I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Pepper Basham brings her usual humorous flair to this exciting historical mystery.
The story opens onboard the Lusitania in 1915. Stephen Blake is on the trail of a German spy. After surviving an attempt on his life and the sinking of the ship, he is informed that the spy may be at a hospital in his cousin’s estate. He only knows the spy by the code name ‘The Midnight Angel’. Who, among all the nurses, house staff and office staff, could she be? To add to the mystery there is also a series of thefts that may or may not be connected. His cousin, Lord Frederick Astley is away serving in the war. His wife, Lady Grace Astley is left to oversee the estate and hospital.
Who is the spy? Who can Stephen trust? Is he the only agent on the trail? Are the thefts connected?
This is from the publisher’s website:
“Spies Infiltrate Havensbooke Hall. . .and Another Mystery Adventure Begins
Stephen Blake's life goal is to protect people, especially those closest to him, but war in 1914 England doesn’t follow any rules. When Blake is informed that a noted German spy may have taken up residence at Havensbrooke Hall—his cousin Lord Astley’s estate, which is being used as a convalescent war hospital—he’s sent there to uncover the plot.
Lady Grace Astley has become a force to be reckoned with while Frederick is out on the war front. With Havensbrooke as a hospital, she’s shocked by the devastation the war is bringing home; but ever hopeful, she is determined to help these weary soldiers find some relief. However, not everything is as it seems inside Havensbrooke. Precious items soon start disappearing. . .and not just the kind that are worth a lot of money.
Through a case of mistaken identity, a comedy of errors, a kidnapping, and a race for time within the crumbling subterranean passageways beneath Havensbrooke, can Blake and Gracie work together to root out the criminals, thieves, and spies before time runs out?”
This is a suspenseful and exciting story with several twists and turns. Romance takes second place to the mystery and there is a level of intimacy that some readers of Christian fiction may not appreciate. I am fairly conservative when it comes to that and I did not find it inappropriate of offensive.
This is book 5 of the Freddie and Grace Mystery series. If you are a fan of this author’s books, you won’t be disappointed with this one. It is a stand alone story but I encourage you to read the other books in the series. Christian fictions readers and secular fiction readers will both enjoy this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
