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Fiona Figg Mystery #1
Betrayal at Ravenswick
"Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and Maisie Dobbs." BookTribDownton Abbey meets Agatha Christie in this charming series opener from bestselling author Kelly Oliver.What's the best way to forget an unfaithful husband?Become a spy for British Intelligence, of course."A clever mix of humor and espionage that will keep you turning the pages and laughing all the way!" Dianne FreemanDesperate to get out of London and determined to help the war effort, Fiona Figg volunteers to go undercover.It keeps her from thinking about Andrew, her philandering husband.At Ravenswick Abbey a charming South African war correspondent has tongues wagging.His friends say he's a crack huntsman. The War Office is convinced he's a traitor. Fiona thinks he's a pompous prig.What sort of name is Fredrick Fredricks anyway?Too bad Fiona doesn't own a Wolseley pith helmet.At Ravenswick a murderer is on the prowl, and it's not just the big-game hunter who's ready to pounce.You'll love this witty homage to the Queen of Mystery because it is the perfect mix of humor, heart, and page-turning intrigue.Get it now and join the fun.Available in e-book, paperback, and audiobookOther books in the High Treason at the Grand Hotel (Mystery Scene pick, best mystery of 2021; Silver Falchion Finalist, Best Historical Mystery) Villainy in Vienna Chaos at Carnegie Hall Covert in Cairo Mayhem in the Mountains (August 15th) Arsenic at Ascot (November 15th) PRAISE FOR FIONA FIGG "Tantalizing and riveting with a good dose of humor." The Los Angeles Post"Fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek spy romp. Enjoy the ride." Frances Evesham"A fun diversion with an entertaining female lead." Kirkus Reviews"Humor, action, and intrigue set the stage for this novel. I found myself thoroughly entertained." Urban Book Reviews"A perfect blend of wit, fun, and intrigue." Debra Goldstein"The perfect wartime Fiona Figg. Smart, sneaky, and full of surprises... A fun whodunit that will keep you turning the pages!" Cathi Stoler"A satisfying tale of World War I espionage, rich with historical details, and perfectly laced with humor and high jinks. Brilliant!" Margaret Mizushima"Lushly layered in period detail, this historical mystery delivers twists and turns in a lighthearted tale of suspense and derring-do." Muddy Rose Reviews"A fun, mix of whodunnit and thriller set amid American high society " T. A. Williams"Fun, easy-to-read, witty mystery that had me happily turning the pages.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2020
1190 people are currently reading
5468 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Oliver
63 books423 followersKelly Oliver is the award-winning, bestselling author of four mysteries series:
Jessica James Mysteries (contemporary suspense), Pet Detective Mysteries (middle grade), Fiona Figg Mysteries (historical cozies), and The Detection Club Mysteries (traditional).
When she’s not writing mysteries, Kelly is Distinguished Professor Emerita of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University.
Kelly lives in Nashville with three very demanding felines.
To learn more about Kelly and her books, please visit her website at www.kellyoliverbooks.com.
Jessica James Mysteries (contemporary suspense), Pet Detective Mysteries (middle grade), Fiona Figg Mysteries (historical cozies), and The Detection Club Mysteries (traditional).
When she’s not writing mysteries, Kelly is Distinguished Professor Emerita of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University.
Kelly lives in Nashville with three very demanding felines.
To learn more about Kelly and her books, please visit her website at www.kellyoliverbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 255 reviews
January 20, 2021
Favorite Quotes:
Mr. Knox flashed a toothy smile, the kind that made nuns blush.
When Ernest laughed he sounded like a goose taking flight.
I admired the rose bushes, wishing I had a green thumb. I was too much of a city girl to grow anything except my hair…
In my opinion, her husband’s wandering eye seemed more in line with male maladies best cured by poison.
I could hear my father’s voice in my head, “Stiff upper lip, my girl, that’s the English way.” Wouldn’t he be surprised to see a mustache sprouting from mine?
The reflection in the mirror didn’t seem to belong to me, but to some long-lost twin, who looked like me but lived a parallel life more exciting than my own.
My Review:
This was my first time reading Kelly Oliver and I had to wonder, what took me so long? This was an enjoyable and entertaining historical cozy mystery set in 1914 England during WWI and written from the first-person POV of a female file clerk turned working in the War Office who was sent on a spy mission and having the time of her life. Just what a newly divorced woman shot of a philandering husband would need to relocate her identity and self-confidence. The entertaining storylines were rather complicated with a large cast of unusual and untrustworthy characters, but I enjoyed the chase and her multiple missteps.
While there wasn’t a vile cliffhanger to rankle and stir my ire, the tale did not fully resolve and will continue on through subsequent installments. I can live with that since I have the next volume locked on loaded on my beloved Kindle.
I obtained two new items to add to my ever-growing Brit Words and Phrases list with a rum do which is a messy circumstance plagued with bad luck, poor fortune, or deliberate sabotage. And a hair receiver, which Mr. Google informed me, along with colorful examples, was a small pot or jar with a hole in the top that was used in the Victorian era and was typically made of ceramic, bronze, or crystal. It was kept on the dressing table to store their personal hair after being collected from brushes and combs. Said hair was used in jewelry and art – umm, no thank you.
Mr. Knox flashed a toothy smile, the kind that made nuns blush.
When Ernest laughed he sounded like a goose taking flight.
I admired the rose bushes, wishing I had a green thumb. I was too much of a city girl to grow anything except my hair…
In my opinion, her husband’s wandering eye seemed more in line with male maladies best cured by poison.
I could hear my father’s voice in my head, “Stiff upper lip, my girl, that’s the English way.” Wouldn’t he be surprised to see a mustache sprouting from mine?
The reflection in the mirror didn’t seem to belong to me, but to some long-lost twin, who looked like me but lived a parallel life more exciting than my own.
My Review:
This was my first time reading Kelly Oliver and I had to wonder, what took me so long? This was an enjoyable and entertaining historical cozy mystery set in 1914 England during WWI and written from the first-person POV of a female file clerk turned working in the War Office who was sent on a spy mission and having the time of her life. Just what a newly divorced woman shot of a philandering husband would need to relocate her identity and self-confidence. The entertaining storylines were rather complicated with a large cast of unusual and untrustworthy characters, but I enjoyed the chase and her multiple missteps.
While there wasn’t a vile cliffhanger to rankle and stir my ire, the tale did not fully resolve and will continue on through subsequent installments. I can live with that since I have the next volume locked on loaded on my beloved Kindle.
I obtained two new items to add to my ever-growing Brit Words and Phrases list with a rum do which is a messy circumstance plagued with bad luck, poor fortune, or deliberate sabotage. And a hair receiver, which Mr. Google informed me, along with colorful examples, was a small pot or jar with a hole in the top that was used in the Victorian era and was typically made of ceramic, bronze, or crystal. It was kept on the dressing table to store their personal hair after being collected from brushes and combs. Said hair was used in jewelry and art – umm, no thank you.
December 27, 2020
A revamped heavy borrowing of Agatha Christie’s The Mysterious Affair at Styles. Fiona Figg finds herself suddenly a spy and detective solving a case almost identical to Christie’s. Really the only thing different are the names and the addition of the world famous investigative journalist being a possible double agent. Stick with Christie.
August 2, 2020
Plagiarism? How can Kelly Oliver getaway with writing an almost word-for-word copy of Agatha Christie’s “The Mysterious Affair at Styles”?
January 23, 2021
I enjoy reading Agatha Christie and love Downton Abbey so when an opportunity came across to read this book, I was more than excited. Kelly Oliver delivered a heroine that is such a delight to read that is brilliant, witty and a woman ahead of her time working undercover for the War Office in London during The Great War, while grieving her lost marriage to a cheating husband.
I found the writing very entertaining and so enjoyable. This was a fantastic escape read that I really enjoyed. I am happy to have the second book as this ending left me in a cliff hanger.
I found the writing very entertaining and so enjoyable. This was a fantastic escape read that I really enjoyed. I am happy to have the second book as this ending left me in a cliff hanger.
August 9, 2020
Not so good
I stopped reading as it was too much like Christies Mysterious Affair at Styles. Not wasting time on such as this.
I stopped reading as it was too much like Christies Mysterious Affair at Styles. Not wasting time on such as this.
June 21, 2020
You take your chances with an author you aren't familiar with (sorry Ms. Oliver, I see you have
several other books including another series to your credit.) and the first book of a new series.
But the description of the book, the title, and a very well done cover drew me in - as well as the
discount introductory price.
My response was lukewarm at first, as it begins with the main character in passionate reaction to the betrayal of a husband she loved, followed by a scenario that seems pretty far fetched.
Divorce in the early 20th century was pretty rare. Even more so was a woman who landed a job at the war office, and was admired by her peers - within the realm of their cultural take of a woman's role, of course.
And when Fiona goes on to be approved for an assignment where she poses as a man?? Really, this is too much!
But Fiona herself, a total contradiction in personality traits and blessed with a satirical sense of humor, drew me in. Pretty soon the ludicrous seemed more plausible, and before too much longer I was getting into the plot.
The book is a mis- mash of the realism and tragedy of WWI, the humor in situations Fiona finds herself in the middle of, and a cast of curious personalities.
Fiona, the jilted wife, finds herself trying to solve a mystery, find a killer - not necessarily the
same person - and thread her way through the feelings for her ex-husband while she finds herself unexpectedly sought after by someone else - actually more than one someone.
Confusing it may sound, but in the end it was great fun and I'll be looking forward to the next
Fiona Figg mystery.
several other books including another series to your credit.) and the first book of a new series.
But the description of the book, the title, and a very well done cover drew me in - as well as the
discount introductory price.
My response was lukewarm at first, as it begins with the main character in passionate reaction to the betrayal of a husband she loved, followed by a scenario that seems pretty far fetched.
Divorce in the early 20th century was pretty rare. Even more so was a woman who landed a job at the war office, and was admired by her peers - within the realm of their cultural take of a woman's role, of course.
And when Fiona goes on to be approved for an assignment where she poses as a man?? Really, this is too much!
But Fiona herself, a total contradiction in personality traits and blessed with a satirical sense of humor, drew me in. Pretty soon the ludicrous seemed more plausible, and before too much longer I was getting into the plot.
The book is a mis- mash of the realism and tragedy of WWI, the humor in situations Fiona finds herself in the middle of, and a cast of curious personalities.
Fiona, the jilted wife, finds herself trying to solve a mystery, find a killer - not necessarily the
same person - and thread her way through the feelings for her ex-husband while she finds herself unexpectedly sought after by someone else - actually more than one someone.
Confusing it may sound, but in the end it was great fun and I'll be looking forward to the next
Fiona Figg mystery.
May 19, 2023
2.5 stars rounded up.
I didn't like the MC, Fiona Figg. She was very silly and absent-minded as a spy.
I liked the language - old-fashioned and 'elegant' - but it quickly became repetitive (I'll remember the word philandering forever!).
I didn't like the constant repetitions of the same epithets about certain characters and 'replays' of the events - as if the readers couldn't follow the plot and remember who's who.
And finally, I didn't like that the ending was sooooo open - I'm probably not going to read on and I still don't know almost anything about the 'super spy' miss Figg was pursuing...
I rounded it up because the narrator of the audiobook did a really good job!
I didn't like the MC, Fiona Figg. She was very silly and absent-minded as a spy.
I liked the language - old-fashioned and 'elegant' - but it quickly became repetitive (I'll remember the word philandering forever!).
I didn't like the constant repetitions of the same epithets about certain characters and 'replays' of the events - as if the readers couldn't follow the plot and remember who's who.
And finally, I didn't like that the ending was sooooo open - I'm probably not going to read on and I still don't know almost anything about the 'super spy' miss Figg was pursuing...
I rounded it up because the narrator of the audiobook did a really good job!
January 1, 2022
3-3.5 stars.
Fiona Figg, filing clerk with a photographic (actually, eidetic)memory at the War Office’s cryptography department, discovers her husband’s infidelity, and after working through some of her shock and depression, volunteers to go undercover to determine whether a famous big-game hunter is actually a German spy.
She makes it to Ravenswick manor, and gets to act the part of Doctor Vogel, female maladies and poisons specialist, and participate in the author’s retelling of “The Mysterious Affair at Styles”.
Fiona’s bright, a little chirpily positive (yeah, I know that’s not a word), and when she’s not working at the War Office, is a volunteer nurse, so dealing with blood and death is not foreign to her.
She proves to be a capable investigator after the lady of Styles, I mean Ravenswick, is killed. Fiona also gets a little romance in her life, and though the Ravenswick mystery is solved, there are threads left open about the possible German spy, so I guess I have to read book two.
Fiona Figg, filing clerk with a photographic (actually, eidetic)memory at the War Office’s cryptography department, discovers her husband’s infidelity, and after working through some of her shock and depression, volunteers to go undercover to determine whether a famous big-game hunter is actually a German spy.
She makes it to Ravenswick manor, and gets to act the part of Doctor Vogel, female maladies and poisons specialist, and participate in the author’s retelling of “The Mysterious Affair at Styles”.
Fiona’s bright, a little chirpily positive (yeah, I know that’s not a word), and when she’s not working at the War Office, is a volunteer nurse, so dealing with blood and death is not foreign to her.
She proves to be a capable investigator after the lady of Styles, I mean Ravenswick, is killed. Fiona also gets a little romance in her life, and though the Ravenswick mystery is solved, there are threads left open about the possible German spy, so I guess I have to read book two.
April 6, 2020
‘A photographic memory came in handy when filing while eavesdropping’
Tennessee author Kelly Oliver earned her degrees from Gonzaga University and Northwestern University and is a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University. She has published numerous articles on such important issues as the refugee crisis, reproductive technologies, campus rape, women and the media, the environment, and animals in The New York Times and The Los Angeles Review of Books, as well as being featured on ABC news, CSPAN books, and the Canadian Broadcasting Network. Her published books include both non-fiction and children’s, young adult, and adult fiction. Now she opens a new series – the Fiona Figg mysteries and BETRAYAL AT RAVENSWICK is Book 1. She lives in Nashville.
The decision to place this new mystery series in the World War I era finds Kelly in top form as a writer of both romantic mystery and wit, able to focus her stage setting so clearly that we the view war torn world in a different light. Once again the primary character is a female sleuth, Fiona Figg, and her personality and motivation for this story is evident from the opening words: ‘I should have poisoned him. If only I’d had the chance. By the time he confessed to loving another woman and asked for a divorce, it was too late. When he left me, he took my desires to be with him, even in my desire for death. If it weren’t for an article in the Daily Times about a certain South African war correspondent living near Wickham Bishops, I might still be languishing in my bed, wishing I’d never been born. I’d been such an idiot…’
Kelly’s writing style is a fine blend of raw humor with tense tale spinning that makes this mystery series opener a complete pleasure to read: laugh a lot at her language choices and similes while deeply inhaling her well-paced mystery. She provides a very succinct and useful summary invitation into her world – ‘What's the best way to purge an unfaithful husband? Become a spy for British Intelligence, of course. Desperate to get out of London, and determined to help the war effort and stop thinking about her philandering husband, Fiona Figg volunteers to go undercover. At Ravenswick Abbey a charming South African war correspondent has tongues wagging. His friends say he's a crack huntsman. The War Office is convinced he's a traitor. Fiona thinks he's a pompous prig. What sort of name is Fredrick Fredricks anyway? Too bad Fiona doesn't own a Wolseley pith helmet. ‘
Kelly Oliver continues to grow as one of our more important authors today. Welcoming a new series form her allows us to further appreciate her fine-honed skills at writing novels that enhance our reading pleasures and entertainment. Very highly recommended.
Tennessee author Kelly Oliver earned her degrees from Gonzaga University and Northwestern University and is a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University. She has published numerous articles on such important issues as the refugee crisis, reproductive technologies, campus rape, women and the media, the environment, and animals in The New York Times and The Los Angeles Review of Books, as well as being featured on ABC news, CSPAN books, and the Canadian Broadcasting Network. Her published books include both non-fiction and children’s, young adult, and adult fiction. Now she opens a new series – the Fiona Figg mysteries and BETRAYAL AT RAVENSWICK is Book 1. She lives in Nashville.
The decision to place this new mystery series in the World War I era finds Kelly in top form as a writer of both romantic mystery and wit, able to focus her stage setting so clearly that we the view war torn world in a different light. Once again the primary character is a female sleuth, Fiona Figg, and her personality and motivation for this story is evident from the opening words: ‘I should have poisoned him. If only I’d had the chance. By the time he confessed to loving another woman and asked for a divorce, it was too late. When he left me, he took my desires to be with him, even in my desire for death. If it weren’t for an article in the Daily Times about a certain South African war correspondent living near Wickham Bishops, I might still be languishing in my bed, wishing I’d never been born. I’d been such an idiot…’
Kelly’s writing style is a fine blend of raw humor with tense tale spinning that makes this mystery series opener a complete pleasure to read: laugh a lot at her language choices and similes while deeply inhaling her well-paced mystery. She provides a very succinct and useful summary invitation into her world – ‘What's the best way to purge an unfaithful husband? Become a spy for British Intelligence, of course. Desperate to get out of London, and determined to help the war effort and stop thinking about her philandering husband, Fiona Figg volunteers to go undercover. At Ravenswick Abbey a charming South African war correspondent has tongues wagging. His friends say he's a crack huntsman. The War Office is convinced he's a traitor. Fiona thinks he's a pompous prig. What sort of name is Fredrick Fredricks anyway? Too bad Fiona doesn't own a Wolseley pith helmet. ‘
Kelly Oliver continues to grow as one of our more important authors today. Welcoming a new series form her allows us to further appreciate her fine-honed skills at writing novels that enhance our reading pleasures and entertainment. Very highly recommended.
March 13, 2023
This is a 4.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 5 🌟.
This supposedly "cosy" mystery literally knocked my socks off! I suppose it fits the "cosy" genre in that the sleuth is an amateur, but this novel is SO much more. At a time when the world is in turmoil and women have to take up the slack as men are sent off to war, we find one woman trying to overcome her own personal tragedy by becoming a spy for British Intelligence. The book is full of Fiona's heartbreak, biting wit, heroism, determination and forgiveness as she sets about her jobs of working at the War Office, being a volunteer nurse at the Veterans Hospital and bumbling along as a newly minted English spy.
A Highly Recommended historical mystery. I can't wait to read more of Fiona Figg's exploits!
This supposedly "cosy" mystery literally knocked my socks off! I suppose it fits the "cosy" genre in that the sleuth is an amateur, but this novel is SO much more. At a time when the world is in turmoil and women have to take up the slack as men are sent off to war, we find one woman trying to overcome her own personal tragedy by becoming a spy for British Intelligence. The book is full of Fiona's heartbreak, biting wit, heroism, determination and forgiveness as she sets about her jobs of working at the War Office, being a volunteer nurse at the Veterans Hospital and bumbling along as a newly minted English spy.
A Highly Recommended historical mystery. I can't wait to read more of Fiona Figg's exploits!
September 27, 2025
I loved this mystery. I felt the time period novel was accurate to the Era and felt the mystery was well written. I enjoyed the FMC and was engrossed in the mystery. I predicted the whodunit but it was still an enjoyable story.
September 6, 2022
I am not sure how I feel about the story. I liked the concept, but it isn't really a new idea using a woman to spy on the enemy. I read it mostly because it's a historical volume that takes place in and around London during WW I.
I have my own ideas for a story or two, and wanted to get a feel for British speech and mannerisms. "I say old girl" did get a bit tedious though! LOL!
I feel that the pacing was pretty good, and Oliver did have me feeling a lot of the pain and frustrations of living during a world at war. The lack of certain goods, food shortages, and of the burdens of women having to step in and do the jobs of caring for their children as well as do the work traditionally done by the men. All able bodied men had left behind their families and jobs as they were needed on the front lines. Towns consisted of young children, old people, soldier's wives, refugees and the wounded.
I do like the Fiona Figg character, and will probably read the next volume in the series as I want to see how Kelly Oliver continues to develop this delightful housewife/spy for British Intelligence. She is smart and witty and reveals both her moments of deeply felt sadness, loneliness and regret and then shows us a brave, and somewhat disobedient, woman determined to serve her country.
My only true complaint with this first volume "Betrayal at Ravenswick" was in Fiona Figg's forgetfulness of the letter and the medicine bottle until days later. I understand the reason for the delay so as to keep up with the pace needed to establish the murder, trial and suspect list, but I didn't feel that the "good doctor" would be so negligent. It didn't fit with the persona of the smart, inquisitive lady, with or without her itchy black beard!
The ending answers the "who done it and how it was done" of the Ravenswick murder but the true killer has managed to evade capture. Kelly Oliver has me wanting to start reading volume two, "High Treason at the Grand Hotel", asap ... there's a crack villain to track down, and Fiona Figg is the perfect undercover agent for the job!
I listened to the Audio-book version of Betrayal at Ravenswick, and the reader, Nikki Delgado, was quite good!
I have my own ideas for a story or two, and wanted to get a feel for British speech and mannerisms. "I say old girl" did get a bit tedious though! LOL!
I feel that the pacing was pretty good, and Oliver did have me feeling a lot of the pain and frustrations of living during a world at war. The lack of certain goods, food shortages, and of the burdens of women having to step in and do the jobs of caring for their children as well as do the work traditionally done by the men. All able bodied men had left behind their families and jobs as they were needed on the front lines. Towns consisted of young children, old people, soldier's wives, refugees and the wounded.
I do like the Fiona Figg character, and will probably read the next volume in the series as I want to see how Kelly Oliver continues to develop this delightful housewife/spy for British Intelligence. She is smart and witty and reveals both her moments of deeply felt sadness, loneliness and regret and then shows us a brave, and somewhat disobedient, woman determined to serve her country.
My only true complaint with this first volume "Betrayal at Ravenswick" was in Fiona Figg's forgetfulness of the letter and the medicine bottle until days later. I understand the reason for the delay so as to keep up with the pace needed to establish the murder, trial and suspect list, but I didn't feel that the "good doctor" would be so negligent. It didn't fit with the persona of the smart, inquisitive lady, with or without her itchy black beard!
The ending answers the "who done it and how it was done" of the Ravenswick murder but the true killer has managed to evade capture. Kelly Oliver has me wanting to start reading volume two, "High Treason at the Grand Hotel", asap ... there's a crack villain to track down, and Fiona Figg is the perfect undercover agent for the job!
I listened to the Audio-book version of Betrayal at Ravenswick, and the reader, Nikki Delgado, was quite good!
July 31, 2022
This is a charming cozy set during the First World War following Fiona Figg, recently rid of her wastrel of a husband. She is dedicated clerk turned intrepid spy, invigorated to be out of London and creating a new identity for herself—quite literally when she is tasked with impersonating a man at Ravenswick Abbey to investigate a mysterious big game hunter and war correspondent. I am seeing a number of authors tackle retellings of Agatha Christie’s work, and this story is a reworking of ‘The Mysterious Affair at Styles.’ I enjoyed the details of Christie’s debut novel that were echoed in this tale. The story was a bit farfetched in places, but I was engaged by Fiona’s struggle to prove herself a capable sleuth.
July 6, 2020
This book has a fabulous description. After reading it, I was totally sold on the storyline. It seemed right up my alley and I was happy to shell out $5.99 for the Kindle ebook.
I was hoping to be decently entertained and enjoy a good mystery. Sadly, the book description was far superior to the actual book. Similar to a movie trailer that makes the movie seem way better than it actually is.
To me, the writing was awkward and the characters were shallow. I couldn’t connect with any of them or buy into the plot. Most of the story elements were rushed, lacked depth and appropriate follow through.
I have read many books in this genre set in this same time period where I was swept away by the engaging characters and fully taken in with the unfolding mystery. Unfortunately this attempt fell flat. It wasn’t terrible, just forgettable. It seems to be the first in a series but I won’t be returning for the sequel.
I was hoping to be decently entertained and enjoy a good mystery. Sadly, the book description was far superior to the actual book. Similar to a movie trailer that makes the movie seem way better than it actually is.
To me, the writing was awkward and the characters were shallow. I couldn’t connect with any of them or buy into the plot. Most of the story elements were rushed, lacked depth and appropriate follow through.
I have read many books in this genre set in this same time period where I was swept away by the engaging characters and fully taken in with the unfolding mystery. Unfortunately this attempt fell flat. It wasn’t terrible, just forgettable. It seems to be the first in a series but I won’t be returning for the sequel.
January 6, 2023
I'm not quite sure what keeping me reading...I'm on the second of this series and I want to preface what I'm about to say with the fact that I'm team women all day long. I support my sex more than the next person. All that is to say I truly loath this Fiona Figg. She clumsy and ridiculous. Dismissive of poor Clifford( whatever his last name is) and is a poor excuse for a spy. I think I keep reading because I want to like her. I want to cheer for her. I also understand this book is her 1st mission of course she a novice. But she just so unlikable that I don't even care. Did I give the story two stars because the main character is dull? Mostly, but I think the plot meandered a bit. I'm not 100% sure I even know who kill the Countess and I've read the whole kit and kaboodle. So...🤷🏾♀️ I'm on the second of this series now and it's not getting better...I hope that their is some development of her character soon because I'm about to abandon this series...thank you for reading my rant.
May 6, 2022
Enough said in other reviews about this being Christie's MAAS with changes to the characters and what they did. The changes to allow the main character to be a spy trying to observe another possible spy. But it was hard to believe the antics of the protag. The whole disguise thing just didn't work for me, and all from a costume shop? And she was constantly forgetting things, being startled and jumping to conclusions about something when another obvious conclusion was just as likely and the other becomes the reality later. And the question at the end just seemed like a push for another book, while the answer just seemed so obvious.
August 27, 2021
This was a total rip off of mysterious affair at styles, by Agatha Christie.
December 5, 2021
I loved this book and want more!!!
August 9, 2020
As if a World War ravaging the continent isn't enough, Miss Fiona Figg has her hands full dealing with a philandering husband, gruesome volunteer hospital shifts, and a relatively tedious (but still secretive) job with the British Government. So when the opportunity arises for her to go undercover as male Dr. Vogel (an expert in poisons and "lady problems") to investigate potential German spies at a country estate, she jumps at the chance. She needs to get out of London, and this is finally her chance to prove she's good at more than just filing.
But things quickly get more complicated that she ever imagined when a murder takes place, and it looks like poison is the cause. Her expertise as Dr. Vogel is called upon, and soon she's in deeper than she ever should've gotten. The War Office wants her to let it go, but something isn't right, and she just... can't. She has to find the truth.
Overall this was a well written story and a fairly easy read, though at times there were a few too many characters to keep straight. The book had its clever moments, and is clearly set up for a sequel/series. However, this book ended with a HUGE cliffhanger and there's no second book in sight. I don't usually mind having unanswered questions or even a cliffhanger, but I've never had it happen in a situation where the author doesn't even have the sequel's publication date available - I need something to look forward to so that I don't feel completely bamboozled!
But things quickly get more complicated that she ever imagined when a murder takes place, and it looks like poison is the cause. Her expertise as Dr. Vogel is called upon, and soon she's in deeper than she ever should've gotten. The War Office wants her to let it go, but something isn't right, and she just... can't. She has to find the truth.
Overall this was a well written story and a fairly easy read, though at times there were a few too many characters to keep straight. The book had its clever moments, and is clearly set up for a sequel/series. However, this book ended with a HUGE cliffhanger and there's no second book in sight. I don't usually mind having unanswered questions or even a cliffhanger, but I've never had it happen in a situation where the author doesn't even have the sequel's publication date available - I need something to look forward to so that I don't feel completely bamboozled!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2024
Series is off to a GREAT start! In the midst of war and spies, Fiona volunteers to sus out a traitor. She goes undercover as a man and things get a little messy when a certain lady seems interested 😂
Then said lady's husband is accused of murder and Fiona tries to help. She's very resourceful and also uses people in subtle ways to help. Very clever 🤭
I just didn't like the ending! Things were JUST getting GOOD! Haha
I was like....that's IT? But I'm enjoying the series so far and looking forward to reading more! Hopefully with better conclusions lol
Then said lady's husband is accused of murder and Fiona tries to help. She's very resourceful and also uses people in subtle ways to help. Very clever 🤭
I just didn't like the ending! Things were JUST getting GOOD! Haha
I was like....that's IT? But I'm enjoying the series so far and looking forward to reading more! Hopefully with better conclusions lol
April 21, 2023
Cozy mystery set in England during WWl.
Fiona works in the War Office and uses disguises to work undercover as a spy. The story ends without resolution which hopefully will occur in the sequel. The plot is ok but interrupted by too much introspection by Fiona and repetition of the plot’s progress. Clean read. I might read the next one in hopes that it will get better, but life is short and I have a long “to read” list.
Fiona works in the War Office and uses disguises to work undercover as a spy. The story ends without resolution which hopefully will occur in the sequel. The plot is ok but interrupted by too much introspection by Fiona and repetition of the plot’s progress. Clean read. I might read the next one in hopes that it will get better, but life is short and I have a long “to read” list.
July 26, 2024
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A woman going through a nasty divorce during WWI, works her way up the decoding squad until she gets the opportunity to go out in the field. Dressed as a man, and posing as a doctor, she infiltrates a countess's inner circle looking for a spy.
A nice change from WWII settings, but not really believable.
A woman going through a nasty divorce during WWI, works her way up the decoding squad until she gets the opportunity to go out in the field. Dressed as a man, and posing as a doctor, she infiltrates a countess's inner circle looking for a spy.
A nice change from WWII settings, but not really believable.
March 2, 2022
A change in life circumstances leads to a fresh beginning for Fiona Figg. With the war raging, her husband has left her for another woman, sinking her into the depths of depression. She desperately needs a major change---will a daring, undercover mission for the war office rejuvenate her spirit and confidence?
Deployed to Ravenwicks Abbey with a new identity and purpose, Fiona takes on a gutsy, reconnaissance role as she trails a dandy believed to be a spy. She's soon involved in an unexpected situation at the estate when the matriarch dies mysteriously. Will her hunt for a spy lead her to the trail of a murderer? Will her undercover guise be exposed?
Author Oliver weaves a clever tale of mystery and deceptions with a daring heroine in this story. An intriguing read for mystery lovers!
Deployed to Ravenwicks Abbey with a new identity and purpose, Fiona takes on a gutsy, reconnaissance role as she trails a dandy believed to be a spy. She's soon involved in an unexpected situation at the estate when the matriarch dies mysteriously. Will her hunt for a spy lead her to the trail of a murderer? Will her undercover guise be exposed?
Author Oliver weaves a clever tale of mystery and deceptions with a daring heroine in this story. An intriguing read for mystery lovers!
March 20, 2021
3 1/2 stars
September 15, 2022
Revamped Affair At Styles
This is a rehash of Agatha Christie's Mysterious Affair At Styles, but not nearly as good. Shame on Kelly Oilver. Can I be the only one who noticed this?
This is a rehash of Agatha Christie's Mysterious Affair At Styles, but not nearly as good. Shame on Kelly Oilver. Can I be the only one who noticed this?
Read
January 5, 2023DNF - plot is absolutely absurd and narrator is abysmal.
September 13, 2023
Fun, easy read!
Read
April 9, 2022**I’m updating this to “if I could give it negative stars I would.” I am rereading Agatha Christie’s books, since I haven’t read many of them since high school, and this book‘s main plot, that of the mystery at Ravenswick, is almost a page by page copy of The Mysterious Affair at Styles, so much so that I am fairly certain I know how Christie ends hers because the characters and mystery are exactly the same, down to the pretty wife on the nearby farm. I believe the author has just taken that story, changed the names, and told the story from the viewpoint of one of the other characters (in this case the doctor, who in Ms. Oliver’s telling is actually a woman impersonating a man with presumably no qualifications to be a doctor). Even the detail of the fact that the doctor was up early so he could be there to assist with the dead body has been copied.
I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with stretching my suspension of disbelief- I have read and enjoyed many a book with ghosts, magic, fun twists on overused stereotypes, etc. Nor do I have a problem with a clever retelling of something that has become part of the canon, if it is done in a way so as to respect the original while still adding your own unique stamp (the retelling of fairytales comes to mind, or the book and play Wicked). But when you rip off the plot of a book written by arguably the greatest mystery writer of all time with no acknowledgement of such and nothing to make us understand why your story is different, just to stick it in the middle of a bunch of other unrelated, thoroughly confusing babble, it isn’t unique or clever. It’s just a lazy way to avoid having to develop a full plot and characters of your own.
Do better, writers, and expect more, readers. 🙄
*********
Sorry, but this book just didn’t do it for me. Why? Let me count the ways:
1.) The main character, Fiona Figg, who is the narrator, doesn’t ring true to me, and several times I caught myself thinking “huh? That makes no sense.” She is supposedly a clerk in the War Office (with a photographic memory no less) who just happens to overhear her bosses talking about the Zimmerman Telegram (yes, that Zimmerman telegram) and casually suggests a solution for how to present that info to the Americans. Mkay. But during the course of her investigation into a foreign operative (given to her because she can impersonate a man?) she forgets simple things, and doesn’t remember them until it’s convenient to the plot. This happens a lot, this only being smart and intuitive when the plot dictates, which leads me to my next issue…
2.) The plot. This is a head scratcher for me. Our protagonist spends much of the book impersonating a male doctor, going so far as to testify, presumably under oath, as this entirely fictional person. Wha? While on assignment to follow possible foreign operative, there just happens to be a murder, which she is called to attend to as she (he?) is a doctor. At which time she hides several possible pieces of evidence and then almost loses one. 🤷🏻♀️ Then there is a large swath of the book where the murder is put on the back burner to discuss her actions as a volunteer nurse at a hospital for injured servicemen. Then the whole thing wraps up rather quickly and she isn’t even the one to really tell the authorities what’s going on, and the guy who does is possibly actually the murderer. Huh? But how can she possibly work on the murder when her ex husband has died, which leads me to my next issue…
3.) There is a weird ass relationship between Fiona and her ex husband. Like not healthy in any way. The book literally opens with her saying she should have poisoned her husband, because she is about to catch him cheating with his idiot of a secretary. The husband is like “sorry, babe, I love this other stupid woman,” and Fiona spends a good deal of time mourning the loss of her marriage. Ok, not so bad, although it doesn’t make me sympathize with a character when they pine after people who don’t want them. But then throughout the book, she or other characters make it known, albeit offhandedly, that they think poisoning a cheating husband is a proper punishment for said infidelity. Like probably half a dozen times this is said. (Sidebar: someone may want to check if anyone near and/or dear to the author has died by poisoning, because this seems personal). But they still really love each other, because when he shows up at the hospital (although he was injured in France, he is triaged in London?) and dies there is a teary reunion. Odd.
Every time a reader has to stop and question what’s going on, it takes them out of the story and they aren’t immersed and invested. Too many times I was shaking my head at the plot, characters, etc. The book ends with something of a cliffhanger, but I don’t think I’ll be looking for the next installment. Sorry 😕
I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with stretching my suspension of disbelief- I have read and enjoyed many a book with ghosts, magic, fun twists on overused stereotypes, etc. Nor do I have a problem with a clever retelling of something that has become part of the canon, if it is done in a way so as to respect the original while still adding your own unique stamp (the retelling of fairytales comes to mind, or the book and play Wicked). But when you rip off the plot of a book written by arguably the greatest mystery writer of all time with no acknowledgement of such and nothing to make us understand why your story is different, just to stick it in the middle of a bunch of other unrelated, thoroughly confusing babble, it isn’t unique or clever. It’s just a lazy way to avoid having to develop a full plot and characters of your own.
Do better, writers, and expect more, readers. 🙄
*********
Sorry, but this book just didn’t do it for me. Why? Let me count the ways:
1.) The main character, Fiona Figg, who is the narrator, doesn’t ring true to me, and several times I caught myself thinking “huh? That makes no sense.” She is supposedly a clerk in the War Office (with a photographic memory no less) who just happens to overhear her bosses talking about the Zimmerman Telegram (yes, that Zimmerman telegram) and casually suggests a solution for how to present that info to the Americans. Mkay. But during the course of her investigation into a foreign operative (given to her because she can impersonate a man?) she forgets simple things, and doesn’t remember them until it’s convenient to the plot. This happens a lot, this only being smart and intuitive when the plot dictates, which leads me to my next issue…
2.) The plot. This is a head scratcher for me. Our protagonist spends much of the book impersonating a male doctor, going so far as to testify, presumably under oath, as this entirely fictional person. Wha? While on assignment to follow possible foreign operative, there just happens to be a murder, which she is called to attend to as she (he?) is a doctor. At which time she hides several possible pieces of evidence and then almost loses one. 🤷🏻♀️ Then there is a large swath of the book where the murder is put on the back burner to discuss her actions as a volunteer nurse at a hospital for injured servicemen. Then the whole thing wraps up rather quickly and she isn’t even the one to really tell the authorities what’s going on, and the guy who does is possibly actually the murderer. Huh? But how can she possibly work on the murder when her ex husband has died, which leads me to my next issue…
3.) There is a weird ass relationship between Fiona and her ex husband. Like not healthy in any way. The book literally opens with her saying she should have poisoned her husband, because she is about to catch him cheating with his idiot of a secretary. The husband is like “sorry, babe, I love this other stupid woman,” and Fiona spends a good deal of time mourning the loss of her marriage. Ok, not so bad, although it doesn’t make me sympathize with a character when they pine after people who don’t want them. But then throughout the book, she or other characters make it known, albeit offhandedly, that they think poisoning a cheating husband is a proper punishment for said infidelity. Like probably half a dozen times this is said. (Sidebar: someone may want to check if anyone near and/or dear to the author has died by poisoning, because this seems personal). But they still really love each other, because when he shows up at the hospital (although he was injured in France, he is triaged in London?) and dies there is a teary reunion. Odd.
Every time a reader has to stop and question what’s going on, it takes them out of the story and they aren’t immersed and invested. Too many times I was shaking my head at the plot, characters, etc. The book ends with something of a cliffhanger, but I don’t think I’ll be looking for the next installment. Sorry 😕
August 8, 2022
In my defense I have never read Agatha Christie, and therefore can’t say weather or not this is a direct copy…
February 8, 2021
Upon discovering that her husband has been sleeping with his secretary, Fiona Figg decides to join the British Intelligence as an undercover spy during World War I. While working her first job, she becomes entangled with a high-profile murder mystery. Everyone advises that she not get side-tracked from her mission and leave the case to the authorities. But if there's one thing people have underestimated about her, it's that Fiona Figg does what she wants.
With the vibe of an Agatha Christie novel, and the feminist and witty flair of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Kelly Oliver takes us from Britain in The Betrayal at Ravenswick, to Paris with her next in the Fiona Figg Mystery series, High Treason at The Grand Hotel. Both books of the series are available to purchase through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieBound.
"Don't you think women are just as capable of lying and cheating and stealing as men?"
"I don't know."
"They're just as capable, Captain. They're just not as foolish."
"You think men are foolish?"
"Men started this war and all wars. If women were in charge, war wouldn't exist, and the world would be orderly and tidy."
With the vibe of an Agatha Christie novel, and the feminist and witty flair of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Kelly Oliver takes us from Britain in The Betrayal at Ravenswick, to Paris with her next in the Fiona Figg Mystery series, High Treason at The Grand Hotel. Both books of the series are available to purchase through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and IndieBound.
"Don't you think women are just as capable of lying and cheating and stealing as men?"
"I don't know."
"They're just as capable, Captain. They're just not as foolish."
"You think men are foolish?"
"Men started this war and all wars. If women were in charge, war wouldn't exist, and the world would be orderly and tidy."
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