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Maggie Hope #9
The King's Justice
Could a stolen violin be linked to a serial killer terrorizing London during World War II? Only secret agent extraordinaire Maggie Hope knows in this riveting mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Mr. Churchill's Secretary.
London. December, 1942. As the Russian army repels German forces from Stalingrad, Maggie Hope, secret agent and spy, takes a break from the Special Operations Executive division to defuse bombs in London. But Maggie herself is like an explosion waiting to happen. Shaken by a recent case, she finds herself living more dangerously--taking more risks than usual, smoking again, drinking gin and riding a motorcycle--and the last thing she wants is to get entangled in another crime. But when she's called upon to look into a stolen Stradivarius, one of the finest violins ever made, Maggie finds the case too alluring to resist.
Meanwhile, there's a serial killer on the loose in London and Maggie's skills are in demand. Little does she know that in the process of investigating this dangerous predator, she will come face to face with a new sort of evil...and discover a link between the precious violin and the murders no one could ever have expected.
London. December, 1942. As the Russian army repels German forces from Stalingrad, Maggie Hope, secret agent and spy, takes a break from the Special Operations Executive division to defuse bombs in London. But Maggie herself is like an explosion waiting to happen. Shaken by a recent case, she finds herself living more dangerously--taking more risks than usual, smoking again, drinking gin and riding a motorcycle--and the last thing she wants is to get entangled in another crime. But when she's called upon to look into a stolen Stradivarius, one of the finest violins ever made, Maggie finds the case too alluring to resist.
Meanwhile, there's a serial killer on the loose in London and Maggie's skills are in demand. Little does she know that in the process of investigating this dangerous predator, she will come face to face with a new sort of evil...and discover a link between the precious violin and the murders no one could ever have expected.
339 pages, Hardcover
First published February 25, 2020
962 people are currently reading
10128 people want to read
About the author
Susan Elia MacNeal
20 books3,365 followersSusan Elia MacNeal is the author of The New York Times, Washington Post, Publishers Weekly and USA Today-bestselling Maggie Hope mystery series, starting with the Edgar Award-nominated and Barry Award-winning MR. CHURCHILL'S SECRETARY, which is now in its 23nd printing. MOTHER DAUGHTER TRAITOR SPY, her first stand-alone novel, comes out September 20, 2022.
Her books have been nominated for the Edgar, the Macavity, the ITW Thriller, the Barry, the Dilys, the Sue Federer Historical Fiction, and the Bruce Alexander Historical Fiction awards. The Maggie Hope series is sold world-wide in English, and has also been translated into Czech, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Turkish, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, and Bulgarian.. Warner Bros. has the TV rights.
Susan graduated from Nardin Academy in Buffalo New York, and also cum laude and with honors in English from Wellesley College. She cross-registered for courses at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and attended the Radcliffe Publishing Course at Harvard University.
Her first job was as the assistant to novelist John Irving in Vermont. She then worked as an editorial assistant at Random House, assistant editor at Viking Penguin, and associate editor and staff writer at Dance Magazine in New York City. As a freelance writer, she wrote two non-fiction books and for the publications of New York City Ballet.
Susan is married and lives with her husband, Noel MacNeal, a television performer, writer and director, and their son in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Her books have been nominated for the Edgar, the Macavity, the ITW Thriller, the Barry, the Dilys, the Sue Federer Historical Fiction, and the Bruce Alexander Historical Fiction awards. The Maggie Hope series is sold world-wide in English, and has also been translated into Czech, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Turkish, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, and Bulgarian.. Warner Bros. has the TV rights.
Susan graduated from Nardin Academy in Buffalo New York, and also cum laude and with honors in English from Wellesley College. She cross-registered for courses at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and attended the Radcliffe Publishing Course at Harvard University.
Her first job was as the assistant to novelist John Irving in Vermont. She then worked as an editorial assistant at Random House, assistant editor at Viking Penguin, and associate editor and staff writer at Dance Magazine in New York City. As a freelance writer, she wrote two non-fiction books and for the publications of New York City Ballet.
Susan is married and lives with her husband, Noel MacNeal, a television performer, writer and director, and their son in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 611 reviews
May 7, 2020
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank You Bantam Books!
I enjoyed this murder mystery and rate it 4 stars. There isn't any graphic violence, but there is a serial murderer, so it would probably be ok for cozy mystery fans.
Maggie Hope has a talent for solving murders, and she is asked by her boyfriend, DCI(Detective Chief Inspector) James Durgin to help him solve the case. She refuses because of a terrible experience in the previous book. This is book 9 in the series,and I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous books in the series. The bad experience had to do with her almost being killed by what Durgin insists on calling a "sequential murderer." The press nicknamed him the "Blackout Beast." The press are calling the new sequential murderer Jimmy Greenteeth.
There is also a stolen Stradivarius violin and a connection to Maggie's mother, Clara Hess. Clara is a German spy, and this book spans a 4 month period from Dec. 1942 to Mar. 1943, in London, UK. Maggie does eventually help solve the case, realizing that there is a link between the 2 sequential murderers. Since I didn't read any of the previous books, I don't know how Maggie Hope, an American, became the daughter of a German spy.
All of these threads are resolved with a satisfying conclusion. Also, at the end Maggie is asked to go back to the US to help solve another murder--subject of book 10.
Update May 7, 2020: My wife just read this book and enjoyed it. We will both be reading more of this series.
I enjoyed this murder mystery and rate it 4 stars. There isn't any graphic violence, but there is a serial murderer, so it would probably be ok for cozy mystery fans.
Maggie Hope has a talent for solving murders, and she is asked by her boyfriend, DCI(Detective Chief Inspector) James Durgin to help him solve the case. She refuses because of a terrible experience in the previous book. This is book 9 in the series,and I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous books in the series. The bad experience had to do with her almost being killed by what Durgin insists on calling a "sequential murderer." The press nicknamed him the "Blackout Beast." The press are calling the new sequential murderer Jimmy Greenteeth.
There is also a stolen Stradivarius violin and a connection to Maggie's mother, Clara Hess. Clara is a German spy, and this book spans a 4 month period from Dec. 1942 to Mar. 1943, in London, UK. Maggie does eventually help solve the case, realizing that there is a link between the 2 sequential murderers. Since I didn't read any of the previous books, I don't know how Maggie Hope, an American, became the daughter of a German spy.
All of these threads are resolved with a satisfying conclusion. Also, at the end Maggie is asked to go back to the US to help solve another murder--subject of book 10.
Update May 7, 2020: My wife just read this book and enjoyed it. We will both be reading more of this series.
March 10, 2021
“We’re taught to bottle it up, to build a dam, to keep silent. And what that does is let it fester, let the pressure build, let us feel shame and isolation. Of course, there’s no controlling it, when it finally does come to the surface. To articulate it. To redirect it in more socially appropriate, but more personally dangerous directions.
I am rage.
I am a live wire, sparking and igniting.
I am the unexploded bomb.”
This is the ninth outing for the intrepid Maggie Hope mystery series. Maggie is an American now living in London during World War II and doing her “bit” for the war effort. Maggie has seen a “sequential murderer” convicted in court; and, her current job puts her down in the dirt, instructing young men how to disable unexploded bombs left behind courtesy of the German Luftwaffe.
As soon as one madman is behind bars, a possible second is leaving suitcase calling cards in the wake of young men going missing. Detective Chief Inspector Durgin is determined to involve Maggie in the hunt for the answers.
Susan Elia MacNeal is the author of this great series. MacNeal has crafted a witty, intellectual character that is tough as nails and up for any challenge. I really like this series. Having said that, though, I was just a tad let down with this tale. The plot was a good one; however, it seemed that it didn’t go quite deep enough. I don’t know what—something was just missing. As a result, my rating is 4 stars.
I am rage.
I am a live wire, sparking and igniting.
I am the unexploded bomb.”
This is the ninth outing for the intrepid Maggie Hope mystery series. Maggie is an American now living in London during World War II and doing her “bit” for the war effort. Maggie has seen a “sequential murderer” convicted in court; and, her current job puts her down in the dirt, instructing young men how to disable unexploded bombs left behind courtesy of the German Luftwaffe.
As soon as one madman is behind bars, a possible second is leaving suitcase calling cards in the wake of young men going missing. Detective Chief Inspector Durgin is determined to involve Maggie in the hunt for the answers.
Susan Elia MacNeal is the author of this great series. MacNeal has crafted a witty, intellectual character that is tough as nails and up for any challenge. I really like this series. Having said that, though, I was just a tad let down with this tale. The plot was a good one; however, it seemed that it didn’t go quite deep enough. I don’t know what—something was just missing. As a result, my rating is 4 stars.
February 11, 2020
THE KING’S JUSTICE by Susan Elia MacNeal is the ninth book in the Maggie Hope historical fiction series. Maggie Hope has had numerous jobs including secretary to Winston Churchill, a secret agent, and currently, a defuser of bombs that were dropped in London by the Germans, but had not exploded. The novel takes place in 1942 and 1943 and includes some intense scenes. Maggie has been traumatized by her past and is living dangerously. At the same time she is dealing with a broken engagement, dating Detective Chief Inspector James Durgin, looking into the theft of a Stradivarius, and dealing with the sentencing of a serial killer.
While this is the first book that I have read by this author and I enjoyed it, I feel like this series would be best if read in series order. There is a lot of backstory that would enhance a reader’s enjoyment and understanding.
Most of the characters felt well-rounded and the relationships between them did not feel contrived. Maggie was someone that I could root for with all of her flaws and virtues. She definitely had a distinct voice and believable motivations. Her internal conflicts felt realistic and organic and the external conflicts arose out of characterization and circumstance rather than feeling contrived or forced. Several strong themes run through this novel including the horrors of war, serial killers, conscientious objectors, internment camps, PTSD and much more.
Overall, the plot was engaging, well-researched, moving and thought-provoking. The prose was well-written and engrossing. If you enjoy historical fiction, then this series may be one you will enjoy. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and Susan Elia MacNeal for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
While this is the first book that I have read by this author and I enjoyed it, I feel like this series would be best if read in series order. There is a lot of backstory that would enhance a reader’s enjoyment and understanding.
Most of the characters felt well-rounded and the relationships between them did not feel contrived. Maggie was someone that I could root for with all of her flaws and virtues. She definitely had a distinct voice and believable motivations. Her internal conflicts felt realistic and organic and the external conflicts arose out of characterization and circumstance rather than feeling contrived or forced. Several strong themes run through this novel including the horrors of war, serial killers, conscientious objectors, internment camps, PTSD and much more.
Overall, the plot was engaging, well-researched, moving and thought-provoking. The prose was well-written and engrossing. If you enjoy historical fiction, then this series may be one you will enjoy. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and Susan Elia MacNeal for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
June 12, 2021
KINGS JUSTICE: A MAGGIE HOPE MYSTERY is an intense read. This is my first Maggie read, and I loved it! Maggie has found one serial killer and is now looking for a second one. Maggie is a powerful woman in a book who will be loved by many!
March 2, 2020
WOW! What a spectacular book! Susan Elia MacNeal never ceases to amaze me with the meticulous details she finds in her research related to WWII. She is brilliant in the way she intricately weaves those details into her story. I am a history nut and I knew several of the tidbits in this particular story, but had no idea about most of the situations she includes here and it was fascinating. This particular book, with our favorite heroine Maggie Hope, was a thrill a minute ride. To watch Maggie's character change from the very first book ("Mr. Churchill's Secretary") to this 9th book has been startling. In this latest story, Maggie is suffering with what we now know as PTSD. Is it any wonder? To go from an athletic, honorable, naive, idealistic young woman to a chain smoking, hard drinking, reckless, adrenaline chasing cynic? Frankly, I am surprised she still has any sanity left after all of her experiences. But, even what sanity she has left is fragile in this book. The murders and mysteries here will, once again, have you on the edge of your seat. The writing is, as always, stellar. Ah, Maggie.
Another outstanding book in one of my favorite series of books. Goodness knows how long we must wait for the next book. But, I will be waiting for the next installment, as always. ;)
Another outstanding book in one of my favorite series of books. Goodness knows how long we must wait for the next book. But, I will be waiting for the next installment, as always. ;)
February 26, 2020
3.5 stars
When I first stumbled on Maggie Hope, it was early 2012. I was one of the first people to read and review Mr Churchill’s Secretary and I fell head over heals for Maggie right then and there!
I have adored many of the books in the series thus far and I can’t believe we are on the 9th book already!
Obviously when this book came up for review, I was thrilled to be reading more about Maggie’s journey and checking in with many of my favorite characters in the series. After the last book, I had high hopes for this one as well!
This series has been pretty solid for me with Maggie evolving from a secretary to spy to now a shadow of her former self. In some of the earlier books, Maggie took a bit of a turn for the darker side of things when it comes to how the war and her missions impacted her which I found realistic and appropriate for her character. The book prior to this one found Maggie investigating a serial killer who tried to make Maggie one of his victims and in this book we again see that effect on her character. There were times though where I felt like we had already kind of been through this with Maggie in previous books. She struggled after her missions with her moral choices and the things she saw and did for the war and her government. When Maggie gets in these funks, it’s hard for me to relate to her because she is hell bent on self destruction and we don’t really see anyone doing anything about it.
Her friends all comment on it but no one really tries to take the bull by the horns and help her other than maybe James. James resists her advances for what I can only presume are honorable intentions but we don’t ever really get to explore that in this book which was a surprise. The focus is really on Maggie struggling with her inner demons. Which ok—I’m willing to go with in this book, but I just feel like we have been here before with her to some degree.
The mystery in this one was just so-so for me. The identity of the killer was noted fairly early on which left the reader with the ‘why’ of the crime which I thought was for the most part—satisfying. Although I did hope for a little more in the way of mystery around who the killer was even if the ‘why’ was the focus.
If you have read this series then you won’t necessarily find this a spoiler, but it is a small-ish spoiler so just stop reading if you don’t want to know or skip to the next paragraph. I thought that Maggie left John Sterling behind many books ago but there is a potential for her to reconnect with him in the future and I don’t know how I feel about that. I feel like too much has happened between them and individually to Maggie herself, that I just don’t know if reconnecting with him is something I want to see happen for her. I felt like her and James were much better suited but I also understand that James was more about the job than anything else, though I just feel like John Sterling and Maggie had their time and perhaps Maggie doesn’t need a love interest at this stage? I don’t know, but either way I am looking forward to seeing how that unfolds—for better or for worse—in the next book.
Overall I don’t know I loved this book as much as I did some of the others in the series. It wasn’t bad by any means, in fact I found it to be a quick easy read that I spent an afternoon wrapped up in. I always enjoy spending time with Maggie and her friends plus the mysteries are usually fun and interesting—and the time period is ALWAYS well researched. This one in particular. I loved learning about the conscientious objectors as that was a bit about WWII that I was unfamiliar with! But for me it felt like the transition book. The Queen’s Accomplice, where we first encounter the notorious ‘Blackout Beast’ killer, marked a turning point in Maggie’s life and now that the ‘Blackout Beast’ plot has wrapped up in this book, it sounds like Maggie is going to be turning down a new path and I am excited to see where that takes her. While I might not have loved this one, it was still an important read in the larger series and for Maggie’s character. I can’t see where how things go for Maggie in America!
See my full review here
When I first stumbled on Maggie Hope, it was early 2012. I was one of the first people to read and review Mr Churchill’s Secretary and I fell head over heals for Maggie right then and there!
I have adored many of the books in the series thus far and I can’t believe we are on the 9th book already!
Obviously when this book came up for review, I was thrilled to be reading more about Maggie’s journey and checking in with many of my favorite characters in the series. After the last book, I had high hopes for this one as well!
This series has been pretty solid for me with Maggie evolving from a secretary to spy to now a shadow of her former self. In some of the earlier books, Maggie took a bit of a turn for the darker side of things when it comes to how the war and her missions impacted her which I found realistic and appropriate for her character. The book prior to this one found Maggie investigating a serial killer who tried to make Maggie one of his victims and in this book we again see that effect on her character. There were times though where I felt like we had already kind of been through this with Maggie in previous books. She struggled after her missions with her moral choices and the things she saw and did for the war and her government. When Maggie gets in these funks, it’s hard for me to relate to her because she is hell bent on self destruction and we don’t really see anyone doing anything about it.
Her friends all comment on it but no one really tries to take the bull by the horns and help her other than maybe James. James resists her advances for what I can only presume are honorable intentions but we don’t ever really get to explore that in this book which was a surprise. The focus is really on Maggie struggling with her inner demons. Which ok—I’m willing to go with in this book, but I just feel like we have been here before with her to some degree.
The mystery in this one was just so-so for me. The identity of the killer was noted fairly early on which left the reader with the ‘why’ of the crime which I thought was for the most part—satisfying. Although I did hope for a little more in the way of mystery around who the killer was even if the ‘why’ was the focus.
If you have read this series then you won’t necessarily find this a spoiler, but it is a small-ish spoiler so just stop reading if you don’t want to know or skip to the next paragraph. I thought that Maggie left John Sterling behind many books ago but there is a potential for her to reconnect with him in the future and I don’t know how I feel about that. I feel like too much has happened between them and individually to Maggie herself, that I just don’t know if reconnecting with him is something I want to see happen for her. I felt like her and James were much better suited but I also understand that James was more about the job than anything else, though I just feel like John Sterling and Maggie had their time and perhaps Maggie doesn’t need a love interest at this stage? I don’t know, but either way I am looking forward to seeing how that unfolds—for better or for worse—in the next book.
Overall I don’t know I loved this book as much as I did some of the others in the series. It wasn’t bad by any means, in fact I found it to be a quick easy read that I spent an afternoon wrapped up in. I always enjoy spending time with Maggie and her friends plus the mysteries are usually fun and interesting—and the time period is ALWAYS well researched. This one in particular. I loved learning about the conscientious objectors as that was a bit about WWII that I was unfamiliar with! But for me it felt like the transition book. The Queen’s Accomplice, where we first encounter the notorious ‘Blackout Beast’ killer, marked a turning point in Maggie’s life and now that the ‘Blackout Beast’ plot has wrapped up in this book, it sounds like Maggie is going to be turning down a new path and I am excited to see where that takes her. While I might not have loved this one, it was still an important read in the larger series and for Maggie’s character. I can’t see where how things go for Maggie in America!
See my full review here
January 19, 2020
In this 9th installment, Maggie is still trying to recover from her experiences in Scotland. Mass murderer, Nicholas Reitter, has been sentenced to die for his terrible crimes due to her testimony and she has left the Secret Service because she can no longer handle the violence. Has she retired to a life of ease? No, she is defusing bombs.
This new job leads her into contact with conscientious objectors who are doing the same job and the women who give them white feathers to signify "cowardice". Then these CO's start turning up dead and someone seems intent to beat Reitter's record for murders. Maggie gets drawn into the investigation. The murders are truly horrific.
She continues her romantic life that seems to be going nowhere fast and also investigates the disappearance of a priceless violin. Life is not dull. Her room-mate, the ballerina, gets an interesting job offer that could lead Maggie on some and refreshing paths. It made me look forward to the next book.
On the whole, a very satisfying read although on the gruesome side. Maggie continues to make the most of her skills and a terrible mass murderer is stopped. I can't wait to see what happens next. This is not really a stand alone. You can get the essence but the earlier books lay the ground work for this one.
This new job leads her into contact with conscientious objectors who are doing the same job and the women who give them white feathers to signify "cowardice". Then these CO's start turning up dead and someone seems intent to beat Reitter's record for murders. Maggie gets drawn into the investigation. The murders are truly horrific.
She continues her romantic life that seems to be going nowhere fast and also investigates the disappearance of a priceless violin. Life is not dull. Her room-mate, the ballerina, gets an interesting job offer that could lead Maggie on some and refreshing paths. It made me look forward to the next book.
On the whole, a very satisfying read although on the gruesome side. Maggie continues to make the most of her skills and a terrible mass murderer is stopped. I can't wait to see what happens next. This is not really a stand alone. You can get the essence but the earlier books lay the ground work for this one.
January 6, 2020
While war rages in Europe, murder and intrigue persists on the blacked-out streets of London. In this 9th installment of the Maggie Hope series, we find our heroine working alongside conscientious objectors, diffusing bombs in a war-weary London. This same war-weariness seems to have affected Maggie. We find her racing around London on a motor scooter at breakneck speeds, drinking and smoking to excess, and frustrated in her relationship with DCI James Durgin. After attending the trail of the “sequential killer” Nicholas Reitter, nicknamed the Blackout Beast, Maggie is drawn into another crime spree that seems to be connected to this first one. Someone is disposing of suitcases, containing human bones and a white feather, into the Thames; and the victims may well be the young COs with whom she is working. Reitter, now awaiting execution in the Tower of London, claims to have information which he will give to Maggie if she can get the King to commute his sentence to life. Racing against time and her own demons, Maggie tries to find the killer before more of her friends and co-workers can come to harm.
A slightly darker plot than some of the earlier installments, this is a fast-paced and atmospheric story. The reader can feel Maggie grappling with her inner demons. She is torn between wanting to lose herself in drink and destructive behaviors and the call for her help in saving her friends and countrymen. The depictions of war-ravaged London are richly detailed, and the work of the “bomb diffuser” brings an element of the war effort not well-known. This is a great addition to this series, with red-herrings and plot-twists all leading to a satisfying conclusion. If you have not read the early books, you will definitely want to go back to the beginning after this!
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
A slightly darker plot than some of the earlier installments, this is a fast-paced and atmospheric story. The reader can feel Maggie grappling with her inner demons. She is torn between wanting to lose herself in drink and destructive behaviors and the call for her help in saving her friends and countrymen. The depictions of war-ravaged London are richly detailed, and the work of the “bomb diffuser” brings an element of the war effort not well-known. This is a great addition to this series, with red-herrings and plot-twists all leading to a satisfying conclusion. If you have not read the early books, you will definitely want to go back to the beginning after this!
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
March 20, 2020
I’m clearly in the minority here, but I’m not fond of this Maggie Hope mystery. I do enjoy these novels, but this one falls flat for me.
The biggest problem is that I don’t like Maggie at all until the very end of the book. She goes off the rails in such a destructive way that I think it’s inconsistent with her character in the other stories. I find it hard to believe that someone so intelligent, so other-oriented, would sink to such depths. Her depravity makes her impossible to relate to (for me), and that incongruity casts a pall of unbelievability over The King’s Justice.
The biggest problem is that I don’t like Maggie at all until the very end of the book. She goes off the rails in such a destructive way that I think it’s inconsistent with her character in the other stories. I find it hard to believe that someone so intelligent, so other-oriented, would sink to such depths. Her depravity makes her impossible to relate to (for me), and that incongruity casts a pall of unbelievability over The King’s Justice.
January 20, 2020
It’s probably more of a 3.5 but I’m rounding up.
I really enjoyed this series when I read the books in the past couple of years but the last installment really disappointed me. But when I saw the release date for this 9th book of the series, there was no way I could abandon it because I still had fond memories of the main character. And I’m happy that I decided to stick with it and also got the opportunity to review it in advance.
While the previous book had a bit of a boring narrative, I loved that the author decided to go back to telling a murder mystery story because I feel it’s her strength. This time we have one serial killer waiting for his execution and a new one who has emerged and is trying to one up the other - I’ve definitely seen this kinda story before in police procedurals on TV, so while it felt like a predictable story, I liked the execution of it and also being set in a historical time during a war. The writing itself wasn’t too fast paced but it was steady, with a few tense moments and lot of introspection but I can’t say it felt like an intense thriller. This was a much more subdued kind of mystery despite the high body count. I can’t say I guessed ending perfectly before it was revealed, but I had an inkling and it was a lot of fun to be proven right.
Maggie has been a character I’ve admired since the beginning and my main point of contention in the previous book was that she had no growth. I have absolutely no complaints in that regard here because this book gives us a much more vulnerable version of her. She has been through hell, both while working as a spy and her time in Scotland and watching the trial of the serial killer from book 6 only brings back all the trauma to the forefront. For the most part she tries to be nonchalant, maintaining the stiff upper lip attitude, drowning herself in smoking, drinking and all other adrenaline inducing activities just so that she can keep the nightmares away. It was so painful to see her this way but the author gives her space to work through all her feelings as the book goes on and I thought it was very realistically done. But whatever may have happened, she is still the same smart, intuitive, kind and strong woman and it was lovely to see her stand by her convictions and values.
Detective Durgin is a capable investigator but he is also a divorced workaholic set in his ways, and it was sad to see them try to build a relationship when they really couldn’t give much to each other. Maggie’s friends Chuck and Sarah are also dealing with the effects of war and loss in their own ways and while they all couldn’t always open up to each other, it was lovely to see them still try to support as much as they could. David is still a delight, bringing some humor to the proceedings while also being very frank and insightful in providing advice to Maggie. There were also other POVs we get to follow which help us readers in trying to unravel the mystery and I thought they were quite interesting too.
As the execution of a serial killer who murdered and mutilated many young women looms around the corner in the story, Maggie as well as many other characters try to contemplate the morality of capital punishment - how it feels more like revenge rather than justice, will it really give any sense of peace to the survivors or victim’s families, how is the state any different from these killers if it gets into the business of killing for punishment. There is also a bit of discussion about nature vs nurture, how the cycle of abuse might be a pertinent factor in one becoming a deranged killer and the importance of considering it as a mental illness and studying it. As all of this is happening during WWII and the Jewish massacres by Hitler are just coming to light, it gives more weight to these discussions and I thought it was all quite thought provoking and profound without being too preachy.
Another theme which I resonated with the most was that of Maggie realizing the futility of bottling up her emotions, how we women are unfairly expected to never show anger or rage which results in affecting our own mental health. Her deciding that she will express her rage and channel it in better ways was a great moment in the book and I thought it was all wonderfully written.
At the end, all I can say is that I was glad to be back in this world following the admirable Maggie Hope and while I can’t really call this a “fun” read, it was nevertheless quite engaging. There is lot of character development and an interesting mystery, and if you’ve ever read the previous books in this series, I think you’ll really like this one. If you are unfamiliar with this series but enjoy a WWII era setting, a tenacious and smart heroine and a different fascinating mystery in every book, you should totally give this series a chance. The author hints at the proceedings moving to America again in the next installment and I’m totally here for it.
I really enjoyed this series when I read the books in the past couple of years but the last installment really disappointed me. But when I saw the release date for this 9th book of the series, there was no way I could abandon it because I still had fond memories of the main character. And I’m happy that I decided to stick with it and also got the opportunity to review it in advance.
While the previous book had a bit of a boring narrative, I loved that the author decided to go back to telling a murder mystery story because I feel it’s her strength. This time we have one serial killer waiting for his execution and a new one who has emerged and is trying to one up the other - I’ve definitely seen this kinda story before in police procedurals on TV, so while it felt like a predictable story, I liked the execution of it and also being set in a historical time during a war. The writing itself wasn’t too fast paced but it was steady, with a few tense moments and lot of introspection but I can’t say it felt like an intense thriller. This was a much more subdued kind of mystery despite the high body count. I can’t say I guessed ending perfectly before it was revealed, but I had an inkling and it was a lot of fun to be proven right.
Maggie has been a character I’ve admired since the beginning and my main point of contention in the previous book was that she had no growth. I have absolutely no complaints in that regard here because this book gives us a much more vulnerable version of her. She has been through hell, both while working as a spy and her time in Scotland and watching the trial of the serial killer from book 6 only brings back all the trauma to the forefront. For the most part she tries to be nonchalant, maintaining the stiff upper lip attitude, drowning herself in smoking, drinking and all other adrenaline inducing activities just so that she can keep the nightmares away. It was so painful to see her this way but the author gives her space to work through all her feelings as the book goes on and I thought it was very realistically done. But whatever may have happened, she is still the same smart, intuitive, kind and strong woman and it was lovely to see her stand by her convictions and values.
Detective Durgin is a capable investigator but he is also a divorced workaholic set in his ways, and it was sad to see them try to build a relationship when they really couldn’t give much to each other. Maggie’s friends Chuck and Sarah are also dealing with the effects of war and loss in their own ways and while they all couldn’t always open up to each other, it was lovely to see them still try to support as much as they could. David is still a delight, bringing some humor to the proceedings while also being very frank and insightful in providing advice to Maggie. There were also other POVs we get to follow which help us readers in trying to unravel the mystery and I thought they were quite interesting too.
As the execution of a serial killer who murdered and mutilated many young women looms around the corner in the story, Maggie as well as many other characters try to contemplate the morality of capital punishment - how it feels more like revenge rather than justice, will it really give any sense of peace to the survivors or victim’s families, how is the state any different from these killers if it gets into the business of killing for punishment. There is also a bit of discussion about nature vs nurture, how the cycle of abuse might be a pertinent factor in one becoming a deranged killer and the importance of considering it as a mental illness and studying it. As all of this is happening during WWII and the Jewish massacres by Hitler are just coming to light, it gives more weight to these discussions and I thought it was all quite thought provoking and profound without being too preachy.
Another theme which I resonated with the most was that of Maggie realizing the futility of bottling up her emotions, how we women are unfairly expected to never show anger or rage which results in affecting our own mental health. Her deciding that she will express her rage and channel it in better ways was a great moment in the book and I thought it was all wonderfully written.
At the end, all I can say is that I was glad to be back in this world following the admirable Maggie Hope and while I can’t really call this a “fun” read, it was nevertheless quite engaging. There is lot of character development and an interesting mystery, and if you’ve ever read the previous books in this series, I think you’ll really like this one. If you are unfamiliar with this series but enjoy a WWII era setting, a tenacious and smart heroine and a different fascinating mystery in every book, you should totally give this series a chance. The author hints at the proceedings moving to America again in the next installment and I’m totally here for it.
March 13, 2020
I have read all the Maggie Hope mysteries. I liked them because the WWII backdrop was integral to the story, and Maggie Hope started out as a member of Churchill's secretarial pool and graduated to MI5 agent and SOE spy. They were Nancy Drew for adults. This one (#9) was a continuation of #8 (which I didn't really like) about a serial killer in London. The fact that it was during WWII was largely irrelevant. The story was predictable (I know "who done it" early on) and the last 1/3 of the book was preachy about the death penalty. So disappointing.
March 12, 2020
The espionage aspect of this previously entertaining series seems to have gone right out the door. Too bad. Replacing it is an over the top pastiche of Sweeney Todd, Lisbeth Salander, and others of their ilk. The inclusion of Maggie’s work defusing bombs was the only portion of the WWII story that felt grounded in reality. I do hope the author returns Maggie Hope to her former role as a spy and leaves the sensationalism behind.
January 20, 2021
Have you read the Maggie Hope mystery series, set during World War II? In the latest installment, Maggie tracks down a stolen Stradivarius violin while investigating a serial killer in wartime London. Terrific!
December 7, 2019
4.5 / 5 Stars
Readers of the Maggie Hope Mystery series by Susan Elia MacNeil, are in for a real treat. Maggie's loyal followers have been through the emotional ringer with Maggie as she's gone from clever math whiz and code breaker, through aide to Churchill, high-end nanny, secret agent, security liability to bomb defuser. She's been shot at, maimed and somehow she always comes back for more. Yet we see a definite shift in her mien as World War II takes its toll on her and on those she holds most dear.
In this installment, we find Maggie almost as explosive as the bombs she's defusing. The "Black Out Beast" who had attacked her in a previous installment has been sentenced for various murders and for the failed attempt on Maggie's life. Her dreams are haunted by his existence. Meanwhile, there appears to be a copycat executing more of these heinous crimes. What's the connection between the copycat and the Black Out Beast? Maggie refuses to assist in pursuing the clues to yet another murder. But helping to figure out the whereabouts of a stolen Stradivarius violin, is a whole other story.
Again, we readers are on an emotional rollercoaster ride with Maggie. The gears of her mind are cranking away a mile a minute as she tears through the streets of London. We are white-knuckling it right beside her for the entire ride. There were quite a few red herrings throughout the story. Yet, as exciting as the story was, I was disappointed to have figured out who the copycat was long before the ending. But the writing is too good to gloss over and I wanted to devour the the story right through to the end. It was a satisfying conclusion to yet another wonderful adventure with Ms. Hope.
The anticipated publication date of "The King's Justice" is sometime in February, 2020.
I am grateful to author Susan Elia MacNeil and Bantam Books for having provided a free advance uncorrected proof of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Readers of the Maggie Hope Mystery series by Susan Elia MacNeil, are in for a real treat. Maggie's loyal followers have been through the emotional ringer with Maggie as she's gone from clever math whiz and code breaker, through aide to Churchill, high-end nanny, secret agent, security liability to bomb defuser. She's been shot at, maimed and somehow she always comes back for more. Yet we see a definite shift in her mien as World War II takes its toll on her and on those she holds most dear.
In this installment, we find Maggie almost as explosive as the bombs she's defusing. The "Black Out Beast" who had attacked her in a previous installment has been sentenced for various murders and for the failed attempt on Maggie's life. Her dreams are haunted by his existence. Meanwhile, there appears to be a copycat executing more of these heinous crimes. What's the connection between the copycat and the Black Out Beast? Maggie refuses to assist in pursuing the clues to yet another murder. But helping to figure out the whereabouts of a stolen Stradivarius violin, is a whole other story.
Again, we readers are on an emotional rollercoaster ride with Maggie. The gears of her mind are cranking away a mile a minute as she tears through the streets of London. We are white-knuckling it right beside her for the entire ride. There were quite a few red herrings throughout the story. Yet, as exciting as the story was, I was disappointed to have figured out who the copycat was long before the ending. But the writing is too good to gloss over and I wanted to devour the the story right through to the end. It was a satisfying conclusion to yet another wonderful adventure with Ms. Hope.
The anticipated publication date of "The King's Justice" is sometime in February, 2020.
I am grateful to author Susan Elia MacNeil and Bantam Books for having provided a free advance uncorrected proof of this book through the Goodreads Giveaway program. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
July 10, 2022
Now this was a really good one. It was a bit gruesome in the descriptions of the murders. It was very cleverly written and really fast paced.
A good mystery.
A good mystery.
December 16, 2019
Set in wartime London 1943, Susan Elia MacNeal’s latest Maggie Hope novel, The King’s Justice, is a powerfully emotional work that poses difficult questions for Maggie as she searches for justice. Or is it actually vengeance she wants? Perhaps redemption? A charismatic but severely damaged heroine, Maggie’s a ticking bomb, not unlike the dangerous, unexploded ordnance it’s her job to defuse daily. The King’s Justice is a poetically nuanced portrayal of London in war, twisted souls, and hard moral choices. But more than anything else—and best of all—it’s a brilliant novel featuring a very human Wonder Woman.
March 7, 2020
This book was a disappointment. How many times could the author comment on cigarettes, booze and a motorcycle riding to convey Maggie’s inner turmoil? It seemed uncharacteristically juvenile. I have loved this series and eagerly awaited the newest book. However this abrupt change in Maggie’s personality is a huge letdown.
April 12, 2020
This is one of my favorite historical mystery series. Well written with compelling characters and historical references. I've noticed that each book in the series has become darker in tone. The mystery revolves around a serial killer set in London during WWII with a side story involving a missing violin. The main character, Maggie Hope, is dealing with some very serious emotional issues related to her past experiences in espionage. Without giving away any spoilers, I like how the author brings up how each of us must make decisions based on our personal beliefs. This series should be read in order. Rated it 4 stars.
February 28, 2023
It is unfortunately clear that this series is degenerating badly. There are so many plot holes and implausible circumstances in this book that parts of it are downright eye-rolling stupid. It all speaks of lazy writing and terrible editing at all levels to let this kind of sloppiness go through without drastic rewriting. Be forewarned--spoilers ahead.
Have you ever known a spouse to be aware of the fillings in the teeth of their significant other? No, me neither. What wife sticks her head that far into her husband's mouth? No one I ever knew. And yet, the main character, who is supposed to be ultra-intelligent, asks that very question of the wife of one of the victims. Sorry, sister, but you need to go the man's dentist, not his wife, to find out where his fillings are. And even then, the dentist wouldn't be very likely to know off the top of his head unless the patient was very well known or had some unique work done. The dentist would have to check his records which is why they keep such things. To make matters worse, our ultra-intelligent heroine later asks the very same question of the mother of one of the victims. What mother sticks her head that far into her son's mouth? Yeah, same answer.
Just ridiculous.
And then there's the issue of motivation for one of the main supporting characters. For three-quarters of the book, he insists on certain conditions in order to reveal what he knows. Then, all of a sudden, he makes a complete 180 degree turn for no reason at all and spills everything. What an eye-roller that was. I had to ask myself why I bothered to read the first 75% of the book since there was ultimately no point to it all. In fact, this came from so far out of nowhere and for no reason that I actually read that passage over several times to make certain that I hadn't missed anything. Which, as it turns out, I didn't.
And none of this lazy writing was flagged as problematic by an incompetent editing team. The whole book smacks of an attitude of "let's just get the darn thing out so we can start making some money on it." There are other issues as well, but I'm not going to get into every flaw.
Have you ever known a spouse to be aware of the fillings in the teeth of their significant other? No, me neither. What wife sticks her head that far into her husband's mouth? No one I ever knew. And yet, the main character, who is supposed to be ultra-intelligent, asks that very question of the wife of one of the victims. Sorry, sister, but you need to go the man's dentist, not his wife, to find out where his fillings are. And even then, the dentist wouldn't be very likely to know off the top of his head unless the patient was very well known or had some unique work done. The dentist would have to check his records which is why they keep such things. To make matters worse, our ultra-intelligent heroine later asks the very same question of the mother of one of the victims. What mother sticks her head that far into her son's mouth? Yeah, same answer.
Just ridiculous.
And then there's the issue of motivation for one of the main supporting characters. For three-quarters of the book, he insists on certain conditions in order to reveal what he knows. Then, all of a sudden, he makes a complete 180 degree turn for no reason at all and spills everything. What an eye-roller that was. I had to ask myself why I bothered to read the first 75% of the book since there was ultimately no point to it all. In fact, this came from so far out of nowhere and for no reason that I actually read that passage over several times to make certain that I hadn't missed anything. Which, as it turns out, I didn't.
And none of this lazy writing was flagged as problematic by an incompetent editing team. The whole book smacks of an attitude of "let's just get the darn thing out so we can start making some money on it." There are other issues as well, but I'm not going to get into every flaw.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2020
A great addition to the series! Maggie really battles with her own inner demons in this book. She has been through so much and done things. This book touches on PTSD. The mental and physical impacts of trauma and war.
The King's Justice is a dark, tense, and compelling read. It deals with serial killers. Both one on death row and one trying to outdo him. I guessed at the killer fairly early on, but their was a twist that took me by surprise. If you enjoy mysteries or books set in WWII London, I recommend this book.
The King's Justice is a dark, tense, and compelling read. It deals with serial killers. Both one on death row and one trying to outdo him. I guessed at the killer fairly early on, but their was a twist that took me by surprise. If you enjoy mysteries or books set in WWII London, I recommend this book.
January 2, 2021
This series jumped the shark ages ago. I'm officially calling it quits.
April 12, 2022
Sooo … I’m up to Volume 9 in Maggie Hope’s wartime experience. Having given up on the SOE after they betrayed her in Volume 8, she’s back in London working as a bomb disposal tech and aiding the police in their pursuit of yet another “sequential murderer”. I’m always curious about stories of British military women during WW II. They seem to be able to take a lot of time off work, and even to resign from their service, at the drop of a hat. Was this likely? Wasn’t this cause for imprisonment or execution for military men during wartime? But the idea is so ubiquitous in female drama of the period, it seems it must have some validity in real life. Anyway.
Lots of action, well-written. The Blitz is over by early 1943 and the V2s haven’t yet started, so there are no new bombs falling on our heroine. Instead there are roof-top chases, motorcycles through crowded streets, conscientious objectors, a stolen Stradivarius, and of course DCI Durgin, Maggie’s maybe new beau. And then there are the UXBs.
The countdown to Nicholas Reitter’s execution (cf. Volume 6) builds a lot of tension, as you just know something unexpected is going to happen, and the author builds the suspense with The Blackout Beast’s insistence that he will offer information on the latest serial killer if Maggie will visit and share her information with him. Frankly, I was surprised that Maggie was gulled by this guy, like a mouse facing a cobra. As a strong woman, I would have expected her to counter his bluff – “I don’t believe you actually know anything, so I’m leaving. Byeee.” That would have tweaked his ego. But of course there wouldn’t have been as much story if she had done that.
The last few chapters of the story dwell on philosophical and moral questions, many of which echo my own stance. Even King George VI has a cameo, and gives a nice speech which upholds Maggie’s line. And the last few paragraphs appear to set our heroine on a sunnier path, which I shall pursue in the very near future.
Lots of action, well-written. The Blitz is over by early 1943 and the V2s haven’t yet started, so there are no new bombs falling on our heroine. Instead there are roof-top chases, motorcycles through crowded streets, conscientious objectors, a stolen Stradivarius, and of course DCI Durgin, Maggie’s maybe new beau. And then there are the UXBs.
The countdown to Nicholas Reitter’s execution (cf. Volume 6) builds a lot of tension, as you just know something unexpected is going to happen, and the author builds the suspense with The Blackout Beast’s insistence that he will offer information on the latest serial killer if Maggie will visit and share her information with him. Frankly, I was surprised that Maggie was gulled by this guy, like a mouse facing a cobra. As a strong woman, I would have expected her to counter his bluff – “I don’t believe you actually know anything, so I’m leaving. Byeee.” That would have tweaked his ego. But of course there wouldn’t have been as much story if she had done that.
The last few chapters of the story dwell on philosophical and moral questions, many of which echo my own stance. Even King George VI has a cameo, and gives a nice speech which upholds Maggie’s line. And the last few paragraphs appear to set our heroine on a sunnier path, which I shall pursue in the very near future.
February 16, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for a review. Here is that review:
Maggie Hope has lived a lifetime in just a few years in London. In the first installment of this series, Maggie was a secretary to Winston Churchill, then she was recruited as a spy, then a trainer of spies, now she is back in London and defusing unexploded bombs left by the German blitz.
She is recovering from her imprisonment in Scotland and, more recently, the capture of serial killer Nicholas Reitter, who almost killed her during that capture. As the book begins, Maggie and her current beau, Detective Chief Inspector James Durgin, are attending the sentencing hearing for Reitter. The rest of the book takes place during the last three months before Reitter is scheduled to be hanged.
But now there is another "sequential killer" in London. He is killing conscientious objectors to the war and leaving suitcases in the Thames which contain only their bones. Who is this killer? And is he connected to Nicholar Reitter? And what happened to the stolen Stradivarius owned by a world-renowned violinist who is currently performing in London?
Maggie, who is somewhat out of control, drinking and smoking too much and taking too many chances on her motorcycle, has declared she is not getting involved in any more investigations, but of course she does..........
Maggie Hope has lived a lifetime in just a few years in London. In the first installment of this series, Maggie was a secretary to Winston Churchill, then she was recruited as a spy, then a trainer of spies, now she is back in London and defusing unexploded bombs left by the German blitz.
She is recovering from her imprisonment in Scotland and, more recently, the capture of serial killer Nicholas Reitter, who almost killed her during that capture. As the book begins, Maggie and her current beau, Detective Chief Inspector James Durgin, are attending the sentencing hearing for Reitter. The rest of the book takes place during the last three months before Reitter is scheduled to be hanged.
But now there is another "sequential killer" in London. He is killing conscientious objectors to the war and leaving suitcases in the Thames which contain only their bones. Who is this killer? And is he connected to Nicholar Reitter? And what happened to the stolen Stradivarius owned by a world-renowned violinist who is currently performing in London?
Maggie, who is somewhat out of control, drinking and smoking too much and taking too many chances on her motorcycle, has declared she is not getting involved in any more investigations, but of course she does..........
February 25, 2020
I have previously read and enjoyed books in the Maggie Hope Mystery Series, so when the newest release in the series The King's Justice by Susan Elia MacNeal became available I knew I wanted to read it right away and am glad I did.
The King's Justice find Maggie in London where a previous criminal whom she had helped to capture has just been sentenced to death. Maggie has officially stepped away from her previous spy roles and is instead employed to detonate bombs in London. Doing so, she becomes acquainted with a number of individuals called "Britalians" who are British citizens of Italian descent and a number of individuals who are conscientious objectors. I had not previously realized that the Britalians were treated poorly and many put in "camps" similar to how the British treated Germans who were living in Great Britian during the War and how the U.S. treated Japanese and German Americans. While not working as a spy, Maggie still had many contacts in the spy and police world and becomes pulled into a new investigation involving a new serial killer. MacNeal does a marvelous job of drawing several different threads together into one coherent story and drawing in background information from the previous books in the series. She also leaves a cliffhanger so that you know book 10 is coming!
While previous books in the series benefited from being read in order, but if you hopped it you could follow along, I would not recommend reading The King's Justice if you have not read the other books. There are many allusions and references to previous experiences Maggie had and not being familiar with those would diminish enjoyment of this book. I even found that enough time had passed since reading the previous books that a refresher of the most recent books would have been helpful. I would encourage individuals who have read previous Maggie Hope books to read this one as soon as possible. If you have not you become acquainted with Maggie Hope, I hope you will read these exciting and well-written spy novels as soon as possible.
I received a complementary copy of The King's Justice from NetGalley. I was not required to provide a positive option and all opinions are my own.
The King's Justice find Maggie in London where a previous criminal whom she had helped to capture has just been sentenced to death. Maggie has officially stepped away from her previous spy roles and is instead employed to detonate bombs in London. Doing so, she becomes acquainted with a number of individuals called "Britalians" who are British citizens of Italian descent and a number of individuals who are conscientious objectors. I had not previously realized that the Britalians were treated poorly and many put in "camps" similar to how the British treated Germans who were living in Great Britian during the War and how the U.S. treated Japanese and German Americans. While not working as a spy, Maggie still had many contacts in the spy and police world and becomes pulled into a new investigation involving a new serial killer. MacNeal does a marvelous job of drawing several different threads together into one coherent story and drawing in background information from the previous books in the series. She also leaves a cliffhanger so that you know book 10 is coming!
While previous books in the series benefited from being read in order, but if you hopped it you could follow along, I would not recommend reading The King's Justice if you have not read the other books. There are many allusions and references to previous experiences Maggie had and not being familiar with those would diminish enjoyment of this book. I even found that enough time had passed since reading the previous books that a refresher of the most recent books would have been helpful. I would encourage individuals who have read previous Maggie Hope books to read this one as soon as possible. If you have not you become acquainted with Maggie Hope, I hope you will read these exciting and well-written spy novels as soon as possible.
I received a complementary copy of The King's Justice from NetGalley. I was not required to provide a positive option and all opinions are my own.
April 29, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! The MC had a lot of character development, there were thoughtful conversations around the death penalty and psychology, and it was action-packed! One of my fav in the series so far! 4.5 stars
Historical mystery
Historical mystery
January 29, 2020
As I was writing my review, instead of adding “Susan Elia MacNeal” as the author, I almost typed “Maggie Hope”, so indelible and real has this character become. Maggie, the red haired spitfire who began the first book as Churchill’s secretary, has now left the SOE (Secret Executive Organization) after being sequestered on a Scottish island (see The Prisoner in the Castle). It’s now 1943 and she’s defusing bombs for the war effort.
To add fuel to the fire, the “Blackout Beast,” a Jack the Ripper style serial killer she encountered and caught in The Queen’s Accomplice (2016), is about to be sentenced. He’s indeed sentenced to death for his crimes, but when another serial killer turns up in London, the Beast says he can help, but will only speak to Maggie. In a neat nod to Silence of the Lambs, Maggie does meet with the beast in the actual Tower of London, complete with resident ravens.
MacNeal often deftly intertwines many plot threads in her books, and this outing is no different. There’s a nurse who may or may not be poisoning patients; there’s Maggie’s work, defusing bombs; and then there’s the latest killer, who supplies the police with suitcases full of clean bones. As the suitcases begin to turn up more frequently, MacNeal’s other skill – the ability to write a ticking clock thriller – also emerges. This book is very difficult to put down.
I think, though, that the central piece of this novel is Maggie’s cri de Coeur as she has begun to process all the very terrible things she’s seen and experienced since the start of the war. At first, this is outward. Maggie is smoking and drinking to excess, while doing incredibly dangerous work that all the same gives her the adrenaline rush that takes her mind off these terrible things. She’s tearing around London on a motorcycle. She’s putting off her beau with an over eager attitude though she can’t stop thinking about the man she lost to another woman.
There weren’t words for “PTSD” back in 1943, but it happened all the same. As I said, Maggie is real, so when she begins to go off the rails, your heart goes out to her. She’s still the same brave, smart Maggie we’ve come to know and love, but the cracks in her armor are starting to show. She’s also starting to consider that the “Blackout beast” in the tower may have something wrong with his mind and should not be executed.
“The King’s Justice” refers to the King’s ability to pardon a condemned prisoner, and the beast is demanding it in exchange for information. Maggie struggles with this request as she is struggling with all other aspects of her life in this novel. MacNeal’s gift is to bring the reader inside and to make you feel what her characters are feeling and experiencing. As I finished the book, my heart in my throat, I felt for Maggie even while I eagerly read ahead to make sure she completes her mission, which is catching the latest killer.
This series is such a standout, and MacNeal can take this reader anywhere she wants to. I can only recommend to all other readers and lovers of historical fiction out there, find a Maggie Hope novel, and find one now.
To add fuel to the fire, the “Blackout Beast,” a Jack the Ripper style serial killer she encountered and caught in The Queen’s Accomplice (2016), is about to be sentenced. He’s indeed sentenced to death for his crimes, but when another serial killer turns up in London, the Beast says he can help, but will only speak to Maggie. In a neat nod to Silence of the Lambs, Maggie does meet with the beast in the actual Tower of London, complete with resident ravens.
MacNeal often deftly intertwines many plot threads in her books, and this outing is no different. There’s a nurse who may or may not be poisoning patients; there’s Maggie’s work, defusing bombs; and then there’s the latest killer, who supplies the police with suitcases full of clean bones. As the suitcases begin to turn up more frequently, MacNeal’s other skill – the ability to write a ticking clock thriller – also emerges. This book is very difficult to put down.
I think, though, that the central piece of this novel is Maggie’s cri de Coeur as she has begun to process all the very terrible things she’s seen and experienced since the start of the war. At first, this is outward. Maggie is smoking and drinking to excess, while doing incredibly dangerous work that all the same gives her the adrenaline rush that takes her mind off these terrible things. She’s tearing around London on a motorcycle. She’s putting off her beau with an over eager attitude though she can’t stop thinking about the man she lost to another woman.
There weren’t words for “PTSD” back in 1943, but it happened all the same. As I said, Maggie is real, so when she begins to go off the rails, your heart goes out to her. She’s still the same brave, smart Maggie we’ve come to know and love, but the cracks in her armor are starting to show. She’s also starting to consider that the “Blackout beast” in the tower may have something wrong with his mind and should not be executed.
“The King’s Justice” refers to the King’s ability to pardon a condemned prisoner, and the beast is demanding it in exchange for information. Maggie struggles with this request as she is struggling with all other aspects of her life in this novel. MacNeal’s gift is to bring the reader inside and to make you feel what her characters are feeling and experiencing. As I finished the book, my heart in my throat, I felt for Maggie even while I eagerly read ahead to make sure she completes her mission, which is catching the latest killer.
This series is such a standout, and MacNeal can take this reader anywhere she wants to. I can only recommend to all other readers and lovers of historical fiction out there, find a Maggie Hope novel, and find one now.
February 22, 2020
I've been a fan of Susan Elia MacNeal's Maggie Hope series since the very first book, Mr. Churchill's Secretary, and it's been a joy to watch it get stronger with each new book. The King's Justice follows this trend. As always, MacNeal can easily put us right in the middle of wartorn London by inserting facts about the Tower of London being hit during the Blitz, giving names and histories to the ravens at the Tower, mudlarking, and defusing bombs (which reminded me of watching Anthony Andrews in Danger UXB). But it was what I learned about conscientious objectors that had the most effect on me, and I really liked how it was woven into the story.
As much as I learn about World War II and the people who fought in it by reading these books, it's the character of Maggie Hope who always brings me back. She's quite simply amazing. Starting out as rather naive, she's grown so much, learned so much, and her quick wits and steely resolve have gotten her out of more than one hair-raising circumstance. The thing that I like about Maggie the most is-- regardless of what she's done-- she's not Wonder Woman. Bullets don't bounce off her. Everything she's done, everything she's experienced, has had an effect on her, and in The King's Justice, we see it all coming to a crisis point. She's got what we now call PTSD, and how she realizes it and how she works through it is one of the best parts of the book.
By the book's end, Maggie has a new adventure awaiting her, one that I'm really looking forward to. That's about the only bad thing about a wonderful series like the one Susan Elia MacNeal has created: the interminable wait for the next book. If you're new to the series, you can read this as a standalone, but I strongly advise against it. You'll miss too much just in character development alone. Start with Mr. Churchill's Secretary. (You can thank me later.) As for all you fellow Maggie Hope fans, rejoice! You've got another excellent book to savor!
As much as I learn about World War II and the people who fought in it by reading these books, it's the character of Maggie Hope who always brings me back. She's quite simply amazing. Starting out as rather naive, she's grown so much, learned so much, and her quick wits and steely resolve have gotten her out of more than one hair-raising circumstance. The thing that I like about Maggie the most is-- regardless of what she's done-- she's not Wonder Woman. Bullets don't bounce off her. Everything she's done, everything she's experienced, has had an effect on her, and in The King's Justice, we see it all coming to a crisis point. She's got what we now call PTSD, and how she realizes it and how she works through it is one of the best parts of the book.
By the book's end, Maggie has a new adventure awaiting her, one that I'm really looking forward to. That's about the only bad thing about a wonderful series like the one Susan Elia MacNeal has created: the interminable wait for the next book. If you're new to the series, you can read this as a standalone, but I strongly advise against it. You'll miss too much just in character development alone. Start with Mr. Churchill's Secretary. (You can thank me later.) As for all you fellow Maggie Hope fans, rejoice! You've got another excellent book to savor!
July 16, 2020
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I had no idea what to expect after reading MacNeal's last book in the Maggie Hope series. That one was so enjoyable after slogging through a couple in the series that I didn't enjoy as much as the original book..
Maggie is in full avoidance mode, after seeing and doing some things she never would have thought imaginable a few years before. Smoking, drinking, driving around recklessly on a motorbike, you name it, Maggie is doing everything but processing the psychological pain she is experiencing. All that changes when another serial killer shows up in England. DCI Durgin, Maggie's sort-of boyfriend, coaxes her to help on the case. And we're finally off on another adventure..
As implied, it takes a while for the story to take off, but when it does, it is satisfying. As I mentioned in my review for the last book, where is Maggie's mother? We kind of find out, but are left with more questions than answers. Another cliffhanger! I originally came to this series about six months ago and the cliffhangers at the end of the books didn't bother me as much as they do now that I'm all caught up. I may or may not continue to read the series as future books are published based on this fact. Most annoying. I've read plenty of other series' books that don't fall into that trap; they write memorable characters that people want to read more about.
I received and ARC from NetGalley for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I had no idea what to expect after reading MacNeal's last book in the Maggie Hope series. That one was so enjoyable after slogging through a couple in the series that I didn't enjoy as much as the original book..
Maggie is in full avoidance mode, after seeing and doing some things she never would have thought imaginable a few years before. Smoking, drinking, driving around recklessly on a motorbike, you name it, Maggie is doing everything but processing the psychological pain she is experiencing. All that changes when another serial killer shows up in England. DCI Durgin, Maggie's sort-of boyfriend, coaxes her to help on the case. And we're finally off on another adventure..
As implied, it takes a while for the story to take off, but when it does, it is satisfying. As I mentioned in my review for the last book, where is Maggie's mother? We kind of find out, but are left with more questions than answers. Another cliffhanger! I originally came to this series about six months ago and the cliffhangers at the end of the books didn't bother me as much as they do now that I'm all caught up. I may or may not continue to read the series as future books are published based on this fact. Most annoying. I've read plenty of other series' books that don't fall into that trap; they write memorable characters that people want to read more about.
I received and ARC from NetGalley for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 7, 2020
I feel like this series has run its course. The blurb makes it seem like the missing violin is the main mystery, when it barely takes up any space in the novel. And the actual main "mystery" is familiar to anyone who's seen Endeavour and the episode
It feels like Maggie is shoehorned into her own story in order to give her something other to do. She's certainly not needed for the mysteries, when DCI Durgin is perfectly capable of doing his job.
And now the story
Maggie Hope was at her best as a codebreaker/SOE agent. Those were interesting stories that haven't really been done before. I'd really like to see the series return to that, but I doubt it'll happen.
It feels like Maggie is shoehorned into her own story in order to give her something other to do. She's certainly not needed for the mysteries, when DCI Durgin is perfectly capable of doing his job.
And now the story
Maggie Hope was at her best as a codebreaker/SOE agent. Those were interesting stories that haven't really been done before. I'd really like to see the series return to that, but I doubt it'll happen.
November 29, 2019
War is hell, and the latest in the Maggie Hope series shows the impact on the civilians left behind as well as those who don't do their fighting on the front lines. Maggie is dealing with her disillusionment with the SOE as well as likely PTSD by smoking, drinking, and defusing bombs. I enjoyed this outing with Maggie, but hope that she can find at least a small measure of peace and happiness in the next book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC.
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