movements, asylum reforms, politics, laws, and medical treatments are also included. It was interesting to read in the author’s note what real historical figures and situations appears in the novel.

But even with such darker themes and topics there are many uplifting and lovely moments. I enjoyed banter between the characters. It feels good to see both Augusta and Julia, who were in their spinsterhood in the beginning, found love at the end who admired them for who they are.

Overall, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies is fast-paced, immersive, emotive, and adventurous feminist historical fiction. This is absolute perfection. I hope the author writes the next books in the series fast and I get to read them.