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maatkare_j's review
3.0
The mystery wasn't that great, and it lacked a real, grounded sense of time/place, but I liked Jem and Merinda. Hopefully future books will be better.
english_lady03's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
A good clean, light and enjoyable mystery with featuring two unconventiolal girls obsessed with Sherlock Holmes who decide to set up thier own detective agency.
The accompanying Novella 'A Singular and Whimsical Problem' is an interesting introduction to the main characters- but readers should be warned that it is not a prequel as is the traditional way with such short stories. I was a little confused that Jemima (Jem) had only just met the journalist Ray de Luca at the beginning of this story, but knew him already in the novella.
Jem Watts and Melinda Herringford were endearing characters- but, as another reader pointed out they may come across as a little bit too modernly feministic for some readers and for the setting (early 20th century Canada). Now don't get me wrong, I go in for women's rights with the rest of them, and yes, I can understand why they dressed as men to investigate thier cases- especially cases involving those on the fringed of society nobody else cared about.
Unconventional and eccentric ladies who don't fit in and are rather socially awkward can be interesting and almost quite endearing (as said above). Yet, I could say that Miss Herringford crossed a line thus put herself in danger of becoming rather annoyingly feministic and conceited by the end of the story.
One of those fictional super-heroines who fecklessly and stupidly puts herself in dangerous situations, and then lambasts men for helping her out of them. I personally hope she does not become 'like that'.
The mystery and process of detection (always important to the genre) were plausible and satisfactory- although I might say that the culprit was a little predictable. A case of stereotyping winning over originality perhaps?
Overall, 'The Batchelor Girl's Guide to Murder' was a great debut, and it was fascinating to the discover that the quotations from women's 'Guidebooks' at the beginning were invented by the author. They seemed very real and convincing, showing a real depth of knowledge. I would certainly like to read the sequel, 'A Lesson in Love and Murder' due out in August to see how the detecting duo will get on together.
I recieved a PDF copy of this book free from the Publisher via Netgalley for the purposes of review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
A good clean, light and enjoyable mystery with featuring two unconventiolal girls obsessed with Sherlock Holmes who decide to set up thier own detective agency.
The accompanying Novella 'A Singular and Whimsical Problem' is an interesting introduction to the main characters- but readers should be warned that it is not a prequel as is the traditional way with such short stories. I was a little confused that Jemima (Jem) had only just met the journalist Ray de Luca at the beginning of this story, but knew him already in the novella.
Jem Watts and Melinda Herringford were endearing characters- but, as another reader pointed out they may come across as a little bit too modernly feministic for some readers and for the setting (early 20th century Canada). Now don't get me wrong, I go in for women's rights with the rest of them, and yes, I can understand why they dressed as men to investigate thier cases- especially cases involving those on the fringed of society nobody else cared about.
Unconventional and eccentric ladies who don't fit in and are rather socially awkward can be interesting and almost quite endearing (as said above). Yet, I could say that Miss Herringford crossed a line thus put herself in danger of becoming rather annoyingly feministic and conceited by the end of the story.
One of those fictional super-heroines who fecklessly and stupidly puts herself in dangerous situations, and then lambasts men for helping her out of them. I personally hope she does not become 'like that'.
The mystery and process of detection (always important to the genre) were plausible and satisfactory- although I might say that the culprit was a little predictable. A case of stereotyping winning over originality perhaps?
Overall, 'The Batchelor Girl's Guide to Murder' was a great debut, and it was fascinating to the discover that the quotations from women's 'Guidebooks' at the beginning were invented by the author. They seemed very real and convincing, showing a real depth of knowledge. I would certainly like to read the sequel, 'A Lesson in Love and Murder' due out in August to see how the detecting duo will get on together.
I recieved a PDF copy of this book free from the Publisher via Netgalley for the purposes of review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
hair_apparent's review against another edition
2.0
Um, a bit predictable and lacking subtlety. Laid on the feminist angle with a trowel.
kay_greene's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
day_fisher's review
4.0
I would gladly read a Herringford & Watts Mystery any day as a quick read between other (perhaps more intense) books. I did wish at times I could hear more of Merinda's perspective, but Jem is a sweet character with passion for more than just solving the mystery.
readingwitherin's review against another edition
fast-paced
5.0
I originally got this as an e-arc from netgalley and the publisher. I ended up reading a finished copy from the library.
"She no longer cared about propriety. She no longer cared to be one of those girls who married at a proper age, who had their lives figured out, who wouldn't be caught dead in trousers."
Merinda Herringford and Jem Watts balance each other out pretty well, and I can see the resemblance between Sherlock and Watson with them. But that doesn't take anything away from the story. In fact, besides Merinda being reckless most of the time when it comes to social things and dragging Jem along for the ride at the beginning, they completely stand on their own. At times I did notice myself Imagining this happening the Murdoch Mysteries world but I think that has more to do with it being in Canada and me not really knowing much about it, especially in the early 1900's.
"Since she wasn't going to be one of those girls, she could do exactly what she wanted. She could love whomever she wanted-- even if he refused to love her in return! As for her parents expectations and every young lady's etiquette guide, why expectations be hanged."
Jem having been disowned by her parents for not having settled down with a respectable young man is now working a job while following Merinda around trying to solve mysteries. Merinda is the instigator for most things at first it appears, and while she does seem to be the mastermind, she is also the one that has the funding for them to be able to live in such a nice place.
Then we also have the two men characters who encourage Jem and Merinda in their crime-solving. First, we have Jasper a detective in the police force that helps them get access to certain things (plus he has a crush on Merinda that is almost painful to imagine after a while).
Then we have Ray DeLuca a report for a small newspaper who encourages the crime-solving due and even ends up helping them out along the way. Plus the advice he gives Jem when she is dating someone who is not good for her at all was perfect. I mean can we please have more men like these two in books? Kind, respectful of the ladies' wishes, and encouraging or discouraging when it was needed.
"I don't care if you send him chocolates laced with arsnic, so long as you keep him out of his office long enough for me to get what I need."
Let's get back to Jem and Merinda now. Jem being the more sensible one and also the one that was trained growing up to deal with social situations is also the one that has to go out and find out information and then report back to Merinda. While Merinda is at home trying to piece together all of the information that Jem finds along with what she assumes is happening. I also just want to give it up for Merinda convincing Jem to break the Morality Laws as much as possible, because while dangerous, really needed to happen! Plus women in pants, solving crimes in the 1900's is really something I want to read more of!! Or just women solving crimes in historical fiction in general and actually being successful in it.
"I don't belong with anyone, do I? A girl in trousers who follows Merinda Herringford around the city. But I need to be in your life.. I know that you'll need to chase your stories. That you don't want to be cooped up. Maybe I won't ever be the first thing in your life, but..."
P.S. Why can't romance be like this in every book? It happened naturally and never became the main focus of the book. Plus the characters stuck to who they originally were instead of changing suddenly which I've noticed happens quite a bit in Christian fiction.
"She no longer cared about propriety. She no longer cared to be one of those girls who married at a proper age, who had their lives figured out, who wouldn't be caught dead in trousers."
Merinda Herringford and Jem Watts balance each other out pretty well, and I can see the resemblance between Sherlock and Watson with them. But that doesn't take anything away from the story. In fact, besides Merinda being reckless most of the time when it comes to social things and dragging Jem along for the ride at the beginning, they completely stand on their own. At times I did notice myself Imagining this happening the Murdoch Mysteries world but I think that has more to do with it being in Canada and me not really knowing much about it, especially in the early 1900's.
"Since she wasn't going to be one of those girls, she could do exactly what she wanted. She could love whomever she wanted-- even if he refused to love her in return! As for her parents expectations and every young lady's etiquette guide, why expectations be hanged."
Jem having been disowned by her parents for not having settled down with a respectable young man is now working a job while following Merinda around trying to solve mysteries. Merinda is the instigator for most things at first it appears, and while she does seem to be the mastermind, she is also the one that has the funding for them to be able to live in such a nice place.
Then we also have the two men characters who encourage Jem and Merinda in their crime-solving. First, we have Jasper a detective in the police force that helps them get access to certain things (plus he has a crush on Merinda that is almost painful to imagine after a while).
Then we have Ray DeLuca a report for a small newspaper who encourages the crime-solving due and even ends up helping them out along the way. Plus the advice he gives Jem when she is dating someone who is not good for her at all was perfect. I mean can we please have more men like these two in books? Kind, respectful of the ladies' wishes, and encouraging or discouraging when it was needed.
"I don't care if you send him chocolates laced with arsnic, so long as you keep him out of his office long enough for me to get what I need."
Let's get back to Jem and Merinda now. Jem being the more sensible one and also the one that was trained growing up to deal with social situations is also the one that has to go out and find out information and then report back to Merinda. While Merinda is at home trying to piece together all of the information that Jem finds along with what she assumes is happening. I also just want to give it up for Merinda convincing Jem to break the Morality Laws as much as possible, because while dangerous, really needed to happen! Plus women in pants, solving crimes in the 1900's is really something I want to read more of!! Or just women solving crimes in historical fiction in general and actually being successful in it.
"I don't belong with anyone, do I? A girl in trousers who follows Merinda Herringford around the city. But I need to be in your life.. I know that you'll need to chase your stories. That you don't want to be cooped up. Maybe I won't ever be the first thing in your life, but..."
P.S. Why can't romance be like this in every book? It happened naturally and never became the main focus of the book. Plus the characters stuck to who they originally were instead of changing suddenly which I've noticed happens quite a bit in Christian fiction.
rgyger's review
4.0
Let me start by saying that I love Sherlock (the BBC and movie adaptations, not the actual books. I haven't read those. ), so this description immediately caught my eye. That said, I'm not going to focus my review on how well the story stood up to the Sherlock Holmes stories, only on how it managed to hold up on its own.
When I first received this book in the mail, it was about half as thick as I was expecting it to be. However, McMillan managed to squeeze a lot into those 200 some pages, leaving me with a picture of a city and its inhabitants that was rather complete. Merinda and Jem kept the pace of the story going with their "improper" behavior and Ray's perspective allowed me to see a side of the city that Jem and Merinda were largely removed from.
I didn't like everything about this book. The footnotes, while obviously meant to be informative and amusing, felt more like an intrusion by the author and I stopped reading them about half-way through. Along with this, there were a few times that the scenes seemed to head-hop. This might have been an attempt at omnipresence, yet it didn't come off quite right because most of the book reads as a third person narrative.
I do look forward to the sequel and reading about how Jem and Ray manage to balance their relationship. It will also be amusing to see just what kind of situations McMillan manages to put her heroines in.
I received this book through Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.
When I first received this book in the mail, it was about half as thick as I was expecting it to be. However, McMillan managed to squeeze a lot into those 200 some pages, leaving me with a picture of a city and its inhabitants that was rather complete. Merinda and Jem kept the pace of the story going with their "improper" behavior and Ray's perspective allowed me to see a side of the city that Jem and Merinda were largely removed from.
I didn't like everything about this book. The footnotes, while obviously meant to be informative and amusing, felt more like an intrusion by the author and I stopped reading them about half-way through. Along with this, there were a few times that the scenes seemed to head-hop. This might have been an attempt at omnipresence, yet it didn't come off quite right because most of the book reads as a third person narrative.
I do look forward to the sequel and reading about how Jem and Ray manage to balance their relationship. It will also be amusing to see just what kind of situations McMillan manages to put her heroines in.
I received this book through Litfuse in exchange for an honest review.
flowersofquiethappiness's review
4.0
After enjoying the pleasurable read that was A Singular and Whimsical Problem, I was so ready to spend an entire book with Jem and Merinda. And what a ride it is! I surely do love these ladies, with all their quirkiness, confident posturing (Merinda), and doubtful wonderings (Jem), as they go barreling headlong into trouble. They are determined to make a go of their detective business, but it's 1910 and lady detectives are simply unheard of! This does, of course, not deter them. (Naturally.) Which means we get a fun adventure with a side note of mysterious goings-on and clever villains.
Jem and Merinda, ah what can be said of these two? Merinda....I'm not so sure I have any words for her yet. She's such an intriguing mix of perfect manners and nonexistent tactfulness, with a brain that is constantly spinning with thoughts and ideas. Meanwhile, the "normal" things of life seem to never even occur to her! You know, like making sure she and Jem have food on the table and perhaps double-checking that they don't get caught by the Morality Squad...? Thank goodness for Jem! We spend much of the book in her head and she's quite a delight. By far the more sensible (and romantic) of the two, she's the one holding a steady job and keeping Merinda's ideas from getting too out of hand (most of the time). And she's the one fighting the doubts about where her life is going. Much as she loves Merinda (and loves detective work!), she still has her hopes and dreams of getting married some day and having a family. And that's where a certain someone comes in....
Dear, dear Ray, how I loved him! He's so sweet to his sister, which just endeared him to me. Because he's got such a gruff exterior and doesn't like to let anybody know about his soft heart inside. But once he begins to spend more time with our ladies....that protective and tender heart just can't be hidden. He and Jem were too adorable with all their awkward attraction. And Jasper! We didn't get to spend near enough time with him. I'm expecting more Jasper awesomeness come book two, Ms. McMillan! Especially of the "trying to woo Merinda" sort. I have a feeling those two are going to have quite a long road ahead of them. Poor Jasper. ;)
The Morality Squad and general deplorable conditions for women back then makes for several bits of frustration and scary moments for our two detectives. I loved how all the seemingly different mysteries came together and created quite a hullabaloo that just needed Merinda's brilliant mind to sort it all out. A big mystery is solved by the final page, but there is still much corruption and deviousness to be dealt with so I've no qualms that there is ever so much more to Jem and Merinda's story!
Take two awesome lady detectives, dump them in the middle of mayhem and murderous villains, give them two handsome gentlemen determined to cause their hearts a bit of havoc, add in all the little "footnotes" that were hilarious and great for helping us to understand particular moments, don't forget the sarcastic and witty tone of Ms. McMillan's writing, and you have the makings of a fantastic book one! It definitely needs to be added to your TBR pile as near to the top as possible. Then read it, fall in love with these characters, and look forward to book two! :)
**I received a complimentary copy from Harvest House through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Jem and Merinda, ah what can be said of these two? Merinda....I'm not so sure I have any words for her yet. She's such an intriguing mix of perfect manners and nonexistent tactfulness, with a brain that is constantly spinning with thoughts and ideas. Meanwhile, the "normal" things of life seem to never even occur to her! You know, like making sure she and Jem have food on the table and perhaps double-checking that they don't get caught by the Morality Squad...? Thank goodness for Jem! We spend much of the book in her head and she's quite a delight. By far the more sensible (and romantic) of the two, she's the one holding a steady job and keeping Merinda's ideas from getting too out of hand (most of the time). And she's the one fighting the doubts about where her life is going. Much as she loves Merinda (and loves detective work!), she still has her hopes and dreams of getting married some day and having a family. And that's where a certain someone comes in....
Dear, dear Ray, how I loved him! He's so sweet to his sister, which just endeared him to me. Because he's got such a gruff exterior and doesn't like to let anybody know about his soft heart inside. But once he begins to spend more time with our ladies....that protective and tender heart just can't be hidden. He and Jem were too adorable with all their awkward attraction. And Jasper! We didn't get to spend near enough time with him. I'm expecting more Jasper awesomeness come book two, Ms. McMillan! Especially of the "trying to woo Merinda" sort. I have a feeling those two are going to have quite a long road ahead of them. Poor Jasper. ;)
The Morality Squad and general deplorable conditions for women back then makes for several bits of frustration and scary moments for our two detectives. I loved how all the seemingly different mysteries came together and created quite a hullabaloo that just needed Merinda's brilliant mind to sort it all out. A big mystery is solved by the final page, but there is still much corruption and deviousness to be dealt with so I've no qualms that there is ever so much more to Jem and Merinda's story!
Take two awesome lady detectives, dump them in the middle of mayhem and murderous villains, give them two handsome gentlemen determined to cause their hearts a bit of havoc, add in all the little "footnotes" that were hilarious and great for helping us to understand particular moments, don't forget the sarcastic and witty tone of Ms. McMillan's writing, and you have the makings of a fantastic book one! It definitely needs to be added to your TBR pile as near to the top as possible. Then read it, fall in love with these characters, and look forward to book two! :)
**I received a complimentary copy from Harvest House through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
erincataldi's review
4.0
A cute, enjoyable romp that will take readers through the underbelly of Toronto at the turn of the century. Merinda and Jemima are two well off girls who have been pretty much disowned by their families for their unwomenly behavior. Merinda likes to waltz around the city in men's clothes solving murder cases and helping those at the bottom of the totem pole. Jem isn't as brazen but she follows Merinda around and as such, takes part in all of her shenanigans. When two immigrant girls are found murdered in Corktown, the pair decide that they're going to solve it and form their own detective agency at that. Filled with witty dialogue, improbable scenarios, budding romances, and unforgettable characters this inspirational cozy mystery will find many fans. I wouldn't mind picking up the next in the series myself.
I received this book for free from Lifuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased review.
I received this book for free from Lifuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased review.
emmymbee's review against another edition
4.0
I love Sherlock Holmes, and so picking this book up to read was an easy decision.
This is an interesting take of a female Sherlock and Watson in Canada, who while they may not have Sherlock's skill set, they have all his enthusiasm for solving a mystery. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to reading the others in the series.
My only complaints (such as they are), is that I wish they'd showed a little more how they came to the conclusions they did. However this is a minor thing and didn't stop me enjoying the story overall.
Note: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is an interesting take of a female Sherlock and Watson in Canada, who while they may not have Sherlock's skill set, they have all his enthusiasm for solving a mystery. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to reading the others in the series.
My only complaints (such as they are), is that I wish they'd showed a little more how they came to the conclusions they did. However this is a minor thing and didn't stop me enjoying the story overall.
Note: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.