The Reavley family is devastated when their parents are killed in an auto accident. The father had just called his son, Matthew, a member of the intelligence services with information that he found a document that could have serious consequences for England and the world. His brother, Joseph, is a Cambridge Theology don. Together they examine the crash site and find that the crash was no accident and the document is missing.
Anne Perry set this dense, political drama in England, 1914, just prior to the beginning of WWI. Archduke Francis Ferdinand has just been assassinated by a Serbian and the world is reeling with the impact of that event. Matthew worries about an impending war as the world awaits the actions of Russia, Germany, Serbia, France, and others whose alliances with Austria and Serbia come into play.
When Joseph discovers that one of his most gifted students has been killed, he begins to wonder if the death of their parents and his student could be linked. He begins to investigate.
Well written folding intrigue with personal drama, the author leads the reader into two arenas. Solving the mystery becomes difficult but Joseph becomes deeply involved communicating with his brother as the tension builds. A good story? Certainly. Building a mystery with political tones is not an easy task but Perry does an admirable job.
Anne Perry set this dense, political drama in England, 1914, just prior to the beginning of WWI. Archduke Francis Ferdinand has just been assassinated by a Serbian and the world is reeling with the impact of that event. Matthew worries about an impending war as the world awaits the actions of Russia, Germany, Serbia, France, and others whose alliances with Austria and Serbia come into play.
When Joseph discovers that one of his most gifted students has been killed, he begins to wonder if the death of their parents and his student could be linked. He begins to investigate.
Well written folding intrigue with personal drama, the author leads the reader into two arenas. Solving the mystery becomes difficult but Joseph becomes deeply involved communicating with his brother as the tension builds. A good story? Certainly. Building a mystery with political tones is not an easy task but Perry does an admirable job.
This is an accomplished author, always pleasing to read. World War I is a topic of interest to me. This book deals with a mystery on the home front coincident with the beginning of the war -- somewhat plausible. Engaging characters.
Excellent read, a departure from her Victorian
mysteries--moving up to the foreshadowing of the great war.
mysteries--moving up to the foreshadowing of the great war.
