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.

The Lady from Burma is the fifth book in a series, but I felt it stood strong as a standalone read. I enjoyed the period piece and the ease of the writing by author, Allison Montclair. She was able to describe not only the time period without being overhanded but she did the same for the emotional growth of Iris and Gwendolyn. This one kept me guessing through the end and overall, I really enjoyed reading it.

The Lady from Burma is a captivating period mystery that offers a complex and satisfying reading experience. The author skillfully crafts a cast of characters that I found myself deeply invested in, making me eager to accompany them on their thrilling adventures throughout the series.

This is a #newtomeauthor and series - I cannot wait to read the previous books.
This book offers not only a mystery - also a glimpse into the period as well. Women struggling to build a life of their own while held by society and family.
Well done suspense - I loved these characters!

A really wonderful series 5th book and I have enjoyed each of them.Gwen and Iris are terrific characters who have set up a matchmaking bureau.Each applicant brings their unique problems I’ve been drawn into each one of their lives their issues.Looking forward to the next in series.#netgalley #st.Martins

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this arc.

Let me tell you, the last 90 pages of the story had me hanging on for a “hell for leather” ending. I felt as if I was zipping along on Constable Quinton’s motorcycle with no concern for gas ration coupons. The clues with which Iris and Gwen managed to solve the various murders – and the bodies were really piling up thick and fast – were there. It needed both women putting their individual skills to work to suss through who did what to whom when and why. The plot would zig and zag then put (mainly) Gwen in a worse place causing me to (mentally) bite my nails and (silently) scream, “NO!” Then with each reveal I grinned at the subtlety with which everything was worked into the plot without adding any neon CLUE! signs. It was masterful.

But wait, there’s more! The story is packed with unfolding additions to our knowledge of Gwen and Iris and Sally. Talk about layers of characterization. Iris gets a chance to revisit an old romance and compare this to her relationship with Archie – something she intends to triumphantly announce to Dr. Milford. Gwen faces losing all the momentum in her case to (legally) regain her sanity but reveals a keen mind for business which earns her the growing approbation of her starchy father-in-law. Meanwhile Sally, who has been at Gwen’s feet for a few books, finally gives us a hint of what he did during the war, why he has set Gwen on a pedestal, and what he can and can not endure in a relationship with her. Intense, sometimes painful, self discovery stuff for all.

I finished the book reading flat out and punching the air at the way Gwen and Iris handle one suspected criminal confession and how Gwen’s knowledge of single malts helps her in another. The final scenes of dealing with grief almost had me tearing up – okay, okay yes I was tearing up – but one character has had this coming and desperately needed it while another has only just begun to confront his loss – the depth of which we realize from a conversation Iris has with a former Army commando. I was wrung out and satisfied at the same time and I can’t wait to see what happens next. A

Miss Sparks and Mrs. Bainbridge are two years into running The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. So, when a woman dying from lung cancer hires them to find a wife for her husband, they can’t say no. Shortly after, that woman is found dead of an apparent suicide in Epping Forest. While Miss Sparks is helping the local police with that case, Mrs. Bainbridge is trying to regain legal control of her life. When the conservator managing her assets is found dead, Mrs. Bainbridge is the main suspect. With the police breathing down her neck, Mrs. Bainbridge must solve his murder. Can she? And how are the two cases connected?

I was super excited when I got the widget for The Lady from Burma. I read the first book in this series way back in 2019. Because of Covid and my year-old hiatus, I couldn’t read books 2, 3, and 4. So when that email popped up in my inbox, I jumped on it.

The Lady from Burma is book 5 in the Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery series. You can read this as a stand-alone book. But, I always suggest reading the previous books to get backgrounds on the characters (major and minor).

The Lady from Burma is a medium to fast-paced book. It stayed at a steady medium pace until almost the end of the book. Then it picked up at the end of the book. There was no lag, either, which was nice.

There were two storylines in The Lady from Burma. They are:

Bainbridge’s struggle to regain legal control over her life.
Sparks and Bainbridge’s investigation into their client’s apparent suicide
Each storyline was well written. I enjoyed that the author portrayed how marriage and mental health were viewed. When the author brought the two storylines together, she did it almost seamlessly.

Bainbridge’s frustration, anger, and terror (yes, terror) over her conservatorship were palpable. All she wanted was her life back, and to do that, she needed to go to Lunacy Court and hope a judge agreed. I felt for her. It was horrible how women and mental health issues were treated back then. It both horrified and saddened me.

Spark’s investigation into their client’s murder was fascinating. I felt that the constable was very forward-thinking for the time. Spark’s observations helped. She was also such a good friend to Bainbridge. She spent the night to make sure Bainbridge didn’t do anything to threaten her case (like try suicide). She also was vital in making a significant connection between Bainbridge and the dead woman.

The romance angle of The Lady from Burma was interesting. I liked that Sparks seemed to be settling down. I vaguely remember Archie from the first book and feel he would fit her well. As for Bainbridge, I don’t know who I want her to end up with. I was hoping for Sally, but there were two other men introduced that made me go, “Hmmm.”

The mystery angle of the book was interesting. I liked how the mysteries were investigated separately until they were brought together. I also was shocked at how Bainbridge was connected to the dead woman. There was a slight twist at the end, which I didn’t see coming.

The end of The Lady from Burma was interesting. I liked how the author wrapped up all of the storylines. I was very excited for Bainbridge. That scene in court, with the new lawyer, was perfect.

The wrap-up of the murder was directly tied to what was going on with Bainbridge. What was revealed was surprising, and I didn’t see it coming. The author left enough open for me to look forward to book 6.

I would recommend The Lady from Burma to anyone over 16. There are nongraphic sexual situations, mild language, and mild violence.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Allison Montclair for allowing me to read and review The Lady from Burma. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

I read "The Lady from Burma" by Allison Montclair on NetGalley. This was the 5th book in the series, but only the 2nd one I have read. I will have to go back and read the others, because I have enjoyed the 2 I have read. And I will read the ones that come after this one!

In post-war London, two women start "The Right Sort Marriage Bureau" to help people find their path in the new Europe.

They have a client that is different - a woman who wants to find her husband another match once she dies. She's found dead soon after her visit and the two women (Sparks and Bainbridge) start investigating.

There is another death that complicates things as well (spoiler so won't go into detail here) and the twists and turns kept me interested and invested in the story.

Absolutely loved this period piece in this time in history and the mystery aspect had me hooked until the end.

So, we'll go no more a roving
   So late into the night,
Though the heart be still as loving,
   And the moon be still as bright.

The Lady from Burma is the fifth in a series starring matchmakers who solve murders, Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge. This is the first series novel I can recall with a splash of Byron poetry and it only added to the layers of this story.

This novel picks up with Gwen filing a petition to end her monitored lunacy state. She’s in such a good place that she even goes to a Board meeting for the company in which she will soon have 40% voting power. Then, something happens at the meeting that jeopardizes her petition to lift the lunacy status. Obviously this leads to someone being murdered, even as Gwen is attacked in court as delusional in thinking she is helping to solve murders.

I’ve been a huge fan of this series and this book may be the best of the bunch. It was more fast-paced than earlier installments and as Gwen’s relationship with her father-in-law is in flux given what occurred in book three, it feels imbued with possibility.

In book four, Iris was a suspect in a murder so in this novel, Gwen is the one who is the prime suspect. Ronnie (Jr) is hardly in this novel, with the FIL getting at least three times the mentions and plot. But neither compare with beetles and moths, which figure prominently into the plot with a beetle-loving client in waiting.

World War II is over and things are getting back to normal, but it might be a new normal. Before the war it was a man’s world, but in their absence women stepped up and it might be hard to get them all back into their boxes. Women performed roles during the war, experienced losses during the war, and everyone is London is trying to find their footing again.

Iris and Gwen are opposite in personality but compatible, successful business partners. Their business goal is simple: make suitable matches through their The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Yes, it sounds simple, but somehow they always end up being detectives, involved in murder, finding themselves in danger. Many of the men they encounter still believe it’s strictly a man’s world and respect, cooperation and often basic manners from these men are hard to come by.

The Sparks and Bainbridge Mystery Series is engaging and entertaining. Iris and Gwen are clever, determined and dedicated to making their business a success and to supporting each other both personally and professionally. The plots are well-paced, with lots of twists and turns and clues leading to solving the mystery. By this, the fifth book in the series, I think the pace needs to pick up a little; Iris and Gwen seem to be stuck in the same old ruts. But The Lady from Burma was still a good read with a satisfying ending.

Thanks to St. Martin's Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of The Lady from Burma via NetGalley for my reading pleasure and honest opinion. I enjoyed this book and voluntarily leave this review. All opinions are my own.

Book #5 in the Sparks and Bainbridge Mystery series, by Allison Montclair, is an entertaining and exciting story. In London following World War II, main characters, Iris and Gwen, open a business, a marriage bureau, and work at solving mysteries in their free time.

The women are professional matchmakers, and I loved eavesdropping at they studied their clients to pick the suitable mate. Each of the characters who seeks companionship seem to be dealing with some major life event. But all of them are looking for love. The characters are well-developed and each one is unique.

The fifth book in the Sparks and Bainbridge mystery series, The Lady from Burma finds our heroines – the resourceful Iris Sparks and the sympathetic Gwendolyn Bainbridge – pulled into another pair of mysteries. When a new client comes to The Right Sort Marriage Bureau to consult with the ladies about finding a new wife for her husband, Gwen and Iris are intrigued. The woman has terminal cancer and wants to make sure her husband finds the best possible future mate – and then she dies, rather unexpectedly. Was it suicide, as it initially appears? At the same time, Gwen must cope with the fallout from her own struggles with mental health. When the nasty man serving as the conservator of her considerable assets is found dead, Gwen becomes the prime suspect. Can the duo keep Gwen out of jail, find out what happened to their client, and keep their business afloat?

Likes: I love snappy dialog, and this series delivers in spades. Think “The Thin Man” or any Bogart-Bacall movie and you’ll have the right idea. The setting, London immediately after World War II, is a less-covered historical period, and all the details are spot-on. The book credibly inserts Gwen and Iris into the investigation via a sympathetic young policeman, which is always a challenge with amateur detectives. Both main characters are fully developed and compelling in different ways, and there’s a full cast of interesting supporting characters. Mental health treatment in this era was often brutal and dehumanizing, and the book doesn’t shy away from describing the consequences of Gwen’s struggles with depression. And finally, the mysteries kept me reading through the very end, with plenty of entertaining twists and turns.

Dislikes: Iris is dating a gangster? I don’t love bad boys in my fiction, so this wasn’t my favorite choice. But this is a very minor criticism of a charming period mystery that I would highly recommend.

FYI: murder, suicide, depression, terminal illness, cancer, violence.

Once again, Allison Montclair [pseudonym of Alan Gordon] has a winner in the newest Sparks and Bainbridge historical mystery, The Lady from Burma. The various clients who walk through the doors of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau keep readers firmly in tune with post-World War II London and all the types of people who are trying to put their lives back together.

The solutions to the deaths of the client and the conservator certainly kept me guessing, but I was even more interested in Gwen Bainbridge's fight to regain legal control of her life. Gwen basically came unglued when her husband was killed in the war, and the depth of her grief caused her husband's aristocratic family to take away custody of her young son and to have her committed to a mental institution. It's been an uphill battle, but it is obvious to all the readers of this series that it's more than time for Gwen to be back in charge. Her relationship with her in-laws has evolved slowly, and she's made the effort to learn how to deal with her income once she has it in her own control. What's maddening is her reaction-- in court and directly afterward-- to the machinations of her conservator. I wanted to give her a little shake and yell, "Snap out of it!" Not that I've fallen under the spell of these characters or anything...

An absorbing mystery, the engrossing lives of the two main characters, a pitch-perfect setting, and witty dialogue that absolutely sparkles. I love this series and hope that it continues for a good long time. If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge, I suggest you begin at the beginning with The Right Sort of Man. These two very different women make quite a formidable team.