Patricia Johns

To Write a Wrong is a fun Gilded Age romantic mystery. This is also a Christian book, but the faith element is very light–a few mentions of God’s help in the course of a lifetime, and that is about it. Daphne is an author writing under a pseudonym because she is a woman and her publisher demands it. She works for a detective agency that is hired by Herman, our dashing hero who also writes mystery novels, although he is able to use his own name, being a man and all. But someone is trying to kill him, and he needs to know who.

Daphne has a tendency toward “nerves” and she swoons when upset, so as the tension mounts, so does the comedy. But there are serious parts to this book, too, as Turano looks at the very limited rights women had back then, and the horrific way women could be treated because of it. (Like being put into insane asylums if they displeased their husbands, or asked a question their husbands didn’t like.) It certainly made me grateful for the rights we enjoy today–and determined to hold onto them!

But back to the story–it’s a fun romp as they move through a high society weeklong party to the business offices of a Gilded Age publishing house. The characters are all incredibly likeable–especially Daphne–and with the exception of a villain or two, are redeemable, as well.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book! If you enjoy cozy romantic mystery and historical settings, this book is for you!

Happy reading!