“I’ve been a scoundrel, a thief, a blackmailer and a whore, but never a murderer. Until now…”
The year is 1929. As the world teeters on the brink of a global recession, Bletchley Park plays host to a rather special event. MI5 is celebrating its twentieth anniversary and a select band of former and current employees are gathering at the private estate for a weekend of music, dance and heavy … and heavy drinking. Among them is Sir Hilary Manningham Butler, a middle aged woman whose entire adult life has been spent masquerading as a man. She doesn’t know why she has been invited – it is many years since she left the secret service – but it is clear she is not the only one with things to hide. And when one of the other guests threatens to expose her secret, the consequences could prove disastrous for everyone.
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Book would appeal to someone who wants an unpleasant main character or an unreliable narrator. Very well written, true to the time period.
Terrible book. Would give it a zero if I could. One of the few books in my life that I simply couldn’t finish—THAT baf
Funny and odd! Delighted in it!
I love all old English novels and mysteries
Really predictable and trite. Quick read when your not in the mood for paying attention
Interesting and kept you wondering “who did it”
I didn’t like the main character and when she turned out to be the murderer, I quit.
A most unique lead character. A reunion of former spies at an English country house, that will become very famous in later years.
So many twists, in a good way. This is the first in a series, so don’t even attempt this series before reading this title.
Interesting premise and quite witty but I’m not sure I found the main character entirely believable. There are many instances of women passing as men and it is always fun to contemplate the implications.
1st of a series. introducing a character masquerading as a man, because her/father wanted a son but got a daughter. Anyway he works in British intelligence. gets involved in some deaths in anniversary party and winds up working in intelligence in Portugal in the 1930’s(book inseries)
Horrible characters.
This book was written in an old fashioned style and so it’s a little slow. But it was interesting too. I wouldn’t want to read a series of this kind but as a one off it was a good read.
Not sure if I would read a sequel. The main character, a woman raised as a male by her father and living her life as a man, is unpleasant to say the least. She fools everyone including her wife into thinking she is a man. She overdrinks, cheats and has most of the unappealing characteristics of the 19th century upper class rogue. The plot was OK and if the main character had been more sympathetic I might have enjoyed the story, but, she was just a “nasty piece of work” as my grandmother would say and I’m not interested in finding out what happens to her next.
Interesting. Unusual character. Eager to read what happened next!
Can’t make up my mind. Premise as a woman living/raised as a man was interesting but I’m not sure how believable some of her thoughts are especially for time period. I get that she was raised as a son and that would impact how she approaches things but…guess I’ll have to read it again and see which side of the fence I land on.
Interesting twist to the usual murder mystery book.
A bit slow on the start, but well written
Never guessed the ending. Enjoyed the book. The hero was a little too snobbish and selfish for me. Would have liked him to be more caring and compassionate.
New and different slant on the upper classes of British society before World War II. Good mystery with a very engaging protagonist. Fun read!
I have never read a book quite like this one before. I recommend it for those who enjoy mysteries and English manor houses!