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The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder
The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder
The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder
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The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5/5

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In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city's underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto's premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever—if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateApr 1, 2016
ISBN9780736966412
Author

Rachel McMillan

Rachel McMillan is the author of The London Restoration, The Mozart Code, the Herringford and Watts mysteries, the Van Buren and DeLuca mysteries, and the Three Quarter Time series of contemporary Viennese romances. She is also the author of Dream, Plan, Go: A Travel Guide to Inspire Independent Adventure. Rachel lives in Toronto, Canada. Visit her online at rachelmcmillan.net; Instagram: @rachkmc; Facebook: @rachkmc1; Twitter: @rachkmc; Pinterest: @rachkmc.

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Reviews for The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder

Rating: 3.5441176470588234 out of 5 stars
3.5/5

34 ratings10 reviews

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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    3.5 Stars

    A good clean, light and enjoyable mystery with featuring two unconventiolal girls obsessed with Sherlock Holmes who decide to set up thier own detective agency.
    The accompanying Novella 'A Singular and Whimsical Problem' is an interesting introduction to the main characters- but readers should be warned that it is not a prequel as is the traditional way with such short stories. I was a little confused that Jemima (Jem) had only just met the journalist Ray de Luca at the beginning of this story, but knew him already in the novella.

    Jem Watts and Melinda Herringford were endearing characters- but, as another reader pointed out they may come across as a little bit too modernly feministic for some readers and for the setting (early 20th century Canada). Now don't get me wrong, I go in for women's rights with the rest of them, and yes, I can understand why they dressed as men to investigate thier cases- especially cases involving those on the fringed of society nobody else cared about.

    Unconventional and eccentric ladies who don't fit in and are rather socially awkward can be interesting and almost quite endearing (as said above). Yet, I could say that Miss Herringford crossed a line thus put herself in danger of becoming rather annoyingly feministic and conceited by the end of the story.
    One of those fictional super-heroines who fecklessly and stupidly puts herself in dangerous situations, and then lambasts men for helping her out of them. I personally hope she does not become 'like that'.

    The mystery and process of detection (always important to the genre) were plausible and satisfactory- although I might say that the culprit was a little predictable. A case of stereotyping winning over originality perhaps?

    Overall, 'The Batchelor Girl's Guide to Murder' was a great debut, and it was fascinating to the discover that the quotations from women's 'Guidebooks' at the beginning were invented by the author. They seemed very real and convincing, showing a real depth of knowledge. I would certainly like to read the sequel, 'A Lesson in Love and Murder' due out in August to see how the detecting duo will get on together.

    I recieved a PDF copy of this book free from the Publisher via Netgalley for the purposes of review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I did not enjoy this book at all. I found the characters confusing and very little "investigating" going on. Merinda seems to be flitting around but very little is discovered and very little done along the way. She is purported to be another Sherlock Holmes, but is a very pale imitation. Just not the mystery I expected.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A cute, enjoyable romp that will take readers through the underbelly of Toronto at the turn of the century. Merinda and Jemima are two well off girls who have been pretty much disowned by their families for their unwomenly behavior. Merinda likes to waltz around the city in men's clothes solving murder cases and helping those at the bottom of the totem pole. Jem isn't as brazen but she follows Merinda around and as such, takes part in all of her shenanigans. When two immigrant girls are found murdered in Corktown, the pair decide that they're going to solve it and form their own detective agency at that. Filled with witty dialogue, improbable scenarios, budding romances, and unforgettable characters this inspirational cozy mystery will find many fans. I wouldn't mind picking up the next in the series myself. I received this book for free from Lifuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased review.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It isn't the most usual or socially acceptable situation, for two single young women in 1910 Toronto to be exercising their investigative powers on behalf of the city's downtrodden. But Merinda Herringford and Jem Watts haven't much time to worry about feminine propriety when two other young women are found dead in The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder, a novel by author Rachel McMillan.This is the second of the Herringford and Watts mysteries I've read. I'll confess I likely won't form a habit of reading an abundance of murder mysteries, at least not ones that seem to, well, make light or sport of the subject of murder. But I went on to read this novel because in the novella I read before it, A Singular and Whimsical Problem, I noticed the author's way of making room for comedy in a story without trivializing a serious issue.And here, in the official Book One of the series, it was a particular pulse running through the entertaining story that tugged at me the most. The pulse of social concerns, prejudice and poverty, and the need for societal reform, as relevant today as in this novel's early twentieth century setting.But Merinda, Jem, and their male constable and reporter sidekicks didn't go bashing me over the head with reformation sermons or anything, as again, this is quite an entertaining work of fiction. It's got humor, intrigue, romance, a dash of faith, and an upbeat pace.Sure, the pace seemed to border on being rushed at times, and I had to stop and think now and then, "Wait—how exactly did she end up here, and what is she doing, again?" But, hey, there's nothing wrong with a story that requires the reader to keep up and pay attention. And while the mystery didn't throw me for the most surprising loops, it was still fun to go along with the winning cast of characters on the journey.I'll definitely be continuing this series.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Best friends and flatmates in 1910 Toronto Merinda Herringford and Jem Watts launch a consulting detective business. Their first major case is investigating the deaths of young Irish woman. Helped by Jasper Forth, a police detective constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter.
    An enjoyable introduction to this series, with a good selection of differing characters.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    First, let’s stop for a minute and admire that holly-molly-why-do-you-have-to-be-so-beautiful cover.Ready? Let’s move on.The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder is a YA Mystery, but it was such an entirely squeal-worthy read and I giggled and I loved it!! I mean, even the title said it all. Who wouldn’t love humorous account of two bachelor girls as they get into the detective world, right? This quirky read made me laugh out loud, and totally capture my heart from the very first chapter.It’s also ridiculously adorable. But excuse me, I love that.Things I absolutely love while reading this delightful little romp:1. This book is pretty. Like, not only words-pretty, but the physical book itself is a belle.2. There is an Italian reporter.3. ….and of course he’s a swoonie.4. The friendship is fabulous!5. Also, there are very, very terrible “How To Swoon a Girl 101” poems…that I absolutely adore!6. The footnotes. THE FOOTNOTES!! It so adorable and funny and I love it!“If female readers are under the impression that walking without moving one’s hips is easy, they are encouraged to try it sometimes.”So, in case you haven’t noticed, I “dote” on this book, hard. The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder is such a delightful read about two detectives whom I think were definitely born in the wrong era. The quirky, humorous interactions between the characters are priceless, and although mystery wasn’t the main aspect of the story (which wasn’t unpredictable at all), the splendid writing, the charming characters, the hilarious adventures… All are guaranteed to keep readers on their backs laughing. I absolutely head over heels in love with this book.**I received this book from Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for an honest review. This in no way can affect my opinion on the book and its content.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    As an avid mystery fan, I saw the description of this book and immediately wanted to read it. I enjoyed the setting in Toronto with two female detectives as the lead characters in 1910. These two women face challenges daily as they try to forge their way into an exclusively male career. Merinda is supported by her wealthy parents while Jem has been disowned by her parents and works in a department store to earn her keep. Both women have been told to find husbands, start a family and keep house. That is what women are supposed to do, right? These ladies beg to differ. They set out to discover a killer of two, young, Irish women. This is their first really big case and Merinda especially is determined to succeed. During the course of their investigations aided by Jasper Forth, a police detective as well as Ray DeLuca, a reporter for the local rag, Jem and Merinda begin to unravel the clues that lead to a murderer. Jem and Merinda are threatened, chased, manhandled with Ray coming to the rescue more than once. The mayor is up for re-election and the chief of police has taken Jasper off the case. So Merinda and Jem don disguises to continue their investigation. However, in a desperate attempt to avoid capture, the killer kidnaps Jem. Can Merinda, Jasper and Ray find her before it is too late?Negatives: I would have liked more background on how Jem and Merinda met and how they became interested in detective work. Maybe that information was included in the first novella, which I haven’t read. I didn’t much like Merinda in this story as she appeared to me to be callous, selfish and uncaring toward everyone. Hopefully, in the next book her character will grow more compassionate.Positives: I loved Ray’s character. The information included on immigrants was also interesting. I hope to see more of Jasper in the next story as well. I also liked the funny footnotes at the bottom of some of the pages as well as the snippets included at the beginning of each chapter from the detective handbook. I liked the shorter chapters and the author’s note. I look forward to the next mystery for Herringford & Watts.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A fresh, new voice has arrived on the scene in Rachel McMillan’s novel, The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder. Set in the early 1900s in Toronto, McMillan introduces us to some independent and forward thinking young women determined to make their mark on a decidedly male world. This book is an entertaining whodunit that includes interesting historical details and a look at the struggles of women and immigrants — perfect for fans of the mystery genre.It is 1910, and women have to be careful on the streets of Toronto. Not only will the morality squad arrest you if you are out after dark unescorted, but there is a murderer loose. But best friends and amateur detectives Merinda Herringford and Jemima Watts will don pants and mustaches to uncover the villain. Bad guys beware!I love a good mystery novel, and I got one in The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder. The characters are a bit quirky — part Holmes and Watson, part Nancy Drew — which just adds to the fun. Merinda is unconventional and the instigator of the pair. Jemima struggles with her desire to be both a modern woman and a traditional housewife. Both are adorable as they dig into old trunks for disguises to take on the men of the city. They both have love interests, but the men are really no match for these gals. The plot twists and turns and has suspects aplenty, some that are especially dastardly. McMillan’s descriptions of people and places pushed me to Google and historical accuracy is what I found. McMillan adds a few chuckles as she introduces each chapter with tips from guidebooks. And don’t you just love the vintage feel of the cover?Merinda and Jemima solve the case and make some changes in their lives by the end of the novel, but don’t worry there is more in store for these girls. The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder will soon be followed by A Lesson in Love And Murder in August. In the meantime grab this book and settle in for a good time. A novella for Kindle, A Singular And Whimsical Problem, is also available.Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Rachel McMillan for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Jemima to Merinda– "You have the worst manners of anyone I have ever met." Couldn't have said it better myself.
    For the most part, I enjoyed following Jem and Merinda on their Toronto escapades.
    What bothered me though, was the fact that Jemima, after only a week or so of knowing Ray, decided that a forward gesture was needed to advance the relationship. Jemima, who has never kissed anyone. Jemima, whose convictions flew out the window. It was not something she used to take lightly... Until she met Ray. This flippancy can be expected of a lovestruck teenager, but I would expect more from Jem. At this point I doubt their relationship. That said, they have their redeemable moments, and they offer their services free of charge for those who cannot afford them. They are also instrumental in saving several lives, as well as those who would have been targets in the future, so all in all, it was an enjoyable read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    As an avid mystery fan, I saw the description of this book and immediately wanted to read it. I enjoyed the setting in Toronto with two female detectives as the lead characters in 1910. These two women face challenges daily as they try to forge their way into an exclusively male career. Merinda is supported by her wealthy parents while Jem has been disowned by her parents and works in a department store to earn her keep. Both women have been told to find husbands, start a family and keep house. That is what women are supposed to do, right? These ladies beg to differ. They set out to discover a killer of two, young, Irish women. This is their first really big case and Merinda especially is determined to succeed. During the course of their investigations aided by Jasper Forth, a police detective as well as Ray DeLuca, a reporter for the local rag, Jem and Merinda begin to unravel the clues that lead to a murderer. Jem and Merinda are threatened, chased, manhandled with Ray coming to the rescue more than once. The mayor is up for re-election and the chief of police has taken Jasper off the case. So Merinda and Jem don disguises to continue their investigation. However, in a desperate attempt to avoid capture, the killer kidnaps Jem. Can Merinda, Jasper and Ray find her before it is too late?Negatives: I would have liked more background on how Jem and Merinda met and how they became interested in detective work. Maybe that information was included in the first novella, which I haven’t read. I didn’t much like Merinda in this story as she appeared to me to be callous, selfish and uncaring toward everyone. Hopefully, in the next book her character will grow more compassionate.Positives: I loved Ray’s character. The information included on immigrants was also interesting. I hope to see more of Jasper in the next story as well. I also liked the funny footnotes at the bottom of some of the pages as well as the snippets included at the beginning of each chapter from the detective handbook. I liked the shorter chapters and the author’s note. I look forward to the next mystery for Herringford & Watts.

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The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder - Rachel McMillan

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