Carbon Copy: Book 3: A Frances McFadden Mystery

by Ian McKercher

Book 3 of the Frances McFadden In February of 1942, Canada is at war against Nazi tyranny and Ottawa is mired in a vicious winter.Frances McFadden, personal secretary to the Governor of the Bank of Canada, is about to leave on a much-deserved holiday when she is summoned before a Military Intelligence tribunal and accused of espionage and treason. Someone is clearly guilty of trafficking in state secrets. It’s one thing for Frances to claim her innocence, it’s quite another thing to prove it.Facing a fourteen-year prison term and possibly the death penalty, Frances joins RCMP Inspector Hollingsworth and Ottawa Police Sergeant Scobie in a journey through a labyrinth of dead ends, dopplegängers, deaths and deceptions to sort out the puzzle of what has been done and by whom.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2019

Reviews

[Alex Binkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carbon Copy is a great mystery story. Every time you've figured out the bad guy, it's not him or her. The ultimate bad guy will come as a surprise. In the meantime you are treated a well-written story set in the intrigue of the Second World War. You meet a lot of characters along the way and get some good laughs along the way even as the bodies mount up.

[Dan Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this third installment of the Frances McFadden story and had my expectations exceeded.

What a great whodunit in the classic style. This short novel read like a Canadian version of an inspector Morse detective story, with great local colour and Canadian historical setting.

I especially enjoyed the cast. The police / diplomats / criminal figures were all given just enough time and detail to shine, but not obscure the story or hog the spotlight.

[Diane Dewing · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased several in this series at one of my favourite independent bookstores. McKercher is a local Ottawa author with a true love of history. His placing of the protagonist, Frances McFadden, as a key worker in The Bank of Canada is inspired. Setting this book during wartime allows for spies to emerge.

Following McFadden and Inspector Hollingworth as they track down the source of faked government documents is a true tour of old Ottawa. Five murders occur - most are solved.

[Sarah Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read. Love the way it evokes the WWII era and love the familiarity of the Ottawa setting. And I love that Frances McFadden favours Macallan scotch - my own favourite!