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Marigold Manners #1
Misery Hates Company
A young woman is invited to a mysterious relative’s estate and winds up entangled in a murder investigation in this witty historical mystery that pits the gothic eeriness of Crimson Peak against the comic absurdities of Cold Comfort Farm.
Miss Marigold Manners may be steeped in the etiquette of her old-money, Boston family, but she is also an accomplished, modern woman and an avid student of archaeology who can handle any situation with poise. When the death of her parents leaves her too destitute to pursue her academic career and she receives a letter from a distant relative on Great Misery Island, Marigold decides she must do what any person of superior sense and greater-than-average curiosity she mounts her trusty bicycle and heads up the craggy, fog-shrouded coast of New England for a date with fate. Marigold arrives at Hatchet Farm, a moldering, gothic pile of a house inhabited by relatives so mired in the sins of the past, they have no future. She sets out to modernize the recluses with a brisk, ruthless efficiency, but her well-intentioned plans to manage their lives leads to malice—and murder. When Ellery Hatchet is found dead in the garden of the estate, Marigold finds herself accused. She must enlist the help of an eccentric, colorful cast of friends and found family to save herself—and everything she holds dear. As secrets are uncovered and lies exposed, the question of “who done it” turns into “who didn’t do it?”, and Marigold must face a truth that shatters her steely poise and shakes her very sense of self.
Miss Marigold Manners may be steeped in the etiquette of her old-money, Boston family, but she is also an accomplished, modern woman and an avid student of archaeology who can handle any situation with poise. When the death of her parents leaves her too destitute to pursue her academic career and she receives a letter from a distant relative on Great Misery Island, Marigold decides she must do what any person of superior sense and greater-than-average curiosity she mounts her trusty bicycle and heads up the craggy, fog-shrouded coast of New England for a date with fate. Marigold arrives at Hatchet Farm, a moldering, gothic pile of a house inhabited by relatives so mired in the sins of the past, they have no future. She sets out to modernize the recluses with a brisk, ruthless efficiency, but her well-intentioned plans to manage their lives leads to malice—and murder. When Ellery Hatchet is found dead in the garden of the estate, Marigold finds herself accused. She must enlist the help of an eccentric, colorful cast of friends and found family to save herself—and everything she holds dear. As secrets are uncovered and lies exposed, the question of “who done it” turns into “who didn’t do it?”, and Marigold must face a truth that shatters her steely poise and shakes her very sense of self.
311 pages, Hardcover
First published November 5, 2024
66 people are currently reading
7332 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Hobbs
4 books38 followersElizabeth Hobbs is a New Englander born and bred who spent her childhood roaming the woods, making up stories about characters who live far more exciting lives than she. It wasn’t always so—long before she ever set pen to paper, Elizabeth graduated from Hollins College with a BA in classics and art history and then earned her MA in nautical archaeology from Texas A&M University. While she loved the life of an underwater archaeologist, she has found her true calling writing historical mysteries full of wit, wickedness, and adventure. Elizabeth writes wherever she is and loves to travel from her home in Texas, where she lives with her husband, the Indispensable Mr. Hobbs, and her darling dogs, Ghillie and Brogue, in an empty nest of an old house filled to the brim with bicycles and books.
Elizabeth Hobbs also writes historical romance under the name Elizabeth Essex.
source: Amazon
Elizabeth Hobbs also writes historical romance under the name Elizabeth Essex.
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
October 30, 2024
I really am not sure what I feel about this book! I have not read Cold Comfort Farm for many years but this seems to be a very close copy of that book right down to each of the main characters. Maybe this was deliberate. I will have to check!
Anyway Misery Hates Company is a readable book in its own right even if some of the characters, including Miss Manners, were a little too much to take. The Boston setting was well done as were the attitudes of the day to working women.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Anyway Misery Hates Company is a readable book in its own right even if some of the characters, including Miss Manners, were a little too much to take. The Boston setting was well done as were the attitudes of the day to working women.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 1, 2025
This started out well and I was enjoying it. Marigold is exactly the kind of character I like - someone forced by circumstances into difficult situations but pulls up her boot straps and figures out how to make things work anyway.
Where this went off the rails for me was once Marigold arrived at the creepy old gothic pile where the heretofore unknown relatives of her late mother live and which comes with some sort of family secrets Marigold knew nothing about.
The number of "the divide between the city folk and the country folk" situations went on far too long for my attention span and were just too overdone and excessive. I get it - the city and country folk look at the world from very different perspectives. Enough of the constant situations where we need to go over that experience again and again . . . and again!
I got bored with those situations and just gave up on this. Moving on to something else.
Where this went off the rails for me was once Marigold arrived at the creepy old gothic pile where the heretofore unknown relatives of her late mother live and which comes with some sort of family secrets Marigold knew nothing about.
The number of "the divide between the city folk and the country folk" situations went on far too long for my attention span and were just too overdone and excessive. I get it - the city and country folk look at the world from very different perspectives. Enough of the constant situations where we need to go over that experience again and again . . . and again!
I got bored with those situations and just gave up on this. Moving on to something else.
December 3, 2024
Sometimes I have the most delightful reading adventures when I eschew all the details and simply dive into a book because a title or a cover caught my eye. Misery Hates Company simply fascinated me for a title and I launched in with no idea to genre, blurb, or friendly recommendation. What a smashing surprise this turned out to be.
Misery Hates Company turned out to be a little bit of historical mystery mingled with a retelling of Stella Gibbons‘ scream of a classical historical comedy Cold Comfort Farms.
Marigold Manners is larger than life and an amusing sole narrator of the story. Her parents flitted about the globe spending and living high while Marigold confounded them with her interest in studying at Wellesley and choosing to become a classical scholar and hoped to go into archeology. But, with their death, she is not surprised to learn that there is barely a competence for her to live on and she needs to step away from her college endeavors to find a way to earn a living.
Her best friend, Isabelle, a wealthy fashionable Boston society diva wants her to stay with her. Marigold has enough pride to say she’ll go it alone, but first she must satisfy curiosity by responding to one of a handful of extended family offers to stay with them. The intriguing letter from her mother’s cousin on Great Misery Island has her leaving behind glittering society for rustic island life and the oddest family of whom anyone can boast, the cursed Hacketts. Marigold is a modern, managing sort, but even she is challenged by her cousin’s creepy and hostile household in a dirty, decrepid farmhouse.
I loved the gothic atmosphere Elizabeth Hobbs created in this New England setting and American Gilded Age backdrop. It smacked of authenticity right down to the local dialogue, but also had entertaining, larger than life eccentric characters in Marigold and her Hackett family among a varied cast of characters from all strata of local society.
The mystery comes on gradually in the background with Marigold’s intro to her family and figuring out how to manage their situation to amusing results taking up the bulk of the story. Marigold’s own personality is revealed and developed as the story progresses. She’s got a strong character and big plans, but there is that vulnerability that her gentleman friend, Cab, brings out.
Misery Hates Company stands alone, but also has a feel of being the launchpad for further adventures in managing and mystery for Marigold. I really hope there is more. This sparkled and will be a standout read of the year for me.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at That's What I'm Talking About on 11.28.24
Misery Hates Company turned out to be a little bit of historical mystery mingled with a retelling of Stella Gibbons‘ scream of a classical historical comedy Cold Comfort Farms.
Marigold Manners is larger than life and an amusing sole narrator of the story. Her parents flitted about the globe spending and living high while Marigold confounded them with her interest in studying at Wellesley and choosing to become a classical scholar and hoped to go into archeology. But, with their death, she is not surprised to learn that there is barely a competence for her to live on and she needs to step away from her college endeavors to find a way to earn a living.
Her best friend, Isabelle, a wealthy fashionable Boston society diva wants her to stay with her. Marigold has enough pride to say she’ll go it alone, but first she must satisfy curiosity by responding to one of a handful of extended family offers to stay with them. The intriguing letter from her mother’s cousin on Great Misery Island has her leaving behind glittering society for rustic island life and the oddest family of whom anyone can boast, the cursed Hacketts. Marigold is a modern, managing sort, but even she is challenged by her cousin’s creepy and hostile household in a dirty, decrepid farmhouse.
I loved the gothic atmosphere Elizabeth Hobbs created in this New England setting and American Gilded Age backdrop. It smacked of authenticity right down to the local dialogue, but also had entertaining, larger than life eccentric characters in Marigold and her Hackett family among a varied cast of characters from all strata of local society.
The mystery comes on gradually in the background with Marigold’s intro to her family and figuring out how to manage their situation to amusing results taking up the bulk of the story. Marigold’s own personality is revealed and developed as the story progresses. She’s got a strong character and big plans, but there is that vulnerability that her gentleman friend, Cab, brings out.
Misery Hates Company stands alone, but also has a feel of being the launchpad for further adventures in managing and mystery for Marigold. I really hope there is more. This sparkled and will be a standout read of the year for me.
I rec'd an eARC via NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at That's What I'm Talking About on 11.28.24
August 21, 2024
This is a fast paced read of a New England reimagining/modernisation of Cold Comfort Farm (which I read recently in June 2024) by Stella Gibbons- In my opinion, the characters ( with name changes), situations, settings, story themes / sequence of events follow the classic novel closely in the first 70% of the story. There are a few side plots which are new additions to the storyline such as family feud /revenge , along with a some murders of girls which are briefly mentioned throughout the first 70% of the story. Then in the last 30% of the story another murder among the family becomes the main focus and where the story begins to deviate from the classic novels sequence of events. The last 30% of the novels murder mystery, it was the most intriguing, creative part of the story and shows originality of the author. The ending was very different from the classic novel- and gives an original twisted answer to the unanswered questions of the classic novel. The writing overall is quite good throughout, with great dialogue in a writing style similar to Stella Gibbons. The story kept my attention from start to end.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC . This is my honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC . This is my honest review.
February 10, 2025
3.5 stars
September 16, 2024
The litany of New England references in the beginning of this book had me happily following along despite the main character's difficulties. Marigold Manners was raised as a society girl in Boston, but the death of her parents and realization that they left very little money behind has her leaving Wellesley College and writing seeking a home with relatives. She leaves her well-to-do friends in Boston for Great Misery Island, near present day Beverly, MA, to live with her cousins.
I quickly realized this was a Cold Comfort Farm retelling when Marigold found her relatives living a seemingly hermetic life in squalor. Most of her relatives are angry she's there, which has Marigold baffled - she was invited, after all. She sets to cleaning and nudging her cousins into better situations immediately. The retelling is so faithful that I found myself easing into the story and not even noticing that the mystery and murder subplots are largely undeveloped until the final quarter of the book. Around 73%, things really took off and Marigold worked with her Boston friend Cab to find out the truth behind a murder and the reason her relatives invited her to live with them.
The conclusion is where Misery Hates Company veers off into it's own territory and I really enjoyed the conclusion. Marigold is an assertive, educated "new woman" who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to make it happen, though the romantic subplot is one that will probably continue for a few books.
I quickly realized this was a Cold Comfort Farm retelling when Marigold found her relatives living a seemingly hermetic life in squalor. Most of her relatives are angry she's there, which has Marigold baffled - she was invited, after all. She sets to cleaning and nudging her cousins into better situations immediately. The retelling is so faithful that I found myself easing into the story and not even noticing that the mystery and murder subplots are largely undeveloped until the final quarter of the book. Around 73%, things really took off and Marigold worked with her Boston friend Cab to find out the truth behind a murder and the reason her relatives invited her to live with them.
The conclusion is where Misery Hates Company veers off into it's own territory and I really enjoyed the conclusion. Marigold is an assertive, educated "new woman" who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to make it happen, though the romantic subplot is one that will probably continue for a few books.
November 28, 2024
I’ve not yet read "Cold Comfort Farm" by Stella Gibbons, so I can’t assess if this retelling with a murder mystery twist does the original justice, but I can definitely say I enjoyed this story of Miss Marigold Manners meeting relatives she didn’t know she had, and finding ways to have a big impact on all their lives.
After the influenza deaths of her parents, Marigold discovers her parents used up all their inheritance, leaving little for her, and nixing her plans to head to Greece for an archaeological dig. The Manners’ lawyers contact all known relatives, asking who would be willing to take her in, and the Hatchetts of Misery Island (25 miles from her home of Boston) invite her, saying it’s time to right a wrong against Esmé, Marigold’s mother.
She finds a house and farm beyone dirty and in poor shape, while the residents are resentful, suspicious of her and not happy she’s descended on them.
Irrepressible, plucky and always positive, Marigold rolls up her sleeves and begins cleaning, first the kitchen, then the laundry. With each change, her cousins Daisy, Seviah, and Wilbert warm up to her, as she finds ways to connect with them and their interests or passions, while aunt Sophronia keeps implying she’ll reveal the truth, but instead dispenses cryptic statements. Sophronia’s husband, the insufferable, bible-quoting and always close to violence Ellery scares Marigold, while her grandmother Ava hides out in her room all day.
When Ellery is found dead in an herb garden Marigold created, suspicion falls on her, as she had threatened him when he attempted to destroy her plantings. Luckily, Marigold has made friends both on Misery and on the mainland, and a potential beau, Cab Cox, has shown up who happens to be a lawyer. Marigold begins digging, in earnest, into the history of her relatives and their rivals, and gradually unearths some deeply shocking facts about her family, while also solving the mystery.
I don't know whether it was Marigold's can-do attitude to everything, her kindness and respect for others, her sometimes amusing phrasing, the intriguing characters, or the mystery at the heart of her life, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The plot moves quickly, and even though author Elizabeth Hobbs introduces several characters, many with secrets and motives for murder, I never felt lost or bored. I particularly enjoyed the way the dialogue echoed that of people who would have lived during this period, and there is a snappiness to it, particularly when Marigold is interacting with people similar in age to her, that I really liked.
I liked the way the story diverted from the bones of Gibbons' original, to explain the reasons for the Hatchetts' isolation and strangeness, the mistrust amongst the inhabitants of the town for them, and the various missing people mentioned throughout this novel.
Marigold is a joy, and I loved her assertiveness, her plans for her future, and the way things were left off with her beau. I do wonder if there will be more to Marigold's story eventually, as I would love to watch her "manage" others as she works towards her goal of becoming an archaeologist.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
After the influenza deaths of her parents, Marigold discovers her parents used up all their inheritance, leaving little for her, and nixing her plans to head to Greece for an archaeological dig. The Manners’ lawyers contact all known relatives, asking who would be willing to take her in, and the Hatchetts of Misery Island (25 miles from her home of Boston) invite her, saying it’s time to right a wrong against Esmé, Marigold’s mother.
She finds a house and farm beyone dirty and in poor shape, while the residents are resentful, suspicious of her and not happy she’s descended on them.
Irrepressible, plucky and always positive, Marigold rolls up her sleeves and begins cleaning, first the kitchen, then the laundry. With each change, her cousins Daisy, Seviah, and Wilbert warm up to her, as she finds ways to connect with them and their interests or passions, while aunt Sophronia keeps implying she’ll reveal the truth, but instead dispenses cryptic statements. Sophronia’s husband, the insufferable, bible-quoting and always close to violence Ellery scares Marigold, while her grandmother Ava hides out in her room all day.
When Ellery is found dead in an herb garden Marigold created, suspicion falls on her, as she had threatened him when he attempted to destroy her plantings. Luckily, Marigold has made friends both on Misery and on the mainland, and a potential beau, Cab Cox, has shown up who happens to be a lawyer. Marigold begins digging, in earnest, into the history of her relatives and their rivals, and gradually unearths some deeply shocking facts about her family, while also solving the mystery.
I don't know whether it was Marigold's can-do attitude to everything, her kindness and respect for others, her sometimes amusing phrasing, the intriguing characters, or the mystery at the heart of her life, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The plot moves quickly, and even though author Elizabeth Hobbs introduces several characters, many with secrets and motives for murder, I never felt lost or bored. I particularly enjoyed the way the dialogue echoed that of people who would have lived during this period, and there is a snappiness to it, particularly when Marigold is interacting with people similar in age to her, that I really liked.
I liked the way the story diverted from the bones of Gibbons' original, to explain the reasons for the Hatchetts' isolation and strangeness, the mistrust amongst the inhabitants of the town for them, and the various missing people mentioned throughout this novel.
Marigold is a joy, and I loved her assertiveness, her plans for her future, and the way things were left off with her beau. I do wonder if there will be more to Marigold's story eventually, as I would love to watch her "manage" others as she works towards her goal of becoming an archaeologist.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
December 11, 2024
3 stars. This is a quick gothic read with a spunky protagonist. I got a little tired of the Pollyanna act by which she converts each of her family members into an ally and I found the twist ending to be a head scratcher. However the setting is well done and the characters are well developed
It’s 1894 and Marigold Manners’ parents have just passed away and instead of inheriting a fortune she finds herself a pauper. Distant family who live on an island off the east coast have invited her to come stay with a promise of revealing a secret about her parents. When she arrives she finds a family embittered by their own secrets and surrounded in filth and Marigold decides it all needs a thorough cleaning inside and out.
There’s no murder investigation until the last quarter of the book. The first 3/4 is just about Marigold realizing what a mess this family is and slowly implementing change. Then a murder happens and the secrets are revealed. It felt like two distinct parts and I can’t for the life of me understand the motive for the dark secret. I just don’t get it. If you read it, hit me up and please explain it to me!
It’s 1894 and Marigold Manners’ parents have just passed away and instead of inheriting a fortune she finds herself a pauper. Distant family who live on an island off the east coast have invited her to come stay with a promise of revealing a secret about her parents. When she arrives she finds a family embittered by their own secrets and surrounded in filth and Marigold decides it all needs a thorough cleaning inside and out.
There’s no murder investigation until the last quarter of the book. The first 3/4 is just about Marigold realizing what a mess this family is and slowly implementing change. Then a murder happens and the secrets are revealed. It felt like two distinct parts and I can’t for the life of me understand the motive for the dark secret. I just don’t get it. If you read it, hit me up and please explain it to me!
April 25, 2025
If you like a Jane Austen novel, or Louisa May Alcott, you’ll love this book. The audiobook was particularly fun, due to the nature of the New England accents. It’s nice to see a “new” woman at the turn of the 20th century as a protagonist with the kind of self assured personality which leads her through the twists and turns of the plot. The last third of the book is quite fun, especially. 3.5/5
October 10, 2025
The end of chapter 49 is what bumped this from a 2.25 to a 2.5 which I always round up to 3 stars on Goodreads. Although the author had clearly done her research and wrote the characters and their dialogue very truthfully to the time period, I can’t say I really loved this book. I think the marketing needed to be different since I probably would’ve enjoyed it more if I hadn’t been waiting for the murder that is talked about ON THE BACK OF THE BOOK but doesn’t actually occur until 75% of the way through the ebook.
December 29, 2024
I wasn't sure how to rate this book. My feelings kept changing as I read.
I did think Marigold was a bit much in her ability to turn around people's feelings about her and solve everyone's problems, in a way. I also thought the romantic parts between Marigold and Cab were flat and dragged down the ending. But there was also enough suspense and twists that I stayed interested and decided it was worth 4 stars.
I did think Marigold was a bit much in her ability to turn around people's feelings about her and solve everyone's problems, in a way. I also thought the romantic parts between Marigold and Cab were flat and dragged down the ending. But there was also enough suspense and twists that I stayed interested and decided it was worth 4 stars.
November 9, 2024
Reminds me of “Honor Girl” mixed with an Agatha Christie.
November 29, 2024
I enjoyed this quirky mystery. When Marigold Manners is left destitute, she is invited to stay with relatives on Great Misery Island. Marigold has never been there before and does not really know this part of her family. When she arrives, everything is a mess. The house is falling down, and her family has a lot of weird characters. This is the story of how Marigold tries to improve their lives and make things better. There is also some mystery to this story. Give yourself a little time to get into this story, and I'm sure you will enjoy it.
December 17, 2024
The mystery seemed to take a backseat to the story. I found Marigold condescending and snobby, and frankly, rather annoying.
August 11, 2025
I couldn’t tell if this book was being ironic or serious much of the time. It was enjoyable enough, in a quirky, campy kind of way, but not sure I need to read any more in the series.
May 20, 2025
I wasn't sure what to think but as the story went on, I was pleasantly surprised by the plot, characters and twists.
November 29, 2024
Some of the characters were fun and the plot was pretty interesting but it could've been better.
November 25, 2024
I'd give this one a "C". It was fine and there were some interesting moments, but it was kind of all over the place. The tone shifts confusingly. The middle bit reads like a Victorian "Emma", with dances and matchmaking and dresses and balls. The mystery isn't much of one. It was too many things smashed into one novel and none of them were able to shine.
December 13, 2024
Picked up from the library new books section. Miss Marigold Manners, finding that her dead parents have left her no money whatsoever, packs up to stay with distant cousins on the charmingly named Hatchet Farm on Great Misery Island. Unfortunately, it seems that the farm is a crumbling gothic ruin, her cousins dour and unwelcoming, and her situation more troubling than she was expecting...
Miss Marigold Manners, as one might guess from the name, is a heroine wrought along the lines of Mary Poppins or Mrs Piggle Wiggle. Nothing thwarts her, she has endless plans, and she will improve you, whether you like it or not—starting with her unhappy cousin's family and their run-down house. It's a very bracing attitude to read about, but it does rather spoil the tension, as you know Miss Marigold Manners will solve anything, up to and including a murder. I would also argue it disqualifies the book from being a Gothic, since Miss Marigold Manners is not afraid of that house and would not be caught dead wandering the gloomy New England seaside in a nightdress.
Recommended for people who'd like to see a stern twenty-year-old in Gilded Age New England plow over all her problems like a steam train.
Miss Marigold Manners, as one might guess from the name, is a heroine wrought along the lines of Mary Poppins or Mrs Piggle Wiggle. Nothing thwarts her, she has endless plans, and she will improve you, whether you like it or not—starting with her unhappy cousin's family and their run-down house. It's a very bracing attitude to read about, but it does rather spoil the tension, as you know Miss Marigold Manners will solve anything, up to and including a murder. I would also argue it disqualifies the book from being a Gothic, since Miss Marigold Manners is not afraid of that house and would not be caught dead wandering the gloomy New England seaside in a nightdress.
Recommended for people who'd like to see a stern twenty-year-old in Gilded Age New England plow over all her problems like a steam train.
December 5, 2024
Basically, this whole book is a retelling of the trope: "our heroine's parents die and now she needs to go live with far flung crazy relatives, but she is a plucky woman and will civilize them and make their lives better". To be honest, I have no problems with this trope; I like a story where everything's broken and the main character fixes everything. However, this one just felt just slightly _off_. For starters, the main character is a "modern" woman (for 1894) who not only has friends she could stay with, but also could presumably get a job. Because of this, I just couldn't figure out why she did what she did and the trope only works if the heroine has no other options. Other than that, this was a fun read. I just wish that the backstory made more sense.
December 4, 2024
This seems to be an unapologetic but twisted rip-off of a very good book, “Cold Comfort Farm.” I truly loved “Cold Comfort Farm”—it was well crafted, funny, and set in an era that supported the premise of the story.
“Misery Hates Company” is set in a much earlier time than Cold Comfort Farm, and follows the same story line with murder, rape, and lies thrown in. Misery Hates Company has a somewhat convoluted storyline—some of the end resolution was hard to sort out. In addition, the female protagonist rants a bit much about her independence and some of her rants seem much more 20th century than 19th century.
“Misery Hates Company” is set in a much earlier time than Cold Comfort Farm, and follows the same story line with murder, rape, and lies thrown in. Misery Hates Company has a somewhat convoluted storyline—some of the end resolution was hard to sort out. In addition, the female protagonist rants a bit much about her independence and some of her rants seem much more 20th century than 19th century.
November 30, 2025
3.75 rounded up. Newly orphaned 21 year old Marigold Manners is a modern “New” woman with ambitions. Like all modern women of the late 19th century she has plans to finish college and then set off to Greece for an archaeological dig. Unfortunately, she has just learned her parents left her essentially penniless. Too proud and independent to live off her wealthy bff she decides to move in with some relations she has literally never heard of, but live off the coast of Massachusetts.
She quickly learns that she may be way in over her head with her creepy relations (who live in a moldering gothic) but maintains a can do attitude and hatches schemes to turn everybodies lives around. From cleaning out the cesspit of a kitchen to teaching her female cousin how to be a lady and land the man of her dreams, no task is too big. Ostensibly a murder mystery, the murders take a back seat to Marigold dragging everyone she meets kicking and screaming into at least the 20th century. There is also a super handsome, super rich Harvard guy who is totally in love with her.
I wrote several notes while reading that this felt very much like an early 20th century novel meant to teach lessons about the importance of hygiene and how with a little different attitude you too can pull yourself out if poverty and become anyone you dream. Turns out I was right to not take it so seriously. The story is essentially a fanfic that adds murder to 1932’s Cold Comfort Farm, a parody of romanticized rural novels of the period.
Ultimately, I found this a fun escapist read though the parody was so exaggerated at points that is was a bit cringe. However, my biggest criticism is that the murders ultimately reveal a type of crime that feels inappropriate to add in a story that takes nothing else seriously.
The authors GR bio indicates a 2nd book in the series to be released in Fall ‘25. I need to know what will happen next in her love life so I will definitely be tuning in.
She quickly learns that she may be way in over her head with her creepy relations (who live in a moldering gothic) but maintains a can do attitude and hatches schemes to turn everybodies lives around. From cleaning out the cesspit of a kitchen to teaching her female cousin how to be a lady and land the man of her dreams, no task is too big. Ostensibly a murder mystery, the murders take a back seat to Marigold dragging everyone she meets kicking and screaming into at least the 20th century. There is also a super handsome, super rich Harvard guy who is totally in love with her.
I wrote several notes while reading that this felt very much like an early 20th century novel meant to teach lessons about the importance of hygiene and how with a little different attitude you too can pull yourself out if poverty and become anyone you dream. Turns out I was right to not take it so seriously. The story is essentially a fanfic that adds murder to 1932’s Cold Comfort Farm, a parody of romanticized rural novels of the period.
Ultimately, I found this a fun escapist read though the parody was so exaggerated at points that is was a bit cringe. However, my biggest criticism is that the murders ultimately reveal a type of crime that feels inappropriate to add in a story that takes nothing else seriously.
The authors GR bio indicates a 2nd book in the series to be released in Fall ‘25. I need to know what will happen next in her love life so I will definitely be tuning in.
September 30, 2024
I really, really enjoy when a book has me stumped. This novel, while adhering to many of the rules applying to cozy historicals, in other ways completely upends them, to the point where I was about three quarters of the way through and I was not quite sure where the story was headed. (I was more than willing to discover where that might be, however.) As the book opens in 1890’s Boston, Marigold Manners has just lost both parents to the flu pandemic. And worse, she’s discovered they were broke. While Marigold had been a firm part of upper crust Boston society, it looks as though she will now have to leave Wellsley college, abandon her dreams of archaeology, and throw herself of the mercy of her relatives. She has a last night out with her friend Isabelle and the reader is made aware of the devotion of one hunky society stud, Cab. So far, so expected.
Of all the letters from far flung cousins and aunts the one Marigold chooses to accept is from her cousin Mrs. Sophronia Hatchett, who lives on a place called Misery Island, off the New England shore. Marigold has never heard of Sophronia, but she’s intrigued by her letter, which promises to reveal secrets and right family wrongs. From there, things get weird. It reminded me a good bit of one of my favorite girlhood books, Joan Aiken’s Nightbirds on Nantucket, and heroine Dido Twite’s stay with her Aunt Tribulation. Misery Island is all the reader might expect, as the well dressed Marigold arrives at the train station with her trunks to find that no one is meeting her. What she does find, after some asking around, is a drunk on the beach with a little boat who rows her over to the island (she has to help).
The island is desolate, her relatives, rather than being welcoming, are scattered around the island and often downright hostile when they do encounter her. Cousin Sophronia is cryptic beyond belief, and the only food to hand is the goopy stew made by the drunk, Cleon, who rowed her across. Marigold, not one to let things lie or to wallow, rolls up her sleeves the next morning and gets to work cleaning the kitchen. She also makes her way across the water to town, where she finds the library, retrieves her bicycle (a real novelty in the 1890’s) and forms a woman’s bicycle club. She’s truly the model of an independent female, or “new woman,” and as such finds very little solace in her new cousins.
She then gets to work disarming her cousins with charm and finds her lovely cousin Daisy has a secret beau; cousin Saviah has a talent for singing; and cousin Wilbert is looking to farm some sheep on the desolate island. The father, Ellery, when he sees her, rants at her and she remains pretty afraid of him; Sophronia remains aloof. To add to her dread, Marigold is almost certain on her initial voyage across that she’d seen the body of a young woman under the water. This body is almost ignored until toward the end of the novel.
The middle bit has a bit of a Cinderella feel as she helps her cousins begin to realize their goals, meanwhile reuniting with Cab at an actual ball, ballgowns supplied by her friend Isabelle, a couturier. She also makes friends with Lucy, a young black woman who provides meals for the matriarch, Alva, who never leaves her room. Lucy just leaves a tray outside the door for her.
That gets us through about three quarters of the book, which was in turns a story of identity (Marigold’s), a dysfunctional family, a bit of adventure, and gothic haunted house. As the three quarter point it becomes a straight up mystery as one of the family is discovered murdered and Marigold – and Cab – are the ones to solve it as the local constable seems totally unsuited for the job of detection. This was a charming, funny, and at times bleak story which has a surprisingly happy ending and a wonderful heroine. Marigold is someone I hope to encounter again.
Of all the letters from far flung cousins and aunts the one Marigold chooses to accept is from her cousin Mrs. Sophronia Hatchett, who lives on a place called Misery Island, off the New England shore. Marigold has never heard of Sophronia, but she’s intrigued by her letter, which promises to reveal secrets and right family wrongs. From there, things get weird. It reminded me a good bit of one of my favorite girlhood books, Joan Aiken’s Nightbirds on Nantucket, and heroine Dido Twite’s stay with her Aunt Tribulation. Misery Island is all the reader might expect, as the well dressed Marigold arrives at the train station with her trunks to find that no one is meeting her. What she does find, after some asking around, is a drunk on the beach with a little boat who rows her over to the island (she has to help).
The island is desolate, her relatives, rather than being welcoming, are scattered around the island and often downright hostile when they do encounter her. Cousin Sophronia is cryptic beyond belief, and the only food to hand is the goopy stew made by the drunk, Cleon, who rowed her across. Marigold, not one to let things lie or to wallow, rolls up her sleeves the next morning and gets to work cleaning the kitchen. She also makes her way across the water to town, where she finds the library, retrieves her bicycle (a real novelty in the 1890’s) and forms a woman’s bicycle club. She’s truly the model of an independent female, or “new woman,” and as such finds very little solace in her new cousins.
She then gets to work disarming her cousins with charm and finds her lovely cousin Daisy has a secret beau; cousin Saviah has a talent for singing; and cousin Wilbert is looking to farm some sheep on the desolate island. The father, Ellery, when he sees her, rants at her and she remains pretty afraid of him; Sophronia remains aloof. To add to her dread, Marigold is almost certain on her initial voyage across that she’d seen the body of a young woman under the water. This body is almost ignored until toward the end of the novel.
The middle bit has a bit of a Cinderella feel as she helps her cousins begin to realize their goals, meanwhile reuniting with Cab at an actual ball, ballgowns supplied by her friend Isabelle, a couturier. She also makes friends with Lucy, a young black woman who provides meals for the matriarch, Alva, who never leaves her room. Lucy just leaves a tray outside the door for her.
That gets us through about three quarters of the book, which was in turns a story of identity (Marigold’s), a dysfunctional family, a bit of adventure, and gothic haunted house. As the three quarter point it becomes a straight up mystery as one of the family is discovered murdered and Marigold – and Cab – are the ones to solve it as the local constable seems totally unsuited for the job of detection. This was a charming, funny, and at times bleak story which has a surprisingly happy ending and a wonderful heroine. Marigold is someone I hope to encounter again.
January 18, 2025
Book Review: Misery Hates Company by Elizabeth Hobbs
Rating: 5 Stars
Oh my goodness, where do I even begin? Misery Hates Company by Elizabeth Hobbs has officially claimed the title of my first 5-star fiction read of 2025, and let me tell you, I adored every moment spent within its pages!
From the get-go, we’re introduced to Miss Marigold Manners, a character who is as delightful as her name suggests. Marigold is not just your average young woman from an old-money Boston family; she’s an intelligent, modern wouldbe archaeologist who finds herself in a bit of a pickle after the death of her parents leaves her financially strapped. But instead of wallowing in despair, she receives a letter from a mysterious relative on Great Misery Island and hops on her bicycle to see what fate has in store for her. And fate sure knows how to throw a curveball!
Upon arriving at Hatchet Farm, Marigold is met with a gothic farm that could rival the eeriness of Crimson Peak. It’s all craggy cliffs and foggy nights, setting the perfect backdrop for the drama that unfolds. However, this isn’t just a dark tale of family secrets; it’s laced with humor that reminds me of the absurdities found in Knives Out. As Marigold tries to bring some much-needed modernity to her reclusive relatives, her well-intentioned efforts spiral into chaos—leading to malice and murder.
The tension ramps up quickly when Marigold sees a body floating in the stormy waters surrounding the island, and with another corpse turning up in the garden, she's suddenly at the center of a murder investigation. Talk about a plot twist! I found myself fully invested in her quest to clear her name while navigating through a web of quirky characters who were practically bursting with personality.
This author expertly weaves together mystery and humor, creating a vibrant tapestry of suspense that kept me guessing until the very end. The dynamic between Marigold and her newfound friends—each more eccentric than the last—added layers of richness and warmth to the story. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, another surprise would come along to shake things up.
What truly resonated with me was Marigold's journey of self-discovery amidst chaos. As secrets are revealed and lies come to light, she confronts truths that challenge her very identity. It’s a poignant reminder that sometimes, our past can shape us in unexpected ways.
In short, Misery Hates Company is an absolute triumph! It’s witty, engrossing, and filled with just the right amount of gothic flair. If you’re looking for a historical mystery that will keep you entertained while also tugging at your heartstrings, look no further. Elizabeth Hobbs has crafted a masterpiece that I can’t recommend highly enough! Grab your copy; you won't regret it!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 5 Stars
Oh my goodness, where do I even begin? Misery Hates Company by Elizabeth Hobbs has officially claimed the title of my first 5-star fiction read of 2025, and let me tell you, I adored every moment spent within its pages!
From the get-go, we’re introduced to Miss Marigold Manners, a character who is as delightful as her name suggests. Marigold is not just your average young woman from an old-money Boston family; she’s an intelligent, modern wouldbe archaeologist who finds herself in a bit of a pickle after the death of her parents leaves her financially strapped. But instead of wallowing in despair, she receives a letter from a mysterious relative on Great Misery Island and hops on her bicycle to see what fate has in store for her. And fate sure knows how to throw a curveball!
Upon arriving at Hatchet Farm, Marigold is met with a gothic farm that could rival the eeriness of Crimson Peak. It’s all craggy cliffs and foggy nights, setting the perfect backdrop for the drama that unfolds. However, this isn’t just a dark tale of family secrets; it’s laced with humor that reminds me of the absurdities found in Knives Out. As Marigold tries to bring some much-needed modernity to her reclusive relatives, her well-intentioned efforts spiral into chaos—leading to malice and murder.
The tension ramps up quickly when Marigold sees a body floating in the stormy waters surrounding the island, and with another corpse turning up in the garden, she's suddenly at the center of a murder investigation. Talk about a plot twist! I found myself fully invested in her quest to clear her name while navigating through a web of quirky characters who were practically bursting with personality.
This author expertly weaves together mystery and humor, creating a vibrant tapestry of suspense that kept me guessing until the very end. The dynamic between Marigold and her newfound friends—each more eccentric than the last—added layers of richness and warmth to the story. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, another surprise would come along to shake things up.
What truly resonated with me was Marigold's journey of self-discovery amidst chaos. As secrets are revealed and lies come to light, she confronts truths that challenge her very identity. It’s a poignant reminder that sometimes, our past can shape us in unexpected ways.
In short, Misery Hates Company is an absolute triumph! It’s witty, engrossing, and filled with just the right amount of gothic flair. If you’re looking for a historical mystery that will keep you entertained while also tugging at your heartstrings, look no further. Elizabeth Hobbs has crafted a masterpiece that I can’t recommend highly enough! Grab your copy; you won't regret it!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
May 27, 2024
I am always fond of a good murder mystery. I am especially keen on mysteries where the narrator’s voice shine’s through in exquisite detail, throwing me into a specific time or place as well as into the character’s thoughts. Misery Hates Company did this quite well, and I applaud the author for that.
This book follows Marigold Manners as she sets out for Great Misery Island to stay with some distant relatives after the death of her parents. Marigold is eminently practical, intelligent, and capable, a New Woman at the turn of the century. However, her family, the Hatchets, might prove to be a challenge even she cannot overcome, as they seem to be hiding a number of secrets. When her cousin is murdered, Marigold must figure out who did the deed. Or rather, who didn’t.
I started this book and was immediately drawn in by the language and narration. Marigold is a fantastic character to read (I am a sucker for a capable, logical woman) and her interactions with all the other characters was absolutely wonderful. I will admit that I really liked Cab and was hoping things might progress a bit more there, though the way that it was resolved did fit the story and character perfectly. I also liked the variety of personality in every character, including those that weren’t on the page all that often. Everyone felt unique and real.
I will say that I was a bit disappointed that the actual murder part of the mystery didn’t occur until the last third of the book. Granted, this murder required quite a bit of set-up and I do not begrudge the amount of time that took. It just surprised me a bit to have a murder mystery focus more on the mystery than the murder. Still, I don’t think the story suffered for it.
I do wish that the solution to the mystery had been suggested a bit earlier throughout. Oh, there were clues and such, but the culprit deserved a bit more in the story, I feel. The reasoning for the murder was explained well, but I would have liked to see snippets of it throughout the story. Otherwise, it comes as a bit more of a surprise than I would have liked. (Yes, yes, I know that the whole point of a murder mystery is to stymie the readers. But I need clues earlier on!)
Overall, I enjoyed this book a great deal and would happily read the next book, should there prove to be one (please). An excellent read.
This book follows Marigold Manners as she sets out for Great Misery Island to stay with some distant relatives after the death of her parents. Marigold is eminently practical, intelligent, and capable, a New Woman at the turn of the century. However, her family, the Hatchets, might prove to be a challenge even she cannot overcome, as they seem to be hiding a number of secrets. When her cousin is murdered, Marigold must figure out who did the deed. Or rather, who didn’t.
I started this book and was immediately drawn in by the language and narration. Marigold is a fantastic character to read (I am a sucker for a capable, logical woman) and her interactions with all the other characters was absolutely wonderful. I will admit that I really liked Cab and was hoping things might progress a bit more there, though the way that it was resolved did fit the story and character perfectly. I also liked the variety of personality in every character, including those that weren’t on the page all that often. Everyone felt unique and real.
I will say that I was a bit disappointed that the actual murder part of the mystery didn’t occur until the last third of the book. Granted, this murder required quite a bit of set-up and I do not begrudge the amount of time that took. It just surprised me a bit to have a murder mystery focus more on the mystery than the murder. Still, I don’t think the story suffered for it.
I do wish that the solution to the mystery had been suggested a bit earlier throughout. Oh, there were clues and such, but the culprit deserved a bit more in the story, I feel. The reasoning for the murder was explained well, but I would have liked to see snippets of it throughout the story. Otherwise, it comes as a bit more of a surprise than I would have liked. (Yes, yes, I know that the whole point of a murder mystery is to stymie the readers. But I need clues earlier on!)
Overall, I enjoyed this book a great deal and would happily read the next book, should there prove to be one (please). An excellent read.
May 17, 2025
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Misery Hates Company is the first book in a historical mystery series set in the late Victorian era featuring "plucky" orphan heroine, Marigold Manners, written by Elizabeth Hobbs. Released 5th Nov 2024 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
This is a dark and brooding gothic mystery which is loosely based on Cold Comfort Farm (but set in the previous century). Miss Manners is an orphan cast out into a relatively pitiless world at the death of her parents and learning that their profligate lifestyle has left her impoverished. (Mostly because she refuses the genuine good will of her friends and wants to be entirely self-sufficient).
A mysterious letter from a distant relation sets her on a dangerous path to investigate a long ago family tragedy and hidden scandal. She's got a ruthlessly Polyanna-ish attitude and a knack for "fixing" problems which include her relations, their down-at-the-heels farm, the local society, public relations, and tilting at some local windmills in the form of misogyny, emancipation, racism, and her potentially murderous family.
The actual murder mysteries are secondary to the main narrative arc, and honestly resolve into such an irritatingly convoluted denouement that readers will likely need a pencil and paper to keep the players interrelationships clear.
Three and a half stars. Likely worth a look for people who enjoy brooding creepy gothic mysteries. It would be a good choice for public library or home readers, or possibly a buddy read. No updated publishing info available yet for the second, or subsequent, books in the series. Content warnings for murder, suicide, religious persecution, sexual assault (fairly graphic), racism, and lots of misogyny.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Misery Hates Company is the first book in a historical mystery series set in the late Victorian era featuring "plucky" orphan heroine, Marigold Manners, written by Elizabeth Hobbs. Released 5th Nov 2024 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
This is a dark and brooding gothic mystery which is loosely based on Cold Comfort Farm (but set in the previous century). Miss Manners is an orphan cast out into a relatively pitiless world at the death of her parents and learning that their profligate lifestyle has left her impoverished. (Mostly because she refuses the genuine good will of her friends and wants to be entirely self-sufficient).
A mysterious letter from a distant relation sets her on a dangerous path to investigate a long ago family tragedy and hidden scandal. She's got a ruthlessly Polyanna-ish attitude and a knack for "fixing" problems which include her relations, their down-at-the-heels farm, the local society, public relations, and tilting at some local windmills in the form of misogyny, emancipation, racism, and her potentially murderous family.
The actual murder mysteries are secondary to the main narrative arc, and honestly resolve into such an irritatingly convoluted denouement that readers will likely need a pencil and paper to keep the players interrelationships clear.
Three and a half stars. Likely worth a look for people who enjoy brooding creepy gothic mysteries. It would be a good choice for public library or home readers, or possibly a buddy read. No updated publishing info available yet for the second, or subsequent, books in the series. Content warnings for murder, suicide, religious persecution, sexual assault (fairly graphic), racism, and lots of misogyny.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
October 31, 2024
When her parents die of influenza, Marigold Manners learns that they have left her penniless. She is forced to withdrawal from school and abandon her plans to join an archaeological expedition in Greece, and at the attorney’s suggestion, she writes to relatives. With no desire to live off the generosity of her dear friend Isabella Dana, Marigold accepts an intriguing invitation to visit her mother’s cousin on the island of Great Misery, Massachusetts. Marigold has never heard of Sophronia Hatchet, but the island is not that far from Boston, and she can’t ignore the cryptic message Sophronia sent her.
She optimistically sets out for Great Misery but was totally unprepared for the cold and even hostile reception she is met with from the family nor the filthy and desolate house. But ever the problem solver, Marigold doesn’t let their behavior affect her and sets out to clean the house and get to know her cousins. Slowly Marigold breaks though the walls her family has erected and then sets out to help them achieve their dreams. She is further surprised when she finds her old friend (and something of a secret crush) Jonathan “Cab” Cox on the mainland. Cab is there to help his uncle with a legal matter, a request he took knowing Marigold was staying nearby. But it turns out that Marigold will be the one in need of his legal assistance when a body turns up in her garden and she is the prime suspect!
This was a very well written novel, but I don’t know if I would really call it a mystery, it read more like historical women’s fiction with a murder and lots of surprising and interesting twists, along with a budding romance. Overall, this was an interesting, well written story with lots of intrigue, wonderful characters, complex relationships, lots of twists, shocking revelations and a murder. I would definitely read the next installment and would happily recommend this title to those who enjoy a slightly dark, intriguing read.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
She optimistically sets out for Great Misery but was totally unprepared for the cold and even hostile reception she is met with from the family nor the filthy and desolate house. But ever the problem solver, Marigold doesn’t let their behavior affect her and sets out to clean the house and get to know her cousins. Slowly Marigold breaks though the walls her family has erected and then sets out to help them achieve their dreams. She is further surprised when she finds her old friend (and something of a secret crush) Jonathan “Cab” Cox on the mainland. Cab is there to help his uncle with a legal matter, a request he took knowing Marigold was staying nearby. But it turns out that Marigold will be the one in need of his legal assistance when a body turns up in her garden and she is the prime suspect!
This was a very well written novel, but I don’t know if I would really call it a mystery, it read more like historical women’s fiction with a murder and lots of surprising and interesting twists, along with a budding romance. Overall, this was an interesting, well written story with lots of intrigue, wonderful characters, complex relationships, lots of twists, shocking revelations and a murder. I would definitely read the next installment and would happily recommend this title to those who enjoy a slightly dark, intriguing read.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *
November 14, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Elizabeth Hobbs for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Misery Hates Company coming out November 5, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Miss Marigold Manners may be steeped in the etiquette of her old-money Boston family, but she is also an accomplished, modern woman and an avid student of archaeology who can handle any situation with poise. When the death of her parents leaves her too destitute to pursue her academic career and she receives a letter from a distant relative on Great Misery Island, Marigold decides she must do what any person of superior sense and greater-than-average curiosity would: she mounts her trusty bicycle and heads up the craggy, fog-shrouded coast of New England for a date with fate.
Marigold arrives at Hatchet Farm, a moldering, gothic pile of a house inhabited by relatives so mired in the sins of the past, they have no future. She sets out to modernize the recluses with a brisk, ruthless efficiency, but her well-intentioned plans to manage their lives lead to malice—and murder. Marigold spies a body floating in the stormy waters surrounding the island, and her suspicions immediately turn to her hostile, weapon-wielding relatives when one of the local girls turns up missing. And she might not be the only one.
When another dead body is found in the garden of the estate, Marigold finds herself accused. She must enlist the help of an eccentric, colorful cast of friends and found family to save herself—and everything she holds dear. As secrets are uncovered and lies exposed, the question of “who done it?” turns into “who didn’t do it?” and Marigold must face a truth that shatters her steely poise and shakes her very sense of self.
I read this was supposed to be an adaptation of Cold Comfort Farm. I’ve only seen the movie and I was obsessed with that. I didn’t quite see the connection with this book. I really enjoyed the beginning of the book, but then I wasn’t quite on board with Marigold’s character progression. There were some things I didn’t like about her character. The ending wasn’t my favorite. I would check out other books by this author though.
Miss Marigold Manners may be steeped in the etiquette of her old-money Boston family, but she is also an accomplished, modern woman and an avid student of archaeology who can handle any situation with poise. When the death of her parents leaves her too destitute to pursue her academic career and she receives a letter from a distant relative on Great Misery Island, Marigold decides she must do what any person of superior sense and greater-than-average curiosity would: she mounts her trusty bicycle and heads up the craggy, fog-shrouded coast of New England for a date with fate.
Marigold arrives at Hatchet Farm, a moldering, gothic pile of a house inhabited by relatives so mired in the sins of the past, they have no future. She sets out to modernize the recluses with a brisk, ruthless efficiency, but her well-intentioned plans to manage their lives lead to malice—and murder. Marigold spies a body floating in the stormy waters surrounding the island, and her suspicions immediately turn to her hostile, weapon-wielding relatives when one of the local girls turns up missing. And she might not be the only one.
When another dead body is found in the garden of the estate, Marigold finds herself accused. She must enlist the help of an eccentric, colorful cast of friends and found family to save herself—and everything she holds dear. As secrets are uncovered and lies exposed, the question of “who done it?” turns into “who didn’t do it?” and Marigold must face a truth that shatters her steely poise and shakes her very sense of self.
I read this was supposed to be an adaptation of Cold Comfort Farm. I’ve only seen the movie and I was obsessed with that. I didn’t quite see the connection with this book. I really enjoyed the beginning of the book, but then I wasn’t quite on board with Marigold’s character progression. There were some things I didn’t like about her character. The ending wasn’t my favorite. I would check out other books by this author though.
July 4, 2024
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC of this novel, the first in a series.
This is a funny, tongue-in-cheek historical mystery, with one Miss Marigold Manners firmly in the starring role. Set in the 1890s, as the Victorian world transitioned to modernity, Marigold is very much a New Woman of the age. Like many of her female peers, she wants to make her way into male-dominated higher learning, and the sort of career previously reserved for men, in this instance, archaeology. Her ambitions come to an abrupt and tragic halt when her parents’ sudden deaths reveal the family’s penury. Just then, as readers might hope, long estranged relatives, the aptly-named Hatchets of Hatchet Farm, invite her to stay with them on the just as aptly named Grand Misery Island.
There she finds kin who can hardly stand each other, and, despite their invitation, seem none too pleased to take her into their fold. But, in a manner very reminiscent of the classic send-up of rural life, Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons (see the wonderful film with Kate Beckinsale), Marigold quickly recovers from her initial discomfort at their oddness and disdain. Like Flora Poste, the heroine of that story, she carefully works her way into their insular lives. As both the rundown old manor residents and the townspeople slowly warm to her, her cousin reveals some family secrets, pointing to a mystery, and then a murder, that the ever-curious Marigold, trained in piecing together scant evidence, feels compelled to resolve. Of course she does, but, since this is her debut, this is only an enticing beginning to the further adventures of Miss Marigold Manners.
The writing is consistently good, true to the historical nature of the setting, and the ‘Gay Nineties’ context is faithfully presented. If it’s a bit slow in the first few chapters, it definitely picks up the tempo as Marigold pursues the mystery. Her friendship with Cab is sweet, and promises further romantic development. All in all, this book is a treat.
This is a funny, tongue-in-cheek historical mystery, with one Miss Marigold Manners firmly in the starring role. Set in the 1890s, as the Victorian world transitioned to modernity, Marigold is very much a New Woman of the age. Like many of her female peers, she wants to make her way into male-dominated higher learning, and the sort of career previously reserved for men, in this instance, archaeology. Her ambitions come to an abrupt and tragic halt when her parents’ sudden deaths reveal the family’s penury. Just then, as readers might hope, long estranged relatives, the aptly-named Hatchets of Hatchet Farm, invite her to stay with them on the just as aptly named Grand Misery Island.
There she finds kin who can hardly stand each other, and, despite their invitation, seem none too pleased to take her into their fold. But, in a manner very reminiscent of the classic send-up of rural life, Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons (see the wonderful film with Kate Beckinsale), Marigold quickly recovers from her initial discomfort at their oddness and disdain. Like Flora Poste, the heroine of that story, she carefully works her way into their insular lives. As both the rundown old manor residents and the townspeople slowly warm to her, her cousin reveals some family secrets, pointing to a mystery, and then a murder, that the ever-curious Marigold, trained in piecing together scant evidence, feels compelled to resolve. Of course she does, but, since this is her debut, this is only an enticing beginning to the further adventures of Miss Marigold Manners.
The writing is consistently good, true to the historical nature of the setting, and the ‘Gay Nineties’ context is faithfully presented. If it’s a bit slow in the first few chapters, it definitely picks up the tempo as Marigold pursues the mystery. Her friendship with Cab is sweet, and promises further romantic development. All in all, this book is a treat.
June 9, 2024
I enjoy mysteries and historical romance, so I chose this book as a combination of the two. It's set in the 1890s, a time of discovery and human advancement. Our heroine, Marigold Manners is on the cusp of embarking on an adventure, when her world suddenly shifts, and she finds herself without funding or even a home of her own. Her options limited, she accepts an invitation from a previously unknown relative to come stay on Great Misery Island.
These first few chapters didn't grab me. Perhaps Marigold's own disjointedness discombobulated me. Certainly when she arrived at Great Misery, the misery of the place and its inhabitants failed to win me over. The writing itself was good enough, though, to keep me from figuratively throwing the book (but never my eReader) across the room. I am so glad I continued reading.
Marigold's determination and temerity - and the mystery introduced by her reticent cousin - kept me intrigued. As the residents of Great Misery and its companion town on the mainland came to know Marigold, some of them opened up. As Marigold sparked change - and pursued answers to her questions - I became more and more engrossed in the story. The final night, I stayed up well past my bedtime discovering the answers to the mysteries piling up on the rocky island.
The subtitle "A Marigold Manners Mystery" and a friend's suggestion to Marigold in the final chapter indicates this is the first book in a series. I would certainly be interested in reading more of her adventures, and I live in hope that her dear friend Cab will win her heart.
I recommend this book for readers interested in turn of the century and gay nineties-era fiction.
I received an electronic advance reader copy of the title at no cost. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
These first few chapters didn't grab me. Perhaps Marigold's own disjointedness discombobulated me. Certainly when she arrived at Great Misery, the misery of the place and its inhabitants failed to win me over. The writing itself was good enough, though, to keep me from figuratively throwing the book (but never my eReader) across the room. I am so glad I continued reading.
Marigold's determination and temerity - and the mystery introduced by her reticent cousin - kept me intrigued. As the residents of Great Misery and its companion town on the mainland came to know Marigold, some of them opened up. As Marigold sparked change - and pursued answers to her questions - I became more and more engrossed in the story. The final night, I stayed up well past my bedtime discovering the answers to the mysteries piling up on the rocky island.
The subtitle "A Marigold Manners Mystery" and a friend's suggestion to Marigold in the final chapter indicates this is the first book in a series. I would certainly be interested in reading more of her adventures, and I live in hope that her dear friend Cab will win her heart.
I recommend this book for readers interested in turn of the century and gay nineties-era fiction.
I received an electronic advance reader copy of the title at no cost. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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