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1884 No Boundaries: A Story of Espionage, and International Intrigue
Love, murder, sex, and terrorism swirl within a collapsed world economy.
No, it’s not today.
It’s London, 1884.
Recently married LANGSFORD, born of wealth and privilege, is bound by the restrictions of Victorian society. Dynamite has been invented, but the term “homosexuality” has not and men can be arrested for either.
Langsford accompanies his visiting friend, HEINRICH, eighteen, who innocently flirts with young ANNA at London’s Leadenhall Market.
What should be the end of the story becomes the beginning, for Heinrich falls in love with her, never part of the plan. Instead it becomes the catalyst for everything that follows when he flees Germany to return to her. Events unfold that expose terrorists, espionage and international intrigue.
Langsford walks a fine line as he crosses boundaries he never imagined, rubbing elbows with spies, killers and would-be assassins to save his friend, stop an assassination, and prevent a war.
No, it’s not today.
It’s London, 1884.
Recently married LANGSFORD, born of wealth and privilege, is bound by the restrictions of Victorian society. Dynamite has been invented, but the term “homosexuality” has not and men can be arrested for either.
Langsford accompanies his visiting friend, HEINRICH, eighteen, who innocently flirts with young ANNA at London’s Leadenhall Market.
What should be the end of the story becomes the beginning, for Heinrich falls in love with her, never part of the plan. Instead it becomes the catalyst for everything that follows when he flees Germany to return to her. Events unfold that expose terrorists, espionage and international intrigue.
Langsford walks a fine line as he crosses boundaries he never imagined, rubbing elbows with spies, killers and would-be assassins to save his friend, stop an assassination, and prevent a war.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 23, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 21, 2018
I received this book from Archway publishing and A E Wasserman for a fair honest review ll opinions are my own.
I honestly thought I would dislike or maybe even hate this book, even though I usually love Historical fiction I don't like books about spies, espionage and terrorism, but there is always an exception to every rule, this is it.
Our story begins with Henrich ( Henry ) and his friend Langsford and English Lord chums from school on a visit to London where Langsford is native, Henry is from Germany. While window shopping Henry decides to get a present for his mother so they enter a shop and check out scarves. Henry meets Anne and both are instantly smitten, if you can believe that. Henry sneaks off for a walk with Anna chaperoned by Langsford since that was proper for that era. Upon finding out Henry's father is outraged, Henry in the company of a woman, this is unacceptable, he is to be a priest, due to some stupid agreement 500 years prior between the family and the Pope. Henry flat out refuses to become a priest when it comes down to the time to do it. He runs away, and in so doing puts himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and is accused of murder by the murdered man's brother. Some other crazy stuff is going on and he is hunted for treason.
In the meantime: Anna thinks he is a scoundrel since he disappears without a word, or letter. She has no idea what kind of danger and trouble he is in, so she starts keeping company with Robert.She feels he may be her last chance for marriage and a family of her own, (he's nice enough, so why not? )
There is so much to this story , romance, mystery,murder, assassination plots, and more. I really want to read the other books in this 1880"s series now, because this was a great story. I literally didn't want to put it down.
I honestly thought I would dislike or maybe even hate this book, even though I usually love Historical fiction I don't like books about spies, espionage and terrorism, but there is always an exception to every rule, this is it.
Our story begins with Henrich ( Henry ) and his friend Langsford and English Lord chums from school on a visit to London where Langsford is native, Henry is from Germany. While window shopping Henry decides to get a present for his mother so they enter a shop and check out scarves. Henry meets Anne and both are instantly smitten, if you can believe that. Henry sneaks off for a walk with Anna chaperoned by Langsford since that was proper for that era. Upon finding out Henry's father is outraged, Henry in the company of a woman, this is unacceptable, he is to be a priest, due to some stupid agreement 500 years prior between the family and the Pope. Henry flat out refuses to become a priest when it comes down to the time to do it. He runs away, and in so doing puts himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, and is accused of murder by the murdered man's brother. Some other crazy stuff is going on and he is hunted for treason.
In the meantime: Anna thinks he is a scoundrel since he disappears without a word, or letter. She has no idea what kind of danger and trouble he is in, so she starts keeping company with Robert.She feels he may be her last chance for marriage and a family of her own, (he's nice enough, so why not? )
There is so much to this story , romance, mystery,murder, assassination plots, and more. I really want to read the other books in this 1880"s series now, because this was a great story. I literally didn't want to put it down.
August 16, 2015
I loved it!!
Full review in progress and will be ready within the next days.
Attention: Please read the book description BEFORE the review because I do not tell the description in my own words.
Full review as posted on Edi's Book Lighthouse
The 323 pages of the book are divided into four named parts which are subdivided into 70 consecutively numbered chapters. The four parts are enveloped by an epilogue and background information. The story is told from third person point-of-view.
With such an excellent book description it is not necessary to repeat it with my own words. But is important to talk about characters.The three main characters have been introduced in the description.
LANGSFORD is a Lord and his first name is not mentioned once in the whole book. He spent time in school with HEINRICH who is the the second son of the patriarch and German Reichsgraf (Count of the Empire) Dieffenbacher. While in England a lot of people call him Henry instead of Heinrich.
Finally there is young ANNA Boardman who is working as a shop girl. Her parents died of typhoid when she was a child The parents of her childhood friend Charlotte whose aunt and uncle had taken her after the sad event.
Beside that a lot more people come into play. Their descriptions vary on their importance for the story. None of these characters appear one dimensional. Furthermore they all use language in a style that fits perfectly to their social rank. Combined with the detailed description of clothing, habits and actions it is one of the ingredients which make it one of the ingredients which let 1884 No Boundaries shine as a star in the historical fiction heaven.
Language is really important and I admired that part of the books are presented bilingual which means English AND German. It makes really sense as one of the main characters is German and part of the story takes place in Prussia and other parts of Germany.
As a reader with English as first language you do not need to worry. Every word has been translated.
My first language is German and I can assure your that the use of German language has been done without faults. That is not a matter of course which I know from other books.
The depiction of the scenery and locations from a pub in London over the different cabins in German trains to a hamlet in Prussia is excellent and it is the perfect "drug" to blossom the world of 1884 No Boundaries in your imagination.
Are there boundaries for love? The answer is stated in the title: 1884 No Boundaries
And this answer is also valid for the areas stated in the sub title: A STORY OF ESPIONAGE, AND INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE
It is Heinrich Dieffenbacher who set the story in motion with his crossing of social etiquette. It was outrageous in Victorian Era to talk to a woman about love without knowing her and without following the rules of courtship. It was a scandal to do that as an aristocrat and furthermore to disobey the social rank!
at this point the story could have ended as one of the many social dramas. But that was not the intention of the author. Remember the title: 1884 No Boundaries
It is this disobeying of social boundaries which is the read thread, the leading theme of the whole book. You would not believe me if I would enumerate all the boundaries which have been crossed until the end of 1884 No Boundaries.
I admit that Heinrich Dieffenbacher has an exquisite talent to be at the wrong place, to be at the wrong time and taking the wrong action.
What do you expect from a young man in love, with a determined future in front and who is wholehearted and cooperative? A young man who has just one aim - to marry the woman he loves.
Fortunately is such a lovable character who can count on his friends and especially on Lord Langsford. Langsford appreciate Heinrich a lot and he supports him with all his power, influence and intelligence from the bottom of his heart.
It is Heinrich's talent to be at the wrong place that set another story into motion which involves terrorism, colonial policy, social unrest and creation of political awareness.
The criss crossing of the different story lines drive the plot along and culminates in explosions on several levels physically and emotionally.
So far we have a fantastic story set in the year 1884 which demonstrate what it meant and would could happen if you crossed boundaries on every level in life.
But that is not all. It is unavoidable and a must to talk to talk about two pages with the heading
BACKGROUND: 1884 NO Boundaries
Let me quote a few but impressive words:
"The history is real - [...]. Many people of the people in the tale are also real. [...] Henry and Anna are based on real individuals [...]"
Beside that several events did really take part like the Congo Conference in Berlin 1884-85. Not to forget the accuracy when it comes to inventions like dynamite, the method of transportation of goods and people, the political development and social etiquette.
I don't know what to expect more from a historical fiction book.
It is such an excellent reflection of society and the times presented in a most entertaining way. It is satisfying and it is demanding to get more information about the world in 1884.
1884 No Boundaries is one of the best historical fiction books I read in 2015.
I was more than happy when I discovered that there will be more books starring Lord Langsford.
Additional Information
Site: A. E. Wasserman
Twitter: twitter.com\aewasserman
1884 No Boundaries excerpt
The future of Lord Langsford
1886 No Ties
1884 No Time
Full review in progress and will be ready within the next days.
Attention: Please read the book description BEFORE the review because I do not tell the description in my own words.
Full review as posted on Edi's Book Lighthouse
The 323 pages of the book are divided into four named parts which are subdivided into 70 consecutively numbered chapters. The four parts are enveloped by an epilogue and background information. The story is told from third person point-of-view.
With such an excellent book description it is not necessary to repeat it with my own words. But is important to talk about characters.The three main characters have been introduced in the description.
LANGSFORD is a Lord and his first name is not mentioned once in the whole book. He spent time in school with HEINRICH who is the the second son of the patriarch and German Reichsgraf (Count of the Empire) Dieffenbacher. While in England a lot of people call him Henry instead of Heinrich.
Finally there is young ANNA Boardman who is working as a shop girl. Her parents died of typhoid when she was a child The parents of her childhood friend Charlotte whose aunt and uncle had taken her after the sad event.
Beside that a lot more people come into play. Their descriptions vary on their importance for the story. None of these characters appear one dimensional. Furthermore they all use language in a style that fits perfectly to their social rank. Combined with the detailed description of clothing, habits and actions it is one of the ingredients which make it one of the ingredients which let 1884 No Boundaries shine as a star in the historical fiction heaven.
Language is really important and I admired that part of the books are presented bilingual which means English AND German. It makes really sense as one of the main characters is German and part of the story takes place in Prussia and other parts of Germany.
As a reader with English as first language you do not need to worry. Every word has been translated.
My first language is German and I can assure your that the use of German language has been done without faults. That is not a matter of course which I know from other books.
The depiction of the scenery and locations from a pub in London over the different cabins in German trains to a hamlet in Prussia is excellent and it is the perfect "drug" to blossom the world of 1884 No Boundaries in your imagination.
Are there boundaries for love? The answer is stated in the title: 1884 No Boundaries
And this answer is also valid for the areas stated in the sub title: A STORY OF ESPIONAGE, AND INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE
It is Heinrich Dieffenbacher who set the story in motion with his crossing of social etiquette. It was outrageous in Victorian Era to talk to a woman about love without knowing her and without following the rules of courtship. It was a scandal to do that as an aristocrat and furthermore to disobey the social rank!
at this point the story could have ended as one of the many social dramas. But that was not the intention of the author. Remember the title: 1884 No Boundaries
It is this disobeying of social boundaries which is the read thread, the leading theme of the whole book. You would not believe me if I would enumerate all the boundaries which have been crossed until the end of 1884 No Boundaries.
I admit that Heinrich Dieffenbacher has an exquisite talent to be at the wrong place, to be at the wrong time and taking the wrong action.
What do you expect from a young man in love, with a determined future in front and who is wholehearted and cooperative? A young man who has just one aim - to marry the woman he loves.
Fortunately is such a lovable character who can count on his friends and especially on Lord Langsford. Langsford appreciate Heinrich a lot and he supports him with all his power, influence and intelligence from the bottom of his heart.
It is Heinrich's talent to be at the wrong place that set another story into motion which involves terrorism, colonial policy, social unrest and creation of political awareness.
The criss crossing of the different story lines drive the plot along and culminates in explosions on several levels physically and emotionally.
So far we have a fantastic story set in the year 1884 which demonstrate what it meant and would could happen if you crossed boundaries on every level in life.
But that is not all. It is unavoidable and a must to talk to talk about two pages with the heading
BACKGROUND: 1884 NO Boundaries
Let me quote a few but impressive words:
"The history is real - [...]. Many people of the people in the tale are also real. [...] Henry and Anna are based on real individuals [...]"
Beside that several events did really take part like the Congo Conference in Berlin 1884-85. Not to forget the accuracy when it comes to inventions like dynamite, the method of transportation of goods and people, the political development and social etiquette.
I don't know what to expect more from a historical fiction book.
It is such an excellent reflection of society and the times presented in a most entertaining way. It is satisfying and it is demanding to get more information about the world in 1884.
1884 No Boundaries is one of the best historical fiction books I read in 2015.
I was more than happy when I discovered that there will be more books starring Lord Langsford.
Additional Information
Site: A. E. Wasserman
Twitter: twitter.com\aewasserman
1884 No Boundaries excerpt
The future of Lord Langsford
1886 No Ties
1884 No Time
January 9, 2025
This is a story about two brothers. One is to become a nobleman the other a priest. The latter is accused of murder and treason. Believing he is escaping the priesthood with the police in pursuit through Europe he has no idea of the accusations against him. While this tale was slower that the two other Langsford mysteries that I have read it still has an exciting and explosive storyline ending with a lovers kiss while others look on in admiration.
March 15, 2021
Dynamite
1884. What a great book! Full of twists in every chapter, friendship, romance, politics and a look at London history during the time of the Irish Fenian bombings of the same year. I cannot wait to see what other crimes Lord Langford can solve with the aid of Pelham. AE Wasserman ignited more than dynamite with this book. She fueled my interest in European history
1884. What a great book! Full of twists in every chapter, friendship, romance, politics and a look at London history during the time of the Irish Fenian bombings of the same year. I cannot wait to see what other crimes Lord Langford can solve with the aid of Pelham. AE Wasserman ignited more than dynamite with this book. She fueled my interest in European history
September 17, 2015
1884 WAS BORN OUT OF A HANDED DOWN BOX FOUND IN THE FAMILY BASEMENT; scribbled family notes of lives lived and deeds done well over a century ago---political intrigue, social movements, and assasination plots. But the backbone of the book is a love story; a story of two young lovers, he of social standing, she but a commoner. The consequences of their love are deeply intertwined with the social, political, and ethical mores of the time. Indeed, their relationship, and his life, will rest in the hands of one extroidinary friendship.
Great attention was given to detail. The author worked with the calendars of the times; with actual sunrise and sunset schedules; available train schedules; and the overlay of Google Earth and Google maps with maps of the period. In one small scene two men sit chatting about their pipes; an evening was spent researching pipes of the times. Conversations were had with Scotland Yard to get the relevant historical details of the story lines correct.
As a kid I loved the historical novels of Irving Stone and later sometimes dressed in time--appropriate costume to teach them at Concordia University. I also loved the TV show, "I Led Three Lives", about spies, plots, and political intrigue. Sometimes I was "sick" from school to catch its 11:30 am showing. This book, corroborated by EXTENSIVE research, is of both those genres. The difference is that this book is personal, it's real, it's is family.
On a personal level, this book, and by extension this author, made me miss the University of Oregon football game AND Saturday night dinner. But she led me to the literary highlight of my own career: This book moves like a Bullet Train, each chapter eating up track. Missing dinner, I ate an entire bag of potato chips. It occurred to me that the chapters of the book and the bag of chips had one thing in common---I just wanted one more.
Great attention was given to detail. The author worked with the calendars of the times; with actual sunrise and sunset schedules; available train schedules; and the overlay of Google Earth and Google maps with maps of the period. In one small scene two men sit chatting about their pipes; an evening was spent researching pipes of the times. Conversations were had with Scotland Yard to get the relevant historical details of the story lines correct.
As a kid I loved the historical novels of Irving Stone and later sometimes dressed in time--appropriate costume to teach them at Concordia University. I also loved the TV show, "I Led Three Lives", about spies, plots, and political intrigue. Sometimes I was "sick" from school to catch its 11:30 am showing. This book, corroborated by EXTENSIVE research, is of both those genres. The difference is that this book is personal, it's real, it's is family.
On a personal level, this book, and by extension this author, made me miss the University of Oregon football game AND Saturday night dinner. But she led me to the literary highlight of my own career: This book moves like a Bullet Train, each chapter eating up track. Missing dinner, I ate an entire bag of potato chips. It occurred to me that the chapters of the book and the bag of chips had one thing in common---I just wanted one more.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews