Description
Book SynopsisNever underestimate a librarian.
Intelligent cosy crime series with razor-sharp wit and an unlikely hero, for fans of P.G. Wodehouse and Muriel Spark
"The crème de la crème of crime debuts.” Al Guthrie
"Delightful." Guardian
Fifty-something Shona McMonagle is a proud former pupil of the Marcia Blaine School for Girls, but has a deep loathing for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, which she thinks gives her alma mater a bad name.
Impeccably educated and an accomplished martial artist, linguist and musician, Shona is thrilled when selected by Marcia Blaine herself to travel back in time for a one-week mission in 19th-century Russia: to pair up the beautiful, shy, orphaned heiress Lidia Ivanovna with Sasha, a handsome young man of unexplained origins — and all in a gorgeously Tolstoyan setting.
But, despite all her accomplishments and good intentions, Shona might well have got the wrong end of the stick about her mission. As the body count rises, will she discover in time just who the real villain is?
Trade Review“Marvellous… [a] laugh-out-loud farce… Readers will appreciate the skill with which Wojtas mirrors Spark’s style.” -- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Wojtas’ debut is every bit as light-hearted, level-headed, inventive, hilarious, and altogether enchanting as its heroine, who richly deserves another jaunt through time and space.” -- Kirkus (starred review)
“This is a delightful addition to the ranks of comic crime, mixing sharp observation with a lightness of touch.” -- Laura Wilson * Guardian *
“I loved this book. Shona is a unique sleuth whose mission made for most entertaining reading.” -- Alex Gray
“A thrilling and fast-paced tale of time-travel, murder, mayhem, matchmaking and manners … written with verve, lightness of touch and joie de vivre … unadulterated fun.” -- Alistair Braidwood * Scots Whay Hae *
“If you read one new author this year, make it Olga Wojtas. Miss Blaine’s Prefect and the Golden Samovar is the crème de la crème of crime fiction debuts.” -- Al Guthrie, crime fiction author & literary agent
“Wit and intelligence and flashes of comedy gold” -- Crime Fiction Lover blog
“Anna Karenina written by P.G. Wodehouse.” -- Linda Cracknell, literary fiction author and travel/nature writer
“Knowing, original and very funny… that rare thing, a successfully comic crime novel.” -- Simon Brett, detective fiction author and broadcaster
“Miss Blaine’s Prefect is a triumph - a sparky, witty rollercoaster of sheer silliness that had me in stitches from beginning to end. It's like Blackadder, Jeeves and the Two Ronnies all shoogled together. Can’t wait for her next adventure.” -- Angus Roxburgh * former correspondent for the BBC and Sunday Times *
“A brilliant, funny, clever read. Loved it.” Catherine Czerkawska, author; “Such fun!” -- Sara Sheridan, Author
“Evincing a delirious love of language, Olga Wojtas has written an engaging Ealing Comedy for literature (and history) lovers. You’ll laugh out loud.” -- Lee Randall
“This is definitely a book I’ll be recommending, it’s really a fantastic cosy crime that you really don’t want to put down, certainly a page turner and I’m so looking forward to seeing where Shona’s takes us next.” -- It’s All About the Books blog
“A faint air of the ridiculous, more than a few belly laughs, and you may well pick up some interesting factoids too… Recommended.” -- Raven Crime Reads
“Original, funny and with a deliciously quirky edge, Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Golden Samovar is delightful from beginning to end.” -- Jaffa Reads Too blog
“This book is delightful. What a hoot I had reading it. It is laugh out loud funny and a real charmer of a book... Wojtas has put together a dazzling array of characters that truly come to life in this outrageous and irresistible comedy.” * Live and Deadly blog *
“This is such a fun book to read with the type of humour I just love. The sort of stuff that makes you cringe and giggle all at the same time and all delivered by Shona McMonagle, time traveller extrodinaire.” -- Books from Dusk Till Dawn
Miss Blaine’s Prefect and the Golden Samovar is like being trapped inside a Marx Brothers’ film... it’s a hoot.” -- David Robinson * Books from Scotland *
