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Rannoch Fraser Mysteries #12
The Glenister Papers
Every spy has a past. But Mélanie Suzanne Rannoch is not prepared to meet her husband Malcolm’s past literally walking towards them across a candlelit Mayfair ballroom in the person of brilliant, stunning Katelina Ashford, Malcolm’s first love. Nor is she prepared to find that Kitty is a former agent herself, who has come to London seeking Malcolm’s help. Mélanie, who misses her own past as a spy, always relishes the intrigue of espionage. But even as Kitty’s secret mission unsettles London society, it leaves Mélanie questioning her own assumptions about the man whose name and bed she has shared for seven years. The quest that has brought Kitty to London began in Spain in the tumult of the Napoleonic Wars, but it stretches into some of Britain’s most powerful families. From the gritty bustle of Bow Street to the scandalous grottos of Vauxhall, the Rannochs find themselves involved in a search for a mysterious operative known as the Goshawk, a painting that holds the key to unraveling a long-buried secret history, and a fiendishly clever killer working very much in the present. But even as they try to keep the revelations from overturning vital alliances and smashing the lives of their closest friends, Mélanie and Malcolm discover the greatest danger may be to their own personal alliance. "Shimmers like the finest salons in Vienna." —Deborah Crombie "Meticulous, delightful, and full of surprises." —Tasha Alexander "Glittering balls, deadly intrigue, sexual scandals. . .the next best thing to actually being there!"— Lauren Willig "A superb storyteller."— Deanna Raybourn
538 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2019
49 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Grant
55 books177 followersTracy 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.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 30, 2019
Lashings of intrigue intertwined with spies and betrayal, and rich character portraits make "The Glenister Papers"a deliciously entertaining read. Tracy Grant is a wonderful storyteller.
July 6, 2025
I cherish the opportunity to follow these beloved characters through the years, witnessing their struggles, triumphs, and the ever-changing dynamics of their relationships. Full on my blog: https://poetryofreading.blogspot.com
May 22, 2019
I have read all the books in this series and was excited when this book arrived. While it is not the best book in the series, I did enjoy reading it.
This book introduces us to Kitty Ashford, Malcolm's first love. She comes with an agenda to find a "hero" of Spain from the time of Waterloo and she needs Malcolm and Suzanne (now called Melanie) to make an introduction. There are also several historical figures at a Mayfair ball which is a signature trait of the author. A number of new characters are introduced as well as the return of Inspector Roth and Malcolm's brother Edgar. It appears Edgar has been leaving in France with his wife, sadly no children. There is an attempted murder on a "former" agent that worked for Harry during the war that needs to be investigated and the "papers" from the title are not introduced until more than half way the book. Both are connected to the "hero" of Spain. The League also make an appearance, but very small. Most of the book is spent connecting the new characters to the main characters which makes the solution to the investigation seems to be rushed. There are a number of subplots to keep track of and loose threads for the next book. There may also be some changed allegiances which may change the fight against the League.
I hope the next book in the series has more story and less new characters.
This book introduces us to Kitty Ashford, Malcolm's first love. She comes with an agenda to find a "hero" of Spain from the time of Waterloo and she needs Malcolm and Suzanne (now called Melanie) to make an introduction. There are also several historical figures at a Mayfair ball which is a signature trait of the author. A number of new characters are introduced as well as the return of Inspector Roth and Malcolm's brother Edgar. It appears Edgar has been leaving in France with his wife, sadly no children. There is an attempted murder on a "former" agent that worked for Harry during the war that needs to be investigated and the "papers" from the title are not introduced until more than half way the book. Both are connected to the "hero" of Spain. The League also make an appearance, but very small. Most of the book is spent connecting the new characters to the main characters which makes the solution to the investigation seems to be rushed. There are a number of subplots to keep track of and loose threads for the next book. There may also be some changed allegiances which may change the fight against the League.
I hope the next book in the series has more story and less new characters.
June 3, 2019
This author was a new one to me, and this is the 17 th book in her regency mystery series based around Malcolm Fraser and his wife Suzanne/Mélanie.
I really have enjoyed her writing, and how she works with her characters. Unlike many regency romances, the characters in her books seem to have multiple affairs while married, both men and women, so it is probably a bit more realistic than many straightforward regency romances. This is used a lot as a plot device in this book, as the way Malcolm’s former love affects the relationship between him and Suzanne.
I really like that Ms Grant writes longer length books, which gives her the space to work through the mystery/ investigation in her book, and also to flesh out her characters and their feelings and motivations. The mystery is interesting and the characters engaging, enough that I have started the series at the beginning and have made my way through the first 5 already.
I have found it hard to keep track of the huge cast of characters, however she has a handy guide at the beginning of the book.
Highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I really have enjoyed her writing, and how she works with her characters. Unlike many regency romances, the characters in her books seem to have multiple affairs while married, both men and women, so it is probably a bit more realistic than many straightforward regency romances. This is used a lot as a plot device in this book, as the way Malcolm’s former love affects the relationship between him and Suzanne.
I really like that Ms Grant writes longer length books, which gives her the space to work through the mystery/ investigation in her book, and also to flesh out her characters and their feelings and motivations. The mystery is interesting and the characters engaging, enough that I have started the series at the beginning and have made my way through the first 5 already.
I have found it hard to keep track of the huge cast of characters, however she has a handy guide at the beginning of the book.
Highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
June 24, 2019
When Malcolm Rannoch's past approaches across a Mayfair ballroom, he has no idea trouble she brings with her. A widow is attacked, and the search is on for a mysterious operative known as the Goshawk. Secrets and scars of the past will be revealed.
I had a hard time getting through this book. I didn't realize just how far along it was in the series, and that means there was A LOT of backstories. There is a lot of baggage from the past from everyone in the story. I also kept getting confused about who each person was and how they were all related. The chart in the beginning was helpful, but inconvenient to keep going back and forth to keep it all straight.
The plot itself was interesting, but it was well over the halfway point before I could read with for more than a short period of time and not be confused. So I would definitely recommend readers start at the beginning to know if this is the series for you.
An interesting historical mystery for fans of the series. I received a free copy from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
I had a hard time getting through this book. I didn't realize just how far along it was in the series, and that means there was A LOT of backstories. There is a lot of baggage from the past from everyone in the story. I also kept getting confused about who each person was and how they were all related. The chart in the beginning was helpful, but inconvenient to keep going back and forth to keep it all straight.
The plot itself was interesting, but it was well over the halfway point before I could read with for more than a short period of time and not be confused. So I would definitely recommend readers start at the beginning to know if this is the series for you.
An interesting historical mystery for fans of the series. I received a free copy from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
May 25, 2019
This book kept me engaged with many plot twists i didn’t see coming. I'm giving it three stars compared to the other books in the series.
A woman is attacked in her own home and that sets off the investigation. That is one of the mysteries being investigated, because then there are the Glenister papers from the title that may or may not be related....
More people are revealed as agents, double agents and so on. In fact, most people at this point in the series have turned out to be spies and/or illegitimate children.
A woman is attacked in her own home and that sets off the investigation. That is one of the mysteries being investigated, because then there are the Glenister papers from the title that may or may not be related....
More people are revealed as agents, double agents and so on. In fact, most people at this point in the series have turned out to be spies and/or illegitimate children.
June 6, 2019
I wanted to really love this long twisted tale of spies and intrigue intermixed with great love and family ties. However, at times I was so confused as the plot deviously twisted and turned I couldn’t remember who was who and even why I should care. I understand spies as double agents, but triple agents caused only confusion and muddied the plot. In the end, I think I got it straightened out, but I’m not really sure. I will always love Malcolm and Melanie, but hopefully their next adventure will be a bit cleaner.
June 18, 2019
This next installment in the Rannoch Fraser mystery series comes with lots of surprises as Tracy Grant weaves her characters into the secrets of Mayfair that leave a woman fighting for her life, revelations that rock the lives of many of our favorites, and of course the ever present danger of the Elsinore League. Be prepared for some shocking events!
December 10, 2019
I am a fan of this series and like the way Melanie and Malcolm investigate together, however wow there are a lot of characters in this book and it is getting really hard to keep all the various relationships straight.
June 5, 2019
Truth Revealed
Excellent book to read! I have enjoyed reading “The Rannoch Fraser Mysteries”! This one ties in with the other stories in this series.
Excellent book to read! I have enjoyed reading “The Rannoch Fraser Mysteries”! This one ties in with the other stories in this series.
February 1, 2020
Sorry of a romance, sorry of historical. Don't read her again. All the characters are iterations of one another. And they're likable for the first ten pages but then kind of insipid.
October 1, 2020
The story has secrets inside of secrets. The book is set in 1819 in London but some of the events in the story took place in Spain in the past. The book was a quick easy read.
December 31, 2020
Always An Excellent Read
I’m so thankful that Tracy Grant shares these beautifully written stories with us. Her story telling, attention to detail and well written characters are always perfection🙌🏻
I’m so thankful that Tracy Grant shares these beautifully written stories with us. Her story telling, attention to detail and well written characters are always perfection🙌🏻
October 23, 2020
I did not know how to take Kitty for most of this story, not at all, and I certainly wasn't expecting the villain reveal! As I've said before, you need to be familiar with the series to really enjoy it. I'm really enjoying Julian's role in the series, and I hope we continue to see a lot more of him!
November 22, 2025
Another adventure in the lives of Malcolm and Mélanie Rannoch, their family and friends. It’s 1819, and Malcolm’s first love from the Peninsular War, Katelina (Kitty) Ashford, shows up with a request. Then Annabel Larimer is attacked and left for dead. Raimundo O’Roarke, Raoul’s nephew, shows up to add more intrigue and mystery to Mrs. Larimer’s involvement. A member of the Elsinore League and Malcolm’s godfather, Lord Glenister, asks Malcolm to help recover a stolen oil painting in which some damning papers are hidden. Edgar Rannoch returns to London, as well. How are these plots and people interrelated? Read the book and find out.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews