Member Reviews

To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano is the 2nd tale in The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series. I suggest reading To Steal a Heart before beginning To Write a Wrong (you will not regret it). Miss Daphne Beekman is an author as well as an agent with the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency. Daphne is an unusual woman for her time period. She is spirited, creative, clever, clumsy, and loyal with a tendency to swoon. Daphne carries a large handbag that holds a multitude of items that tend to come in handy including a pistol. Mr. Herman Henderson comes to the agency late on a Friday night to engage their services. Herman is a published author who is actually Daphne’s competitor. Herman has had four attempts on his life, and he wishes to hire the agency to find out who is behind the attempts. This is the beginning of a humorous, boisterous adventure. I always look forward to Jen Turano’s book because I can count of them to make me laugh. To Write a Wrong did not disappoint. I did find it a little bit of a slow starter. The first scene between Herman and Daphne seemed to go on too long (it felt a little off). I love that Daphne can hold her own. She might swoon on occasion (she is working on it), but Daphne is not a woman to back down. There is a scene with Daphne at her publishers in Boston that shows off her strengths. I could envision the scene and the faces of the men in the room which had me chuckling (the thought of that scene still makes me laugh). To Write a Wrong is a busy book. I liked all the activity and quirky characters. Romance abounds with the ladies as they meet some new gentlemen. Some things never change. Issues women faced then are some of the same problems women face now. The author brought 1887 New York and Boston to life with her vivid writing. To Write a Wrong is a multifaceted, historical novel that is a delight to read. To Write a Wrong is droll historical tale with matchmaking grandmama’s, a pilfering parrot, a concerned cousin, protective relatives, writing woes, and a not so secret non de plume.

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As I always say, cheer up, read a Jen Turano book! Intensely satisfying, madcap entertainment that pulls on your heart strings and keeps you in stitches, in all seriousness. Attempted murder, a new type of case for the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency. And a new type of client, a man. Daphne was in the office typing on her new novel when Herman dashed in for help, even though they were closed. She was not an Agent of the street, but didn't want to lose the case, especially after she became intrigued by his dilemma. Besides, she is a writer and can use new experiences to enrich her books. Herman also is a writer, a well known one whom she respects, so maybe he can help her where she's stuck in her story. But she can't reveal that she writes books, and that she is successful, since she is a woman. Women writers are not accepted in this time, and her pseudonym is well known. There are a lot of things that are not acceptable for women to do, but this agency is dedicated to balancing those wrongs and making women feel safe, giving them the help they need. In typical Jen style the story rolls along at a furious pace. It's hard to find a place to set it down, and in the latter part of the book it's hard to breathe as well, but you have a smile on your face all the while. Whirlwind story that is tongue in cheek for writers. Fantastically loveable characters that are so very real. You'll never be sorry to read a Jen Turano book! Fabulous, satisfying escape.
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. #ToWriteaWrong #NetGalley

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Jen Turano writes adventurous historical romance novels, filled with quirky characters, and sprinkled with a generous dose of humor. To Write a Wrong is the second novel in the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agents series. It could be read as a stand alone, but this story is centered around Daphne, who is introduced and was my absolute favorite character from book one. I would highly recommend reading it as it is one of my favorite Jen Turano stories. In book one, I loved Daphne's quirkiness. She dressed and took on different personas to overcome her anxiety and prevent the swoons she was so susceptible to experience. I could relate. In book two, Daphne's character grows in leaps and bounds, and my favorite things about her changed...I now admired her strength and courage.

I didn't find this book as humorous as the first one, but there are definitely mishaps and much mayhem as the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency takes on their very first attempted murder case. The plot moved along quickly as the mystery unfolds and there are many twists, turns and surprises. It is the perfect light-hearted summer read.

I had really hoped Gabriella and Nicholas (from book one) would have more of a supporting role in this story, but they don't enter the story until the very end. The next novel, To Disguise the Truth will tell Eunice's story, who has been such a mysterious and somewhat frightening character throughout the series. I'm looking forward to reading it!

Fans of Jen Turano or Karen Witemeyer would enjoy this book.

Thank you Bethany House and Net Galley for the free DRC of To Write a Wrong. The opinions expressed here are my own.

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After reading several rather intense books, To Write a Wrong was the perfect break. As usual, Jen Turano provided a great mystery with plenty of comic relief. I as pleased to once again experience her wonderful sense of humor and quirky characters set in the Gilded Age. Turano's writing is not all light hearted though; she does address serious topics, in this case sexual abuse, taking advantage of the vulnerable, and having the courage to stand up for oneself.

I am very grateful to have received a complement copy of To Write a Wrong from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation, and cannot wait for the next installment in the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series. All opinions expressed here are my own.

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Jen Turano once again delivers a lively cast of unique characters in her latest release, To Write A Wrong. Daphne and Herman will keep readers on their toes! This investigation is never short on surprises and humorously shocking antics that come at the most unexpected moments. In my opinion, this book centers more on the characters and their shared interests and relationship than actually solving any kind of mystery, however discoveries are made and all is revealed in the end. This book was light and brimming with humor and is sure to entertain historical rom-com lovers!

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I absolutely love Jen Turano’s books! Why? Laughter, romance and mystery! You will love this book from start to finish! The characters are so well developed and the story will keep you glued to the book! You will laugh out loud no matter where you are!

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This is book two in the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series, however it is a stand alone book. You miss a little history on the Inquiry Agency ladies but you will not be lost. Jen Turano is one of my favorite authors, I love her spunky writing style, filled with humor, mystery and history. I literally laughed out load while reading this historical, mysterious, romance. The entire Bleaker Street Inquiry Agency is full of fun, unique women, I so look forward to getting to know them all more. I loved how even though this series are stand alone type reads, the books will continue to involve everyone, therefore your enjoyment will be magnified by reading them all.

This book lets us get to know Miss Daphne Beekman a little better, she is a mystery writer and inquiry agent. You really never know what she will do next. Trouble seems to always be at her heals, yet she handles them well. Mr. Herman Henderson, is also a mystery writer. When he seeks the help of the Inquiry agency he is certainly not expect all that unfolds.

This book is full of all I have come to expect from Jen Turano and more. I look forward to reading book three. I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.

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I wish I could give this a lot more than five out of five stars. This has been my favorite book that I have read this year. Jen Turano never fails to make me laugh when I really need a good laugh. I love the characters in this series more than any others and that is saying a lot. Daphne is one of my favorite heroines. She thinks she is not very brave but she ends up learning that she really is. She and Herman are wonderful together. I cannot wait to read the third book in this series. I definitely recommend reading this series in order so you know who the minor characters are in the story. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

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Turano's books never fail to delight with her witty characters and sharp dialogue. This clean romance is no exception. Daphne is such a fun character, particularly with her love of words and position as an inquiry agent. This book has a great mix of mystery, revenge, comedy, romance, and realistic issues (including a look at women's rights in the late 1800s). As a writer, I enjoyed the inside look into the struggles writers face, particularly when it comes to plot development. On top of all that, the cover is so charming!

If you're looking for an enjoyable, lighthearted read, this is a book to check out.

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I stayed up till 4:00 this morning reading this book, it was just too good to put down. Right now my husband is out of town, so my laughter through various parts of the book didn't bother anyone but my dog. Jen Turano has a winning series with her Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency books. The first one in this series was reviewed here.

To Write a Wrong can be read as a stand-alone book without losing any of the substance to the plot. Daphne is the mystery writer Montague Moreland and she is working on a deadline, but she can't get her hero, a pirate named Mad Eye Willy, out of the predicament he's in. To try to find inspiration, she dons a pirate's costume and takes the one-eyed dog for a walk to the Bleeker Street office to get the cutlass that goes with the costume. Even though it is after hours, Herman Henderson enters the office while Daphne is still looking for the cutlass. He wants to hire the Inquiry Agency to find out who is trying to kill him.

This book has everything: intrigue, revenge, romance, comedy, slap stick antics, and real-life issues and problems faced by the women of the late 1800s. It also has pictures of the mind of a writer, the struggles writers go through to put words onto paper, and the work that goes into making a plot work. It has to be one of the hardest things writers can do to put plot development into the plots they are crafting.

For a light-hearted read, this is one of the best books I've read in a rom-com genre. Jen Turano never disappoints. Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a closed Inquiry Case.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

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“She was always doing the unexpected, and he couldn’t deny that he found unpredictability to be one the things he enjoyed most about her. “

To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano is a fun-loving mystery with plenty of Jen Turano’s wonderful humor and sweet romance. Daphne, our heroine, is absolutely adorable and probably one of my favorite characters from Jen Turano’s books to date. She is witty and had depth that I appreciated as I read the story. Herman, our hero, is all that a hero should be and I enjoyed the banter between him and Daphne. Since they are both writers there were many great jokes about writers that really added to the story.

It was fun to leave New York for a bit and visit Boston and meet Daphne’s family. The meeting with Daphne’s publisher had me laughing out loud and is worth reading the book for that alone! Jen Turano is able to weave in a deeper story line through humor and talk about real issues facing women then and now.

Jen Turano has once again written a humorous Gilded Age story with laugh out loud scenes, relatable characters, and themes that touched my heart. A fabulous read!

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

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Best. Book. EVER! Every time I read a book by Jen Turano, I am convinced she can't top it, and EVERY time she proves me wrong. I adored this story. Herman and Daphne are fantastically likable characters and the supporting characters helped round out the story nicely. Jen's trademark humor is perfect in the story, her humor is always my favorite element of a Jen Turano story and this one was no exception. All in all, another perfect(for me) read by one of my most beloved authors. Don't miss it!

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It was OK, but it had so much potential. Too much explanation by characters in dialogue. It could have been much better with judicious editing.

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As with all of Jen Turano's books, I laughed throughout the whole book. She is definitely one of my favorite authors. In To Write a Wrong, she combined humor, romance, and a mystery into a plot that had me finding it hard put the book aside to do necessary things such as eating and sleeping. I loved the characters, the plot twists and the humorous incidents that the characters found themselves in. It's a wonderfully fun book that you should read as soon as possible!

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Daphne Beekman is Montague Moreland. Because women were not looked upon favorably as writers in 1887. So by day Daphne is a member of the Beeker Street Inquiry Agency. But by night, she pens mystery books that are best sellers, writing under a pseudonym.

Herman Henderson is well known for writing mysteries set in exotic locations. And is also Daphne's biggest competitor. He comes to the agency as a client, and so begins an adventure where two writers forge ahead with lots danger and romance.

This was a fun book. Turano is known for her witty dialogue. To Write a Wrong is a good clean book, a delightful historical romance. While it is second in a series, it can certainly be read as a stand alone book.

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

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“I would hate to leave her swooning on the front vestibule before she’s had a chance to convince everyone she’s a sophisticated woman of the world.”

I’m loving Jen Turano’s Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency series. I just finished Daphne Beekman’s story in To Write a Wrong and what a treat it was! In true Turano fashion, this book is filled with colorful, engaging characters that charm their way into your heart. Daphne is a writer who is also a member of the Inquiry Agency, although in limited ways.

“I was once pressed into service because I was the only one that fit into a Cleopatra costume.

When she meets Herman Henderson who wants to hire the agency to find out who’s trying to kill him, sparks begin to fly and mayhem starts.

“I fear the lure of an honest-to-goodness murder investigation is too tempting to ignore.”

Turano is a pro at dreaming up ridiculous and fun settings and situations to place her characters in. I adored Daphne and Herman and enjoyed seeing their relationship change and grow. The stellar cast of supporting characters added to the delightful tale, and I loved seeing some of the people from the previous book in the series show up in this one.

“Tell me, though, why do you and your friends prefer talk of sentence structure over poison? Poison would be far more interesting.”

With plenty of action, suspense, a dash of romance, and lots of crazy antics, this book is a great addition to my keeper shelf. I’m looking forward to reading Eunice’s story in the next book of the series. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.

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Jen Turano’s witty and sharp dialogue shine through this clean romance story as one incident after another befalls the heroine, Daphne. She’s determined to solve her newest case while also overcoming writer’s block. Fortunately, she’s lucky enough to have handsome Herman by her side, but he isn’t immune to danger either, nor to being rescued by a female. This book delves into women’s rights in the late 1800s but balances the history with the story well and doesn’t read as a high school history lesson.
Romance-clean/sweet
Violence- mild
Christianese-mild

In the mood for a fun, romantic, page turner with a dose of history—To Write a Wrong is a must-read!

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of Historical Bookworm Review Team.

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TO WRITE A WRONG by JEN TURANO is a rollicking historical romance novel which takes place in New York City in 1887, Underneath the humourous situations and the witty repartee, the serious matter of the abuse of women is addressed. There is also a subtle Christian message.
Daphne Beekman, as co-owner of the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency, is thrilled to be afforded the opportunity of solving an attempted murder case. I love her unusual character, her enthusiasm and her love of words. Being a clandestine author, she is thrilled that her new client, Herman Henderson, is also a well published mystery writer.
All this, together with disguises, Herman's match-making grandmother who is prone to attacks of the vapours, a house full of eligible young ladies and self promoting authors, a Pinkerton agent disguised as a coachman and an assortment of inqujry agents, makes an interesting setting for the intriguing plot. Daphne's propensity for getting into trouble makes for some really hilarious moments.
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
I highly recommend this delightful book as a most enjoyable read and I guarantee you will be kept guessing right to the end.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

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To Write a Wrong was everything I hoped for Daphne's story. Daphne is a writer in an age where women can't write under their names and that creates the need for her to use a pseudonym. She's also an inquiry agent with the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency. Put the two together and give her a client who is her biggest competition in the mystery world, and you have the recipe for a book that was so fun to read. It pokes fun at writers, but never devolves to a treatise on how terrible publishing is. Instead it creates a plot that twists and turns while having a good time and weaving a tale of a sweet romance. Loved it!

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This book was a delight! For avid readers, reading about two people who love words and writing is a treat. It was fun hearing Herman and Daphne talk about characters and word choices. It was sweet when Daphne came to realize what makes a true hero. There’s even a time when a gathering of mystery writers are trying to use the skills their fictional characters have to recognize clues in real life.

Daphne is an awesome woman. She feels she lacks courage but she’s always doing the unexpected and finding her way into adventures. She uses her mystery writer mind to come up with suspects and possible motives. It was fun watching her at work.

Herman is great as well. He is not threatened by Daphne and her mind but delights in it. He enjoys her unpredictability. While claiming he’s not like a hero in his books, he instinctively protects those around him even if it puts himself at risk.

Turano is one of my favorite authors and with books like this it’s easy to see why. The writing style is impeccable and witty. The story flows. The characters feel authentic. There’s a good mystery to be solved with plenty of suspects and motives. It’s a great read. I’d highly recommend it.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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