Solving Sophronia by Jennifer Moore

Solving Sophronia by Jennifer Moore ISBN-13: 9781524412357 Paperback: 224 pages Publisher: Covenant Communications Released: May 1st 2020

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When a stuffy ballroom at yet another Season proves to be nothing more than the usual rumor mill, Lady Sophronia Bremerton seeks respite in the library and encounters four other young women. As the conversation turns to their secret ambitions, the women form a sisterhood and a bold plan: they will make their dreams a reality, no matter the obstacles. Thus begins the Blue Orchid Society.

Lady Sophronia Bremerton is a society columnist for the London Illustrated News, and the gentry loves seeing their exploits printed in the gossip pages. But Sophie aspires to be an investigative reporter. Hearing of a murder in a London rookery, Sophie seizes the opportunity to prove her skills. Detective Jonathan Graham doesn't believe a civilian, a noblewoman at that, should be anywhere near a murder investigation, but Sophie insists on helping bring the killer to justice. Her investigative prowess doesn't go unnoticed by the police, especially Jonathan. But as the case grows more complicated and dangerous, their very lives - and their hearts - may be at risk.


My Review:
Solving Sophronia is a romance (with a mystery) set in 1873 in England. This romance series is about women who are smart, educated, and want to do things outside the norm for a female at that time. Sophie already is a journalist, but she wants to be an investigative reporter rather than a society columnist. One night as she's roaming, looking for a story, she happens upon a crime scene: a woman has been murdered and dumped in a slum area. She pushes her way into the investigation, and her ability to track down the woman's identity convinces the detective to let her help with the interviews and investigation.

It hurts Detective Graham's pride to allow a woman to help. However, he's impressed by Sophie's intelligence, artistic skill, and beauty. As her own family only sees her lack of beauty rather than her skills, Sophie appreciates that the detective appreciates what she can contribute to the investigation.

They worked well together as a team and built each other up, so I'm willing to accept that they will have a good marriage even though the mystery was solved in a week (so they didn't actually know each other very well). The mystery was clue-based, but the critical clues didn't come until nearly the end and whodunit was not obvious. The historical details were woven into the story without slowing the pacing, and it's clear the author has done research into the time period. However, it seemed odd that a titled lady was allowed to basically do whatever she liked (including go off by herself with lower-class men) even though her parents disapproved. There also was little mention about any problems involved in marriage between her and a poor detective. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to fans of historical romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.