In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.
Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city’s underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.
While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto’s premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever–if they can stay alive long enough to do so.
The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder is a most unique ride to love. Well written, Rachel McMillan immerses the reader in the changing culture of Toronto at a time when immigrant and gender equality is all up in the air. I had no idea that some of these problems ever existed, and it made for a fascinating story.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters of Jem and DeLuca – probably DeLuca a bit more. I enjoyed his dedication to his family and his willingness to roll up his sleeves and ball his fists to defend his those he loves.
McMillan’s writing style is a new one to me. Asides are written in using asterisks and placed at the bottom of the pages and are often used to provide the reader with more information. Having thought this was the first in a series – and being mistaken – I appreciated the extra detail even though it came in an unconventional form.
The Bachelor’s Girl’s Guide to Murder is quirky. It’s not like any other love story I’ve ever read. If you find yourself in the mood for a realistic historical mystery romance, give this book a try.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
