”…if I endeavor to undeceive people as to the rest of his conduct, who will believe me?”-Pride & Prejudice, Chapter 40 Elizabeth Bennet, a rookie counterintelligence officer, lands an intriguing first assignment—investigating the CIA’s legendary William Darcy, who is suspected of being a double agent.Darcy’s charmed existence seems at an end as he fights for his career and struggles … existence seems at an end as he fights for his career and struggles against his love for the young woman he doesn’t know is watching his every move.
Elizabeth’s confidence dissolves as nothing is like she planned—and the more she discovers about Darcy, the more she finds herself in an ever-tightening web of danger.
Unexpected twists abound in this suspenseful Cold War era romance inspired by Jane Austen’s classic tale.
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Queue the thrilling music that screams danger and excitement, dim the lights, and prepare for some old style spy action. Jane Austen’s well-loved Pride & Prejudice characters are populating a Cold War espionage romance thriller.
While it was fun that that Undeceived is flavored by Austen’s P&P, I found it a lovely twisting page-turner in its own right. Readers don’t need to be familiar with the classic this one is based on since really all they have to like is a good spy romance.
I loved that the author set this one in the Cold War Era which was definitely a time that I associate with the need for intelligence and counter-intelligence work. Defections, double agents, and everyone uneasy about what the other side is doing. There was a nostalgic tone, but there were also intense, tough moments. The setting, backstories, and plot all felt authentic to the time. Darcy and Elizabeth’s parents were part of the Vietnam era and Bay of Pigs fiasco giving good backstory. I liked how the author used fabulous exotic settings and even wrote in some spy gadgetry, codes, and mission work.
The reader can see what the heroine can’t. She is an otherwise intelligent, strong-willed, skilled rookie agent that is compassionate and determined to do her job well, but she let her bruised personal pride blind her so she doesn’t have objectivity. She is attracted to the guy she thinks she can’t stand and she is grudgingly impressed by his superior skills and abilities. I enjoyed her fiery nature and respected how she handled being undeceived by the truth. She totally rocked the woman power without a chip on her shoulder.
As to the hero, I love it when one is never quite sure what to think in a thriller or romantic suspense. The writer chose to keep the reader in the know somewhat so this wasn’t the huge twisty surprise part. Darcy was a likable hero. He has enough flaws not to be too perfect, but his strengths make him total weak-knee hero material. Getting to his secrets and seeing the truth about him when it came out was an absolute pleasure.
The rest of the cast of characters were interesting and I enjoyed how they wove into the story and the parts they played. I liked how many of them had secrets, skills, and agendas that played into the story so they weren’t just there to prop up behind Darcy and Elizabeth.
The plot itself with its mystery of who the double agent was and how that person would be stopped was furious page-turning stuff. I had my suspicions about things and I got most of it right, but even then, I barely figured out the last twist before it came. Love it when an author can surprise me like that.
The story is a pretty equal balance of romance and suspense which worked well, I thought. There are hints of spice in the romance which was slow to build since they were more hostile than loving for much of the story, but I liked how they felt equal and made good partners even if not sure of each other. The suspense propelled the romance and vice versa.
And as a side note, I don’t normally point out covers, but isn’t this one gorgeous and perfect for the story?
This was my second outing with Elizabeth Grace as narrator and I have to say that it was sheer pleasure listening in to her mildly husky tones and captivating way of voicing her characters. The book was already engaging, but her narration work took it to a new depth. I didn’t want to stop listening once I started. She especially shone when she caught the sizzling attraction underscoring Elizabeth and Darcy’s dialogues and scenes.
So all in all, my enthusiasm never dampened and I was riveted for much of the book. This spicy, intriguing romantic suspense is a definite recommend to romantic suspense lovers especially who want to get nostalgic over a Cold War spy romance. For Austenesque lovers, this is most definitely for those who enjoy a modern(ish) retelling.
Smart. Inventive. And kept me on the edge until the last. I DID NOT see that coming! And tantalizing love scenes. Do not miss this. I love this author’s work!
Action packed variation of Pride and Prejudice, set during the cold war of the eighties.
Masterful and cleverly written mystery-romance with an ending that blew my mind!
CIA rookie Elizabeth Bennet were the daughter of the CIA agent Tom Bennet, whom lost his life in the service of his country when his daughter were three years old.
She were sent on a mission to Eastern Europe to translate for the London Fog, William Darcy aka Darby Kent. Although she were a linguist, her assignment was twofold…
Thrilling events unfolded as there always seemed to be someone, one step ahead.
Flirtation were a part of the undercover disguise as well but had its own pitfalls.
An engaging and intriguing book that held up very well as a reread. A quality mark in my book.
Heartily recommend this book!