Review - The Last Hope

This is the final book in the Maggie Hope series and I have been a devoted fan since the very beginning, reviewing each book on this blog. I hate to see it end, but eleven novels are a lot and Maggie deserves a break from the war.  Find out what I thought of this final book.  

While it works as a stand alone novel, the character of real life Coco Chanel first appears in the seventh novel, The Paris Spy, and is nice to have read it going into this book, but not vital. Here are my reviews in order.

#1 Mr. Churchill's Secretary (click here) 

#2 Princess Elizabeth's Spy (click here) 

#3 His Majesty's Hope (click here) 

#4 The Prime Minister's Secret Agent (click here) 

#5 Mrs Roosevelt's Confidante (click here) 

#6 The Queen's Accomplice (click here) 

#7 The Paris Spy (click here) 

#8  The Prisoner in the Castle (click here) 

#9 The King's Justice (click here) 

#10 The Hollywood Spy (click here)

Author interview 2012 (click here) 

Author interview 2017 (click here)

Author: Susan Elia MacNeal

Copyright: May 2025 (Bantam) 304 pgs

Series: 11th in Maggie Hope Mysteries

Sensuality: Adult topics without details

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical intrigue, suspense mystery

Main Characters: Maggie Hope, American now British Secret Service

Setting: 1943, primarily in Madrid, Spain

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb:  "Maggie Hope has come a long way since she was Mr. Churchill’s secretary. In the face of tremendous danger, she’s learned espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance. But things are different now that she has so much to lose, including the possibility of a family with John Sterling, the man who’s long held her heart.

British Intelligence has ordered Maggie to assassinate Werner Heisenberg, the physicist who may deliver a world-ending fission bomb for Germany. She’s shaken. An assassination is unlike anything she has ever done. How can the Allies even be sure Nazi Germany has a bomb? Determined to gather more information, Maggie travels to Madrid, where Heisenberg is visiting for a lecture.

At the same time, couturier Coco Chanel [of the clothing and perfume empire], a spy in her own right [for the Nazi's as agent F7124 codename Westminster]… has requested a mysterious meeting with the British ambassador in Madrid—and has requested Maggie join them. As the two play a dangerous game of cat and mouse, Maggie tries to get a better understanding of Heisenberg, but is faced with betrayal and a threat more terrifying than losing her own life.

Maggie desperately wants to find her happily-ever-after, but as the war reaches a fever pitch, the stakes keep rising. Now, more than ever, the choices she makes will reverberate around the globe, touching everyone she loves—with fateful implications for the future of the free world."

My thoughts:  

Maggie has been through a lot over the prior ten books, and this book has a deep personal impact on her as well. In this addition to the series, Maggie's assignment seems rather simple on paper, but it turns out anything but.  She doesn't even make it to Madrid before an assassination occurs near her. Not only is it far more dangerous than believed, but she is emotionally and physically pushed to her limits. She must rely on her instincts through much of the twists.

John Sterling, Maggie's early love and former fiancé, is back and is working for Churchill again. They have reunited. We see him before Maggie's undercover operation and after.  We also have a lovely scene with her other friends Charlotte "Chuck" Ludlow and toddler Griffin, plus David and Freddie.  I loved this and had missed her "found family" in the last few books.

While in Spain Maggie has a cast of characters besides Coco Chanel.  There is Maggie's Spain contact, Miguel "Angel" Ramos, and Tom Burns, Press Attaché to the British Embassy in Madrid.  I loved the subplot of the famous bullfighter and celebrity, Juanito Belmonte, liking Maggie and wanting to date her. It was a lighter thread to all the danger and subterfuge.

Madrid during WWII is vividly brought to life and provides a deep sense of isolation where Maggie is essentially cut off and on her own not knowing who she can truly trust.

This is a solid spy/intrigue novel that had me in its grip throughout. 

I know this is supposed to be the final book in the series, but the ending setup another mission for Maggie. Could the series continue as self published, as so many other historical series have done?  Please let it be true!

The "Historical Notes" are fascinating alone. I have failed to mention these in each of the books in the series, but they are great and I eagerly read them each time. 

This is a stellar novel with intrigue, danger, twists and turns, while providing sweeping historical touches and heart wrenching parts. I highly recommend.

Rating: Near perfect - Loved it! If you haven't read it yet, get two copies. One for you and another for family or friend. 

Here is a video on Coco Chanel's connections with Germany during WWII

Thank you for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.

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Review - Mother Daughter Traitor Spy

Susan Elia MacNeal is the author of the award winning best selling Magie Hope mysteries.  But she has written a stand-alone novel set in 1940's Los Angeles.  I was excited to see this novel from one of my favorite historical fiction authors.  Check out the details and my thoughts on this new novel filled with intrigue but based in fact.

Author: Susan Elia MacNeal

Copyright: September 2023 (Bantam) 352 pgs

Series: Standalone

Sensuality: Innuendo, nothing descriptive

Mystery Sub-genre: Suspense Thriller

Main Characters: Veronica Grace, German-American young journalist and her mother

Setting: 1940 Los Angeles

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb: "June 1940. France has fallen to the Nazis, and Britain may be next—but to many Americans, the war is something happening “over there.” Veronica Grace has just graduated from college; she and her mother, Violet, are looking for a fresh start in sunny Los Angeles. After a blunder cost her a prestigious career opportunity in New York, Veronica is relieved to take a typing job in L.A.—only to realize that she’s working for one of the area’s most vicious propagandists.

Overnight, Veronica is exposed to the dark underbelly of her new home, where German Nazis are recruiting Americans for their devastating campaign. After the FBI dismisses the Graces’ concerns, Veronica and Violet decide to call on an old friend, who introduces them to L.A.’s anti-Nazi spymaster.

At once, the women go undercover to gather enough information about the California Reich to take to the authorities. But as the news of Pearl Harbor ripples through the United States, and President Roosevelt declares war, the Grace women realize that the plots they’re investigating are far more sinister than they feared—and even a single misstep could cost them everything.

Inspired by the real mother-daughter spy duo who foiled Nazi plots in Los Angeles during WWII, Mother Daughter Traitor Spy is a powerful portrait of family, duty, and deception that raises timeless questions about America—and what it means to have courage in the face of terror."  

My thoughts:

Veronica Grace and her mother Violet Grace are so real in this novel.  The author puts the reader in the middle of the intrigue and you feel the tension and fear of being discovered.  Ms. MacNeal is at the top of her writing game as the pacing kept me engrossed in the story.  1940 Los Angeles is recreated with a lot of details and care.  

The climax was suspenseful and seemingly very real.  The fact that this was based on true events makes the story even more chilling.  My heart was racing in several instances.

I so appreciate Ms. MacNeal bringing this forgotten piece of American history back to life--lest we forget.  This isn't just history placed into a fictional story, it is well written with visceral tension and heroines you hold your breath for.

Rating:  Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

Here is Susan Elia MacNeal talking about how she was inspired to write this novel. 

Review - Smoke and Lies

I recently read where one person saw many correlations between this series and the Sebastian St. Cyr series by CS Harris.  I believe this is far more on the intrigue side and not as grim as Sebastian St. Cyr series that is a solid detective investigating sometimes gruesome murders.  I find this a welcome change when I don't want the darkness of Sebastian St. Cyr but rather the rush of political intrigue during the fascinating Napoleonic time period.

I have followed this series from the beginning: 

1 --SWEET REVENGE (click here)  

2 -- THE COCOA CONSPIRACY (click here), 

3 -- RECIPE FOR TREASON (click here)  

AUTHOR Interview -- (click here). 

Author: Andrea Penrose

Copyright: May 2018 388 pgs

Series: 4th in Lady Arianna Regency Mystery series

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical suspense, amateur sleuth

Main Character: Lady Arianna Saybrook

Setting: 1814 London, at sea, Italia island of Elba

Obtained Through: personal purchase

Book Blurb: "Now that peace reigns in Europe and Napoleon has been exiled to the island of Elba, Lady Arianna and her husband, the Earl of Saybrook, are determined to put government sleuthing aside. But the head of British security has other ideas . . .

Rumors are rife that Napoleon may be plotting to take back the French throne and plunge the Continent into another war. So when Saybrook learns that his Spanish cousin has gone missing on the island under mysterious circumstances, he and Arianna feel they have no choice but to undertake a secret mission to Elba for the government and unravel the serpentine tangle of truth and lies.

Friend or Foe? From the start, they find themselves up against treachery and deceptions. And for Arianna, things become even more difficult when she encounters ghosts from her past, forcing her to make fundamental choices about love, loyalty, family and friendship. Once on Elba, she and Saybrook—along with some unexpected allies—must match wits with a deadly enemy and the great Napoleon himself. And with the clock ticking, all the last-minute machinations come down to a question of Luck . . ."

Arianna is a smart action oriented character, perfect for intrigue and improvisation as she dons disguises and chases shadows. She has a troubled past and many bad life experiences that come back to haunt her in this addition to the series.  Alessandro De Quincy, the Earl of Saybrook, is more of a forceful presence yet he has had his share of grief and difficulty in his life due to serving in war.  These two rely on each other as they can't trust their allies in this mission. One such ally is Lady Plessy-Moritz who clearly has an additional mission, and perhaps even her own ulterior motives at play.  Then there is Count von Wolfram, Wolf for short, a dangerous con man from Arianna's past also tasked to work with them but seemingly hiding something as well.  Plus an American Navy officer, Captain Hamilton, is a rocky ally since American and England have barely ended a war.

Ms. Penrose incorporates setting expertly.  They are at sea for a bit of the story and you feel salt air and waves tossing the ship.  Once on the Isle of Elba, the sense of eyes watching every move and ears listening to every breath is ever present.  Great job with the setting.

Nothing is quite what it is supposed to be. The journey by sea could have dragged, but rather it is filled with intrigue, this only gets more intense once they reach Elba.  The pacing builds towards the climax and is well done.

 The climax is filled with urgency, bravery, and perilous danger.  Everything I love as well as a few revelations.  Great job.  

I must say, I love the intrigue this series always delivers. It is my go to for a great historical suspense and the characters of Arianna and Saybrook I find very enjoyable.  This outing was filled with cloak and dagger and danger lurking all handled quite well.  Ms. Penrose is at the top of her game.  If you are looking for less gruesome murders and more spy master intrigue, this is the series for you.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

Here is a short video of Elba and Napoleon's time there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdV7drm5hIk

Review - A Peculiar Combination

 I love starting at the beginning of a series, so I am tickled to introduce a new series.  This is a historical intrigue series set in WWII with a safe-cracking thief as the heroine.  The author has written the Amory Ames Mysteries that I have reviewed (#1 Murder at Brightwell click here) and the author did a guest post here (click here.)

Author: Ashley Weaver

Copyright: May 2021 (Minotaur Books) 304 pgs

Series: 1st in Electra McDonnell Intrigue series

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: historical Suspense, amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Electra McDonnell, a safe-cracking thief aiding the war effort 

Setting: 1942 London during WWII

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest opinion

Book Blurb: "Electra McDonnell has always known that the way she and her family earn their living is slightly outside of the law. Breaking into the homes of the rich and picking the locks on their safes may not be condoned by British law enforcement, but World War II is in full swing, Ellie's cousins Colm and Toby are off fighting against Hitler, and Uncle Mick's more honorable business as a locksmith can't pay the bills any more.

So when Uncle Mick receives a tip about a safe full of jewels in the empty house of a wealthy family, he and Ellie can’t resist. All goes as planned―until the pair are caught redhanded. Ellie expects them to be taken straight to prison, but instead they are delivered to a large townhouse, where government official Major Ramsey is waiting with an offer: either Ellie agrees to help him break into a safe and retrieve blueprints that will be critical to the British war effort, before they can be delivered to a German spy, or he turns her over to the police.

Ellie doesn’t care for the Major's imperious manner, but she has no choice, and besides, she's eager to do her bit for king and country. She may be a thief, but she's no coward. When she and the Major break into the house in question, they find instead the purported German spy dead on the floor, the safe already open and empty. Soon, Ellie and Major Ramsey are forced to put aside their differences to unmask the double-agent, as they try to stop allied plans falling into German hands."

Electra, orphaned and raised by her uncle, is witty, smart, and has a caring heart. Uncle Mick is willy, smart, and a survivor. Felix Lacey is a life long friend of the family who is home from war due to an injury and wants a relationship with Electra.  Major Ramsey is military stiff and regimented who softens a teensy bit with Electra.  Nacy is their housekeeper who has a nurturing nature. She is a great character and I look forward to more of her. 

I really liked this concept and the author did a great job of the intrigue.  The characters are wonderfully developed and the plot kept me engaged.  This has a lighter feel than you might expect for an intrigue novel, since it is partly a cozy mystery too.  I am looking forward to seeing where this series will go.

Rating:  Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend.

Here is an interview with Ashley Weaver on the book:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyPf4AuCoeo

Review - The Prisoner in the Castle

I have followed and reviewed each of the books in the Maggie Hope series since the beginning:  #1 Mr. Churchill's Secretary (click here), #2 Princess Elizabeth's Spy (click here), #3 His Majesty's Hope (click here), #4 The Prime Minister's Secret Agent (click here), #5 Mrs Roosevelt's Confidante (click here), #6 The Queen's Accomplice (click here), #7 The Paris Spy (click here), and a wonderful interview with Ms. MacNeal (click here).  Today I review the newest addition to the series, which can be read as a stand alone, if you haven't read the seven prior books.

Author: Susan Elia MacNeal

Copyright: August 2018 (Random House-Bantam) 400 pgs

Series: 8th in Maggie Hope Mystery series

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: historical Suspense

Main Characters: Maggie Hope, a spy who started as Churchill's secretary 

Setting: 1942 London and Scottish Island during WWII

Obtained Through: Netgalley

"A series of baffling murders among a group of imprisoned agents threatens the outcome of World War II in this chilling mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Mr. Churchill’s Secretary.

World War II is raging, and former spy Maggie Hope knows too much.

She knows what the British government is willing to do to keep its secrets.

She knows the real location of the planned invasion of France.

She knows who’s lying. She knows who the double-crossers are. She knows exactly who is sending agents to their deaths.

These are the reasons Maggie is isolated on a remote Scottish island, in a prison known as Killoch Castle, out of contact with friends and family.

Then one of her fellow inmates drops dead in the middle of his after-dinner drink—and he’s only the first. As victims fall one by one, Maggie will have to call upon all her wits and skills to escape—not just certain death . . . but certain murder.

For what’s the most important thing Maggie Hope knows?  
She must survive."

Maggie, who originally started out as Churchill's Secretary and is now a Major and has completed some harrowing missions but now is under house arrest of sorts because she knows who is willing to sacrifice British agents to keep a secret.  Detective Chief Inspector James Durgin who was introduced in the Queen's Accomplice, is the only one asking where Maggie has disappeared to under the guise of needing her to testify in the Blackout Beast serial killer trial.  David Greene, Maggie's good friend and Churchill's personal assistant teams up with Detective Duggan in asking what happened to Maggie.  The house full of detainees is complex and they each have their issues. Then there is the household staff who who have their own secrets.  

The setting of a remote Scottish island is pure Gothic gold.  It provides the chilling atmospheric backdrop for multiple murders. The most important part is that the author knows how to maximize the setting for a Hitchcock-like ratcheting of suspense.

The plot uses the framework of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" with the added tension of WWII and each resident is a trained British Agent under house arrest for any number of reasons, plus one may be a double agent.  There have been many re-creations of Christie's classic, but this novel took the concept to a whole new level.

The killer reveal/confrontation is nail biting thrills and chills.  The author has made such gripping reveals a trade mark and she never fails to have me at the edge of my seat.  Well played, yet again.  The pacing is a little slow at the beginning to setup the conditions on the island and introduce the house full of incarcerated guests.  But the first murder is soon discovered and the pace doesn't let up from there.

For the eighth book in the series, Ms. MacNeal knocked this out of the ball park.  I can see this as a blockbuster movie easily.

Rating: Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

Review - The Paris Spy

I have followed and reviewed each of the books in the Maggie Hope series:  #1 Mr. Churchill's Secretary (click here), #2 Princess Elizabeth's Spy (click here), #3 His Majesty's Hope (click here), #4 The Prime Minister's Secret Agent (click here), #5 Mrs Roosevelt's Confidante (click here), #6 The Queen's Accomplice (click here), and a wonderful interview with Ms. MacNeal (click here).  Today I review the newest addition to the series, which can be read as a stand alone, if you haven't read the six prior books.

Author: Susan Elia MacNeal

Copyright: August 2017 (Bantam) 320 pgs

Series: 7th in Maggie Hope Intrigue series

Sensuality: Medium on violence and adult themes

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Amateur Sleuth, Historical Intrigue

Main Characters: Maggie Hope, a spy who started as Churchill's secretary

Setting: 1942, Nazi occupied Paris

Obtained Through: Netgalley - Publisher for honest review

From the book cover: "Maggie Hope has come a long way since serving as a typist for Winston Churchill. Now she’s working undercover for the Special Operations Executive in the elegant but eerily silent city of Paris, where SS officers prowl the streets in their Mercedes and the Ritz is draped with swastika banners. Walking among the enemy is tense and terrifying, and even though she’s disguised in chic Chanel, Maggie can’t help longing for home.

But her missions come first. Maggie’s half sister, Elise, has disappeared after being saved from a concentration camp, and Maggie is desperate to find her—that is, if Elise even wants to be found. Equally urgent, Churchill is planning the Allied invasion of France, and SOE agent Erica Calvert has been captured, the whereabouts of her vital research regarding Normandy unknown. Maggie must risk her life to penetrate powerful circles and employ all her talents for deception and spycraft to root out a traitor, find her sister, and locate the reports crucial to planning D-Day in a deadly game of wits with the Nazi intelligence elite."

Maggie, who originally started out as Churchill's Secretary and is now a Major.  She had already completed an assignment where she was air dropped into Germany...This one is just as dicey. She is looking for an agent she fears has been captured and her half-sister who escaped a prison camp in Berlin.  Sarah, Maggie's old roommate and former prima ballerina now spy is having her metal tested on her own extremely dangerous mission.  Hugh, an old flame of Maggie's now Sarah's love, is posing as Sarah's husband for their mission.  Jacques, Maggie's Paris contact for her dual mission, is a charming Frenchman.  Even Coco Chanel makes an appearance.  Then there are the various departent heads back in England that seem oblivious to glaring clues that the Paris spy network has been compromised.

No romantic Paris in Springtime glow fo the setting. As Maggie's contact described it: " 'It's the only rule you'll need while you're here,' he whispered, mirth gone from his eyes. 'Easy to remember: Trust no one.  Nothing is clear here. Everything is shadows.'"

I've heard much about England's suffering under the Luftwaffe bombing raids, but little about Paris.  Paris went from being like champagne, light and bubbly to a tripple-shot expresso, dark and nerve wracking.  But the author highlighted that many French collaborated with the Nazi's because of the continual lies spread that the real threat was the communists and convinced them to partner with Germans.  The propaganda is clear in hindsight, but in the midst of it so many succumbed to the lies.  It is such details woven into the story that makes the reader feel you have just witnessed history first hand as you read, I certainly did.

The plot is classic intrigue with rarely a safe feeling moment. One slip of a word can blow your cover.  Maggie's dual missions are one plot, but Sarah and Hugh's are another plot.  Eventually, they all converge.  This builds the tension like a Hitchhock thriller.

With such suspense through the story, it is hard to pull off a nail-biting climax.  Yet, it happens in this case.  Even the wrap-up ends with a major shock that took my breath away.

Another stellar addition to the Maggie Hope series. The plot has the very direction of the war at stake without the spies involved being aware.  The characters are real, in some cases you feel their anguish and pain.  Throw in some twists and a final surprise to have a powerhouse of a novel.  As always, I love the historical notes at the end to fix in my mind how much was based on fact - always an eye opener.

Rating: Near Perfect - Couldn't Put it down. Buy two copies, one for you and one for a friend. If you haven't read the prior books, buy all of them while you're at it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBLqYYOoD3Y

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

BOOK GIVEAWAY

The publisher has agreed to do a giveaway of The Paris Spy.

Giveaway entry lasts until Friday August 4 6:00 p.m. (MST).  U.S. entries only please.

The Publisher will be shipping the book to the winner.

How to enter:

*** First, you must be a member (follower) of this blog.***

All entries are to be in the comments for this post.

I shall notify each winner via the email address you provide to get your mailing address and have the prize sent directly to you.  If I don't hear from you in 3 days, I will select another winner and notify them.

** IF you are a member (or email subscriber) of this blog, you only need to leave a comment with your correct email.

BECOME a member (or email subscriber) of this blog if you aren't already and enjoy the celebration of all things mystery and suspense.

Good Luck!

Review - Murder at Fontainebleu

This is one of my favorite historical mystery series that I have followed since the first book.  A little surprise as this is the first book in the series to leave England and send young Kate Haywood to a foreign country on the Queen's business.  See how this change in location impacts what we have come to expect from this author and series. 

Read the full reviews here: #1 Murder at Hatfield House (click here) , #2 Murder at Westminster Abbey (click here) , #3 Murder in the Queen's Garden (click here), and #4 Murder at Whitehall (click here), plus two posts by the author - guest post one (click here) and guest post two (click here).

Author: Amanda Carmack

Copyright: June 2016 (NAL) 304 pgs

Series: 5th in Elizabethan Mystery series

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Cozy

Main Characters: Kate Haywood, 18 year old musician in the court of newly crowned Queen Elizabeth I

Setting: 1561 at Imperial Château Fontainbleu in France

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

From the cover: "1561. Queen Elizabeth’s throne is threatened as Mary Queen of Scots—pushed in every direction by opposing and powerful forces—declares herself the rightful Queen of England. To discover her rival’s next unpredictable move, Elizabeth dispatches a party of trustworthy intimates to Mary’s court at Fontainebleau. Chief among them is Kate Haywood, who finds that the glittering balls and genial banquets conceal a web of poisonous ambition that soon turns deadly.

When a beautiful and disruptively flirtatious member of the visiting party is murdered, Kate suspects that the man who stands accused has been set up to discredit Elizabeth. She vows to find the real killer, but the French court is a labyrinth unlike any she has ever navigated before—and at every turn there are more traps set to spring."

Kate has her hands and thoughts full of delivering secret letters from Elizabeth's spymaster to an agent in France, tricky political intrigue that may have sacrificed a young traveling companion's life, and the two young men in her life each making clear their intentions.  Rob Cartman, the young actor managing his own troupe, is sent to keep an eye on Kate and he is most grateful for every moment to keep her safe and show his devotion.  Anthony Elias is about to start his own law practice and asks before she leave for France that Kate share his life. Are you team Rob or team Anthony?  There are several traveling companions in the set of characters that each come under Kate's scrutiny.  Amelia Wrightsman is the murder victim, who is far more than she ever appeared.

Château Fontainbleu is another brilliant setting for a murder, with the growing turmoil that eventually (after this story) turns into a civil war between the French Protestants called Huguenots and the influential but brutal Duke of Guise's Catholic family.  Kate and the reader are venturing into a country that is a powder-keg ready to explode behind all the gold gilt luxury and extravagance.  Pile on the court intrigue and speculation as to what Mary's, first cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth, intentions are towards England's throne for a heady mix.  The murder only intensifies Queen Mary's suspicions towards cousin Elizabeth and puts any treaty at risk.  

The plot plays off the truly volatile time with political pressure building to a bursting point to have a pretty and popular, yet unwisely flirtatious English noblewoman who is equally popular with the French court murdered during special festivities.  Is the murder politically motivated to force Queen Mary into a stand off with England's still newly crowned Queen Elizabeth, or was their an even more sinister motive?  A well setup conundrum indeed.  The pacing isn't break-neck, but kept me spell bound all the same. The story has a good number of characters with various motives both personal and political or religious, but the pacing never suffers from the details of the many motivations.  

The killer confrontation occurs when Kate and Rob help set a trap for the killer and things don't go as planned.  Some good thrills during those scenes.  The wrap-up leaves Kate with important life decisions yet to be made.

I enjoy historical mysteries immensely, and this is one of my favorite series in the genre.  Kate is a phenomenal character that not only gives us entrance into the court life, but gifts a few helpings of political intrigue through the eyes of a kind young woman with more freedom than most are allowed in the time period because she is serving the Queen.  With each new book in the series I swear it is the best yet, and this addition is the same.  

Rating: Near Perfect - Couldn't Put it down I was so captivated. Buy two copies, one for you and one for a friend.

And for your listening pleasure, one of my favorite French songs (since the book takes place in France) sung by Victoria Vox.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAKHxL6pSCA

Review - A Prisoner in Malta

I have had this book on my TBR list and I finally got to it.  A mystery series based on the enigmatic historical figure of Christopher Marlowe, who, conjecture has it, either influenced Shakespeare or was the actual writer of the plays and The Bard only a convenient cover.  

He has long been rumored to have worked for the great Elizabethan Spy Master Sir Francis Walsingham.  In this book we are given a fictional account of how he might have been recruited to work for the Spy Master.

Author: Phillip DePoy

Copyright: Jan 2016 (Minotaur) 320 pgs

Series: 1st in Christopher Marlowe Mystery series

Sensuality: Mild, some fighting with swords and fight violence etc.

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Intrigue

Main Characters: Christopher Marlowe, real historical figure who was Elizabethan playwright, poet, and spy.

Setting: Modern day, England and Malta

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

"In 1583, the nineteen-year-old Christopher Marlowe---with a reputation as a brawler, a womanizer, a genius, and a social upstart at Cambridge University---is visited by a man representing Marlowe's benefactors. There are rumors of a growing plot against her majesty Queen Elizabeth I, and the Queen's spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, has charged young Marlowe with tracking down the truth. The path to that truth seems to run through an enigmatic prisoner held in complete seclusion in a heavily guarded dungeon in Malta. Marlowe must use every bit of his wits, his skills, and his daring to unravel one of the greatest mysteries in history and help uncover and unravel scheme of assassination and invasion, one involving the government of Spain, high ranking English nobles, and even the Pope himself."

Christopher Marlowe is smart and witty but also flawed with a party boy tendency and inflated ego.  He is depicted brilliantly, not too full of himself and yet comical in his sarcastic dialog.  Dr. Rodrigo Lopez, Queen Elizabeth's private physician, has been Christopher's friend and even mentor, and ultimately brings him to Walsingham to recruit him.  Lopez is a mystery through most of the book as to which cause he is really devoted to.  Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth I’s secretary and “spymaster” is ruthless and shows us what spying was like in ancient times.  Miss Frances Walsingham, the spymaster’s daughter, is a deadly spy in her own right that Chris naturally falls for.  Tin, a stable servant girl who is devoted to Miss Walsingham is a surprise.  The characters of Christopher and Miss Walsingham are over-the-top in a few scenes with their fighting prowess, but if taken in the spirit of a grand swash-buckling story it works.

The Malta scenes are early in the book, but quiet effectively used to set the intrigue.  It was a "seal-team-six meets the Three Musketeers" style for the rescue of the prisoner on Malta. The rest of the book is figuring out a twisty murder mystery that has set up Christopher as the killer and he must clear his name and uncover more of the people involved in the plot against the Queen.  The setting for this part is in and around London, from churches to back alleys.  In this there are many, many suspects and everything was murky.

The plot is complex and unpredictable up to the ending, which depends on what you like as to whether this will appeal to you.  In that light, it was an enjoyable escape.  At times the investigation seemed to be going nowhere and began to drag, but soon picked up.  The climax had an exciting confrontation and twist, with the promise of Christopher continuing in the service of the Queen.  

If you enjoy swashbuckling adventure with a murder mystery, some intrigue, and some humor - then this is probably your kind of book!  I found this book pure escapism and enjoyed it tremendously.

Rating:  Good - A fun read, it had a good grip on me! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list.

For your viewing pleasure, here is a short piece on questions surrounding Christopher's death and if he could be the real author of Shakespeare's works.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKukzJ-W0Wg

Review - Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante

I have been behind in posting my reviews...and reading.  I am attempting to catch up.  

I have followed and reviewed each of the books in the Maggie Hope series:  #1 Mr. Churchill's Secretary (click here), #2 Princess Elizabeth's Spy (click here), #3 His Majesty's Hope (click here), #4 The Prime Minister's Secret Agent (click here), and a wonderful interview with Ms. MacNeal (click here).  Today I review the newest addition to the series.

Author: Susan Elia MacNeal

Copyright: Oct 2015 (Bantam) 352 pgs

Series: 5th in Maggie Hope Spy series

Sensuality: mild 

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical Intrigue

Main Characters: Maggie Hope, a spy who started as Churchill's secretary

Setting: December 1941, Washington DC

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

December 1941. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Winston Churchill arrives in Washington, D.C., along with special agent Maggie Hope. Posing as his typist, she is accompanying the prime minister as he meets with President Roosevelt to negotiate the United States’ entry into World War II. When one of the First Lady’s aides is mysteriously murdered, Maggie is quickly drawn into Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt’s inner circle—as Eleanor herself is implicated in the crime. Although Maggie isn't undercover behind enemy lines, she manages to find her unique talents in need.  Maggie knows she must keep the investigation quiet, so she employs her unparalleled skills at code breaking and espionage to figure out who would target Mrs. Roosevelt, and why. What Maggie uncovers is a shocking conspiracy that could jeopardize American support for the war and leave the fate of the world hanging dangerously in the balance.

Maggie maybe in a secretarial support role with Churchill, but she is a spy in her core.  She can't be anything else and is finding her new place in the war effort.  She must also face her ex-fiance, John Sterling as he is trying to reconcile their relationship.  John is on the trip with Churchill too, which provides some insights into his character that Maggie must consider. John's future seems to be taking a surprising turn as well.  David Greene is Maggie's dear friend and Churchill's right-hand guy.  David is always a joy in the stories.  Clara Hess, Maggie's mother and captured Nazi spy is with us again to keep the story off balance and unpredictable.  We finally meet Maggie's aunt Edith and it highlighted how difficult it can be to keep your real work secret.  Plus Tom O'Brian, a journalist and former classmate of Maggie's joins us for the adventure.  Will he be a significant factor in Maggie's life?

Washington DC was fascinating for a setting as America was just entering the war and the impact on the Capitol was manifesting.  The few scenes set in Hollywood were nostalgic.  The prison scenes were particularly well utilized.

 The plot hinges on how a scandal involving the First Lady would have repercussions that would jeopardize the war effort and the fragile new alliance between Britain and America.  It is hard to imagine now, but for the era I think it is a viable plot scenario.  The story-line kept me interested and turning pages with the subplots interwoven seamlessly.  The showdown with the killer was tense and the remaining questions get answered.  The wrap up set the stage for the next book...and left some developments as tantalizing possibilities.

This series has been a tour de force since it's debut, and this book does it justice.  The world of Maggie Hope is compelling drama set amidst grand historical events that transports you as only a topnotch storyteller can.

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it, it had a good grip on me! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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Review - The Royal Assassin

I reviewed the debut novel in this new series, The Vanishing Thief (click here),  the second book The Counterfeit Lady (click here) and was so fortunate to get an author interview (click here) as well.   But, in this book Georgia must go undercover again as an English tutor to a Princess, stretching her middle class world.

Author: Kate Parker

Copyright: July 2015 (Berkley) 304 pgs

Series: 3rd in Victorian Bookshop Mystery series

Sensuality: mild kissing and situations

Mystery Sub-genre: Amateur Sleuth, Private Investigator

Main Characters: Georgia Fenchurch, antiquarian bookseller and member of the Archivist Society

Setting: Victorian era - after 1851, London

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

The Russian princess Kira is engaged to the son of the Queen’s cousin. The Duke of Blackford is enlisted to protect the princess after her royal bodyguard is killed.  Blackford naturally asks for the Archivist Society's help, specifically requesting Georgia go undercover as the Princess's English tutor as preparation for her British wedding.

It is suspected that anarchists, an ongoing problem in Russia for the royal family, are England and attempting to kill the Princess and harm relations between Russia and England.  But Georgia discovers other motives at work.  When an unlikely new guard shows a ruthless side, it is obvious that everything isn't as it seems.

Georgia is a great character who is proudly middle class in a time period where class awareness drives the social order.  She faces some of her abandonment issues in this third outing.  Emma takes some risks as she and goes undercover among the anarchist's with Blackford's servant, Jacob. Duke of Blackford show more of his true self as he trusts Georgia and tries to mediate between Russian Princess and the Duchess who is housing the Russians.  Lady Beatrice Hereford is the Duchess housing the Princess and entourage, she has her hands full while in the early stages of pregnancy.  She is the breakout character in this book.  Count Farkas, the man who murdered Georgia's parents, makes a few appearances.

The plot is fast paced while still allowing for character's to be developed, along with a romantic touch here and there.  Several moments of surprise and other times of knowingwhat was coming gave a good balance.  The climax provided good action and a few thrills.  The wrap-up left a hint of a promise for interesting future for Georgia.

This series has consistantly provided entertaining stories with intrigue and excitement.  I eagerly await the next in the series.

Rating:  Near Perfect - Couldn't Put it down. Buy two copies, one for you and one for a friend.

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