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The Deception Series #4
Crown Deception
A royal conspiracy. Buried secrets from Czarist Russia. One man's past may hold the key to the Crown's survival.
The Queen's doctor vanishes overboard from the Royal Yacht Britannia.
A white cat is slaughtered in an English country garden.
A deadly secret from Czarist Russia reawakens.
London. Worcestershire. Paris. Vienna.
Twelve-year-old Jack Steele never forgot what he saw—or what others tried to make him forget.
His beloved great-aunt Florence, a trusted servant inside the British royal household, had uncovered a conspiracy so explosive it threatened the very foundations of the monarchy. Before she could reveal the truth, she was branded a traitor.
Ten years later, Steele is drawn back into the shadows when evidence resurfaces: a lost Imperial Russian medal and a mysterious signed photograph of King George V and Czar Nicholas II—artifacts tied to a secret powerful enough to destroy the British Crown.
As Steele hunts across London, Worcestershire, Paris, and Vienna, he uncovers a chilling assassination plot against the Queen of England—and faces a choice that will define his life forever.
Save the Crown.
Or save himself.
Inspired in part by the remarkable royal memoir From Cottage to Palace, Crown Deception is a fast-paced international espionage thriller of royal intrigue, betrayal, buried history, and deadly political deception.
For readers of John le Carré, Frederick Forsyth, Daniel Silva, and Ian Fleming.
The Queen's doctor vanishes overboard from the Royal Yacht Britannia.
A white cat is slaughtered in an English country garden.
A deadly secret from Czarist Russia reawakens.
London. Worcestershire. Paris. Vienna.
Twelve-year-old Jack Steele never forgot what he saw—or what others tried to make him forget.
His beloved great-aunt Florence, a trusted servant inside the British royal household, had uncovered a conspiracy so explosive it threatened the very foundations of the monarchy. Before she could reveal the truth, she was branded a traitor.
Ten years later, Steele is drawn back into the shadows when evidence resurfaces: a lost Imperial Russian medal and a mysterious signed photograph of King George V and Czar Nicholas II—artifacts tied to a secret powerful enough to destroy the British Crown.
As Steele hunts across London, Worcestershire, Paris, and Vienna, he uncovers a chilling assassination plot against the Queen of England—and faces a choice that will define his life forever.
Save the Crown.
Or save himself.
Inspired in part by the remarkable royal memoir From Cottage to Palace, Crown Deception is a fast-paced international espionage thriller of royal intrigue, betrayal, buried history, and deadly political deception.
For readers of John le Carré, Frederick Forsyth, Daniel Silva, and Ian Fleming.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2026
About the author
Richard Lyntton
12 books32 followersRichard Lyntton writes international spy thrillers inspired by his real-world experience in the British Army, Russia, and the former Yugoslavia.
Born in Highgate, London, as Richard Bramford, he was educated at William Ellis School, Exeter University, Moscow State Linguistic University, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
He served as a British Army captain and tank commander during the First Gulf War, later working as European Community Task Force Humanitarian Liaison in Russia, a UNHCR Liaison Officer, and a United Nations Military Observer in Sarajevo during heavy shelling and NATO airstrikes.
He was later a United Nations Television producer in the former Yugoslavia and was called to testify at the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague after witnessing and filming human rights atrocities and abuses in Bosnia. His wartime footage is archived at the Imperial War Museum, London.
His Jack Steele thrillers combine British espionage fiction, geopolitical conspiracy, Cold War intrigue, and high-stakes international suspense. His books include Crown Deception, Leningrad Deception, Hyde Park Deception, and North Korea Deception.
For the record, Richard Lyntton has never been involved in espionage of any kind. Member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW).
He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, interior designer Michelle Wenitsky, and their two sons.
Born in Highgate, London, as Richard Bramford, he was educated at William Ellis School, Exeter University, Moscow State Linguistic University, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
He served as a British Army captain and tank commander during the First Gulf War, later working as European Community Task Force Humanitarian Liaison in Russia, a UNHCR Liaison Officer, and a United Nations Military Observer in Sarajevo during heavy shelling and NATO airstrikes.
He was later a United Nations Television producer in the former Yugoslavia and was called to testify at the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague after witnessing and filming human rights atrocities and abuses in Bosnia. His wartime footage is archived at the Imperial War Museum, London.
His Jack Steele thrillers combine British espionage fiction, geopolitical conspiracy, Cold War intrigue, and high-stakes international suspense. His books include Crown Deception, Leningrad Deception, Hyde Park Deception, and North Korea Deception.
For the record, Richard Lyntton has never been involved in espionage of any kind. Member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW).
He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, interior designer Michelle Wenitsky, and their two sons.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 5, 2026
Richard Lyntton continues to prove that he is one of the more inventive voices in political espionage fiction. Having discovered the series with its debut and worked my way through all four novels, I was eager to see what this latest installment would offer. What I found was another compelling thriller that blends royal intrigue, Cold War tensions, and historical mysteries into a fast-moving and highly entertaining narrative.
This time, Lyntton takes readers further back in Jack Steele’s life, offering a glimpse into the events that shaped him long before the adventures chronicled in the other books. The opening section, featuring a twelve-year-old Steele witnessing events others would rather remain forgotten, sets an ominous tone that reverberates throughout the novel. From there, the story expands into a globe-spanning hunt involving lost Romanov secrets, royal conspiracies, and an assassination plot that could shake the British monarchy to its core.
Lyntton excels at balancing political intrigue with espionage-fueled action. The Cold War backdrop adds an extra layer of tension, while the historical connections between the British royal family and Imperial Russia create an engaging mystery that feels both plausible and provocative. The pacing rarely lets up, with short chapters and constant revelations keeping the pages turning.
The characters help bring the various threads together effectively. Whether dealing with Soviet operatives, British intelligence figures, royal insiders, or shadowy groups protecting long-buried secrets, each perspective adds depth to the story. Longtime readers will especially appreciate seeing Jack Steele at different stages of his life, allowing for a richer understanding of the man he becomes. Lyntton also weaves historical figures into the narrative with confidence, encouraging readers to wonder just how much of the speculation might actually hold a grain of truth.
One aspect that continues to intrigue me is the unconventional chronology of the series. Having now read all four books, it almost feels as though they were written in reverse order. This novel predates the others chronologically, providing another snapshot of Steele’s earlier years rather than advancing his story forward. While that initially caught me off guard, I have come to appreciate the approach and the way it gradually fills in the gaps of his past.
Packed with action, rich in historical intrigue, and layered with political suspense, this is another strong entry in the Jack Steele series. Richard Lyntton once again delivers a thriller that is difficult to put down, and I remain eager to see where he takes both Steele and his readers next.
Kudos, Mr. Lyntton, for another gripping piece as Jack Steele shows his countless abilities.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
This time, Lyntton takes readers further back in Jack Steele’s life, offering a glimpse into the events that shaped him long before the adventures chronicled in the other books. The opening section, featuring a twelve-year-old Steele witnessing events others would rather remain forgotten, sets an ominous tone that reverberates throughout the novel. From there, the story expands into a globe-spanning hunt involving lost Romanov secrets, royal conspiracies, and an assassination plot that could shake the British monarchy to its core.
Lyntton excels at balancing political intrigue with espionage-fueled action. The Cold War backdrop adds an extra layer of tension, while the historical connections between the British royal family and Imperial Russia create an engaging mystery that feels both plausible and provocative. The pacing rarely lets up, with short chapters and constant revelations keeping the pages turning.
The characters help bring the various threads together effectively. Whether dealing with Soviet operatives, British intelligence figures, royal insiders, or shadowy groups protecting long-buried secrets, each perspective adds depth to the story. Longtime readers will especially appreciate seeing Jack Steele at different stages of his life, allowing for a richer understanding of the man he becomes. Lyntton also weaves historical figures into the narrative with confidence, encouraging readers to wonder just how much of the speculation might actually hold a grain of truth.
One aspect that continues to intrigue me is the unconventional chronology of the series. Having now read all four books, it almost feels as though they were written in reverse order. This novel predates the others chronologically, providing another snapshot of Steele’s earlier years rather than advancing his story forward. While that initially caught me off guard, I have come to appreciate the approach and the way it gradually fills in the gaps of his past.
Packed with action, rich in historical intrigue, and layered with political suspense, this is another strong entry in the Jack Steele series. Richard Lyntton once again delivers a thriller that is difficult to put down, and I remain eager to see where he takes both Steele and his readers next.
Kudos, Mr. Lyntton, for another gripping piece as Jack Steele shows his countless abilities.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 8, 2026
Chapter 1, Scene1 paints a picture one will not soon forget! This author has repeatedly painted such u forgettable scenes in his books. They grab the reader’s attention, much like a hook catches a fish, and then the reader is reeled into the story for the ride!
I enjoyed this book as it both gave insight into Jack Steele’s younger life, as well as provided a new and exciting adventure for Jack. As have the other books in this series, there is political intrigue between between the East and the West after the fall of the Berlin Wall, with the action this time directed at the English throne itself! Spies, double agents, the Queen’s security agents and a family of spies are woven throughout this story. Jack must navigate through these treacherous waters while being himself one of the targets. Once again, the author has created an enjoyable story with dramatic action that will not soon be forgotten!
I enjoyed this book as it both gave insight into Jack Steele’s younger life, as well as provided a new and exciting adventure for Jack. As have the other books in this series, there is political intrigue between between the East and the West after the fall of the Berlin Wall, with the action this time directed at the English throne itself! Spies, double agents, the Queen’s security agents and a family of spies are woven throughout this story. Jack must navigate through these treacherous waters while being himself one of the targets. Once again, the author has created an enjoyable story with dramatic action that will not soon be forgotten!
Review of advance copy
If you enjoy intelligent international thrillers with real historical foundations, Crown Deception is a terrific read. Richard Lyntton combines royal intrigue, Cold War secrets, Imperial Russian history, and modern espionage into a fast-paced conspiracy that kept me turning the pages. As the explosive prequel to the Deception Series, it reveals the origins of Jack Steele's remarkable journey while standing perfectly on its own. The blend of authentic historical detail, memorable characters, and escalating suspense makes this one of the strongest books in the series. I finished it wanting to start Leningrad Deception immediately. Highly recommended for thriller fans.
July 13, 2026
Not many authors would be inspired to write a spy thriller based on a dear aunt from the West Country who rose to be a Lady in Waiting to the Royal Family, but Richard Lyntton has pulled off an inspirational page-turner. He has penned a great thriller to rival the spy novels of Len Deighton and John le Carre. Set during the Cold War and up to the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Queen and Jack Steele are drawn into a desperate Russian conspiracy full of moles and double-agents that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat right up to the climax. I would thoroughly recommend Crown Deception.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I gave this book five stars because it was a really good book to read.There was action and suspense.It kept me wanting to read it.The characters are all good to read about.If anyone has not read this book,you should.
Tiffany Reed
Tiffany Reed
July 12, 2026
Exciting spy thriller
Received the book for a voluntary and honest ARC review.
Fast-paced, hard to put down book. The beginning of Jack Steele's involvement with Russians and his relationship with the Queen.
Plenty of deceptions between Jack and the Crown and between Jack and the Russians.
I enjoyed the book. It was hard to put down.
Received the book for a voluntary and honest ARC review.
Fast-paced, hard to put down book. The beginning of Jack Steele's involvement with Russians and his relationship with the Queen.
Plenty of deceptions between Jack and the Crown and between Jack and the Russians.
I enjoyed the book. It was hard to put down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Storyline based on actual alternate history. A what could have happened if. Good on the edge of the seat reading suspense to the very end. Good exciting reading, I enjoyed it and recommend it as worth a read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Richard has delivered a top story with a very interesting mix of fiction and facts. This story really grips you. It’s very exciting with all kinds of twists of turns and several layers in plots. It will keep you up far longer than you intended. Highly recommended.
July 8, 2026
Must read!
The Deception series is fantastic. Crown Deception had many twists in the plot that made it hard to put down. I would highly recommend the entire series.
The Deception series is fantastic. Crown Deception had many twists in the plot that made it hard to put down. I would highly recommend the entire series.
July 20, 2026
What an amazing story. It is a real page turner from the first page to the last. Richard Lyntton is an amazing writer. His research is impeccable and the story line incredible! This is a must read!!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews