Alison Goodman in-conversation with Mischa Parkee

A high society amateur detective at the heart of Regency London uses her wits and invisibility as an 'old maid' to protect other women in this new and fiercely feminist historical mystery series!

Alison Goodman is the author of eight novels and her most recent release, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies, is an adventure/mystery set in the Regency era. It is the first book in The Ill-Mannered Ladies series and was recently long-listed in the 2023 ARA Historical Novel Award. Her award winning Lady Helen dark fantasy trilogy has been described as ‘Buffy meets Pride and Prejudice’. Alison can dance a mean contra-dance, has a wardrobe full of historically accurate Regency clothes and will travel a long way for a good High Tea. She lives in Melbourne, Australia and was recently awarded her PhD at the University of Queensland so can now call herself Dr Al.

Mischa Parkee is is a primary school teacher by day and avid reader by night. She has worked at Better Read Than Dead for over 14 years, and continues to run the Jane Austen and Other Worlds book clubs, which have been going strong since 2016. Having studied 18th and 19th century women’s literature, you can usually find her curled up with a classic, Gothic, Young Adult, or fantasy novel. She has reviewed books in a regular column for Books & Publishing, and interviewed prolific Australian authors, such as Isobelle Carmody, Garth Nix, Kate Forsyth, and Jaclyn Moriarty.

Our event space is wheelchair accessible via a stair lift. Please contact events@betterread.com.au with any additional access requirements and/or questions.