Out of the Ordinary

November 1, 2017

Returning a trinket stolen by her sticky-fingered employer, Miss Gertrude Cadwalader is caught by her would-be suitor's mother, who believes her to be the thief. Turano's delightful second Gilded Age stand-alone romance (after Behind the Scenes) is just as laugh-out-loud funny as its predecessor. Janice Thompson fans will be pleased.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from September 15, 2017
It's a colossal understatement to say that rich, elderly Mrs. Davenport is eccentric. Gertrude Cadwalader, an extraordinary ordinary young woman, serves as her companion, and whenever Mrs. Davenport has flashes of inspiration, poor Gertrude gets to be her guinea pig. Mrs. Davenport has festooned Gertrude in everything from a hoop skirt made from a real birdcage to orange body dye. Although Gertrude is neither wealthy or fashionable, Harrison Sinclair, one of the most eligible men in New York, has noticed her. He likes her wit and her loyalty to her unconventional employer. He even likes the orange dye on Gertrude's skin. If only Mrs. Davenport would stop stealing things long enough for Gertrude to have a serious relationship with Harrison. Mrs. Davenport; Margaret, Harrison's overbearing sister (and Mrs. Davenport's latest target); and a society woman who will stop at nothing to gain Harrison's affection provide lots of excitement in this fast-paced, festive, funny romance. Out of the Ordinary is the second book in Turano's entertaining, faith-based Apart from the Crowd series, following Behind the Scenes (2017).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)