Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce

From Goodreads

Margery Benson’s life ended the day her father walked out of his study and never came back. Forty years later, abandoning a dull job, she advertises for an assistant. The successful candidate is to accompany Margery on an expedition to the other side of the world to search for a beetle that may or may not exist. Enid Pretty is not who she had in mind. But together they will find themselves drawn into an adventure that exceeds all Margery’s expectations, eventually finding new life at the top of a red mountain.

This is a story that is less about what can be found than the belief it might be found; it is an intoxicating adventure story and it is also a tender exploration of a friendship between two unforgettable women that defies all boundaries.

My thoughts

My thanks to the Publishers via NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a lovely quirky tale of Margery Benson and her need to go looking for a Golden Beetle, a beetle that she'd dreamed of finding at any cost.  Meet Enid Petty a most unusual candidate for the position of assistant to Margery on her expedition searching for the elusive insect at the other side of the world, so to speak.

The story was a well written one that reads like a comedy of errors in some ways as what transpires  takes them both on one hell of a joinery, I must admit that the results of what was happening to them didn't always have me laughing at all.  I enjoyed the interaction between Margery and Enid.  My head was wanting things to end well for them both.  

To find out what actually happens you need to grab yourself a copy and immerse yourself in their lives and the lives of those around them.

This would make a great reading group read.