A review of City of Lies: Counterfeit Lady #1 by Victoria Thompson, November 7, 2017, courtesy of Berkley.
City of Lies is a new series by the author, with a most unusual main character, Elizabeth Miles, a con artist in a family of cons led by her father, whom she refers to as the Old Man. The book is set in Washington DC in the 1920s during the time that women, suffragists, were marching for the right to vote.
Elizabeth is pursued through the streets by a "mark," Oscar Thornton, an unscrupulous man who has just found out he has been conned by Elizabeth and her brother. She escapes the thugs by blending in with a group of marching suffragists, pretending to be one of them. She makes friends with well-to-do women in the movement, who want Elizabeth to stay with them in the city. From the safety of her new friend Anna's home, Elizabeth hatches a plot to escape the scrutiny of Thornton, who is bent of vengeance.
The plot was unusual and also very informative about the history of the suffragist movement and the extent women went to in order to finally be heard. Elizabeth is a dare devil heroine that I was willing to root for. The characters, setting, and history all make this an excellent new mystery. My objective rating: 5.
My current read is a new arrival: The Paris Secret by Karen Swan, November 14, 2017, courtesy of William Morrow. The setting reminds me of another novel, The Paris Apartment. Fine arts expert, Flora, of London, travels to Paris to an apartment that has been closed since the war, over seventy years ago. She and her employer discover valuable paintings and artifacts. I have only just begun the book, but the art world has always been a fascinating subject.
Another new historical novel is on my list this week:
The Fire by Night by Teresa Messineo, October 3, 2017, courtesy of William Morrow Paperbacks,
is a debut novel about two American nurses who served in different countries during WWII - France and the Pacific.
I have borrowed The Marsh King's Daughter by Karen Dionne, and hope to get to this new thriller as well.
What are you reading this week?
Visit The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer, It's Monday, What Are You Reading? by Book Date, and Mailbox Monday..
Elizabeth is pursued through the streets by a "mark," Oscar Thornton, an unscrupulous man who has just found out he has been conned by Elizabeth and her brother. She escapes the thugs by blending in with a group of marching suffragists, pretending to be one of them. She makes friends with well-to-do women in the movement, who want Elizabeth to stay with them in the city. From the safety of her new friend Anna's home, Elizabeth hatches a plot to escape the scrutiny of Thornton, who is bent of vengeance.
The plot was unusual and also very informative about the history of the suffragist movement and the extent women went to in order to finally be heard. Elizabeth is a dare devil heroine that I was willing to root for. The characters, setting, and history all make this an excellent new mystery. My objective rating: 5.
Another new historical novel is on my list this week:
is a debut novel about two American nurses who served in different countries during WWII - France and the Pacific.
I have borrowed The Marsh King's Daughter by Karen Dionne, and hope to get to this new thriller as well.
What are you reading this week?
Visit The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer, It's Monday, What Are You Reading? by Book Date, and Mailbox Monday..
That cover looks great (I mean the first book) :) I think I've seen it somewhere...
ReplyDeleteI have actually read two books in the last two days, what :0 so I don't know what I'm reading next!
Have a great week :)
It was a good book, too. Looking out for follow-up in the series. You are a fast reader - 2 books in 2 days!
DeleteThese all look very tempting, especially City of Lies. Enjoy your week, and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying The Paris Secret right now!
DeleteI've seen City of Lies a few places and love the cover! Glad to hear you gave it a 5 star review 0 sounds like a good one to check out :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it!
DeleteI hope you enjoy your new books and have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Deletethanks, and hoping you have a good week.
I like the sound of City of Lies and the cover is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIt is eye catching!
DeleteI believe I have City of Lies on my wishlist. Come see what I'm reading
ReplyDeleteSome good books this week.
DeleteI hope you’re enjoying your current read and have an awesome reading week this week. Happy reading. ��❤️
ReplyDeleteREading, in between chores!
DeleteThe Paris Secret sounds like The Velvet Hours. I suppose there are more based on the same real-life story of that apartment!
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me also of The Paris Apartment. I haven't read the Velvet Hours.
DeleteThe Fire by Night looks really good - I think it's a book both my mom and I would enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying some good historical fiction!
DeleteI am currently reading THE PARIS SECRET too. It does sound similar to A PARIS APARTMENT and THE VELVET HOURS. LOVED both of those books.
ReplyDeleteI am sure it will have a different twist to it...it sounds like paintings by famous artists is the theme. What do you think?
THE FIRE BY NIGHT looks good.
Have a great reading week.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Mailbox Monday
I haven't read the Velvet Hours as yet. The Paris Secret is all about Nazi looting of art work during WWII. A Paris Apt. is about a courtesan and her collection of art and artifacts. Both have same setting - a forgotten apartment in Paris, opened only after many, many years. What did you think of The Velbet Hours?
DeleteI enjoyed the Velvet Hours. It was the same apartment that was in A PARIS APARTMENT, but if I recall, Marte de Florian meets her granddaughter. From my review: Solange is the granddaughter of Marthe and the grandmother Solange never knew existed until she was nineteen years old.
DeleteBoth books were good.
Thanks for asking and for the explanation.
I really like the look and sounds of City of Fires. The others look good too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading!