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The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency #2
To Write a Wrong
Miss Daphne Beekman is a mystery writer by day, inquiry agent by night. Known for her ability to puzzle out plots, she prefers working behind the scenes for the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, staying well away from danger. However, Daphne soon finds herself in the thick of an attempted murder case she's determined to solve.
Mr. Herman Henderson is also a mystery writer, but unlike the dashing heroes he pens, he lives a quiet life, determined to avoid the fate of his adventurous parents, who perished on an expedition when he was a child. But when he experiences numerous attempts on his life, he seeks out the services of the eccentric Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency to uncover the culprit. All too soon, Herman finds himself stepping out of the safe haven of his world and into an adventure he never imagined.
As the list of suspects grows and sinister plots are directed Daphne's way as well, Herman and Daphne must determine who they can trust and if they can risk the greatest adventure of all: love.
Mr. Herman Henderson is also a mystery writer, but unlike the dashing heroes he pens, he lives a quiet life, determined to avoid the fate of his adventurous parents, who perished on an expedition when he was a child. But when he experiences numerous attempts on his life, he seeks out the services of the eccentric Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency to uncover the culprit. All too soon, Herman finds himself stepping out of the safe haven of his world and into an adventure he never imagined.
As the list of suspects grows and sinister plots are directed Daphne's way as well, Herman and Daphne must determine who they can trust and if they can risk the greatest adventure of all: love.
360 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2021
116 people are currently reading
1306 people want to read
About the author
Jen Turano
31 books1,964 followersNamed One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. Readers may find her at www.jenturano.com - https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoaut... , https://www.instagram.com/jenturanoau... or on Twitter at JenTurano@JenTurano.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
July 11, 2023
A happy re-read -- it's been nearly two years since I experienced the unique zaniness that is this story. I love Jen Turano's comic brilliance. :-)
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These authors! Just when you think they can't get any more brilliant they publish another book that defies description and you're left scrambling for words to fill a review. Let's call me gobsmacked and call it quits. :-)
I laughed so hard I'm checking sit-ups off my exercise routine 'cause my belly got that much of a workout being pummeled inside out from hearty guffaws. Zany. Outrageous. Witty. Glib. I can't wipe the silly grin off my face. This book is destined to lift your spirits and lighten your load.
I can honestly say I never imagined myself swooning over a Herman but swoon I did. :-) He's a man who doesn't think of himself as hero material which makes him all the more alluring. And he's a writer! And avid reader!! And he's forward thinking enough to be willing to hire a women's investigation agency!
Speaking of which...that meet-cute is hysterical! The way Turano writes the dizzying twists and turns that make up conversations involving Daphne is priceless! I'm kind of worried that I was beginning to follow her rabbit trails of thought bursts by the end. She often leaves everyone around her muddled until she concludes with a brilliant solution that suddenly makes sense out of everything she said previously. So much fun to read!
As is always the case with a Turano novel there is a huge cast of quirky secondary characters who bring even more chaos and mayhem to the mix! And there's a house party full of them in this novel. Which means the whodunit possibilities are endless. The suspense thread is just as light-hearted and amusing as the rest of the story, for all that someone is trying to kill Herman! It's a clever plot with multiple surprises.
I listened to the audible edition of To Write a Wrong and enjoyed Andrea Emmes interpretation of Jen Turano's characters. She captured them all to sweet perfection.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2023/07/11/t...
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These authors! Just when you think they can't get any more brilliant they publish another book that defies description and you're left scrambling for words to fill a review. Let's call me gobsmacked and call it quits. :-)
I laughed so hard I'm checking sit-ups off my exercise routine 'cause my belly got that much of a workout being pummeled inside out from hearty guffaws. Zany. Outrageous. Witty. Glib. I can't wipe the silly grin off my face. This book is destined to lift your spirits and lighten your load.
I can honestly say I never imagined myself swooning over a Herman but swoon I did. :-) He's a man who doesn't think of himself as hero material which makes him all the more alluring. And he's a writer! And avid reader!! And he's forward thinking enough to be willing to hire a women's investigation agency!
Speaking of which...that meet-cute is hysterical! The way Turano writes the dizzying twists and turns that make up conversations involving Daphne is priceless! I'm kind of worried that I was beginning to follow her rabbit trails of thought bursts by the end. She often leaves everyone around her muddled until she concludes with a brilliant solution that suddenly makes sense out of everything she said previously. So much fun to read!
As is always the case with a Turano novel there is a huge cast of quirky secondary characters who bring even more chaos and mayhem to the mix! And there's a house party full of them in this novel. Which means the whodunit possibilities are endless. The suspense thread is just as light-hearted and amusing as the rest of the story, for all that someone is trying to kill Herman! It's a clever plot with multiple surprises.
I listened to the audible edition of To Write a Wrong and enjoyed Andrea Emmes interpretation of Jen Turano's characters. She captured them all to sweet perfection.
https://kavsbestreads.ca/2023/07/11/t...
September 15, 2021
4.5 stars
Oh, Daphne. One of the things I loved most about book 1 in this series, To Steal a Heart, was side character Daphne and her quirky antics. So you can imagine how much I was looking forward to Daphne being the heroine in her own story, To Write a Wrong! I am pleased to report that I found her just as delightful in her starring role, and I read this book with a big grin on my face that just didn’t go away.
Daphne’s sincere earnestness to discover who’s trying to kill renowned mystery author Herman Henderson is hilariously juxtaposed against how simultaneously horrible AND lucky she actually is at it. Her innate quirkiness is buoyed further by her undercover persona in a house party full of authors (where she must keep no less than 3 of her identities a secret at any given time) and equally quirky supporting characters. Add to that some classic Turano “madcap mayhem” in the form of rescue bustles, pirate costumes, bad poetry, secret passages and a lengthy suspect list, and you’ll find yourself hoping laughter burns as many calories as actually exercising!
Herman is a swoony hero with his own set of quirks, and I loved the affectionately tongue-in-cheek look at authors that his – and Daphne’s – profession allows. Their meet-cute made me laugh out loud, and it just got better from there. The banter, the admiration, the affection, all of it had me grinning from ear to ear and it was made all the more endearing by the fact they both are rather clueless as to a) their appeal and b) the state of the other’s feelings.
In Daphne’s quest to eliminate the threat to Herman’s life, we also get to explore some deeper issues like anxiety, grief, fear, trauma, and gender roles / disparity in the late 1800s. The author seamlessly integrates these themes into the story without sacrificing either their importance or the light-hearted tone of the book. That’s a rare combination, but Turano pulled it off superbly.
Bottom Line: Any time I pick up a book by Jen Turano, I know I’ll be laughing often. To Write a Wrong is no exception. Quirky & endearing characters romp through every page, and just when you think it can’t possibly get any zanier… it does. A delightful story with hints of Clue, Oscar Wilde, Georgette Heyer, and a comedic voice all Turano’s own, To Write a Wrong is exactly the feel-good story we all need to be reading right now.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Oh, Daphne. One of the things I loved most about book 1 in this series, To Steal a Heart, was side character Daphne and her quirky antics. So you can imagine how much I was looking forward to Daphne being the heroine in her own story, To Write a Wrong! I am pleased to report that I found her just as delightful in her starring role, and I read this book with a big grin on my face that just didn’t go away.
Daphne’s sincere earnestness to discover who’s trying to kill renowned mystery author Herman Henderson is hilariously juxtaposed against how simultaneously horrible AND lucky she actually is at it. Her innate quirkiness is buoyed further by her undercover persona in a house party full of authors (where she must keep no less than 3 of her identities a secret at any given time) and equally quirky supporting characters. Add to that some classic Turano “madcap mayhem” in the form of rescue bustles, pirate costumes, bad poetry, secret passages and a lengthy suspect list, and you’ll find yourself hoping laughter burns as many calories as actually exercising!
Herman is a swoony hero with his own set of quirks, and I loved the affectionately tongue-in-cheek look at authors that his – and Daphne’s – profession allows. Their meet-cute made me laugh out loud, and it just got better from there. The banter, the admiration, the affection, all of it had me grinning from ear to ear and it was made all the more endearing by the fact they both are rather clueless as to a) their appeal and b) the state of the other’s feelings.
In Daphne’s quest to eliminate the threat to Herman’s life, we also get to explore some deeper issues like anxiety, grief, fear, trauma, and gender roles / disparity in the late 1800s. The author seamlessly integrates these themes into the story without sacrificing either their importance or the light-hearted tone of the book. That’s a rare combination, but Turano pulled it off superbly.
Bottom Line: Any time I pick up a book by Jen Turano, I know I’ll be laughing often. To Write a Wrong is no exception. Quirky & endearing characters romp through every page, and just when you think it can’t possibly get any zanier… it does. A delightful story with hints of Clue, Oscar Wilde, Georgette Heyer, and a comedic voice all Turano’s own, To Write a Wrong is exactly the feel-good story we all need to be reading right now.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
August 23, 2021
One thing that always makes Jen Turano's books stand out from other authors is her sense of humor that so naturally shows up in the writing style of her books.
Her characters are always so realistic and well rounded. I was laughing out loud as I read this .
Some of her characters can be a bit quirky but she does it in a way that you love because it makes you chuckle but at the same time you think to yourself you may now someone like that.
A true page turner that has some suspense, who wants a character gone and why?
The book is well paced and will keep you on your toes. The ending can't be beat.
I love this author's books!
Pub Date 03 Aug 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Her characters are always so realistic and well rounded. I was laughing out loud as I read this .
Some of her characters can be a bit quirky but she does it in a way that you love because it makes you chuckle but at the same time you think to yourself you may now someone like that.
A true page turner that has some suspense, who wants a character gone and why?
The book is well paced and will keep you on your toes. The ending can't be beat.
I love this author's books!
Pub Date 03 Aug 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
July 31, 2021
About this book:
“Miss Daphne Beekman is a mystery writer by day, inquiry agent by night. Known for her ability to puzzle out plots, she happily works behind the scenes for the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, staying well away from danger. However, Daphne soon finds herself in the thick of an attempted murder case she's determined to solve.
Mr. Herman Henderson is also a mystery writer, but unlike the dashing heroes he pens, he prefers living a quiet life, determined to avoid the fate of his adventurous parents, who perished on an expedition when he was a child. But when he experiences numerous attempts on his life, he seeks out the services of the eccentric Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency to uncover the culprit. All too soon, Herman finds himself stepping out of the safe haven of his world and into an adventure he never imagined.
As the list of suspects grows and sinister plots are directed Daphne’s way as well, Herman and Daphne must determine who they can trust and if they can risk the greatest adventure of all: love.”
Series: Book #2 in “The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency”. Review of the first book, Here!
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are read, quoted, & commented on; Talks about God (including one about a person that was mad at Him for a death of a loved one and another one about someone praying for courage); ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of a chapel, church services, & a reverend; A mention of helping with missions.
Negative Content- Eye rolling; Trying to find who is attempting to murder Herman; Herman drinks wine at a dinner party; Fighting/Punching (up to semi-detailed); Blood/Bleeding, Pain, & Fainting (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of murders, murderers, & attempted murders (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a ship that went down & deaths; Mentions of a kidnapping & being tied up; Mentions of missing people; Mentions of crimes, criminals, jails, & arrests; Mentions of break-ins/trespassing & intruders; Mentions of stolen items, thefts, & arrests; Mentions of threats, weapons, & pistols and arrows being aimed at someone; Mentions of fights, fighting, punches, & duels; Mentions of blood/bleeding, injuries, stitches, & broken bones (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of poison; Mentions of blackmail; Mentions of lying & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of men abusing women; Mentions of asylums & a man attempting to commit his wife to one because she questioned him; A few mentions of gambling & debts to questionable characters; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of wine, drinking, & having too much to drink; A couple mentions of throwing up.
Sexual Content- Three hand/fingers kisses, a not-detailed kiss, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and two semi-detailed kisses; Remembering a kiss (up to semi-detailed); Touches & Blushes; Butterflies; Noticing & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); Discussions that women (& young ladies) need to know how to protect themselves, about the dangers of the world and men, & that if a man does try to attack a woman, that she is not to blame; A man (it’s easy to call him a pedophile because he was an adult and she only thirteen) has a twist view of Daphne, who he thought was using her feminine wiles on him (he says she was “whetting [his] appetite for [her]”, (“twirling her hair in a provocative manner) however, she was completely not doing that); *Spoiler, but important triggering note* Mentions of flirtation, flirts, & flirting; Mentions of feminine allure; Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of chaperones & reputations; A few mentions of men trying to attack women; A few mentions of kisses; A few mentions of noticing nearness/touches between couples & blushes; A couple mentions of cheating husbands & a possible affair; A mention of the possibility of men taking unwanted liberties with women; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Mentions of unmentionables & bustles shaping a woman’s backside.
-Daphne Beekman, age 25
-Herman Henderson, age 31
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1887
360 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
{Trigger Warning: Attempted Assault (including towards a minor) & Anxiety}
For the beginning and middle, I adored this book tremendously. Daphne was absolutely amazing with her wit and then how well-spoken she was made me want to take notes. Herman was an almost perfect hero, and their conversations about writing and plots were so amusing.
I was planning on giving this book a four star rating throughout the majority of the book because of those things and because of how much I actually laughed out loud. However, there was something revealed towards the end that touched on a dark topic and because of it, I feel more comfortable giving it a three star rating. It’s a sensitive topic and while it wasn’t detailed or even near that, it still turned my stomach at that part. (To note: it’s discussed for about 30 pages). Personally, the topic of assault is something I’m sensitive towards, so I would have preferred a warning about this being mentioned in the book—perhaps at the beginning of the book because it can be triggering for survivors and those sensitive to it—especially as an attempt is made on a minor and we hear a bit of the man’s twisted thoughts.
So, while it was a mostly light-hearted and humorous read surrounding a mystery of who’s attempting to murder Herman, there were also serious discussions about anxiety and anxiety attacks, men abusing women, men not taking no for an answer, and the need for women to be able to protect themselves. This is why my ratings are lower for younger age groups, even though I really enjoyed the main characters and overall plot.
Link to review:
Coming soon.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
“Miss Daphne Beekman is a mystery writer by day, inquiry agent by night. Known for her ability to puzzle out plots, she happily works behind the scenes for the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, staying well away from danger. However, Daphne soon finds herself in the thick of an attempted murder case she's determined to solve.
Mr. Herman Henderson is also a mystery writer, but unlike the dashing heroes he pens, he prefers living a quiet life, determined to avoid the fate of his adventurous parents, who perished on an expedition when he was a child. But when he experiences numerous attempts on his life, he seeks out the services of the eccentric Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency to uncover the culprit. All too soon, Herman finds himself stepping out of the safe haven of his world and into an adventure he never imagined.
As the list of suspects grows and sinister plots are directed Daphne’s way as well, Herman and Daphne must determine who they can trust and if they can risk the greatest adventure of all: love.”
Series: Book #2 in “The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency”. Review of the first book, Here!
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are read, quoted, & commented on; Talks about God (including one about a person that was mad at Him for a death of a loved one and another one about someone praying for courage); ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of a chapel, church services, & a reverend; A mention of helping with missions.
Negative Content- Eye rolling; Trying to find who is attempting to murder Herman; Herman drinks wine at a dinner party; Fighting/Punching (up to semi-detailed); Blood/Bleeding, Pain, & Fainting (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of murders, murderers, & attempted murders (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a ship that went down & deaths; Mentions of a kidnapping & being tied up; Mentions of missing people; Mentions of crimes, criminals, jails, & arrests; Mentions of break-ins/trespassing & intruders; Mentions of stolen items, thefts, & arrests; Mentions of threats, weapons, & pistols and arrows being aimed at someone; Mentions of fights, fighting, punches, & duels; Mentions of blood/bleeding, injuries, stitches, & broken bones (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of poison; Mentions of blackmail; Mentions of lying & liars; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of men abusing women; Mentions of asylums & a man attempting to commit his wife to one because she questioned him; A few mentions of gambling & debts to questionable characters; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of wine, drinking, & having too much to drink; A couple mentions of throwing up.
Sexual Content- Three hand/fingers kisses, a not-detailed kiss, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and two semi-detailed kisses; Remembering a kiss (up to semi-detailed); Touches & Blushes; Butterflies; Noticing & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); Discussions that women (& young ladies) need to know how to protect themselves, about the dangers of the world and men, & that if a man does try to attack a woman, that she is not to blame; A man (it’s easy to call him a pedophile because he was an adult and she only thirteen) has a twist view of Daphne, who he thought was using her feminine wiles on him (he says she was “whetting [his] appetite for [her]”, (“twirling her hair in a provocative manner) however, she was completely not doing that); *Spoiler, but important triggering note* Mentions of flirtation, flirts, & flirting; Mentions of feminine allure; Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of chaperones & reputations; A few mentions of men trying to attack women; A few mentions of kisses; A few mentions of noticing nearness/touches between couples & blushes; A couple mentions of cheating husbands & a possible affair; A mention of the possibility of men taking unwanted liberties with women; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Mentions of unmentionables & bustles shaping a woman’s backside.
-Daphne Beekman, age 25
-Herman Henderson, age 31
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1887
360 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
{Trigger Warning: Attempted Assault (including towards a minor) & Anxiety}
For the beginning and middle, I adored this book tremendously. Daphne was absolutely amazing with her wit and then how well-spoken she was made me want to take notes. Herman was an almost perfect hero, and their conversations about writing and plots were so amusing.
I was planning on giving this book a four star rating throughout the majority of the book because of those things and because of how much I actually laughed out loud. However, there was something revealed towards the end that touched on a dark topic and because of it, I feel more comfortable giving it a three star rating. It’s a sensitive topic and while it wasn’t detailed or even near that, it still turned my stomach at that part. (To note: it’s discussed for about 30 pages). Personally, the topic of assault is something I’m sensitive towards, so I would have preferred a warning about this being mentioned in the book—perhaps at the beginning of the book because it can be triggering for survivors and those sensitive to it—especially as an attempt is made on a minor and we hear a bit of the man’s twisted thoughts.
So, while it was a mostly light-hearted and humorous read surrounding a mystery of who’s attempting to murder Herman, there were also serious discussions about anxiety and anxiety attacks, men abusing women, men not taking no for an answer, and the need for women to be able to protect themselves. This is why my ratings are lower for younger age groups, even though I really enjoyed the main characters and overall plot.
Link to review:
Coming soon.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Author for this honest review.
August 4, 2021
This is a truly delightful addition to the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series. Jen Turano is one author for whom I'll make an exception to my "no historical novels" rule because she fills her books with so much humor and heart.
This book centers on Daphne, a mystery writer who must keep her identity disguised because her publisher believes that mystery novels written by a woman will not sell. While trying to gain inspiration for her writing, she comes into acquaintance of Mr. Herman Henderson, a fellow mystery writer who wants to hire the inquiry agency to determine who is trying to kill him. As Daphne and her fellow agents search for clues, there is a definite connection forging between Herman and Daphne, even though he believes her to be a poet and a terrible one at that.
I just love the banter throughout this book and it kept me engaged and interested. The rather large bustles that save the day on more than one occasion made me laugh out loud. Yet there is also depth to this book, because Daphne has long suffered from anxiety that makes her prone to swooning when things get tense. After everything is revealed about Daphne's past, Turano's astute observations about the roles, status, and unfortunately non-status of women in the late 1800s should cause readers to stop to think about how far things have come and how much still stays the same.
This is a fun, yet meaningful novel that will sure to please those who like humorous historical romance books with a bit of mystery and a lot of heart.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
This book centers on Daphne, a mystery writer who must keep her identity disguised because her publisher believes that mystery novels written by a woman will not sell. While trying to gain inspiration for her writing, she comes into acquaintance of Mr. Herman Henderson, a fellow mystery writer who wants to hire the inquiry agency to determine who is trying to kill him. As Daphne and her fellow agents search for clues, there is a definite connection forging between Herman and Daphne, even though he believes her to be a poet and a terrible one at that.
I just love the banter throughout this book and it kept me engaged and interested. The rather large bustles that save the day on more than one occasion made me laugh out loud. Yet there is also depth to this book, because Daphne has long suffered from anxiety that makes her prone to swooning when things get tense. After everything is revealed about Daphne's past, Turano's astute observations about the roles, status, and unfortunately non-status of women in the late 1800s should cause readers to stop to think about how far things have come and how much still stays the same.
This is a fun, yet meaningful novel that will sure to please those who like humorous historical romance books with a bit of mystery and a lot of heart.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
August 3, 2021
'Murderers, I'm sure you'll agree, are very proficient with lying.'
Oh goodness, do I ever love a Jen Turano novel! Every time one is published, I can't wait to read it. You know why? Because that means I'm about to have a grand experience. I don't know how she does it. Really I don't. Her mind must be an amazing thing. Her wit is incredibly wonderful and this time I was laughing by the second page. There are many times during the reading of her books that I just burst into loud laughter and laugh more than a second or two. My husband just stares at me, while I say, 'I'm reading another Jen Turano book.'
Back we go to the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency to have Miss Daphne Beekman's story. Daphne is a writer, don't you know, albeit one who must adopt a male nom de plume. She solves crimes in the evenings, too. Well, she meets up with another mystery writer in this story, a very famous one like herself, Mr. Herman Henderson. He wants to hire the agency because it would seem someone is trying to kill him. And we're off! What a wonderful, rip-roaring time to be had here. I always find myself, during the reading of on of Turano's books, rereading passages over and over just for the simple pleasure of laughing my head off. I adore her work!
My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book via the Net Galley platform. I was not required to leave a positive review. The opinion here is entirely my own.
Oh goodness, do I ever love a Jen Turano novel! Every time one is published, I can't wait to read it. You know why? Because that means I'm about to have a grand experience. I don't know how she does it. Really I don't. Her mind must be an amazing thing. Her wit is incredibly wonderful and this time I was laughing by the second page. There are many times during the reading of her books that I just burst into loud laughter and laugh more than a second or two. My husband just stares at me, while I say, 'I'm reading another Jen Turano book.'
Back we go to the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency to have Miss Daphne Beekman's story. Daphne is a writer, don't you know, albeit one who must adopt a male nom de plume. She solves crimes in the evenings, too. Well, she meets up with another mystery writer in this story, a very famous one like herself, Mr. Herman Henderson. He wants to hire the agency because it would seem someone is trying to kill him. And we're off! What a wonderful, rip-roaring time to be had here. I always find myself, during the reading of on of Turano's books, rereading passages over and over just for the simple pleasure of laughing my head off. I adore her work!
My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a copy of this book via the Net Galley platform. I was not required to leave a positive review. The opinion here is entirely my own.
July 25, 2021
To Write a Wrong was everything I hoped for Daphne's story. Daphne is a writer in an age where women can't write under their names and that creates the need for her to use a pseudonym. She's also an inquiry agent with the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency. Put the two together and give her a client who is her biggest competition in the mystery world, and you have the recipe for a book that was so fun to read. It pokes fun at writers, but never devolves to a treatise on how terrible publishing is. Instead it creates a plot that twists and turns while having a good time and weaving a tale of a sweet romance. Loved it!
December 15, 2021
We met Daphne in the previous book of the series and I, personally, loved her! She's fun and her propensity to swoon is hilarious!
Herman is just the perfect man for her! He's like her counterpart - apart from swooning! LOL
I loughed and rolled my eyes at the sometimes silliness of the situations, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book! It was very funny - I dare say more than the previous book!
The dialogue is fantastic! The way Daphne and Herman get wayled during their conversations by their love for writing is truly fantastic!
I really, really enjoyed this book and the authors writing style! I'll be surely read more books by this author!
Herman is just the perfect man for her! He's like her counterpart - apart from swooning! LOL
I loughed and rolled my eyes at the sometimes silliness of the situations, but I thoroughly enjoyed the book! It was very funny - I dare say more than the previous book!
The dialogue is fantastic! The way Daphne and Herman get wayled during their conversations by their love for writing is truly fantastic!
I really, really enjoyed this book and the authors writing style! I'll be surely read more books by this author!
January 27, 2022
This was my very first Jen Turano book! I'd heard of her books in passing for a number of years, and one of my favorite YouTubers, Lindsey from the blog "Books for Christian Girls" has sung Turano's praises many a time, but I hadn't gotten around to checking her out until I saw a video interview with her with fellow Christian author Cara Putman. Hearing about Turano's books from her own mouth made me think I might enjoy some historical fiction with some humor, so I was glad to find my library had some of her books on audio as that's my preferred way to check out most new-to-me authors.
"To Write a Wrong" had caught my attention when it first came out because I liked the cover and it sounded like a fun story, so I tried it first. It was quite simply a delight to read. Turano's writing style is so quirky and funny even as she weaves a mystery for her characters. I liked that the heroine wasn't the typical intrepid female detective type. Daphne actually was the type to have fainting spells due to anxiety to the point she carried smelling salts in her purse, but the great thing was, that didn't make her weak or incapable. She faced her fears even knowing they'd sometimes cause this physical reaction, but she endured and always moved forward, and I loved that. And instead of just going with the belief of the time period that this is simply what some women were like, it was explained why she (and another character who tended toward fainting when stressed) had these episodes, which turned out to be completely legitimate and understandable reasons.
The mystery itself was pretty fun. A little peril since someone was trying to murder our hero, but little that was stressful or scary. Mostly, it was just adventuresome in a way that is comparable to Hallmark's mystery movies, just with a more unique heroine than the one Hallmark recycles over and over.
One little dose of seriousness was how the story (tastefully) touched on some issues of the time like how some men would try to discredit women by sending them to an asylum if the woman responded to something in a way the man didn't like. An example being that a man who was interested in Daphne is said to have tried to get her sent to an asylum when she vehemently refused his marriage proposal because he was a pushy, self-absorbed creep. (He failed at doing this.)
Another bit of seriousness came when (the following paragraph is both a minor spoiler and potential trigger warning for attempted sexual assault) we also learn that the root beginning of Daphne's anxiety/fainting problem came from the same man having cornered her alone when she was younger (way way too young, like, early teens) and attempted to force a kiss on her, and then tried to drag her off to the woods, at which point, Daphne had her first fainting spell. (He was thwarted in dragging her off by someone else coming along.) Because Daphne fainted, she didn't remember the incident until it got figured out later, by other characters, that this happened. This realization came after the same man tried to corner Daphne alone in a room in present day. (He was thwarted again and soundly punished for this second attempted assault.) All of this was done in a way that wasn't too detailed, though, and again, the evil man was thwarted both times before he could get beyond trying to force a kiss on Daphne.
For the romance, Daphne and Herman were so cute together. It was fun that they were both writers, him a well-known author (in the book world, not in real life) and her also technically a well-known author, BUT no one knew she was a woman writing under a male pen name. I really enjoyed the slow growth of their relationship. While there was physical attraction, the focus wasn't exclusively on that. They spent a realistic amount of time together, getting to know each other, trust and respect each other, and finally, love each other. Lots and lots of cute moments and funny banter. The author even allowed Herman to ask Daphne for a period of courtship once the mystery was over in order to *really* get to know each other under normal life circumstances before the marriage proposal came, and I just appreciated that realistic angle so much. Thank you, Ms. Turano!
Possibly my only critique was that, while the banter was cute, there were occasions I wondered how realistic it was that *so many* of the characters were good at witty banter. There were also a few times the banter came off a little... explain-y? I'm not sure how else to put that. It wasn't constant, but there were times one character would make a witty observation about another character (frequently between Herman and Daphne, but not exclusively), and then the other character would respond with something along the lines of, "Well, yes, that makes sense since I was doing this thing in this manner that would cause you to think that." Etc., etc. It didn't bother me much, but happened enough I started to notice it. Again, this is my first book by Jen Turano, so I won't know until I've read others if this is a habit of hers, or exclusive to this book. Maybe she just meant it to show that awkward self awareness that people can feel in the early stages of attraction. *shrug*
Anyway, I still enjoyed this enough that I definitely want to read more from Turano. There are authors I enjoy reading for drama, action, danger, and all the feels, and some I enjoy reading because they're adventuresome, but in a safe, comforting, and fun way. I can now add Jen Turano to the latter list as a respite I can turn to for some fun and laughs during stressful times. I'll be checking out the rest of this series, as well as Turano's other books.
Content Advisory:
Lindsey from the blog "Books for Christian Girls" has already put together a thorough content advisory for this book, so I suggest checking hers out if you'd like more details: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
"To Write a Wrong" had caught my attention when it first came out because I liked the cover and it sounded like a fun story, so I tried it first. It was quite simply a delight to read. Turano's writing style is so quirky and funny even as she weaves a mystery for her characters. I liked that the heroine wasn't the typical intrepid female detective type. Daphne actually was the type to have fainting spells due to anxiety to the point she carried smelling salts in her purse, but the great thing was, that didn't make her weak or incapable. She faced her fears even knowing they'd sometimes cause this physical reaction, but she endured and always moved forward, and I loved that. And instead of just going with the belief of the time period that this is simply what some women were like, it was explained why she (and another character who tended toward fainting when stressed) had these episodes, which turned out to be completely legitimate and understandable reasons.
The mystery itself was pretty fun. A little peril since someone was trying to murder our hero, but little that was stressful or scary. Mostly, it was just adventuresome in a way that is comparable to Hallmark's mystery movies, just with a more unique heroine than the one Hallmark recycles over and over.
One little dose of seriousness was how the story (tastefully) touched on some issues of the time like how some men would try to discredit women by sending them to an asylum if the woman responded to something in a way the man didn't like. An example being that a man who was interested in Daphne is said to have tried to get her sent to an asylum when she vehemently refused his marriage proposal because he was a pushy, self-absorbed creep. (He failed at doing this.)
Another bit of seriousness came when (the following paragraph is both a minor spoiler and potential trigger warning for attempted sexual assault) we also learn that the root beginning of Daphne's anxiety/fainting problem came from the same man having cornered her alone when she was younger (way way too young, like, early teens) and attempted to force a kiss on her, and then tried to drag her off to the woods, at which point, Daphne had her first fainting spell. (He was thwarted in dragging her off by someone else coming along.) Because Daphne fainted, she didn't remember the incident until it got figured out later, by other characters, that this happened. This realization came after the same man tried to corner Daphne alone in a room in present day. (He was thwarted again and soundly punished for this second attempted assault.) All of this was done in a way that wasn't too detailed, though, and again, the evil man was thwarted both times before he could get beyond trying to force a kiss on Daphne.
For the romance, Daphne and Herman were so cute together. It was fun that they were both writers, him a well-known author (in the book world, not in real life) and her also technically a well-known author, BUT no one knew she was a woman writing under a male pen name. I really enjoyed the slow growth of their relationship. While there was physical attraction, the focus wasn't exclusively on that. They spent a realistic amount of time together, getting to know each other, trust and respect each other, and finally, love each other. Lots and lots of cute moments and funny banter. The author even allowed Herman to ask Daphne for a period of courtship once the mystery was over in order to *really* get to know each other under normal life circumstances before the marriage proposal came, and I just appreciated that realistic angle so much. Thank you, Ms. Turano!
Possibly my only critique was that, while the banter was cute, there were occasions I wondered how realistic it was that *so many* of the characters were good at witty banter. There were also a few times the banter came off a little... explain-y? I'm not sure how else to put that. It wasn't constant, but there were times one character would make a witty observation about another character (frequently between Herman and Daphne, but not exclusively), and then the other character would respond with something along the lines of, "Well, yes, that makes sense since I was doing this thing in this manner that would cause you to think that." Etc., etc. It didn't bother me much, but happened enough I started to notice it. Again, this is my first book by Jen Turano, so I won't know until I've read others if this is a habit of hers, or exclusive to this book. Maybe she just meant it to show that awkward self awareness that people can feel in the early stages of attraction. *shrug*
Anyway, I still enjoyed this enough that I definitely want to read more from Turano. There are authors I enjoy reading for drama, action, danger, and all the feels, and some I enjoy reading because they're adventuresome, but in a safe, comforting, and fun way. I can now add Jen Turano to the latter list as a respite I can turn to for some fun and laughs during stressful times. I'll be checking out the rest of this series, as well as Turano's other books.
Content Advisory:
Lindsey from the blog "Books for Christian Girls" has already put together a thorough content advisory for this book, so I suggest checking hers out if you'd like more details: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 18, 2021
The novel was a disservice to a most inviting cover, clogged with never-ending dialogue. To paraphrase Eliza Doolittle’s rant to Freddy: Talk, talk, talk, I’m so sick of talk . . . Yes, some of it was humorous, but I had to wait 75 pages to get into the story. The book would have been so much better if it had been 100 pages shorter, cutting out side issues and excess dialogue. (And to make matters worse, a great deal of that talk was modern rather than true to the Victorian age.)
There was a cast of thousands at the house party, impossible to keep straight, and then, after 200 pages, suddenly four more mystery writers, hitherto unmentioned, were introduced, never to appear again.
I found Herman and Daphne appealing, and the Business of the Bustles was giggle-worthy, but I was so aggravated by the book as a whole that I don’t expect to read another one by this author.
There was a cast of thousands at the house party, impossible to keep straight, and then, after 200 pages, suddenly four more mystery writers, hitherto unmentioned, were introduced, never to appear again.
I found Herman and Daphne appealing, and the Business of the Bustles was giggle-worthy, but I was so aggravated by the book as a whole that I don’t expect to read another one by this author.
July 31, 2021
Hilarious! That’s what I expect from Jen Turano and she delivers.
Double fun in this second book in the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency is that we get to see more of Daphne Beekman from the first book. She is a mystery writer by day and an agent by night. When she meets fellow author Herman Henderson while she is trying to combat writer’s block it adds to the hilarity. I especially liked when Daphne talks to Winston, the one eyed dog and Pretty Girl, The thieving parrot. The glimpses into the writing world of the late 19th century was written as only a wordsmith could.
Daphne is quirky and that is part of her charm and the reason Herman is taken with her. “Herman ran a hand over his face again, feeling quite as if he had landed smack-dab into one of his more complicated plots and one he had no idea how to get out of successfully.”
Ms. Turano’s writing reminds me of an Oscar Wilde play especially the house party at Herman’s estate complete with matchmaking grandmothers and ladies who want nothing to do with Herman. The author rounds out the story with other interesting characters, on old mystery and weaving in seemingly overused situations to great effect.
I’m anxious to learn about mysterious Eunice in the next book.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Double fun in this second book in the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency is that we get to see more of Daphne Beekman from the first book. She is a mystery writer by day and an agent by night. When she meets fellow author Herman Henderson while she is trying to combat writer’s block it adds to the hilarity. I especially liked when Daphne talks to Winston, the one eyed dog and Pretty Girl, The thieving parrot. The glimpses into the writing world of the late 19th century was written as only a wordsmith could.
Daphne is quirky and that is part of her charm and the reason Herman is taken with her. “Herman ran a hand over his face again, feeling quite as if he had landed smack-dab into one of his more complicated plots and one he had no idea how to get out of successfully.”
Ms. Turano’s writing reminds me of an Oscar Wilde play especially the house party at Herman’s estate complete with matchmaking grandmothers and ladies who want nothing to do with Herman. The author rounds out the story with other interesting characters, on old mystery and weaving in seemingly overused situations to great effect.
I’m anxious to learn about mysterious Eunice in the next book.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
August 21, 2021
I was SUPER excited for this book. And when my preorder came in TWO WEEKS before the release date, I was over the moon excited, and of course had to start it immediately… I’m not going to lie. I really did not like this book. I really struggled for the first half of this book, and then after a week, I had to put it down for almost a month so I could cool down before coming back to it to finish it.
The first half was really annoying and just beyond ridiculous. Daphne, in book one, was a nervous anxious person, and I found her hilarious. I was really looking forward to reading her book to see what kind of scrapes she would be forced into. But Daphne was not that person in this book! If she puts on a costume and pretends to be someone she’s not, she no longer has anxiety, nor does she swoon at the least provocation. So for this book she dons a disguise and is a whole new person because of that disguise. Which, as a nervous, anxious person, (who is not prone to swooning frequently, just btw) this is not accurate. I could wear a disguise all day long and still have nerves and anxiety.
Also the writing…I know Turano’s writing is not the caliber of other writers I love, but this one was just….it was bad. I cannot stand when the characters are trying to discuss something but get constantly distracted by other points of conversation and talk circles around themselves. Maybe she’s trying to up her word count, I don’t know, I just found it very tiresome in this book especially.
Which leads me to the fact that I read a SOLID 300 some odd pages of this book before I started to skip and skim chapters and then…technically I dnfed it because I did not read the last three or four chapters or the epilogue because I did not care. I don’t know who was out to kill Herman or why, so if anyone who sees this review finished the book, feel free to “spoil” me in the comments. I think I’ve just come to the realization that I’m every Jen Turano series there’s going to unfortunately be one book I don’t like, and this happens to be that book for The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency. Which is a shame because LOOK at that cover! *shakes head in sadness*
The first half was really annoying and just beyond ridiculous. Daphne, in book one, was a nervous anxious person, and I found her hilarious. I was really looking forward to reading her book to see what kind of scrapes she would be forced into. But Daphne was not that person in this book! If she puts on a costume and pretends to be someone she’s not, she no longer has anxiety, nor does she swoon at the least provocation. So for this book she dons a disguise and is a whole new person because of that disguise. Which, as a nervous, anxious person, (who is not prone to swooning frequently, just btw) this is not accurate. I could wear a disguise all day long and still have nerves and anxiety.
Also the writing…I know Turano’s writing is not the caliber of other writers I love, but this one was just….it was bad. I cannot stand when the characters are trying to discuss something but get constantly distracted by other points of conversation and talk circles around themselves. Maybe she’s trying to up her word count, I don’t know, I just found it very tiresome in this book especially.
Which leads me to the fact that I read a SOLID 300 some odd pages of this book before I started to skip and skim chapters and then…technically I dnfed it because I did not read the last three or four chapters or the epilogue because I did not care. I don’t know who was out to kill Herman or why, so if anyone who sees this review finished the book, feel free to “spoil” me in the comments. I think I’ve just come to the realization that I’m every Jen Turano series there’s going to unfortunately be one book I don’t like, and this happens to be that book for The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency. Which is a shame because LOOK at that cover! *shakes head in sadness*
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August 13, 2023I don't even know how to rate this book. I've got to think about it for a while.
This book had a lot going for it. It was hysterical in places, the chemistry between the characters was excellent, and the mystery kept unfolding in great ways.
Each of our main characters were interesting people. Daphne kept us laughing with her antics, Herman kept us engaged by his respect for Daphne and his care for his grandmother (who should be spanked, frankly).
The romance wasn't over the top, which I appreciated, and getting to find out stuff from her past was pretty cool. She didn't do everything right all the time (a huge blessing) and MOST men didn't treat her like an idiot (making them look like total jerks). I get tired of male bashing and here, even in a time where maybe some might be warranted, Turano didn't go overboard.
Except where she did. Can we talk about "repair to"? I've read this in books before. It happens. It's a thing. In fact, I'm listening to Josephine Tey novels and I've heard it twice in the two books I've listened to. But that's kind of my point. Twice. Once or twice per book (can't recall when the second one happened--it's all one large file). It's not an unfamiliar term, so I've definitely heard it before.
So when I say that I got to the point I almost DNF'd the book because of the overuse of the phrase (once they repaired to the carriage. No joke), I'm not kidding. It became ludicrous. My brain wants to say there were a thousand uses of it. Not true. But it sure feels like it. I doubt a chapter or even scene went by without it at least once.
Add to that the fact that until a bit into the story, I didn't care what was going on except when the MMC and FMC were together. That had interest and chemistry. Eventually, the story kicked in for its own merit, but at first, it was only them for me.
Faith elements were there but didn't offer much to inspire me. So that all sounds very "meh" to me. But it wasn't. The pacing was good, the mystery was good, the chemistry was hilarious... It feels like it should be a four-star book. But then I feel like I'm being too generous. I just don't know on this one.
This book had a lot going for it. It was hysterical in places, the chemistry between the characters was excellent, and the mystery kept unfolding in great ways.
Each of our main characters were interesting people. Daphne kept us laughing with her antics, Herman kept us engaged by his respect for Daphne and his care for his grandmother (who should be spanked, frankly).
The romance wasn't over the top, which I appreciated, and getting to find out stuff from her past was pretty cool. She didn't do everything right all the time (a huge blessing) and MOST men didn't treat her like an idiot (making them look like total jerks). I get tired of male bashing and here, even in a time where maybe some might be warranted, Turano didn't go overboard.
Except where she did. Can we talk about "repair to"? I've read this in books before. It happens. It's a thing. In fact, I'm listening to Josephine Tey novels and I've heard it twice in the two books I've listened to. But that's kind of my point. Twice. Once or twice per book (can't recall when the second one happened--it's all one large file). It's not an unfamiliar term, so I've definitely heard it before.
So when I say that I got to the point I almost DNF'd the book because of the overuse of the phrase (once they repaired to the carriage. No joke), I'm not kidding. It became ludicrous. My brain wants to say there were a thousand uses of it. Not true. But it sure feels like it. I doubt a chapter or even scene went by without it at least once.
Add to that the fact that until a bit into the story, I didn't care what was going on except when the MMC and FMC were together. That had interest and chemistry. Eventually, the story kicked in for its own merit, but at first, it was only them for me.
Faith elements were there but didn't offer much to inspire me. So that all sounds very "meh" to me. But it wasn't. The pacing was good, the mystery was good, the chemistry was hilarious... It feels like it should be a four-star book. But then I feel like I'm being too generous. I just don't know on this one.
April 24, 2022
Another delightful story :) I looked up Poppet!
March 10, 2022
Okay. Okay. Not going to lie, about page 250 I text my friend and told her I was struggling with the book. It felt like I had been reading for a while and so much was happening, and HAD happened that the fact that there was STILL 100+ pages was daunting to me.
But y’all! I’m so glad I pushed through, because that was the CUTEST ending I’ve read in a while!
I loved Daphne in this story! She was an absolute HOOT and so bizarre but soo incredibly fun. I loved how strong she truly was, even when she couldn’t see it. Even though she was prone to nerves she never let it stop her from living her life and enjoying adventures.
Herman was a doll! Or a sugar plum if you will. Such an understanding and adorable hero! While he seemed a little soft I really enjoyed the change. He wasn’t a coward, but he wasn’t the one to unnecessarily put himself or people he loved in harms way. And the way he cared for people’s feelings, and saw the best in them. *swoon*
I LOOOOOVVVEEEEDDD that they were BOTH authors and their banter about writing and all the things that came with being mystery authors.
All the additional romance in the air throughout the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency was also a fun addition. 😉 I’m excited for Eunice’s story!!!!
I really enjoyed how Jen handled topics of women’s rights and the lack of true justice for the women of that time who were attacked. There were a few times it seemed a bit heavy for a Jen Turano book it was done well without malice so I think it worked well!
There were quite a few moving parts to the story, and it felt a little long. But Jen made it fun and wacky (as the queen of historical comedy does) and overall it was a good story!
I loved being back in Jen’s mind, even for a bit. And I’m so glad I picked this book up! I can’t wait for book 3!!
4/5 stars!
*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*
But y’all! I’m so glad I pushed through, because that was the CUTEST ending I’ve read in a while!
I loved Daphne in this story! She was an absolute HOOT and so bizarre but soo incredibly fun. I loved how strong she truly was, even when she couldn’t see it. Even though she was prone to nerves she never let it stop her from living her life and enjoying adventures.
Herman was a doll! Or a sugar plum if you will. Such an understanding and adorable hero! While he seemed a little soft I really enjoyed the change. He wasn’t a coward, but he wasn’t the one to unnecessarily put himself or people he loved in harms way. And the way he cared for people’s feelings, and saw the best in them. *swoon*
I LOOOOOVVVEEEEDDD that they were BOTH authors and their banter about writing and all the things that came with being mystery authors.
All the additional romance in the air throughout the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency was also a fun addition. 😉 I’m excited for Eunice’s story!!!!
I really enjoyed how Jen handled topics of women’s rights and the lack of true justice for the women of that time who were attacked. There were a few times it seemed a bit heavy for a Jen Turano book it was done well without malice so I think it worked well!
There were quite a few moving parts to the story, and it felt a little long. But Jen made it fun and wacky (as the queen of historical comedy does) and overall it was a good story!
I loved being back in Jen’s mind, even for a bit. And I’m so glad I picked this book up! I can’t wait for book 3!!
4/5 stars!
*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*
December 6, 2021
This is one of my new favorite Jen Turano's!! Being a writer myself, I found this very relatable and a most delightful read! So many quirks and commodities talked about within the main characters I found I could relate with so well. (Maybe too well... 🤣)
Daphne was a wonderful heroine and I loved everything about her. And of course Herman was simply perfect in every way. 😍 He's now one of my favorite male characters. Their relationship and story was so fun to read and I was laughing out loud many times!!
This series as a whole may be my favorite of Jen Turano! And I can't wait for the third book and for all of my questions to be answered with Eunice! Until then...
Check out my blog at shaysscribbles.blogspot.com to read my full review!
Daphne was a wonderful heroine and I loved everything about her. And of course Herman was simply perfect in every way. 😍 He's now one of my favorite male characters. Their relationship and story was so fun to read and I was laughing out loud many times!!
This series as a whole may be my favorite of Jen Turano! And I can't wait for the third book and for all of my questions to be answered with Eunice! Until then...
Check out my blog at shaysscribbles.blogspot.com to read my full review!
September 9, 2024
Wonderfully entertaining and delightfully quirky, "To Write a Wrong" by Jen Turano is a mad caper sure to keep the laughs coming and the pages turning.
This second addition to the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency Series centers on everyone's favorite bespectacled mystery author, Daphne. I loved sweet, swooning Daphne immediately upon making her acquaintance in "To Steal a Heart," and I was thrilled to find her story every bit as writerly and adorable and charming as I'd hoped. 🥰
Now, all I need to know is...might Daphne host a book club in her spare time, and if so, how might I join!? I'll bring the scones and smelling salts! 😉
If you fancy a bookish misadventure, replete with delicious vocabulary and Gilded Age finery, "To Write a Wrong" is sure to be your cup of tea!
📚 The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency Series
📖 "To Steal a Heart" (Book 1).
📖 "To Write a Wrong" (Book 2).
This second addition to the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency Series centers on everyone's favorite bespectacled mystery author, Daphne. I loved sweet, swooning Daphne immediately upon making her acquaintance in "To Steal a Heart," and I was thrilled to find her story every bit as writerly and adorable and charming as I'd hoped. 🥰
Now, all I need to know is...might Daphne host a book club in her spare time, and if so, how might I join!? I'll bring the scones and smelling salts! 😉
If you fancy a bookish misadventure, replete with delicious vocabulary and Gilded Age finery, "To Write a Wrong" is sure to be your cup of tea!
📚 The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency Series
📖 "To Steal a Heart" (Book 1).
📖 "To Write a Wrong" (Book 2).
February 5, 2022
What a fun book! Yes there was suspense and mystery and adventure and romance, but I loved the fun conversations about words and writing between Daphne and Herman. Made me smile and laugh. And Daphne's disguise as a secretary/assistant and her actions were hilarious at times.
August 11, 2021
Whenever I pick up a book written by Jen Turano, I can count on moments that make me laugh out loud because of the hilarious situations she places her characters in. Daphne Beekman is a mystery author who writes under a man’s name as well as an Inquiry Agent in To Write a Wrong.
Enter Herman Henderson. A fellow mystery author (one who is well known) who is seeking out help. Upon first meeting, Daphne is in costume as she tries to figure out the plot of her next novel. While Daphne may be good at solving puzzles, she fits the piece she holds into a lot of incorrect places before finding the correct fit (and oh boy, is it entertaining when she tries to explain herself).
Daphne is a strong, independent woman whose family isn’t sure what to do with her but when it comes down to it, they love her and want the best for her. There are villains (more than one to varying degrees) in this novel, and the way Daphne and Herman stand up to them makes you want to cheer for the two of them.
At the end of To Write a Wrong, we get an update on many of the characters but there’s still a big question mark around Eunice. Good thing her story comes next in the series. If you are in search of a excellent romcom with loads of humor, a pinch of romance, and a dollop of heart and have not picked up a Turano book yet, what are you waiting for?
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Enter Herman Henderson. A fellow mystery author (one who is well known) who is seeking out help. Upon first meeting, Daphne is in costume as she tries to figure out the plot of her next novel. While Daphne may be good at solving puzzles, she fits the piece she holds into a lot of incorrect places before finding the correct fit (and oh boy, is it entertaining when she tries to explain herself).
Daphne is a strong, independent woman whose family isn’t sure what to do with her but when it comes down to it, they love her and want the best for her. There are villains (more than one to varying degrees) in this novel, and the way Daphne and Herman stand up to them makes you want to cheer for the two of them.
At the end of To Write a Wrong, we get an update on many of the characters but there’s still a big question mark around Eunice. Good thing her story comes next in the series. If you are in search of a excellent romcom with loads of humor, a pinch of romance, and a dollop of heart and have not picked up a Turano book yet, what are you waiting for?
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
September 19, 2021
1887 New York City
The ladies of the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency push into new territory when they take on a case of attempted murder.
Plenty of escapades and heart in the pages. Daphne is the primary focus. She is a famous mystery writer but keeps this hidden. The planned murder victim is also a writer.
I was surprised at who the villain turned out to be.
Couple of notes...I didn't realize there were glasses on the cover until I read that Daphne wears glasses and looked back at the cover. And there they were! The chapters were rather long. This may appeal to some readers, but I prefer shorter chapters or at least break points within each chapter.
Another fun read by Turano.
The ladies of the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency push into new territory when they take on a case of attempted murder.
Plenty of escapades and heart in the pages. Daphne is the primary focus. She is a famous mystery writer but keeps this hidden. The planned murder victim is also a writer.
I was surprised at who the villain turned out to be.
Couple of notes...I didn't realize there were glasses on the cover until I read that Daphne wears glasses and looked back at the cover. And there they were! The chapters were rather long. This may appeal to some readers, but I prefer shorter chapters or at least break points within each chapter.
Another fun read by Turano.
November 2, 2024
I loved this story! While there were some dark elements near the end, the sweet relationship between Daphne and Herman was wonderful, and I love the writing elements throughout.
August 9, 2021
Jen Turano delivers the reader with the perfect escapism in her books. If you want to forget about life’s realities, pick up a Jen Turano book and laugh away your cares. To Write a Wrong is no different.
Miss Daphne Beekman is a quirky writer, who is also part of the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency. The shenanigans that ensue when she happens upon Mr. Herman Henderson, while she is dressed as a pirate, leads to many entertaining chapters. Seriously, I hope that someone picks up this whole series and makes them into movies or series. These books are pure entertainment without ignoring the plight of women in the era in which she writes.
I neglected my regular schedule to read and finish this book. It was well worth every second.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. My opinion is my own.
Miss Daphne Beekman is a quirky writer, who is also part of the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency. The shenanigans that ensue when she happens upon Mr. Herman Henderson, while she is dressed as a pirate, leads to many entertaining chapters. Seriously, I hope that someone picks up this whole series and makes them into movies or series. These books are pure entertainment without ignoring the plight of women in the era in which she writes.
I neglected my regular schedule to read and finish this book. It was well worth every second.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. My opinion is my own.
August 7, 2021
Such a fun book! Author Jen Turano continues with more adventures with the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency. The main characters Herman and Daphne meet at the agency office in a most unusual manner. There are Laugh out loud situations that happen throughout the book, as well as the dialogue! Daphne is a writer, but must write under a pen name, so no one knows she’s a female. Herman is a writer as well. Someone is out to harm Herman and the Agency, along with Pinkerton Agent Cooper are on the case! I really enjoyed the story and the banter throughout the book. And the mystery of who was behind it all was a shock to me. I didn’t figure it out until the author revealed it. Definitely recommend reading this one and I am looking forward to more adventures with the ladies of The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated are my own.
February 24, 2022
To Wright a Wrong was entertaining, fun, adventurous and at some parts a bit suspenseful. I found myself laughing out loud a few times for Daphne and Herman, usually at times when they were totally serious, but what they did could not but have me laughing.
I loved Daphne from book one. She was my favourite character and again she stole my heart. I loved how people underestimated her. Herman was the perfect gentleman and perfect companion for Daphne. Herman's grandmother, Mildred, was also one of my favourite characters.
The mystery of who wanted to harm Herman was intriguing and there was a few different twists I did not see coming.
I listened to the audiobook on Scribd and it was very entertaining.
I loved Daphne from book one. She was my favourite character and again she stole my heart. I loved how people underestimated her. Herman was the perfect gentleman and perfect companion for Daphne. Herman's grandmother, Mildred, was also one of my favourite characters.
The mystery of who wanted to harm Herman was intriguing and there was a few different twists I did not see coming.
I listened to the audiobook on Scribd and it was very entertaining.
October 29, 2022
3.25/5
This was such a fun story! The main character, Daphne, was hilarious, but I don't think the portrayal of her anxiety was the most realistic... Not that anxiety can't be experienced differently by different people, but there was just something unrealistic about how she acted in certain situations versus others... I also think the flow of the narrative was a little off... But otherwise this was really entertaining and I will definitely come back to Jen Turano when I need a fun, light, and fluffy read!
This was such a fun story! The main character, Daphne, was hilarious, but I don't think the portrayal of her anxiety was the most realistic... Not that anxiety can't be experienced differently by different people, but there was just something unrealistic about how she acted in certain situations versus others... I also think the flow of the narrative was a little off... But otherwise this was really entertaining and I will definitely come back to Jen Turano when I need a fun, light, and fluffy read!
August 14, 2021
tw // attempted assault, pedophilia, anxiety attacks, PTSD
I was really looking forwards to this book! Since reading To Steal a Heart, book 1 in this series, I had been looking forwards to seeing Daphne’s perspective & love story on the page. She was such an interesting character and I was really looking forwards to seeing her point of view!
Unfortunately, those expectations fell a little flat. While Daphne was a really interesting character, she wasn’t as well rounded as I had expected, from the glimpses that was seen of her from the first book. Her romance with Herman was really lacking in chemistry (similar to the relationship in the first book). I didn’t get as much as a look into her head as I would have liked, and Herman was honestly a really flat character.
There wasn’t really an established backstory about Herman, nor was there any motivation behind any of the characters, both protagonist and antagonist. Herman in particular was the most nondescript man I have read in a while. His only character trait seemed to be that he was a big man. While he was a writer, he didn’t seem to have any inclinations towards writing: he never mentioned writing, he never had to spend time writing, or thinking about stories, or anything of the sort. While the story was partially told from his perspective, he didn’t contribute any interesting thoughts at all.
The story was interesting, though it was REALLY slow and felt pretty pointless. The premise was really interesting: a group of famous novel writers at a big house in the city, with someone who was trying to kill the host. However, the story was executed really poorly. The story revolved very little around the writers and the stories and the publishing content but way more about what their daily life was, but with very sparse details. It was really boring and I had to push to get through the middle third/40% of the book.
There was way less talk about the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency than I would have liked as well: in the previous book I really enjoyed seeing the dynamics of the agency and having it come together. In addition, the dialogue was really stilted and unrealistic, and while Jen Turano’s books always require a certain level of suspension of disbelief, the dialogue in this book was unrealistic to an awkward degree.
The only part of this book that really held my attention was the discussion of the heavier topics: both Daphne and Herman’s grandmother suffer from anxiety, the grandmother to a greater degree. Daphne was sexually harassed when she was younger, and the man returns further on the book to harass her some more. In addition, (spoilers ahead, aforementioned trigger warnings)
While nothing really was described very closely, it did span several pages and occupy a pretty good chunk of conversation, so if you’re sensitive to topics like that, this might not be a good book for you. With that said, these topics were handled well, and with a pretty feminist bent, and I liked how they were discussed.
Overall, I was disappointed by this book: from what was teased of it from the previous book I was expecting this book to be much more interesting than it was, but it ended up being a lot of mundane discussion instead of drama. Most of the main characters were not very well developed and the dialogue and plot were not well-thought-through. There were some pretty heavy topics discussed, and I liked how they were done, but otherwise I unfortunately didn’t really enjoy this book very much.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion; I was not required to write a positive review.
This review first appeared on: https://losingthebusyness.wordpress.c...
I was really looking forwards to this book! Since reading To Steal a Heart, book 1 in this series, I had been looking forwards to seeing Daphne’s perspective & love story on the page. She was such an interesting character and I was really looking forwards to seeing her point of view!
Unfortunately, those expectations fell a little flat. While Daphne was a really interesting character, she wasn’t as well rounded as I had expected, from the glimpses that was seen of her from the first book. Her romance with Herman was really lacking in chemistry (similar to the relationship in the first book). I didn’t get as much as a look into her head as I would have liked, and Herman was honestly a really flat character.
There wasn’t really an established backstory about Herman, nor was there any motivation behind any of the characters, both protagonist and antagonist. Herman in particular was the most nondescript man I have read in a while. His only character trait seemed to be that he was a big man. While he was a writer, he didn’t seem to have any inclinations towards writing: he never mentioned writing, he never had to spend time writing, or thinking about stories, or anything of the sort. While the story was partially told from his perspective, he didn’t contribute any interesting thoughts at all.
The story was interesting, though it was REALLY slow and felt pretty pointless. The premise was really interesting: a group of famous novel writers at a big house in the city, with someone who was trying to kill the host. However, the story was executed really poorly. The story revolved very little around the writers and the stories and the publishing content but way more about what their daily life was, but with very sparse details. It was really boring and I had to push to get through the middle third/40% of the book.
There was way less talk about the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency than I would have liked as well: in the previous book I really enjoyed seeing the dynamics of the agency and having it come together. In addition, the dialogue was really stilted and unrealistic, and while Jen Turano’s books always require a certain level of suspension of disbelief, the dialogue in this book was unrealistic to an awkward degree.
The only part of this book that really held my attention was the discussion of the heavier topics: both Daphne and Herman’s grandmother suffer from anxiety, the grandmother to a greater degree. Daphne was sexually harassed when she was younger, and the man returns further on the book to harass her some more. In addition, (spoilers ahead, aforementioned trigger warnings)
While nothing really was described very closely, it did span several pages and occupy a pretty good chunk of conversation, so if you’re sensitive to topics like that, this might not be a good book for you. With that said, these topics were handled well, and with a pretty feminist bent, and I liked how they were discussed.
Overall, I was disappointed by this book: from what was teased of it from the previous book I was expecting this book to be much more interesting than it was, but it ended up being a lot of mundane discussion instead of drama. Most of the main characters were not very well developed and the dialogue and plot were not well-thought-through. There were some pretty heavy topics discussed, and I liked how they were done, but otherwise I unfortunately didn’t really enjoy this book very much.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion; I was not required to write a positive review.
This review first appeared on: https://losingthebusyness.wordpress.c...
September 16, 2021
Quick ramblings
Love love love Jen!
This book had mystery, comedy and intrigue. Eunice and The grandmother were the stars of this book. Daphne mysterious life unfolds perfectly to fit the storyline. I enjoy how Jen handles character development. Herman's love for hid grandmother was at first over the top for me, but further in the story I found it endearing. I like confident intellectual men. Herman let Daphne be herself at all times and loved her all the more for it.
I received an advanced reader copy from Bethany House via Netgalley
Love love love Jen!
This book had mystery, comedy and intrigue. Eunice and The grandmother were the stars of this book. Daphne mysterious life unfolds perfectly to fit the storyline. I enjoy how Jen handles character development. Herman's love for hid grandmother was at first over the top for me, but further in the story I found it endearing. I like confident intellectual men. Herman let Daphne be herself at all times and loved her all the more for it.
I received an advanced reader copy from Bethany House via Netgalley
August 3, 2021
o Write a Wrong by Jen Turano is a funny novel. There were numerous moments where the characters were placed in a funny moment. There is a scene with an axe that made me giggle. Turano creates vivid, vibrant characters who jump off the page. None of her characters fit the typical norm for woman of this era, which I love. The characters are smart, funny, and charming. I love the heroine, Daphne, this time around. She was smart and a writer. I love how she works at the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency and writes mystery novels at the same time. Herman is a loving and sweet hero who finds the odd ball Daphne appealing and is drawn to her. Their romance story was sweet and kind. Overall, To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano is a delightful story that allows my imagination to flourish, and I really love the mystery element this time around. Highly recommend for readers of Turano’s other novels and historical romantic comedies.
I received a complimentary copy of To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
I received a complimentary copy of To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
September 1, 2021
A highly entertaining adventure, with a winning heroine full of daring!
A upbeat adventure, filled with action and laughter. Daphne Bleekman tends to be the one behind the scenes ferreting out answers and information, but with Gabriella gone on her honeymoon, she is left to take the lead when Herman Henderson comes seeking the Inquiry Agency's help.
I loved the interaction between Herman and Daphne, he is so supportive of Daphne throughout, and they make a great team. There are so many wonderful characters, some familiar and some brand new, I loved Herman's grandmother and her schemingly overprotective ways.
A rollicking adventure, with a danger laced mystery, and twisting plot. The charming characters captured my heart, and I didn't want to put this book down! I can't wait to read Eunice's story in the next book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A upbeat adventure, filled with action and laughter. Daphne Bleekman tends to be the one behind the scenes ferreting out answers and information, but with Gabriella gone on her honeymoon, she is left to take the lead when Herman Henderson comes seeking the Inquiry Agency's help.
I loved the interaction between Herman and Daphne, he is so supportive of Daphne throughout, and they make a great team. There are so many wonderful characters, some familiar and some brand new, I loved Herman's grandmother and her schemingly overprotective ways.
A rollicking adventure, with a danger laced mystery, and twisting plot. The charming characters captured my heart, and I didn't want to put this book down! I can't wait to read Eunice's story in the next book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 28, 2021
I enjoy these types of reads. They are funny, witty, charming and all the above!
I was delighted that Daphne was getting her own story and it didn't disappoint!
Ms. Turner knows just when to add the right humor along with a Christian message that we can use even in today's world.
I love her charming characters that is totally Turano. I snickered until I thought I'd fall out of my seat!
My favorite characters are Daphne of course and Herman. Together in my opinion they make a great team in solving mysteries.
I love guessing games and Turano is great at this! I couldn't keep turning the pages fast enough to see what happened next. I absolutely loved it!
I passed a pleasant evening with Daphne and Herman. I was sad when their story ended.
I highly recommend! 5 stars!
My thanks for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. I was NOT required to write a positive review.
I was delighted that Daphne was getting her own story and it didn't disappoint!
Ms. Turner knows just when to add the right humor along with a Christian message that we can use even in today's world.
I love her charming characters that is totally Turano. I snickered until I thought I'd fall out of my seat!
My favorite characters are Daphne of course and Herman. Together in my opinion they make a great team in solving mysteries.
I love guessing games and Turano is great at this! I couldn't keep turning the pages fast enough to see what happened next. I absolutely loved it!
I passed a pleasant evening with Daphne and Herman. I was sad when their story ended.
I highly recommend! 5 stars!
My thanks for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. I was NOT required to write a positive review.
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