Behind the Scenes (Apart From the Crowd Book #1)

I enjoyed this story, and I dearly love this author's style and creativity! The only reason I didn't give it the highest rating was because I felt that she went a little overboard in making such a to do out of the Vanderbilt ball, it almost ruined it for me. I mean, it lasted like the first 8 to 10 chapters! It also had very strange characters in it which I did not like. Kind of odd for her.

Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano is the first book in Apart from the Crowd series. Miss Permilia Griswold lives in New York City with her father, stepmother and stepsister. Permilia (what an unusual name) was raised by her father, George after her mother passed away. She traveled with him around the country while he took care of his mining business. Permilia received a man’s education and Permilia thought she would help her father run his businesses. Then George Griswold married Ida, a widow. Ida is a society woman who believes a woman should debut, get married, have children and go to parties. Ida raised her daughter, Lucy in this manner. Permilia is frustrated by all of Ida’s rules and the endless functions and society parties. The Griswold’s have been invited to Mr. & Mrs. Williams Vanderbilt’s costume ball (event of the year). Permilia is considered a wallflower by society because of her unconventional ideas, manner of dress, and the way she speaks. Mr. Asher Rutherford of Rutherford and Company (a department store) is also attending the ball. Lucy is interested in Asher, but Ida does not believe he is a suitable mate for her daughter because he is “in trade”. Permilia is sneaking around the ball taking notes for her society column Miss Quill’s Quality Corner. While helping a friend, Permilia overhears a plot to murder Asher. Permilia tells Asher about it, but he does not believe her until he is attacked with arrows. Permilia and some friends come to his rescue, but the killer will not be so easily thwarted. Asher and Permilia will need to join forces to find the evildoer, before they find themselves in the obituary pages instead of the society columns. I was looking forward to Jen Turano’s Behind the Scenes. I had enjoyed the lighthearted humor and engaging characters in her A Class of Their Own series. What I appreciated in that series was missing in Behind the Scenes. I found the writing to be awkward with stilted dialogue. Permilia was too peculiar (her education, way she spoke, unusual dress, clumsy, cannot dance, gets tongue-tied, etc.). I did not understand Asher being so possessive of Permilia at the ball. They had only had two unpleasant encounters prior to this occasion. Asher went out of his way to protect Permilia especially from Eugene Slater, an interested suitor. Then there is the offensive stepmother, Ida and her equally annoying daughter, Lucy. I give Behind the Scenes 2 out of 5 stars. I just did not like Behind the Scenes. I tried to read the complete novel, but it was impossible. I ended up skimming through some portions of the story. The ball scene took up 35% of the book (it seemed like it went on forever). The reader is subjected to every little detail about the ball. The dances, what people were wearing, room décor, food, and so forth (this attention to detail continues throughout the book). There was also one inane incident after another. I do not mind some light, fun humor, but this was just plain silly (idiotic would be a better word). Every single one of the wallflowers were eccentric. I found the ending to be predictable. The mystery was easily solved early in the story. The Christian element was very light. I did like Mrs. Davenport and the Huxley sisters (Mabel and Henrietta). I think a book about Mrs. Davenport would be more entertaining (what a character). I believe I will be skipping the rest of the Apart from the Crowd series.

Jen Turano is one of my favorite authors, this is book one from Apart from the Crowd series and I can not wait for more. Turano always has so much spunk, drama, mystery and of course romance in her books. Twist, turn and laughter. I love how she develops her characters and keeps you wanting to know more about all the characters, which makes a great series. Miss Permilia Griswold is a fun, outgoing, wealthy woman that does not quit fit into the high society, which she does not really care either way. When she becomes aware of a death threat to a new 'friend' will she be able to keep him safe and find herself too? Mr. Asher Rutherford is a handsome, wealthy store owner, who fits in nicely with the ton. When he finds Permillia fascinating and intriguing will he know how to handle everything that is thrown at him all at once, while keeping her safe? Not only did I fall in love with Permilia and Asher but with their good friends and a couple of odd sisters. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and learning more about this community.