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The Carstairs Affairs #1
Eleventh Hour
Pursuing a ruthless enemy who wants to throw Europe back into the horrors of the Great War, Briers Allerdale returns to 1920s London to warn his masters in the Secret Intelligence Service of a dangerous anarchist plot. He will need back up – but of a very specialised kind.
Borrowed from the cipher department Miles Siward moves into a 'couples only' boarding house, posing as Allerdale's 'wife'. Miles loves allowing his alter ego, Millie, to spread her wings but if Miles wants the other agent's respect he shouldn't betray how much he enjoys being Millie nor how attractive he finds Allerdale.
Briers and Miles are helped and hindered by nosy landladies, Water Board officials, suave gentlemen representing foreign powers and their own increasing attraction to each other.
Will they catch their quarry? Will they find love? Could they hope for both?
The clock is ticking.
Borrowed from the cipher department Miles Siward moves into a 'couples only' boarding house, posing as Allerdale's 'wife'. Miles loves allowing his alter ego, Millie, to spread her wings but if Miles wants the other agent's respect he shouldn't betray how much he enjoys being Millie nor how attractive he finds Allerdale.
Briers and Miles are helped and hindered by nosy landladies, Water Board officials, suave gentlemen representing foreign powers and their own increasing attraction to each other.
Will they catch their quarry? Will they find love? Could they hope for both?
The clock is ticking.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2016
30 people are currently reading
967 people want to read
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August 2, 2016Cracking 1920s spy read with a lovely Buchany period feel (all bureaux and international espionage and dastardly international anarchists). This is the kind of book that just makes me happy: romance in tandem with external plot, internal conflict but where people talk to each others like adults and discuss problems. I particularly liked Miles, the linguist with a yen to be a hero, and especially that his cross-dressing is clearly part of his gender identity, not a sexual kink. A thoroughly enjoyable escapist read of the kind that historical romance should provide and all too rarely does. MORE LIKE THIS PLEASE, M/M. Also, the manservant *rocks*.
August 6, 2016
A fun historical spy story about two government agents in the 1920s. What sets this one apart, in addition to great period detail, are the characters.
Briers Allerdale is the more conventional hero, a player in the Great Game, accustomed to moving among other spies and agents and provocateurs and guns for hire across Europe. He's now back home in London for a new assignment. A dangerous known-anarchist woman has been spotted playing the role of a maidservant in the cozy domestic household of a public works planner. The home is not far from other juicier targets, and it will be Briers's job to try to locate her even-more-dangerous male partner, and figure out what their target might be. Not an unfamiliar job, but the one hitch is that the boarding house with a great view of the maid's front door accepts married couples only. In 1920's London, no actual female agent is available whom Briers's boss is willing to put at risk. So a different "wife" is being provided for his cover.
If Briers were in fact typical of his kind, he might be annoyed or disgusted to be paired with a man who cross-dresses as his pretend spouse. But Briers is gay, very self-aware, and not inexperienced, even to having had a lover once who liked skirts. He's not happy to be partnered with a guy whose main experience is linguistics and ciphers, but not because the man looks good in a frock.
Miles Siward has not had a lot of experience with the rougher side of intelligence work, but this isn't the first time he's worn silk stockings and heels for his government. What he hopes they don't realize, is how much he actually enjoys doing so. As Miles, he's brilliant but diffident and somewhat nervous, a small man with more brain than brawn. As Millie though - ah, as Millie she's sharper, stronger, a woman to be reckoned with. Millie lets Miles express himself in different and bolder ways. And Millie makes a very good field agent.
This is a fun romp in its plot, with action, disguise, and drama. Briers has some secrets he hasn't told anyone about his past encounters, which may or may not become a problem. Miles isn't used to physically chasing bad guys, but he's willing to try, even in heels. Add a great manservant, a brother who can't understand Miles one bit, co-workers who think anyone who will wear skirts may be untrustworthy, and a boardinghouse full of people who might see through Millie's disguise, to anarchists, guns and bombs. It's great fun.
It's also a sweet romance, slow to start, as each man feels out the other, in an era when being found out to be gay was punishable by prison and hard labor. Briers is protective, Miles is prickly and unsure. They strike both sparks and mistakes from each other. I thoroughly enjoyed the read, and would love to see these two work another case together.
Briers Allerdale is the more conventional hero, a player in the Great Game, accustomed to moving among other spies and agents and provocateurs and guns for hire across Europe. He's now back home in London for a new assignment. A dangerous known-anarchist woman has been spotted playing the role of a maidservant in the cozy domestic household of a public works planner. The home is not far from other juicier targets, and it will be Briers's job to try to locate her even-more-dangerous male partner, and figure out what their target might be. Not an unfamiliar job, but the one hitch is that the boarding house with a great view of the maid's front door accepts married couples only. In 1920's London, no actual female agent is available whom Briers's boss is willing to put at risk. So a different "wife" is being provided for his cover.
If Briers were in fact typical of his kind, he might be annoyed or disgusted to be paired with a man who cross-dresses as his pretend spouse. But Briers is gay, very self-aware, and not inexperienced, even to having had a lover once who liked skirts. He's not happy to be partnered with a guy whose main experience is linguistics and ciphers, but not because the man looks good in a frock.
Miles Siward has not had a lot of experience with the rougher side of intelligence work, but this isn't the first time he's worn silk stockings and heels for his government. What he hopes they don't realize, is how much he actually enjoys doing so. As Miles, he's brilliant but diffident and somewhat nervous, a small man with more brain than brawn. As Millie though - ah, as Millie she's sharper, stronger, a woman to be reckoned with. Millie lets Miles express himself in different and bolder ways. And Millie makes a very good field agent.
This is a fun romp in its plot, with action, disguise, and drama. Briers has some secrets he hasn't told anyone about his past encounters, which may or may not become a problem. Miles isn't used to physically chasing bad guys, but he's willing to try, even in heels. Add a great manservant, a brother who can't understand Miles one bit, co-workers who think anyone who will wear skirts may be untrustworthy, and a boardinghouse full of people who might see through Millie's disguise, to anarchists, guns and bombs. It's great fun.
It's also a sweet romance, slow to start, as each man feels out the other, in an era when being found out to be gay was punishable by prison and hard labor. Briers is protective, Miles is prickly and unsure. They strike both sparks and mistakes from each other. I thoroughly enjoyed the read, and would love to see these two work another case together.
August 2, 2016
4.25 stars
This has 1920s London + two men forced to pose as husband and wife + an attraction + an anarchist plot. And it's Elin Gregory (author of one of my all-time favourites On a Lee Shore).
I loved the setting and time period and I really enjoyed Miles and Briers, especially Miles. He's a cypher for the government with a particular talent for dressing up and acting as a lady (which, to his reluctance, the government forces him to do on more than occasion). He's been teamed up with Briers, a field agent brought back from the Balkins, to uncover an anarchist plot.
Miles and Briers are attracted to one another from the beginning and, being in such close quarters, things start to happen between them. There is some immediate friction as they get to know each other but then Briers starts to really get Miles and how he feels about dressing as a woman. The romance then develops quite sweetly without any unnecessary plot mechanisms (another plus!). Of course they're put into several life-threatening situations along the way to keep things exciting ... if you're looking for action, there's quite a lot of it here.
Recommended for lovers of historical m/m romance, especially those who like this time period or the cross-dressing theme.
This has 1920s London + two men forced to pose as husband and wife + an attraction + an anarchist plot. And it's Elin Gregory (author of one of my all-time favourites On a Lee Shore).
I loved the setting and time period and I really enjoyed Miles and Briers, especially Miles. He's a cypher for the government with a particular talent for dressing up and acting as a lady (which, to his reluctance, the government forces him to do on more than occasion). He's been teamed up with Briers, a field agent brought back from the Balkins, to uncover an anarchist plot.
Miles and Briers are attracted to one another from the beginning and, being in such close quarters, things start to happen between them. There is some immediate friction as they get to know each other but then Briers starts to really get Miles and how he feels about dressing as a woman. The romance then develops quite sweetly without any unnecessary plot mechanisms (another plus!). Of course they're put into several life-threatening situations along the way to keep things exciting ... if you're looking for action, there's quite a lot of it here.
Recommended for lovers of historical m/m romance, especially those who like this time period or the cross-dressing theme.
November 8, 2020
3.5 stars
The blurb was right up my alley—to a degree, but surprisingly the aspect I had more doubts about, , was the one that I found was best executed—and the writing was mostly good, despite some passages not flowing very smoothly and the action scenes being a little underwhelming, and the spy plot was interesting once things started picking up, but I never fully connected with the characters and I didn’t really feel the romance.
I loved how Miles’s character was written, especially that the , and Briers has some dumb moments both in his personal and professional life, but his heart was in the right place and he got some points for being so supportive and accepting.
I wish I could round up because I can see that this book deserves 4 stars and on the whole I enjoyed reading it—and loved some things, like the amazing manservant Pritchard and Millie—but when I take into account my very personal, very subjective, reaction to the characters and their relationship, I can’t bring myself to rate it more than 3 stars, since GR doesn’t allow the half-star ratings. I still recommend this and I plan to read the second book.
The blurb was right up my alley—to a degree, but surprisingly the aspect I had more doubts about, , was the one that I found was best executed—and the writing was mostly good, despite some passages not flowing very smoothly and the action scenes being a little underwhelming, and the spy plot was interesting once things started picking up, but I never fully connected with the characters and I didn’t really feel the romance.
I loved how Miles’s character was written, especially that the , and Briers has some dumb moments both in his personal and professional life, but his heart was in the right place and he got some points for being so supportive and accepting.
I wish I could round up because I can see that this book deserves 4 stars and on the whole I enjoyed reading it—and loved some things, like the amazing manservant Pritchard and Millie—but when I take into account my very personal, very subjective, reaction to the characters and their relationship, I can’t bring myself to rate it more than 3 stars, since GR doesn’t allow the half-star ratings. I still recommend this and I plan to read the second book.
September 19, 2016
Eleventh Hour
Elin Gregory
Manifold Press, 2016
ISBN: 9781908312402
Cover by Michelle Peart
Four stars
Four stars from me is five stars from most other reviewers. Just saying.
Elin Gregory is another of those Brit authors who not only has a way with language, but manages to handle the past in a manner that is authoritative as well as captivating. She puts in just the right amount of detail without getting heavy-handed and showing off. We are back in the era of Lord Peter Wimsey, or Hercule Poirot, and it feels just right.
What I particularly like about the set-up here (London, 1928) is that both of the gay protagonists, Briers Allerdale and Miles Siward, are men who have made peace with who they are, and have established a way of living that is better than survival, even if it’s not quite ideal. What makes it even more compelling is that neither man knows this about the other when the Home Office sets them up together as a team to determine the whereabouts and purpose of an eastern European anarchist-for-hire. Briers is a James-Bondian type, masculine and tall, who knows how to deal with other spies, whether they be enemies or simply competitors. Miles, the younger brother of a famous spy and son of a great family, is tolerated as a small, delicate man because of his skill disguising himself as a woman for undercover work. It’s a premise that has titillated audiences in every kind of story from Shakespeare to “Some Like it Hot” (1959). Gregory, paying homage to (straight) detective fiction of the 1920s and 30s manages to make the genre her own, while creating a different perspective that, for someone like me, makes all the difference in the world.
Gregory’s writing is literate yet clean. Nothing florid, but still elegant. She manages to make the setting feel very modern—as it would have been in the eyes of, say, Dorothy L. Sayers—and yet still captures the sense of the place and people of nearly a century ago. She also gives her main characters sensibilities that are very much of their time—not 21st-century outlooks slapped onto the bodies of 1920s men. Briers and Miles make sense in this setting; they show the reader how this might have happened. They make the modern gay reader (i.e. me) believe that this is the way gay men coped in the past.
The plot is compelling and nicely paced, taking enough twists and turns that we are pulled along without quite knowing what will happen until (as it happens), the eleventh hour.
Elin Gregory
Manifold Press, 2016
ISBN: 9781908312402
Cover by Michelle Peart
Four stars
Four stars from me is five stars from most other reviewers. Just saying.
Elin Gregory is another of those Brit authors who not only has a way with language, but manages to handle the past in a manner that is authoritative as well as captivating. She puts in just the right amount of detail without getting heavy-handed and showing off. We are back in the era of Lord Peter Wimsey, or Hercule Poirot, and it feels just right.
What I particularly like about the set-up here (London, 1928) is that both of the gay protagonists, Briers Allerdale and Miles Siward, are men who have made peace with who they are, and have established a way of living that is better than survival, even if it’s not quite ideal. What makes it even more compelling is that neither man knows this about the other when the Home Office sets them up together as a team to determine the whereabouts and purpose of an eastern European anarchist-for-hire. Briers is a James-Bondian type, masculine and tall, who knows how to deal with other spies, whether they be enemies or simply competitors. Miles, the younger brother of a famous spy and son of a great family, is tolerated as a small, delicate man because of his skill disguising himself as a woman for undercover work. It’s a premise that has titillated audiences in every kind of story from Shakespeare to “Some Like it Hot” (1959). Gregory, paying homage to (straight) detective fiction of the 1920s and 30s manages to make the genre her own, while creating a different perspective that, for someone like me, makes all the difference in the world.
Gregory’s writing is literate yet clean. Nothing florid, but still elegant. She manages to make the setting feel very modern—as it would have been in the eyes of, say, Dorothy L. Sayers—and yet still captures the sense of the place and people of nearly a century ago. She also gives her main characters sensibilities that are very much of their time—not 21st-century outlooks slapped onto the bodies of 1920s men. Briers and Miles make sense in this setting; they show the reader how this might have happened. They make the modern gay reader (i.e. me) believe that this is the way gay men coped in the past.
The plot is compelling and nicely paced, taking enough twists and turns that we are pulled along without quite knowing what will happen until (as it happens), the eleventh hour.
February 12, 2020
"Eleventh Hour" is set in the London of 1928, and at first glance may seem like a comical bit of English drawing room suspense, complete with a seasoned field agent and a cross-dressing linguist from the cipher and translation department masquerading as husband and wife.
Alongside that dainty tea cup, add in a Tommy gun, anarchists, nasty London sewers, a murderous Macedonian and an absolutely nail-biting ending, and you have a much truer sense of the flavor of "Eleventh Hour."
Recent intel has international terrorist Andrija and his crew headed for London, where it turns out Andrija's Serbian mistress Josephine is working as a nanny for Elise and Sidney Crane. Something is afoot and Allerdale and Siward must pose as Brian and Millie Carstairs in order to gain access to a married couples-only boarding house across the street from the Crane home so they can keep track of Josephine if and when she meets up with Andrija.
The plot of "Eleventh Hour" is very well done and the suspense aspect will hold your interest every step of the way. The relationship between Briers and Miles is equally compelling, and while most of the sex scenes are not explicit, you sense their connection and chemistry. Miles / Millie is a fascinating character in that Millie is much more confrontational and take-charge than Miles, and Briers finds himself intrigued by both sides of Miles' personality.
The ending brilliantly pulls everything together and we are left with a HFN for Briers and Miles plus plenty of room for a sequel and more adventures for the pair. Elin Gregory has indicated there is a second book in the work, so I suggest you start reading "Eleventh Hour" now so you can join me in anticipation for the next book!
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Alongside that dainty tea cup, add in a Tommy gun, anarchists, nasty London sewers, a murderous Macedonian and an absolutely nail-biting ending, and you have a much truer sense of the flavor of "Eleventh Hour."
Recent intel has international terrorist Andrija and his crew headed for London, where it turns out Andrija's Serbian mistress Josephine is working as a nanny for Elise and Sidney Crane. Something is afoot and Allerdale and Siward must pose as Brian and Millie Carstairs in order to gain access to a married couples-only boarding house across the street from the Crane home so they can keep track of Josephine if and when she meets up with Andrija.
The plot of "Eleventh Hour" is very well done and the suspense aspect will hold your interest every step of the way. The relationship between Briers and Miles is equally compelling, and while most of the sex scenes are not explicit, you sense their connection and chemistry. Miles / Millie is a fascinating character in that Millie is much more confrontational and take-charge than Miles, and Briers finds himself intrigued by both sides of Miles' personality.
The ending brilliantly pulls everything together and we are left with a HFN for Briers and Miles plus plenty of room for a sequel and more adventures for the pair. Elin Gregory has indicated there is a second book in the work, so I suggest you start reading "Eleventh Hour" now so you can join me in anticipation for the next book!
I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
March 2, 2019
Fabulous historical romance
Any book which references the 1897 St Helens Challenge Cup team's front row as inspiration for the name of one of the characters is a winner in my book.
Rugby League is often overlooked by its posher big brother so this made me very happy.
That it comes along with a superbly plotted historical romance set against the backdrop of anarchist plots in London in the late 1920s can only be a bonus.
Everything about this book just worked for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Any book which references the 1897 St Helens Challenge Cup team's front row as inspiration for the name of one of the characters is a winner in my book.
Rugby League is often overlooked by its posher big brother so this made me very happy.
That it comes along with a superbly plotted historical romance set against the backdrop of anarchist plots in London in the late 1920s can only be a bonus.
Everything about this book just worked for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 11, 2020
This was a nice surprise. Eleventh Hour has been in my to-read shelf for years, and I regret not having read it before because it was historical and that's not my to go genre at all. The story was really interesting, the writing is good and the characters, even the ones I wanted to give a piece my mind for their actions, fantastic.
I loved reading about those difficult times in between wars through Miles and Briers eyes. Those unestable times when we thought we wouldn't repeat the same errors again because the first time had been horrible enough. Despite being set in Europe in the twenties, the oppresive and anguish feeling isn't too big here in part due to Miles and Briers personalities, and their jobs; and I liked that a lot, because that's usually what keeps me from reading historicals. I'm looking forward to read the sequel.
I loved reading about those difficult times in between wars through Miles and Briers eyes. Those unestable times when we thought we wouldn't repeat the same errors again because the first time had been horrible enough. Despite being set in Europe in the twenties, the oppresive and anguish feeling isn't too big here in part due to Miles and Briers personalities, and their jobs; and I liked that a lot, because that's usually what keeps me from reading historicals. I'm looking forward to read the sequel.
October 16, 2020
This was fun! Set in post-WWI London, a couple of blokes who work for the Intelligence office, are thrown onto a case together to spy on some ne'er-do-wells who are up to no good. Their cover requires one of them, Miles, to masquerade as a woman, and it's revealed that Miles does enjoy cross-dressing from time to time.
The case they're working on is interesting, and while a couple of the turns didn't quite ring true , they weren't enough to throw me out of the story. The various turns kept the pace going and the scenes at the end where standard action flick but fun. Falk was a hoot and I hope he's in the next book too.
The relationship progression wasn't steamy by any means, but that allowed time to concentrate on what drew them to each other and to see how they worked together, which is what I prefer to see anyway. I liked both MCs and how they supported each other. Miles has taken a lot of flack at work for being asked to impersonate women, and of course given the time this took place admitting that he got emotional satisfaction from it would be the end of his career. The bigotry he has to endure isn't pleasant, but it's realistic and it was nice to see him learning that he could trust in Briers to not be a jerk.
Looking forward to the next one.
The case they're working on is interesting, and while a couple of the turns didn't quite ring true , they weren't enough to throw me out of the story. The various turns kept the pace going and the scenes at the end where standard action flick but fun. Falk was a hoot and I hope he's in the next book too.
The relationship progression wasn't steamy by any means, but that allowed time to concentrate on what drew them to each other and to see how they worked together, which is what I prefer to see anyway. I liked both MCs and how they supported each other. Miles has taken a lot of flack at work for being asked to impersonate women, and of course given the time this took place admitting that he got emotional satisfaction from it would be the end of his career. The bigotry he has to endure isn't pleasant, but it's realistic and it was nice to see him learning that he could trust in Briers to not be a jerk.
Looking forward to the next one.
August 20, 2016
By Jove, what a little cracker this was. As has been said in other reviews, this was very '49 Steps' by John Buchan, terrifically atmospheric with all the detail and language ringing true. Think Spooks or James Bond, but set in the roaring 1920's. 5 stars.
Miles, slight of frame but huge of heart and courageous to a fault, especially when dressed as his alter ego Millie, the little tiger...or should that be tigress?? Briers [and yes, I loved the reasoning behind his first name, hehe] was the experienced agent brought back from Belgrade to track down an old enemy, suspected of plotting something really nasty. Things were tense between them at the start, mainly due to Briers condescending attitude towards Miles, but once Miles had proven his worth as Millie and Briers happened to notice that Miles was quite attractive **waggles eyebrows**....well, they fell into an easy camaraderie.
Pritchard, Miles' man/valet, was a great character, and I would love to catch up with these two again on another rip-roaring adventure.
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August 18, 2016DNF at 53%
I'm probably the only person in the world who doesn't like this book.
It's hard to read a book when you can't warm up with main characters. And that is exactly what happened to me - I really didn't connect with Briers Allerdale and Miles Siward.
The blurb appeared very promising, and honestly what could be better than two British agents of the Secret Intelligence Service playing a married couple as undercover in London of the 1920's in a dangerous mission to save "King and country"?
Let me say, I liked the idea, but I didn't enjoy the performance. The plot still COULD have been quite intriguing (despite my not caring about the relationship between the MCs), if there were more dynamic in the events and less long-winded passages that made it difficult for me to concentrate on the story.
This is, no doubt, a well written and good researched book, but very much not my taste.
I was bored to death, and after struggling through it, I decided to give up.
November 19, 2016
2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Eleventh Hour by Elin Gregory
1) I will have to keep my eyes open for more stories by this author as she pulled me into this story from the beginning.
2) Thoroughly enjoyable and historically fun story of espionage and an unusual romance, with great characters.
3) I must confess that I'm a huge Helen MacInnes fan, so the storyline of Eleventh Hour by Elin Gregory was right up my alley. Having lived in England, I am also a big fan of the Victorian sewer systems, of which this story made very satisfactory use. For my money, this was pretty much the perfect story, starting out slowly with what appeared to be a straightforward surveillance job but building up to an exciting race against time. I so much enjoyed seeing Briers - who comes across as a little hard and world-weary - develop grudging respect and later genuine interest in his partner Miles. The old saw of kissing passionately to distract others from your real intentions was used wonderfully here, and Miles-as-Millie was used to great effect throughout the story (I am trying very hard not to spoil here). The cast of secondary characters was equally engaging: the charming if opportunistic agent Falk, Miles' down-to-earth brother George, even the young wife Elsie who reacted with moral outrage upon discovering that Millie is actually Miles. A great read.
1) I will have to keep my eyes open for more stories by this author as she pulled me into this story from the beginning.
2) Thoroughly enjoyable and historically fun story of espionage and an unusual romance, with great characters.
3) I must confess that I'm a huge Helen MacInnes fan, so the storyline of Eleventh Hour by Elin Gregory was right up my alley. Having lived in England, I am also a big fan of the Victorian sewer systems, of which this story made very satisfactory use. For my money, this was pretty much the perfect story, starting out slowly with what appeared to be a straightforward surveillance job but building up to an exciting race against time. I so much enjoyed seeing Briers - who comes across as a little hard and world-weary - develop grudging respect and later genuine interest in his partner Miles. The old saw of kissing passionately to distract others from your real intentions was used wonderfully here, and Miles-as-Millie was used to great effect throughout the story (I am trying very hard not to spoil here). The cast of secondary characters was equally engaging: the charming if opportunistic agent Falk, Miles' down-to-earth brother George, even the young wife Elsie who reacted with moral outrage upon discovering that Millie is actually Miles. A great read.
August 5, 2016
I loved everything about this story. I loved Elin Gregory’s style of writing, the British setting, the 1920’s era, the characters, and the plot, which moved along at a great pace. There were plenty of things happening, and just when one strand of the puzzle seemed to have been resolved, we were off again, on the trail of another clue.
Miles had unexpected depths. It was extremely satisfying to see him come into his own, not only in his role as Millie, but also as himself. Briers would’ve been lost without him. Briers too, played his role well as the more experienced field agent and lover. He provided Miles with all that he needed, not just as a protector but also as an equal. Their attraction to one another, and their eventual acknowledgement of their feelings, leading them to share the bed in their boarding house, was very well written. Sexy and sweet, without going over the top either way.
There are plenty of other well fleshed out characters in the story. Brier’s former sparring partner/lover, Falk; and Miles’ brother George, lit up their scenes, but a special mention must go to Miles’ manservant, Pritchard. What a treasure! 5 stars
P.S. I hope we get a sequel to this. I’d love to read more about Miles, Millie and Briers.
Miles had unexpected depths. It was extremely satisfying to see him come into his own, not only in his role as Millie, but also as himself. Briers would’ve been lost without him. Briers too, played his role well as the more experienced field agent and lover. He provided Miles with all that he needed, not just as a protector but also as an equal. Their attraction to one another, and their eventual acknowledgement of their feelings, leading them to share the bed in their boarding house, was very well written. Sexy and sweet, without going over the top either way.
There are plenty of other well fleshed out characters in the story. Brier’s former sparring partner/lover, Falk; and Miles’ brother George, lit up their scenes, but a special mention must go to Miles’ manservant, Pritchard. What a treasure! 5 stars
P.S. I hope we get a sequel to this. I’d love to read more about Miles, Millie and Briers.
October 1, 2024
This is well written, but didn’t tickle my fancy like it has for many of my GR friends. Miles is an interesting character. A small man, underestimated and ridiculed by his colleagues, he blossoms as his more confident alter ego Millie. But I didn’t feel anything special for Briers or their budding relationship. Likewise, their mission progresses in a workmanlike fashion, but didn’t exactly raise my heart rate.
April 29, 2020
This was so good. I loved everything about it. It takes the time period and circumstances seriously without feeling heavy and has a sweet and sensual love story that feels prominent even though the spy business is definitely driving the plot. I also found the attitudes toward Miles/Millie to be as eye-opening as they were infuriating. I thought it had a very satisfying conclusion that would work perfectly well as a standalone...but I definitely see myself reading the sequel eventually :)
August 9, 2016
A beautifully written romance between Briers and Miles, undercover British agents in the 1920’s. Set against the backdrop of London the detail of character, place, and time, are enthralling. I couldn’t stop reading this. Recommended.
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October 30, 2016One of my favourite books this year :)
September 5, 2016
My essential reading for a long day's travel, and never has a tedious railway journey been so enjoyable. I loved this story. This is such a delightful romp! A true Ripping Yarn, as they used to be called back in the twenties when this was set - all anarchist plots, suave foreign agents, silk stockings and Mills bombs. Dee-light-ful stuff!
The setting is wonderfully 1920s London, and the little details ground the reader thoroughly in its time and place. The two protagonists are an interesting pair. I felt we got well inside the head of Miles/Milly, and rather less of Briars... which is rather odd, since Miles is the reticent, shy linguist with a secret alternate persona and so has so much to hide; and Briars is far more your dashing post-WW1 spy who's inherited all the dash and verve of the players of the Great Game a generation or two before. The only conclusion I could come to was that Briars, the seasoned spy, knew how to hide himself better.
A very engaging pair, but... must I confess? Miles' manservant stole my heart away.
The book ends on a note that had me closing down the kindle, folding my hands in lap and looking expectantly at the author because really, it was wearing a gigantic sign: "Sequel needed here!" As soon as may be, please.
The setting is wonderfully 1920s London, and the little details ground the reader thoroughly in its time and place. The two protagonists are an interesting pair. I felt we got well inside the head of Miles/Milly, and rather less of Briars... which is rather odd, since Miles is the reticent, shy linguist with a secret alternate persona and so has so much to hide; and Briars is far more your dashing post-WW1 spy who's inherited all the dash and verve of the players of the Great Game a generation or two before. The only conclusion I could come to was that Briars, the seasoned spy, knew how to hide himself better.
A very engaging pair, but... must I confess? Miles' manservant stole my heart away.
The book ends on a note that had me closing down the kindle, folding my hands in lap and looking expectantly at the author because really, it was wearing a gigantic sign: "Sequel needed here!" As soon as may be, please.
August 14, 2016
Full review on Prism
But this is smart, funny and romantic. The spy stiff was thrilling and exciting, the romance slow burn and lovely. Miles dressing in woman's clothes was not salacious, but part of his character - and Briers got that.
There needs to be a sequel. Really
But this is smart, funny and romantic. The spy stiff was thrilling and exciting, the romance slow burn and lovely. Miles dressing in woman's clothes was not salacious, but part of his character - and Briers got that.
There needs to be a sequel. Really
January 6, 2018
DNF 46%
A quite new romantic crime-solving story (M/M). Highly praised by some friends. Curious!
... but I couldn’t hold my interest.
A quite new romantic crime-solving story (M/M). Highly praised by some friends. Curious!
... but I couldn’t hold my interest.
April 6, 2022
DNF @ 28%
I've read a lot of fanfics over the years with the cops-pose-as-married-couple trope and this book didn't come close to doing the trope the way I like. There's zero chemistry between the MCs and they spend most of their time apart from each other. Both of them were very professional towards each other, but that was the problem. There was this distance between them that never seemed to narrow and they didn't develop a personal bond. Both characters could have been straight men and it wouldn't have made a difference and that's not what I want from a M/M romance. Maybe my problem is that fanfics always have the cops going into the fake marriage with a pre-established friendship and deep bond, so that makes them more comfortable around each other and allows for the lines between what's fake and what's real to blur easily. This story didn't have that because the characters are stranger when the book starts and there's little effort for them to become anything more than just work colleagues. They spend their days apart and when Briers comes home in the evening, the author often glossed over the time they spent together before they went to bed. Rinse and repeat.
But another thing that bothered me is that Briers has a lot more freedom on this assignment (he can wander around the entire day) while Miles is stuck in the boarding house. Not only was this unfair, but I got annoyed when Briers spends his free time meeting up with an old friend and having sex with him at a bathhouse (a scene which was described in detail) but then he has the audacity to get annoyed with Miles' spying efforts because they weren't perfect. That's from the man who had barely done anything to move the case forward AND had been living his life pretty freely while Miles is forced to work pretty much 24/7. Since the plot wasn't doing the fake marriage trope the way I liked anyway, I decide to call it quits.
I've read a lot of fanfics over the years with the cops-pose-as-married-couple trope and this book didn't come close to doing the trope the way I like. There's zero chemistry between the MCs and they spend most of their time apart from each other. Both of them were very professional towards each other, but that was the problem. There was this distance between them that never seemed to narrow and they didn't develop a personal bond. Both characters could have been straight men and it wouldn't have made a difference and that's not what I want from a M/M romance. Maybe my problem is that fanfics always have the cops going into the fake marriage with a pre-established friendship and deep bond, so that makes them more comfortable around each other and allows for the lines between what's fake and what's real to blur easily. This story didn't have that because the characters are stranger when the book starts and there's little effort for them to become anything more than just work colleagues. They spend their days apart and when Briers comes home in the evening, the author often glossed over the time they spent together before they went to bed. Rinse and repeat.
But another thing that bothered me is that Briers has a lot more freedom on this assignment (he can wander around the entire day) while Miles is stuck in the boarding house. Not only was this unfair, but I got annoyed when Briers spends his free time meeting up with an old friend and having sex with him at a bathhouse (a scene which was described in detail) but then he has the audacity to get annoyed with Miles' spying efforts because they weren't perfect. That's from the man who had barely done anything to move the case forward AND had been living his life pretty freely while Miles is forced to work pretty much 24/7. Since the plot wasn't doing the fake marriage trope the way I liked anyway, I decide to call it quits.
September 14, 2025
A perfect historical thriller!
This book was hard to put down. It's definitely slow-paced and allows the reader to sink into the story, the exciting plot and all the characters with relish! It's also an interesting tale of motive and morale.
I found here absolutely everything I could hope for. There's mystery, intrigue, danger and suspense. I've always found the inter-war years greatly interesting and the early stages of the British Secret Intelligence Service fascinating. The Great Game between the British Empire, Russia, Europe and Asia and all the political machinations going on at the time was like a very sinister and deadly game of chess. The author did a great job recreating this turbulent period and concocting a fabulous plot!
The two protagonists, Briers Allerdale & Miles Siward are truly very engaging. I absolutely love Miles's dual personality!
Highly recommended!
This book was hard to put down. It's definitely slow-paced and allows the reader to sink into the story, the exciting plot and all the characters with relish! It's also an interesting tale of motive and morale.
I found here absolutely everything I could hope for. There's mystery, intrigue, danger and suspense. I've always found the inter-war years greatly interesting and the early stages of the British Secret Intelligence Service fascinating. The Great Game between the British Empire, Russia, Europe and Asia and all the political machinations going on at the time was like a very sinister and deadly game of chess. The author did a great job recreating this turbulent period and concocting a fabulous plot!
The two protagonists, Briers Allerdale & Miles Siward are truly very engaging. I absolutely love Miles's dual personality!
Highly recommended!
August 4, 2016
I suck at writing reviews so I don't often bother, but Eleventh Hour is so brilliant that I felt I have to share.
It is very rare that I find a historical mm tale that hits the right notes for me but this is right up there with Charlie Cochrane's Cambridge Histories or Josh Lanyon's Snowball in Hell.
The characters ring true, both the main and minor players are true to life with a depth that made me really care about what happened to them. Their language and mannerisms are spot on and the 1920s London setting is graphic and well researched.
And then there is the story, its well written, well paced and gripping. I'm going to be working on far too little sleep today after being unable to put it down.
It's a pity I can't give it more than 5 stars.
It is very rare that I find a historical mm tale that hits the right notes for me but this is right up there with Charlie Cochrane's Cambridge Histories or Josh Lanyon's Snowball in Hell.
The characters ring true, both the main and minor players are true to life with a depth that made me really care about what happened to them. Their language and mannerisms are spot on and the 1920s London setting is graphic and well researched.
And then there is the story, its well written, well paced and gripping. I'm going to be working on far too little sleep today after being unable to put it down.
It's a pity I can't give it more than 5 stars.
October 17, 2021
Always here for queer, historical spies.
I want a prequel with Falk.
I want a prequel with Falk.
March 1, 2019
This was such a gentle book. Which isn't what you'd expect really from a book about spies--and don't get me wrong, the spy and intrigue plot is very well done--but the romance and the characters are just so kind and careful with each other, it's very wonderful.
I'd classify this more as a HFN (and I see there is a sequel, so that makes sense) not only in content, but also in context. It's hard to imagine a HEA in mid 1920s Europe. A fact the book is very aware of, and drives home with a conversation at the end between a British and German spy.
I'll definitely be reading the next one, can't wait.
I'd classify this more as a HFN (and I see there is a sequel, so that makes sense) not only in content, but also in context. It's hard to imagine a HEA in mid 1920s Europe. A fact the book is very aware of, and drives home with a conversation at the end between a British and German spy.
I'll definitely be reading the next one, can't wait.
April 10, 2020
Title/Author:Eleventh Hour by Elin Gregory
Series/Standalone: The Carstairs Affairs #1
Genre/Sub-Genre: Historical Spy Thriller/MM Romance
Book Format: ebook
Length: 248 pages
LGBTQ+ Orientation: Gay, Miles likes to dress as a woman, Millie, on occasion, but is not transgender.
HEA/HFN: Yes
Violence: Yes
Ratio of Sex/Plot: Heavy on the plot.
Well Written/Editor Needed: Well written
Would I Re-Read?: I first read this book in 2017, and so 2020 is my second read in prep for the second book in the series. This one was just as good the second time around, and I can easily see myself reading it again in the future.
Personal Thoughts: Initially, I hadn't planned on rereading this one, but I'm super glad I did. Not only did I get to remember how much I loved the characters, but it became clear that what happened here will likely continue on in book two, so it was a good reminder of the spy plot here. The plot was good, not too complicated for me, and not too basic either. There's a super cool car chase scene that was especially harrowing and fun to read about.
I also loved the characters. Miles dressing up as Millie was fantastic because his attitude changed to something a lot more fierce and even protective. I appreciated Briers who was falling for Miles, but botched things up. He was a good man who supported Miles' interest in dressing as Millie, but he didn't know how to show that at first. And when he did botch things up, Miles let him know, and didn't give in to the sex and romance until he felt comfortable doing so. I do have to give a shout-out to Pritchard. I don't want to give too much away, but he's an awesome man servant, along the lines of Alfred Pennyworth of Batman.
Now I'm looking forward to reading the interlude story as well as book two! I'm so excited that there's more to read. :-)
Series/Standalone: The Carstairs Affairs #1
Genre/Sub-Genre: Historical Spy Thriller/MM Romance
Book Format: ebook
Length: 248 pages
LGBTQ+ Orientation: Gay, Miles likes to dress as a woman, Millie, on occasion, but is not transgender.
HEA/HFN: Yes
Violence: Yes
Ratio of Sex/Plot: Heavy on the plot.
Well Written/Editor Needed: Well written
Would I Re-Read?: I first read this book in 2017, and so 2020 is my second read in prep for the second book in the series. This one was just as good the second time around, and I can easily see myself reading it again in the future.
Personal Thoughts: Initially, I hadn't planned on rereading this one, but I'm super glad I did. Not only did I get to remember how much I loved the characters, but it became clear that what happened here will likely continue on in book two, so it was a good reminder of the spy plot here. The plot was good, not too complicated for me, and not too basic either. There's a super cool car chase scene that was especially harrowing and fun to read about.
I also loved the characters. Miles dressing up as Millie was fantastic because his attitude changed to something a lot more fierce and even protective. I appreciated Briers who was falling for Miles, but botched things up. He was a good man who supported Miles' interest in dressing as Millie, but he didn't know how to show that at first. And when he did botch things up, Miles let him know, and didn't give in to the sex and romance until he felt comfortable doing so. I do have to give a shout-out to Pritchard. I don't want to give too much away, but he's an awesome man servant, along the lines of Alfred Pennyworth of Batman.
Now I'm looking forward to reading the interlude story as well as book two! I'm so excited that there's more to read. :-)
August 3, 2016
I thoroughly recommend Eleventh Hour to anyone who enjoys adventure and suspense in their m/m reads.
Set in post-war 1920s, London is immersed in spies and terrorist plots. There are so many levels to this novel that there's never a dull moment as Briers and Miles are commissioned to stop an anarchist who has slipped through the SIS net, and the reader is kept on the edge of his/her seat to the final page.
The two men (who, for their assignment, are disguised as a married couple - husband and wife) are well-rounded, memorable characters. I loved sensitive Miles who plays the "wife" with a delightful half reluctance and half eagerness. He's the kind of character, with his emotional insecurities, I'd like to meet in real life.
The romance sparkles between the two men and I really enjoyed the subtlety and sensitivity with which it is handled as their attraction grows.
Ms Gregory has not only thoroughly researched her time period, she's created a suspenseful novel that could stand proudly on the shelf with the best spy stories.
Set in post-war 1920s, London is immersed in spies and terrorist plots. There are so many levels to this novel that there's never a dull moment as Briers and Miles are commissioned to stop an anarchist who has slipped through the SIS net, and the reader is kept on the edge of his/her seat to the final page.
The two men (who, for their assignment, are disguised as a married couple - husband and wife) are well-rounded, memorable characters. I loved sensitive Miles who plays the "wife" with a delightful half reluctance and half eagerness. He's the kind of character, with his emotional insecurities, I'd like to meet in real life.
The romance sparkles between the two men and I really enjoyed the subtlety and sensitivity with which it is handled as their attraction grows.
Ms Gregory has not only thoroughly researched her time period, she's created a suspenseful novel that could stand proudly on the shelf with the best spy stories.
September 13, 2016
Excellent. I absolutely loved this. It's a spy thriller romance and it's delightful. It's fun and exciting and full of intrigue and dashing smart people foiling the bad guys in 1928 London. The main characters are wonderful and so well-developed. Briers is the suave, experienced field agent and Miles is a brilliant linguist who's only ever worked in an office and happens to both look good in a dress and be willing to wear one in service to king and country, and they go undercover as a married couple to investigate an anarchist plot. I enjoyed reading this so much. It's fast-paced and suspenseful and smart and so well done. The secondary characters are fantastic--I especially liked Falk (the dashing German spy) and Pritchard (Miles' awesome manservant). I loved the period detail and the historical setting really comes to life. The writing is snappy and full of wonderful tension. The ending is ripe for a sequel and I've heard rumours one is in the works and I do hope that's the case. This was so good and I wish there were more books like this.
February 25, 2017
At least 3.5 stars, rounded up
Intriguing setting (post WWI London) well-imagined, with a welcome depth of period detail. Fluent and vibrant writing.
The central relationship ("manly" Briers Allerdale and secret cross-dresser Miles Siward) is most attractive, although annoyingly subordinated too often to the demands of a slightly bonkers plot involving caricatured anarchists. To be fair, the plot isn't at all untypical of thrillers actually written in the 1920s, but given that the treatment of the relationship is very definitely modern, the plot capers feel a little out of place.
That apart, this is very definitely worth reading, and I'll be looking out for other books by Elin Gregory.
Intriguing setting (post WWI London) well-imagined, with a welcome depth of period detail. Fluent and vibrant writing.
The central relationship ("manly" Briers Allerdale and secret cross-dresser Miles Siward) is most attractive, although annoyingly subordinated too often to the demands of a slightly bonkers plot involving caricatured anarchists. To be fair, the plot isn't at all untypical of thrillers actually written in the 1920s, but given that the treatment of the relationship is very definitely modern, the plot capers feel a little out of place.
That apart, this is very definitely worth reading, and I'll be looking out for other books by Elin Gregory.
August 2, 2016
This was a great book, the attention to detail was wonderful. The author was able to evoke a strong sense of the minutae of daily life as a couple that gay couples were unable to openly experience in this time*; hand-holding, going out to dinner, waking up together, arguing.
And it was a jolly good caper story as well with lots of the famous British (and Welsh) flair for understatement!
I look forward to the next novel that Ms Gregory publishes :)
*I know that for many people in many parts of the world these are still realities yet to be achieved
And it was a jolly good caper story as well with lots of the famous British (and Welsh) flair for understatement!
I look forward to the next novel that Ms Gregory publishes :)
*I know that for many people in many parts of the world these are still realities yet to be achieved
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