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Midnight in Vienna
Historical espionage at its very best. Set in 1938 in London and Vienna, a tense and atmospheric thriller told against a backdrop of uncertainty and fear as World War Two threatens.
As war looms over Britain and there is talk of gas masks and blackout, people are understandably jumpy and anxious. Stella Fry, who's been working in Vienna for a Jewish family, returns home with no job and a broken heart. She answers an advertisement from a famous mystery writer, Hubert Newman, who needs a manuscript typed. She takes on the job and is shocked the next day to learn of the writer's sudden, unexplained death. She is even more surprised when, twenty-four hours later, she receives Newman's manuscript and reads the
To Stella, spotter of mistakes.
Harry Fox, formerly of Special Branch and brilliant at surveillance, has been suspended for some undisclosed misdemeanor. He has his own reasons for being interested in Hubert Newman. He approaches Stella Fry to share his belief that the writer's death was no accident.
What's more, since she was the last person to see Newman, she could be in danger herself.
As war looms over Britain and there is talk of gas masks and blackout, people are understandably jumpy and anxious. Stella Fry, who's been working in Vienna for a Jewish family, returns home with no job and a broken heart. She answers an advertisement from a famous mystery writer, Hubert Newman, who needs a manuscript typed. She takes on the job and is shocked the next day to learn of the writer's sudden, unexplained death. She is even more surprised when, twenty-four hours later, she receives Newman's manuscript and reads the
To Stella, spotter of mistakes.
Harry Fox, formerly of Special Branch and brilliant at surveillance, has been suspended for some undisclosed misdemeanor. He has his own reasons for being interested in Hubert Newman. He approaches Stella Fry to share his belief that the writer's death was no accident.
What's more, since she was the last person to see Newman, she could be in danger herself.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2024
57 people are currently reading
525 people want to read
About the author
Jane Thynne
24 books491 followersJane Thynne was born in Venezuela and educated in London. She graduated from Oxford University with a degree in English and joined the BBC as a journalist. She has also worked at The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Independent, as well as for numerous British magazines. She appears as a broadcaster on Radio 4 and Sky TV. She has also written WIDOWLAND under the pen name C.J. Carey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 17, 2025
Like Jane Thynne's Clara Vine series, this is a historical crime/spy novel, set before the outbreak of WWII, but with new characters.
In September 1938, the British and French Prime Ministers are about to sign the Munich agreement, a deal with the Nazi government of Germany for the return of the border region of Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia to Germany. This shocked people in many countries who felt threatened by Nazism, but many British and French people also hoped that the threat of war had been averted. Stella Fry has returned to London after five years working in Vienna. In need of a new job, she takes on work typing up the manuscript of a successful writer's latest book, but the day after they meet, Hubert Newman's sudden death is announced in a newspaper. Then after a party, Harry Fox approaches her and asks her to visit his office - he is a former police officer turned private investigator, with links to the intelligence services. His work includes tailing suspected Communists and subversives including George Orwell. He likes reading detective stories and had also been offered a role as adviser on police procedure by Newman. He is suspicious about the timing and circumstances of Newman's sudden death and asks Stella to help him investigate.
Despite the title, 75 per cent of Midnight in Vienna is actually set in London, but Stella does return briefly to the Austrian capital, a scary and saddening trip to a city now part of a unified German Reich under Nazi rule, a place where everything and everyone has changed, including an old flame who has joined the Nazi Party.
I enjoy novels like this for the characters, the settings and the evocation of the historical period and the thoughts and attitudes of those living through it, far more than for the plot which I am quickly forgetting already, and I was excited by the hints in this story that this might be the first in a new series.
Thank you to Netgalley for granting me a review copy.
In September 1938, the British and French Prime Ministers are about to sign the Munich agreement, a deal with the Nazi government of Germany for the return of the border region of Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia to Germany. This shocked people in many countries who felt threatened by Nazism, but many British and French people also hoped that the threat of war had been averted. Stella Fry has returned to London after five years working in Vienna. In need of a new job, she takes on work typing up the manuscript of a successful writer's latest book, but the day after they meet, Hubert Newman's sudden death is announced in a newspaper. Then after a party, Harry Fox approaches her and asks her to visit his office - he is a former police officer turned private investigator, with links to the intelligence services. His work includes tailing suspected Communists and subversives including George Orwell. He likes reading detective stories and had also been offered a role as adviser on police procedure by Newman. He is suspicious about the timing and circumstances of Newman's sudden death and asks Stella to help him investigate.
Despite the title, 75 per cent of Midnight in Vienna is actually set in London, but Stella does return briefly to the Austrian capital, a scary and saddening trip to a city now part of a unified German Reich under Nazi rule, a place where everything and everyone has changed, including an old flame who has joined the Nazi Party.
I enjoy novels like this for the characters, the settings and the evocation of the historical period and the thoughts and attitudes of those living through it, far more than for the plot which I am quickly forgetting already, and I was excited by the hints in this story that this might be the first in a new series.
Thank you to Netgalley for granting me a review copy.
July 8, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up. I rather enjoy a female spy novel and though at the start of this I felt it was going to be a sort of lightweight spy novel with fun characters, I actually found it a really enjoyable, interesting read and pretty compelling. I enjoyed my time with both Stella and Harry Fox the ex Special Branch detective she finds herself entangled with.
The historical detail is great and was really what made it an interesting read for me. It no doubt took a fair amount of research of that time immediately prior to WW2 and I was quite impressed with how Jane Thynne pulled together the meticulous detail of that time and of the cities it is set in - London and Vienna.
The sudden death of the writer Hubert Newman, the fact that Stella Fry receives his manuscript in the mail with it inscribed to her and then embarks on an investigation did feel a little on the fantastical side at times - when she heads off to Vienna alone as she did at such a precarious political time and also the rescue at the end was very fortunate indeed with Harry being in the right place at exactly the right time. A fun read.
The historical detail is great and was really what made it an interesting read for me. It no doubt took a fair amount of research of that time immediately prior to WW2 and I was quite impressed with how Jane Thynne pulled together the meticulous detail of that time and of the cities it is set in - London and Vienna.
The sudden death of the writer Hubert Newman, the fact that Stella Fry receives his manuscript in the mail with it inscribed to her and then embarks on an investigation did feel a little on the fantastical side at times - when she heads off to Vienna alone as she did at such a precarious political time and also the rescue at the end was very fortunate indeed with Harry being in the right place at exactly the right time. A fun read.
October 20, 2024
This really only works as the start of a series, as there is so much back-story to give weight to the characters existence - and, for me, not nearly enough about their now. I read it, I was slightly bored in the middle and I was disappointed, as I have loved the author’s other books,
December 27, 2025
An excellent thriller set in 1938 full of interesting period detail. I thoroughly enjoyed and strongly recommend it
October 7, 2024
It’s 1938 and Stella Fry has just returned to London from Austria, where she has been working as a private tutor for a Jewish family in Vienna. With the worsening political situation in Europe, the family decided to leave for the safety of New York, and Stella has found herself back home with no job. Famous mystery writer Hubert Newman is advertising for someone to type up his new manuscript and Stella applies for the position. After meeting with Newman and being offered the job, she is shocked when she learns the next day that he has been found dead. Another shock follows twenty-four hours later when she receives the manuscript of his new book, Masquerade, and finds that he has dedicated it To Stella, spotter of mistakes.
Harry Fox is a former Special Branch detective who left the police force under a shadow, but is still carrying out unofficial intelligence work, spying on suspected communists. He has reason to believe that Hubert Newman’s death was not a natural one and when his path crosses with Stella’s and he discovers that she had lunch with the author the day before he died, the two team up to investigate.
I really enjoyed Midnight in Vienna; the only negative thing I can say about it is that Stella was a bit too trusting of strangers and too quick to put herself in dangerous situations without thinking of the consequences. The biggest example comes very early in the novel when, having only just met Harry Fox, she agrees to travel back to Vienna alone on the trail of someone possibly implicated in Hubert’s murder – at a time when everyone else is trying to get out of Austria. However, I can forgive this because the Vienna sections of the book are so well done, perfectly illustrating the mood in Austria during that period which followed the annexation by Nazi Germany.
With Hubert Newman being an author, there’s also a literary element to the novel. Newman (a fictional character, by the way) is a member of the Detection Club, a real-life society of prominent British mystery writers, and Harry Fox’s investigations lead to a meeting with one of the founding members, Dorothy L. Sayers. She only makes a brief cameo appearance but I thought the way Thynne portrayed her character was very convincing. As well as the literary world, we also get a glimpse of the theatrical world of the 1930s through Stella’s actress friend, Evelyn, so there’s a lot going on outside of the central mystery.
This is the first of Jane Thynne’s novels I’ve read. It seems that most of her previous books are similar wartime/espionage thrillers and having enjoyed this one so much I’m sure I’ll be reading more of them. I’m also wondering whether there will be a sequel to this book as I think there’s plenty of scope for some of these characters to return for a second adventure.
Harry Fox is a former Special Branch detective who left the police force under a shadow, but is still carrying out unofficial intelligence work, spying on suspected communists. He has reason to believe that Hubert Newman’s death was not a natural one and when his path crosses with Stella’s and he discovers that she had lunch with the author the day before he died, the two team up to investigate.
I really enjoyed Midnight in Vienna; the only negative thing I can say about it is that Stella was a bit too trusting of strangers and too quick to put herself in dangerous situations without thinking of the consequences. The biggest example comes very early in the novel when, having only just met Harry Fox, she agrees to travel back to Vienna alone on the trail of someone possibly implicated in Hubert’s murder – at a time when everyone else is trying to get out of Austria. However, I can forgive this because the Vienna sections of the book are so well done, perfectly illustrating the mood in Austria during that period which followed the annexation by Nazi Germany.
With Hubert Newman being an author, there’s also a literary element to the novel. Newman (a fictional character, by the way) is a member of the Detection Club, a real-life society of prominent British mystery writers, and Harry Fox’s investigations lead to a meeting with one of the founding members, Dorothy L. Sayers. She only makes a brief cameo appearance but I thought the way Thynne portrayed her character was very convincing. As well as the literary world, we also get a glimpse of the theatrical world of the 1930s through Stella’s actress friend, Evelyn, so there’s a lot going on outside of the central mystery.
This is the first of Jane Thynne’s novels I’ve read. It seems that most of her previous books are similar wartime/espionage thrillers and having enjoyed this one so much I’m sure I’ll be reading more of them. I’m also wondering whether there will be a sequel to this book as I think there’s plenty of scope for some of these characters to return for a second adventure.
October 9, 2024
Crime thriller with a historical background
As usual Jane Thynne does immaculate research into the period and historical content. All the progenitors are totally believable and the plot is watertight. I thoroughly enjoyed this great book set in London and Vienna .The idea of Watchers was New to me I suppose we would call them secret service agents now.
The historical background of 1938 London and Vienna was finely drawn and so real. The inclusion of real events in the background of the plot so clever. All in all a must read for anyone interested in the wartime period,crime and spies and their secrets.
As usual Jane Thynne does immaculate research into the period and historical content. All the progenitors are totally believable and the plot is watertight. I thoroughly enjoyed this great book set in London and Vienna .The idea of Watchers was New to me I suppose we would call them secret service agents now.
The historical background of 1938 London and Vienna was finely drawn and so real. The inclusion of real events in the background of the plot so clever. All in all a must read for anyone interested in the wartime period,crime and spies and their secrets.
September 21, 2024
Midnight in Vienna takes place in 1938, with the threat of war looming. The main character, Stella Fry has been working in Vienna as a tutor for the children of a Jewish family, but is forced to leave her beloved Vienna when, under threat from the Nazis, her employers decide to flee to the United States.
Back in England Stella, short of a job and needing something to fill the space, answers an advert from author Hubert Newman, a mystery writer who needs someone to type up his manuscript. No sooner has she taken it on, than she finds that the writer has died. Even stranger, he has sent her the manuscript as though he had predicted his own demise, and dedicated it to her.
The dead man was a mystery writer and Stella suspects that as his dedication refers to her as a ‘spotter of mistakes’ that the clues lie hidden in the manuscript. The manuscript is of course wanted by several other parties – spies, assassins and others who fear that the manuscript holds the clues to the manufacture of a deadly weapon that could turn the tide of the war.
Stella Fry is an interesting character with a fully fleshed-out life. In London she is living with an actress friend who is desperate to gain fame and fortune. She has access to society where literary figures, actors and other members of high society mix socially, and this means she is able to get in touch with Hubert Newman’s associates in the literary world, and here becomes even more convinced that all is not right.
Determined to solve the mystery of Newman’s death, Stella returns to Vienna to unravel the mystery, and the reader is treated to a portrait of Vienna in the grip of Hitler, with all its anti-Semitism and the atmosphere of fear in which scientists and intellectuals are driven out to seek refuge in Europe. The action moves smoothly from London and the gentlemen’s clubs and literary soirees to Vienna, with the impending sense of danger ever present.
The other main character in the book, Harry Fox, a failed Special Branch Detective, who killed someone in the past and is therefore supposedly unemployable, is a great foil for Stella, and the two soon team up. Harry Fox has his own reasons for pursuing the case as he is used unofficially as a spy to track down communist sympathisers. Unorthodox in his methods and mistrustful of almost everyone, he warns Stella that she is in danger. Like all true heroines she ignores the warnings and the plot moves on apace.
This is intelligent, well-written historical fiction with characters who you feel you can get to know, and it evokes a great sense of period time and place. I hope we will have sequels to this novel where we can enjoy more adventures with Stella Fry and Harry Fox, because they do make a great team. Highly recommended for anyone who loves stories of mystery and espionage set in WW2.
Back in England Stella, short of a job and needing something to fill the space, answers an advert from author Hubert Newman, a mystery writer who needs someone to type up his manuscript. No sooner has she taken it on, than she finds that the writer has died. Even stranger, he has sent her the manuscript as though he had predicted his own demise, and dedicated it to her.
The dead man was a mystery writer and Stella suspects that as his dedication refers to her as a ‘spotter of mistakes’ that the clues lie hidden in the manuscript. The manuscript is of course wanted by several other parties – spies, assassins and others who fear that the manuscript holds the clues to the manufacture of a deadly weapon that could turn the tide of the war.
Stella Fry is an interesting character with a fully fleshed-out life. In London she is living with an actress friend who is desperate to gain fame and fortune. She has access to society where literary figures, actors and other members of high society mix socially, and this means she is able to get in touch with Hubert Newman’s associates in the literary world, and here becomes even more convinced that all is not right.
Determined to solve the mystery of Newman’s death, Stella returns to Vienna to unravel the mystery, and the reader is treated to a portrait of Vienna in the grip of Hitler, with all its anti-Semitism and the atmosphere of fear in which scientists and intellectuals are driven out to seek refuge in Europe. The action moves smoothly from London and the gentlemen’s clubs and literary soirees to Vienna, with the impending sense of danger ever present.
The other main character in the book, Harry Fox, a failed Special Branch Detective, who killed someone in the past and is therefore supposedly unemployable, is a great foil for Stella, and the two soon team up. Harry Fox has his own reasons for pursuing the case as he is used unofficially as a spy to track down communist sympathisers. Unorthodox in his methods and mistrustful of almost everyone, he warns Stella that she is in danger. Like all true heroines she ignores the warnings and the plot moves on apace.
This is intelligent, well-written historical fiction with characters who you feel you can get to know, and it evokes a great sense of period time and place. I hope we will have sequels to this novel where we can enjoy more adventures with Stella Fry and Harry Fox, because they do make a great team. Highly recommended for anyone who loves stories of mystery and espionage set in WW2.
August 22, 2024
Another fine historical spy story from a favourite author.
"Midnight in Vienna" opens in London, 1938, where Stella Fry, recently returned from Vienna, is on her way to an interview with renowned author Hubert Newman. He requires the services of a typist and proof-reader, and finds her ability to "spot the mistakes" perfect for the job. He agrees to send her the manuscript immediately. However, when Newman is reported dead the following day, Stella soon finds herself drawn into a sinister plot. With the threat of war with Germany looming, and spies around every corner, she realises there's a lot at stake.
And with that, the reader embarks on a journey from England to Austria, from the stuffy men's clubs of London to the street cafe's of Vienna, all painted in perfect detail, as Stella is persuaded to help track down someone closely involved with Newman. Clearly the author has carried out her usual deep research, and has succeeded in weaving factual events into the story. Although the pace of the story flags a little in parts, events move along nicely and the mood of Austria is clear, as the effects of the Nazi movement start to show, and people watch each other closely, and seek to leave the country. We learn of plans to help certain scientists escape to Britain before they are imprisoned, and how the growing threat of Communism drives governments to take drastic measures. This is as much a detective novel as it is a spy one - fans will love it.
The author has a knack of writing seemingly frail female characters who find immense amounts of strength and determination within themselves, and Stella grows as we learn more about her life before London. The book is full of gorgeous characters, from Stella's flamboyant actress flatmate Evelyn, to former Special Branch detective Harry Fox, to an eager journalist. There's even a nice cameo from Dorothy L Sayers and an important member of Churchill's inner circle.
Readers of the author's previous series featuring Clara Vine will find this book a slightly different read - darker, and more stark, but retaining the same period detail and colour. This book will appeal to fans of Kate Quinn, Deborah Swift and Louise Fein.
Heartily recommended.
"Midnight in Vienna" opens in London, 1938, where Stella Fry, recently returned from Vienna, is on her way to an interview with renowned author Hubert Newman. He requires the services of a typist and proof-reader, and finds her ability to "spot the mistakes" perfect for the job. He agrees to send her the manuscript immediately. However, when Newman is reported dead the following day, Stella soon finds herself drawn into a sinister plot. With the threat of war with Germany looming, and spies around every corner, she realises there's a lot at stake.
And with that, the reader embarks on a journey from England to Austria, from the stuffy men's clubs of London to the street cafe's of Vienna, all painted in perfect detail, as Stella is persuaded to help track down someone closely involved with Newman. Clearly the author has carried out her usual deep research, and has succeeded in weaving factual events into the story. Although the pace of the story flags a little in parts, events move along nicely and the mood of Austria is clear, as the effects of the Nazi movement start to show, and people watch each other closely, and seek to leave the country. We learn of plans to help certain scientists escape to Britain before they are imprisoned, and how the growing threat of Communism drives governments to take drastic measures. This is as much a detective novel as it is a spy one - fans will love it.
The author has a knack of writing seemingly frail female characters who find immense amounts of strength and determination within themselves, and Stella grows as we learn more about her life before London. The book is full of gorgeous characters, from Stella's flamboyant actress flatmate Evelyn, to former Special Branch detective Harry Fox, to an eager journalist. There's even a nice cameo from Dorothy L Sayers and an important member of Churchill's inner circle.
Readers of the author's previous series featuring Clara Vine will find this book a slightly different read - darker, and more stark, but retaining the same period detail and colour. This book will appeal to fans of Kate Quinn, Deborah Swift and Louise Fein.
Heartily recommended.
August 10, 2024
This was an espionage thriller set in the late 1930s, both in London and Vienna. Stella Fry has been a governess for a Jewish Viennese family for 5 years but has to leave and return to London when they emigrate to America after deciding that their future in Vienna is not great due to Hitler’s plans.
Harry Fox is an ex police man who is doing work for the intelligence service, following possible communist sympathisers. When Stella is offered a job by mystery writer Hubert Newman, to type up and edit his latest work she accepts as she has little choice and needs the money. However Hubert meets an untimely end and it seems as if Stella’s life could also be in danger. Harry suspects foul play and tries to warn Stella to be careful.
Harry and Stella team up to investigate and this leads them into the murky world of espionage where there is danger for both of them until the mystery is resolved.
The premise of this story was good and I really wanted to like it- however I found it very slow moving with too many characters which made it very confusing. I decided I actually didn’t care what happened to any of them! I don’t think the author managed to create particularly life like characters.
The plot meandered on or a while and I had to force myself to pick up the book. Unfortunately it was not the book for me although others might have a different opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
Harry Fox is an ex police man who is doing work for the intelligence service, following possible communist sympathisers. When Stella is offered a job by mystery writer Hubert Newman, to type up and edit his latest work she accepts as she has little choice and needs the money. However Hubert meets an untimely end and it seems as if Stella’s life could also be in danger. Harry suspects foul play and tries to warn Stella to be careful.
Harry and Stella team up to investigate and this leads them into the murky world of espionage where there is danger for both of them until the mystery is resolved.
The premise of this story was good and I really wanted to like it- however I found it very slow moving with too many characters which made it very confusing. I decided I actually didn’t care what happened to any of them! I don’t think the author managed to create particularly life like characters.
The plot meandered on or a while and I had to force myself to pick up the book. Unfortunately it was not the book for me although others might have a different opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
October 19, 2025
Quite disappointing, given all the hype. While not badly written and with some potentially interesting characters, the plot is full of coincidences, unlikely leaps and holes. The coded message which is inevitably hidden within the manuscript turns out to be so feeble as to be almost puerile.
Entwining fictional characters with real people is always tricky and Thynne does it with mixed success; the scene with Dorothy L Sayers is quite convincing but the encounter with Frederick Lindemann at Chartwell is completely unbelievable - why would Lindemann instantly change his mind and unburden himself of such sensitive remarks to a stranger on the basis that she had been given a lift by a 'good chap'?
There are some possible anachronisms; it is extremely unlikely that there would have been teabags in a London office in 1938. As with many similar books, product placement is rife, mostly in an attempt to signal social class or relative wealth/poverty. Use of specific models of car or types of aeroplane doesn't always work; the most notable feature of the Austin 7 is that it is very, very small.
Entwining fictional characters with real people is always tricky and Thynne does it with mixed success; the scene with Dorothy L Sayers is quite convincing but the encounter with Frederick Lindemann at Chartwell is completely unbelievable - why would Lindemann instantly change his mind and unburden himself of such sensitive remarks to a stranger on the basis that she had been given a lift by a 'good chap'?
There are some possible anachronisms; it is extremely unlikely that there would have been teabags in a London office in 1938. As with many similar books, product placement is rife, mostly in an attempt to signal social class or relative wealth/poverty. Use of specific models of car or types of aeroplane doesn't always work; the most notable feature of the Austin 7 is that it is very, very small.
October 15, 2024
loved Jane Thynne's earlier novels about Clara Vine a British film actress in Nazi Germany before and during the war and was eager to find out what she would write about next. Midnight in Vienna also has a British female protagonist Stella Fry, who instead of Germany spends time as a tutor in Vienna. We meet Stella n 1938 having returned to England after her Jewish employers have escaped from Austria. Struggling to find a role in Britain, a country vacillating between fear of a potential conflict and slightly hysterical hedonism at the tail end of the era of the Bright Young Things Stella has an interview with mystery writer Herbert Newman within hours, Newman is found dead having dedicated his final novel to her. Stella teams up with investigator Harry Fox to discover more about Herbert's death.
As ever with Jane Thynne the sense of place and time is the best aspect, and the plot comes second. I hope that Stella and Herbert return in future novels to show us the home front as Clara brought to life Nazi Germany.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
As ever with Jane Thynne the sense of place and time is the best aspect, and the plot comes second. I hope that Stella and Herbert return in future novels to show us the home front as Clara brought to life Nazi Germany.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
August 26, 2024
"We stand at the cliff edge of great peril and enormous dangers surround us"
1938 across Europe things are heating up and private tutor Stella returns to England when the Jewish family she worked for pack up and leave Vienna heading for safety in America. An ad for a copy typist brings her into contact with renowned author Hubert Newman, it also brings her to the attention of those that lurk in the shadows.
Midnight in Vienna was a bit of a slow starter for me but once I got my head round the characters it evolved into an immersive, vibrant picture of pre war intrigue with espionage, secrets and politics, cleverly weaving fact with fiction with a good sense of time and place.
Good characters and a real sense of atmosphere adds to the drama in this well researched, gritty historical thriller.
Publication date: 5 Sep 2024. My thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the advance review copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
1938 across Europe things are heating up and private tutor Stella returns to England when the Jewish family she worked for pack up and leave Vienna heading for safety in America. An ad for a copy typist brings her into contact with renowned author Hubert Newman, it also brings her to the attention of those that lurk in the shadows.
Midnight in Vienna was a bit of a slow starter for me but once I got my head round the characters it evolved into an immersive, vibrant picture of pre war intrigue with espionage, secrets and politics, cleverly weaving fact with fiction with a good sense of time and place.
Good characters and a real sense of atmosphere adds to the drama in this well researched, gritty historical thriller.
Publication date: 5 Sep 2024. My thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the advance review copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
May 5, 2025
In September 1938, Stella Fry, who’s been working in Vienna, returns to London with no job. She answers an advertisement from a famous crime writer, Hubert Newman, to type the manuscript of his latest book and meets him at his club. The next day she reads that Newman has been found dead, so she’s surprised when, 24-hours later, she receives his manuscript in the post, with the dedication: “To Stella, spotter of mistakes”. As the last person to see Newman alive she’s naturally curious about what could have happened, but soon finds herself involved in a much bigger mystery that involves espionage and the highest levels of government. I was in exactly the right mood to read this when I did. It’s not out-and-out exciting but there’s enough tension and interest to make it very enjoyable and the depictions of pre-war London and Vienna add colour and interest.
Review by: Cornish Eskimo, Oundle Crime
Review by: Cornish Eskimo, Oundle Crime
October 15, 2025
Several years ago I read all of Jane Thynne's Clara Vine stories. And I enjoyed them very much. I'm delighted to see Jane has now started a new series, the first of which is Midnight in Vienna.
The places London and Vienna, the time the late summer and early autumn of 1938, the focus appeasement.
The characters in this exciting novel are fascinating ; various members of the security services, a disgraced police officer, a young woman Oxford graduate, a couple of crime writers including Dorothy Sayers, Nazi spies, Communist agents and fellow travellers. it's a mix that threatens to boil over and the two leading characters (heroes) face a race against time to get a result. Very good indeed.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War, The Summer of '39 (all published by Sacristy Press) and Ordinary Heroes (published by IM Books)
The places London and Vienna, the time the late summer and early autumn of 1938, the focus appeasement.
The characters in this exciting novel are fascinating ; various members of the security services, a disgraced police officer, a young woman Oxford graduate, a couple of crime writers including Dorothy Sayers, Nazi spies, Communist agents and fellow travellers. it's a mix that threatens to boil over and the two leading characters (heroes) face a race against time to get a result. Very good indeed.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War, The Summer of '39 (all published by Sacristy Press) and Ordinary Heroes (published by IM Books)
Want to read
August 31, 2025Historical espionage at its very best. Set in 1938 in London and Vienna, a tense and atmospheric thriller told against a backdrop of uncertainty and fear as World War Two threatens.
As war looms over Britain and there is talk of gas masks and blackout, people are understandably jumpy and anxious. Stella Fry, who's been working in Vienna for a Jewish family, returns home with no job and a broken heart. She answers an advertisement from a famous mystery writer, Hubert Newman, who needs a manuscript typed. She takes on the job and is shocked the next day to learn of the writer's sudden, unexplained death. She is even more surprised when, twenty-four hours later, she receives Newman's manuscript and reads the
To Stella, spotter of mistakes.
Harry Fox, formerly of Special Branch and brilliant at surveillance, has been suspended for some undisclosed misdemeanor. He has his own reasons for being interested in Hubert Newman. He approaches Stella Fry to share his belief that the writer's death was no accident.
What's more, since she was the last person to see Newman, she could be in danger herself.
As war looms over Britain and there is talk of gas masks and blackout, people are understandably jumpy and anxious. Stella Fry, who's been working in Vienna for a Jewish family, returns home with no job and a broken heart. She answers an advertisement from a famous mystery writer, Hubert Newman, who needs a manuscript typed. She takes on the job and is shocked the next day to learn of the writer's sudden, unexplained death. She is even more surprised when, twenty-four hours later, she receives Newman's manuscript and reads the
To Stella, spotter of mistakes.
Harry Fox, formerly of Special Branch and brilliant at surveillance, has been suspended for some undisclosed misdemeanor. He has his own reasons for being interested in Hubert Newman. He approaches Stella Fry to share his belief that the writer's death was no accident.
What's more, since she was the last person to see Newman, she could be in danger herself.
August 13, 2024
This was a great read. Set in 1938 just as fear of another war was reaching fever pitch, it tells the story of how a spy ring for the USSR was discovered. One of the main protagonists is a writer of detective murder mystery novels and the book takes on this style as you are led through a number of possible scenarios and thrown a few red herrings before you see the mystery unravelled. The two lead characters are great, a woman who is easy to underestimate and a flawed former police officer. The book while not violent was gripping as the ending came about. The novel uses historical characters and is based on factual accounts of the day. A really enjoyable book.
March 6, 2025
Disappointing
I was misled by the title and thr newspaper review (The Times) into thinking that this was set in Vienna in 1938 and the events around the Anschluss
Mostly set in London with brief interlude in Vienna
Silly and rather boring spy tale - although main characters are not part of any Intelligence organisation
Last year after reading one too many disappointing modern novel about WW2 , I resolved to only read books written by people who lived through this time and preferably novels/ short stories written at the time , as these give a much better and more trueful experience of that time period
I was misled by the title and thr newspaper review (The Times) into thinking that this was set in Vienna in 1938 and the events around the Anschluss
Mostly set in London with brief interlude in Vienna
Silly and rather boring spy tale - although main characters are not part of any Intelligence organisation
Last year after reading one too many disappointing modern novel about WW2 , I resolved to only read books written by people who lived through this time and preferably novels/ short stories written at the time , as these give a much better and more trueful experience of that time period
August 7, 2024
This was a total delight. I previously only knew of the author as the wife of the wonderful Philip Kerr but Jane Thynne is such a gifted writer in her own right.
Tjis is a clever thriller set just before the second world war and introduces us to two memorable characters in Stella Fry and Harry Fox who teamup to solve a bewildering murder that has other implications for national security.
The writing is lush, the characters area joy and there is a wonderful sense of time and place.
This is a thriller that thrills and is one to relish.
Hopefully the start of a series too.
Tjis is a clever thriller set just before the second world war and introduces us to two memorable characters in Stella Fry and Harry Fox who teamup to solve a bewildering murder that has other implications for national security.
The writing is lush, the characters area joy and there is a wonderful sense of time and place.
This is a thriller that thrills and is one to relish.
Hopefully the start of a series too.
June 25, 2025
A spy novel set in 1938, as Britain prepares for war against Nazi Germany. Stella Fry meets Huber Newman, a well known author who hires her to type up his newest manuscript on the authorship of Shakespeare’s plays. However, his sudden death hours after meeting her sets Stella on an investigation into Communist sympathisers within the British establishment.
Jane Thynne succeeds in creating a sense of the anxiety and tension in the air as Britain prepares for a possible war. The characters are interesting and the plot is complex and reflects the best elements of a spy novel.
Jane Thynne succeeds in creating a sense of the anxiety and tension in the air as Britain prepares for a possible war. The characters are interesting and the plot is complex and reflects the best elements of a spy novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2025
A nice holiday read. I liked the way the author captured the time period.. this gave a nice backdrop to the drama.
You can’t help but notice the plot is about a detective novelist who has been murdered and this prompts much discussion around the ‘rules’ of detective fiction. Which of course you wonder about as you read it .. is this book in fact following the same ‘rules’.
Towards the end the main suspects seem to do the thing where they offer a full explanation of the plot and their actions. So I guess the rules are indeed being followed
You can’t help but notice the plot is about a detective novelist who has been murdered and this prompts much discussion around the ‘rules’ of detective fiction. Which of course you wonder about as you read it .. is this book in fact following the same ‘rules’.
Towards the end the main suspects seem to do the thing where they offer a full explanation of the plot and their actions. So I guess the rules are indeed being followed
September 5, 2025
Having learned that Jane Thynne is the widow of Philip Kerr whose 'Bernie Gunther' novels I loved I had to give her nineteen thirties spy story a read.
And I'm so glad I did, I enjoyed 'Midnight in Vienna'. It does have similarities to Philip's stories, a tough guy gumshoe detective, and a damsel in distress with undiscovered steel.
Set during the Munich crisis of 1938 a writer of detective fiction drops dead after handing his latest manuscript to our heroine Stella. Surely this can't be a coincidence? Obviously not. Cue a great story with all the best espionage ingredients.
Great fun.
And I'm so glad I did, I enjoyed 'Midnight in Vienna'. It does have similarities to Philip's stories, a tough guy gumshoe detective, and a damsel in distress with undiscovered steel.
Set during the Munich crisis of 1938 a writer of detective fiction drops dead after handing his latest manuscript to our heroine Stella. Surely this can't be a coincidence? Obviously not. Cue a great story with all the best espionage ingredients.
Great fun.
April 8, 2025
A pacy and intelligent thriller set in London immediately before the start of WW2. Time and place beautifully evoked by a good writer, and a plot which demands very little suspension of disbelief. I am always slightly wary of fiction which includes real people but Jane Thynne has clearly done intensive research and manages the interplay deftly and convincingly. Stella Fry and Harry Fox have clearly been set up for future books. I look forward to them.
September 23, 2025
Midnight in Vienna is a fast read that transports the reader into tense 1938 London and even more tense Vienna. Stella's trip to Vienna is a wee bit preposterous in that she actually encountered the person she was looking for, but still, it moves the story along. One can see that there might possibly be a continuation of the story of Fox and Fry with the open ended paths that many of the characters are in at the conclusion of the story.
November 1, 2024
There were only two things that were good about this book: the beginning and the end. In the middle, there was a silly plot that was implausible, with characters that were equally imposable. This was a book with smoke and no sizzle.
February 17, 2025
Set in the days before world war 2. Started slowly. A take of woman chasing a man against a backdrop of looming terror. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read it in exchange for the freely given review. All the view given are my own.
March 17, 2025
Awfully slow, especially at the start. While the story is interesting and at times captivating, the author's passion for unnecessary conversations, big words, and monotonous moments is distracting, if not disappointing.
April 26, 2025
A bit slow moving, so got bored at times and so many characters that you had to concentrate hard which is difficult ultimately in a slow book. But will give the second (assuming this is a series) a go.
May 3, 2025
Really interesting, quite gripping but was a bit lost until the end. Wasn't sure where it was going but that made it just as intriguing and made me constantly pick it back up. Will have another look at this author.
July 1, 2025
Despite the title, the book is mostly set in 1938 London around the time of the Munich conference and the eve of war. It’s hard to know where the book is going, and there’s a lot of set up. I tend to prefer more plot-driven writing even in historical settings.
November 4, 2025
Read this because we were going to Vienna! But really enjoyed it. I thought it was a cross between Strike. (In that there was an investigator (ex cop) who found a woman to help him! ) and the David Downing books set in Berlin around WW2.
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