The Paris Plot

Rannoch Fraser Mysteries #3.5

by Tracy Grant, Teresa Grant (Pseudonym)

December 1816

In the fallout of one of history’s bloodiest battles, a personal war is waged…

Paris in 1816 is reeling from the Battle of Waterloo, and relations between the British and French are uneasy at best. So it’s hardly a surprise to British attaché and Intelligence Agent Malcolm Rannoch when he and his wife Suzanne, soon to give birth to their second child, become the target of violent threats. Malcolm is certain that the secrets of his past have caught up with him—but he’s unaware that Suzanne has more than a few secrets of her own…

The Rannochs both served as spies throughout the Napoleonic Wars, Malcolm for the British and Suzanne for the Bonapartist French—and both could have left any number of enemies in their wake. But even for two seasoned agents, finding a would-be killer in a country where allegiances are tested and no one can be trusted may prove as impossible as escaping their history…

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Romance, Espionage, Fiction, Novella

100 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2014

About the author

Tracy Grant studied British history at Stanford University and received the Firestone Award for Excellence in Research for her honors thesis on shifting conceptions of honor in late fifteenth century England. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her young daughter and three cats. In addition to writing, Tracy works for the Merola Opera Program, a professional training program for opera singers, pianists, and stage directors. Her real life heroine is her daughter Mélanie, who is very cooperative about Mummy’s writing. Tracy is currently at work on her next book chronicling the adventures of Malcolm and Mélanie Suzanne Rannoch.

Reviews

[Merry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story that reminds me of the "clip shows" that you see on a tv series. Just little recaps of previous episodes. If you have stopped the series and are coming back to it this would be helpful. Otherwise I would rate it a weak 3* as little new ground is covered.

[Misfit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very short novella, and from the author's notes inside was written for fans of the series so they could *witness* the birth of Malcolm and Suzanne's second child. There's a bit of a mystery for our pair to solve, naturally, but nothing earth shattering. If you're a die-hard fan of the series, go ahead and read it, but you aren't going to miss any pertinent plot points by skipping this one.

Kindle copy obtained via library loan.

[BJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story where everyone has trouble with their conscience. The H and h's secrets cause discomfort even though they are madly in love. Great insight into the life of a spy, showing how hard it is to know the truth.

[Lynn Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars As with everything I've read by Tracy Grant, this story is well written. If you're a fan of the Rannochs as I am, you will likely enjoy this story because it lets the reader be present for the birth of their child. There's a bit of a mystery woven into the plot, but it doesn't amount to much. The main joy with this story is getting to have a quick visit with characters that readers of Grant's other books, particularly The Paris Affair, will have grown to love. If you're not familiar with the series, this would not be the best intro and I would recommend going back to the beginning or diving into one of the full-length novels.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a novella for those who are fans of the series, as it concerns the birth of the Rannoch's second child. The mystery isn't dire but still filled me with curiosity.

[Kiki Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

EDIT: Better the second time. Stil unnecessary and still a silly mystery though.

At the risk of sounding cruel, this was unnecessary and frankly stupid. If there was a conversation about their secrets between Suzanne and Malcolm, I would have loved it, but all it was was the birth of their second child and some "mystery" involving nothing more or less.

[Sylvia Abrams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having enjoyed the longer Rannoch mysteries, I turned to this novella. Although it has a clever twist at its resolution, this book is clearly part of a money-making series and does not advance the back stories of the main characters.

[Betty Strohecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great novella about the birth of Malcolm and Suzanne's baby, including a short but welldone mystery as they await the blessed event. High emotions help create suspense among our main characters, as well as a revelation about a minor character.

[Foggygirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, well written adventure detailing the birth of Suzanne and Malcolm's daughter Jessica, very sweet.

[Jack Vasen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being a novella means there isn't much depth of story. There is a mystery about the rock throwing, but it lacks any spark.

This spoiler reveals the ending. And it turns out to be a character that I don't remember hearing about at all prior to the revelation. I think that is bad writing.

The most significant addition to Rannoch history is the birth of Jessica but there is very little description of how they chose to have another child. Other stories in the series give us far more about that.

Really there is not much here worth the trouble. 1.5 stars and I feel like that's generous.

[Barbara Literski · Rating 5 out of 5]

New life

The war is over, Waterloo has come and gone but memories still linger. Malcolm and Suzanne Rannoch are living is Paris awaiting the birth of their child. Rocks are thrown with messages attached to them and no one knows why. That night their daughter is born is then they discover the reason for the plot.

[Nyssy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a joy to read about Malcolm and Suzanne but the order of the series is frustrating 😩. I’m reading out of order and the author doesn’t have her site anymore. But I’m gong forward even though the story jumps here and there. 🔆

[Glen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too short even to be a novella, and not interesting as a short story. A minor filler in the history of the protagonists. It was not expensive, but should have been free.

[Shalini M · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Fun as this series as well as this book was, for all the build-up, the answer to the mystery was over-simplistic.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

While slight, this was actually entertaining. I don’t find these little interlude stories very essential, but they’re fine, and I’d rather read everything than not. Looking forward to the “confession” book next.

[Paul Burnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella fills the time between Waterloo and the Berkeley Square Affair. Threats of revenge from an unknown enemy come sailing into the lives of the pregnant Suzanne and Malcolm, their friend Henri Rivaux, friends Harry and Cordelia Davenport, and even their footman Valentin. The tensions of their secrets place additional strains on Malcolm and Suzanne, but they still manage to grow their relationship as their family expands to add baby Jessica to the circle of their uneasy but somehow steadfast love.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malcolm and Suzanne are still in Paris as are Harry and Cordelia. It is December 1816 and Suzanne is are the verge of giving birth. Arriving home, a rock is thrown at Malcolm and Suzanne with an attached note: “You will pay for your crimes.” Malcolm investigates with Harry’s assistance. It is during the investigation that Malcolm is claimed by a kitten, who is later named Berowne. And, of course, their baby girl is born.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trivial, but readable for those interested in the series

comes after The Paris Affair, gives a little further detail on what's going on in some characters' lives, but doesn't move the story along.

[Kathleen Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice quick short read, overall it was just okay for me. However it was wonderful to see Malcolm there for the birth of Jessica.