Scandalous Detecting Edwardian Style
The Toronto Society of 1910 is scandalized by the antics of two single young women–
bachelor girls–Jem and Merinda. Everything they are doing causes no end of gossip about them. They investigate crimes and murders, they disguise themselves in men’s trousers while investigating, and they are doing these things instead of trying to get married.
Jem’s parents are so upset they have cut off her allowance, hoping she will change her ways, and behave like a “proper young woman”. Instead, she has gotten a department store job to make ends meet, since they rarely get paid for their detective work.
Jem and Merinda throw caution to the wind when they start investigating a murder. To 
that end, Merinda convinces Jem to encourage the romantic advances of a man Jem can’t stand, which opens a large can of worms. They also run afoul of The Morality Squad, whose main duty is to catch unescorted women after dark, and jail them. Last, but not least, their work puts them in danger.
Although everyone seems to be against these two young women, they do have a couple of people in their corner: Police Constable Jasper Forth along with newspaperman and reporter, Ray DeLuca, a recent Italian immigrant. 
From time to time, both men assist Jem and Merinda with their detective work, but sometimes they have to suffer the consequences for helping them.
Merinda and Jem are certainly swimming against the tide of Edwardian ideas of how women should behave. The author does a great job describing the time period, and creating for the reader the “feel” of what it was like to live then. The mystery was good, and I liked that there wasn’t anything offensive in it. I wish the author had given more information about why Merinda and Jem feel so strongly about detecting. Why do they continue doing it despite the danger, as well as, the ridicule they experience? If those questions were answered, it would go a long way toward understanding and connecting more with those characters. I suggest this 4-star book to mystery readers, especially those who enjoy period settings.
The publisher has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of The Bachelor Girl’s Guide to Murder, through Harvest House Publishers for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
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