Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2021-08-10 07:00:44 Associated-names Borein, Edward, 1872-1945, illustrator Boxid IA40203821 Camera USB PTP Class Camera Collection_set printdisabled External-identifier The premise was interesting but it became bogged down by too many distractions. The author clearly has a good imagination but needs to learn that sometimes less is actually more. Violet's mother disappeared when she was younger, but had informed her of what duties a wife would have to perform, and she wanted no parts of it.

Firstly, a huge thank you to @tandemcollectiveuk , @headofzeus and Hannah Dolby for allowing me on this #tandemreadalong and #gifting me a copy of this lovely book. Violet is one of those incandescent characters who grab your heartstrings with her hilarity, determination and bravery and lingers in your mind long after her story is told. Extra praise also for the rest of the excellent and colorful cast. Thank you to NetGalley, Aria & Aries Publishing and Hannah Dolby for a chance to read an ARC for “No Life for a Lady”. This is my honest and unpaid review. Delightfully quirky, joyful and original... it will help you bounce exuberantly into spring' – Adele ParksViolet is a pioneer of her time, dreaming of living outside that mould whilst dealing with the disappearance of her mother ten years ago. Enter Violet Hamilton who, at 28, is an elderly spinster in the minds of most, especially that of her father. But she is fiercely independent, ambitious and wishes to make her own way. Her mother who disappeared ten years earlier instilled a unique mindset and outlook into her daughter. Violet secretly seeks the right detective to search for her mother, one who will take her seriously. In doing so she meets Ben. She also discovers layers of secrets and learns more about herself. To me the mystery is almost secondary to the characters. Some are more endearing than others but all are interesting. Over the course of her adventures Violet finds herself visiting a brothel, breaking into a museum, spying on skinny dipping men, learning to type and, accustomed as she is to turning down the unsuitable suitors her father keeps pushing her way, attracted to a man. She also finds out that her beloved mother had her own secrets, secrets that have had repercussions for the unwitting Violet. No political comedy would be complete without the enemy to clash with. In No Job for a Lady, the first two series see a familiar face for Jean’s regular battles in the form of George Baker (at the same time also finding fame playing Wexford in The Ruth Rendell Mysteries). Baker’s role is that of Godfrey Egan MP, a pompous fossil within the government whose majority is so substantial that he has lost all touch with the everyday people, and as such he regularly butts heads with Jean as she tries to reform the processes of government that he feels should be left well alone – especially by a woman. Pointless facts were repeated to a distracting degree, a good edit and removal of unnecessary filler would have improved the book greatly.

Last of the main characters is party whip Norman (Garfield Morgan), who Jean initially refers to as the warder. He carries a headmaster-like air as he attempts to ensure that all his MPs behave appropriately in opposition. Like Egan, he too has a rather old-fashioned view when it comes to women in parliament.

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I wish there had been more of Benjamin and relationship building with Violet because although this isn’t a romance book I LOVED their interactions and wanted more of them together. I feel this also would have given a clearer view of Benjamins feelings.

Briefly, ten years after Lily went missing and despite repeated attempts by her father to introduce her to eligible gentlemen Violet is adamant she doesn’t want to marry. What she wants to do is find her mother and to that end she needs a private detective. What follows is a rather enjoyable romp with Violet breaking all the rules for a Victorian lady. But can she find out what happened to her mother? A fan of Victorian fictional female detective Loveday Brooke, Violet lives with her banker father in Hastings, England. She has never had any adult responsibilities other than running his household since her mother left home as if to go to one of her frequent social engagements, giving no hint she wouldn’t Flat, dull and uninspiring at best, caricaturish at worst. I was toldViolet was strong and bullish but I was shown a doormat of a woman who became discombobulated at the slightest pressure.Violet Hamilton is a woman who knows her own mind. Which, in 1896, can make things a little complicated... I feel Netgalley was stretching the truth with its claims of "A delightfully quirky and clever book club read, perfect for fans of Dear Mrs Bird, The Maid and Lessons in Chemistry." I sadly didn't find this quirky or clever, nor did I find the story to be "fabulously funny" or have "lashings of mystery" as claimed in the editorial quotes. I was randomly selected by the publisher to receive an ARC. Thank you to Netgalley as well. It's 1896 and Victoria is 28 years old. Her mother has been missing for ten years now. In that time, Victoria has searched her room and done all that she could think of to figure out what happened. An advertisement for a local detective catches her eye and she hires Mr. Knight on the spot. He seems a bit unsavory but she knew of no other detective. Victoria lives with her Father on the seaside and their two staff. She attends church weekly and is determined not to marry. Ten years later, Violet’s father has been trying to marry her off for years, what he doesn’t understand is after her mother went missing, Violets friends stopped talking to her, they cross the street when they see her and some men no longer treat her with the respect she deserves. Charming, exhilarating, fabulously funny and so full of heart - Violet is the heroine I've been waiting for.' Daisy Buchanan