Gilded Deceit

Rannoch Fraser Mysteries #8

by Tracy Grant

August 1818
The secrets of Suzanne Rannoch’s scandalous past have forced Suzanne and her husband Malcolm — also a spy — to flee London's intrigues and ballrooms. Suzanne fears they will go mad from boredom in their gilded refuge on Lake Como. But before they even reach the villa, they are attacked by bandits who think the Rannochs possess a mysterious treasure. Are their past deeds catching up with them or were they mistaken for someone else?


As they settle in at the lake, they encounter Italian revolutionaries, gun smugglers, an English nobleman living in self-imposed exile with a beautiful contessa, and Lord Byron and Percy and Mary Shelley, who have their own reasons for fleeing Britain. The exquisite beauty of the villas and gardens holds layers of deceit, tied to the very enemies the Rannochs sought to escape. When a golden afternoon on the lake turns crimson with murder, Malcolm and Suzanne realize that boredom is the least of their concerns…but they may have to fear for their lives and the lives of those closest to them...

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Regency, Mystery Thriller, Historical Romance

499 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2017

About the author

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

Reviews

[Misfit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer, I have loved every book in this series that I have read so far, but I have no idea what happened here. Or more precisely, what didn't happen. Nothing ever happened, even the big tah-dah was a snooze. All they did was talk and talk and talk about the past and past relationships and how they've come through it to be better people. Blah.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anyone who already reads this series needs to read this book, particularly with the suspenseful way the last book ended. However, this cannot be read as a standalone. I enjoy this series, but I found this book confusing at times because of the numerous references in conversations to previous characters.

As much as I love this series, these characters, and the author's writing style, this book tended to drag at times for me. The mystery and suspense elements were limited, compared to previous books. I had no sense of urgency or investment in the murder investigation. The characters spent too much time talking amongst themselves about their feelings about complex issues from the past, which often felt tedious and out of character.

The setting for this story is fabulous. Tracy Grant excels at painting a picture of Lake Como and the lifestyle there. Also enjoyable is the incorporation in this book of Lord Byron and Percy and Mary Shelley. I am looking forward to the next Rannoch adventure. Now that the characters have worked through some of their past ghosts, I am hoping for some new intrigues and dilemmas. I am also looking forward to seeing where the next book will take place.

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gilded Deceit is the thirteenth book in the Malcolm and Suzanne Rannoch historical mystery series; something that can confuse new readers due to the name change midway through the series. However, if you do your homework it's a simple matter of understanding that Malcolm and Suzanne are spies and secret identities are just part of the spy genre.

At this point in the series, Malcolm and Suzanne have overcome some rather big hurdles. Discovering your wife married you to spy on you understandably puts a damper on the finer feelings in a marriage. Yes, this is something that the couple have been able to come to terms with even if it still complicates their lives and their family. Suzanne's past as a spy has been uncovered by Malcom's former spymaster and to protect Suzanne, the family has decided to flee to Italy. And naturally, the couple soon find themselves (and their friends) embroiled in an intrigue.

I have always enjoyed this series, but I did find that this most recent addition to have stretched the bounds of my belief and lent itself more of a "cozy" feel that I found absent from the earlier books in the series. Quite simply, I'm not sure that I buy all of Malcom and Suzanne's friends flocking to Italy to see them amidst a murder investigation. It just seems to convenient. As does the coziness that Malcolm experiences with his father and his rather complicated history with his family. As much as I enjoy Malcom and Suzanne's company of investigators, the circumstances of their coming together just seems too easy and lacking the depth of characterization that was evident in the earlier books of the series.

I enjoy keeping in touch with Malcom and Suzanne and their extended family, but Gilded Deceit is not my favourite book of the series. There are still a number of threads left dangling and I look forward to seeing how the author resolves them.

*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Daniella Bernett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another elegant and engaging mystery from Tracy Grant. Murder, intrigue and romance meld seamlessly on the banks of lovely Lake Como. Tracy Grant's writing gets better with every book. I can't wait for the next book in this delightful series.

[OLT · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just stick a fork in me. I think I'm done. Don't know if I should get some points for loyalty, since I have "persisted" in the reading of the Charles & Melanie Fraser/Malcolm & Suzanne Rannoch spy series for years, even as it seems to be coming off the rails. Or perhaps I should get a Failure to Learn Certificate since I should have quit three stories ago.

The early books were really good, with very complex mysteries, good research into the Napoleonic Era, and complicated, convoluted political and personal relationships. Now each new book just seems to be a hash and rehash of personal relationships and former intrigues, with a new mystery thrown in as what seems to be a minor part of the whole book.

Yes, yes, yes, the Rannochs have a complicated relationship history, as do their besties Harry and Cordy, and Simon and David, and David and his father Carfax, and Raoul and Malcolm, and Raoul and Suzanne, and on and on and on. I've got it. Now it's time to again make the books about the spying, not the discussions about feelings and relationships. And spare me more emoting about children and how it's all about the children. Got it, thanks. No more breastfeeding, and strawberries, and playing at the beach, and tenderly watching the little ones sleeping, blah, blah, blah. Time to get back to sophisticated intrigues.

I thought I'd like this new story. It takes place in 1818 in Italy near Lake Como, at the Rannoch's villa. They have escaped from England fearing Suzanne's outing as a French spy. So they meet up with a mystery and murder at the nearby villa of an English expat living with his longtime Italian mistress and mother of his second set of children (first set living in England with his legitimate wife). Is Carfax somehow involved with the murder and mystery? What about that dreaded Elsinore League? And maybe the new Levelers or maybe Italian revolutionaries. There's even some gunrunning going on amidst all the possible spying. And who's working with Carfax and who's involved with the Elsinore League? Sounds good, right? And there's even the addition of Lord Byron and Mary and Percy Shelley as secondaries.

So all of this would have been very good, except for the fact that almost three quarters of the pages were spent on personal relationships, talking about feelings, and doting on children. So, Ms. Grant, I've been a fan for years but now I'm officially a former fan unless you go back to more intrigue and less blah, blah.

One more thing. Enough with the characters' continual interrupting of each other. Stop finishing each other's sentences and let them finish their own thoughts instead of doing it for them. And the second one more thing. That impersonal "one" construction found on almost every page. One does tire of that. Indeed one does. One hopes one could think of another way to express oneself. Oh, almost forgot the third one more thing. Could we please pick a name for Suzanne/Melanie and stick with it, at least on the same page and preferably for the whole book? How hard can it be for the characters to choose one to call her and stick with it?

[Minnesinger · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is so disappointing. Tracy Grant has really let things slide in Rannoch-Land.

All the 'action' (or lack thereof) takes place in Italy near Lake Como, first at the villa of Bernard Montagu, Lord Thurston, and his imorata, Elena, Contessa Vincenzo; then at Malcolm's mother's villa nearby.

There is only the barest of plots, and a rehash of past events. The only action is the travel to Italy, culminating in the holdup of their coach. Rannochs assume it is not a random attack, but we're never told why.

The entire book feels like a combination soap opera/game of 'CLUE'. Each chapter is just the same characters (in rotation) soliloquizing in the study, garden, or lakeside. Instead of Miss Scarlet or Colonel Mustard with the candlestick, it's Malcolm+Harry searching for Carfax's letter to Thurmont in Thurmont's study, then male-bonding as they each declaim how much they love their wives despite their betrayals.

Malcolm+Raoul bare their souls as they stand by the lake and watch the kiddies play. Raoul is finally getting his chance to have his own family, is proud to be called 'Daddie' by Laura's daughter Emily, and Malcomb ruins it by trying to convince Raoul that they should tell Colin who his real birth father is. (Is he insane?) Needless to say, Raoul is not wild about the idea.

Mélanie+BFF Cordi search Vincenzo's bedroom for the list of Elsinore agents, all while sharing confidences about their marriages, too. Once again we must suffer through more chest-beating about how they don't deserve their husbands after their betrayals. Enough already!

Lord Carfax's letter to Thurston tips off Malcolm as to their connection between the two. ENDLESS speculation ensues, about whether Thurston -- and the mysterious St. Juste, whom Mélanie/Suzanne* discovers hiding in the study -- are working for Carfax. St. Juste was supposedly part of the Elsinore band of spies, but now has a price on his head. Kit and Selena overhear Thurston, Vincenzo and St. Juste conspiring one night as the two lovers stand outside the open window. Oh, and St. Juste is still in love with Mélanie.

Further intrigue: Smythe is found out as a wife (Diana) abuser, so her father and brother, Thurston and Kit, vow revenge.

See what I mean about a soap opera?

Grant introduces so many new characters that it's like a revolving door. There is too little plot development and too much 'filler'. Too much brooding and too little action. We *already know* Raoul is Malcolm's and Colin's father; why keep bringing it up? Perhaps to point out who else knows, or suspects?

Raoul's wife Margaret certainly suspects. How convenient that she just happens to be visiting Italy, and in the same area! Lo and behold she also knows (in the Biblical sense) Elena's husband, Conte Vincenzo, whom she met at Alistair Rannoch's home. So, rather than a virtuous, betrayed wife, she is painted as an adulteress from the start, winning further sympathy for Raoul. I usually appreciate introspective characters, but here it is over the top.

Vincenzo apparently tried to recruit Margaret for the Elsinore League, too. He deprived Elena of her children to punish her for her adultery. He blackmails the Shelleys by offering a loan which he then quickly calls in, telling Percy that he will waive payback if he spies for the Conte. All-around Nice Guy. (Yes, Shelleys -- and Lord Byron -- are also in the area. Yet another coincidence.)

Enter St. Juste to further muddy the waters. What, is this 'old home week'?

So the 'plot' is simply Malcolm and Melanie doing what they do best--sleuthing. Determining who killed Vincenzo, who is with the Elsinore League or with Carfax (or with neither, like Malcolm and Mélanie).
All that happens is that they arrive in Italy, their coach is held up, someone is murdered, and they run into more Britons than they would have back in London. Clearly they failed in their attempt to escape England incognito.

This book is, unfortunately, little more than a set-up for the next book.
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(*I find it very confusing that Mélanie is now supposed to be 'Suzanne' (given the new series name), but is still called 'Mélanie'.)

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much angst and tangled relationships, not enough plot.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

1818 and the Rannochs are fleeing to Lake Como.
To me this is not a stand alone book in the series, there are just too many past events and people mentioned to make it so. This book might have been more interesting after having read the previous 12 books so that you have all the background information of these events, and information about the characters to make them more rounded.
For me there was much too much talk and description and not a lot of action or going forward with the mystery.
A NetGalley Book.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately I have to agree with Bibliothekerin. I have eagerly devoured every book in this series primarily because I have loved the intrigue of spies, the rich settings, and the Napoleonic time period. It was always a bit different from other historic mysteries/thrillers I've read. I should have taken the warning about this entry from Suzanne/Melanie's lips: "boring". All these characters who were very recently lying, spying and cheating on each other, deliciously so, are now living together in congenial harmony. They seem to anachronistically talk about their well-adjusted feelings and modern attitudes as nauseum. The actual murder was uninteresting. I got the impression that nobody was particularly concerned about finding the killer except as a pastime for the Rannochs and co. I certainly am not very invested in the threat of the Elsinore League. And darn if Grant didn't take the one interesting spy left, Julian St. Juste, and tame him, too, because he's in love with Mel. I thought the most interesting character was Raoul's estranged wife, Margaret. Thank goodness somebody was behaving badly! Also, Please do not unload your messed up baggage on that poor child, Colin. No, just no.

I'm really getting tired of many of my favorite authors feeling the need to inject modern day attitudes into these historical narratives. Do they not understand that the reason it's interesting is that different way of perceiving and interacting with the world and society. I do not need to be preached to. Please, Ms. Grant, get back on track.

[Betty Strohecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a follower of this series, you will know that the Rannochs were forced to leave Britain at the end of the last novel, when Carfax revealed he knew information about Suzanne that could threaten her safety. Gilded Deceit finds the family and extended friends/relations arriving in Italy where Malcolm has a villa inherited from his mother. Before reaching the villa, however, their coach is attacked by supposed bandits who are looking for valuable information they believe the travelers have. And so the adventure begins with a mystery, a threat, and soon a murder. Arriving in Italy did not turn out to be as boring as the Rannoch family feared.

New characters are introduced in the persons of the Montagu family, headed by British ex-patriot Thurston Montagu. Old acquaintances appear, as some friends and family follow the Rannochs to Italy, as well as a surprise appearance by Margaret O'Roarke, Raoul's estranged wife, whom we have only previously heard about. The Rannochs investigate the murder, which occurred at a house party, and as usual find a number of suspects. Adding to the excitement are the inclusion of Lord Byron and Percy and Mary Shelley, all staying at a nearby villa, and possible suspects. I always enjoy the way Tracy incorporates real historical figures into her books. Another treat was the detailed descriptions of the Italian lake country.

The book ends with Grant hinting at a number of intriguing possibilities that may occur in the next novel. That will keep her fans guessing.

[Argum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our favorite family is on the move to avoid Carfax revealing Melanie's past and have gone to Italy to the villa give to Malcolm by his mother. Laura and Raoul are along with the children and Blanco and Addison of course. On the way, bandits try to rob the group of a mysterious 'it' but no one knows what is going on or if it was mistaken identity. An old acquaintance from Waterloo intervenes just in time and invites them to his father's home nearby. The man is an expat who left England and his family to live with his mistress and Italian countess. His children haven't seen him since, but he seems to have a good relationship with the husband of his mistress and their children. Until Raoul overhears the Count plotting against the man. Is this related to the bandits? Many old friends arrive on the scene and many old secrets come to life when the Count is found dead. Really enjoy these characters and quite good personal payoffs in this one.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series, both for the well-written, interesting characters and for the historical setting. This book was not my favourite of the series, but I did enjoy it.

For me, this book was over-loaded with the machiavellian relationship travails of the multiple couples who people this world. I do realize that the British aristocracy was rife with affairs and children born "on the wrong side of the sheets" and all manner of sexual carryings-on. But there was just way too much of the book focused on that for me. I don't mind some of that, but from about halfway this book felt like it was a romance novel rather than a historical mystery, which is what I expect when picking up a book in this series.

I will continue with the series, because I do like these characters and enjoy their adventures solving mysteries. I hope that now that so many of the relationship dramas have played out in this book, that there will be less of that moving forward.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set in August, 1818 in Italy around the Lake Como region. Malolm Rannoch and his wife and children and friends have fled England for Italy. Once they arrive they are involved in the investigation into the murder of a man that was present at a party they attended. The story is full of secrets past and present and the effects they have on people. The book was an easy read.

[nikkia neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks NYLA and netgalley for this ARC.

It's amazing when you think that this is book number 13! I've read this series from the beginning, and it's like finding a good show on t.v. you thought was canceled. Always exciting, heartfelt, and juicy!

[Cathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thrilled to see the story of Malcolm and Melanie continued in Gilded Deceit at Lake Como in Italy. It was exciting and put them back on the investigation of a murder. Tracy Grant uses real people in her stories which adds interest. In this story it was Lord Byron and the Shelleys.

[Kathleen Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of this series, I really like the characters and the way they interact with each other. I liked the setting of Italy for this book. I look forward to the next adventure in this series.

[Dierdre Watkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

How Many Times Does She Say Darling?

I was very very disappointed in this book. H
It really needed a better editor. I have read at least six books in this series and this book can be skipped. The conversations, plots, relationships...all boring and repetitive. Everyone says "Quite" and " Darling" until I wanted to scream. Don't waste your money

[Barbara Literski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This story is the best that I have read in the Malcolm and Suzanne Rannoch books. It was hard to put down. Looking forward to the next book.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malcolm and Mélanie Suzanne Rannoch are now in Italy. Before they reach Malcolm’s villa, their coach is stopped and bandits demand they hand it over. Of course, they have no idea what “it” is, but before things go badly, Kit Montagu comes to their aid. He and his sisters, Selena and Diana Smythe and Diana’s husband, John Smythe, are on their was to see their father, Lord Thurston, who left England to be with Contessa Elena Vincenzo. And as always happens to the Rannochs, their friends, the Davenport, and family, including Malcolm’s Aunt Frances, are soon involved in an investigation that covers murder, Mélanie’s past as a Bonapartist spy, O’Roarke’s wife, and the Elsinore League.

[Kiki Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a departure from the usual formula. In some ways, I loved it, namely because the mystery was complex but not so complex I felt I needed to go back and reread passages or the dramatis personae to remember who was who and who did what like I needed to in previous books. And I did love people sitting down and talking about things that happened and strengthening their relationships. However, some of the talking was unnecessary and repetitive since there were times when there definitely wasn't something new to say. I think they talked their relationships to death by the end.

[Natasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the outset, the tension in *Gilded Deceit* is palpable, and the pacing is expertly crafted, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The characters, each intricately developed, navigate their complicated relationships in a world filled with secrets and deception. The story is imbued with numerous layers that invite deep exploration, making it one of the most compelling historical mystery series available today. Full review you can find on my blog: https://poetryofreading.blogspot.com

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the next pivot in the series. We've removed ourselves to Italy with Melanie and Malcolm, and we meet several new characters, and learn a little more about the League and the past. It's going to lead us to a new direction, but I have to admit, I was hoping they would go back to England soon! I don't want to be in Italy forever!

[Jane Shibilski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so looking forward to immersing myself in Melanie and Malcolm's world for a few days, but this book just seemed to follow a format without the usual charm. Endless discussions of feelings with a mystery thrown in for good measure dominated the plot. This rather lengthy book wrapped up in a few paragraphs that felt almost like an afterthought.

It ended with Malcolm and Melanie's circumstances virtually unchanged from the beginning. I had hoped they would find their way back to Britain, however, I hope this will happen in the next book. In all her other books, the mystery drove the plot of the book. In this particular book, it's the opposite. The mystery seemed like just a plot device used to advance the social interactions of all the main characters. It was enjoyable, but only because of the background history already known from previous books. I hope the next book in the series finds them back in Britain with a beguiling mystery to solve.