Alan Gordon
is turning out one fine book after another in his historical mystery series
about two women at loose ends after the end of World War II. Gordon is a retired
lawyer, author, lyricist, and librettist, who is no stranger to the demands of
writing a convincing historical mystery series. Between 1999 and 2010 he wrote
eight well-reviewed books in the Fool’s Guild mysteries, set in early 13th century Europe.
Under the
name Allison Montclair, Gordon chose a completely different time and place for his current
series. He created two compelling characters: Miss Iris Sparks, formerly of Cambridge
and an intelligence unit, and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge, widow of an Air Force
pilot from an aristocrat family. Both of them are looking for a fresh start
when they meet and decide to form an agency to facilitate marriage among the
lonely and unattached members of the London populace, a group to which they
belong. The series earns consistent acclaim from critics and readers alike.
In the seventh title An Excellent
Thing in a Woman (Severn House, 2025) Sally (Salvatore) Danielli, Iris’s
long-time friend, has found work with the BBC and the new medium of television.
He sends one of his new coworkers to Iris and Gwen for matrimonial assistance. Unfortunately
both of them come under suspicion when a dancer from Paris is found strangled
in a BBC props storage room.
The plot reaches deep into the past
of several characters, including Iris, and their wartime service, reminding the
reader that the war for many was not far away. As usual, Iris and Gwen swing
into action to rescue their friends and clients. Their growing confidence in
each other’s support is one of the deeply attractive aspects of the running
story line, as is their amusing chatter. I found the details about the budding television
industry of the late 1940s of especial interest. Gwen purchased a
state-of-the-art model for her home with an impressive 12-inch screen. The
installation of the rooftop antenna fascinated the neighborhood.
With this title, publication of this
series transfers to Severn House. I am sorry that Minotaur did not see the
value of retaining this popular and historically accurate series. I hope that
Gordon and his agent find a way to keep it in print for years to come.
·
Publisher: Severn House; Main edition
(February 4, 2025)
·
Language: English
·
Hardcover: 224 pages
·
ISBN-10: 144831237X
·
ISBN-13: 978-1448312375
Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3CJtqyG
Aubrey Nye Hamilton ©2025
Aubrey Hamilton is a former librarian who works on Federal It projects by day and reads mysteries at night.
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