The Right Sort of Man by Allison Montclair is an absolute gem of a historical mystery. Set in post-World War II London, the story follows the clever and mismatched duo of Iris Sparks and Gwendolyn Bainbridge, co-owners of The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Their matchmaking business takes a dark turn when one of their clients is murdered, and the two women find themselves drawn into the investigation to clear their agency’s name.

Montclair masterfully blends humor, intrigue, and a richly detailed setting. Iris and Gwen are brilliantly written—sharp, witty, and full of personality. Their contrasting backgrounds and strengths make their partnership a joy to follow, and their banter is as entertaining as the mystery itself. The post-war setting adds depth and atmosphere, capturing the struggles and resilience of a society rebuilding itself.

The mystery is engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing, but it’s the characters and their dynamic that truly make this book shine. I didn’t want the story to end and can’t wait to see what comes next for Iris and Gwen.

If you love historical mysteries with strong female leads, clever dialogue, and a touch of humor, The Right Sort of Man is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was a good one especially if you like WW2-era books. Even through its about match-making husbands, this was a great read. It is an old-fashioned mystery with a murder twist that was enjoyable to read. I truly enjoyed reading even though I don't generally read books set that far back in the past. It was a great read and Allison wrote very beautifully.

Reader beware: loss, trauma, mental health issues, alcoholism (mostly off page), and more threat of violence than actual violence. One of the protagonists is having an affair with a married man.

The Right Sort of Man, by Allison Montclair

This novel is a cozy mystery, a story about friendship and found family, and a ballad (almost an elegy) about living on after a loss. It’s London, summer of 1946. The war is over, but hundreds of thousands of British soldiers are dead, as are tens of thousands of civilians. The Blitz obliterated dozens of thousands of buildings and damaged over ten times as many.

Unlike the US, resources were are scarce in Britain, and will be for over a dozen years longer; an entire generation will grow up on ration books for everything from bread to clothing.

The novel starts from the point of view of one Tilly La Salle, looking for a respectable relationship in a recently established business in Mayfair, as posh then as ever–yes, even with all the rubble. In short order we are introduced to our heroines, and soon after, we are off to the races.
As we are introduced to Gwen and Iris, they work off each other so seamlessly, quip and wisecrack with such ease and speed, it’s easy to assume they’ve been friends for years. But the illusion is soon broken.

Iris, known to friend and foe equally as Sparks, and Gwen, the very proper widowed Mrs Brainbridge, had only known each other a matter of weeks before pooling their resources to start their marriage bureau–which has been in operation a mere three months.

It’s almost a running joke that Iris can’t talk about what she did during the war years, but through her good offices The Right Sort has useful contacts in all sorts of interesting places. As for Gwen…well, Gwen’s instincts about people are positively uncanny.

These two women are indeed kindred spirits, but each holds secrets–some even from themselves. And because they don’t really know that much about each other’s past, even as they know each other, sometimes they’ll cross a line inadvertently. So sometimes they talk, touch a nerve and have to back off to less tender territory, and sometimes they just weave in and out from the personal/difficult/delicate, back to ‘the case’.

Their voices are very distinctive, both with each other and in their internal dialogue.

And both of them broke my heart in different ways.

Iris, with her regrets and her guilt, working desperately to hope, struggling to disentangle herself from a past that won’t quite let her go. Gwen, who loved so completely the loss almost broke her, clawing her way back to autonomy and normalcy.

We learn soon that Gwen and her young son Ronnie live with her late husband’s parents; her mother-in-law drinks, and is coldly cruel, while her father-in-law is somewhere in Africa at the moment. Eventually, we also learn that Gwen’s living arrangements are not by choice, but her only legal recourse to participate in her son’s life.

Because Gwen had a mental breakdown upon receiving news of her husband’s death, and was committed to a sanitarium for several months. During which time, her in-laws were granted legal custody of Ronnie and, basically, control of the money left to Gwen by her husband.

Among other things, Gwen is forced to see a psychiatrist, Dr Milford–whom I was predisposed to despise (see footnote 1). I was deeply relieved to find out that he’s on Gwen’s side, even if it’s her in-laws footing the bill.

I was also grateful to see mental health treated with respect, while hewing to the notions of the time.

For her part, Iris is haunted by memories of her war service, both the comrades she lost and the things she did in the name of her country. Some of this we learn during the course of this book, but a lot more is hinted at (hopefully to be revealed later on).

As the novel starts, Iris is having an affair with a married man; not so much because she loves him, but because she’s unapologetically sexual, and hey, it’s better than drinking as a coping mechanism. Or at least, slightly less self-destructive (see footnote 2).

And then, wouldn’t you know it, the man she actually loves, and who is engaged to someone else, walks into the office, and back into her life.

And through this all, Gwen and Iris work to save an innocent man, incidentally also helping Scotland Yard in a different matter.

Originally, this novel was marketed as a debut, but I’ve since learned that it’s only a debut under this pseudonym, which makes a lot of sense, because the writing is very polished and, well, mature, throughout (see footnote 3). The characterizations are very deft, down to some characters who are barely on the page.

The language is delicious:

“There were two desks in front of her on either side of a single window. They looked like they themselves had served during the war, perhaps seeing combat in some skirmish against German furniture, and now sat battered but unbowed, the one on the left jammed against the wall for partial support, a book stuffed under one leg which was noticeably shorter than the others….There was an ancient filing cabinet in the corner that could have told tales from previous wars to the two desks.” (kindle location 72)

The descriptions are generally economic, while conveying so much about character. For example:

“Fate lurched through the door in the form of a corpulent man in his early forties, his hand dabbing at his face with a handkerchief that had been in use far too long without laundering.” (kindle location 1140)

The plotting is very good, with enough twists and well-executed turns to please any mystery reader. There’s enough historical detail to anchor the story seamlessly to time and place, and the cast of supporting characters is great, from Sally (the hulking “collections” man who’s sweeter than a teddy bear), down to six year old Ronnie, who is a child being a child, and the farthest thing from a plot moppet possible.

I started this book late in the evening on a weekday, and read it in one go, it’s that good; and the writing is so good, that I had to force myself not to start the next book in the series then and there.

The Right Sort of Man gets a 9.50 out of 10, and I’m reading A Royal Affair over the weekend, come what may.

* * * *

1 It’s rarely a good match when someone else does the choosing of a mental health professional.

2 Generally, I have issues with characters having affairs with people they know are married (being the one cheated on will do that to you). If both of the people married are okay with it (open marriage/polyamory/menage/what have you), then by all means, have at it. Cheating is another thing entirely.

3 Allison Montclair is a nom de plume for Alan Gordon, who also writes the Fools’ Guild Mysteries, set in the early 1600s..

Fans of the newest books on women in Britain during WWII and WWI working as spies or code breakers will like this new series. Sparks & Bainbridge is a mystery series set in a building still standing after the bombing of London during the air raids of WWII.

Miss Iris Sparks and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge run a marriage business. After the war many lost their prospective spouses and are looking to pick up the pieces and move on. How can one be sure they have met a person who is being truly honest about their past.

After making a match for woman she is found murdered and the suspect the police arrested is the man the agency suggested as a match for her. To clear their agency of fault the pair, Spark & Bainbridge, must use their skills to find the real culprit.

Fans of the series Maisy Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear , and Josephine Tey Mysteries by Nicola Upson, will love this new series.

I liked the story itself, but I couldn't picture the events taking place through the writing. That is what I believed lack a bit in the book. the story itself was good, but the writing needed some work

The setting is London, 1946. Gwen Bainbridge has lost her husband to the war, and her six-year-old son to her in-laws. Iris Sparks spent the war doing things she can't talk about now. The two meet at a wedding, hit it off, and decide, perhaps for a lark, to start a marriage bureau. It's beginning to take off when one of their clients is accused of murdering another, and with the reputation of their business and themselves at stake, the two decide to find out who really killed the woman and why.

The characters are very well thought out and I like how they play off of each other. I also enjoyed the story. Parts of the book were a little slow but I know that was needed to set the scene. Overall a good book and I will definitely be reading the next one.

What a fascinating book. I was impressed by the storyline and the characters were all well written and complex. Where there are complex storylines combined with intriguing characters the reader experience is magnified tremendously. To have a book that is well written as well as entertaining is a delight. Reading is about escaping your world and entering another one. The word building was phenomenal in this book. Here I forgot about my own life and was immersed in the world created by the author. I would recommend this book.

My father in law got very sick and my focus was too shattered to try and read. I will likely try again some day when my attention is stronger

i'll give it 3 stars but I couldn't finish it. I am not sure what it was about this book but I couldn't do it. It wasn't grabbing me and the women just felt bubble-headed to me, not to say they were. I gave it 3 stars as it isn't fair to downgrade it because I didn't finish the book but I wouldn't give it higher because what I read wasn't the greatest.

Quirky British Whodunit

What a delightful amateur sleuth mystery! Unlike so many books that are set in the midst of World War II these days, this is set just after it in London, where the mess caused by that war is still being cleaned up, literally. I liked the two heroines, trying to forge a new way for themselves in the postwar world—as matchmakers! Things go south, though, when one of their clients has been murdered—and the prime suspect is one they’d matched to the dead person! So, they want to find the true murderer, saving their company's reputation (hopefully) and their client. The story unfurls a little slowly. This is not a high-action mystery. But, as I do read a variety of cozy and amateur sleuth mysteries, I have found this to be typical of mysteries written by British writers. When I know this is the case, I am happy to just let the story happen as it happens, so to speak, enjoying this little British quirk and not expecting it to have the super-fast paced stories written by Americans. I enjoyed both the large and small character studies that were part of this book. The author did a good job of pulling me into the post-war London world and captured my interest with intriguing characters, both the clients and the proprietors of the matchmaking business. I loved it that this book kept me guessing as to “whodunit.” I read enough mysteries, so that is a rare occurrence. Highly recommended.

Tillie is confused by the directions and lost. There is some reminiscing about time spent with her father. Tillie is trying to shop for a husband since the war is over. I liked Tillie but some of the descriptions of what was going on was boring.

RATING: 4.5 STARS
2019; Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press

I requested The Right Sort of Man foley based on the cover and that it was a historical mystery. OMG, this novel was so great! I loved the main characters, Iris and Gwen, who are trying to recoup after world war II. They decide to go into a business venture in the heart of Mayfair—The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Iris is single and Gwen is a widow with a young son. Things are going relatively well until one of their client's is murdered. The two decide to investigate the murder, but soon find themselves facing danger. What I loved about this historical mystery is that Montclair balances humour with the drama. It also gives me vibes of classic movies from the 1940s. I could picture actors from that era in each character. The background stories of Iris and Gwen really adds to the story, especially about their time in the war. I loved this one, and am looking forward to reading the next book. I am already a huge fan with just book one.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge own a marriage dating bureau in London after WWII ends. One of their clients is murdered supposedly by another client. There begins Sparks and Gwen’s investigation into clearing their client‘s name while realizing their own independence. Full of witty and quick banter, the book moved along at nice speed with a cast of characters. Here’s to more Sparks & Bainbridge with a side of Sally.

The Right Sort of Man by Allison Montclair was just an okay read for me. It is the first in the Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery books. This book started pretty slowly for me and never really picked up speed. I kept waiting for something exciting or really interesting to happen and nothing ever did, at least for me. The storyline was just okay, it was not bad. But, there was nothing I thought about when I was not reading. The author gave a good backstory on each character, the book was not badly written, I just never connected with the characters or the storyline.

I really enjoyed this book. These women are witty and independent. It’s a fascinating way that their dating service works. These women made me laugh out loud with some of their quip. It’s easy to read and relaxing even though it does have a mystery element.

THE RIGHT SORT OF MAN by Allison Montclair-set in WWII London investigates the death of one of their clients. Great historical mystery from Minotaur.

First comes love, then comes murder!
A quick and well-paced novel with unexpected twists. Two great heroines in Iris and Gwen! Set in post-WWII London about two women, a former intelligence agent and war widow, who join forces to set up a marriage bureau and what comes is lots of wit and a fantastic plot. I hope to read more Iris and Gwen Adventures!

Received in exchange for a honest review

What I loved most besides the fact that I didn’t expect who was the one behind it all was how these women were independent or at least trying to be. One lost her husband and was rebuilding and trying to show she could do it on her own. One had a mysterious and colorful past that intrigues you and you see her trying to learn to be free of needing men.

Sparks and Bainbridge are a odd pair to be together as partners in a couple match business but their skills help each other do their best work for their clints. Iris is impulsive and less burdened with the responsibilities that society placed on women in that time but also her station didn’t have the societal pressures like Gwendolyn’s did. Gwendolyn had a son to care for and to prove to her husband’s family she could care for. She hadto prove she was better and stable as well. I loved at the end how she stood up for herself and did what she had to to show who she is and has become.

The story was fun,quirky and entertaining. You didn’t know waht these ladies were up to next. They kept you on your toes as they try to get their reputation as matchmakers back and their business on track. The characters around them are just as quirky. Some are dangerous but they are still quirky. The story was one that had you fromthe beginning. You fall in love with the characters and their own journey as well as the mystery they are trying to solve. As they are figuring out who killed Tillie, they unravel an even bigger mess and solve anotehr crime as well. One you don’t expect but kind of see happening.

Watching these two women tackle the murder mstery head on and find their voices and strength to stand up to those who are holding them back was awesome. They have you root from the whole way in this truly entertaining and quirky book.

I really enjoyed reading "The Right Sort of Man" by Allison Montclair. It is the first book in the Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery series and I will be watching for the others. Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge have opened their own business, a marriage bureau designed to match couples together. But one of their clients is killed & the man they matched her with is arrested. This leads the women to start an investigation into the murder. You will learn the backstories of each woman. I felt that the book was well written, and unlike most books, I did not figure out "who dun it" before it was revealed!

Set in London in the years immediately following the end of WWII, The Right Sort of Man introduces Iris Sparks and Gwendolyn Bainbridge who have joined forces to start a marriage bureau. When one of their first clients is found murdered, the publicity threatens to put their fledgeling enterprise out of business.

Chippy single Iris, who was involved in some sort of war work (but due to the Official Secrets Act, we may never know what) and elegant Gwendolyn, a war widow and mother of a young boy, seem at first to be an odd couple. But their talents mesh admirably as they set out to find the murderer and clear the man who police have arrested, another client.

The clever banter and quick pace, as well as a fairly clued mystery that was not overly obvious, make this cozy mystery stand out over the innumerable others that I have enjoyed - but then promptly forgotten. I'm sure to be following up on this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided me with a free digital copy in return for my unbiased review.