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Rannoch Fraser Mysteries #13
The Tavistock Plot
London, 1820. Britain and Continental Europe teeter on the edge of upheaval, but Mélanie Rannoch tells herself she's left behind the dangers of the spy game and the sometimes equally-perilous intrigues of London society as she prepares for the premiere of her first play.
Until her children stumble upon the body of the Hon. Lewis Thornsby in the wings of the Tavistock Theatre. Suddenly, Mélanie and her husband, Malcolm, plunge into an investigation that cuts closer to their former life of espionage than they would have thought possible. Thornsby, a seemingly guileless young man about town, was part of the Levellers, a secret group of reformers whose leader is a friend of the Rannochs. A paper on Thornsby's body hints at a plot to assassinate a member of the royal family.
Was Thornsby the would-be assassin or was he killed because he had learned too much? Is the plot genuine or an attempt to entrap and discredit the Levellers? As their investigation takes them from gin-soaked Covent Garden alleys to Mayfair drawing rooms, the Rannochs learn Lewis Thornsby was not at all what he seemed. Whether his death is tied to the assassination, the pretty young actress he was willing to give up his fortune for, or his unexpected links to the Continent, someone was very determined he take his secrets to the grave. And if Mélanie and Malcolm can't uncover those secrets, their fate (along with that of their closest friends and Britain itself) may be in deadly peril.
Until her children stumble upon the body of the Hon. Lewis Thornsby in the wings of the Tavistock Theatre. Suddenly, Mélanie and her husband, Malcolm, plunge into an investigation that cuts closer to their former life of espionage than they would have thought possible. Thornsby, a seemingly guileless young man about town, was part of the Levellers, a secret group of reformers whose leader is a friend of the Rannochs. A paper on Thornsby's body hints at a plot to assassinate a member of the royal family.
Was Thornsby the would-be assassin or was he killed because he had learned too much? Is the plot genuine or an attempt to entrap and discredit the Levellers? As their investigation takes them from gin-soaked Covent Garden alleys to Mayfair drawing rooms, the Rannochs learn Lewis Thornsby was not at all what he seemed. Whether his death is tied to the assassination, the pretty young actress he was willing to give up his fortune for, or his unexpected links to the Continent, someone was very determined he take his secrets to the grave. And if Mélanie and Malcolm can't uncover those secrets, their fate (along with that of their closest friends and Britain itself) may be in deadly peril.
484 pages, Paperback
First published May 14, 2020
34 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Grant
55 books177 followersTracy Grant studied British history at Stanford University and received the Firestone Award for Excellence in Research for her honors thesis on shifting conceptions of honor in late fifteenth century England. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her young daughter and three cats. In addition to writing, Tracy works for the Merola Opera Program, a professional training program for opera singers, pianists, and stage directors. Her real life heroine is her daughter Mélanie, who is very cooperative about Mummy’s writing. Tracy is currently at work on her next book chronicling the adventures of Malcolm and Mélanie Suzanne Rannoch.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 1, 2020
Exciting, intriguing, full of surprises - this current book in the Malcolm and Melanie Rannoch series is a great murder mystery! Melanie is doing rewrites for her play that is about to open, when a dead body is discovered in the stage wing. The Hon. Lewis Thornsby had been frequenting the Tavistock theater during rehearsals and showing a great interest the Levellers, a radical organization that had attracted theater owner Simon Tanner and several actors. His death plunges Malcolm and Melanie into an investigation that involves their previous life of espionage, a life full of danger, threats, and death.
The Tavistock Theater takes center stage in this investigation that is full of surprises and revelations. Tracy Grant weaves many of her past characters into the plot as well as some new ones that we can expect to see in future books. The Elsinore League, an ongoing nemesis, rears its ugly head once more. The true identity of one of my favorite characters, Julien St. Juste, is revealed. While the murder is solved, this investigation leaves many unanswered questions that will keep fans anxious until the next installment.
The Tavistock Theater takes center stage in this investigation that is full of surprises and revelations. Tracy Grant weaves many of her past characters into the plot as well as some new ones that we can expect to see in future books. The Elsinore League, an ongoing nemesis, rears its ugly head once more. The true identity of one of my favorite characters, Julien St. Juste, is revealed. While the murder is solved, this investigation leaves many unanswered questions that will keep fans anxious until the next installment.
May 22, 2020
I liked this more than the last several books! I have stopped purchasing them because they’ve become not worthy of rereads.
But The Tavistock Lot is back to vintage Grant. Lots of unexpected developments here!
But The Tavistock Lot is back to vintage Grant. Lots of unexpected developments here!
July 9, 2020
"The Tavistock Plot" is a delicious tangle of spies and the lies behind the lies they whisper in the dark. Tracy Grant once again skillfully draws the reader in with dollops of intrigue that keep the pages turning in a race to learn the truth. Grant has an engaging storytelling style.
November 24, 2025
Another very satisfying book in the Malcolm and Mèlanie Rannoch series. Mèlanie’s play will soon open; there is a murder in the theatre; we learn Julien St. Juste’s true identity; there is an investigation (and even the children contribute!); there is intrigue, a change in the relationship with Carfax, and, of course, the murderer is discovered. We also learn the name of the individual trying to take over the Elsinore League; Alexander Radford, but who is he? A new mystery for Rannoch and friends to discover.
July 6, 2025
The intricately woven mystery surrounding the murder captivated my attention from start to finish. Yet, the most thrilling aspect of the narrative was the revelation of Julian St. Juste's past—an aspect I never anticipated. This unexpected twist breathes new life into the series, setting the stage for exciting developments in the stories yet to come. Full on my blog: https://poetryofreading.blogspot.com
May 25, 2020
Unlike many long running series, I feel like each book that comes out is just as good as, if not better, than the early titles in the series. I devoured this book in just a couple days and resented the time I had to spend doing things other than reading; I always feel like I'm revisiting old friends when I pick up a title in the series. The story features the death of a young man at the Tavistock Theater just days before Melanie's play is set to debut. Lewis Thornsby, a young man about town, is found by Melanie and her children backstage at the theater and the Rannoch's and their assorted friends/family are quickly involved in trying to figure out who killed the young man.
Did Thornsby's involvement in the radical group the Levellers , his involvement with a young actress in the theater that he had asked to marry him, or something else lead to his death? With friends clearly hiding something, the Rannoch's must wade through numerous clues and leads to arrive at the murder's identity. The mystery surrounding the murder is well written and kept me interested throughout, but the real star of this story is finally learning more about Julian St. Juste's background before there was a St. Juste. I didn't see it coming, and I love the direction it takes futures stories. I can't wait for the next title in this series.
Did Thornsby's involvement in the radical group the Levellers , his involvement with a young actress in the theater that he had asked to marry him, or something else lead to his death? With friends clearly hiding something, the Rannoch's must wade through numerous clues and leads to arrive at the murder's identity. The mystery surrounding the murder is well written and kept me interested throughout, but the real star of this story is finally learning more about Julian St. Juste's background before there was a St. Juste. I didn't see it coming, and I love the direction it takes futures stories. I can't wait for the next title in this series.
May 19, 2020
I have read all the books in this series and this is nice addition. The story centers around Melanie's first play opening in Simon's Tavistock. There are a number of subplots that aren't resolved as part of the ongoing series, but the main mystery/murder of this book is resolved at the end. It is a good read and I would recommend it. While this is the 13th book in the series, the author give enough backstory that you will not get lost trying to understand how the characters are inter-connected.
We meet some new characters and see more of the Leveller story. We also get some new information about the Elsinore League. Julien's true identity is revealed to all the characters and Carfax acknowledges a different type of relationship with his son David & his lover Simon. We even see the children get in on the action of the investigation. I was really happy to see Inspector Jeremy Roth as part of the main story and hope we see more of him in future books in the series.
We meet some new characters and see more of the Leveller story. We also get some new information about the Elsinore League. Julien's true identity is revealed to all the characters and Carfax acknowledges a different type of relationship with his son David & his lover Simon. We even see the children get in on the action of the investigation. I was really happy to see Inspector Jeremy Roth as part of the main story and hope we see more of him in future books in the series.
June 14, 2020
This series continues to grow with me and I will be honest - rarely do I figure out who the guilty party is until Malcolm and Melanie do. It was nice to finally discover who Julien St Juste was. And it really helps to have the kind of friends the Rannochs surround themselves with. The book always starts with a murder and then all the possible suspects and there is usually a huge pool to select from. I know some readers haven't been impressed but the stories are good and keep my interests and if it allows me to escape for a few hours - I am game.
June 16, 2020
I loved this addition to the series, especially including Julien and Kitty to the Rannoch’s circle of friends. I left off one star because the recitation of all the different investigations became quite tedious at times, although necessary to advance the plot. I’ve always liked Julien and love the was his character has developed. So many questions and loose ends were tied up in this book, makes me anxious to read what comes next!
September 10, 2020
This was soo good!! I love how we have so much interaction with all the characters. I have a soft spot for Julien so was really happy to have his story line be such a focus in this book. It was an all around great book!!
August 29, 2020
Twisted Plot
Great story about Malcolm and Mélanie Rannoch. Lots of twists and turns in this story! But with the help of friends they unravel the plot. I would recommend this book!
Great story about Malcolm and Mélanie Rannoch. Lots of twists and turns in this story! But with the help of friends they unravel the plot. I would recommend this book!
September 20, 2020
Smart, engrossing, page-turning!
December 19, 2020
Overall I enjoyed this book and the revealing of Julian St. Juste. It is always good to visit Malcom, Melanie and their friends.
October 22, 2020
I did it! I read through them all this summer! I found that this story was another "turn" in the series, with a different focus for Melanie, and a bit of distance from her and Malcolm in their roles. As with any long series, at this point you need to have read the preceding books. I'm not going to spoil anything, just that I was very pleased by the mystery and the secret past reveal - I can not wait for the next novella or novel.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews