An Unsuitable Job for a Woman
Ratings20
Average rating3.4
A quick mystery read between other books for relaxation. I recall reading this as a teenager. Cordelia Gray is a rather solemn 24 year old private detective who is left on her own when her older, more experienced business partner dies suddenly. No sooner does she attend his funeral than her first solo case arrives on her doorstep. There are some dated and appalling attitudes described without irony in this book, but otherwise it's an enjoyable English mystery of the slightly gloomy variety.
I was a little disappointed with this novel. I found it rather slow moving with a lot of detailed descriptions that I didn't feel were necessary. Also I found a few plot points a bit unbelievable which definitely detracted from my enjoyment of this mystery.
I'll agree with previous reviewers right out of the gate: this book reads like it's set decades earlier than the actual publishing date of 1977(ish? working from memory here, haha). I didn't mind the description; and while it's true that the characters all will philosophize at the drop of a hat, I took that sort of as commentary (whether intentional or not) on the academic community at the time.
I didn't mind the philosophizing and I was intrigued by Cordelia, but there wasn't much warmth in the story–perhaps it's not expected in this kind of book. The mystery itself was familiar: I was able to see several of the twists coming. That may be because, again, this mystery has been around a while and the tropes are more common now!
Overall, I found it an interesting story but it may be more suited for folks who like mid-20th century somewhat-procedural mysteries.
A fast comfort read. I liked Cordelia, but the time period felt wrong and parts of the middle were pretty sloggy. I appreciated the way the mystery ended (a matter-of-fact collaboration between women) and various other pieces but as a whole it was only okay.