The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies: The Ill-Mannered Ladies, Book 1

Delightful story. Good dialogue. Fun

Great characters, amazing adventures, lots of detailed histories, but who was responsible for the dueling victim's death?? A lot is left hanging. After 445 pages, I expected a satisfying conclusion. The real mystery is - does the author plan to reveal the murderer in a sequel? I don't want to wait a year for the next book to come out to find out the answer(s) missing in the previous book. I can't give it 5 stars.

The ill mannered ladies TRY to follow the restrictive rules of the early 1800’s, but Lady Augusta is far too spirited for a life of acquiescence and Lady Julia is far too loyal to put up much resistance. And Lord Evan is far too much the dashing bad boy with a heart of gold for the ladies to resist. So the stories of their adventures are entertaining.However, the novel has a serious side also, as Goodman reveals sordid truths about the way women were treated by men with no recourse, no rights, no respect under laws that gave husbands and brothers unlimited power, even over titled heiresses with poorer class girls and women having no rights at all.Therefore, The I’ll Mannered Ladies is an entertaining regency novel that points out serious flaws in a society famed foe its civility. It is a good read.

This is the best book I have had the pleasure to read this year! Well written and touching on so many horrible situations women have been subjected to over the centuries. I love the heroines and their paramours. Bravo.

The characters were so “real” and relatable - especially Augusta and Julia. And their adventures kept me turning the pages. However, this book was uncomfortable to read. The author took us to every underbelly of society that existed at that time - from brothels to madhouses and everything in between. And the way people in those places were treated was dehumanizing and dreadful. It got a bit much after a while. I read to escape reality - not to be reminded that the corrupt, immoral people of today are really not much different than they were hundreds of years ago. So, it wasn’t quite my cup of tea. At the same time, the author did an excellent job writing an engaging novel.

If you are looking for an adventurous, feminist romp in the Regency Period with not overdone romance, you will probably like this book. If you’re really looking for a Regency period murder mystery, you may be very disappointed like I was. I bought it because WaPo named it one of the 10 best mystery books of 2023, but it’s not really a mystery book…at least not in a traditional sense. That’s all I can say about that without spoiling the plot. As for being an “adventure” book, it was definitely not my cup of tea. The adventures themselves seemed cliche and repetitive, and you know how they are going to resolve. That’s the opposite of what I was looking for in a murder mystery. The class framework presented seemed contrived, with the author cherry-picking when to strictly adhere to custom and when to ignore it. What the book cover describes as ‘smart and sassy’ often came across as immature, unrealistic, unreasonable, or entitled. If I could give WaPo a zero star review for recommending this book as a top ten mystery book, I would.

If you love the Lady Hardcastle mysteries, you will love these strong, resourceful twins as they carry out amazing favors for friends. I'm only 1/5 of the way through the first book and have laughed and cried and held my breath through suspenseful parts. I must go now; the ladies await my return.Edit:Finished and want to report that this is a wonderfully tense and emotional book. The sisters have more gumption and courage than Bogie and the Duke put together. The last 20% was a tough read though, not because of the writing or the story dragging--no--because it's set in an asylum for women and is so horrific as to make me stop every few pages to rest my mind and blow my nose.Unlike one reviewer who said "it just stopped", I thought the ending was just right. It ended where I felt it should but still left you with the knowledge that there is more to look forward to in the next book! I can hardly wait.

I really loved this book and I may pick it for my Book Club selection this year. This is my first book by this author, and I like it very much, I will read more.

Haven't finished it yet but so far I love the book.

Brilliant common sense written tale with a good dose of the far fetched. No 'Greek god with emerald eyes' to make my own eyes roll as with many such novels. Quality side stories with insights into medical issues of the times and without the usual pasting over of inevitable body functions. Loved it.

Un peu prévisible. Lu rapidement.

Fasten your seatbelts. This is Regency spinsters as you have never seen them before..I'm certain if there had been motor bikes in the 19th century these two indomitable spirits would have been riding them. Or maybe Lady Julia would have been in the side car while Lady Augusta drive.Not only do these women rescue damsels in distress uncover, in true Regency tradition they also get their man, despite their advancing years. So definitely the 1960's meets 1812. There's nothing these ladies won't get up to.This really is a fun book, although it is also very confronting. Some of the scenes will make you gasp, or even get the vapours. It is hard to believe people can treat fellow humans like this. However it still happens. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.The author has a deft touch. There is humour and tension aplenty. This is quite a thriller. The dialogue is witty and fast paced.I'm overwhelming glad I wasn't born in the 1800's. I'm sure I would have been hung for something.A very enjoyable, tantalising debut novel. More please.