What do a well-bred Southern Belle and a Northern working class Pinkerton detective have in common? Espionage . . . and romance. At the start of the U.S. Civil War, while young men begin dying on American battlefields and slavery is headed toward its end, behind the scenes, female undercover work and Pinkerton intelligence are alive and well. But in the end, can this unlikely Romeo and Juliet … couple’s love survive, or will they be just another casualty of war?
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I loved this book, as it shed a different kind of light on the Civil War era.
This Civil War-era romantic thriller provides the reader with a fascinating glimpse into this period in US history. A wonderful romance between Hannah Mayfield and James Neely unfolds in the midst of bitter warfare that has torn friends and families apart. Like SR Mallery’s other books, the contrasting realities adds interest to the story. It also keeps you turning pages as you pull for the main characters to find their way through unthinkably harsh times.
The conflict that drives the story is personal as well as political for the Yankee doctor who falls for a daughter of the old South. Needless to say, their path to love is not an easy one. When James takes up a new career as a Pinkerton Detective, the plot thickens. Is Hannah part of a network of Confederate spies? The story takes a suspenseful turn as the investigation puts Hannah and James in danger. The historical backdrop is as engrossing as the romance and mystery. Key issues that drove the US into a Civil War are brought to life as Hannah and James try to find their way through the lies and treachery that threaten to tear them apart.
Five stars for this well-crafted historical romantic suspense story with strong lead characters, plenty of action, and a satisfying conclusion.
I was on the edge of my seat as the war unfolded. I loved the female heroine in a dynamic role.
An interesting look into the lives during the civil war. A southern belle that became a confederate spy. She was raised with the comforts of the south and having slaves around. Now a war going on to end this and lives being lost. Forced into being a confederate spy and meeting one from the north that was a Pinkerton agent. His assignment was to find her and bring her in. Love gave them the courage to do what needed to be done during this time. Can love be afterwards, the different upbringing those lives have been changed. A story well written of a time in history was also well narrated. Given audio for my voluntary review
This historical novel sets in the heart of the Civil War. Two people who are opposites meet and find a love that is true. Hannah is blackmailed into helping getting secrets from Union soldiers, while James enlists as a Pinkerton agent. The war and family are against them. When Hannah is sought by the Pinkerton agency, James makes a choice to save Hannah. Getting out of Washington, D.C. will not be easy, but they follow the underground railroad out. How the underground railroad operates is historically correct and I love her explanation of the quilts. It’s probably the best one that I’ve read about. This story is emotionally charged, and sometimes I felt I was right there with James & Hannah.
Genteel Secrets encapsulates the Civil War era, a trying time in US history, within a love story unfolding between a Belle of the old South who may be part of a network of Confederate spies, Hannah Mayfield, and a Yankee doctor who takes up a new career as a Pinkerton Detective, James Neely. The obstacles between them are hard to surmount, in an atmosphere of political division, suspicion and treachery that puts both of them in danger.
S.R. Mallery’s work in this book is meticulously researched, which brings the era to life, even as a romantic moment is crafted: “All his instincts were focused on her now, her arms encircling his neck, her tiny moans as he tried to press against her body, so well hidden by her fashionable corset and hoopskirt.”
Having read the book, listening to the audiobook that has been gifted to me (in exchange for an honest review) brings the story to life. The narrator, Talmadge Ragan, has an engaging voice. Her father was a North Carolina’s Poet Laureate, her mother—a journalist. Her caring for the written word is evident through her delivery. Every word is voiced with precision, the emotion never too heavy or over the top.
Five stars.
Being a longtime fan of S. R. Mallery’s writing, I’ve been delighted to get my hands on her new historical novel, knowing in advance that I’ll enjoy every page, and I certainly did!
“Genteel Secrets” is not just a love story, even though the romance between the two main characters was one of the things that I enjoyed immensely in this novel, but it’s a meticulously researched historical fiction, which deals with the espionage, questioning of the moral right of one ethnic group owning another, polar views of life by the Confederate South and the progressive North and many more important issues.
I really enjoyed the setting of the novel, which reminded me of “Gone with the Wind” a lot; and just like in this well-known classic our main character, Hannah, is a spirited, fearless girl who is ready to fight for what she feels is right, despite the protests of her family members and general opinion of the southern society of that time. I absolutely loved how well-read she was and how much interest she showed in politics and current events, even though her outspokenness, both in words and deeds, was something that was frowned upon by society. And when she got involved with something much more dangerous than expressing unpopular views, I couldn’t turn pages fast enough to find out how hers and James’s, her beau’s, story would end.
Highly recommended for all fans of historical fiction genre! Absolutely outstanding!
Ever wonder what it would like to be a part of civil war or at the beginning of it. I have been interested in my own country’s battles and the war over slavery. That would be the Civil War that takes place in my America history.
I was have been born in the northern part of the civil war. Making me not have slaves. I would not be a slave owner. To me that owing other human beings is something which never happened. I am not one that ignore the fact that it happen though.
I would have let slaves be humans but that me. I know about my civil war in my American history. Genteel Secrets is about a woman that is forced to be a confederacy spy. It tell as story of someone that is against slavery but is born in the south and raised with slaves. It also tell the story of a Pinkerton detective.
The author does a good job portray what Washington and what some folk trying to help the south and some important events and people with helping the South win the Ciil war. They seem to be against the government and Lincoln.
Will a northerner and Southern belle be able to survive and live a happy life? You will need to read to find out. If you are into American history this is also a good book to tell about south culture and a bit of the beginning of the Civil War.
Genteel Secrets (Kindle Edition), my seventh read from author S.R. Mallery, each very different than the others All have one thing in common, no matter the genre you can count on a well-written, entertaining read. The setting is just prior to the Civil War & Mallery weaves a tale that must be read. “I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.” The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 – July 24, 2018)