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Libby Clark #2
Treason in the Secret City
Evidence of Deceit
Chemist Libby Clark is as smart as they come. Maybe even too smart for her own good. With World War II underway, she should focus on her research for the US military, not on solving crimes. But when her friend Marvin asks for help, she can’t turn him away. Especially when she learns a traitor lurks within the walls of America’s most secure facility—the Secret City.
Marvin’s cousin Frannie has been accused of treason after letting one of the scientists use her switchboard—and exposing him is the only way to clear her name. Libby discovers plenty of dirt on Dr. Hansrote, but nothing strong enough to take the physicist down. Then one of the scientists is murdered. If Libby doesn’t unveil the spy in their midst soon, she could be the next victim of a killer clever enough to outwit them all.
Chemist Libby Clark is as smart as they come. Maybe even too smart for her own good. With World War II underway, she should focus on her research for the US military, not on solving crimes. But when her friend Marvin asks for help, she can’t turn him away. Especially when she learns a traitor lurks within the walls of America’s most secure facility—the Secret City.
Marvin’s cousin Frannie has been accused of treason after letting one of the scientists use her switchboard—and exposing him is the only way to clear her name. Libby discovers plenty of dirt on Dr. Hansrote, but nothing strong enough to take the physicist down. Then one of the scientists is murdered. If Libby doesn’t unveil the spy in their midst soon, she could be the next victim of a killer clever enough to outwit them all.
292 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2020
14 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 14, 2018
One night in May, 1944, Libby Clark, the only female scientist at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is awakened from sleep by a co-worker. The authorities are charging Marvin’s cousin Frannie with treason, and he wants Libby’s help in proving her innocence. Frannie claims that she was tricked into disclosing secret information, but Libby and friends are soon drawn into a web of treachery and evil, facing serious danger--from both sides of the law.
Just as the reader thinks the mystery is solved, it takes some unexpected twists and turns. In addition, the book does a good job of portraying the atmosphere of the secret WWII research facility. Everything is top secret, and the slightest indiscretion can lead to an arrest. Fans of historical fiction should enjoy this, the second in the series begun by Fanning's SCANDAL IN THE SECRET CITY. (An interesting side note is the author’s note describing real-life instances of spying in Oak Ridge.)
Just as the reader thinks the mystery is solved, it takes some unexpected twists and turns. In addition, the book does a good job of portraying the atmosphere of the secret WWII research facility. Everything is top secret, and the slightest indiscretion can lead to an arrest. Fans of historical fiction should enjoy this, the second in the series begun by Fanning's SCANDAL IN THE SECRET CITY. (An interesting side note is the author’s note describing real-life instances of spying in Oak Ridge.)
July 2, 2017
This story moved like a train down the tracks
This is a well told tale with several plot twists. I loved the attention to detail in describing the culture as it existed during the war.
This is a well told tale with several plot twists. I loved the attention to detail in describing the culture as it existed during the war.
Read
April 2, 2020Categories
Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A Libby Clark Mystery
Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A Libby Clark Mystery
April 14, 2021
Loved this! I hope Diane Fanning is working on #3 in this series!
May 4, 2025
There was too much going on this story. The murder in Oak Ridge and the whole issue with Libby's mother was too much for one book.
June 17, 2016
Diane Fanning's new novel, Treason in the Secret City immerses the reader in the US as it was during WWII. The tensions, privations, hopes and lifestyle are all vibrantly depicted, as is the changing role of women and the challenges they encounter. When you add a well developed plot that realistically fits the time period and multifaceted lead characters who are easy to empathize with, it is no surprise that Treason in the Secret City is an amazing read.
Libby Clark and her fellow scientists are working on a special project for the government behind the gates of the Secret City. Everyone is vigilant as watchers are everywhere, willing to turn in friends and acquaintances for the least indiscretion. When Marvin, a member of her discussion group, approaches Libby with a problem, she decides to hear him out. His cousin has been accused of treason. Frannie claims Dr. Hansrote convinced her to aid him in getting information to US spies behind enemy lines. In reality, she was helping him send information to enemy agents. From all appearances, Frannie is an innocent, caught in the web of a skillful manipulator. But unless evidence is found, Frannie will be taken and tried. Soon after she decides to help, Marvin is found, tortured to death. The stakes get higher as the investigation progresses with Libby and her friends potentially being accused of being collaborators.
If you enjoy historical mysteries you should pick up a copy of Diane Fanning's Treason in the Secret City - you won't be disappointed. Fanning's diligent research and brilliant writing bring history to life, making the Libby Clark mysteries an exceptional read. I look forward to reading more of her novels.
5/5
I received a copy of Treason in the Secret City from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
Libby Clark and her fellow scientists are working on a special project for the government behind the gates of the Secret City. Everyone is vigilant as watchers are everywhere, willing to turn in friends and acquaintances for the least indiscretion. When Marvin, a member of her discussion group, approaches Libby with a problem, she decides to hear him out. His cousin has been accused of treason. Frannie claims Dr. Hansrote convinced her to aid him in getting information to US spies behind enemy lines. In reality, she was helping him send information to enemy agents. From all appearances, Frannie is an innocent, caught in the web of a skillful manipulator. But unless evidence is found, Frannie will be taken and tried. Soon after she decides to help, Marvin is found, tortured to death. The stakes get higher as the investigation progresses with Libby and her friends potentially being accused of being collaborators.
If you enjoy historical mysteries you should pick up a copy of Diane Fanning's Treason in the Secret City - you won't be disappointed. Fanning's diligent research and brilliant writing bring history to life, making the Libby Clark mysteries an exceptional read. I look forward to reading more of her novels.
5/5
I received a copy of Treason in the Secret City from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
November 17, 2016
Spy novel that fails to gain momentum
From the very first page I was confused as to the genre of this novel. Set in 1944, a group of bright young scientists are working on a top-secret project in a secret compound.
World War 2 is raging and everybody is paranoid about spies. The heroine, Libby Clark, comes across as very simplistic and trusting and I did not warm to her at all. In fact, I found myself having to force myself to continue reading the book as even the plot seemed ridiculous.
I’m guessing that the writer tried to recreate the way things would have been in the 40’s but it failed to hit the right note. Agatha Christie novels are all set in the 20’s and 30’s and yet they capture the imagination and are page turners.
The storyline revolves around the accusation that a naive young woman named Frannie Snowden, has stolen top secret documents and is to be charged with treason. Her cousin enlists the help of Libby Clark as he is convinced that she has been somehow tricked into the situation.
Libby and her friends rally around Frannie and hide her from the authorities. Then Marvin is found tortured and murdered near to Frannie’s hideout and it all gets very confusing and implausible.
The pity is that the book has all the makings of a good mystery novel but the plot makes no sense and the characters are not believable.
All in all, I felt as though I were reading a Nancy Drew novel.
Gillian
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review
From the very first page I was confused as to the genre of this novel. Set in 1944, a group of bright young scientists are working on a top-secret project in a secret compound.
World War 2 is raging and everybody is paranoid about spies. The heroine, Libby Clark, comes across as very simplistic and trusting and I did not warm to her at all. In fact, I found myself having to force myself to continue reading the book as even the plot seemed ridiculous.
I’m guessing that the writer tried to recreate the way things would have been in the 40’s but it failed to hit the right note. Agatha Christie novels are all set in the 20’s and 30’s and yet they capture the imagination and are page turners.
The storyline revolves around the accusation that a naive young woman named Frannie Snowden, has stolen top secret documents and is to be charged with treason. Her cousin enlists the help of Libby Clark as he is convinced that she has been somehow tricked into the situation.
Libby and her friends rally around Frannie and hide her from the authorities. Then Marvin is found tortured and murdered near to Frannie’s hideout and it all gets very confusing and implausible.
The pity is that the book has all the makings of a good mystery novel but the plot makes no sense and the characters are not believable.
All in all, I felt as though I were reading a Nancy Drew novel.
Gillian
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review
December 23, 2016
Fanning's second entry in the Secret City series returns the reader to World War II Oak Ridge, TN, where everything, including its address, was completely secret. Libby Clark, a rare female chemist in the atomic energy field, finds herself once again enmeshed in a mystery involving the cousin of a friend. Charged with treason, this cousin needs Libby's help. Investigations take Libby into a world of spies, collaborators and other unethical characters.
A rare look into a part of US history most of us don't understand. Fanning opens insight into this little-known area in crafting a tense suspense story. Highly encourage suspense readers to dip into this story. You won't be disappointed.
A rare look into a part of US history most of us don't understand. Fanning opens insight into this little-known area in crafting a tense suspense story. Highly encourage suspense readers to dip into this story. You won't be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews