A Most Peculiar Circumstance: A Book Review

Jen Turano brings to light the dawn of the women’s movement in her book, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, by putting her heroine Arabella Beckett in the midst of controversy as men and women disagree over a woman’s right to vote.

But Arabella isn’t the typical woman.  While she cares for feminine things, she also refuses to rely on a man to save the day – which greatly aggravates private investigator Theodore Wilder, who constantly seems to be rescuing her from one scrape or another.

But putting herself in the limelight has its dangers, too, and Arabella often finds herself in the midst of a “peculiar circumstance.”  But as she starts to take more risks, Arabella soon finds herself making friends with the women who live on the street and sets out to help them when they start going missing one-by-one.  But who will help Arabella when she finds herself in the exact same danger as those she tries to help?

While I would say that I enjoyed reading this book, I would also have to say that it is a light, summer read – perfect for vacation.  Turano has the opportunity to truly bring the reader back to scripture in light of the women’s movement and yet fails to do so.  While this is a Christian book, I would definitely qualify it as a piece of fluff fiction.

Hopefully, as Turano continues to develop this series, she will bring more light on the Gospel and what God has to say about the roles we women play.  Please don’t get me wrong – I don’t think she said anything that was against scripture.  I would just like to see more of God’s hand in her character’s lives.

*This book was given to me by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.  All thoughts are my own.*