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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!
kskidmore7's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jillmlong's review against another edition
3.0
This story has a bit of everything, mystery, romance, friendship, feminism. I was more intrigued by the mystery than the romance. This is a good start to the series The Blue Orchid Society.
carolyn_jefferson's review
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
What a fabulous book! This book series shows that a romance novel does have to have women as weak minded. They can be friends that encourage and uplift each other. It also shows that women faced persecution simply for intelligence and interest in areas that a woman of upper class England in the 1800’s “shouldn’t be interested in. Women made a difference in many areas and this series demonstrates that! This one is that a woman can write series topics for a newspaper.
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Fabulous start to a new series by Jennifer Moore! In Victorian England, the Blue Orchid Society is not just any ladies society, it's made up of intelligent women who have decided to not let the disappointments of society prevent them from pursuing their dreams.
Sophronia or Sophie wants to be taken as a serious journalist. She writes and illustrates a popular society column for the newspaper. Her impressive drawings and flair for writing have created Society's own fashionable groups, the West End Casanovas and the Darling Debs. Craving a "real story," she drops the title of Lady for Miss, adopts a conservative dress, and heads to Spitalfields where she finds the handsome Detective Jonathan Graham in the middle of investigating the murder of a young woman. Sophie's attention to detail provides vital clues to the victim's identity and garners the grudging respect of the somewhat surly detective. As murders begin to pile up and the story becomes more dangerous, Sophie and Jonathan work together to solve the crimes and explore the growing chemistry between them.
Loved Sophie and Jonathan's relationship. Their chemistry was so good! I loved how Jonathan took Sophie seriously and appreciated her real talents and abilities. Sophie is a fun bold character and I enjoyed the balance between her self-consciousness juxtaposed with her belief in her abilities.
This story had everything: a good mystery, a swoon worthy slow burn romance, and enjoyable characters. Can't wait for the next book in the Blue Orchid Society series!
Sophronia or Sophie wants to be taken as a serious journalist. She writes and illustrates a popular society column for the newspaper. Her impressive drawings and flair for writing have created Society's own fashionable groups, the West End Casanovas and the Darling Debs. Craving a "real story," she drops the title of Lady for Miss, adopts a conservative dress, and heads to Spitalfields where she finds the handsome Detective Jonathan Graham in the middle of investigating the murder of a young woman. Sophie's attention to detail provides vital clues to the victim's identity and garners the grudging respect of the somewhat surly detective. As murders begin to pile up and the story becomes more dangerous, Sophie and Jonathan work together to solve the crimes and explore the growing chemistry between them.
Loved Sophie and Jonathan's relationship. Their chemistry was so good! I loved how Jonathan took Sophie seriously and appreciated her real talents and abilities. Sophie is a fun bold character and I enjoyed the balance between her self-consciousness juxtaposed with her belief in her abilities.
This story had everything: a good mystery, a swoon worthy slow burn romance, and enjoyable characters. Can't wait for the next book in the Blue Orchid Society series!
valerieelseswhere's review against another edition
4.0
Oh I loved this book! I loved how Sophie is bold and nervous at the same time as she follows her own unique path. The murder mystery kept me interested and the love story was sweet but not center stage, which I appreciate. It's the first book in a collective where a group of women in Victorian England go after their individual non society approved goals and I can't wait for the next one.
deshie5055's review
5.0
Lady Sophronia Bremerton wishes nothing more than to become an investigative reporter. Living a life pretending to care about the latest society gossip as she writes her column, ‘Miss Propriety’s People and Prattle’ has grown old and tiresome. When she befriends a group of other young ladies with similar aspirations, they form the Blue Orchid Society- a society of women who each make a goal to live out their dreams.
Sophie’s journey begins a few weeks later when she arrives at the scene of a murder investigation. At first, she and Detective Jonathan Graham but-heads but soon they overcome their differences to solve a series of seemingly connected murders.
With so many incredible moments of genuine feeling, you will laugh, be mystified and most of all be inspired to fulfill your own dreams. The main characters, Sophie and Jonathan, have outstanding chemistry without taking away from Sophie’s main journey. I adore Jonathan and would love another book about him and his history. Sergeant Lester is a personal favorite of mine, and in many of his scenes, I had to stop reading because I was laughing too hard to see the words.
Author Jennifer Moore has been a long time favorite of mine, but I think this latest novel has become my new favorite of hers. I eagerly await the next novel in this series and can’t wait to learn more about each of the outstanding women in the Blue Orchid Society.
Sophie’s journey begins a few weeks later when she arrives at the scene of a murder investigation. At first, she and Detective Jonathan Graham but-heads but soon they overcome their differences to solve a series of seemingly connected murders.
With so many incredible moments of genuine feeling, you will laugh, be mystified and most of all be inspired to fulfill your own dreams. The main characters, Sophie and Jonathan, have outstanding chemistry without taking away from Sophie’s main journey. I adore Jonathan and would love another book about him and his history. Sergeant Lester is a personal favorite of mine, and in many of his scenes, I had to stop reading because I was laughing too hard to see the words.
Author Jennifer Moore has been a long time favorite of mine, but I think this latest novel has become my new favorite of hers. I eagerly await the next novel in this series and can’t wait to learn more about each of the outstanding women in the Blue Orchid Society.
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.