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A Very English Mystery #3
A Matter of Loyalty
January 1954. Mists cover the hills around Selchester. Someone at the research facility known as the Atomic is leaking secrets to Soviet Russia, and when nuclear scientist Bruno Rothesay goes missing, the British Intelligence Services are convinced he’s the mole. Hugo Hawksworth isn’t so sure. Then a body turns up, and Hugo’s instincts are proven correct. But if Rothesay wasn’t selling secrets to the Soviets, who is?
As Hugo digs deeper into buried connections and unlikely coincidences, he knows there’s more to this case than his London superiors believe. But following his instincts will pit him against the Establishment—and tangle him once again in the poisonous legacy of the late Lord Selchester.
As he closes in on the truth, Hugo finds himself confronted by an adversary who will stop at nothing, in a case that will prove the most personal of his career.
With a touch of Downton Abbey, a whisper of Agatha Christie and a nod to John Le Carré, A Matter Of Loyalty is the third and final book in this delightfully classic and witty murder-mystery series.
As Hugo digs deeper into buried connections and unlikely coincidences, he knows there’s more to this case than his London superiors believe. But following his instincts will pit him against the Establishment—and tangle him once again in the poisonous legacy of the late Lord Selchester.
As he closes in on the truth, Hugo finds himself confronted by an adversary who will stop at nothing, in a case that will prove the most personal of his career.
With a touch of Downton Abbey, a whisper of Agatha Christie and a nod to John Le Carré, A Matter Of Loyalty is the third and final book in this delightfully classic and witty murder-mystery series.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2017
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December 23, 2017
Although I would definitely recommend reading the first two in this series before picking up A Matter of Loyalty to fully understand the background of the characters, I would perhaps suggest you don’t read all three in a row because, unfortunately, I did, and I think it took away some of my enjoyment for the series.
Yes, by book three I was finding the plot lines a bit weak and the characters flat. The repetition of certain aspects of the book (Freya's secret writing life; everyone knowing that Hugo and his colleagues aren't really statisticians; Georgia's tragic backstory) also might not have been as annoying if you'd only read about them once ever couple of months.
Yes, this book again has spy, Hugo, and writer, Freya, trying to solve a mystery. They’re joined again by Hugo’s sister, Georgia, Hugo’s priest Uncle Leo, the new earl, Gus, and his two daughters (who are related to Freya), the old Earl’s daughter, the old Earl’s sister, Sonia (also all related to Freya), the housekeeper, Hugo’s social climbing girlfriend, the men who run the coffee shop, the famous actress, the local policeman, the mayor (or something, IDEK) and his daughter, the bookstore owner and Gus's potential love interest (the most boring character evah!), and Hugo’s countless work colleagues.
When a nuclear scientist goes missing in the area, and then later is found dead, we are introduced to even more characters. There’s the married couple who give lectures and practise witchcraft (or something, IDEK), the scientist’s feisty wife, the annoying investigator (or something IDEK) from the city , a Hungarian scientist looking to defect (this character/storyline made zero sense and was only used as a device for characters to have thinky thoughts out loud, and perhaps to help out the reader who hasn't read the previous books), some more work colleagues of Hugo’s, another spy friend of Hugo’s who happens to be sleeping with Sonia, another spy type who is framed for the murder, and probably quite a few I’ve forgotten! Yes, this book had the same issue as the first and second being that there are just too many characters.
Hugo is still a bit of a crap spy, despite every character constantly stating otherwise. Three books in and I still don’t think he’s solved anything.
If you solved the mystery, I congratulate you, but let’s face it, you were guessing. There is no way you could solve or follow that why-he-was-killed plot.
Also, frustratingly Hugo and Freya have still not resolved any of their sexual tension. (Actually, they haven’t even shown signs of sexual tension, which is even more frustrating! LOL)
Oddly, despite all this, I still found I liked this book and have developed an affection for its characters. Their creator, Elizabeth Edmondson, unfortunately passed away and this installment was actually written by her son, Anselm Audley. Audley, it must be said, replicates his mother’s style perfectly. You would never know another writer had taken over. (It brought back contrasting memories of how much I disliked Jill Paton Walsh’s attempt at Dorothy Sayers.)
Audley’s author notes at the end were heartbreaking and, though he claims he will not ever write another book in this series, I seriously hope he changes his mind. (Or allows someone else to continue to write the series - hey, Anselm, call me!) I think there’s quite a lot more you could do with the series and the characters (after all, there’s enough of them to choose from!).
And, even though I said I shouldn’t have read them all books in such quick succession, I will really miss them and the series.
3 and ½ out of 5
Yes, by book three I was finding the plot lines a bit weak and the characters flat. The repetition of certain aspects of the book (Freya's secret writing life; everyone knowing that Hugo and his colleagues aren't really statisticians; Georgia's tragic backstory) also might not have been as annoying if you'd only read about them once ever couple of months.
Yes, this book again has spy, Hugo, and writer, Freya, trying to solve a mystery. They’re joined again by Hugo’s sister, Georgia, Hugo’s priest Uncle Leo, the new earl, Gus, and his two daughters (who are related to Freya), the old Earl’s daughter, the old Earl’s sister, Sonia (also all related to Freya), the housekeeper, Hugo’s social climbing girlfriend, the men who run the coffee shop, the famous actress, the local policeman, the mayor (or something, IDEK) and his daughter, the bookstore owner and Gus's potential love interest (the most boring character evah!), and Hugo’s countless work colleagues.
When a nuclear scientist goes missing in the area, and then later is found dead, we are introduced to even more characters. There’s the married couple who give lectures and practise witchcraft (or something, IDEK), the scientist’s feisty wife, the annoying investigator (or something IDEK) from the city , a Hungarian scientist looking to defect (this character/storyline made zero sense and was only used as a device for characters to have thinky thoughts out loud, and perhaps to help out the reader who hasn't read the previous books), some more work colleagues of Hugo’s, another spy friend of Hugo’s who happens to be sleeping with Sonia, another spy type who is framed for the murder, and probably quite a few I’ve forgotten! Yes, this book had the same issue as the first and second being that there are just too many characters.
Hugo is still a bit of a crap spy, despite every character constantly stating otherwise. Three books in and I still don’t think he’s solved anything.
If you solved the mystery, I congratulate you, but let’s face it, you were guessing. There is no way you could solve or follow that why-he-was-killed plot.
Also, frustratingly Hugo and Freya have still not resolved any of their sexual tension. (Actually, they haven’t even shown signs of sexual tension, which is even more frustrating! LOL)
Oddly, despite all this, I still found I liked this book and have developed an affection for its characters. Their creator, Elizabeth Edmondson, unfortunately passed away and this installment was actually written by her son, Anselm Audley. Audley, it must be said, replicates his mother’s style perfectly. You would never know another writer had taken over. (It brought back contrasting memories of how much I disliked Jill Paton Walsh’s attempt at Dorothy Sayers.)
Audley’s author notes at the end were heartbreaking and, though he claims he will not ever write another book in this series, I seriously hope he changes his mind. (Or allows someone else to continue to write the series - hey, Anselm, call me!) I think there’s quite a lot more you could do with the series and the characters (after all, there’s enough of them to choose from!).
And, even though I said I shouldn’t have read them all books in such quick succession, I will really miss them and the series.
3 and ½ out of 5
October 25, 2017
In the third novel — and, sadly, last — in the series featuring spy Hugo Hawksworth and his family and friends, an atomic physicist has disappeared from near their village of Selchester. A brash zealot from Special Branch has come down from London to look into the disappearance, convinced that Dr. Bruno Rothesay has defected to the Soviet Union and that the local intelligence agents are at fault. The arrogant Inspector Jarrett (the allusion to Javert is all too obvious) will cause plenty of upset before Hugo, with the aid of his free-spirited friend Freya Wryton, settles the matter.
Author Elizabeth Edmondson died in 2016 before she had finished the novel, and I was dubious whether her son, Anselm Audley, would be up to the task. (His usual oeuvre is sci-fi fantasy novels.) But Audley did his mother proud in his handling of the series that debuted with
A Man of Some Repute. A Matter of Loyalty was as suspenseful and intriguing as the books that Edmondson wrote all by herself. I loved every single minute!
But Audley’s triumph proves bittersweet: He says there won’t be any further adventures for Hugo and Freya and Georgia and their delightful family and friends.
So there you have it. A worthy end to a marvelous series. Thank you, Mr. Audley, for this final gift from your mother.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review.
Author Elizabeth Edmondson died in 2016 before she had finished the novel, and I was dubious whether her son, Anselm Audley, would be up to the task. (His usual oeuvre is sci-fi fantasy novels.) But Audley did his mother proud in his handling of the series that debuted with
A Man of Some Repute. A Matter of Loyalty was as suspenseful and intriguing as the books that Edmondson wrote all by herself. I loved every single minute!
But Audley’s triumph proves bittersweet: He says there won’t be any further adventures for Hugo and Freya and Georgia and their delightful family and friends.
This will be the last Selchester book, and the last book of her career…. I knew enough of this one to write almost the book she intended, but I can’t do justice to the remaining books in the series. They should exist as her creations, or not at all.
So there you have it. A worthy end to a marvelous series. Thank you, Mr. Audley, for this final gift from your mother.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2017
I was so pleased to see that Anselm Audley had written this from his mother's notes and outline after her sad death.
I think his mother would certainly have approved - it is so similar in style to the previous two books in the series that the move between authors was practically seamless.
As he says himself, in a note at the end, his mother had planned more than three books in the series but he feels it should end here with the last book of which she had written anything. And he does bring many of the threads together so that there is a sense of satisfaction and the wrapping up of some of those threads. It is also clear that, had she lived, his mother would have had woven even more of them together in future books. But I, for one, am so pleased that Mr Audley took up the baton to write this so well, and round off the series rather than leaving it hanging in mid-air where his mother had, so tragically, left things.
I think his mother would certainly have approved - it is so similar in style to the previous two books in the series that the move between authors was practically seamless.
As he says himself, in a note at the end, his mother had planned more than three books in the series but he feels it should end here with the last book of which she had written anything. And he does bring many of the threads together so that there is a sense of satisfaction and the wrapping up of some of those threads. It is also clear that, had she lived, his mother would have had woven even more of them together in future books. But I, for one, am so pleased that Mr Audley took up the baton to write this so well, and round off the series rather than leaving it hanging in mid-air where his mother had, so tragically, left things.
June 17, 2018
Delightful light reading. I am sad Elizabeth Edmundsen died before writing more of these. I will look at more of her writing.
November 17, 2017
Book received from both Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an honest review
I do not recall why I initially tried the first book in this series. I hadn’t read the author before. I’m not 100% certain now if I even know if the book would be a romance, or a spy book, or a mystery, or possibly all three. I do recall that I liked that book and liked the sequel. So we come to this third book in the series.
It’s not a spoiler to note that the author never intended this to be a three book series, but then that author also didn’t intend to die in between book two and three without even a first draft written. Nor is it a spoiler to note that the author who took over the third book, after his mother’s death, has no intention of continuing the series beyond this one additional book. But there are reasons for that – he had worked on the previous two books, and worked on this book before his mother’s death. He may or may not know where the series was intended to go, but only had the outline for this book. So, to the best of his ability, he completed the book for his mother.
This was a difficult book to enter. There seemed to be an amazingly large number of people bouncing around in it, several plot lines that didn’t seem necessarily interesting . . . etc. etc. But then, somewhere along the line, something ‘clicked’ in me and everything became quite interesting. Good solid plot, interesting spy mystery, and the separate plots, that I thought were more of an A/B/C etc. story on a television show (which do not have to intersect), actually turned out to have more connections than I had expected. It was still a large cast, though, and I still occasionally misplaced who exactly specific people were. There’s one specific section, I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit, wherein someone was talked to, talked with, was a large part of the scene and . . . I still haven’t a clue who that individual is/was/could be. I believe his name was Richard.
Right, so, what can I say about the book? It is an historical fiction set in a smallish village in England during the 1950s, and involves a mix of people – high class, mid-class, low-class; a mix of story lines (some mystery, some family-issues related, some spy related). The stories, for the most part, focus on those people, if you’ve followed the series up to now, already meet – those people who live in that old castle in that fictional small village in England called Selchester.
There’s Hugo and Georgia (or was that Georgina? Pfft, I forget now) Hawksworth who are brother and sister, though of vastly different ages (Hugo’s more like 30 something while Georgia is more like 12) and one, Hugo, is the guardian of the other, Georgia, because of the impact of World War II (father’s ship sank; mother was killed in the same bombing in London that trapped Georgia under debris). Hugo is and had been a spy – is/had been because he had been an active field agent until he was shot, and now works as an investigator. Georgia is a kid going to school. Both of those roles come up and are followed in this book.
Also present in the book is a Special Branch investigator, Jarret, who has come to the area to investigate a believed Soviet spy (which quickly becomes a murder investigation), though he isn’t one of the characters who has a point of view. Soo . . . there’s Gus and Polly, the Americans who are now the Earl, and whatever you call the daughter of an Earl, in Selchester. And Freya, she has a point of view, she’s a ‘bodice-ripper’ author, though tells everyone she’s currently writing a history of her family (she’s related to the Selchester Earl, the previous one, though since Gus is the son of that previous one, also related, somehow, to the present Earl). And, um, Vivian, who is putting on a play, and Saul, who is opening a gallery, and Emerson, who is a friend of Saul’s and had been ‘in the Service’ with Hugo, and Sonia, who is Freya’s cousin (and Sonia is the daughter of the previous Earl, though only step-sister to present Earl; different mothers), and . . and . . . well, I did say there were a ton of characters. I’ve barely scratched the surface. I’ve not even tracked down and reported on everyone who has a point of view in the book. Though everyone I’ve mentioned, so far, has previously appeared in the series. Oh, I’ll also note that Uncle Leo, the priest, also turns up (Hugo and Georgia’s uncle), and that Hugo’s girlfriend, Valerie, also makes several appearances.
Despite the massive crowd of characters, and the difficulty ‘getting into’ the book, this was a rather enjoyable book. Quite curious where the story might have gone from here, though, the readers will never know (unless some previously unknown notebook of notes is found, or something like that, though that seems quite unlikely (for reasons – mostly for the reason that the author, Anselm Audley, had noted that they didn’t have enough information to continue the series beyond this book)). This is/was a good book in terms of a spy novel, a mystery, and a historical fiction novel.
If I was to attempt to note things I found ‘negative’, I’d only really come up with three things: there really are way too many characters to follow, who have their own point of views present (and the afterword notes that some of the intended characters were cut); I never really understood the point of Valerie, and she always seemed to be held up as a negative . . . though I never could see why – because she preferred the city? Because . . . um . . . *shrugs*, though I always felt that way about the character, not just in this book; something about how the book was difficult to ‘get into’ though, other than bluntly stating that, I’m not sure how to word things.
So, good solid book. Enjoyable. Glad I was able to read it. And no it wasn’t a capital R romance.
Rating: 4.33
October 10 2017
I do not recall why I initially tried the first book in this series. I hadn’t read the author before. I’m not 100% certain now if I even know if the book would be a romance, or a spy book, or a mystery, or possibly all three. I do recall that I liked that book and liked the sequel. So we come to this third book in the series.
It’s not a spoiler to note that the author never intended this to be a three book series, but then that author also didn’t intend to die in between book two and three without even a first draft written. Nor is it a spoiler to note that the author who took over the third book, after his mother’s death, has no intention of continuing the series beyond this one additional book. But there are reasons for that – he had worked on the previous two books, and worked on this book before his mother’s death. He may or may not know where the series was intended to go, but only had the outline for this book. So, to the best of his ability, he completed the book for his mother.
This was a difficult book to enter. There seemed to be an amazingly large number of people bouncing around in it, several plot lines that didn’t seem necessarily interesting . . . etc. etc. But then, somewhere along the line, something ‘clicked’ in me and everything became quite interesting. Good solid plot, interesting spy mystery, and the separate plots, that I thought were more of an A/B/C etc. story on a television show (which do not have to intersect), actually turned out to have more connections than I had expected. It was still a large cast, though, and I still occasionally misplaced who exactly specific people were. There’s one specific section, I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit, wherein someone was talked to, talked with, was a large part of the scene and . . . I still haven’t a clue who that individual is/was/could be. I believe his name was Richard.
Right, so, what can I say about the book? It is an historical fiction set in a smallish village in England during the 1950s, and involves a mix of people – high class, mid-class, low-class; a mix of story lines (some mystery, some family-issues related, some spy related). The stories, for the most part, focus on those people, if you’ve followed the series up to now, already meet – those people who live in that old castle in that fictional small village in England called Selchester.
There’s Hugo and Georgia (or was that Georgina? Pfft, I forget now) Hawksworth who are brother and sister, though of vastly different ages (Hugo’s more like 30 something while Georgia is more like 12) and one, Hugo, is the guardian of the other, Georgia, because of the impact of World War II (father’s ship sank; mother was killed in the same bombing in London that trapped Georgia under debris). Hugo is and had been a spy – is/had been because he had been an active field agent until he was shot, and now works as an investigator. Georgia is a kid going to school. Both of those roles come up and are followed in this book.
Also present in the book is a Special Branch investigator, Jarret, who has come to the area to investigate a believed Soviet spy (which quickly becomes a murder investigation), though he isn’t one of the characters who has a point of view. Soo . . . there’s Gus and Polly, the Americans who are now the Earl, and whatever you call the daughter of an Earl, in Selchester. And Freya, she has a point of view, she’s a ‘bodice-ripper’ author, though tells everyone she’s currently writing a history of her family (she’s related to the Selchester Earl, the previous one, though since Gus is the son of that previous one, also related, somehow, to the present Earl). And, um, Vivian, who is putting on a play, and Saul, who is opening a gallery, and Emerson, who is a friend of Saul’s and had been ‘in the Service’ with Hugo, and Sonia, who is Freya’s cousin (and Sonia is the daughter of the previous Earl, though only step-sister to present Earl; different mothers), and . . and . . . well, I did say there were a ton of characters. I’ve barely scratched the surface. I’ve not even tracked down and reported on everyone who has a point of view in the book. Though everyone I’ve mentioned, so far, has previously appeared in the series. Oh, I’ll also note that Uncle Leo, the priest, also turns up (Hugo and Georgia’s uncle), and that Hugo’s girlfriend, Valerie, also makes several appearances.
Despite the massive crowd of characters, and the difficulty ‘getting into’ the book, this was a rather enjoyable book. Quite curious where the story might have gone from here, though, the readers will never know (unless some previously unknown notebook of notes is found, or something like that, though that seems quite unlikely (for reasons – mostly for the reason that the author, Anselm Audley, had noted that they didn’t have enough information to continue the series beyond this book)). This is/was a good book in terms of a spy novel, a mystery, and a historical fiction novel.
If I was to attempt to note things I found ‘negative’, I’d only really come up with three things: there really are way too many characters to follow, who have their own point of views present (and the afterword notes that some of the intended characters were cut); I never really understood the point of Valerie, and she always seemed to be held up as a negative . . . though I never could see why – because she preferred the city? Because . . . um . . . *shrugs*, though I always felt that way about the character, not just in this book; something about how the book was difficult to ‘get into’ though, other than bluntly stating that, I’m not sure how to word things.
So, good solid book. Enjoyable. Glad I was able to read it. And no it wasn’t a capital R romance.
Rating: 4.33
October 10 2017
November 13, 2017
A Very Adequate English Murder Mystery
Book: A Matter of Loyalty (A very English Murder Mystery Book 3)
Author: Anslem Audley, Elizabeth Edmondsen
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (October 19, 2017)
ISBN-10: 1542046580
ISBN-13: 978-1542046589
Rating: 3/5
“January 1954. Mists cover the hills around Selchester. Someone at the research facility known as the Atomic is leaking secrets to Soviet Russia, and when nuclear scientist Bruno Rothesay goes missing, the British Intelligence Services are convinced he’s the mole. Hugo Hawksworth isn’t so sure. Then a body turns up, and Hugo’s instincts are proven correct. But if Rothesay wasn’t selling secrets to the Soviets, who is?
As Hugo digs deeper into buried connections and unlikely coincidences, he knows there’s more to this case than his London superiors believe. But following his instincts will pit him against the Establishment—and tangle him once again in the poisonous legacy of the late Lord Selchester.
As he closes in on the truth, Hugo finds himself confronted by an adversary who will stop at nothing, in a case that will prove the most personal of his career.
With a touch of Downton Abbey, a whisper of Agatha Christie and a nod to John Le Carr��, A Matter Of Loyalty is the third and final book in this delightfully classic and witty murder-mystery series.” ~ blurb
I have difficulty in finding the right genre for this book – it’s definitely of the “cosy” variety but the murder mystery is set in the backdrop of the immediately post-war period in Britain. The setting for this (and the previous two books in the series) is a rural town that is home to obscure parts of the British intelligence service.
The story is told in the omniscient point if view which was in keeping with the context and setting of the novel. The drawback was that I felt like I didn’t have much insight into the characters’ inner worlds. This was, to some extent, in keeping with the theme of the novel which looked into the exploration of finding “the truth” both in terms of the mystery and personally.
Elizabeth Edmondsen died before this book was completed. The bulk of the writing in this book was done from her notes by her son, Ansell Audley. This accounts for the subtle changes in writing style between this book and the previous two. The most notable difference, I felt, was more reference to what would be in a contemporary novel be “corporate politics”. It also impacted the pacing of the book towards the end where some over-explaining slowed the pace of the book and didn’t do much to further the plot. In particular a new character, a Hungarian Scientist, joined the cast and played the role of a truth teller or moral guide. I felt that this char act wasn’t needed. In the previous two novels this role has been taken on by the child Georgia admirably and by bringing in the new character, I felt that her character had been downgraded to the “female in need of help” cliché.
The plot revolves around the murder of a scientist and a nearby atomic facility at a time. Hugo Hawksworth, initially tasked with background checks related to a suspect intelligence leak at the facility becomes embroiled in the affair when he believes that the wrong man has been charged with the murder. Overcoming professional and personal pressure, Hugo sets out to find the real murderer and the leak.
I didn’t enjoy tis book as much as the previous two in the series. Having said that it was an enjoyable enough light read. I think of it as beach Le Carre.
Book: A Matter of Loyalty (A very English Murder Mystery Book 3)
Author: Anslem Audley, Elizabeth Edmondsen
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (October 19, 2017)
ISBN-10: 1542046580
ISBN-13: 978-1542046589
Rating: 3/5
“January 1954. Mists cover the hills around Selchester. Someone at the research facility known as the Atomic is leaking secrets to Soviet Russia, and when nuclear scientist Bruno Rothesay goes missing, the British Intelligence Services are convinced he’s the mole. Hugo Hawksworth isn’t so sure. Then a body turns up, and Hugo’s instincts are proven correct. But if Rothesay wasn’t selling secrets to the Soviets, who is?
As Hugo digs deeper into buried connections and unlikely coincidences, he knows there’s more to this case than his London superiors believe. But following his instincts will pit him against the Establishment—and tangle him once again in the poisonous legacy of the late Lord Selchester.
As he closes in on the truth, Hugo finds himself confronted by an adversary who will stop at nothing, in a case that will prove the most personal of his career.
With a touch of Downton Abbey, a whisper of Agatha Christie and a nod to John Le Carr��, A Matter Of Loyalty is the third and final book in this delightfully classic and witty murder-mystery series.” ~ blurb
I have difficulty in finding the right genre for this book – it’s definitely of the “cosy” variety but the murder mystery is set in the backdrop of the immediately post-war period in Britain. The setting for this (and the previous two books in the series) is a rural town that is home to obscure parts of the British intelligence service.
The story is told in the omniscient point if view which was in keeping with the context and setting of the novel. The drawback was that I felt like I didn’t have much insight into the characters’ inner worlds. This was, to some extent, in keeping with the theme of the novel which looked into the exploration of finding “the truth” both in terms of the mystery and personally.
Elizabeth Edmondsen died before this book was completed. The bulk of the writing in this book was done from her notes by her son, Ansell Audley. This accounts for the subtle changes in writing style between this book and the previous two. The most notable difference, I felt, was more reference to what would be in a contemporary novel be “corporate politics”. It also impacted the pacing of the book towards the end where some over-explaining slowed the pace of the book and didn’t do much to further the plot. In particular a new character, a Hungarian Scientist, joined the cast and played the role of a truth teller or moral guide. I felt that this char act wasn’t needed. In the previous two novels this role has been taken on by the child Georgia admirably and by bringing in the new character, I felt that her character had been downgraded to the “female in need of help” cliché.
The plot revolves around the murder of a scientist and a nearby atomic facility at a time. Hugo Hawksworth, initially tasked with background checks related to a suspect intelligence leak at the facility becomes embroiled in the affair when he believes that the wrong man has been charged with the murder. Overcoming professional and personal pressure, Hugo sets out to find the real murderer and the leak.
I didn’t enjoy tis book as much as the previous two in the series. Having said that it was an enjoyable enough light read. I think of it as beach Le Carre.
October 30, 2017
In A Matter of Loyalty by Anselm Audley and Elizabeth Edmondson, Hugo and his sister, Georgia, have now lived in Selchester for four months, and it is now January 1954, with another serious mystery facing Hugo. In the midst of being debriefed, a Hungarian defector who spent years in a nuclear plant in Siberia casually mentions knowledge of an accident in an experimental nuclear plant near Selchester, an accident that no one is supposed to know about. It appears they have a spy in their midst. Hugo investigates the case, but then Bruno Rothesay, one of the suspects disappears, making him seem the obvious mole. That is, he seems that way until Georgia and Polly, the daughter of the Earl of Selchester, spot a body in the river on their way to school, and it proves to be that of Rothesay. Hugo now has two different issues to investigate, but could they be two parts of the same problem? Could the true mole have murdered Rothesay?
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation
March 15, 2022
*Hugo is in a fix*
Intelligence officer Hugo Hawksworth is still residing at the Selchester Castle with his much younger Sister Georgia. Along with the New Earl and his two daughters
Someone is leaking secrets to the Russians and yet again there is a familiar theme where The ones at the top (in the facility they call ‘The Atomic’ where Hugo is based) think it’s a open and shut case and think they have the suspect locked up. Hugo’s senses tell him otherwise. Now he needs proof.
A body turns up and as Hugo starts to dig deep he is being blocked left right and centre. I am glad to see the old characters from the first two books including Freya and Georgia Hugo’s 13 year old sister who is wise beyond her years may be in danger as obstacles are getting in the way the closer he gets to the truth.
I found this series of book’s quite endearing. Very different to todays crime stories because these are written at a much slower pace and the main drama for me is near the end when it jumps into action action
Intelligence officer Hugo Hawksworth is still residing at the Selchester Castle with his much younger Sister Georgia. Along with the New Earl and his two daughters
Someone is leaking secrets to the Russians and yet again there is a familiar theme where The ones at the top (in the facility they call ‘The Atomic’ where Hugo is based) think it’s a open and shut case and think they have the suspect locked up. Hugo’s senses tell him otherwise. Now he needs proof.
A body turns up and as Hugo starts to dig deep he is being blocked left right and centre. I am glad to see the old characters from the first two books including Freya and Georgia Hugo’s 13 year old sister who is wise beyond her years may be in danger as obstacles are getting in the way the closer he gets to the truth.
I found this series of book’s quite endearing. Very different to todays crime stories because these are written at a much slower pace and the main drama for me is near the end when it jumps into action action
February 24, 2023
"But it is a pleasure to be here, and to spend time in a country so ashamed of its spies that it puts them in quiet country towns where they wear tweeds and pretend they are mathematicians."
I really enjoyed this series, very saddened it had to end abruptly due to the author's death.
I really enjoyed this series, very saddened it had to end abruptly due to the author's death.
Read
September 20, 2024So much anti Russian propaganda. These English and Americans think a bit too highly of themselves, conveniently forgetting their hands are as deep in the pool of blood as the Russians.
August 16, 2018
Another satisfying visit to Selchester.
I've thoroughly enjoyed these cosy mysteries and was saddened to hear of Edmondson's death. Her son did an admirable job finishing the book, and whilst I understand his reasons for not continuing the series, his familiarity with her style and her characters would have made him the perfect person to keep the series alive. I hope he reconsiders, one day, and that Freya, Hugo, Georgia, Leo, and Mrs P get to continue their adventures.
The audiobooks were adeptly narrated, in a style very well suited to the books, and there was enough resolution given to the broader story arcs for the trilogy to be worthy of recommendation despite its premature end.
I've thoroughly enjoyed these cosy mysteries and was saddened to hear of Edmondson's death. Her son did an admirable job finishing the book, and whilst I understand his reasons for not continuing the series, his familiarity with her style and her characters would have made him the perfect person to keep the series alive. I hope he reconsiders, one day, and that Freya, Hugo, Georgia, Leo, and Mrs P get to continue their adventures.
The audiobooks were adeptly narrated, in a style very well suited to the books, and there was enough resolution given to the broader story arcs for the trilogy to be worthy of recommendation despite its premature end.
December 15, 2018
I'm so fond of these characters, I'll miss them and their untold stories 😥
November 29, 2017
It's January 1954, and there have been leaks of research done at "The Atomic" facility; leaks that have ended up in the hands of Soviet Russia. British Intelligence Agent Hugo Hawkesworth, who works at the center is assigned the task of finding out who is the source. When a nuclear scientist, Bruno Rothesay, goes missing British Intelligence is sure that he must be the mole. When Rothesay's body turns up, Hugo isn't so sure. The scientist was an arrogant serial adulterer who had plenty of enemies, including his own wife. Intelligence and the obnoxious Inspector Jarrett have a culprit in mind, one who has appeared in previous books and is convenient. Hugo thinks he is entirely too comfortable a fit, which puts him at loggerheads with his superiors-again.
All of the residents of Selchester Castle make an appearance in A Matter of Loyalty: Hugo and his sister Georgia, author Freya Wryton, Gus, the new Earl of Selchester, and his daughter Molly, and Mrs.Partridge, the housekeeper. The previous Earl is almost a presence because his misdeeds cast somewhat of a pall over the household even years after his death. Each has his or her part to play in this story, and one's life is brought into great danger. The Very British Mysteries are impossible to pigeonhole, part Cold War spy novel, part historical mystery, and part budding romance. They paint a picture of a Britain brought to its knees by WWII and just beginning to dig out of deprivation, only to be caught up in Cold War paranoia, even in Selchester village.
Sadly, A Matter of Loyalty is the third and last book in the series. Ms. Edmondson passed away leaving only notes and conversations with her son, Anselm Audley, for the book. Mr. Audley has done an admirable job working from their conversations to finish it. While I would have liked to see more of the characters and Ms. Edmonson's plans for them, the ending does not leave us hanging. Michael Page gives voice to the characters and is, as usual, outstanding.
RATING-4.5 Stars
All of the residents of Selchester Castle make an appearance in A Matter of Loyalty: Hugo and his sister Georgia, author Freya Wryton, Gus, the new Earl of Selchester, and his daughter Molly, and Mrs.Partridge, the housekeeper. The previous Earl is almost a presence because his misdeeds cast somewhat of a pall over the household even years after his death. Each has his or her part to play in this story, and one's life is brought into great danger. The Very British Mysteries are impossible to pigeonhole, part Cold War spy novel, part historical mystery, and part budding romance. They paint a picture of a Britain brought to its knees by WWII and just beginning to dig out of deprivation, only to be caught up in Cold War paranoia, even in Selchester village.
Sadly, A Matter of Loyalty is the third and last book in the series. Ms. Edmondson passed away leaving only notes and conversations with her son, Anselm Audley, for the book. Mr. Audley has done an admirable job working from their conversations to finish it. While I would have liked to see more of the characters and Ms. Edmonson's plans for them, the ending does not leave us hanging. Michael Page gives voice to the characters and is, as usual, outstanding.
RATING-4.5 Stars
September 13, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of A Matter of Loyalty, the third and last novel in the Very English Mystery series.
Hugo Hawksworth has been tasked with finding the leak at The Atomic so when nuclear physicist Bruno Rothesay disappears, presumed to have defected his bosses are satisfied that they have found the leak. Hugo is not so sure and when Bruno's body turns up he is back to the task although not for long as a convenient suspect is quickly found.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Matter of Loyalty. In keeping with the Cold War setting the reader is never sure who to trust or who is lying so there are plenty of twists and turns as Hugo wades through the politics of spying, personal ambitions and the Selchester grapevine. It is essentially a cosy but the authors have a good grasp of the politics and sensibilities of the time. I thought the digs about British amateurism and the venal nature of those on the climb very apt.
The world of Selchester is well drawn with its rampant gossip and odd characters. It may be a bit clichéd but it adds warmth to a read which otherwise could have been full of paranoia and suspicion. Hugo is a great protagonist, smart, decent and caring and he is ably supported by a cast of pleasant characters. The death of Ms Edmondson (my respects to her family) has drawn the series to a close although I would have been interested in reading another author's interpretation of her future plots.
A Matter of Loyalty is a fun read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Hugo Hawksworth has been tasked with finding the leak at The Atomic so when nuclear physicist Bruno Rothesay disappears, presumed to have defected his bosses are satisfied that they have found the leak. Hugo is not so sure and when Bruno's body turns up he is back to the task although not for long as a convenient suspect is quickly found.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Matter of Loyalty. In keeping with the Cold War setting the reader is never sure who to trust or who is lying so there are plenty of twists and turns as Hugo wades through the politics of spying, personal ambitions and the Selchester grapevine. It is essentially a cosy but the authors have a good grasp of the politics and sensibilities of the time. I thought the digs about British amateurism and the venal nature of those on the climb very apt.
The world of Selchester is well drawn with its rampant gossip and odd characters. It may be a bit clichéd but it adds warmth to a read which otherwise could have been full of paranoia and suspicion. Hugo is a great protagonist, smart, decent and caring and he is ably supported by a cast of pleasant characters. The death of Ms Edmondson (my respects to her family) has drawn the series to a close although I would have been interested in reading another author's interpretation of her future plots.
A Matter of Loyalty is a fun read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
September 27, 2023
And so to the third and final novel in this series featuring Hugo Hawskworth, his (much younger) sister Georgia, his uncle Leo and Freya Selchester. Set in 1950s Britain during the Cold War, Hugo has been sent to the small town of Selchester after being retired from active duty in the Secret Service.
At the end of the second book Hugo is told that a nuclear scientist Bruno Rothesay has gone missing from the top secret research facility known by locals as the Atomic. The British Intelligence Services have known that there is someone selling secrets to the Russians and suspicion has fallen squarely on Rothesay who is thought to have defected. Hugo is asked to review his background checks while the odious Inspector Jarrett from Special Branch looks into the leaks. Then Rothesay's body is found, shot in the back of the head and all signs point to an old adversary, but Hugo isn't so sure.
Others have commented that this final book is not as good as the previous two, and that the sad death of Elizabeth Edmondson before the novel was completed is the cause. I must say I didn't find that. Yes, there is repetition of some things like Freya's secrecy about her successful writing career, but you find that in any series, it helps remind the reader of characters and how they fit into the plot.
I must say I am very sad that there are no more books. I really wanted to know whether Freya and Hugo would ever get together and ditto Gus and Dinah. Never mind.
Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
At the end of the second book Hugo is told that a nuclear scientist Bruno Rothesay has gone missing from the top secret research facility known by locals as the Atomic. The British Intelligence Services have known that there is someone selling secrets to the Russians and suspicion has fallen squarely on Rothesay who is thought to have defected. Hugo is asked to review his background checks while the odious Inspector Jarrett from Special Branch looks into the leaks. Then Rothesay's body is found, shot in the back of the head and all signs point to an old adversary, but Hugo isn't so sure.
Others have commented that this final book is not as good as the previous two, and that the sad death of Elizabeth Edmondson before the novel was completed is the cause. I must say I didn't find that. Yes, there is repetition of some things like Freya's secrecy about her successful writing career, but you find that in any series, it helps remind the reader of characters and how they fit into the plot.
I must say I am very sad that there are no more books. I really wanted to know whether Freya and Hugo would ever get together and ditto Gus and Dinah. Never mind.
Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
August 1, 2019
I've been enjoying my time in 1950's Selchester, England, where much seems to happen. When Hugo and his teenage sister, Georgia, moved to the countryside after his espionage career ended on a dark Berlin street when a bullet shattered his leg and he was transferred to a desk job doing background checks on the people in his organization for traitors, he thought it would all be boring. But living at the castle and with the Selchesters brought him nearly as many dark secrets and murder than his previous career. The new earl and his daughter, the earl's cousin, Freya, the staff, his brilliant priestly uncle, and Georgia now are part of the deadly game of catching a spy before they can strike again.
The series continues to draw me in and I love the characters. The mystery in each one is a fun twist of arm chair mystery and spy thriller set in the Cold War era when Britain was in a spy game with the Communists. There are twists to the mystery, but also engaging village life and family moments. The family moments are quirky since Hugo and Georgia are part of Selchester Castle life with the eccentric Selchester family. There are ongoing threads about their lives (Gus, Sonia, Freya, and more), but sadly, the series will stop with this book because the author passed away before she could complete the series. I thought her son and editor did a fab job of wrapping up this book which the author was unable to finish.
Michael Page continued to be a fabulous narrator who kept me riveted and drew me into the story.
Another solid historical mystery series win set during the Golden Age of British Mystery.
COYER Summer Scavenger Hunt Clue - Read a trilogy 5 pts
The series continues to draw me in and I love the characters. The mystery in each one is a fun twist of arm chair mystery and spy thriller set in the Cold War era when Britain was in a spy game with the Communists. There are twists to the mystery, but also engaging village life and family moments. The family moments are quirky since Hugo and Georgia are part of Selchester Castle life with the eccentric Selchester family. There are ongoing threads about their lives (Gus, Sonia, Freya, and more), but sadly, the series will stop with this book because the author passed away before she could complete the series. I thought her son and editor did a fab job of wrapping up this book which the author was unable to finish.
Michael Page continued to be a fabulous narrator who kept me riveted and drew me into the story.
Another solid historical mystery series win set during the Golden Age of British Mystery.
COYER Summer Scavenger Hunt Clue - Read a trilogy 5 pts
November 30, 2017
I finished reading this some time ago but kept putting off my review simply because I wasn't sure what to write. In the end I decided that honesty is the best policy.
When I was a third of the way through this book, I had the feeling that it wasn't 'quite' as compelling or engaging as the previous two: there was more action and less 'quiet', and in some way, a few too many characters but it wasn't until I reached the end that I realised why.
It was with real sadness that I learned of the death of Elizabeth Edmondson. I think this is a wonderful tribute to a gifted author and in some respects my minor problems with this story only accentuate how excellent the original author was in her writing.
Yes, the story didn't 'flow' as well as I expected, but five magnificent stars to Anslem Audley for taking on this task and giving fans of Hugo another story, as well as a conclusion that left this reader more than satisfied.
When I was a third of the way through this book, I had the feeling that it wasn't 'quite' as compelling or engaging as the previous two: there was more action and less 'quiet', and in some way, a few too many characters but it wasn't until I reached the end that I realised why.
It was with real sadness that I learned of the death of Elizabeth Edmondson. I think this is a wonderful tribute to a gifted author and in some respects my minor problems with this story only accentuate how excellent the original author was in her writing.
Yes, the story didn't 'flow' as well as I expected, but five magnificent stars to Anslem Audley for taking on this task and giving fans of Hugo another story, as well as a conclusion that left this reader more than satisfied.
December 12, 2017
Lo esperaba como agua de mayo, pero cuando lo empecé a leer noté que no me enganchaba tanto como los anteriores. Al final entendí lo que pasaba, la tercera y última parte de la serie la ha escrito el hijo de la autora (DEP). No digo que esté mal, pero ha pasado de ser una historia romántica con toques de espionaje a ser una especie de libro de espías en el que la historia de amor ha pasado a un segundísimo plano. De todas formas, seguiré leyendo los libros de la Elizabeth Edmondson que me faltan.
September 2, 2018
A fine wrap-up to the series, amazingly true to the others despite being completed by the author’s son. Hugo faces a very different mystery as a scientist disappears from the Atomic and is thought to have defected. Most of the dangling threads are wrapped up, and though I would have liked a tiny bit more romance since this is the last book, after all, the mystery was satisfying in the extreme. Well done. The afterward is quite weepy and quite informative about Elizabeth Edmondson’s death, which like most authors’ deaths was another puzzle that readers so rarely get to resolve.
October 24, 2017
Sadly, the last book in the Very English Mystery series after the death of the original author. Her son has done an admirable job finishing her work with this book. As in the first two books, the characters, setting and plot are perfectly done.
I highly recommend this book and the other two books in the series.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I highly recommend this book and the other two books in the series.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2018
Enjoyed it but not as much as others in the series. I was sad to learn it was the last.
October 22, 2017
Heartbreaking
It is heartbreaking to think that this wonderful author will write no more. I shall miss her stories, peopled with entertaining and interesting characters.
It is heartbreaking to think that this wonderful author will write no more. I shall miss her stories, peopled with entertaining and interesting characters.
May 5, 2024
Another pleasant sequel. It's a shame it had to end here
May 10, 2018
I really enjoyed this historical mystery spy novel. There were some good twists and turns with the characters, a kidnapping, espionage, an old English castle, romance...A real good read.
October 6, 2018
I’m going to miss this series. Her son did a beautiful job of completing it for her.
January 1, 2024
Gostei muito deste livro!
À semelhança dos dois anteriores, é muito divertido e foi escrito de forma inteligente. As personagens foram muito bem pensadas. É verdade que este livro foi terminado pelo filho de Elizabeth Edmondson - Anselm Audley -, e dá para perceber certas diferenças entre mãe e filho, mas isto não foi impeditivo para uma ótima leitura. Gostei muito desta fase passada com Hugo, Georgia e Freya. Tenho pena de não ler mais nada com estas personagens e todas as outras que nos foram apresentadas, mas é compreensível que a série A Very Engligh Mystery termine por aqui. Fiquei também fã deste período da história a que chamamos Guerra Fria, com os seus espiões e mistérios.
À semelhança dos dois anteriores, é muito divertido e foi escrito de forma inteligente. As personagens foram muito bem pensadas. É verdade que este livro foi terminado pelo filho de Elizabeth Edmondson - Anselm Audley -, e dá para perceber certas diferenças entre mãe e filho, mas isto não foi impeditivo para uma ótima leitura. Gostei muito desta fase passada com Hugo, Georgia e Freya. Tenho pena de não ler mais nada com estas personagens e todas as outras que nos foram apresentadas, mas é compreensível que a série A Very Engligh Mystery termine por aqui. Fiquei também fã deste período da história a que chamamos Guerra Fria, com os seus espiões e mistérios.
April 1, 2019
My honest opinion - I am both happy and unsatisfied about this book.
Facts first: the authoress of The Very English mysteries, of whom this book is the last one, had died while working on it. So the book has been co-written and finished by her son.
The series will not continue. Thank you, dear author/s, for the witty and highly entertaining ride! It has been a pleasure.
I love this series immensely. The title is right: the books are very British, very clever, full of very dry humour, very lovely to read. I love all the characters, even Lady Sonia and Valerie!
But in all honesty - one can tell the third book (most of it) has been written by the different author. Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful to Mr Audley to finish the book! To be able to know what had happened next in my beloved series is pure pleasure and I would read anything written by anyone about these people. And this third installment is a lovely testament of son´s love for his mother.
But while I recognize all of the effort and love put into the next book - I can also feel that the touch is different and the lightness is gone. Too much communists, too little of wits of Father Leo, for example. Too little of the old charm.
Coming from the post-Communist country, I like all the exact descriptions of the regime. And as the lover of all things Hungarian-Árpád, nice to meet you!
Facts first: the authoress of The Very English mysteries, of whom this book is the last one, had died while working on it. So the book has been co-written and finished by her son.
The series will not continue. Thank you, dear author/s, for the witty and highly entertaining ride! It has been a pleasure.
I love this series immensely. The title is right: the books are very British, very clever, full of very dry humour, very lovely to read. I love all the characters, even Lady Sonia and Valerie!
But in all honesty - one can tell the third book (most of it) has been written by the different author. Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful to Mr Audley to finish the book! To be able to know what had happened next in my beloved series is pure pleasure and I would read anything written by anyone about these people. And this third installment is a lovely testament of son´s love for his mother.
But while I recognize all of the effort and love put into the next book - I can also feel that the touch is different and the lightness is gone. Too much communists, too little of wits of Father Leo, for example. Too little of the old charm.
Coming from the post-Communist country, I like all the exact descriptions of the regime. And as the lover of all things Hungarian-Árpád, nice to meet you!
September 29, 2017
The best compliment that I can give Anselm Audley is that I didn't realize that he had written this novel. The style is so close to Elizabeth Edmonson's previous books, that I had no idea that she had passed away and that he had completed this last volume. It has all the best parts that we've grown to love. Hugo Hawksworth is once again involved in a case of espionage and murder. He knows that there is a mole in their organization, but is not so convinced that it is who everyone thinks. There is also a ton of gossip and all the supporting characters we now know make appearances. The banter between Hugo's sister Georgia and Polly, the Earl of Selchester's daughter made me laugh out loud. The last part was very suspenseful, and I loved the ending - which also closes this series. The mystery is compelling and the culprit surprised me. This novel won't disappoint fans and will make newbies want to go back and read the previous volumes.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer!
March 6, 2022
I enjoyed the first two of this three part series much more than this one. This novel seemed to come unmoored with too many characters and too many threads to the plot. I found myself picking the book up more to get finished rather than because I couldn’t wait to get back to it. I understand that this third book was written by the son of the original author of the first two books to complete the three book concept. Another reviewer mentioned that at some point interest in the book clicked, I am willing to do that for spectacular writing, but this wasn’t that book and there are so many great books to read I put this book aside.
June 8, 2018
Well, this series ended as it began, which is to say, okay but not great. I really liked the characters throughout, but the mysteries themselves were always a bit of a jumble. In the case of this particular book in the series, it's even more of a jumble, undoubtedly because Elizabeth Edmondson died while working on it and her son, Anselm Audley, finished it. There were some mysteries that were never resolved -- why exactly did Lady Sylvia hate her father so much, and what was the deal with those tablets that she took from his bedside the night he died/disappeared? -- and they shall remain forever unsolved, because Audley isn't going to keep going with the series.
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