Animating Maria

In this Regency romance by the New York Times–bestselling author of the Agatha Raisin mysteries, a young lady's parents hinder her chances at marriage.

Amy and Effy Tribble can't believe their luck. After four seasons spent molding intractable, wayward, or just plain frumpy young women into marriage material, their fifth Season in the chaperone business brings them a dream client. Maria Kendall, is beautiful, impeccably mannered, effortlessly graceful, and extremely well-dowered. She is a perfect candidate for marriage, even if none of her real suitors—especially the proud and aristocratic Duke of Berham—quite live up to her dreams. But when the Duke meets Maria's vulgar and boorish parents his proposal is quickly withdrawn. Amy and Effy soon realize that they face their greatest challenge yet—taking on not only Maria, but the hopelessly common Kendalls as well.

ABOUT THE SERIES

The Misses Tribble, Amy and Effie, spinster sisters of a certain age, have lived for years on expectations of a great inheritance. When this fails to materialize, they are truly destitute. Desperate, they advertise that they will refine wild and unruly daughters, present them, and see them safely wed. The School for Manners six book series follows these two stalwart spinsters as they undertake enterprises of matchmaking and navigate the troublesome machinations of the London marriage mart.