Solving Sophronia (The Blue Orchid Society Book 1)

SOLVING SOPHRONIA is the beginning of a series about a group of women who start as acquaintances, but become friends when they form the Blue Orchid Society. They each have their own dreams and find society in general, particularly men, are not approving of such, but they decide to set goals to achieve their dreams regardless. This first story focuses on Sophronia and her desire to become a news journalist. She curiously becomes involved in a murder investigation against the lead detective's wishes, but they find that they work well together. There is some wonderful banter, a slowly-building romance, a contrast of classes, and a murder mystery all rolled into this delightfully entertaining story!After reading Emmeline, the prequel novella, I wasn't sure what to expect from this story. It definitely was a bit different, and I expect each of these stories will be in this series because they each will focus on a different woman in the society who each have their own personalities, talents, and challenges. I also want to note that you don't need to have read Emmeline to enjoy this story. I think they will each stand well on their own.I loved Sophie! She was intelligent, kind, and talented in so many ways. I also loved Jonathan! He was just a great guy who put his life on the line as a police detective every day. I appreciated the author not ignoring the difference in class between them and how they both had their own vulnerabilities. It made them human and relatable. I loved seeing Sophie and Jonathan clash at the beginning, but how their relationship changed to one of respect and friendship, and then to love. They're surrounded by a great group of characters and I felt like not one of them came across flat. The story moved at the perfect pace, with a mystery weaved throughout, and a slightly insane villain to bring the story to a climax. I also loved the very sweet ending.In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a marvelously executed story with lovable characters, sweet romance, and an entertaining plot. Highly recommended if you enjoy sweet Victorian romantic suspense! I'm very much looking forward to finding out more about each of the ladies in Sophie's group in subsequent books!Content: Some violence, but clean.Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

MY RATING5 stars--WOW4 stars--would read again3 stars--was good, won't read again2 stars--read it, didn't enjoy it1 star--didn't finishShould I read books before this one: noCliffhanger: noSUMMARYApril 1873Lady Sophronia escapes a ball by going to the library. She's already almost written and drawn tonight's news story: the engagement of Lord Ruben to Lady Dahlia. In the library, she strikes up a friendship with 3 others who have also escaped, when suddenly Dahlia comes in, sobbing. Ruben is engaged to Lorene. The 5 women make a friendship pact to help each other achieve goals. Sophronia will be an investigative reporter; Vivian will complete her steam-engine model and enter it in the international exhibition; Elizabeth will open a finishing school for poor girls; Hazel will finish nursing school; and Dahlia will learn her father's business since she'll inherit it. “We shall do remarkable things this year, make ourselves into remarkable people, and none of us will need to rely on marriage to make it happen.” They call themselves the Blue Orchid Society.Detective Jonathan Graham is proud of the officers he's worked with to solve a burglary. A boy yells about a murder by the Porky Pie. Jonathan, Sergeant Lester, and Constable Merryweather investigate. A young woman, strangled. There's a tussle; another woman joins them. She's obviously not from around here because she's clean and finely dressed. She wears a blue flower brooch. He thinks she's slumming--wealthy finding entertainment in poor people's problems. He lets her see the body, thinks that'll teach her a lesson, but she moves on to question Lester. She says the victim's dress is unique to last Season and the bustle is the wrong size. Her shoes show she was dragged here. Dr Peabody arrives, confirms asphyxia, notes soft hands. She's been dead 2-3 hours. Jonathan wishes they had a photographer because it's getting dark and he can't preserve the crime scene. He sends Miss Bremerton home.Sophie draws the crime scene and the dress. In the morning she finds the modiste who made the dress, gets the names of 3 ladies who bought it. She reports to her grandmother, Mimi, who praises her investigative skills. Her mother and sister come to breakfast, Prissy says she needs a new dress because the one she wore last night was so dull she'll give it to her maid. Now Sophie knows what she's looking for.Overnight Jonathan investigates the murder of an unknown young man. Lester, after getting a pigeon for his taxidermy, says the only lead they have is the dress, wants to ask the miss's help to find the dressmaker. Jonathan doesn't want to. Urchins await him outside the station. He gives them each a peppermint when they tell him a good deed they've done today. He grew up in the rookery in an orphanage.EVALUATIONKnowing it's set in Victorian times, I pictured Jonathan and Sergeant Lester as the Murdoch Mysteries actors. Lester even acts and talks like Constable Crabtree. Then I learn the author watches the show! Nailed it!I love the reason the author writes the story: too often secondary female characters are the source of conflict or are plot tools, not real women with real female relationships. "Women are my friends, my mentors, and my heroes. I turn to them when I’m hurting or unsure or happy, and time and again, I’ve been bolstered and comforted and inspired by my own Blue Orchid Society." This story accomplishes her goal with the girlfriends being supportive and helpful, except Sophie's mom and sister are nasty.RECOMMENDATIONEveryone who likes women pushing the boundaries, romance, murder mysteryFAVORITE QUOTESHunger drove the most honest of people to breaking the law.POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)Sex: kissesLanguage: 0 f***, 0 Lord's name in vain, 0 s***Violence: strangulation, fatal gunshots, kidnapping

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!!

Oh my gosh!!! This is pry the best book I’ve read all year, if not longer. Interesting, interesting content, plot, main characters and side characters. Such vivid descriptions of the places and the times they were in. With some unsparing, but necessary, detail on the harsh realities for the less fortunate, the servants, the laundry ladies, etc..And, lest I forget, the author provided us with an extremely likable hero and heroine. And a lovely, believable, gentle romance. Not insta-love, not rushed. Perfect pacing.The murder mystery was excellent. Well thought out, most interesting and kept me guessing til close to the end.As I said in my Subject Line, fantastic book!!

I really enjoyed the story of Sophie and Jonathan, and look forward to more books from this author. The main problem with the story is that the ending is far too abrupt. There is very little content following the climax, and no resolution to Sophie's problems with her family. It is all rather brushed under the rug, which provides very little payoff to the reader. When you spend an entire book becoming invested in a character like Sophie, it's important to have some closure to her struggles. One would have hoped to see a tiny improvement to her relationship with her sister, at the very least.