Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
This is the ongoing story of young American Maggie Hope and her experiences in England during World War II-- and it's a pip. Looking to branch out from Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs or Charles Todd's Bess Crawford? Then you must meet Maggie Hope.
In this sixth installment of Maggie's story, author MacNeal brings home the fact of exactly what female spies faced during the war, and it was ugly. I'm not going to go into any detail because it would just cause my blood pressure to spike. Suffice it to say, Maggie doesn't take kindly to the facts either, and it's going to be interesting to see what kind of fight she puts up against this injustice.
But this isn't just a tale of espionage and women's rights. MacNeal turns everything on its head by throwing a homicidal maniac loose on the darkened streets of London. A serial killer? Really? It sounds same old, same old, but it's not. It's exciting and scary and certainly keeps the pages turning at a rapid clip. MacNeal proves that she can write more than "just" women's period drama. Much more.
These Maggie Hope stories should be read in order because of continuing storylines, and developing characters and relationships, but if you like richly textured historical mysteries with a strong female lead, you're not going to mind a bit. Bit by bit, more is coming to light about the roles women really played during World War II. MacNeal has done her research, and Maggie is the fantastic result.
If you love historical mysteries oozing with period detail, spine-tingling action, and wonderful characterizations, look no further than Susan Elia MacNeal's Maggie Hope.
In this sixth installment of Maggie's story, author MacNeal brings home the fact of exactly what female spies faced during the war, and it was ugly. I'm not going to go into any detail because it would just cause my blood pressure to spike. Suffice it to say, Maggie doesn't take kindly to the facts either, and it's going to be interesting to see what kind of fight she puts up against this injustice.
But this isn't just a tale of espionage and women's rights. MacNeal turns everything on its head by throwing a homicidal maniac loose on the darkened streets of London. A serial killer? Really? It sounds same old, same old, but it's not. It's exciting and scary and certainly keeps the pages turning at a rapid clip. MacNeal proves that she can write more than "just" women's period drama. Much more.
These Maggie Hope stories should be read in order because of continuing storylines, and developing characters and relationships, but if you like richly textured historical mysteries with a strong female lead, you're not going to mind a bit. Bit by bit, more is coming to light about the roles women really played during World War II. MacNeal has done her research, and Maggie is the fantastic result.
If you love historical mysteries oozing with period detail, spine-tingling action, and wonderful characterizations, look no further than Susan Elia MacNeal's Maggie Hope.
I've been anticipating the release of this book, "The Queen's Accomplice" for a very long time. I'm happy to report that it actually surpasses how excellent I thought it would be! Ms. MacNeal has created a wonderful heroine in Maggie Hope. She continues to develop her character into a strong woman. She is asking for equal pay, pensions and death benefits for SOE women agents, a problem relevant even today.
There is a person, "The Blackout Beast" that is killing young SOE women in a way consistent with Jack the Ripper. How Maggie along with a DCI from Scotland Yard pursues him is the biggest part of the book. This time period (WWII) has fascinated me for a long time. Ms. MacNeal has thoroughly researched the time period down to what they have to eat. The food sounds highly unpalatable. I mean, lamb cutlets made from mutton puree? Makes me cringe just thinking about it. She continues to develop some of her other characters as well, like Sarah and Hugh, along with some new characters.
I highly recommend this book and series! Now I have to wait for the next installment, "The Paris Spy". The wait might seem like forever! Is there a publication date so I can put it on my countdown calendar?
There is a person, "The Blackout Beast" that is killing young SOE women in a way consistent with Jack the Ripper. How Maggie along with a DCI from Scotland Yard pursues him is the biggest part of the book. This time period (WWII) has fascinated me for a long time. Ms. MacNeal has thoroughly researched the time period down to what they have to eat. The food sounds highly unpalatable. I mean, lamb cutlets made from mutton puree? Makes me cringe just thinking about it. She continues to develop some of her other characters as well, like Sarah and Hugh, along with some new characters.
I highly recommend this book and series! Now I have to wait for the next installment, "The Paris Spy". The wait might seem like forever! Is there a publication date so I can put it on my countdown calendar?
England, 1942. The Nazis relentless Blitz may have paused, but London s nightly blackouts continue. Now, under the cover of darkness, a madman is brutally killing and mutilating young women in eerie and exact re-creations of Jack the Ripper s crimes. What s more, he s targeting women who are reporting for duty to be Winston Churchill s spies and saboteurs abroad. The officers at MI-5 quickly realize they need the help of special agent Maggie Hope to find the killer dubbed the Blackout Beast. A trap is set. But once the murderer has his sights on Maggie, not even Buckingham Palace can protect the resourceful spy from her fate. «
6th in the Maggie Hope series. A little more suspenseful than the last with a Jack the Ripper copycat on the loose. But a good read.
The Queen's Accomplice by Susan Elia Macneal is the ninth book in A Maggie Hope Mystery series. Maggie Hope is temporarily working in the SOE offices while waiting for her half-sister, Elise Hess to arrive from Germany (thanks to Prime Minister Winston Churchill). But London is a dangerous place for young women. A killer is targeting women who are coming to London to be SOE and ATS agents. The killer is reconstructing the crimes of Jack the Ripper. This culprit is using the blackouts to his advantage. The press dubs him the "Blackout Beast". Maggie is recruited by MI-5 for a team to catch this killer. Maggie will need to be careful. Jack the Ripper's last victim looked very similar to Maggie. Will they be able to catch this offender before he claims Maggie as his next victim?
The Queen's Accomplice is well-written and interesting to read. There is, though, a lot going on in this novel. I only summarized the mystery portion of the story. There are several side stories. Elise Hess in Germany, Clara Hess (Maggie's mother) is still on the loose in London, Maggie's father, Edmund is in the hospital, the training of two new agents for a covert mission to France, Chuck's home blowing up, Max Thompson's interest in Maggie, and Maggie's home (that she inherited from her grandmother) has been fixed and she can now move in. It is hard to keep track of all the characters and the various scenarios. I give The Queen's Accomplice 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I enjoyed The Queen's Accomplice more than Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante. I did find a few things unbelievable. Maggie getting favors from the Queen of England and the Prime Minister just does not seem realistic. The mystery was not puzzling. The identity of the "Blackout Beast" was obvious as well as how he controlled the victims. I will be reading the next book in A Maggie Hope Mystery series. I am curious to see what happens next (Maggie is heading to France).
The Queen's Accomplice is well-written and interesting to read. There is, though, a lot going on in this novel. I only summarized the mystery portion of the story. There are several side stories. Elise Hess in Germany, Clara Hess (Maggie's mother) is still on the loose in London, Maggie's father, Edmund is in the hospital, the training of two new agents for a covert mission to France, Chuck's home blowing up, Max Thompson's interest in Maggie, and Maggie's home (that she inherited from her grandmother) has been fixed and she can now move in. It is hard to keep track of all the characters and the various scenarios. I give The Queen's Accomplice 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I enjoyed The Queen's Accomplice more than Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante. I did find a few things unbelievable. Maggie getting favors from the Queen of England and the Prime Minister just does not seem realistic. The mystery was not puzzling. The identity of the "Blackout Beast" was obvious as well as how he controlled the victims. I will be reading the next book in A Maggie Hope Mystery series. I am curious to see what happens next (Maggie is heading to France).
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
My reviews of the last two or three books in this series were very negative regarding the historical background, and sometimes other things. My review of this book forces me to use a four letter word---it's crap!
I know that is pretty extreme, but the only reasons I read this one was I hoped it got better and because I had the book. This book wasn't any better---in fact, it was much worse---and I won't be reading any more in this series.
Not only was the ending terrible, as it had no association with reality, but the author was on a sexism kick throughout the book. Did sexism exist in WW II? Of course it did. Did the author need to slap you in the face with it on almost every other page. No, she didn't!
Still, I wish I could post it here for the 35 other people who have it WLed, but it has water damage.
This book is another example of why you shouldn't believe the praise always found on the covers of books.
I know that is pretty extreme, but the only reasons I read this one was I hoped it got better and because I had the book. This book wasn't any better---in fact, it was much worse---and I won't be reading any more in this series.
Not only was the ending terrible, as it had no association with reality, but the author was on a sexism kick throughout the book. Did sexism exist in WW II? Of course it did. Did the author need to slap you in the face with it on almost every other page. No, she didn't!
Still, I wish I could post it here for the 35 other people who have it WLed, but it has water damage.
This book is another example of why you shouldn't believe the praise always found on the covers of books.
