Miss Cassidy is no ordinary governess.
She can tutor the most wayward child, tell stories in several languages and fix any household crisis. But she also has the power to deal with problems of a far more dark and dangerous kind.
Arriving in 1890s Singapore, this formidable Scotswoman soon finds herself (among other duties) ridding a house of a bloodthirsty demon and raising a spirit from the dead.
When she is hired by the wealthy Chinese widower Mr Kay, whose family are suffering from a terrible curse, she must battle forces far more ancient and powerful than any she has encountered before – not to mention dealing with the unexpected yearnings of her heart …
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Meihan Boey’s ‘The Formidable Miss Cassidy’ transports listeners to early twentieth-century Singapore, where we meet Miss Cassidy, a woman in her late thirties hired to serve as the “English” lady’s companion to 14-year-old Sarah Jane. The catch? Miss Cassidy is actually Scottish, not English, which makes her an amusing choice to explain English customs to her inquisitive charge and those around them. This twist of irony adds warmth and humour, as Miss Cassidy graciously navigates her role, with more than a few raised eyebrows at her considerable physical frame and stunning red hair.
The first half of the novel is a pleasant, insightful dive into a society in transition, especially in how it treats women. Boey’s research shines here – colonial Singapore comes vividly to life, with its sights, sounds, and social rules feeling as authentic as they are captivating. I enjoyed how the book explored changing attitudes toward women, especially in such a unique setting.
Then, without warning, the story takes a hard left into the supernatural. One moment, Miss Cassidy’s juggling afternoon tea and the expectations of polite society; the next, she’s suddenly attempting to catch evil entities! While I appreciate a genre shift when it’s done well, this one felt a bit abrupt – almost like we’d wandered into a different novel entirely. It’s a bold move, but despite a few subtle hints in the first half of the story, the two halves don’t quite mesh as well as they could.
Several subplots crop up as well, some of which add layers to the story while others seem to contribute characters without adding much to the climax. Combined with some dips in pace, these almost-disassociated plots made the novel feel a bit disjointed at times.
Thankfully, Paula Masterton’s narration is spot-on. She brings Miss Cassidy to life with warmth and personality, and her Scottish accent adds a lovely authenticity to the character. Her delivery kept me engaged, even when the story slowed, and added an extra layer of charm to the experience.
The audiobook of ‘The Formidable Miss Cassidy’ is due to be published on 1st December 2024.
Thank you to Bolinda Audio, Meihan Boey and NetGalley UK for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
