THE CARE AND FEEDING OF WASPISH WIDOWS Feminine Pursuits

The second installment of Waite's Regency and Victorian-era series, called Feminine Pursuits, features Morag Sims's narration talents. Agatha Griffin, the resilient widowed owner of a London print shop, and Penelope Ford, an affable amateur beekeeper, meet after a hive takes up residence in Griffin's warehouse. Sims's textured characterizations enliven the women's chemistry as their friendship evolves and reflects their inner conflicts as they navigate social mores of the period. When their smoldering passions eventually ignite, Sims's adept use of textual cues fans the flames. Eliza, the print shop's new apprentice, takes on a stronger role than she did in Book 1. This slow- burn romance, set amid political unrest, is all the more satisfying for the time it takes revealing Agatha's and Penelope's understanding of themselves and their love for each other. J.R.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2020]