What do you think?
Rate this book
Sparks & Bainbridge #4
The Unkept Woman
Allison Montclair returns with the fourth Sparks & Bainbridge mystery, The Unkept Woman : London, 1946, Miss Iris Sparks--currently co-proprietor of the Right Sort Marriage Bureau--has to deal with aspects of her past exploits during the recent war that have come back around to haunt her.
The Right Sort Marriage Bureau was founded in 1946 by two disparate individuals - Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge (whose husband was killed in the recent World War) and Miss Iris Sparks who worked as an intelligence agent during the recent conflict, though this is not discussed. While the agency flourishes in the post-war climate, both founders have to deal with some of the fallout that conflict created in their personal lives. Miss Sparks finds herself followed, then approached, by a young woman who has a very personal connection to a former paramour of Sparks. But something is amiss and it seems that Iris's past may well cause something far more deadly than mere disruption in her personal life. Meanwhile, Gwendolyn is struggling to regain full legal control of her life, her finances, and her son - a legal path strewn with traps and pitfalls.
Together these indomitable two are determined and capable and not just of making the perfect marriage match.
The Right Sort Marriage Bureau was founded in 1946 by two disparate individuals - Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge (whose husband was killed in the recent World War) and Miss Iris Sparks who worked as an intelligence agent during the recent conflict, though this is not discussed. While the agency flourishes in the post-war climate, both founders have to deal with some of the fallout that conflict created in their personal lives. Miss Sparks finds herself followed, then approached, by a young woman who has a very personal connection to a former paramour of Sparks. But something is amiss and it seems that Iris's past may well cause something far more deadly than mere disruption in her personal life. Meanwhile, Gwendolyn is struggling to regain full legal control of her life, her finances, and her son - a legal path strewn with traps and pitfalls.
Together these indomitable two are determined and capable and not just of making the perfect marriage match.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 26, 2022
224 people are currently reading
4980 people want to read
About the author
Allison Montclair
14 books512 followersALLISON 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.
Allison Montclair is a pseudonym of Alan Gordon.
Allison Montclair is a pseudonym of Alan Gordon.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
August 23, 2023
4.5 stars(rounded up) for this very strong outing in one of my favorite mystery series.
The plot is tight, the banter is first-rate, and the farce level is very low--a winner on all fronts.
The previous book (A Rogue's Company) was Gwen-centric; this one is focused more on Iris. Her past, which she had hoped was truly past, comes back with a vengeance. There's a murder. There are some Soviet spies, some British spies, and some Polish refugees involved--all with an interest in the murder victim. But was the motive tied to the recent war or was it more personal?
As this unfolds we learn more of what Iris did during the war.
Though the murder mystery revolves around Iris, Gwen is not forgotten. We learn more of the severity of her collapse that sent her to the sanitarium as she prepares to face the courts in her effort to regain custody of her son. I do wish we had more scenes with young Ronnie as he is such a delight.
The solution to the murder was quite satisfactory and seems to have wrapped up one part of Iris's past. However, the final scenes of the book point forward for both Iris and Gwen. Which means there's more to come. I'm eagerly waiting for the next book. May it be a good as this one.
While it is possible to jump into this series with this book, the reader is advised to start at the beginning, with The Right Sort of Man.
The plot is tight, the banter is first-rate, and the farce level is very low--a winner on all fronts.
The previous book (A Rogue's Company) was Gwen-centric; this one is focused more on Iris. Her past, which she had hoped was truly past, comes back with a vengeance. There's a murder. There are some Soviet spies, some British spies, and some Polish refugees involved--all with an interest in the murder victim. But was the motive tied to the recent war or was it more personal?
As this unfolds we learn more of what Iris did during the war.
Though the murder mystery revolves around Iris, Gwen is not forgotten. We learn more of the severity of her collapse that sent her to the sanitarium as she prepares to face the courts in her effort to regain custody of her son. I do wish we had more scenes with young Ronnie as he is such a delight.
The solution to the murder was quite satisfactory and seems to have wrapped up one part of Iris's past. However, the final scenes of the book point forward for both Iris and Gwen. Which means there's more to come. I'm eagerly waiting for the next book. May it be a good as this one.
While it is possible to jump into this series with this book, the reader is advised to start at the beginning, with The Right Sort of Man.
July 26, 2022
Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this opportunity to review The Unkept Woman. All opinions and comments are my own.
Shocker -- there’s a dead body right at the beginning of our book. Double shocker -- the identification in the flat says it’s our Iris Sparks, of The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Well, that would be the end of the series, wouldn’t it? This is book #4, by the way. I think it’s somebody else, but that’s just me.
And luckily, it is. Thus, The Unkept Woman starts with a bang. Iris is still involved with her spy background, with the turn-up of an ex-boyfriend she knew from the war (WWII, by the way), and is still dating a gangster. Gwen is once again trying to get her son back, legally removing her “lunatic” status, and finally live her life away from her controlling in-laws. Thus, the book doesn’t have a whole lot to do with The Right Sort Marriage Bureau, and I think that’s a shame. Oh, it’s an exciting tale of a murder investigation, retelling stories from wartime, double-crosses, lies and more lies, bad blood, boyfriends and ex-boyfriends, spies, and ex-spies. But the books are now all about the private lives of our two protagonists. They’ve become a soap opera script. Well-written, well-plotted, but with all the drama of a daily melodrama. Will Gwen get her child back? Will Iris’s love life ever sort itself out? Tune in tomorrow!
And finally, the big finish isn’t much of a finish. It’s rather underwhelming for what came before. That makes it more of a surprise ending, I suppose. Of course, having said all that, I’ll keep reading these books, because I want to see Gwen and Iris happy. Call me crazy.
Shocker -- there’s a dead body right at the beginning of our book. Double shocker -- the identification in the flat says it’s our Iris Sparks, of The Right Sort Marriage Bureau. Well, that would be the end of the series, wouldn’t it? This is book #4, by the way. I think it’s somebody else, but that’s just me.
And luckily, it is. Thus, The Unkept Woman starts with a bang. Iris is still involved with her spy background, with the turn-up of an ex-boyfriend she knew from the war (WWII, by the way), and is still dating a gangster. Gwen is once again trying to get her son back, legally removing her “lunatic” status, and finally live her life away from her controlling in-laws. Thus, the book doesn’t have a whole lot to do with The Right Sort Marriage Bureau, and I think that’s a shame. Oh, it’s an exciting tale of a murder investigation, retelling stories from wartime, double-crosses, lies and more lies, bad blood, boyfriends and ex-boyfriends, spies, and ex-spies. But the books are now all about the private lives of our two protagonists. They’ve become a soap opera script. Well-written, well-plotted, but with all the drama of a daily melodrama. Will Gwen get her child back? Will Iris’s love life ever sort itself out? Tune in tomorrow!
And finally, the big finish isn’t much of a finish. It’s rather underwhelming for what came before. That makes it more of a surprise ending, I suppose. Of course, having said all that, I’ll keep reading these books, because I want to see Gwen and Iris happy. Call me crazy.
October 10, 2022
Another nice addition to this series.
I believe readers will get the most enjoyment by reading the stories in order. The friendship builds. Secondary characters return. The past is discussed and so on.
I believe readers will get the most enjoyment by reading the stories in order. The friendship builds. Secondary characters return. The past is discussed and so on.
July 20, 2022
Murder unexpected!
Sparks & Bainbridge mysteries just keep coming up winners. The tension, the plots within plots, like a Russian doll, all waiting to be revealed.
Post-war Britain, Cold War beginnings—times are changing. British intelligence and Russian agents are engaging.
Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge co-owners of the Right Sort of Marriage Bureau have been making a go of their business, even as they’re occasionally interrupted by murder investigations and / or the intelligence services.
Both have had trauma in their lives and each in their own way is slowly and steadily making psychological and emotional gains. I love their therapist. He’s continually shaking his head as things just keep happening around these two.
Life is trundling along until a few different factors collide. A young Polish woman is not accepted as a candidate for the marriage bureau, Iris’ ex-lover Andrew, an intelligence officer, turns up in Iris’ flat (that he still pays for) much to her annoyance. Archie is present but laying low when police become involved. A young woman’s dead body is found at the flat. Thus the game begins.
Gwen is making headway with her independence and her bid to gain guardianship of her son and access to her fortune.
I’m rather liking Detective Cavendish’s reflections from time to time.
Admittedly I was on the edge of my seat with this post war thriller. Montclair delivers and our two ladies are still standing, despite some hair raising moments.
We and our characters are never quite sure who is doing what, who the intelligence service is hanging out to dry, and who had gone rogue. I did not see the ending coming and felt some sympathy for the perpetrator who’d been deceived all the way.
Another mighty episode from Montclair.
A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Sparks & Bainbridge mysteries just keep coming up winners. The tension, the plots within plots, like a Russian doll, all waiting to be revealed.
Post-war Britain, Cold War beginnings—times are changing. British intelligence and Russian agents are engaging.
Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge co-owners of the Right Sort of Marriage Bureau have been making a go of their business, even as they’re occasionally interrupted by murder investigations and / or the intelligence services.
Both have had trauma in their lives and each in their own way is slowly and steadily making psychological and emotional gains. I love their therapist. He’s continually shaking his head as things just keep happening around these two.
Life is trundling along until a few different factors collide. A young Polish woman is not accepted as a candidate for the marriage bureau, Iris’ ex-lover Andrew, an intelligence officer, turns up in Iris’ flat (that he still pays for) much to her annoyance. Archie is present but laying low when police become involved. A young woman’s dead body is found at the flat. Thus the game begins.
Gwen is making headway with her independence and her bid to gain guardianship of her son and access to her fortune.
I’m rather liking Detective Cavendish’s reflections from time to time.
Admittedly I was on the edge of my seat with this post war thriller. Montclair delivers and our two ladies are still standing, despite some hair raising moments.
We and our characters are never quite sure who is doing what, who the intelligence service is hanging out to dry, and who had gone rogue. I did not see the ending coming and felt some sympathy for the perpetrator who’d been deceived all the way.
Another mighty episode from Montclair.
A St. Martin's Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
July 29, 2022
The banter and humor I expect from this series is here and it's tempting to let the fun repartee influence this review. For me, though, the story dragged in the middle and I was disappointed that our main characters worked separately for most of the story. I also get irritated when dialogue in other languages isn't either directly translated or nearly translated by a character's response. You don't need to know Polish or Russian to understand the story, but as a multilingual reader, I was frustrated that I didn't know exactly what was being said (or sung).
Yes, I laughed. Gwen and Iris were Gwen and Iris. But there wasn't much development for either of them on the personal front and the mystery was convoluted. I guess Alan Gordon wanted to put an end to the Andrew storyline and he dedicated an entire book to doing it.
And there's that whole male writer using a female pen name that I find objectionable. Perhaps my time with this series is over.
Yes, I laughed. Gwen and Iris were Gwen and Iris. But there wasn't much development for either of them on the personal front and the mystery was convoluted. I guess Alan Gordon wanted to put an end to the Andrew storyline and he dedicated an entire book to doing it.
And there's that whole male writer using a female pen name that I find objectionable. Perhaps my time with this series is over.
August 25, 2022
Liked this book more than the previous one of the series. This is just my second outing with the ladies featured and they continue to sparkle, provide multiple depths of intelligence, intrigue and talent in making up the plot as it sizzles and pops. Considering the espionage aspect of the plot I cannot endorse the idea that any of these hijinks are believable or realistic, but it all comes together in a most entertaining and rewarding read. Finishing the book only makes the reader long for more.
Library Loan
Library Loan
October 18, 2023
I really enjoyed this! Great sense of humor in the characters!
November 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this fourth installment following the adventures of Gwen and Iris. The Right Sort has little to do with the murder plot Iris finds herself embroiled in.
Iris is surprised to find her ex-lover and spy, Andrew, waiting in her flat. Not by coincidence, that same day, a woman follows Iris and says that Andrew is her current lover. The woman claims that she's pregnant and Andrew is the father. Iris turns her flat over to the pair and heads to stay with Gwen for a few days.
Everything falls apart when the woman is discovered dead in Iris's apartment. Now Iris is suspect numero uno and she's not going to leave her fate in the hands of the police. Gwen wants to help but her lawyer ordered her to stay out of fishy murder business if she wants to get custody of her son back.
I'm usually horrible at calling mysteries, but I knew this one almost form the beginning.
Knowing the end did not impede my enjoyment at all. I loved learning a bit more about Iris's spy life and the cloak and dagger of it all. I also felt there were a lot of feels in this one. My heart broke a little for Iris when she was basically left on her own. What I loved, though, was that Iris picked herself back up and got down to business.
The one qualm I had about the story was at the very end.
I've got the next book on hold. Definitely a series that I'll continue with. Sarah Nichols does a fantastic job with audio.
Iris is surprised to find her ex-lover and spy, Andrew, waiting in her flat. Not by coincidence, that same day, a woman follows Iris and says that Andrew is her current lover. The woman claims that she's pregnant and Andrew is the father. Iris turns her flat over to the pair and heads to stay with Gwen for a few days.
Everything falls apart when the woman is discovered dead in Iris's apartment. Now Iris is suspect numero uno and she's not going to leave her fate in the hands of the police. Gwen wants to help but her lawyer ordered her to stay out of fishy murder business if she wants to get custody of her son back.
I'm usually horrible at calling mysteries, but I knew this one almost form the beginning.
Knowing the end did not impede my enjoyment at all. I loved learning a bit more about Iris's spy life and the cloak and dagger of it all. I also felt there were a lot of feels in this one. My heart broke a little for Iris when she was basically left on her own. What I loved, though, was that Iris picked herself back up and got down to business.
The one qualm I had about the story was at the very end.
I've got the next book on hold. Definitely a series that I'll continue with. Sarah Nichols does a fantastic job with audio.
August 27, 2022
Gwen and Iris continue to run their matchmaking agency in post-war London. When a Polish refugee applies, she's turned away when Gwen realizes she's pregnant. No-one expects her to turn up dead in Iris's apartment. Former spy Iris worries that the woman's death stems from Iris's work during the War, but for once Gwen is reluctant to help her--she's about to face a panel of doctors and lawyers to try to regain custody of her beloved son, and she's been warned that more involvement in detection will tell against her. But of course when the chips are down, she's going to support her best friend!
July 24, 2022
Suspenseful, immersive, and engaging!
The Unkept Woman is a clever, mysterious tale set in London post-WWII that takes you into the lives of two main characters. Miss Iris Sparks, the former intelligence agent, now partner in a matchmaking service whose previous personal life may make her the primary suspect in the murder of a young woman with a complicated past, and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge, a young mother and widow who’s ongoing accidental associations with the criminal underworld may once again set back her struggle to regain the legal independence she so desperately desires
The prose is vivid and smooth. The characters are sharp, plucky, and intriguing. And the plot is a well-paced, entertaining mystery full of secrets, suspicions, espionage, duty, friendship, flirtation, duplicity, and fun.
Overall, The Unkept Woman is a rich, atmospheric, highly entertaining tale by Montclair that is the fourth title in the Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery series and is also, in my opinion, the perfect choice for anyone who is looking for an amusing, lighthearted historical whodunit to pick up.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Unkept Woman is a clever, mysterious tale set in London post-WWII that takes you into the lives of two main characters. Miss Iris Sparks, the former intelligence agent, now partner in a matchmaking service whose previous personal life may make her the primary suspect in the murder of a young woman with a complicated past, and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge, a young mother and widow who’s ongoing accidental associations with the criminal underworld may once again set back her struggle to regain the legal independence she so desperately desires
The prose is vivid and smooth. The characters are sharp, plucky, and intriguing. And the plot is a well-paced, entertaining mystery full of secrets, suspicions, espionage, duty, friendship, flirtation, duplicity, and fun.
Overall, The Unkept Woman is a rich, atmospheric, highly entertaining tale by Montclair that is the fourth title in the Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery series and is also, in my opinion, the perfect choice for anyone who is looking for an amusing, lighthearted historical whodunit to pick up.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2023
4.5* rounded up to 5*
October 23, 2022
I've not read the first three in the series and I had no trouble following the beginning of this book. I absolutely loved it. Gwen and Iris are brilliant creations and the mystery is excellent, too. I almost couldn't put this down, it was so good and the farther in I got, the more I was compelled to keep reading. Looking forward to the first three and future volumes!
Second time through. Enjoyed it even more. Lots of fun details to pick up on that I missed when going so fast through it the first time.
Second time through. Enjoyed it even more. Lots of fun details to pick up on that I missed when going so fast through it the first time.
August 2, 2022
I really don't know why this series makes me want to claw my face off, but it does. The mysteries are solid, I love the female partnership, I really like how the series uses history both good and bad, and the slow burn romance of Gwen and Sally continues to make me very happy. Also fascinated as to where we left Iris, I kind of just want the next book immediately.
July 24, 2022
THE UNKEPT WOMAN is an engrossing historical mystery. The story begins with a body found in Iris Sparks's flat, and the police identifying it as her. It then propels the reader two days in the past with Iris and Gwen working at the Right Sort Marriage Bureau when they receive a potential customer that they must decline as she is pregnant. After they turn her away and Iris goes home for the night, she finds herself confronted by an old wartime paramour, who is married and that was why Iris had broken things off.
As the book continues, the reader becomes embroiled in a murder mystery that Sparks and Bainbridge are uniquely able to solve, mainly because of the prejudices of the investigators. While they are managing this case, Gwen is also working to clear her record and regain control of her life and her child. Iris is confronted by her past and trying to manage her relationships and clear herself of the crime.
The pace on this is great, keeping the reader engaged in the characters, their struggles, and the mystery. It really heats up as the plot thickens with twists and turns along the way. The book manages to stay relatively light-hearted along the way, and Iris infuses some humor into even the most impossible situations. Her and Gwen's quick wit and charming friendship really makes this something special.
While you do not have to read the earlier books in the series to understand this one, it's such a great series. The important information is recapped and the new situations make it a stand-alone. Aside from the main case, themes around being a woman during this time, the impact/ripples of the war, friendship and found family, and complicated romantic relationships make this a story that invests the reader.
Overall, THE UNKEPT WOMAN is an engaging and charming mystery that will appeal to people who enjoy amateur crime-solving with an infusion of humor and wit. Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
As the book continues, the reader becomes embroiled in a murder mystery that Sparks and Bainbridge are uniquely able to solve, mainly because of the prejudices of the investigators. While they are managing this case, Gwen is also working to clear her record and regain control of her life and her child. Iris is confronted by her past and trying to manage her relationships and clear herself of the crime.
The pace on this is great, keeping the reader engaged in the characters, their struggles, and the mystery. It really heats up as the plot thickens with twists and turns along the way. The book manages to stay relatively light-hearted along the way, and Iris infuses some humor into even the most impossible situations. Her and Gwen's quick wit and charming friendship really makes this something special.
While you do not have to read the earlier books in the series to understand this one, it's such a great series. The important information is recapped and the new situations make it a stand-alone. Aside from the main case, themes around being a woman during this time, the impact/ripples of the war, friendship and found family, and complicated romantic relationships make this a story that invests the reader.
Overall, THE UNKEPT WOMAN is an engaging and charming mystery that will appeal to people who enjoy amateur crime-solving with an infusion of humor and wit. Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 12, 2022
This series goes from strength to strength. Set in just post WWII London, Iris Sparks and Gwen Bainbridge run The Right Sort, a marriage bureau (apparently something that existed at the time). Iris worked in intelligence during the war, and Gwen, a daughter of privilege, is a bereaved widow who lives with her in-laws and young son as they have had her declared mentally incompetent. The two find solace and purpose in running a business together, and my only actual quibble with this book was that there was really none of the marriage bureau in the plot (or very little).
Like the other books, however, the story begins when a woman shows up at The Right Sort supposedly looking for a match. To Iris’ surprise, Gwen turns her down, and she follows the woman out the door. It turns out she’s pregnant. That’s something The Right Sort doesn’t handle.
Then there’s the matter of a dead body in the apartment Iris lives in, leased for her by her ex, Andrew. When he turns up again, Iris calls in reinforcements in the form of her gangster boyfriend, Archie, and takes off for Gwen’s place to wait out Andrew’s infestation of her apartment. Through a clever series of events, the dead woman is mistaken for Iris, and then Iris in turn is suspected of killing her.
Gwen, who is petitioning the court to be declared once again legally competent, has been advised to keep out of investigations as it makes her look bad. Archie is hands off after Iris is arrested, as he can’t have the police turning up at his place of business. So Iris, who has also been disavowed by the intelligence community, is on her own and must find a way to figure out just who the dead woman was and what has happened to her.
Montclair is excellent at illustrating the post war world. The dead woman was Polish, so we, as readers, learn about the state of Poles not only in Europe but in England as well, where they certainly feel aggrieved, with very good reason. We learn about the slow return of “normal”, as Gwen visits an exhibition of the “new” with her son and sees all kinds od wonderful gadgets and ideas that will be used in the future. It’s a strange time of hope on one side and the lingering grief and despair left by the war on the other. What comes from that dichotomy will certainly be “new.”
What’s also excellent are the characters, the bond Iris and Gwen share, and the snap of dialogue and plot. These are incredibly intelligent, well written novels that hinge on plot as much as they do on character. The complications introduced make way for a solid solution, one that has some interesting twists to it. Montclair is also keeping to her title: Iris is “unkept” by literally everyone; Gwen is seeking a way to be “unkept” by the courts. I enjoyed every minute of this thoughtful, entertaining journey.
Like the other books, however, the story begins when a woman shows up at The Right Sort supposedly looking for a match. To Iris’ surprise, Gwen turns her down, and she follows the woman out the door. It turns out she’s pregnant. That’s something The Right Sort doesn’t handle.
Then there’s the matter of a dead body in the apartment Iris lives in, leased for her by her ex, Andrew. When he turns up again, Iris calls in reinforcements in the form of her gangster boyfriend, Archie, and takes off for Gwen’s place to wait out Andrew’s infestation of her apartment. Through a clever series of events, the dead woman is mistaken for Iris, and then Iris in turn is suspected of killing her.
Gwen, who is petitioning the court to be declared once again legally competent, has been advised to keep out of investigations as it makes her look bad. Archie is hands off after Iris is arrested, as he can’t have the police turning up at his place of business. So Iris, who has also been disavowed by the intelligence community, is on her own and must find a way to figure out just who the dead woman was and what has happened to her.
Montclair is excellent at illustrating the post war world. The dead woman was Polish, so we, as readers, learn about the state of Poles not only in Europe but in England as well, where they certainly feel aggrieved, with very good reason. We learn about the slow return of “normal”, as Gwen visits an exhibition of the “new” with her son and sees all kinds od wonderful gadgets and ideas that will be used in the future. It’s a strange time of hope on one side and the lingering grief and despair left by the war on the other. What comes from that dichotomy will certainly be “new.”
What’s also excellent are the characters, the bond Iris and Gwen share, and the snap of dialogue and plot. These are incredibly intelligent, well written novels that hinge on plot as much as they do on character. The complications introduced make way for a solid solution, one that has some interesting twists to it. Montclair is also keeping to her title: Iris is “unkept” by literally everyone; Gwen is seeking a way to be “unkept” by the courts. I enjoyed every minute of this thoughtful, entertaining journey.
August 7, 2022
Excellent historical fiction set in England post WWII. England is slowly getting back to normal life, but the espionage business goes on, especially now that the Russians are adversaries. Gwen and Iris are still matchmaking through their Right Sort Marriage Bureau, and Gwen is trying to regain the rights to independent decision making and her money. Iris has left the government after being a spy during WWII.
However, there’s trouble ahead. A important guy from her wartime life has reappeared, and he unwittingly brings a murder with him. Gwen is struggle with her deceased husband’s family, and is more determined than ever to win her independence.
This book is part of an excellent series. The writing is well done, and I love the glimpses of London and espionage during WWII. 4 stars.
Synopsis
The Right Sort Marriage Bureau was founded in 1946 by two disparate individuals - Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge (whose husband was killed in the recent World War) and Miss Iris Sparks who worked as an intelligence agent during the recent conflict, though this is not discussed. While the agency flourishes in the post-war climate, both founders have to deal with some of the fallout that conflict created in their personal lives. Miss Sparks finds herself followed, then approached, by a young woman who has a very personal connection to a former paramour of Sparks. But something is amiss and it seems that Iris's past may well cause something far more deadly than mere disruption in her personal life. Meanwhile, Gwendolyn is struggling to regain full legal control of her life, her finances, and her son - a legal path strewn with traps and pitfalls.
Together these indomitable two are determined and capable and not just of making the perfect marriage match.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.
However, there’s trouble ahead. A important guy from her wartime life has reappeared, and he unwittingly brings a murder with him. Gwen is struggle with her deceased husband’s family, and is more determined than ever to win her independence.
This book is part of an excellent series. The writing is well done, and I love the glimpses of London and espionage during WWII. 4 stars.
Synopsis
The Right Sort Marriage Bureau was founded in 1946 by two disparate individuals - Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge (whose husband was killed in the recent World War) and Miss Iris Sparks who worked as an intelligence agent during the recent conflict, though this is not discussed. While the agency flourishes in the post-war climate, both founders have to deal with some of the fallout that conflict created in their personal lives. Miss Sparks finds herself followed, then approached, by a young woman who has a very personal connection to a former paramour of Sparks. But something is amiss and it seems that Iris's past may well cause something far more deadly than mere disruption in her personal life. Meanwhile, Gwendolyn is struggling to regain full legal control of her life, her finances, and her son - a legal path strewn with traps and pitfalls.
Together these indomitable two are determined and capable and not just of making the perfect marriage match.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.
May 3, 2023
I stepped away from this one for a while to read Murder Your Employer, but it whizzed by when I came back to it. I suspect this one was a little slow at the beginning but I ended up finding it very satisfying. A woman comes to see Iris and Gwendolyn at the Right Sort Marriage Bureau, but Gwendolyn turns away her business because she can see the woman is pregnant (Gwendolyn later regrets this decision, which I was glad to see). Later, a flame from Iris's past takes over her apartment, which he can easily do because it is his name on the lease. A few days later, a dead woman is found there, and Iris is suspected of her murder. I enjoyed watching Iris and Gwendolyn think about their relationships and what's important to each of them. I enjoyed the visit to the V& A Museum. I will read the next in this series when it comes out.
September 10, 2022
2022 bk 271. The sophistication of Montclair's plotting knocks me off my feet every time. I think she is going one way and then, zoom (or whimper or slow slide) she turns the corner to a resolution that I had no idea was coming. Iris Sparks past comes back to haunt her at the same time Gwen is taking steps to end the guardianship. Gwen has been told that she must stop her mystery solving (evidently the British sanity court considered solving problems a sign of lunacy) so Iris is mostly on her own. At home, the introduction of Bainbridge Seniors African son has bumps on the road as the adults aren't quite sure how to protect John from racism. There is little of the marriage bureau in this book - and I miss that feature that sets this book apart.
November 14, 2023
4.5 Stars
This was another strong outing in the series. I enjoyed how characters from earlier in the series reappear as main antagonists in this one. The mystery was an entertaining surprise.
August 13, 2022
The Unkept Woman is a stellar addition to one of my favorite mystery series. The characters, the setting and the witty repartee all sparkle. If you haven't yet discovered Sparks and Bainbridge, do yourself a favor and start at the beginning and read all four books. You're in for a real treat.
September 4, 2022
Another wonderful installment in this fine series. Here, the protagonists Iris and Gwen grow increasingly aware of their own motives and dreams. The plot is satisfyingly twisty yet comprehensible. The major good and bad guys have depth and complexity. The dialogue is clever in a way that doesn't detract from the emotions of the moment, and the descriptions are evocative. Now I want to see photos of the V & A exhibitions Gwen visits!
July 24, 2022
This review originally appeared: https://saschadarlington.me/2022/07/2...
Is there anything better than opening a book just knowing that for the next few hours you are going to be swept up in a page turner with interesting characters, history, and twisty plot? The Unkept Woman by Allison Montclair is that type of book in a series that maintains its momentum even in this, its fourth installment.
In The Unkept Woman, Gwen and Iris deal with their complicated personal lives while determining why various people are tailing them and who murdered a Polish spy in Iris’ flat. Filled with twists that draw information from Iris and her colleagues’ wartime activity and take her to a Polish settlement, the story remains fast-paced even during what might seem like a lull as Gwen takes her son and group to a show highlighting upcoming consumerism.
As usual, Montclair’s writing is smooth, the plot intricate, and the characterizations always building. As we learn new things about Gwen and Iris, they too learn knew things about themselves, allowing them to change during the course of the novel, or at least grow.
If you’re new to the series and wondering if you could start with The Unkept Woman, you could but you’d lose an awful lot of Gwen and Iris’ background not to mention the number of past and present love interests and characters who’ve recently appeared on the scene. Anyway, the entire series is so much fun, especially if you like smart, sharp dialogue and twisting plots that you’d be missing out if you started with The Unkept Woman.
Highly recommended!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Is there anything better than opening a book just knowing that for the next few hours you are going to be swept up in a page turner with interesting characters, history, and twisty plot? The Unkept Woman by Allison Montclair is that type of book in a series that maintains its momentum even in this, its fourth installment.
In The Unkept Woman, Gwen and Iris deal with their complicated personal lives while determining why various people are tailing them and who murdered a Polish spy in Iris’ flat. Filled with twists that draw information from Iris and her colleagues’ wartime activity and take her to a Polish settlement, the story remains fast-paced even during what might seem like a lull as Gwen takes her son and group to a show highlighting upcoming consumerism.
As usual, Montclair’s writing is smooth, the plot intricate, and the characterizations always building. As we learn new things about Gwen and Iris, they too learn knew things about themselves, allowing them to change during the course of the novel, or at least grow.
If you’re new to the series and wondering if you could start with The Unkept Woman, you could but you’d lose an awful lot of Gwen and Iris’ background not to mention the number of past and present love interests and characters who’ve recently appeared on the scene. Anyway, the entire series is so much fun, especially if you like smart, sharp dialogue and twisting plots that you’d be missing out if you started with The Unkept Woman.
Highly recommended!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2025
These characters develop with each new adventure. The progress both personal and professionally in every character keeps us guessing on what happens next. A definite favorite series set in the intrigues of post war Great Britain.
July 30, 2022
Wow I loved this book! Though I am jumping into this series at the 4th book, I had no problem getting into the setting, the story and the characters right away. It was almost more exciting not knowing the previous stories, and seeing the recaps and memories through the characters now. The characters, especially Iris and Gwen really jumped off the page and were so vivid and interesting. Though Iris has such an intriguing background with her spy skills, Gwen also has a dramatic past and strong future and I honestly couldn't decide on a favorite. I love how they work off each other and trust each other in all the uncertainty. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book and was shocked by the ending. I love the easy going banter, even in times of danger, that had me easily turning the pages and connecting with the events. I cannot wait to go back and catch up and see more of this story!
Thanks to the publish for a review copy!
Thanks to the publish for a review copy!
July 28, 2022
Alison Montclair's Sparks and Bainbridge series just keeps getting better. Iris Sparks, retired spy, and her friend and business partner Gwen Bainbridge can't seem to avoid murder. For Sparks, it is often her past coming back to meddle in the present. For Bainbridge, though, it is a very real danger to her plans to separate herself and her son from her in-laws. But they face the situations with mental and physical courage, and take the reader along on the rollicking ride.
While the series doesn't need to be read in order, I'd encourage new readers to treat themselves to the books in publication sequence.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
While the series doesn't need to be read in order, I'd encourage new readers to treat themselves to the books in publication sequence.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 25, 2022
Gwen Bainbridge and Iris Sparks have been running their marriage bureau for several months. In that time they have been involved in several murder investigations. Iris is a former intelligence agent who was trained to handle dangerous situations.. Gwen, however, was widowed during the war and attempted to take her own life when she received the news and was committed to an asylum. Now she is preparing to appear before the courts in an attempt to regain control of her own life. Her lawyer has warned her that further involvement in such activities would not be viewed favorably by the courts. Now the body of a woman has been discovered in Iris’ flat and she is the prime suspect in the murder, leaving Gwen torn as to whether she should come to Iris’ assistance. Her in-laws have guardianship to her son Ronnie. Until she wins her court case she can not regain control of her son or the estate left by her husband.
Helena Jablonska arrives at their offices supposedly to find a husband. She is actually looking for one specific man, Iris’ former lover Andrew. During the war, Andrew was an agent sent to Poland to help the resistance, where he met Helena. Now Arthur has shown up at Iris’ flat demanding he be allowed to stay. Andrew had actually rented and paid for the flat when he was together with Iris and there is still time left on his lease. Iris packs a bag to temporarily stay with Gwen. When the dead woman is found, Andrew is missing. The victim is similar in build and hair color to Iris. As the prime suspect Iris must find Andrew to prove her innocence, but others are also looking for him. The Russians have an interest in Helena and there is another woman following Iris. She is unsure if the woman is working for British Intelligence or if she is another woman with ties to Andrew. Although Gwen had originally turned down Iris’ request for help, she is more than a business partner. She is her best friend and deserves her help. This is the fourth book in Allison Montclair’s series and through it all Gwen and Iris shine as they face each challenge. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for my review.
Helena Jablonska arrives at their offices supposedly to find a husband. She is actually looking for one specific man, Iris’ former lover Andrew. During the war, Andrew was an agent sent to Poland to help the resistance, where he met Helena. Now Arthur has shown up at Iris’ flat demanding he be allowed to stay. Andrew had actually rented and paid for the flat when he was together with Iris and there is still time left on his lease. Iris packs a bag to temporarily stay with Gwen. When the dead woman is found, Andrew is missing. The victim is similar in build and hair color to Iris. As the prime suspect Iris must find Andrew to prove her innocence, but others are also looking for him. The Russians have an interest in Helena and there is another woman following Iris. She is unsure if the woman is working for British Intelligence or if she is another woman with ties to Andrew. Although Gwen had originally turned down Iris’ request for help, she is more than a business partner. She is her best friend and deserves her help. This is the fourth book in Allison Montclair’s series and through it all Gwen and Iris shine as they face each challenge. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for my review.
May 30, 2022
Many times, a promising series begins to fizzle out after several books. That is not the case with Allison Montclair's Sparks and Bainbridge mysteries. "The Unkept Woman" is fourth in what I hope is a long-running series, and is, if anything, as strong or even stronger than the other volumes.
This time, Gwen is preparing to regain the life stolen from her when she spiraled into depression after her husband's death during WWII. She is told that her behavior will not stand the scrutiny of the exam board, and that she needs to stick to matchmaking and avoid investigative work. Unfortunately, helping Iris with a ghost from her past may cost Gwen her son and her freedom.
This book authentically captures the struggles of working women of various classes. Even with all the war work women performed, they are still treated as second-class citizens and people with mental health issues aren't treated much better than they were in Bedlam days.
Gwen and Iris are strong, confident characters, and the books are worth reading for them (and Sally!) alone, but the personal relationships between them, and their larger group of friends and family, provide even greater depth and examination of the culture and mores of the post-WWII austerity years. Both women are damaged, both are flawed, but both rise to overcome their pasts and are determined to be masters of their own destinies.
5/5 stars - just doesn't get any better than this.
I received an advance copy from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This time, Gwen is preparing to regain the life stolen from her when she spiraled into depression after her husband's death during WWII. She is told that her behavior will not stand the scrutiny of the exam board, and that she needs to stick to matchmaking and avoid investigative work. Unfortunately, helping Iris with a ghost from her past may cost Gwen her son and her freedom.
This book authentically captures the struggles of working women of various classes. Even with all the war work women performed, they are still treated as second-class citizens and people with mental health issues aren't treated much better than they were in Bedlam days.
Gwen and Iris are strong, confident characters, and the books are worth reading for them (and Sally!) alone, but the personal relationships between them, and their larger group of friends and family, provide even greater depth and examination of the culture and mores of the post-WWII austerity years. Both women are damaged, both are flawed, but both rise to overcome their pasts and are determined to be masters of their own destinies.
5/5 stars - just doesn't get any better than this.
I received an advance copy from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
September 29, 2022
I resent the author pretending to be a woman. But it's pretty obvious reading this that a man wrote it, or a self-hating woman. The misogyny is a lot.
Please stop using the slur for Roma.
We have Black people but there's no way you can call it representation.
The ending was predictable and infuriating. Abusive men should not be styled as love interests.
What I enjoy most about these books, why I continue to read them despite the lying and all the other flaws, is the relationship between the two women. That was absent for most of this book.
I don't know if I'll read the next when it comes out.
Please stop using the slur for Roma.
We have Black people but there's no way you can call it representation.
The ending was predictable and infuriating. Abusive men should not be styled as love interests.
What I enjoy most about these books, why I continue to read them despite the lying and all the other flaws, is the relationship between the two women. That was absent for most of this book.
I don't know if I'll read the next when it comes out.
April 30, 2022
This is the fourth in a series about The Right Sort Marriage Bureau, founded in 1946 by two disparate individuals: Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge whose husband was killed in the war and Miss Iris Sparks who worked as an intelligence agent. I read and enjoyed the first book and I’m not sure why I never ended up reading two and three.
While the agency flourishes, tough-as-nails Iris is approached by a woman who has a personal connection to Iris’s former married lover/boss from during the war. Meanwhile, Gwen is fighting to get back legal control of her life after being declared a lunatic, get her fortune back, and get custody of her son from her in-laws. Any more murder investigations could put that in jeopardy and when something hits too close to home, it puts a strain on Gwen and Iris’s friendship.
The dialogue is smart and incredibly snappy, the setting really comes alive, and the supporting cast are almost as delightful as Iris and Gwen. It might be helpful to read the first book so you have some idea of everyone’s relationships, but the author does a good job of catching you up without bogging the story down.
The characters are nuanced and this is a page turner. The mystery is in a satisfying place in between a cozy and a spy thriller. It’s heavily entwined with espionage and the post-war era and they don’t do much matchmaking. It has a great resolution, but Iris and Gwen don’t have resolutions to all their personal issues and those will carry into future books, which I will certainly read.
Content note: There’s a slur used for the Roma people that’s mentioned in relation to a museum exhibit. I love historical accuracy, but you’re writing for modern audiences who may not appreciate that word.
I received an arc from NetGalley
While the agency flourishes, tough-as-nails Iris is approached by a woman who has a personal connection to Iris’s former married lover/boss from during the war. Meanwhile, Gwen is fighting to get back legal control of her life after being declared a lunatic, get her fortune back, and get custody of her son from her in-laws. Any more murder investigations could put that in jeopardy and when something hits too close to home, it puts a strain on Gwen and Iris’s friendship.
The dialogue is smart and incredibly snappy, the setting really comes alive, and the supporting cast are almost as delightful as Iris and Gwen. It might be helpful to read the first book so you have some idea of everyone’s relationships, but the author does a good job of catching you up without bogging the story down.
The characters are nuanced and this is a page turner. The mystery is in a satisfying place in between a cozy and a spy thriller. It’s heavily entwined with espionage and the post-war era and they don’t do much matchmaking. It has a great resolution, but Iris and Gwen don’t have resolutions to all their personal issues and those will carry into future books, which I will certainly read.
Content note: There’s a slur used for the Roma people that’s mentioned in relation to a museum exhibit. I love historical accuracy, but you’re writing for modern audiences who may not appreciate that word.
I received an arc from NetGalley
January 26, 2024
In their fourth outing, Gwen and Iris are involved in yet another murder case. And this is Despite Gwen’s best efforts to live as placid and respectable a life as possible in preparation for going before the Court to petition to get her legal rights back as Ronnie’s mother.
Iris' unwelcome former lover Andrew is back in town. And if that wasn't bad enough, she's being followed by a woman, who, after Iris confronts her, reveals her connection to part of Iris' past. Then the woman is found murdered in Iris' apartment, forcing Iris to flee to the Bainbridge mansion, pulling Gwen back into a murder situation.
Gwen is also continuing to deal with the outcome of the Bainbridge family revelations (from the previous novel), and she wishes desperately to be out of the Bainbridge house with her son. (There are references made to situations and people from book three, so read that entry in the series if you haven’t yet. Actually, just read the entire series -- it's a hoot!).
Iris investigates, mostly by herself, as Gwen has been advised by her lawyer and psychiatrist to desist getting involved with murder if she wants any chance of reclaiming her rights. Of course, Gwen only lasts so long on the sidelines before jumping in, after all, Iris is her best friend. That the two solve the mystery is a given, but what was particularly interesting was how shaken Iris was by all the pain she unearthed in her psyche afterwards.
Though discussing mental health issues were seen as not done at the time, I liked Gwen’s conversations with her psychiatrist, who gets her to really think about what she wants from her life, once the Court rules in her favour.
I was also very pleased that Iris has been talking to the same psychiatrist for her own reasons (this actually started in a previous instalment of the series). Events in her relatively recent past are forcing her to deal with the effects on her of her war activities, and things from even further back in her past. It’s a nice detail to add to the story, further fleshing out Iris, who has been a bit of an enigma, even while being the seemingly unflappable, tougher and more dangerous of this pair of women.
Both Gwen and Iris are in interesting places in their lives, with both coming to some startling but also welcome revelations about themselves. Both seem to be looking forward positively with their lives, so I cannot wait to see what The Right Sort Marriage Bureau gets up to next.
Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Iris' unwelcome former lover Andrew is back in town. And if that wasn't bad enough, she's being followed by a woman, who, after Iris confronts her, reveals her connection to part of Iris' past. Then the woman is found murdered in Iris' apartment, forcing Iris to flee to the Bainbridge mansion, pulling Gwen back into a murder situation.
Gwen is also continuing to deal with the outcome of the Bainbridge family revelations (from the previous novel), and she wishes desperately to be out of the Bainbridge house with her son. (There are references made to situations and people from book three, so read that entry in the series if you haven’t yet. Actually, just read the entire series -- it's a hoot!).
Iris investigates, mostly by herself, as Gwen has been advised by her lawyer and psychiatrist to desist getting involved with murder if she wants any chance of reclaiming her rights. Of course, Gwen only lasts so long on the sidelines before jumping in, after all, Iris is her best friend. That the two solve the mystery is a given, but what was particularly interesting was how shaken Iris was by all the pain she unearthed in her psyche afterwards.
Though discussing mental health issues were seen as not done at the time, I liked Gwen’s conversations with her psychiatrist, who gets her to really think about what she wants from her life, once the Court rules in her favour.
I was also very pleased that Iris has been talking to the same psychiatrist for her own reasons (this actually started in a previous instalment of the series). Events in her relatively recent past are forcing her to deal with the effects on her of her war activities, and things from even further back in her past. It’s a nice detail to add to the story, further fleshing out Iris, who has been a bit of an enigma, even while being the seemingly unflappable, tougher and more dangerous of this pair of women.
Both Gwen and Iris are in interesting places in their lives, with both coming to some startling but also welcome revelations about themselves. Both seem to be looking forward positively with their lives, so I cannot wait to see what The Right Sort Marriage Bureau gets up to next.
Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews