Hello, fellow mystery lovers!
I just finished watching The Seven Dials Mystery on Netflix and I am absolutely hooked on that specific vibe. The glamour, the country houses, the secret societies (!), the witty banter, and of course, the murder. I’ve read my fair share of Agatha Christie (she’s a comfort author for me), but this has sparked a very specific craving.
I’m desperately looking for a mystery book or series set in the 1920s or 1930s with a young woman as the main protagonist/sleuth. I loved Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent in the show; her spirit, her intelligence, her willingness to dive into danger. I'd love to find a series that follows a similar character, perhaps even more deeply into a world of secrets.
My dream checklist includes:
· Setting: Interwar period (1920s/30s), preferably bouncing between glamorous London and decadent country estates.
· Lead: A sharp, charming, and adventurous young woman as the central character. Not a sidekick.
· Vibes: Glamour, high society drama, witty dialogue, and a sense of fun adventure mixed with genuine danger.
· The Good Stuff: SECRET SOCIETIES (please!), clandestine meetings, coded messages, love affairs/romantic tension, and of course, clever murders to solve.
I’m essentially looking for “what if Bundle Brent had her own series of adventures with the Seven Dials Club?” Since Agatha Christie didn’t write that, I’m hoping you can point me to an author who did something similar.
Any recommendations would be so appreciated! Thank you!
by angeldidi777
3 Comments
You can try Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs series.
Oh friend, have you met Phryne Fisher? Start with Cocaine Blues, it’s a romp. Really well researched, and great on audio until the last two books. (Sadly the OG narrator died and the last two books were very poorly cast.)
The Diviners by Libba Bray. There are a handful of main characters / POVs, but one of the first / primary, Evie O’Neill, is extremely on par with what you’re looking for. Glamor, secret societies, murder, romantic tension, thriller tension, *supernatural elements*, and oh so much fun period slang. (It’s the berries!)
Excellent as a book or audiobook, but will say the narrator of the audiobook is literally THE BEST I’ve ever heard.