**I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

I loved this one! Definitely more adventure than mystery, with just a little bit of romance, this is a snappy and creative look at the Regency era from the perspective of a 42 year old unmarried woman and her twin. I loved Lady Augusta, who is snarky and quick-witted and breaks any spinster stereotype. I laughed quite a lot while reading. I gasped a lot too - Goodman uses the narrative to discuss female injustices in the 19th century. It‘s a stark reminder that women had no power. Women‘s health, inheritance rights, child and women abduction/prostitution - just some of the issues addressed. The narrative made me feel so many emotions, and to me that means this is a good book.

Rumor is there will be a book two - I sincerely hope so!

Lovely Historical fiction of two sisters and how they become involved with solving crimes in early 19th century England. Looking forward to reading the next installment to see what happens.

I love Alison Goodman’s young adult novels, and I was really excited to see how she ventured into the adult genre. The synopsis also sounded promising. Therefore, I was really excited! However, I found the novel to be more disjointed than her other novels. Mrs. Goodman packed too many themes into the novel that heavily distracted me from the content. I would have enjoyed it better had she focused solely on one theme. This would have made it more cohesive. Nevertheless, it had potential, but was not executed well. It’s still entertaining but not as enjoyable as her other works. Hopefully, this sequel will get better! I recommend this for fans of Bridgerton!

This was such a fantastic read! I've really enjoyed her YA books, so this adult historical mystery, yeah, I was really had a wonderful time reading about these twins and the shenanigans that they got into, for the purpose of helping women who are in bad situations!

This book is a series of cases, each case getting a part of the book, making things feel a bit episodic. But there was a overarching story, with Lord Evans, Gus and Julia. Watching them take on these cases, from helping a woman escape her violent husband, to freeing girls, yes, children, who were being sold as sex slaves essentially, to breaking out a patient in a horrible asylum, yeah, they were all really great cases!

Throughout, there were these ladies and their lives. Julia is dealing with a serious health problem, but wants to leave things up to God, whereas Gus has lost her faith. Gus, having feelings for Evan, and wanting to help his case, and sure that he was innocent. Oh, and their brother, man, that was infuriating, the way that he treated them, because they're older, but he's in charge, but they have their own money, but he's getting married, and Gus was their father's favourite, urgh, it was a whole complicated and made my blood boil. Society of the time was not nice to unmarried women, and women in general!

One thing that I'm a bit concerned about, is that I am reading this about 6 months after it came out-and there's no news about the sequel yet. And there needs to be a sequel, to further investigate Lord Evan's case, so they can have a happy ending! I need more time with these characters, waiting them investigate further mysteries and right wrongs!

Loved reading this book and I can't wait for the sequel!

This was a really solid read! It had some really cool story ideas that were equally fun and truly depressing for the time. It's certainly set itself up to be a series so we will see if that ends up happening.

A clever and offbeat Regency cozy mystery. I enjoy books set in that period that focus more on the experiences of women than men.

Short Synopsis: Sisters Augusta (Gus) and Julia join forces to protect other women despite her duty to be a lady

My thoughts: I’m always a fan of a strong female character and Gus was just that! I liked how she pushed the boundaries of being a ”spinster” And a Lady and got her hands dirty to help other women.

The layout of this book was formatted fun in the different parts including different situations where Gus helped others.

You can tell a ton of research was out into the time period as far as food, fashion, and treatment of women. The author did a great job at portraying some very heavy topics, so be warned of some of these if you’re a sensitive reader.

Read if you love:
- tough women pushing boundaries
- Romance subplot
- Sisterly love
- Regency period
- Heavy topics

I was surprised that I didn't like "The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies" more. Goodman's previous books have been winners for me, but this one was just not there for me. There were all the elements of a good historical mystery, but they didn't line up for this reader. I have no doubt that others will love this book, just not me.

The Colbrook twins are both spinsters, and middle aged. Lady Augusta "Gus" has had no interest in marriage, and bored by Society. Julia still grieves the unexpected death of her fiancé, and possibly has breast cancer.

Gus has a contentious relationship with their brother, the man of the family. Their relationship only worsens after he ejects from the house they've been living in for years so he and his new wife can live there, and he continues to insult and demean Gus every chance he gets. Julia attempts to keep the peace between them, while also chiding Gus for wanting to do more with their lives and the fortunes they luckily have, thanks to their father.

When their friend Charlotte gives them something important and clandestine to do: rescue her goddaughter Caroline, whose husband is keeping her prisoner in their home.

Along the way, they're beset by a highwayman, whom Gus injures. They decide to bring him with them after they discover he is Lord Evan Belford, someone they know who was charged with murder and sent to Australia twenty years ago. That he's back makes him a wanted man, and in the sisters' debt. He agrees to help them extricate Caroline.

What follows is comedy, danger, adventure and a growing respect and attraction between Gus and Evan. And a determination between the sisters, after they hash out how Julia's behaviour has affected their relationship, to continue helping women who are in trouble.

There have been a spate of Regency-based stories and mysteries released in the last few years. Unlike those, author Alison Goodman takes a hard look at the power imbalances between men and women during this period, as well as how older women are virtually invisible, and crafts a terrifically engaging story.

Goodman knows her history, and walks a fine line between showing how awful privileged individuals could behave then, and ensures her protagonists were able to solve the three cases within this novel and subvert the strictures of Society.

This novel is unexpectedly dark in parts, while there are also moments of levity and ridiculousness to counteract these, and keep me from totally hating just about every gentleman featured in this story.

I loved Gus unreservedly, and the twins make a formidable pair, with Evan rounding out their efforts admirably. I can not wait to read the next book in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my review.

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies is the first book in a new historical mystery series by Alison Goodman. Released 30th May 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint, it's 464(!) pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is an exceptionally well written mystery romp, full of skullduggery and with a basically historically accurate framework, done so seamlessly that it's not easy to tell where real history fades into fiction. The protagonists are deliciously written, especially Gus, who is -firmly- on the shelf, thank you very much, and has absolutely no desire to put up with anyone's foolishness.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 15 hours 33 minutes and is expertly narrated by Kristin Atherton. She has a well modulated, professionally trained alto voice with a cut-crystal RP accent which translates well to this read. She doesn't overpower the read, and listeners will find her pleasantly neutral and not invasive (or screechy or difficult to listen to).

Four and a half stars for both the audio and print versions. Definitely one for the fans of regency mysteries. The feminist overtones and "protagonists of a certain age who are unwilling to put up with the world's nonsense" are delightful and not -too- heavy handed.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This is such an excellent series starter, and I hope to see it continue. It's a great look at women who are bucking societal norms in a time when there were consequences to doing so, and of the bonds of sisterhood. Charming, interesting, complex characters and heartpounding situations in an excellent plot.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙄𝙡𝙡 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙇𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙚𝙨
by Alison Goodman
464 pages
May 30, 2023
@berkleypub

I'm a fangirl of Jane Austen and all things Bridgerton.
If you find yourself nodding in agreement, read this first in the series. (Yes!!) I can't wait for the next volume of adventures featuring these Ill-Mannered Ladies. Hint, hint @berkleypub

I do not know why I am not seeing more posts about The Benevolent Society of Ill Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman on bookstagram, but it is the sleeper hit of the year for me.

I love a novel set in Regency England.

Even though they are set in different eras of English history, I find this to have the adventure and atmosphere of the League of Extraordinary Women by Evie Dunmore which is set in Victorian England.

Gus and Julia are twin sisters residing together- the love of Julia's life has met a tragic end and Gus is a self-proclaimed spinster. Julia has been in a melancholy state and more, so Gus decides they must find a purpose in helping people with their problems to take their minds off their reality. Add in a jealous older brother who is constantly meddling in their lives adding to the drama. The twin sisters take matters into their own hands to resolve tricky situations, adventures abound, and there is a fun bit of romance thrown in - rogueishly handsome hero at that. I did not want it to end.

If you just need a fun romp of a Regency novel to escape reality, read this!

Thank you Netgalley for providing a free ARC in return for an honest review.

The premise is intriguing and the characters were certainly interesting. However, the novel attempts to tackle too many themes without doing any justice. Perhaps future books (assuming this will be a series) will be able to pace itself now that the principle characters have been introduced.

A wonderful work of historical fiction, blending adventure, comedy and drama, and romance. I fell in love with Augusta and Julia and their indomitable determination to help people, and Goodman did a great job raising the stakes with each escapade. I'm already looking forward to the next book. How WILL they clear Lord Evan's name? Will Kent's affection for Julia bring him around to our side? And most important: who's going to plant Duffy that well-deserved facer?

My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.