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nevclue's review against another edition
3.0
I am always searching for more historical mysteries, preferably with a lady protagonist. This fits the bill. There were many things I liked about this. I liked Rosalind's practicality and her clear-eyed assessment of what matters in society and how it affects her standing. I find the willful ignorance of whatever the current society's mores in order to show "spunk" or whatever annoying. However, I think the handling of Rosalind's romantic relationships were not handled with quite the same deftness. On the plus side, the author has clearly done her research on the time period and the characters are believable. The mystery was okay. I guessed most of it fairly early on but it was reasonably compelling.
britks's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book but it was a slow read. I loved the main character and couldn't help but feel sorry for her and the way that society treats her. Even her first love cannot be with her because of what society deems appropriate. I wonder who she will end up with in the end or if she will give up love in order to be a female detective and specialize in crimes that plague her old class? Not sure. Will for sure keep my eye on this series though.
wendycherie's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rebleejen's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It didn't set my world on fire, but I enjoyed it well enough to be curious about the rest of the series. Feels more Austen-y than most books compared to Austen.
kestrellady's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The first in a series of Regency era mysteries. I thought this did a fantastic job explaining how the main character got involved in the mystery solving, and why she’ll continue to in the sequels. Nothing felt contrived and I really loved the main character.
katerockstrom's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
jennifermreads's review against another edition
4.0
[b:The Secret of the Lost Pearls|60767276|The Secret of the Lost Pearls (Rosalind Thorne Mysteries, #6)|Darcie Wilde|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1649339779l/60767276._SX50_.jpg|95818361] crossed my TL in December and I really wanted to just dive right in. But, because The Secret of the Lost Pearls is #6 in the series, and I’m a read-it-in-order kinda gal, I looped back to #1 to get the character background and a feel for the setting. I am very glad I did that. I do not think I’ve ever read a Regency period novel!
Almack’s and its stuffy patronesses were new, and fascinating, territory for me. Because young women just don’t live on their own, Rosalind’s backstory was imperative & I would have been so confused had I just jumped right in on The Secret of the Lost Pearls. The number of lords and ladies in A Useful Woman was mind-boggling. I was reminded of how reading period-piece novels is a frame-of-mind and one has to get comfortable in the language, titles, and classism.
When I finished the book in the wee hours this morning (darn insomnia!), I wasn’t sure if I’d read the whole series—or just jump to The Secret of the Lost Pearls since it was the one that piqued my interest. But, as I write this review and reflect on how interesting it was to read a book set in the Regency Era, with these characters in particular, I think I will continue reading the entire series. After all, I want to see what happens with Mr. Harkness and if the classism is addressed or if it all just gets swept under the rug for propriety’s sake. Intro a love triangle, best resolve that triangle! And I better not have to read the whole series to get said resolution.
Almack’s and its stuffy patronesses were new, and fascinating, territory for me. Because young women just don’t live on their own, Rosalind’s backstory was imperative & I would have been so confused had I just jumped right in on The Secret of the Lost Pearls. The number of lords and ladies in A Useful Woman was mind-boggling. I was reminded of how reading period-piece novels is a frame-of-mind and one has to get comfortable in the language, titles, and classism.
When I finished the book in the wee hours this morning (darn insomnia!), I wasn’t sure if I’d read the whole series—or just jump to The Secret of the Lost Pearls since it was the one that piqued my interest. But, as I write this review and reflect on how interesting it was to read a book set in the Regency Era, with these characters in particular, I think I will continue reading the entire series. After all, I want to see what happens with Mr. Harkness and if the classism is addressed or if it all just gets swept under the rug for propriety’s sake. Intro a love triangle, best resolve that triangle! And I better not have to read the whole series to get said resolution.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
A USEFUL WOMAN
(Rosalind Thorne Mysteries: #1)
Written by Darcie Wilde
2016; Berkley (384 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, cozy, romance
RATING: ★★★1/2
Rosalind Thorne, a daughter of a baronet, is dreaming of her future with the man she loves when one night her mother and her return home early from a party. Her older sister is quickly packing and fleeing into the night. It seems her father is in financial trouble and has chosen to abandon his wife and youngest daughter to runaway. After her mother passes away, Rosalind must take on work to survive in 19th Century England. She gets a job managing the affairs of wealthy women and becomes known for her discretion.
Five years after Rosalind's father had disappeared things are starting to settle down for her when she is summoned back into her godmother, Lady Blanchard's life. When she goes to Almack's to pick up her godmother for dinner, she discovers the body of Jasper Aimesworth - an aristocrat who's sister, Honoria is to marry Rosalind's almost fiance, Devon. Now Rosalind finds herself helping Honoria in her brother's death, but also being around Devon. If she is not careful, Rosalind might be in danger herself before she can be outed from the Ton for good.
Until the murder of Jasper Aimesworth much of this novel reads like a historical romance. There is nothing wrong with a historical romance if that is how the novel is supposed to be marketed. From the synopsis you get the idea that this is a historical mystery with a dash of romance since it is set in Regency Era and has "Jane Austen-inspired" as a tag line. It takes awhile for this novel to start in general as we get a bit too much description of Regency days. The mystery and cast of characters are also latecomers. Once I let go of "historical mystery" I found myself enjoying the book more. A historical romance with a dash of mystery, for me, worked better. Wilde was trying to bring in a bit of Austen's wit but it didn't quite work at times. YET, I finished the novel and did like it. I am curious to see what Wilde has in store for book 2...as there is potential and hopefully a fun love interest.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
My Novelesque Blog
(Rosalind Thorne Mysteries: #1)
Written by Darcie Wilde
2016; Berkley (384 Pages)
Genre: series, fiction, mystery, cozy, romance
RATING: ★★★1/2
Rosalind Thorne, a daughter of a baronet, is dreaming of her future with the man she loves when one night her mother and her return home early from a party. Her older sister is quickly packing and fleeing into the night. It seems her father is in financial trouble and has chosen to abandon his wife and youngest daughter to runaway. After her mother passes away, Rosalind must take on work to survive in 19th Century England. She gets a job managing the affairs of wealthy women and becomes known for her discretion.
Five years after Rosalind's father had disappeared things are starting to settle down for her when she is summoned back into her godmother, Lady Blanchard's life. When she goes to Almack's to pick up her godmother for dinner, she discovers the body of Jasper Aimesworth - an aristocrat who's sister, Honoria is to marry Rosalind's almost fiance, Devon. Now Rosalind finds herself helping Honoria in her brother's death, but also being around Devon. If she is not careful, Rosalind might be in danger herself before she can be outed from the Ton for good.
Until the murder of Jasper Aimesworth much of this novel reads like a historical romance. There is nothing wrong with a historical romance if that is how the novel is supposed to be marketed. From the synopsis you get the idea that this is a historical mystery with a dash of romance since it is set in Regency Era and has "Jane Austen-inspired" as a tag line. It takes awhile for this novel to start in general as we get a bit too much description of Regency days. The mystery and cast of characters are also latecomers. Once I let go of "historical mystery" I found myself enjoying the book more. A historical romance with a dash of mystery, for me, worked better. Wilde was trying to bring in a bit of Austen's wit but it didn't quite work at times. YET, I finished the novel and did like it. I am curious to see what Wilde has in store for book 2...as there is potential and hopefully a fun love interest.
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
My Novelesque Blog
misshunsberger's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0