The Right Sort of Man: A Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery

Allison Montclair

Jun 2019 · Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery Book 1 · Sold by Minotaur Books

About this eBook

From debut author Allison Montclair comes an engrossing historical mystery novel set in post-war London, The Right Sort of Man.

In a London slowly recovering from World War II, two very different women join forces to launch a business venture in the heart of Mayfair—The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Miss Iris Sparks, quick-witted and impulsive, and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge, practical and widowed with a young son, are determined to achieve some independence and do some good in a rapidly changing world.

But their promising start is threatened when their newest client is found murdered and the man arrested for the crime is the prospective husband they matched her with. While the police are convinced they have their man, Miss Sparks and Mrs. Bainbridge are not. To clear his name—and to rescue their fledgling operation’s reputation—Sparks and Bainbridge decide to investigate on their own. Little do they know that this will put their very lives at risk.

*BONUS CONTENT: This edition of The Right Sort of Man includes a new introduction from the author and a discussion guide

Ratings and reviews

The Right Sort of Man is an entertaining historical mystery. The author captured post-war London with her vivid descriptions of the bombed out areas, rationing and modes of public transportation (tube, tram, and bus). Numerous items continued to be rationed in England for many years after the war (food, clothes, petrol). I enjoyed Allison Montclair’s writing style with its appealing dialogue and her delightful protagonists. Iris Sparks is an intelligent woman who did special work for the government during the war (which she cannot talk about). Sparks has a unique skill set and is well connected. She thrives on action and has left a string of unhappy beaus in her wake including DS Mike Kinsey. Sparks does love her typewriter though. I especially loved Iris Sparks droll wit. Gwen Bainbridge is a widow with a six year old son and a fascination with Ronald Coleman. Gwen had a hard time after she was notified of her husband’s death. She needed some medical assistance which her in-laws used to grab guardianship of their only grandchild. Gwen is now forced to live with the in-laws to be near her son. Going into business with Iris is her way of obtaining some independence and getting her self-confidence back. When one of their clients is murdered and another accused of the crime, the only way to save their business is to solve the murder themselves. While Iris has the skills for investigating, it is new to Gwen. She soon finds herself enjoying new experiences like riding a tram. I liked the evolution of Gwen’s character. Salvatore “Sally” Danielli was a pleasing addition. He is a complex man with hidden depths (he is working on a play too). There are two mysteries in The Right Sort of Man. One is more complex and dominates the story while the other drifts along in the background (and is simpler). I had a good time following the clues and solving both puzzles. The Right Sort of Man has a great ending. I am hoping there will be more novels featuring this enterprising duo. You will find yourself rooting for Gwen and Sparks in the charming The Right Sort of Man.

Quirky British Whodunit What a delightful amateur sleuth mystery! Unlike so many books that are set in the midst of World War II these days, this is set just after it in London, where the mess caused by that war is still being cleaned up, literally. I liked the two heroines, trying to forge a new way for themselves in the postwar world—as matchmakers! Things go south, though, when one of their clients has been murdered—and the prime suspect is one they’d matched to the dead person! So, they want to find the true murderer, saving their company's reputation (hopefully) and their client. The story unfurls a little slowly. This is not a high-action mystery. But, as I do read a variety of cozy and amateur sleuth mysteries, I have found this to be typical of mysteries written by British writers. When I know this is the case, I am happy to just let the story happen as it happens, so to speak, enjoying this little British quirk and not expecting it to have the super-fast paced stories written by Americans. I enjoyed both the large and small character studies that were part of this book. The author did a good job of pulling me into the post-war London world and captured my interest with intriguing characters, both the clients and the proprietors of the matchmaking business. I loved it that this book kept me guessing as to “whodunit.” I read enough mysteries, so that is a rare occurrence. Highly recommended. I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

They both had a past, not always a bad thing when it prepares you for the career you take on but it does make things interesting. One is a widower, with a small son and all types of complications connected with her deceased husband. The other, well her past is a little secret that cannot be shared. Needless to say with these little tidbits it adds an additional layer of intrigue as they dive head first into a murder investigation to clear their client’s name. It’s a light read with intrigue and suspense and a little fun as these ladies move about easily learning all they can and unraveling all types of troubles along the way. This is my first read by this author and while it was a good read the style and era was a little outside of my norm.

About the author

ALLISON MONTCLAIR grew up devouring hand-me-down Agatha Christie paperbacks and James Bond movies. As a result of this deplorable upbringing, Montclair became addicted to tales of crime, intrigue, and espionage. She now spends her spare time poking through the corners, nooks, and crannies of history, searching for the odd mysterious bits and transforming them into novels of her own. The Right Sort of Man is her debut novel.