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The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies
The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies | Alison Goodman
20 posts | 16 read | 26 to read
A high society amateur detective at the heart of Regency London uses her wits and invisibility as an old maid to protect other women in a new and fiercely feminist historical mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Alison Goodman. Lady Augusta Colebrook, Gus, is determinedly unmarried, bored by society life, and tired of being dismissed at the age of forty-two. She and her twin sister, Julia, who is grieving her dead betrothed, need a distraction. One soon presents itself: to rescue their friends goddaughter, Caroline, from her violent husband. The sisters set out to Carolines country estate with a plan, but their carriage is accosted by a highwayman. In the scuffle, Gus accidentally shoots and injures the ruffian, only to discover he is Lord Evan Belford, an acquaintance from their past who was charged with murder and exiled to Australia twenty years ago. What follows is a high adventure full of danger, clever improvisation, heart-racing near misses, and a little help from a revived and rather charming Lord Evan. Back in London, Gus cant stop thinking about her unlikely (not to mention handsome) comrade-in-arms. She is convinced Lord Evan was falsely accused of murder, and she is going to prove it. She persuades Julia to join her in a quest to help Lord Evan, and others in needsociety be damned! And so begins the beguiling secret life and adventures of the Colebrook twins.
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AvidReader25
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Pickpick

This one starts out playful and fun, but delves into some more serious issues of the time. You can tell that it‘s well researched and highlights the horrific ways women were often treated in the Regency era. I loved the dynamic of Gus and Julia, twin sisters with a special bond and strong stubborn personalities. Their determination to help women in need pulled me in. I love that they‘re not young, but mature ladies who knew their own minds.

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Scochrane26
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Not the same cover as the edition I have. I usually like all the England-set, Regency or Victorian period, amateur sleuth novels, but this one is better than most. More suspense & serious issues plus middle-aged protagonists make it a little different. Loaned it to a friend & she loved it, too. Excited for the 2nd one. #12booksof2024 @Andrew65

Andrew65 Looks a good read.

Thanks for playing along, it‘s been great seeing everyone‘s books. Hope to see you on the First day of Christmas later this year for #12Booksof2025. 👏👏👏😊🎉🥳
4w
32 likes1 comment
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Librarybelle
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I spent a wonderful time in June devouring this one. It‘s comedic, has a bit of mystery, and debuts a wonderfully original heroine who goes against social customs in Regency England. And, gasp, she‘s happy to be a spinster. Until, at least, a dangerous rogue crosses her path (note: this is not a romance, though there is a dash). I laughed, took down quotes, and enjoyed this one. Hope book two comes out soon! #12BooksOf2024

Mollyanna This sounds wonderful and right up my alley. 1mo
Librarybelle @Mollyanna It‘s so much fun! 1mo
49 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Scochrane26
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Pickpick

I loved this book! Middle-aged spinsters get involved with freeing females from an abusive husband, mental asylum, & a brothel. Told in 3 adventures, set in 1812, a historical look at women‘s status in that time. Adventurous with some romance and strong women. This is the beginning of a series—yay! #bookspin for November

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CaitlinR
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Marginalized by society and family, Lady Augusta and Lady Julia Colebrook, judged spinsters, seek meaning and purpose. Augusta (Gus) is bolder than her sister, but Julia can hold her own. In separate chapters, they embark on quests to protect or rescue woman who have been preyed upon by men. Along the way they become powerful, and may find love. Set in Regency England and well researched, it was a great read to counter the election results.

CaitlinR Photo of the author by Tania Jovanovic. 3mo
Scochrane26 Getting ready to start this one 3mo
CaitlinR @Scochrane26 I think you‘ll enjoy it! 3mo
27 likes3 comments
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LiteraryinPA
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TFW you realize you have accidentally picked up your third book in a row about twin sisters! 😂 I just gasped!

56 likes1 comment
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TracyReadsBooks
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Over-the-hill (in her 40s) & unmarried, Augusta Colebrook is quite happy with her life even as Society frowns on her eccentricities. When asked to save a friend‘s sister from a terrible marriage, she enlists the help of her twin sister & other allies & discovers that she likes helping women in need & is good at it. And so she, her, sister, an unexpected ally & others set out to do just that. Entertaining regency mystery with a hint of romance.

Cheryl_Russell_BookNotes I enjoyed reading this one. 🙂 6mo
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Deblovestoread
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Sometimes a review is so good that you set aside other books and dive in. @Librarybelle ‘s review of this book was the motivation I needed to not leave it languishing on my kindle. It is a rollicking ride with a dash of romance. I loved the author‘s note because my love of the regency era began with Georgette Heyer, too. Hoping there will be a sequel.

Librarybelle Yay! So glad you liked this one, and thank you for the compliment! 7mo
51 likes1 comment
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Soubhiville
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Pickpick

@Librarybelle posted about this book recently, and I put a hold on the audio with my library. I recommend clicking the book title and scrolling to her review and the book dedication she posted, as they both encompass my thoughts.

Augusta is a 42 year old unmarried woman in regency England, and she and her twin sister plot rescues and solve mysteries. Adventure and a bit of romance too. I liked Gus‘ resistance to societal norms of her day.

Soubhiville @Eyelit I think you‘ll like this one! 7mo
Librarybelle So glad you liked this one!! 7mo
Soubhiville @Librarybelle it was fun, thanks for the recommendation and terrific review! 7mo
Librarybelle You‘re welcome, and thank you! 😊 7mo
68 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
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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. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Librarybelle ⬆️⬆️⬆️ 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! 8mo
Deblovestoread Great review! I need to move this up the kindle tbr ladder. (edited) 8mo
Librarybelle Thanks, @Deblovestoread ! I hope you enjoy! 8mo
See All 7 Comments
Texreader Excellent review. Stacked! 8mo
tpixie Great review! stacked!! 8mo
Librarybelle Thanks, @tpixie ! 8mo
70 likes5 stack adds7 comments
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Librarybelle
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The dedication has captured my immediate interest:

“This book is dedicated to all women out there who no longer have the patience or desire to put up with any nonsense.”

kspenmoll Love this!!!!🩵💙❤️ 8mo
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 8mo
Deblovestoread Me 🙋🏻‍♀️ 8mo
71 likes3 comments
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Crinoline_Laphroaig
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LOVE the cover. It's what caught my eye in the store. Also loved character of Gus and how she's not going to fade into the background like a good Spinster should. Hope her brother gets his comeuppance. ⬇️

Crinoline_Laphroaig
For all that I love the story, I do feel that the cover is deceptive. Yes there are moments that are just a fun romp. But also tackles some very serious issues about the treatment of women and children in this time which is heartbreaking. Also there is a character with breast cancer and a graphic description of a mastectomy in the days before anesthesia.

That being said I'm definitely going to be reading next book as soon as it comes out.
11mo
julieclair Such a pretty picture! And an excellent review. 👍 11mo
batsy I liked this a lot too and am looking forward to the next one. 11mo
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batsy
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I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. In a time period of personal ups and downs and what seems to be the worst period of history to be alive, it was just the balm that I needed. It reminded me of Georgette Heyer, but a lot more feminist (women doing things, with a non-cringey romance in the background...) It was also longer than expected, but if this book is setting up to be the first in a series than I am definitely looking forward to more!

Tamra Such a lovely cover! 1y
Librarybelle I have a copy of this that I am excited to read…hope to get to it soon! 1y
TrishB Glad a book helped ♥️ 1y
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batsy @Tamra It is very pretty 💖 1y
batsy @Librarybelle I hope you enjoy it! It is really well-written. 1y
batsy @TrishB ❤️ 1y
Cathythoughts Nice review! I‘m stacking. X 1y
batsy @Cathythoughts Thank you! 😘 I definitely recommend it, but it's not as short as I mistakenly thought it was lol 1y
Cathythoughts I started a sample on kindle this morning 👍🏻 1y
kspenmoll Really enjoyable review 1y
batsy @Cathythoughts 👍🏾 1y
batsy @kspenmoll Thanks so much! 1y
sarahbarnes Glad it was what you needed right now. 🩵 1y
AnnR Adding this to my wishlist. 🙂📚 1y
batsy @AnnR Hope you enjoy 🙂 1y
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Jen2
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So fun!

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MonicaLoves2Read
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The Benevolent Society Of Ill-mannered Ladies is set during the regency period. It is mystery, adventure and romance all combined with wit and laughter. It is a new historical mystery series.

I feel in love with the characters of Lady Augusta "Gus" Colebrook and her sister, Lady Julia. I laughed at their escapades. They decide to help their friend's goddaughter escape a her ruthless husband. This begins a wonderful, fun journey. ⬇️

MonicaLoves2Read
Soon, they are involved in adventures full of danger, impersonating people, heart-pounding near misses. Along the way, they have help from Lord Evan Belford. Lord Evan was exiled, twenty years ago, to Australia for killing someone. Lady Augusta isn't sure he killed anyone, and is determined to find out the truth.

I can't wait to see what happens in the next Benevolent Society Of Ill-mannered Ladies adventure.
2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
20 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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MonicaLoves2Read
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We were to meet him at midnight in the Dark Walk.

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

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MonicaLoves2Read
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I'm so bad! I went and returned 3 books to the library. Telling myself before I went in, don't look at books. You have ARC's to read, plus all the books you have on bookshelves. Well, I looked and came out with 7 🤦 Starting tagged book.

#libraryhaul
#carlislepubliclibrary
#lonokecountylibrarysystem

mom_of_4 I want to read the last house guest. My library has it. I almost got it. Let me know how it is. 2y
MonicaLoves2Read @mom_of_4 I will let you know 🙂 2y
18 likes2 comments
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
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🥺 I can‘t take the pressure. Have reserved the print copy and will continue this delightful book at some point in the future… if I wasn‘t working this weekend, I would have persevered.

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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
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Does this count as peer pressure? 👀 I want to get this finished but I‘m also not at all feeling like reading… but then I also don‘t want to join the back of the queue…

MrsMalaprop 😆 2y
37 likes1 comment
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
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Off to a strong start