| A young
Englishman, Vance Clayton, is arrested as a British spy in Paris
in 1749. He has become a soldier of fortune in an attempt
to keep his penniless but aristocratic family afloat.
During an assignment in Paris, he is suspected of relaying
messages for La Pompadour, mistress to King Louis, and enemy of
many of his ministers. It is most likely that, after
questioning, he will suffer the fate of any enemy spy:
execution. But is he really a spy? Or a decoy?
Or was he just in the wrong place at the wrong time?
Upon hearing of the arrest, Clayton's best
friend contacts Clayton's sister, Elspeth, who is residing with
a relative in London. Elspeth is devastated by the news,
but is determined to free her brother by any means necessary.
She first turns to her brother's friend, then to a suitor.
When both of them are prevented from assisting her, she fears
the worst.
During her efforts, she crosses paths with
Gervaise Valerian. She finds him completely disagreeable;
and the feelings are mutual. Elspeth discovers that
Valerian is attempting to smuggle his father out of England, one
step ahead of the English authorities. Neither has anyone
else to turn to, so they decide to declare a truce between them
and attempt to work together to save their loved ones.
This was the first book I've read by
Patricia Veryan, but it certainly won't be the last. The
period is perfectly evoked through descriptions and dialogue.
The characters are well developed throughout the course of the
book. Elspeth is no fragile flower; nor is she the
equivalent of a 21st-century woman. She is, quite simply,
a woman of her time who finds the strength and courage to help
her brother when he needs her desperately.
The political intrigue is a bit complex,
but explained quite well. There
is mystery, action, adventure, and a bit of romance in the
story. All of this combines to make a wonderful novel that
moves along at a fast clip.
If you like history and mysteries, this novel is for you.
For more information about this and other titles, please visit www.stmartins.com. |
