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A review by leandrathetbrzero
The Secret of the Lost Pearls by Darcie Wilde
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A Household full of Liars, a Thief, and a Murderer
↓ Similar Reading Experiences ↓
1. A Useful Woman by Darcie Wilde
2. Murder in Westminster by Vanessa Riley
3. The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray
SYNOPSIS
Rosalind Thorne may not have a grand fortune of her own, but she possesses virtues almost as prized by the haut ton: discretion, and a web of connections that enable her to discover just about anything about anyone. Known as a “most useful woman,” Rosalind helps society ladies in need—for a modest fee, of course—and her client roster is steadily increasing…
This title was my introduction to the Useful Woman mystery series, and I am grateful to Kensington Publishing for the gifted copy. I cannot wait to do a deep dive into the books that came before and those to be published in the future because I am hooked! The series is perfect for lovers of historical fiction mysteries, Jane Austen, and authentic depictions of the Regency era. And the mystery was one in which I found myself fully invested up to the final pages!
After Golden Age detective fiction, my second favorite mystery subgenre is historical fiction. And Darcie Wilde’s writing is just brilliant. I am most impressed by Wilde’s ability to present strong, wilful women characters and feminist themes while presenting a very believable Regency-era society where gender inequality restricts the freedom and agency of women. And this novel has a great cast of characters. I loved following Rosalind as our capable, level-headed sleuth. Others may disagree, but she reminded me of Elinor Dashwood in Sense & Sensibility or Juliet Tilney, one of the young amateur detectives in The Murder of Mr. Wickham. None of this is surprising as this series is inspired by Jane Austen and includes some great quotes at the beginning of each chapter.
I am genuinely so excited for whatever adventures Rosalind comes across in the future, and I will cherish both the ARC and the finished copy I now own.
↓ Similar Reading Experiences ↓
1. A Useful Woman by Darcie Wilde
2. Murder in Westminster by Vanessa Riley
3. The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray
SYNOPSIS
Rosalind Thorne may not have a grand fortune of her own, but she possesses virtues almost as prized by the haut ton: discretion, and a web of connections that enable her to discover just about anything about anyone. Known as a “most useful woman,” Rosalind helps society ladies in need—for a modest fee, of course—and her client roster is steadily increasing…
This title was my introduction to the Useful Woman mystery series, and I am grateful to Kensington Publishing for the gifted copy. I cannot wait to do a deep dive into the books that came before and those to be published in the future because I am hooked! The series is perfect for lovers of historical fiction mysteries, Jane Austen, and authentic depictions of the Regency era. And the mystery was one in which I found myself fully invested up to the final pages!
After Golden Age detective fiction, my second favorite mystery subgenre is historical fiction. And Darcie Wilde’s writing is just brilliant. I am most impressed by Wilde’s ability to present strong, wilful women characters and feminist themes while presenting a very believable Regency-era society where gender inequality restricts the freedom and agency of women. And this novel has a great cast of characters. I loved following Rosalind as our capable, level-headed sleuth. Others may disagree, but she reminded me of Elinor Dashwood in Sense & Sensibility or Juliet Tilney, one of the young amateur detectives in The Murder of Mr. Wickham. None of this is surprising as this series is inspired by Jane Austen and includes some great quotes at the beginning of each chapter.
I am genuinely so excited for whatever adventures Rosalind comes across in the future, and I will cherish both the ARC and the finished copy I now own.