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Relative Fortunes
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
16 posts | 5 read | 11 to read
In 1920s New York, the price of a woman's independence can be exorbitant--even fatal. In 1924 Manhattan, women's suffrage is old news. For sophisticated booklover Julia Kydd, life's too short for politics. With her cropped hair and penchant for independent living, Julia wants only to publish books under her own imprint. But as a woman, Julia must fight for what's hers--including the inheritance her estranged half brother, Philip, has challenged, putting her aspirations in jeopardy. When her friend's sister, Naomi Rankin, dies suddenly of an apparent suicide, Julia is shocked at the wealthy family's indifference toward the ardent suffragist's death. Naomi chose poverty and hardship over a submissive marriage and a husband's control of her money. Now, her death suggests the struggle was more than she could bear. Julia, however, is skeptical. Doubtful of her suspicions, Philip proposes a glib wager: if Julia can prove Naomi was in fact murdered, he'll drop his claims to her wealth. Julia soon discovers Naomi's life was as turbulent and enigmatic as her death. And as she gets closer to the truth, Julia sees there's much more at stake than her inheritance...
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review
Amie
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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Mehso-so

First book finished this year and it was rather disappointing, although I didn't really have high expectations for it because it was an Amazon First pick. The pace dragged and there was way too much filler that could have been left out. The conclusion to the mystery was unsatisfying and the motives and actions of the"villains" did not feel authentic. Other storyline was convoluted, inconsistent, and implausible.

MidnightBookGirl The cover, however, is fabulous! 4y
52 likes1 comment
review
JazzFeathers
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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Panpan

It took decades to start. I skipped a lot and even think to DNF. Then in the middle, things became so interesting. The murder woman being a suffragist, the book delved into that world and it was so interesting. The MC's personal situation complemented that. I was totally engrossed.

The ending was a total mess. Not only the conclusion of the mystery was illogic and unsatisfying, but the MC's trend sustained priviledge in a way l couldn't share.

Texreader I really liked this book, but also struggled with the ending. 5y
JazzFeathers @Texreader The ending was really bothersome to me. 5y
37 likes2 comments
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JazzFeathers
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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I had hope to finish this over the weekend. Nope. Commitments everywhere.
But l'm close enough.

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JazzFeathers
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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I'm starting to really appreciate this one.
The beginning was hard on me because the pace was so slow. But now the mystery is becoming very interesting. The author shows to be very prepared on the era and l like how historical information is used in the narration.
The characters are interesting and nice to read.

Let's read on!

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JazzFeathers
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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On my way to work. Let's see whether l can log in a little time for the #SummersEndReadathon

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JazzFeathers
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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Aaaaand this is my time for the #24B4Monday readathon @TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

I'm quite pleased. I reached my record yesterday, but with the extra day l managed to cover half of the 24h. I'm so happy with myself!

The book isn't bad, but is so wordy which makes the pace soooo slow. But l'll keep at it.

Let's see where can l get with the #SummersEndReadathon now
@Clwojick

Andrew65 Fantastic, well done. 👏👏👏 Thanks for playing along and good luck with the rest of #SummersEndReadathon 5y
Clwojick You‘re crushing it! ♥️📚💪🏻 5y
36 likes2 comments
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JazzFeathers
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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#SummersEndReadathon @Clwojick
#24B4Monday @TheReadingMermaid @Andrew65

Started this yesterday night. I've seen so many Littens reading it.
i read the first three chapters, but honestly l'm not sure what l think of it. It isn't written in a very involving way... at least something far.
I'll give it some more pages, then l'll see.

Andrew65 Hopefully it improves for you, a good time. 👏👏👏 (edited) 5y
Clwojick 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 5y
39 likes2 comments
review
Texreader
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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Pickpick

This was a fantastic debut novel. Very well written, developed characters, and a complex plot based on an extraordinary period in American history: the 1920s, right after women got the right to vote and prohibition was ongoing. I felt the ending had some missed opportunities, and got a bit convoluted, but still satisfying. I‘ll be happy to read more from this author. I can only imagine what more experience will do to her clear writing skills.

Crazeedi Hmmm I love the cover ❤, may have to check out this book!! 5y
56 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Texreader
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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Another reason I love this book! To paraphrase, the main character has just realized inherited wealth made her lazy and working for her dollars, instead, would force meaning into her existence. She is now considering making her self-indulgent publishing house a competitive concern against the men who thought women couldn‘t run a business. You go girl!

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Texreader
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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The main character is at a “bibliophile club” meeting enjoying the companionship of fellow bookmakers. As a former typesetter, with a tiny publishing company decades ago, I very much appreciate this author‘s attention to the details of publishing.

I am really enjoying this book. It is an exceptionally well-written mystery with the undercurrents of showing the unbearable tyranny from men under which women lived in the 1920s.

Crazeedi Just wow. Sounds like a fascinating book. I must add to my books to read 5y
57 likes1 comment
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Texreader
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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This book, set in the 1920s, is about how men could control everything a grown woman did by controlling access to money. This is a well-written story, so far, about these grim days for women even though they finally got the right to vote.

TrishB Can‘t even imagine. 5y
GingerAntics I think people forget that not too long ago, things we see as abusive were common place. I fear some men would like to return to this. 5y
Texreader @GingerAntics @TrishB I fear some men are doing this to women even now 5y
TrishB I agree. 5y
GingerAntics Oh yeah, they definitely are. I think most people would be surprised how common this practice still is. 5y
56 likes5 comments
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Texreader
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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When a character in a book wants to bail, but is compelled to read a book loaned to her by a neighbor 🖕🏻

Crazeedi 😉 lol!! 5y
Suet624 Ha!!! 5y
52 likes2 comments
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Texreader
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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On favorite hobbies and how to use books to avoid people. 🖕🏻

Tanisha_A Beautiful books could be like nursing infants. Reminded me of you swaddling your book sleeve, @batsy. 🥰 5y
GingerAntics This is practically poetry. 5y
50 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
CampbellTaraL
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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Mehso-so

A murder mystery set at the peak of the suffrage movement. The writing was good but the build up was drawn out and the protagonist's deductions a bit neat for the conclusion. An interesting cast of characters, though.

Disclosure: murder mysteries are not my top choice.

36 likes1 stack add
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Rachbb3
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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In July Prime members get 2 free books! 😀
These were my choices.

#AmazonFirstReads

cathysaid Funny. Those two were my choices as well 👏 5y
Rachbb3 @cathysaid Nice! 👍 5y
56 likes2 comments
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Felso
Relative Fortunes | Marlowe Benn
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My July Kindle First Reads pick. What‘s your pick?

cathysaid This was mine as well. Did you get two? Just FYI in case you didn't know...we get two this month! 5y
Felso @cathysaid 😮 No, I didn‘t know! Thanks!🙂 5y
33 likes2 comments