Rogue's Company: A Sparks & Bainbridge Mystery

In 1946 London, the Right Sort Marriage Bureau is thriving until Lord Bainbridge returns and threatens to undo everything, including sending his son away to boarding school. A new client with a secret agenda arrives, and a murder and kidnapping send Sparks to seek help from a dangerous quarter, putting their survival at stake.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2021
Publisher: St Martin's Press

In the bustling city of London, 1946, the Right Sort Marriage Bureau is thriving and expanding its services. Miss Iris Sparks, a young and ambitious matchmaker, and Mrs. Gwendolyn Bainbridge, a seasoned professional, are working together to create successful unions for their clients. However, their lives take an unexpected turn when Lord Bainbridge, Gwen's father-in-law and legal guardian, returns from a business trip to Africa. Lord Bainbridge, who has always been opposed to the marriage bureau's operations, threatens to undo everything that has been achieved, including sending Gwen's six-year-old son away to a boarding school.

But there is more to the story than meets the eye. A new client arrives at the agency, a mysterious man named Mr. X. Sparks and Bainbridge begin to suspect that Mr. X has a secret agenda, one that somehow involves the Bainbridge family. As they delve deeper into their investigation, they discover that Mr. X is connected to a murder and a subsequent kidnapping. Sparks is forced to seek help from a dangerous quarter, putting their very survival at stake.

The plot thickens as Sparks and Bainbridge uncover a web of lies and deceit that stretches far beyond their expectations. They must navigate through a maze of treachery and danger, using all of their skills and resources to bring the culprits to justice. Along the way, they encounter a cast of characters, including a loyal butler, a cunning detective, and a mysterious woman who may hold the key to unlocking the truth.

In the end, Sparks and Bainbridge are able to outwit their enemies and save the day. They discover that Mr. X's true intentions were far more sinister than they could have imagined, and they are left with a newfound respect for the dangers that lurk in the shadows of London's society. The Right Sort Marriage Bureau continues to thrive, but Sparks and Bainbridge know that they will never forget the lessons they learned during their most challenging case yet.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 146 x 219 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781250750327