shomarq's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
kimber_reads's review
5.0
Let me just say I am LOVING the Blue Orchid Society Series! After reading and loving Inventing Vivian I had to read the first book!
This series can be read in any order, but there are some spoilers if you read the second one first. Nothing crazy but I think the series is most enjoyable when read in order.
Lady Sophronia is a very talented artist who writes a society column for the London Illustrated News, but she aspires to be a real journalist who writes about current events and things that really matter. In an attempt to prove to her editor that she is capable she goes looking for a story.
Detective Jonathan Graham works for the police on the very impoverished side of town and is less than enthusiastic when Sophie unabashedly arrives at the scene of a recent murder and insists on helping him solve the crime. With the detective’s experience in murder investigations and Sophie’s social connections the two are able to solve an otherwise unsolvable case.
This book has the perfect balance of romance and mystery. I love that Sophie shows Jonathan that women, even women of high society, are intelligent, capable, and compassionate. I also love how throughout the investigation Jonathan shows Sophie respect and gives her opportunities to contribute. I just love that they support, encourage, and respect each other whether they are in a ballroom or at a crime scene.
I loved everything about this book! The character development, the depth to the characters, the mystery, the side characters, the pacing of the story, was all amazing! I’m beyond excited for the rest of the Blue Orchid Society series!
If you love Victorian romance, mystery, strong female characters, and handsome police officers this is the book for you!!
This series can be read in any order, but there are some spoilers if you read the second one first. Nothing crazy but I think the series is most enjoyable when read in order.
Lady Sophronia is a very talented artist who writes a society column for the London Illustrated News, but she aspires to be a real journalist who writes about current events and things that really matter. In an attempt to prove to her editor that she is capable she goes looking for a story.
Detective Jonathan Graham works for the police on the very impoverished side of town and is less than enthusiastic when Sophie unabashedly arrives at the scene of a recent murder and insists on helping him solve the crime. With the detective’s experience in murder investigations and Sophie’s social connections the two are able to solve an otherwise unsolvable case.
This book has the perfect balance of romance and mystery. I love that Sophie shows Jonathan that women, even women of high society, are intelligent, capable, and compassionate. I also love how throughout the investigation Jonathan shows Sophie respect and gives her opportunities to contribute. I just love that they support, encourage, and respect each other whether they are in a ballroom or at a crime scene.
I loved everything about this book! The character development, the depth to the characters, the mystery, the side characters, the pacing of the story, was all amazing! I’m beyond excited for the rest of the Blue Orchid Society series!
If you love Victorian romance, mystery, strong female characters, and handsome police officers this is the book for you!!
holly_cow28's review
2.0
This book was a very easy read. It was extremely predictable and nothing surprised me. The cover says “A Victorian Romance”. I didn’t find it to be much of one. I would label it more of a mystery. I enjoyed book enough but I won’t read it again or the rest in the series. If you like easy read books that are engaging and have a small amount of romance you will probably like this book more than I did.
leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fun book! The plot was unpredictable, I thought some things would happen but it went differently which is great.
Sophronia isn’t your normal lady - she’s not thin and petite. She works for a newspaper with the gossip column but knows she can do more. She’s looking for a breakaway case!
The book starts right off with the murder - the nitty gritty and I wasn’t expecting that
Sophronia isn’t your normal lady - she’s not thin and petite. She works for a newspaper with the gossip column but knows she can do more. She’s looking for a breakaway case!
The book starts right off with the murder - the nitty gritty and I wasn’t expecting that
heather_pluim's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book!
Lady Sophronia Bremerton writes society gossip column for the local news paper, but she dreams of being an investigative reporter. With the encouragement of four new friends, she decides to follow her dream.
Jonathan Graham is a detective set on solving the latest murder and seeking justice for the victim. He doesn't appreciate a civilian being involved in the case, especially a reporter.
Sophronia's talents prove to be useful and the two work together to catch a killer in a chase that takes them from the slums of London to high society events.
The dynamic between Sophie and Jonathan was so well written! I enjoyed watching their characters and their relationship develop throughout the book.
This story was a wonderful blend of romance and suspense. The mystery kept me guessing right up to the end!
Lady Sophronia Bremerton writes society gossip column for the local news paper, but she dreams of being an investigative reporter. With the encouragement of four new friends, she decides to follow her dream.
Jonathan Graham is a detective set on solving the latest murder and seeking justice for the victim. He doesn't appreciate a civilian being involved in the case, especially a reporter.
Sophronia's talents prove to be useful and the two work together to catch a killer in a chase that takes them from the slums of London to high society events.
The dynamic between Sophie and Jonathan was so well written! I enjoyed watching their characters and their relationship develop throughout the book.
This story was a wonderful blend of romance and suspense. The mystery kept me guessing right up to the end!
punandprose's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
There were things about this book that I greatly enjoyed. For example, the Victorian setting, Sophie's grandmother, and the murder mystery storyline, to name a few. It was intriguing and unique. I haven’t read many books with a plot like this one, which was refreshing.
That said, the writing felt rather formulaic. It seemed like the author used some sort of outline, and I could point out each and every time she went from one point of the outline to the next. No, this is not egregious, and yes, I'm highly aware that writing takes effort. It's just that I also know what it's like to read something that feels effortless. Though the writing in this book was good, it wasn't blow-you-away great. I overlooked most of it until the last 25%, which I didn't enjoy quite as much as the beginning and middle. The ending felt rushed, and I always hate a third act breakup due to some sort of miscommunication.
Also, the romance was lacking. Just because Jonathan and Sophie spent a few moments working together on solving a case doesn't mean they'd love each other. I wanted more moments of them alone and growing together. I wanted to see small seeds along the way of how their relationship developed (and I don't mean the "why do I feel all warm inside when he sits by me?" stuff). I wanted more spark and life to their interactions. I wanted a buildup from doubt to confidence, as well as actual intention rather than happenstance. At the end of it all, I don't see why either one liked the other in a deep, authentic way. It's was more of a "let's throw them together because they're here" sort of deal. Plus, I like men being portrayed as confident and masculine. Jonathan, though sweet and endearing, did not seem confident or masculine very often (though he did have his moments). I was a bit bugged that he, a man who's lived on the streets and is a trained detective, was kind of portrayed as a simpleton whilst Sophie, a lady of high breeding and zero detective experience, just happens to meander by and figure out the first major clues in solving the murder mystery because, well, she's a woman and as we all know, women can do anything because they're women. (But I understand that it was used to get this unlikely pair together).
Anyway, I vascillated a lot in what to rate this, and ultimately, 3.5 stars felt right. Though I did mostly enjoy this book, I don't necessarily plan on continuing with the Blue Orchid Society.
Content
Various murders (the actual murders aren't read on page, but the bodies are discovered later and one is particularly gruesome), emotional abusive parents, recounted story of the death a close friend. No swearing, and very clean romance (only one kiss)
There were things about this book that I greatly enjoyed. For example, the Victorian setting, Sophie's grandmother, and the murder mystery storyline, to name a few. It was intriguing and unique. I haven’t read many books with a plot like this one, which was refreshing.
That said, the writing felt rather formulaic. It seemed like the author used some sort of outline, and I could point out each and every time she went from one point of the outline to the next. No, this is not egregious, and yes, I'm highly aware that writing takes effort. It's just that I also know what it's like to read something that feels effortless. Though the writing in this book was good, it wasn't blow-you-away great. I overlooked most of it until the last 25%, which I didn't enjoy quite as much as the beginning and middle. The ending felt rushed, and I always hate a third act breakup due to some sort of miscommunication.
Also, the romance was lacking. Just because Jonathan and Sophie spent a few moments working together on solving a case doesn't mean they'd love each other. I wanted more moments of them alone and growing together. I wanted to see small seeds along the way of how their relationship developed (and I don't mean the "why do I feel all warm inside when he sits by me?" stuff). I wanted more spark and life to their interactions. I wanted a buildup from doubt to confidence, as well as actual intention rather than happenstance. At the end of it all, I don't see why either one liked the other in a deep, authentic way. It's was more of a "let's throw them together because they're here" sort of deal. Plus, I like men being portrayed as confident and masculine. Jonathan, though sweet and endearing, did not seem confident or masculine very often (though he did have his moments). I was a bit bugged that he, a man who's lived on the streets and is a trained detective, was kind of portrayed as a simpleton whilst Sophie, a lady of high breeding and zero detective experience, just happens to meander by and figure out the first major clues in solving the murder mystery because, well, she's a woman and as we all know, women can do anything because they're women. (But I understand that it was used to get this unlikely pair together).
Anyway, I vascillated a lot in what to rate this, and ultimately, 3.5 stars felt right. Though I did mostly enjoy this book, I don't necessarily plan on continuing with the Blue Orchid Society.
Content
Various murders (the actual murders aren't read on page, but the bodies are discovered later and one is particularly gruesome), emotional abusive parents, recounted story of the death a close friend. No swearing, and very clean romance (only one kiss)
thenovelbook's review against another edition
3.0
A fast-moving Victorian mystery with the potential for future intrigue.
Lady Sophronia writes and illustrates a society column for a London paper, but she wants a more serious position: news reporter. So when she hears about an unexplained murder in the area, she immediately puts herself front and center in the investigation, which the detective on the case does not at all appreciate. Much to his chagrin, he discovers he may need her connections and her wits to help apprehend the criminal.
Lady Sophronia and Detective Jonathan Graham work well together after some initial sparring, and the story moves along at a nice pace.
Lady Sophronia is one of a group of women who banded together during one disappointing society ball, each vowing to pursue her own particular passion in life rather than be dictated to by fashionable expectations. Although the other women are not given too much page time in this book, readers learn enough to be interested in where their stories are going next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for this digital review copy!
Lady Sophronia writes and illustrates a society column for a London paper, but she wants a more serious position: news reporter. So when she hears about an unexplained murder in the area, she immediately puts herself front and center in the investigation, which the detective on the case does not at all appreciate. Much to his chagrin, he discovers he may need her connections and her wits to help apprehend the criminal.
Lady Sophronia and Detective Jonathan Graham work well together after some initial sparring, and the story moves along at a nice pace.
Lady Sophronia is one of a group of women who banded together during one disappointing society ball, each vowing to pursue her own particular passion in life rather than be dictated to by fashionable expectations. Although the other women are not given too much page time in this book, readers learn enough to be interested in where their stories are going next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for this digital review copy!
alissabar's review
3.0
2021 Popsugar Reading Challenge: #33 A book featuring three generations (grandparent, parent, child)