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The Secret Life of Mary Bennet #2
The True Confessions of a London Spy
No one said being a spy for the British government would be easy.
When Miss Mary Bennet is assigned to London for the Season, extravagant balls and eligible men are the least of her worries. A government messenger has been murdered and suspicion falls on the Radicals, who may be destabilizing the government in order to compel England down the bloody path of the French Revolution.
Working with her fellow spies, Mr. William Stanley and Miss Fanny Cramer, Mary must investigate without raising the suspicions of her family, rescue her friend Miss Georgiana Darcy from a suitor scandal, and solve the mystery before anyone else is harmed—all without being discovered, lest she be exiled back to the countryside.
This is the perfect job for a woman who exists in the background. Can Mary prove herself, or will this assignment be her last?
When Miss Mary Bennet is assigned to London for the Season, extravagant balls and eligible men are the least of her worries. A government messenger has been murdered and suspicion falls on the Radicals, who may be destabilizing the government in order to compel England down the bloody path of the French Revolution.
Working with her fellow spies, Mr. William Stanley and Miss Fanny Cramer, Mary must investigate without raising the suspicions of her family, rescue her friend Miss Georgiana Darcy from a suitor scandal, and solve the mystery before anyone else is harmed—all without being discovered, lest she be exiled back to the countryside.
This is the perfect job for a woman who exists in the background. Can Mary prove herself, or will this assignment be her last?
348 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2022
87 people are currently reading
2098 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Cowley
7 books235 followersKatherine Cowley read Pride and Prejudice for the first time when she was ten years old, which started a lifelong obsession with Jane Austen. Her debut novel, The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet, was nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark Award. The Mary Bennet spy series continues with the novels The True Confessions of a London Spy and The Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception.
Katherine loves history, chocolate, traveling, and playing the piano, and she has taught writing classes at Western Michigan University. She lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan with her husband and three daughters.
Katherine loves history, chocolate, traveling, and playing the piano, and she has taught writing classes at Western Michigan University. She lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan with her husband and three daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
June 3, 2024
So I’m caught up in Mary Bennett’s self discovery of herself and her investigative abilities. Cowley’s concentration on the story of a minor Bennett sister is rather brilliant. I must admit to finding Elizabeth and Darcy falling short. I’m actually disappointed in Elizabeth. Mary has won my heart as she struggles to become more. Her part in foiling adversaries is admirable.
(For a person who hates most novels that grow out of the Bennett’s I’ve come a long way, not that I’m even tempted to explore any others!)
(For a person who hates most novels that grow out of the Bennett’s I’ve come a long way, not that I’m even tempted to explore any others!)
April 16, 2022
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars
June 21, 2023
Mary Bennet is a Spy for the British Government!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Sequel about a Secondary Character
SERIES: The Secret Life of Mary Bennet #2 (I’d recommend reading Book One of this series – The Secret Life of Mary Bennet – prior to this book)
THE PREMISE: Mary is in London for the Season working as a spy for the British government, and her assignment is to investigate the murder of a messenger who worked for various members of Parliament. Is his death related to a political uprising or overthrow? Or is there a connection to Napoleon’s actions in France? Will Mary be able to work on this case without the Darcys discovering the truth about her secret life…?
MY THOUGHTS:
I’ve always loved stories that spotlight and flesh out Mary Bennet’s character, and I love that there are currently two series that portray her investigating crimes and solving mysteries – I am here for them both! With Mary being studious and often overlooked, her developing astute observational skills and enjoying the secretive nature of spy work is a very believable journey.
What I am enjoying most about this series is Mary – witnessing her work as a spy, her character evolution, and her relationships with others. I feel like Katherine Cowley deeply understands Mary and portrayed her with both authenticity and sensitivity. She shows Mary’s unease in social situations and conditioning to keep her feelings to herself. And she also displays Mary’s growth – how she has shed her judgmental views and priggish superiority, and how she tentatively opens herself up for deeper relationships. I really enjoyed seeing how Mary began to trust her spy partner, Fanny Cramer, and understand her sister, Kitty, in a new way.
In addition, I loved seeing how fearless and resourceful Mary was when it came to her spy work. She gets into some dangerous and unpleasant situations. And like with her previous studies with accomplishments, Mary shows a lot of determination and perseverance. And yet Mary must engage in subterfuge and hide all her spy work activities from her family. How they wanted to spend time with her and how she kept needing to go all these places and make up falsehoods – it was interesting to see her deal with those new challenges.
As for the mystery itself, I think it was well done and engaging. There is a large host of new characters introduced and it was fascinating to see all the ways Katherine Cowley implemented actual historic events and incorporated them in her plot, such as the Ice Fair on the Thames River in 1814 and the Customs House explosion. I’ll admit though, I did sometimes find the political aspects of the story a little harder to follow. I’m not sure if it was because of my own lack of interest in their affairs and policies or if there were maybe too many characters and personal agendas to remember. A dramatis personae would have been an excellent resource.
With The True Confessions of a London Spy, Katherine Cowley delivers another thrilling and transformative adventure for our Mary Bennet! Readers who love mysteries, stories with rich historical backdrops, and the evolution of a quiet and overlooked character into a courageous and admirable heroine will adore this series. And the wonderful news is that the final installment of this series – The Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception – will be released shortly (September 2022)!
Austenesque Reviews
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice Sequel about a Secondary Character
SERIES: The Secret Life of Mary Bennet #2 (I’d recommend reading Book One of this series – The Secret Life of Mary Bennet – prior to this book)
THE PREMISE: Mary is in London for the Season working as a spy for the British government, and her assignment is to investigate the murder of a messenger who worked for various members of Parliament. Is his death related to a political uprising or overthrow? Or is there a connection to Napoleon’s actions in France? Will Mary be able to work on this case without the Darcys discovering the truth about her secret life…?
MY THOUGHTS:
I’ve always loved stories that spotlight and flesh out Mary Bennet’s character, and I love that there are currently two series that portray her investigating crimes and solving mysteries – I am here for them both! With Mary being studious and often overlooked, her developing astute observational skills and enjoying the secretive nature of spy work is a very believable journey.
What I am enjoying most about this series is Mary – witnessing her work as a spy, her character evolution, and her relationships with others. I feel like Katherine Cowley deeply understands Mary and portrayed her with both authenticity and sensitivity. She shows Mary’s unease in social situations and conditioning to keep her feelings to herself. And she also displays Mary’s growth – how she has shed her judgmental views and priggish superiority, and how she tentatively opens herself up for deeper relationships. I really enjoyed seeing how Mary began to trust her spy partner, Fanny Cramer, and understand her sister, Kitty, in a new way.
In addition, I loved seeing how fearless and resourceful Mary was when it came to her spy work. She gets into some dangerous and unpleasant situations. And like with her previous studies with accomplishments, Mary shows a lot of determination and perseverance. And yet Mary must engage in subterfuge and hide all her spy work activities from her family. How they wanted to spend time with her and how she kept needing to go all these places and make up falsehoods – it was interesting to see her deal with those new challenges.
As for the mystery itself, I think it was well done and engaging. There is a large host of new characters introduced and it was fascinating to see all the ways Katherine Cowley implemented actual historic events and incorporated them in her plot, such as the Ice Fair on the Thames River in 1814 and the Customs House explosion. I’ll admit though, I did sometimes find the political aspects of the story a little harder to follow. I’m not sure if it was because of my own lack of interest in their affairs and policies or if there were maybe too many characters and personal agendas to remember. A dramatis personae would have been an excellent resource.
With The True Confessions of a London Spy, Katherine Cowley delivers another thrilling and transformative adventure for our Mary Bennet! Readers who love mysteries, stories with rich historical backdrops, and the evolution of a quiet and overlooked character into a courageous and admirable heroine will adore this series. And the wonderful news is that the final installment of this series – The Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception – will be released shortly (September 2022)!
Austenesque Reviews
June 12, 2022
I am definitely enjoying this series. It started of slow but picked up 1/2 way through with the intrigue. I love Mary and Fanny’s relationship and how they play of each other. It’s interesting to watch Mary slowly gain her confidence, not only in herself, but also in her skills, encouraged by Fanny. It was also nice to see her relationship with her family grow, as she learns she’s not the only one who has felt slighted or ignored.
Mary is quirky, does not understand social cues at all, I mean at all 😂😂😂😁 yet recognizes that she wants someone to marry her for who she is not the facade ( if she ever gets married)
Mary is quirky, does not understand social cues at all, I mean at all 😂😂😂😁 yet recognizes that she wants someone to marry her for who she is not the facade ( if she ever gets married)
June 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this audiobook.
October 30, 2022
Review published at:
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...
The True Confessions of a London Spy is the second book in The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet series, and after having read and loved the first volume, I was eager to read this one.
While in the first book of the series Mary Bennet proves her value as a spy and is hired by the British Government, on this second book she travels to London where she is given her first official assignment. She is to work under the supervision of Mr. Booth, and in collaboration with her fellow spies Fanny and Mr. Stanley, on a murder investigation that will become much more serious and dangerous then we initially though it would.
During the investigation Mary is to stay with the Darcy’s at Darcy house, and her family will make her life a difficult one with the constant need to find subterfuges to escape company and perform her duty as spy. But even if Mary will deceive her family concerning her true purpose, she will also grow a bigger connection with them and even find an ally or two.
I enjoyed the fact that Mary is forced to re-evaluate her relationship with her family and that she is slowly feeling more integrated, and I particularly liked seeing how her relationship with Kitty became closer towards the end of the book. I wonder if we will see more of Kitty in the third volume of this series. Maybe she will become an apprentice 😊 I did, however, miss Mr. Withrow who is one of my favorite characters in this series. He does make a few appearances, which I absolutely loved, but I was expecting to see more of him. I hope he has a bigger role to play in the The Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception.
Once more there was no romance in this story, at least not an explicit one, even if a few hints are given to the reader, but just like in the previous book, I do not believe the romance was necessary to the story. Nevertheless, I would like to see a little more of it in the next installment as I believe the story is flowing in that direction.
This book is very well written, and the tone is very similar to the one we find in the first book. We continue to see how Mary grows as a person and as a spy, and I was happy to see that Mary is still using her sisters’ best traits to help her decide how to behave and what to say in each situation. I enjoyed the fact that Mary is a little more confident in this book but is still humble to admit that she doesn’t know everything and there is still much to learn, namely with Fanny who has more experience in the spying game.
Although I continued to enjoy the story, I believe it was a little too political for my taste and sometimes I wasn’t as interested in the events as I was in the first book. However, the political factors present in this book will be the delight of those who love mysteries involving parliamentary games and schemes.
Overall, The True Confessions of a London Spy was an exciting book that demonstrated how much Mary has grown but also how much she still has to grow in her role as spy for the British government. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, and I am looking forward to read the third book in the series, so stay tuned because a review for the third volume The Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception will arrive shortly.
https://frompemberleytomilton.wordpre...
The True Confessions of a London Spy is the second book in The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet series, and after having read and loved the first volume, I was eager to read this one.
While in the first book of the series Mary Bennet proves her value as a spy and is hired by the British Government, on this second book she travels to London where she is given her first official assignment. She is to work under the supervision of Mr. Booth, and in collaboration with her fellow spies Fanny and Mr. Stanley, on a murder investigation that will become much more serious and dangerous then we initially though it would.
During the investigation Mary is to stay with the Darcy’s at Darcy house, and her family will make her life a difficult one with the constant need to find subterfuges to escape company and perform her duty as spy. But even if Mary will deceive her family concerning her true purpose, she will also grow a bigger connection with them and even find an ally or two.
I enjoyed the fact that Mary is forced to re-evaluate her relationship with her family and that she is slowly feeling more integrated, and I particularly liked seeing how her relationship with Kitty became closer towards the end of the book. I wonder if we will see more of Kitty in the third volume of this series. Maybe she will become an apprentice 😊 I did, however, miss Mr. Withrow who is one of my favorite characters in this series. He does make a few appearances, which I absolutely loved, but I was expecting to see more of him. I hope he has a bigger role to play in the The Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception.
Once more there was no romance in this story, at least not an explicit one, even if a few hints are given to the reader, but just like in the previous book, I do not believe the romance was necessary to the story. Nevertheless, I would like to see a little more of it in the next installment as I believe the story is flowing in that direction.
This book is very well written, and the tone is very similar to the one we find in the first book. We continue to see how Mary grows as a person and as a spy, and I was happy to see that Mary is still using her sisters’ best traits to help her decide how to behave and what to say in each situation. I enjoyed the fact that Mary is a little more confident in this book but is still humble to admit that she doesn’t know everything and there is still much to learn, namely with Fanny who has more experience in the spying game.
Although I continued to enjoy the story, I believe it was a little too political for my taste and sometimes I wasn’t as interested in the events as I was in the first book. However, the political factors present in this book will be the delight of those who love mysteries involving parliamentary games and schemes.
Overall, The True Confessions of a London Spy was an exciting book that demonstrated how much Mary has grown but also how much she still has to grow in her role as spy for the British government. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, and I am looking forward to read the third book in the series, so stay tuned because a review for the third volume The Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception will arrive shortly.
August 18, 2024
Miss Mary Bennet, the oft overlooked middle daughter, is now a London spy! She has been sent to London with her friend/ladies' maid Miss Fanny Cramer to stay with Mr. and Mrs. Darcy and Mary's younger sister Kitty for the season. While Georgiana Darcy and Kitty Bennet are looking forward to balls and husband hunting, Mary is hunting a murder suspect. Channeling her sisters, Mary makes the acquaintance of a radical and the silly daughter of their neighbor, Mr. Johnstone, who certainly must be up to SOMETHING in order to be courting Miss Georgiana Darcy. At an ice fair, Mary discovers illicit secrets and a damsel in distress. She wants to help everyone but it soon becomes clear her life is not her own. As an unmarried woman, she is subject to scrutiny everywhere she goes, from her brother, Mr. Darcy, to her sisters; from Fanny to strangers. How can Mary do her job properly?
I didn't listen to this consistently enough to remember the beginning of the story or all the numerous characters but I really enjoyed the story and couldn't put it down. As a spy thriller/cozy mystery, it stands alone even if you don't know Pride and Prejudice. If you do, it makes the story richer. The author's note reveals a host of real life figures and events that appear in this novel. I'm glad I didn't know that in advance because then it would have been easier to figure out who the murderer was. The history was interesting and very relatable, sadly, 200 years later. Poor Mary will not live long enough to see women get the right to vote and not even all men either! I got a HUGE kick out of the final discussion on ... BECAUSE ... I was listening at work, in the archives
What I really enjoyed about this novel is Mary's character growth. She's not a very good spy but she's learning and growing as a result of her adventures. She's more self-aware than she was when she first went to stay with Lady Trafford and trying to be a better person. Mary truly wants to learn and her heart is in the right place but sometimes she blunders and sometimes she puts her foot in her mouth. I enjoyed it when she was channeling her sisters to get information from people. Even as herself she managed to charm a radical discussing the Magna Carta! Who else but Mary Bennet? I do like how nerdy she is. I can relate to her social awkwardness and lack of interest in ballgowns and ballrooms. Yes a pretty dress is tempting but not with all the baggage that comes with it.
Mary Bennet has a romance of her own in this story. Mr. Stanley, a fellow spy, is fun and attentive. Mary thinks he doesn't see her as she really is. DOES he see her and it's Mary who can't see herself as attractive and appealing because she's hidden behind her books her whole life? Because she was overshadowed by Jane's sweetness, Lizzy's pertness, Kitty's coughing and Lydia's vivaciousness? OR is Mr. Stanley an early in the book Mr. Darcy who is in love with an idealized version of Mary and not with Mary herself? There's a hint of a potential love triangle when Mr. Withrow reenters the story. He's so cynical and apparently has had a tough life. He's seen a lot but doesn't have Elizabeth's eternal optimism. Mr. Withrow is stiff and a bit rude with Mary but he doesn't seem to like Mr. Stanley very much either. Hmmm? He could just be a pompous jerk.
Fanny is Mary's only friend and ally in London. Fanny poses as Mary's maid, earning the jealously of maid Hannah. Fanny, a talented seamstress, has her own minor subplot. She's a woman of color which adds an extra dimension to the story. Mary is conscious of the way people of her class will see Fanny and think of Fanny. Mary and Fanny's relationship has come a long way. They have their ups and downs but this friendship has the potential to be a beautiful, lifelong sisterhood. I like that because few of Austen's heroines have real friends. Lizzie has Charlotte Lucas and everyone else has sisters. Emma doesn't really have friends aside from Mr. Knightley, Anne Eliot has no one until she gets to Bath and even then her old friend wants something from her. Other new friends for Mary include her own little sister, Kitty. Mary has never really seen Kitty or appreciated her sister's worth. Kitty has been overlooked and overshadowed by bad girl baby sister Lydia. Kitty even gets left out of many adaptations! Kitty shows surprising depths. She's very astute and quicker than Mary to pick up things. If Lady Trafford had encountered Kitty first, Kitty would have asked questioned and figured things out. Kitty is sweet to Mary when Mary is going through a tough time and supports her slightly older sister. Kitty reveals her jealousy and feelings of inadequacy and Mary understands and truly wants to help. It's very sweet. Georgiana Darcy is also a surprise. She's sweet, kind and naive but she's not a fool. She was truly hurt by the incident with Wickham and doesn't trust her own judgment anymore. She doesn't know who to trust and it doesn't help that her brother is crazy over protective.
The portrayal of Mr. Darcy here seems true to Austen's vision. HE knows what dangers lurk around the corner for young ladies and while it may seem he's very conscious of his family name and reputation, he is but he's also worried about the young ladies falling prey to another Wickham. When Mary disappears, he worries and she doesn't understand the whole story. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was a weak, snobby wife who doesn't support her younger sisters. Elizabeth is so bright and has learned not to judge people on first impressions but she doesn't bother to get to know Mary and Kitty and find out who they are. She never picks up on Mary's clandestine activities which knowing Elizabeth, she SHOULD have. Austen's Lizzie would have.
I liked the narrator's voice and accent. She sounded right for the Regency era but listening to her read the author's note was tedious. Perhaps the author should put that online so audiobook listeners can have a look when they're ready.
The best review of this book is by Laurel from Austenprose. Check it out here on GoodReads or at Austenprose
I didn't listen to this consistently enough to remember the beginning of the story or all the numerous characters but I really enjoyed the story and couldn't put it down. As a spy thriller/cozy mystery, it stands alone even if you don't know Pride and Prejudice. If you do, it makes the story richer. The author's note reveals a host of real life figures and events that appear in this novel. I'm glad I didn't know that in advance because then it would have been easier to figure out who the murderer was. The history was interesting and very relatable, sadly, 200 years later. Poor Mary will not live long enough to see women get the right to vote and not even all men either! I got a HUGE kick out of the final discussion on ... BECAUSE ... I was listening at work, in the archives
What I really enjoyed about this novel is Mary's character growth. She's not a very good spy but she's learning and growing as a result of her adventures. She's more self-aware than she was when she first went to stay with Lady Trafford and trying to be a better person. Mary truly wants to learn and her heart is in the right place but sometimes she blunders and sometimes she puts her foot in her mouth. I enjoyed it when she was channeling her sisters to get information from people. Even as herself she managed to charm a radical discussing the Magna Carta! Who else but Mary Bennet? I do like how nerdy she is. I can relate to her social awkwardness and lack of interest in ballgowns and ballrooms. Yes a pretty dress is tempting but not with all the baggage that comes with it.
Mary Bennet has a romance of her own in this story. Mr. Stanley, a fellow spy, is fun and attentive. Mary thinks he doesn't see her as she really is. DOES he see her and it's Mary who can't see herself as attractive and appealing because she's hidden behind her books her whole life? Because she was overshadowed by Jane's sweetness, Lizzy's pertness, Kitty's coughing and Lydia's vivaciousness? OR is Mr. Stanley an early in the book Mr. Darcy who is in love with an idealized version of Mary and not with Mary herself? There's a hint of a potential love triangle when Mr. Withrow reenters the story. He's so cynical and apparently has had a tough life. He's seen a lot but doesn't have Elizabeth's eternal optimism. Mr. Withrow is stiff and a bit rude with Mary but he doesn't seem to like Mr. Stanley very much either. Hmmm? He could just be a pompous jerk.
Fanny is Mary's only friend and ally in London. Fanny poses as Mary's maid, earning the jealously of maid Hannah. Fanny, a talented seamstress, has her own minor subplot. She's a woman of color which adds an extra dimension to the story. Mary is conscious of the way people of her class will see Fanny and think of Fanny. Mary and Fanny's relationship has come a long way. They have their ups and downs but this friendship has the potential to be a beautiful, lifelong sisterhood. I like that because few of Austen's heroines have real friends. Lizzie has Charlotte Lucas and everyone else has sisters. Emma doesn't really have friends aside from Mr. Knightley, Anne Eliot has no one until she gets to Bath and even then her old friend wants something from her. Other new friends for Mary include her own little sister, Kitty. Mary has never really seen Kitty or appreciated her sister's worth. Kitty has been overlooked and overshadowed by bad girl baby sister Lydia. Kitty even gets left out of many adaptations! Kitty shows surprising depths. She's very astute and quicker than Mary to pick up things. If Lady Trafford had encountered Kitty first, Kitty would have asked questioned and figured things out. Kitty is sweet to Mary when Mary is going through a tough time and supports her slightly older sister. Kitty reveals her jealousy and feelings of inadequacy and Mary understands and truly wants to help. It's very sweet. Georgiana Darcy is also a surprise. She's sweet, kind and naive but she's not a fool. She was truly hurt by the incident with Wickham and doesn't trust her own judgment anymore. She doesn't know who to trust and it doesn't help that her brother is crazy over protective.
The portrayal of Mr. Darcy here seems true to Austen's vision. HE knows what dangers lurk around the corner for young ladies and while it may seem he's very conscious of his family name and reputation, he is but he's also worried about the young ladies falling prey to another Wickham. When Mary disappears, he worries and she doesn't understand the whole story. Elizabeth, on the other hand, was a weak, snobby wife who doesn't support her younger sisters. Elizabeth is so bright and has learned not to judge people on first impressions but she doesn't bother to get to know Mary and Kitty and find out who they are. She never picks up on Mary's clandestine activities which knowing Elizabeth, she SHOULD have. Austen's Lizzie would have.
I liked the narrator's voice and accent. She sounded right for the Regency era but listening to her read the author's note was tedious. Perhaps the author should put that online so audiobook listeners can have a look when they're ready.
The best review of this book is by Laurel from Austenprose. Check it out here on GoodReads or at Austenprose
January 6, 2023
Few who have read Pride and Prejudice can forget Mary Bennet. The middle sister among five daughters, she is a minor character in Jane Austen’s classic with only a few scenes, and fewer lines of dialogue. Her unaccomplished pianoforte playing and singing at the Netherfield ball were an unwelcome embarrassment to her older sisters Jane and Elizabeth. She is plain and preachy and pedantic—a comedic ruse by Austen to offset the seriousness of scenes.
Author Katherine Cowley has embraced that tedious creature and given her a new life as a British spy. Mary a spy, you ask in astonishment. Indeed. We were introduced to her transformation in the first book in the series, The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet (2021). We were amazed and delighted. Now Cowley has given Mary another adventure set during the London Season of 1814, a perfect cover for a young lady who must investigate the murder of a government messenger.
Invited to stay with her older sister Elizabeth Darcy, Mary is more interested in the fact that Parliament is in session than dancing at balls. She still has much to learn about being a spy, but with the previous training of Lady Trafford, the guidance of Mr. William Stanley, and the assistance of fellow student Miss Fanny Cramer, she is determined to succeed. Also staying with the Darcys is Georgiana Darcy and Mary’s younger, flighty sister Kitty.
Tasked with investigating the murder of Oliver Rice, Mary must discover his ties to three radical members of parliament who wish to revolutionize the government. Conveniently, Rice’s married sister Selena König lives next door to the Darcys and Mary secures an introduction to the family. Shortly after, the Darcys, Georgiana, Kitty, and Mary dine with the Königs, further opening connections and future introductions to people on Mary’s list of suspects.
Georgiana encourages Mary to accept invitations to balls that the family will be attending. Mary agrees, seeing that the events will provide her with opportunities for espionage. During her first ball, instead of dancing and flirting like Georgiana and Kitty, Mary requests an introduction by Mr. Darcy to Sir Francis Burdett, a radical on her list who she must engage in conversation and earn his trust.
Meanwhile, Georgiana reveals a romantic interest in new acquaintance, Mr. Johnstone, a widower on the wrong side of 45. He is also on Mary’s list of suspects so this could work to her advantage. When the ball concludes, most young ladies would be discussing dancing partners and competitors’ frocks, but Mary’s reflections to her sister on her first London ball are entirely different.
With the help of her associate Fanny Cramer, who is undercover in the Darcy household as Mary’s maid, she visits London sites, attends an Ice Fair on the Thames, and spies on the radicals when they meet at a French restaurant during her duties to uncover the killer.
Cowley cleverly uses and expands upon Mary’s idiosyncrasies and foibles. Her proclivity for reading and her manner of speech are exemplified in her discussions with her suspects. Imagine being introduced at a ball to an important political figure like Sir Francis and within moments grilling him on his speech on the Magna Carta! This passage made me laugh out loud. Cowley had captured the pedantic geekiness of Mary Bennet perfectly. Who indeed would suspect such a young lady of being a British spy? It is a brilliant, ironic flip to our previous impressions of Austen’s character—and a delightful, sardonic twist that the original author would delight in. There are many more moments such as this throughout the novel which makes it special and entertaining.
Many of the political personalities and events in the story are based on historical fact, notably Lord Cochrane who inspired the book and the film Master and Commander. For those who enjoyed the Patrick O’Brien novel and the Peter Weir film, you will be pleased to read an account of his sea battle tactics against the French and Spanish in chapter seven, prompted by the inquisitive Miss Bennet, of course! The use of newspaper epigraphs to start each chapter was insightful and enjoyable. We can only imagine the research involved in finding the perfect passage and we suspect that Cowley is a bit of a Mary Bennet herself. There were some points where the historical details slowed down the plot, but they soon passed. Cowley captured and expanded upon Austen’s characters with reverence and style, her depictions of 1814 London during an extreme frost were atmospheric, and the mystery elements were complex, clever and captivating.
The True Confessions of a London Spy will appeal to those who enjoyed the Being a Jane Austen Mystery series by Stephanie Barron. Both draw upon real lives, social events, and history to frame their mystery narrative. We especially appreciated the message of this story—that we all have gifts, and if given the right environment and support, we can achieve our heart’s desire.
Of the many Mary Bennet makeover novels out there, and there are dozens, Cowley has crafted a story to admire and cherish. The third book in the series, The Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception releases on September 6th.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose.com
Author Katherine Cowley has embraced that tedious creature and given her a new life as a British spy. Mary a spy, you ask in astonishment. Indeed. We were introduced to her transformation in the first book in the series, The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet (2021). We were amazed and delighted. Now Cowley has given Mary another adventure set during the London Season of 1814, a perfect cover for a young lady who must investigate the murder of a government messenger.
Invited to stay with her older sister Elizabeth Darcy, Mary is more interested in the fact that Parliament is in session than dancing at balls. She still has much to learn about being a spy, but with the previous training of Lady Trafford, the guidance of Mr. William Stanley, and the assistance of fellow student Miss Fanny Cramer, she is determined to succeed. Also staying with the Darcys is Georgiana Darcy and Mary’s younger, flighty sister Kitty.
Tasked with investigating the murder of Oliver Rice, Mary must discover his ties to three radical members of parliament who wish to revolutionize the government. Conveniently, Rice’s married sister Selena König lives next door to the Darcys and Mary secures an introduction to the family. Shortly after, the Darcys, Georgiana, Kitty, and Mary dine with the Königs, further opening connections and future introductions to people on Mary’s list of suspects.
Georgiana encourages Mary to accept invitations to balls that the family will be attending. Mary agrees, seeing that the events will provide her with opportunities for espionage. During her first ball, instead of dancing and flirting like Georgiana and Kitty, Mary requests an introduction by Mr. Darcy to Sir Francis Burdett, a radical on her list who she must engage in conversation and earn his trust.
Meanwhile, Georgiana reveals a romantic interest in new acquaintance, Mr. Johnstone, a widower on the wrong side of 45. He is also on Mary’s list of suspects so this could work to her advantage. When the ball concludes, most young ladies would be discussing dancing partners and competitors’ frocks, but Mary’s reflections to her sister on her first London ball are entirely different.
With the help of her associate Fanny Cramer, who is undercover in the Darcy household as Mary’s maid, she visits London sites, attends an Ice Fair on the Thames, and spies on the radicals when they meet at a French restaurant during her duties to uncover the killer.
Cowley cleverly uses and expands upon Mary’s idiosyncrasies and foibles. Her proclivity for reading and her manner of speech are exemplified in her discussions with her suspects. Imagine being introduced at a ball to an important political figure like Sir Francis and within moments grilling him on his speech on the Magna Carta! This passage made me laugh out loud. Cowley had captured the pedantic geekiness of Mary Bennet perfectly. Who indeed would suspect such a young lady of being a British spy? It is a brilliant, ironic flip to our previous impressions of Austen’s character—and a delightful, sardonic twist that the original author would delight in. There are many more moments such as this throughout the novel which makes it special and entertaining.
Many of the political personalities and events in the story are based on historical fact, notably Lord Cochrane who inspired the book and the film Master and Commander. For those who enjoyed the Patrick O’Brien novel and the Peter Weir film, you will be pleased to read an account of his sea battle tactics against the French and Spanish in chapter seven, prompted by the inquisitive Miss Bennet, of course! The use of newspaper epigraphs to start each chapter was insightful and enjoyable. We can only imagine the research involved in finding the perfect passage and we suspect that Cowley is a bit of a Mary Bennet herself. There were some points where the historical details slowed down the plot, but they soon passed. Cowley captured and expanded upon Austen’s characters with reverence and style, her depictions of 1814 London during an extreme frost were atmospheric, and the mystery elements were complex, clever and captivating.
The True Confessions of a London Spy will appeal to those who enjoyed the Being a Jane Austen Mystery series by Stephanie Barron. Both draw upon real lives, social events, and history to frame their mystery narrative. We especially appreciated the message of this story—that we all have gifts, and if given the right environment and support, we can achieve our heart’s desire.
Of the many Mary Bennet makeover novels out there, and there are dozens, Cowley has crafted a story to admire and cherish. The third book in the series, The Lady’s Guide to Death and Deception releases on September 6th.
Laurel Ann, Austenprose.com
April 26, 2024
These books are such fun! While this is Pride and Prejudice pastiche, making Mary, the central character is brilliant. She has less than ten lines in P&P, so there’s a lot of room to develop her character.
Fanny is a fantastic secondary character and both Georgina and Kitty get to play somewhat important roles.
Fanny is a fantastic secondary character and both Georgina and Kitty get to play somewhat important roles.
March 9, 2022
With a strong, authentic voice for the era, Cowley does a fantastic job in this second book in her Mary Bennet series.
I guarantee you’ve never read a spin-off story about Mary quite like this one. The seamless flow as this book picks up from the groundwork that was laid in the first book is just right, and it continues right to the very last page. I loved reading a book that shows a side of Mary we never get to see. Usually all those that lean into the fame of Pride & Prejudice, never go beyond the bland, unappealing character that ‘no-one has the time of day for’ Mary. Her growth and strength are the things I love most.
The True Confessions of a London Spy is quite simply genius, and if you’re after something a little more than the usual regency fare, this series is a must-read.
Looking forward to more from this author!
I guarantee you’ve never read a spin-off story about Mary quite like this one. The seamless flow as this book picks up from the groundwork that was laid in the first book is just right, and it continues right to the very last page. I loved reading a book that shows a side of Mary we never get to see. Usually all those that lean into the fame of Pride & Prejudice, never go beyond the bland, unappealing character that ‘no-one has the time of day for’ Mary. Her growth and strength are the things I love most.
The True Confessions of a London Spy is quite simply genius, and if you’re after something a little more than the usual regency fare, this series is a must-read.
Looking forward to more from this author!
May 5, 2023
4.25-4.5...but bonus pts for
the involvement of ... and ...
the involvement of ... and ...
May 10, 2022
This one started out a little slower for me than the first did, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
May 2, 2022
Katherine Cowley deftly interweaves historical news tidbits from the London of 1814 with the bold adventures of her heroine—Miss Mary Bennet in a surprising role as a spy. This vivid and clever story captures the frozen Thames, city disasters, and Napoleon's threat in an exciting novel summoning a past that is both fictional and actual. A real page-turner.
January 4, 2022
I was delighted when I received my ARC of The True Confessions of a London Spy, as always, my opinions and review are my own.
It’s hard to know where to start, our girl Mary is getting better and better and defying stereotypes, I love how her worth doesn’t come from her looks, but also, not any belittling “Humility”. We all have come across the generic girl who doesn’t think she’s even pretty, but all the guys are in love with her. That troupe doesn’t give us girls any dignity.
My homegirl Mary does us proud, that’s one reason I love Katherine Cowley’s work. While focusing on the actual plot *gasp* Mary does have to navigate personal challenges and handle possible romances. (But I shan’t elaborate for spoilers’ sake)
I shall leave off focusing on romance and my enjoyment of it not consuming the whole plot, as it would be slightly hypocritical to spend all my time on it.
The mystery, the actual cool spy business that drew us to this genre. Ah, the mystery! Of course, it was a glorious chase for the truth, saving lives and stopping criminals. I shan’t go in depth, for I don’t wish to ruin your own journey, but I will say that I enjoyed the dexterity of the case.
It was no case of Blue’s clues or Dora the explorer, “Do you know what happened to the Government messenger? We should ask Mr. Killer McStaby… he was here at the time of the crime…. I just betcha that he saw something, he could give us a clue!” (I’ll try to refrain from more sarcastic outbursts, dear reader. I’m just so pleased about a story that defies the troupe and stereotype, that I can’t quite restrain myself)
Katherine Cowley tied historic events and people into the story, I enjoyed getting the feel of London, like I was traversing the streets and house parties myself. Strong world building and exciting, engrossing mystery.
I feel I should move on to the other characters, give them some of my attention, it’s only polite. I feel I should start with the characters from Pride and Prejudice. This book Mary stays with Elizabeth and Darcy in their townhouse as they launch Georgiana and Kitty Bennet (And Mary herself) into society.
I’m all about family in stories, as a devoted sibling myself, it frustrates me when the older sibling is “Bossy, self-absorbed and mean” and the younger is a “Nosy, annoying brat that only older sibling can call names”. So I really appreciated Mary and Kitty bonding, and Georgiana becomes more sister than sister in law. I loved how they grew and had each other’s back. Sibling style.
There is no cooler feeling than the camaraderie in pulling through a challenge together. Like pretending to be your sister for her yearly “Birthday phone call” or spreading out purchases to different siblings and shuffling apart through shopping lines when the store clerk insists on only one coupon per group, even though you have three coupons. I mean, if that ain’t a spy mission, what is?
But my family aside, I loved that feeling that Mary, Kitty and Georgiana share. You don’t have to understand what’s going on, you just know something is, and you trust, and you step in. It gives me all the happy feels and I really connected with them.
I liked how Mary’s perception changed through the story as she grows. realizing that others have different, how shall I put it? Different love languages. A story over a sermon can serve some better.
Someone who was rough and rude in earlier times, might have been as unfortunately awkward as you, like that time Mary refused to wear the pretty dress Fanny made her for the ball in book 1 (Spoiler!). She had her misguided ideas, and the result wasn’t becoming of her. But still, we love Mary, she is more than her mistakes. And I’m thinking this person who has offended her, who tries to instruct her but comes off as greedy and self-important. Well, that person sounds a lot like a Mary Bennet who preached sermons when she was unsure.
It’s hard to know where to start, our girl Mary is getting better and better and defying stereotypes, I love how her worth doesn’t come from her looks, but also, not any belittling “Humility”. We all have come across the generic girl who doesn’t think she’s even pretty, but all the guys are in love with her. That troupe doesn’t give us girls any dignity.
My homegirl Mary does us proud, that’s one reason I love Katherine Cowley’s work. While focusing on the actual plot *gasp* Mary does have to navigate personal challenges and handle possible romances. (But I shan’t elaborate for spoilers’ sake)
I shall leave off focusing on romance and my enjoyment of it not consuming the whole plot, as it would be slightly hypocritical to spend all my time on it.
The mystery, the actual cool spy business that drew us to this genre. Ah, the mystery! Of course, it was a glorious chase for the truth, saving lives and stopping criminals. I shan’t go in depth, for I don’t wish to ruin your own journey, but I will say that I enjoyed the dexterity of the case.
It was no case of Blue’s clues or Dora the explorer, “Do you know what happened to the Government messenger? We should ask Mr. Killer McStaby… he was here at the time of the crime…. I just betcha that he saw something, he could give us a clue!” (I’ll try to refrain from more sarcastic outbursts, dear reader. I’m just so pleased about a story that defies the troupe and stereotype, that I can’t quite restrain myself)
Katherine Cowley tied historic events and people into the story, I enjoyed getting the feel of London, like I was traversing the streets and house parties myself. Strong world building and exciting, engrossing mystery.
I feel I should move on to the other characters, give them some of my attention, it’s only polite. I feel I should start with the characters from Pride and Prejudice. This book Mary stays with Elizabeth and Darcy in their townhouse as they launch Georgiana and Kitty Bennet (And Mary herself) into society.
I’m all about family in stories, as a devoted sibling myself, it frustrates me when the older sibling is “Bossy, self-absorbed and mean” and the younger is a “Nosy, annoying brat that only older sibling can call names”. So I really appreciated Mary and Kitty bonding, and Georgiana becomes more sister than sister in law. I loved how they grew and had each other’s back. Sibling style.
There is no cooler feeling than the camaraderie in pulling through a challenge together. Like pretending to be your sister for her yearly “Birthday phone call” or spreading out purchases to different siblings and shuffling apart through shopping lines when the store clerk insists on only one coupon per group, even though you have three coupons. I mean, if that ain’t a spy mission, what is?
But my family aside, I loved that feeling that Mary, Kitty and Georgiana share. You don’t have to understand what’s going on, you just know something is, and you trust, and you step in. It gives me all the happy feels and I really connected with them.
I liked how Mary’s perception changed through the story as she grows. realizing that others have different, how shall I put it? Different love languages. A story over a sermon can serve some better.
Someone who was rough and rude in earlier times, might have been as unfortunately awkward as you, like that time Mary refused to wear the pretty dress Fanny made her for the ball in book 1 (Spoiler!). She had her misguided ideas, and the result wasn’t becoming of her. But still, we love Mary, she is more than her mistakes. And I’m thinking this person who has offended her, who tries to instruct her but comes off as greedy and self-important. Well, that person sounds a lot like a Mary Bennet who preached sermons when she was unsure.
March 1, 2022
I am so honored to have received an ARC of the True Confessions of a London Spy. I would never have conceptualized Mary Bennet as anything other than the bland sermonizing sister of Elizabeth and Jane if not for this book.
In this book, she is interesting, she is conversational, she has secrets. I was absolutely thrilled with this book and the unfolding mystery. She is shrewd and is able to be with her family as well.
Giving Mary depth of character was a genius move and the story is the better for it. She is unexpected and lets me see the original character in a new light.
I loved to see Mary associate with new characters and even the glimpses into her logic and thinking as she figured things out.
The mystery was well paced and full of beautiful twists and turns. I was also happy to see some refreshing character twists in Kitty and Georgiana Darcy. I was thrilled to be back in the Austen world again and see some of my favorite characters.
The author did a delightful job of bringing us back into Jane Austen's world through Mary Bennet's eyes. I will definitely need to seek out the first one in the series.
I received an early copy from the author and this is my honest review.
In this book, she is interesting, she is conversational, she has secrets. I was absolutely thrilled with this book and the unfolding mystery. She is shrewd and is able to be with her family as well.
Giving Mary depth of character was a genius move and the story is the better for it. She is unexpected and lets me see the original character in a new light.
I loved to see Mary associate with new characters and even the glimpses into her logic and thinking as she figured things out.
The mystery was well paced and full of beautiful twists and turns. I was also happy to see some refreshing character twists in Kitty and Georgiana Darcy. I was thrilled to be back in the Austen world again and see some of my favorite characters.
The author did a delightful job of bringing us back into Jane Austen's world through Mary Bennet's eyes. I will definitely need to seek out the first one in the series.
I received an early copy from the author and this is my honest review.
March 7, 2022
This is an enjoyable read. It is bok 2 in the series, The Secret life of Mary Bennet and can be read as a stand alone. Set in London during the early 1800's, everyone is worried about Napoleon and the rise of the labor movement. This book follows a fictionalized account of several members of parliament and their money hungry grab for power. Mary and Fanny are in London for the "season" and are to investigate the murder of a spy who was acting as a messenger. A slightly different time frame from Maisie Dobbs but just as good a story. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
April 27, 2023
Intriguing and interesting
This is an excellent concept of Mary. I enjoyed the way she seems to grow through the story, developing skills and realizing that she is more than she imagined. A really worthwhile tale.
This is an excellent concept of Mary. I enjoyed the way she seems to grow through the story, developing skills and realizing that she is more than she imagined. A really worthwhile tale.
October 13, 2022
I've read many Pride and Prejudice sequels and this is one of the best. It's based off actual historical events, and gives Mary a truly remarkable story.
November 26, 2022
Much better than the first one. I enjoyed confident Mary.
November 27, 2022
Interesting story glad it was true to history
July 24, 2024
7/24/24: 5 stars
Omg sooo good!!
Omg sooo good!!
April 11, 2022
Excellent continuation of Mary's story. Mary is so deliciously awkward and it is so much fun to see what she is going to do next! In this book, she is thrown right in the midst of a murder investigation while having to keep her clandestine activities secret from her family. I loved seeing her growth throughout and was so happy with the choice she made at the end of the novel. You go, girl! Can't wait to read the final book in the series.
March 11, 2022
The True Confessions Of a London Spy is the second book in Katherine Cowley’s spin-odd series from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice. This book is a lovely mix of fiction and fact woven together to provide Mary Bennett with the opportunity to prove herself as a spy for the British government. In this book Mary begins to shed her more annoying habits, things like quoting Bible verses when she thinks it appropriate. Here we see her becoming more sure of herself under the expert tutelage of her friend and fellow spy Fanny. I found Mary’s adventures entertaining, chuckled at her embarrassment when she inadvertently overheard one of her suspects in a compromising position, and was suitably satisfied with the way the various loose ends in this story were tied up.
October 3, 2022
Audiobook, 2nd in the series. Mary stays true to character but is also allowed to grow and mature a bit, which I appreciated.
March 31, 2022
Mary Bennet is quickly becoming my favorite Bennet sister. She is imperfect and real. I can relate to those parts of her. She is also clever and determined. It's a thrill to watch her work to solve mysteries. It has also been fun seeing how her perceptions of herself (and her sisters) change as time progresses. I can't wait for book 3 in this series to come out so that I can step back into Mary Bennet's world once again.
March 15, 2022
What a great story! Ms Cowley has given us a Mary Bennet who is clever and intelligent, observant and thoughtful (and handy with a teapot). Set against the well-researched history of the period, the book is fascinating and compelling. I can’t wait for Book 3!
April 1, 2022
2.5 stars.
*Very mild spoiler below (if you know your history and the date this novel is set in, it won't be a spoiler for you).*
This did not work quite as well as the first book in the series for me. While Mary continues to grow and blossom as a character in this story, the setting itself (at home with the Darcys in London during the 1814 winter season) fostered too many implausibilities and machinations that stretched my credulity to the breaking point. I also felt like Cowley jammed an excessive amount of very real and unpleasant history into what is essentially a light-hearted genre tale, unbalancing the book and putting undue strain on both reader and characters. Some curious anachronisms ("motivational speech"?!?) didn't help maintain the Regency feel either.
I'll continue reading the series with the next book scheduled for release in September 2022 because I am curious where Cowley is going to take Mary's spy career now that Napoleon is no longer a threat but I do hope the actual plot and Mary's place in it is stronger than in this one.
*Very mild spoiler below (if you know your history and the date this novel is set in, it won't be a spoiler for you).*
This did not work quite as well as the first book in the series for me. While Mary continues to grow and blossom as a character in this story, the setting itself (at home with the Darcys in London during the 1814 winter season) fostered too many implausibilities and machinations that stretched my credulity to the breaking point. I also felt like Cowley jammed an excessive amount of very real and unpleasant history into what is essentially a light-hearted genre tale, unbalancing the book and putting undue strain on both reader and characters. Some curious anachronisms ("motivational speech"?!?) didn't help maintain the Regency feel either.
I'll continue reading the series with the next book scheduled for release in September 2022 because I am curious where Cowley is going to take Mary's spy career now that Napoleon is no longer a threat but I do hope the actual plot and Mary's place in it is stronger than in this one.
April 21, 2022
In this Pride and Prejudice sequel, Mary Bennet is on the way to London to spend the season with the Darcys. But she and her fellow spies, Miss Fanny Cramer (acting as her maid) and Mr. William Stanley have been assigned the task of discovering who has killed Oliver Rice, a messenger for M.P.s. Will she be able to carry out the task without raising the suspicions of the family and sent back to the countryside. But will there be any romance for Mary, Kitty or Georgiana.
An entertaining, well-plotted and well-written historical mystery with its touch of romance. With its cast of varied and lovable characters especially Mary who continues to grow.
Enjoyable re-read
An entertaining, well-plotted and well-written historical mystery with its touch of romance. With its cast of varied and lovable characters especially Mary who continues to grow.
Enjoyable re-read
August 30, 2022
The True Confessions of a London Spy is the second book in The Secret Life of Mary Bennet series. It was an enjoyable addition to the series.
Mary Bennet is working undercover in London for the season to help to track down a murderer. She is staying with her sister Elizabeth and her husband Mr. Darcy. Her sister Kitty and Mr. Darcy’s sister Georgiana are also staying with them in town so they can all enjoy the season together. Will Mary be able to solve the murder mystery and how can she do it without arising the suspicions of Mr. Darcy?
I love Mary’s continued growth as a character in this novel. I especially enjoyed her developing her relationship with her sister Kitty and making the realization that both she and Kitty were not treated the best in her family. The Bennet family is a bit dysfunctional. I also enjoyed that both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy suspected something was up, but couldn’t quite put their finger on it. Mary seems to keep growing in her self-confidence and I really liked how she helped Georgiana in this novel. The mystery was agreeable, and I loved the London of 1814 setting.
Book Source: Purchased for my Kindle on Amazon.com
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2022...
March 5, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this novel and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this unique take on the Bennet family of Jane Austen fame. In the original Pride and Prejudice, as well as most spin-offs, Mary is often a one-dimensional side character. It was fun to see her, and several other P&P characters, in such a new light.
Mary Bennet is a relatively new spy for the British government. She's struggling to prove herself in her first real case, while keeping her cover intact.
The book is a pretty quick - and clean - read. The characters are diverse and relatable. There were some parts that seemed to drag or be a little disjointed, but nothing that ruined the story for me. I would have loved to see more about the young girl Mary meets and tries to help. It kind of seemed like she was there and then gone too quickly.
All in all, would recommend if you're looking for a unique Jane Austen-esque story to escape into. I'll definitely be reading more of this author in the future!
I really enjoyed this unique take on the Bennet family of Jane Austen fame. In the original Pride and Prejudice, as well as most spin-offs, Mary is often a one-dimensional side character. It was fun to see her, and several other P&P characters, in such a new light.
Mary Bennet is a relatively new spy for the British government. She's struggling to prove herself in her first real case, while keeping her cover intact.
The book is a pretty quick - and clean - read. The characters are diverse and relatable. There were some parts that seemed to drag or be a little disjointed, but nothing that ruined the story for me. I would have loved to see more about the young girl Mary meets and tries to help. It kind of seemed like she was there and then gone too quickly.
All in all, would recommend if you're looking for a unique Jane Austen-esque story to escape into. I'll definitely be reading more of this author in the future!
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