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Elena Standish #3
A Darker Reality
A personal trip turns perilous for Elena Standish after the murder of a British spy forces her to face dark family secrets in this exciting 1930s mystery by bestselling author Anne Perry.
"An absorbing and calculating thriller/mystery that grabs the reader from the first page."--Great Mysteries and Thrillers
On her first trip to Washington, D.C., Elena Standish finally gets to visit her American mother's wealthy parents and their magnificent home. Elena's grandparents are marking a milestone anniversary by throwing an elaborate party with the influential friends of her grandfather, a prominent political industrialist. Even President and First Lady Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt are there, and Elena takes pride in capturing the illustrious guests on camera. But the festivities come to a sudden and tragic end when one of the guests, Lila Worth, is run over by a car in the driveway outside. Elena believes Lila was trying to tell her something before her death, and when a call from her employer back home, MI6, confirms that Lila was a British spy, Elena pairs with a fellow agent to find out what vital information the young woman had in her possession.
Soon an arrest is made in Lila's murder, and to Elena's horror, the accused is none other than her own grandfather, who claims his political enemies are trying to frame him. But who are these enemies, and how can Elena defend this man she barely knows? Nevertheless, determined to clear his name and save her family from disgrace, she delves into the details of her grandfather's investments and discovers that his business secrets run deep. As Elena begins to question his loyalties, she wonders if she can trust anyone in this threatening new world order.
"An absorbing and calculating thriller/mystery that grabs the reader from the first page."--Great Mysteries and Thrillers
On her first trip to Washington, D.C., Elena Standish finally gets to visit her American mother's wealthy parents and their magnificent home. Elena's grandparents are marking a milestone anniversary by throwing an elaborate party with the influential friends of her grandfather, a prominent political industrialist. Even President and First Lady Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt are there, and Elena takes pride in capturing the illustrious guests on camera. But the festivities come to a sudden and tragic end when one of the guests, Lila Worth, is run over by a car in the driveway outside. Elena believes Lila was trying to tell her something before her death, and when a call from her employer back home, MI6, confirms that Lila was a British spy, Elena pairs with a fellow agent to find out what vital information the young woman had in her possession.
Soon an arrest is made in Lila's murder, and to Elena's horror, the accused is none other than her own grandfather, who claims his political enemies are trying to frame him. But who are these enemies, and how can Elena defend this man she barely knows? Nevertheless, determined to clear his name and save her family from disgrace, she delves into the details of her grandfather's investments and discovers that his business secrets run deep. As Elena begins to question his loyalties, she wonders if she can trust anyone in this threatening new world order.
319 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2021
228 people are currently reading
6436 people want to read
About the author
Anne Perry
361 books3,375 followersAnne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life after serving five years in prison for murder (in New Zealand). A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
August 26, 2021
I've read a few of Anne Perry's books and the last book I thought was enjoyable. "A Darker Reality" was just okay for me. It was well-written and Perry is a great storyteller, however I could not connect for most of the book until you get close to the end where the pace picks up and I become more interested in the twists and wanting to know the end. Unfortunately, the conclusion ends in a very unusual cliffhanger that isn't my cup of tea. As for this story, it may interest other readers but it was just not for me. Still look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 24, 2021
A Darker Reality is an interesting story, and a well-written one. But the pacing is off. There’s very little action, and a lot of repetitive dialogue and internal dialogue that slows everything down. It's as if the characters have to talk through every aspect of the crime several times, reach the same conclusions several times, while finding out very little.
I’m hoping that Perry can make a go of this series; I really like Standish and the other characters, but I don’t think that the author has hit her stride with the series yet, although she's three books into it.
Recommended, but with reservations.
I’m hoping that Perry can make a go of this series; I really like Standish and the other characters, but I don’t think that the author has hit her stride with the series yet, although she's three books into it.
Recommended, but with reservations.
September 22, 2021
During the pre-WWII years, a young British woman, after seeing a horrifying demonstration of what is happening within Nazi Germany, has eagerly joined the British secret service to do her part to keep her own country safe and stop the atrocities that she suspects are coming.
With each new book, Elena Standish is confronted by a dangerous circumstance that stretches her emotionally and in her new profession. Enjoying the past books, I was eager to pick up this latest. Because of the way each book progresses with Elena’s life and the people around her while following a countdown to war as events move forward in time, I highly suggest readers start with the first book and read the series in order.
The Darker Reality occurs in spring of 1934, taking Elena and her parents across the pond to stay with her maternal grandparents. Elena has only met them once as a small child and so meeting her American grandparents is like meeting strangers that she knows a bit of something about. The occasion is to celebrate Wyatt and Dorothy’s 60th wedding anniversary at their grand house just outside Washington, DC. Elena sees where her mother grew up and her mother happily shares many childhood memories as to her grandparents.
The night of the anniversary celebration brings out Washington’s elite- the movers and shakers including the Roosevelts themselves. Elena is pleased to have her small camera with her to photograph the event for the magazine and for her own pleasure. She is much struck by a charismatic and beautiful Austrian woman married to an American scientist, Lila Worth. Elena is also stunned to hear many in the throng embracing the ideals of the Nazi Party and a similar organization, Free America. But then Lila is killed when a car runs her down. Not long after, the accident becomes a homicide investigation and her grandfather, Wyatt, stands accused because he seems to have been missing from the party and could have conked Lila on the head before arranging to run her down since it was his own car that was used.
Not just a murder investigation though Elena is determined to prove this little known grandfather innocent, but she is not unaware that the investigation is political because of who Lila was and that no one could have come from the outside to do the job- it was her grandfather or someone in his circle of friends. With the assistance of fellow British agent, Allenby, who had been Lila’s partner in rooting out the person sending the Nazi’s details about the American work with an atomic weapon and whatever else would be useful to know of American strengths and weaknesses, Elena sifts through all the suspects, motives, and opportunities while trying to help Allenby find the Nazi pipeline of information.
While I was dazzled by book one and really liked book two, this third Elena Standish venture took me the longest time to make a connection. There were a few reasons for this. At first, I was shocked at how Elena was acting. It was hard to believe she was 29 and already had such harrowing adventures in earlier books. This Elena acted like an untried amateur girl sleuth and she deserved it when James Allenby had to jerk a knot in her to control her impulses, emotions, and try thinking before she spoke or acted instead of running around wrecking havoc in the mission.
Then there was a lot of time spent rehashing the same thoughts and ideologies so that the pace bogged down. It was fascinating the first few times that Elena and others pondered the chilling rhetoric espoused by Free America and how could people actually believe in it. On a side note, the historical setting and descriptions were richly drawn and seemed authentic.
I figured out the mystery’s who, why, and how not long after the murder was announced and it wasn’t that hard so I was flummoxed as to why the pros and particularly insiders like Elena who was on the spot found it so tough to work out. I guess it is a matter of letting one’s emotions get in the way, so I tried to cut her some slack, especially since she got back in the game and did some really good espionage and detective work in the end.
So, in summary, it wasn’t the best outing in the series, but did end up well and left things open to pursue that dangerous Nazi spy network that needs to be identified. I hope James Allenby is back for the next book. Historical Mystery fans who like the pre-war era of the 1930s and a mix of mystery and intrigue should definitely give these a try.
I rec'd an eARC from Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
With each new book, Elena Standish is confronted by a dangerous circumstance that stretches her emotionally and in her new profession. Enjoying the past books, I was eager to pick up this latest. Because of the way each book progresses with Elena’s life and the people around her while following a countdown to war as events move forward in time, I highly suggest readers start with the first book and read the series in order.
The Darker Reality occurs in spring of 1934, taking Elena and her parents across the pond to stay with her maternal grandparents. Elena has only met them once as a small child and so meeting her American grandparents is like meeting strangers that she knows a bit of something about. The occasion is to celebrate Wyatt and Dorothy’s 60th wedding anniversary at their grand house just outside Washington, DC. Elena sees where her mother grew up and her mother happily shares many childhood memories as to her grandparents.
The night of the anniversary celebration brings out Washington’s elite- the movers and shakers including the Roosevelts themselves. Elena is pleased to have her small camera with her to photograph the event for the magazine and for her own pleasure. She is much struck by a charismatic and beautiful Austrian woman married to an American scientist, Lila Worth. Elena is also stunned to hear many in the throng embracing the ideals of the Nazi Party and a similar organization, Free America. But then Lila is killed when a car runs her down. Not long after, the accident becomes a homicide investigation and her grandfather, Wyatt, stands accused because he seems to have been missing from the party and could have conked Lila on the head before arranging to run her down since it was his own car that was used.
Not just a murder investigation though Elena is determined to prove this little known grandfather innocent, but she is not unaware that the investigation is political because of who Lila was and that no one could have come from the outside to do the job- it was her grandfather or someone in his circle of friends. With the assistance of fellow British agent, Allenby, who had been Lila’s partner in rooting out the person sending the Nazi’s details about the American work with an atomic weapon and whatever else would be useful to know of American strengths and weaknesses, Elena sifts through all the suspects, motives, and opportunities while trying to help Allenby find the Nazi pipeline of information.
While I was dazzled by book one and really liked book two, this third Elena Standish venture took me the longest time to make a connection. There were a few reasons for this. At first, I was shocked at how Elena was acting. It was hard to believe she was 29 and already had such harrowing adventures in earlier books. This Elena acted like an untried amateur girl sleuth and she deserved it when James Allenby had to jerk a knot in her to control her impulses, emotions, and try thinking before she spoke or acted instead of running around wrecking havoc in the mission.
Then there was a lot of time spent rehashing the same thoughts and ideologies so that the pace bogged down. It was fascinating the first few times that Elena and others pondered the chilling rhetoric espoused by Free America and how could people actually believe in it. On a side note, the historical setting and descriptions were richly drawn and seemed authentic.
I figured out the mystery’s who, why, and how not long after the murder was announced and it wasn’t that hard so I was flummoxed as to why the pros and particularly insiders like Elena who was on the spot found it so tough to work out. I guess it is a matter of letting one’s emotions get in the way, so I tried to cut her some slack, especially since she got back in the game and did some really good espionage and detective work in the end.
So, in summary, it wasn’t the best outing in the series, but did end up well and left things open to pursue that dangerous Nazi spy network that needs to be identified. I hope James Allenby is back for the next book. Historical Mystery fans who like the pre-war era of the 1930s and a mix of mystery and intrigue should definitely give these a try.
I rec'd an eARC from Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2022
This Novel is a continuation of the Elena Standish mysteries. The setting is in the mid 1930's and Germany is rearming. Openly Ms. Standish is a photo-journalist, but secretly she works for MI6. An Agent has been murdered at the house of Elena's grandfather, who lives in DC. Elena's grandfather is eventually arrested. The female Agent was murdered because she discovered a plot about Nazi sympathizers who seek to find the secret of nuclear fission. The Nazis are desperate to beat the Americans or the British, too for that matter, in nuclear fission. Ms. Perry, once again, does not disappoint in writing about historical events and creating fictional characters to carry her story along.
October 27, 2021
It's spring, 1934. Plucky young MI6 operative, Elena Standish is finally on a much deserved holiday to America. She and her American mother and British ambassador father, arrived in New York city's port and after a few days have continued on to Washington, D.C. to visit with family. Elena's maternal grandparents are celebrating their sixtieth anniversary with a wonderful fête at their home where scions of industry and government staff are in attendance. Being the gifted photographer she is, Elena circulates the room capturing the moment in shots of elegant women, high-powered men and people celebrating the couple's good fortune. All goes well until one guest is killed and one of Elena's family is held on suspicion of murder. Surely, it can't be true. Elena is incensed and commits to unearthing the details and finding who the true culprit is.
This third book in the Elena Standish mystery series is well written and deftly explores the mixed sentiments of folks concerning political developments in Europe. Some see tensions between rising Bolshevism and conservative nationalism. Others merely wish to avoid another war at all costs. And there are some who look at the developments as wonderful opportunities to make a fortune. Elena has insight into the rising specter of Germany but is unable to share such knowledge owing to the covert nature of her experience.
The scene settings with all their fashionable elegance are lushly described. One can easily imagine the fluid movement of gowns of silk taffeta and organza, the crisp and elegant black tie tuxedos of the men in attendance and the sparkle of the ladies' jewels glistening beneath the room's elegant chandelier. The character development is good, especially that of Elena as she has gradually over the course of three books recaptured the acceptance and respect of those around her. The family dynamics and differences of sensibilities drawn on nationalistic lines are touched upon in a thought-provoking manner. There are a number of surprising twists in the story. The tension gradually increases in the last quarter of the book and gently releases as it draws to a satisfying close.
This is an interesting series and well worth the venture for the historical fiction fan who enjoys a touch of added mystery.
I am grateful to Ballantine Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
This third book in the Elena Standish mystery series is well written and deftly explores the mixed sentiments of folks concerning political developments in Europe. Some see tensions between rising Bolshevism and conservative nationalism. Others merely wish to avoid another war at all costs. And there are some who look at the developments as wonderful opportunities to make a fortune. Elena has insight into the rising specter of Germany but is unable to share such knowledge owing to the covert nature of her experience.
The scene settings with all their fashionable elegance are lushly described. One can easily imagine the fluid movement of gowns of silk taffeta and organza, the crisp and elegant black tie tuxedos of the men in attendance and the sparkle of the ladies' jewels glistening beneath the room's elegant chandelier. The character development is good, especially that of Elena as she has gradually over the course of three books recaptured the acceptance and respect of those around her. The family dynamics and differences of sensibilities drawn on nationalistic lines are touched upon in a thought-provoking manner. There are a number of surprising twists in the story. The tension gradually increases in the last quarter of the book and gently releases as it draws to a satisfying close.
This is an interesting series and well worth the venture for the historical fiction fan who enjoys a touch of added mystery.
I am grateful to Ballantine Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
October 9, 2021
The third book in Anne Perry’s most recent series focuses on the 1930s and the forces that culminated in World War 2. The protagonist, Elena Standish, is the daughter of a British career diplomat and his American socialite wife. Her paternal grandfather is the former head of the British clandestine service,MI6.Elena, a talented photographer, had a promising career in the British Foreign Office derailed because she had a romantic liaison with a man who later was revealed as a traitor.Stymied in her original career path, Elena chose to focus on her abilities as a photographer. Pursuing her vocation throughout Europe ,Elena encountered some unusual adventures that led to her recruitment as an agent for MI6.
This third installment commences in Spring, 1934 in Washington,D.C. Elena is accompanying her family to visit her maternal grandparents who are celebrating their sixtieth wedding anniversary.Her maternal grandfather is politically well connected and a scion of industry, moving in the upper echelons of Washington society.An elaborate party has been planned to celebrate this anniversary and will be attended by the creme of Washington influencers, including President Roosevelt.
While clutching her camera, Elena mingles with the guests, taking photographs and noting snippets of conversations flowing among America’s elite.She is startled by the number of guests who express sympathy for Hitler and the Nazis.While Elena tries to process this unanticipated sentiment, a tragic event occurs. Lila Worth, the glamorous wife of a renowned scientist, is found dead in the parking lot.Shockingly, Elena’s grandfather is identified as the most likely suspect.Elena is determined to prove her grandfather’s innocence.When her efforts intersect with those of a British agent who is operating covertly, her self appointed quest widens in scope and reveals sinister and international forces at work.
I have commented in previous reviews that in Anne Perry’s novels social issues and characterization take precedence over plot.These strengths are apparent in this novel as well.There is, though, a departure from her previous series’ focus.Most of her series have contained vivid portrayals of the people and places from many different social circumstances.In this current work, we are presented with a more constricted social setting in a country, the United States, generally unexplored in her writings.It seems that in the early development of this new series, Ms Perry is providing an overview of the political considerations that ultimately resulted in worldwide armed conflict.The insidious pull of pro Nazi sentiment, imagined racial superiority and nationalism swirl throughout the plot.The machinations of war profiteering and the clandestine activity surrounding atomic weaponry are also prominent in the storyline.
Although there is a resolution to the central plot mystery, many of the larger social and geopolitical themes remain unresolved at the book’s conclusion.I anticipate that Elena will, in subsequent books, return to England and the plot lines will delve into the major themes introduced early in this series.While I look forward to Elena’s return to her familiar locations, I am also pleased that Anne Perry has chosen to highlight an insidious strain of American political sentiment that has been glossed over by the euphoria of the Allied victory. These disturbing strains of intolerance have never completely receded and seem to be resurfacing worldwide.Ms. Perry’s focus on these issues is very welcome.I look forward to leaning how the author develops these themes in upcoming books.
This third installment commences in Spring, 1934 in Washington,D.C. Elena is accompanying her family to visit her maternal grandparents who are celebrating their sixtieth wedding anniversary.Her maternal grandfather is politically well connected and a scion of industry, moving in the upper echelons of Washington society.An elaborate party has been planned to celebrate this anniversary and will be attended by the creme of Washington influencers, including President Roosevelt.
While clutching her camera, Elena mingles with the guests, taking photographs and noting snippets of conversations flowing among America’s elite.She is startled by the number of guests who express sympathy for Hitler and the Nazis.While Elena tries to process this unanticipated sentiment, a tragic event occurs. Lila Worth, the glamorous wife of a renowned scientist, is found dead in the parking lot.Shockingly, Elena’s grandfather is identified as the most likely suspect.Elena is determined to prove her grandfather’s innocence.When her efforts intersect with those of a British agent who is operating covertly, her self appointed quest widens in scope and reveals sinister and international forces at work.
I have commented in previous reviews that in Anne Perry’s novels social issues and characterization take precedence over plot.These strengths are apparent in this novel as well.There is, though, a departure from her previous series’ focus.Most of her series have contained vivid portrayals of the people and places from many different social circumstances.In this current work, we are presented with a more constricted social setting in a country, the United States, generally unexplored in her writings.It seems that in the early development of this new series, Ms Perry is providing an overview of the political considerations that ultimately resulted in worldwide armed conflict.The insidious pull of pro Nazi sentiment, imagined racial superiority and nationalism swirl throughout the plot.The machinations of war profiteering and the clandestine activity surrounding atomic weaponry are also prominent in the storyline.
Although there is a resolution to the central plot mystery, many of the larger social and geopolitical themes remain unresolved at the book’s conclusion.I anticipate that Elena will, in subsequent books, return to England and the plot lines will delve into the major themes introduced early in this series.While I look forward to Elena’s return to her familiar locations, I am also pleased that Anne Perry has chosen to highlight an insidious strain of American political sentiment that has been glossed over by the euphoria of the Allied victory. These disturbing strains of intolerance have never completely receded and seem to be resurfacing worldwide.Ms. Perry’s focus on these issues is very welcome.I look forward to leaning how the author develops these themes in upcoming books.
August 4, 2021
This is one of those 2.5 - 3 star books, it's just okay. I have not read any of Anne Perry's works in a long time and the time period of this one (pre WWII) interested me so I requested a copy. I must say I was surprised to learn that the main character, Elena Standish, is 29 years old. She seemed much younger than that to me. Instant friendship with two people she met at a party during her second 24 hour period in the home of her grandparents didn't ring true for me. The beginning of the story is very rushed since the crime happens at the wedding anniversary celebration for Elena's American grandparents and she essentially doesn't know either of them. That isn't her fault, just shows how difficult travel might be in the time period before WWII so that some family bonds did not have a chance to be formed. But Elena hangs on to her camera during the party for all she's worth - even in one scene putting it into her evening bag, a tiny formal evening bag? - taking candid shots of guests at the party. Naturally Elena works to help solve the murder by utilizing her training as a secret agent with the British government, even meeting wealthy Americans who do not view what the German government is up to in a negative way.
The pacing for this novel felt rushed with everything happening almost immediately after the Standish family arrives at Elena's grandparents home. There was very little time for Elena to get to know her grandparents. Guests at the party also seemed unusually contented to have an unfamiliar news photographer (read that as secret agent) snapping pictures of them at play with only the explanation that Elena is the granddaughter of their host and hostess. Elena never did grow on me; it was interesting that she did not want to be viewed as "silly or incompetent" when she revealed her solution to the crime making her seem younger than her years. All along she seems more immature than her exploits in the secret service would allow. This one wasn't for me so I will not be reading any further in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Ballantine for an e-galley of this novel.
The pacing for this novel felt rushed with everything happening almost immediately after the Standish family arrives at Elena's grandparents home. There was very little time for Elena to get to know her grandparents. Guests at the party also seemed unusually contented to have an unfamiliar news photographer (read that as secret agent) snapping pictures of them at play with only the explanation that Elena is the granddaughter of their host and hostess. Elena never did grow on me; it was interesting that she did not want to be viewed as "silly or incompetent" when she revealed her solution to the crime making her seem younger than her years. All along she seems more immature than her exploits in the secret service would allow. This one wasn't for me so I will not be reading any further in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Ballantine for an e-galley of this novel.
January 7, 2025
Set in the 1930s, young MI6 agent Elena Standish is visiting Washington DC with her parents for her wealthy grandparents anniversary. She barely knows them, having met them only when she was a child.Her British father’s role as ambassador around the world prevented many visits. During the anniversary party, which President Roosevelt and Elenor attended, a young woman, Lila, is killed The evidence points to her grandfather and he is arrested. When Elena discovers the dead woman was a British spy, she works with another agent to uncover the truth. Could her grandfather’s right wing ideas and participation in the Free America movement have played a role in his arrest and just what information was Lila privy to? After all, her husband is a scientist working on splitting the atom and perhaps developing a powerful weapon of war.
More than a mystery, this is an important book because of the social and political issues raised. Perry captures well the conflicting political views prior to the US entry into World War II.
Although published in 2021, this book may be more pertinent now given what is happening worldwide. The Free America organization in the novel seems to parallel “America First”, a slogan often used to promote racist, xenophobic and isolationist ideas. Pointing out the wide difference in political views, a character notes that “this is healthy, but not when it turns violent.” There are some wonderful quotes in the text of this novel; one that has stayed with me is “patriotism is pretty universal and has been the justification for some of the worst acts on earth.”
There is some beautiful prose in this novel, especially when describing the landscape. Yes, there is some repetition, but I was able to easily overlook it for the message that this book conveyed.
This is the third in the series. Although I have read quite a few of Anne Perry’s many novels, I did not read the first two Elena Standish stories. This did work well as a standalone.There are two subsequent entries in the series; Anne Perry passed away in 2023.
Thanks to #NetGalley and @RandomHouse for the DRC.
More than a mystery, this is an important book because of the social and political issues raised. Perry captures well the conflicting political views prior to the US entry into World War II.
Although published in 2021, this book may be more pertinent now given what is happening worldwide. The Free America organization in the novel seems to parallel “America First”, a slogan often used to promote racist, xenophobic and isolationist ideas. Pointing out the wide difference in political views, a character notes that “this is healthy, but not when it turns violent.” There are some wonderful quotes in the text of this novel; one that has stayed with me is “patriotism is pretty universal and has been the justification for some of the worst acts on earth.”
There is some beautiful prose in this novel, especially when describing the landscape. Yes, there is some repetition, but I was able to easily overlook it for the message that this book conveyed.
This is the third in the series. Although I have read quite a few of Anne Perry’s many novels, I did not read the first two Elena Standish stories. This did work well as a standalone.There are two subsequent entries in the series; Anne Perry passed away in 2023.
Thanks to #NetGalley and @RandomHouse for the DRC.
August 22, 2021
Anne Perry is a masterful story teller. “A Darker Reality”, the third installment in the Elena Standish series, unfortunately, does not measure up. Rather than her usual buttoned up story, this one jumps around seemingly going nowhere. The characters are all very busy doing absolutely nothing. Their conversations and “investigations” do little to discover clues or untangle the espionage knot. Throughout the story, one is left questioning how any of these people could work for MI6 as kindergarteners would ask more pertinent questions. The end of the book does present a solution to the puzzle of who committed the murder, but leaves more questions than answers. Unless this book is intended as a “part 1” it does not satisfactorily resolve anything
Provided there is not a great deal of time between this book and the next installment, checking back to see if the same story continues might be worth the effort, but not so long as the characters fail utterly to do anything intelligent.
Provided there is not a great deal of time between this book and the next installment, checking back to see if the same story continues might be worth the effort, but not so long as the characters fail utterly to do anything intelligent.
February 26, 2022
A very thin plot, repetitive dialogue, and very little action characterized this mystery. Not worth your time.
September 21, 2021
The clouds gather!
Elena Standish though still fragile and smarting over her past mistakes, even if it was seven years ago, is growing stronger. Her world shattered when she was dismissed from the Foreign Office because she’d been involved with a traitor. And then came Berlin! Elena is the granddaughter of Lucas Standish who’d been the head of MI6 during the First World War.
It’s now Spring 1934. Elena and her parents are currently visiting her grandparents on her mother’s side, Wyatt and Dorothy Baylor, in Washington, DC. There’s to be a grand party, celebrating her grandparents sixtieth wedding anniversary. Elena volunteers to take photos. Still working for MI6, she been developing her skills as a newspaper photographer.
Her grandparents move in the upper echelons of Washington society. It’s amongst their friends Elena notices the troubling attitudes towards others—immigrants, non Aryans, and minority groups.
Some present belong to the Free America Party. Speaking to a couple of these adherents Elena is shocked by their positive references to Hitler. This is puzzling to Elena, particularly after her first hand, close call with the Nazis in Berlin twelve months prior. Elena also meets a Captain James Allenby introduced to her by a lively glamorous woman, Lila Worth. Tragedy strikes when Lila is discovered shot dead in the car park. And then her grandfather Wyatt is accused. Elena is determined to prove him innocent. The mysterious Captain Allenby, an attaché in Trade with the British Embassy is there to help her. All roads seem to turn back to scientific discoveries that are happening with MI6 a shadowy presence.
I loved watching Elena’s intelligence come into play, her attachment to her family, her determination and growth as an MI6 operator.
As Lucas has said looking at the gathering storm under the new German leadership,
“We can’t afford anything but the truth. It may be nothing very much, little more than a shadow in the sky—”
This stanza of Elena’s life, after Berlin, brought face to face with, to her mind, the shocking reactions of many in the United States as Germany under Hitler gains ascendency, is sobering. Shocks that
vibrate so close to home for Elena. (Equally as sobering in today’s ideological climate as well.)
Another rather startling Elena Standish tale from Perry!
A Random House - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
Elena Standish though still fragile and smarting over her past mistakes, even if it was seven years ago, is growing stronger. Her world shattered when she was dismissed from the Foreign Office because she’d been involved with a traitor. And then came Berlin! Elena is the granddaughter of Lucas Standish who’d been the head of MI6 during the First World War.
It’s now Spring 1934. Elena and her parents are currently visiting her grandparents on her mother’s side, Wyatt and Dorothy Baylor, in Washington, DC. There’s to be a grand party, celebrating her grandparents sixtieth wedding anniversary. Elena volunteers to take photos. Still working for MI6, she been developing her skills as a newspaper photographer.
Her grandparents move in the upper echelons of Washington society. It’s amongst their friends Elena notices the troubling attitudes towards others—immigrants, non Aryans, and minority groups.
Some present belong to the Free America Party. Speaking to a couple of these adherents Elena is shocked by their positive references to Hitler. This is puzzling to Elena, particularly after her first hand, close call with the Nazis in Berlin twelve months prior. Elena also meets a Captain James Allenby introduced to her by a lively glamorous woman, Lila Worth. Tragedy strikes when Lila is discovered shot dead in the car park. And then her grandfather Wyatt is accused. Elena is determined to prove him innocent. The mysterious Captain Allenby, an attaché in Trade with the British Embassy is there to help her. All roads seem to turn back to scientific discoveries that are happening with MI6 a shadowy presence.
I loved watching Elena’s intelligence come into play, her attachment to her family, her determination and growth as an MI6 operator.
As Lucas has said looking at the gathering storm under the new German leadership,
“We can’t afford anything but the truth. It may be nothing very much, little more than a shadow in the sky—”
This stanza of Elena’s life, after Berlin, brought face to face with, to her mind, the shocking reactions of many in the United States as Germany under Hitler gains ascendency, is sobering. Shocks that
vibrate so close to home for Elena. (Equally as sobering in today’s ideological climate as well.)
Another rather startling Elena Standish tale from Perry!
A Random House - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
December 16, 2021
Washington DC, 1934. Elena Standish travels to Washington DC with her family to meet her maternal grandparents and help them celebrate their sixtieth wedding anniversary. In the midst of the festivities, a guest is run over in the car park. But the victim, Lila Worth, wasn’t just a guest – she was a British spy – and Elena’s grandfather is arrested for the murder.
With assistance from another MI6 operative, Elena works against time to clear her grandfather’s name and finish Lila’s assignment. All without revealing her identity as a spy to those closest to her – her family. But this assignment will uncover family secrets that might be better left buried.
I love Anne Perry, especially her Thomas Pitt series. She was influential in why I started writing historical fiction. So when I saw this third installment in the Elena Standish series on my library’s new books shelf, I grabbed it. Washington DC in the 1930s? A “new” series by a favorite author? Yes, please!
I’ll start with what I always love about Anne Perry – the reader is immediately immersed in the setting and characters. Although I haven’t read the first and second books in this series, it didn’t matter since any backstory I needed was skillfully woven into the narrative. Her writing flows like a clear creek over stones (apologies for the terrible analogy) and I’m swept away whenever I read her.
That said, I ran into a problem with this novel that I find occasionally with prolific writers. The issue usually takes one or two forms. Sometimes the novel feels rushed and not fleshed out. Like the author didn’t have the necessary time to dedicate to the story due to other commitments, or deadlines, or what have you. The second problem occurs when the novel feels padded, and that’s what happened for me on this read. The pacing crawled in areas and there was a ton of filler.
The novel started out well enough, with the party and murder happening in quick order. Then, I realized I was at the 50% mark and multiple characters were still discussing how they had to do something to clear the grandfather’s name. But nothing was being done, except discussing the problem over and over again, always with the caveat that Elena’s family couldn’t know her real identity. The issue with keeping her identity a secret popped up ad nauseam, as well as how close she was to her paternal grandfather. I had a hard copy of the book so I didn’t actually count how many times this was mentioned, but I’d have to say somewhere between seven and ten times. After the second mention of their special bond, I got it. The same held true for her past assignments in Italy and Berlin. One or two mentions would have sufficed. I didn’t need it to be mentioned over and over again. Honestly, I think a good 20 – 30 pages of this book could have been cut and the pacing might have been better for it. Of course, the characters would still have had to have taken some action rather than talking everything to death.
All that griping aside, this is still an Anne Perry novel, which means it’s a worthwhile read. But it’s far from my favorite.
If this had been an unknown author, I doubt I would rate it as highly as I did. As it stands, I gave this novel three stars. ⭐⭐⭐
With assistance from another MI6 operative, Elena works against time to clear her grandfather’s name and finish Lila’s assignment. All without revealing her identity as a spy to those closest to her – her family. But this assignment will uncover family secrets that might be better left buried.
I love Anne Perry, especially her Thomas Pitt series. She was influential in why I started writing historical fiction. So when I saw this third installment in the Elena Standish series on my library’s new books shelf, I grabbed it. Washington DC in the 1930s? A “new” series by a favorite author? Yes, please!
I’ll start with what I always love about Anne Perry – the reader is immediately immersed in the setting and characters. Although I haven’t read the first and second books in this series, it didn’t matter since any backstory I needed was skillfully woven into the narrative. Her writing flows like a clear creek over stones (apologies for the terrible analogy) and I’m swept away whenever I read her.
That said, I ran into a problem with this novel that I find occasionally with prolific writers. The issue usually takes one or two forms. Sometimes the novel feels rushed and not fleshed out. Like the author didn’t have the necessary time to dedicate to the story due to other commitments, or deadlines, or what have you. The second problem occurs when the novel feels padded, and that’s what happened for me on this read. The pacing crawled in areas and there was a ton of filler.
The novel started out well enough, with the party and murder happening in quick order. Then, I realized I was at the 50% mark and multiple characters were still discussing how they had to do something to clear the grandfather’s name. But nothing was being done, except discussing the problem over and over again, always with the caveat that Elena’s family couldn’t know her real identity. The issue with keeping her identity a secret popped up ad nauseam, as well as how close she was to her paternal grandfather. I had a hard copy of the book so I didn’t actually count how many times this was mentioned, but I’d have to say somewhere between seven and ten times. After the second mention of their special bond, I got it. The same held true for her past assignments in Italy and Berlin. One or two mentions would have sufficed. I didn’t need it to be mentioned over and over again. Honestly, I think a good 20 – 30 pages of this book could have been cut and the pacing might have been better for it. Of course, the characters would still have had to have taken some action rather than talking everything to death.
All that griping aside, this is still an Anne Perry novel, which means it’s a worthwhile read. But it’s far from my favorite.
If this had been an unknown author, I doubt I would rate it as highly as I did. As it stands, I gave this novel three stars. ⭐⭐⭐
Read
October 2, 2021The release of any new title from British author Anne Perry is typically cause to rejoice --- even just for the fact that you know you are getting a great read that is perfectly plotted. In the case of her most recent release, A DARKER REALITY, it’s the third title in her newest recurring series ---the Elena Standish novels. Elena is a bright young woman who is a huge camera enthusiast that just happens to work for the UK’s MI6.
One significant difference between the Elena Standish series and Perry’s other recurring series, is that this one is not set in the Victorian Era. Here, the year is 1934, and the horrors that would shortly turn into World War II are spinning all around Europe. However, the murder that drives the narrative of A DARKER REALITY actually takes place on U.S. soil.
As the novel opens, we witness the Standish family pulling up to the mansion-size house in the suburbs of Washington D.C. that belongs to Elena’s grandparents on her mother’s side. This is her first trip to D.C., a fact that makes things that much more exciting for Elena based on her job as an Intelligence up-and-comer. At the very least, she knows she can make some great connections while there celebrating her grandparents’ sixtieth wedding anniversary.
Elena must feel like a kid in a candy store as in attendance at this gathering is a who’s-who of D.C. and Government types right up FDR and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Elena and her sister, Margot, are both overly excited about the party and it shows in the time it took for them to find the ideal outfits to wear. One of the first groups of people Elena is introduced to through her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Harmon Worth. Lila hits if off right away with Elena age and is definitely someone she wants to speak further with at the party. The Worth’s have a close relationship with Elena’s grandparents --- especially Harmon Worth, a distinguished scientist and grandpa Wyatt, a business expert. It can clearly be inferred by this that their relationship is probably yielding something important while war is looming over the nation.
Elena is a novice compared with her grandfather, but she has a distinguished career at MI6 that keeps shows plenty of promise. As she breaks away with Lila Worth to chat one on one, they get opportunity to people watch the other party attendants. Elena also gets the feeling that Lila has something big going on which makes her come across as a touch preoccupied. As Elena continues to mingle, she comes across some party attendants sharing opinions on what is going on with the world and it disturbs her. One woman in particular states: “We all mean to keep this country safe from Communists, left-wingers, Jews, and, of course, the blacks. Herr Hitler will stop them sweeping across Europe.” Elena gets a bit concerned when she hears similar talk amongst the party attendants.
When she sorts through the opinions shared by friends of her grandparents, Elena wonders if their sentiments are shared by them or not. Suddenly, a chauffeur breaks into the party and announces that Mrs. Worth was run over in the parking area and is dead! As word of this moves amongst the party it causes much speculation. The Roosevelt’s are quickly escorted off-property so as to not be around for whatever publicity will surely follow in this case. This is a wise move, especially as the case appears murder and not accident as cause of death. Elena’s testimony if especially valuable to Captain Miller who is running the murder investigation since she was one of the last people to ever speak with Lila.
Elena’s boss at MI6 had hoped for her to have a nice get-away vacation in the States, now, she is involved in a serious global situation that will most likely involve MI6 at some point. First off, authorities needed to determine whether Lila’s murder was personal or professional. As it turns out, Lila Worth was well aware of the work her scientist husband was doing in the area of nuclear fusion --- think Manhattan Project --- and may know more than she lets on which obviously made her a target for somebody. Further digging indicates that Lila was a British spy which confirmed that she definitely was involved with something big.
Shock and horror hit Elena when her grandfather is taken in as the initial person of interest in the case based on his relationship with the Worth’s. Elena would like to know what it was he never told anyone that was now costing his family a heavy price. Was it possible he had a secret life he could not share with his family? She must trust in him and do her job which hopefully involves clearing his name. Early on in the investigation things point to an organization her grandfather was involved with known as Free America. The question here is whether or not they are going to support him or sacrifice him. It definitely looks like someone was behind making her grandfather look bad. Beyond that, it could also be a case of getting to FDR as a way to force his hand into getting the U.S.A. involved in the was over in Europe.
Working seemingly against the clock, Elena gets deeper and deeper into this murder case and the huge ramifications that surround it. She may have to face up to the role her grandfather may have played not only in the murder but also in whatever leverage is being sought to change the balance of WWII. Her grandfather’s secrets were many and his business investments would prove to run deep. A DARKER REALITY is chock-full of Anne Perry’s trademark moral quandaries and historical detail that instantly brings credibility to the story but also makes it feel like an actual slice of world history.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
One significant difference between the Elena Standish series and Perry’s other recurring series, is that this one is not set in the Victorian Era. Here, the year is 1934, and the horrors that would shortly turn into World War II are spinning all around Europe. However, the murder that drives the narrative of A DARKER REALITY actually takes place on U.S. soil.
As the novel opens, we witness the Standish family pulling up to the mansion-size house in the suburbs of Washington D.C. that belongs to Elena’s grandparents on her mother’s side. This is her first trip to D.C., a fact that makes things that much more exciting for Elena based on her job as an Intelligence up-and-comer. At the very least, she knows she can make some great connections while there celebrating her grandparents’ sixtieth wedding anniversary.
Elena must feel like a kid in a candy store as in attendance at this gathering is a who’s-who of D.C. and Government types right up FDR and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Elena and her sister, Margot, are both overly excited about the party and it shows in the time it took for them to find the ideal outfits to wear. One of the first groups of people Elena is introduced to through her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Harmon Worth. Lila hits if off right away with Elena age and is definitely someone she wants to speak further with at the party. The Worth’s have a close relationship with Elena’s grandparents --- especially Harmon Worth, a distinguished scientist and grandpa Wyatt, a business expert. It can clearly be inferred by this that their relationship is probably yielding something important while war is looming over the nation.
Elena is a novice compared with her grandfather, but she has a distinguished career at MI6 that keeps shows plenty of promise. As she breaks away with Lila Worth to chat one on one, they get opportunity to people watch the other party attendants. Elena also gets the feeling that Lila has something big going on which makes her come across as a touch preoccupied. As Elena continues to mingle, she comes across some party attendants sharing opinions on what is going on with the world and it disturbs her. One woman in particular states: “We all mean to keep this country safe from Communists, left-wingers, Jews, and, of course, the blacks. Herr Hitler will stop them sweeping across Europe.” Elena gets a bit concerned when she hears similar talk amongst the party attendants.
When she sorts through the opinions shared by friends of her grandparents, Elena wonders if their sentiments are shared by them or not. Suddenly, a chauffeur breaks into the party and announces that Mrs. Worth was run over in the parking area and is dead! As word of this moves amongst the party it causes much speculation. The Roosevelt’s are quickly escorted off-property so as to not be around for whatever publicity will surely follow in this case. This is a wise move, especially as the case appears murder and not accident as cause of death. Elena’s testimony if especially valuable to Captain Miller who is running the murder investigation since she was one of the last people to ever speak with Lila.
Elena’s boss at MI6 had hoped for her to have a nice get-away vacation in the States, now, she is involved in a serious global situation that will most likely involve MI6 at some point. First off, authorities needed to determine whether Lila’s murder was personal or professional. As it turns out, Lila Worth was well aware of the work her scientist husband was doing in the area of nuclear fusion --- think Manhattan Project --- and may know more than she lets on which obviously made her a target for somebody. Further digging indicates that Lila was a British spy which confirmed that she definitely was involved with something big.
Shock and horror hit Elena when her grandfather is taken in as the initial person of interest in the case based on his relationship with the Worth’s. Elena would like to know what it was he never told anyone that was now costing his family a heavy price. Was it possible he had a secret life he could not share with his family? She must trust in him and do her job which hopefully involves clearing his name. Early on in the investigation things point to an organization her grandfather was involved with known as Free America. The question here is whether or not they are going to support him or sacrifice him. It definitely looks like someone was behind making her grandfather look bad. Beyond that, it could also be a case of getting to FDR as a way to force his hand into getting the U.S.A. involved in the was over in Europe.
Working seemingly against the clock, Elena gets deeper and deeper into this murder case and the huge ramifications that surround it. She may have to face up to the role her grandfather may have played not only in the murder but also in whatever leverage is being sought to change the balance of WWII. Her grandfather’s secrets were many and his business investments would prove to run deep. A DARKER REALITY is chock-full of Anne Perry’s trademark moral quandaries and historical detail that instantly brings credibility to the story but also makes it feel like an actual slice of world history.
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
September 27, 2021
3.5 stars
Elena Standish and her parents are in the United States visiting her mother's parents, whom she doesn't know well. As her father's work took them to various countries and it's been years since her mother, Katherine, has been able to visit her parents. It's her grandparent's 60th wedding anniverary party and all of their influential friends, including President and Mrs. Roosevelt, are there. Elena's introduced to many of her grandparent's friends and captures pictures of many of them throughout the evening. The party comes to dramatic halt when one of the guests, Lila Worth (an undercover agent), is killed! Elena's grandfather Wyatt is soon arrested for her murder and Elena and her father set out to prove his innocence.
I liked how Elena's father, Charles, dealt with Wyatt's attorney (a character I didn't like at all) and all he did to help clear his father-in-law's name, even though it seems his father-in-law didn't care much for him. I liked how Elena figured everything out using the pictures she took at the party. I wasn't prepared for the twist at the end. That really surprised me.
I enjoyed the mystery but felt it dragged in some places as some of the information was repeated several times. I resisted the urge to skip some parts because I was afraid I'd miss something important. This wasn't my favorite in this series but I'll probably read the next book since we may find out more about the Nazi spy network.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
mild cursing
Elena Standish and her parents are in the United States visiting her mother's parents, whom she doesn't know well. As her father's work took them to various countries and it's been years since her mother, Katherine, has been able to visit her parents. It's her grandparent's 60th wedding anniverary party and all of their influential friends, including President and Mrs. Roosevelt, are there. Elena's introduced to many of her grandparent's friends and captures pictures of many of them throughout the evening. The party comes to dramatic halt when one of the guests, Lila Worth (an undercover agent), is killed! Elena's grandfather Wyatt is soon arrested for her murder and Elena and her father set out to prove his innocence.
I liked how Elena's father, Charles, dealt with Wyatt's attorney (a character I didn't like at all) and all he did to help clear his father-in-law's name, even though it seems his father-in-law didn't care much for him. I liked how Elena figured everything out using the pictures she took at the party. I wasn't prepared for the twist at the end. That really surprised me.
I enjoyed the mystery but felt it dragged in some places as some of the information was repeated several times. I resisted the urge to skip some parts because I was afraid I'd miss something important. This wasn't my favorite in this series but I'll probably read the next book since we may find out more about the Nazi spy network.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.
mild cursing
February 17, 2024
This third in a historical mystery series features Elena Standish, a young British photographer. It is 1934, and Elena has accompanied her parents to New York to help celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of her maternal American grandparents. At the anniversary party a young woman is found dead near the drive of the estate, and the death is soon ruled a murder. Elena becomes a key player in the investigation because of the many photos she took of the guests and her family during the party. As always, Anne Perry's writing pulls me in and immerses me in the story. This is the first in this series that I have listened to rather than reading, and Susan Lyons did an excellent job with the narration.
September 20, 2021
A Darker Reality by Anne Perry is the third novel in the spy thriller series of British Intelligence Secret Agent Elena Standish. It can be read as a standalone but the first two books are worth reading too. Elena is visiting her American grandparents when a woman is killed at their anniversary party. Her grandfather is the prime suspect. With the help of MI6 agent James Allen (hopefully he comes back) Elena tries to get to the truth. What makes this a tense filled book is the year. It's 1934 and Hitler's popularity is growing. Talks of "racial hygiene", splitting the atom to make an atomic bomb and Elena's commitment to her country make for an unexpected twisty ending.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 29, 2023
I've been reading Anne Perry since she published The Cater Street Hangman, the first book in the "Inspector Thomas Pitt and his highborn wife Charlotte" series. Since then, she's been chugging out mysteries in numerous series featuring the Pitts, including William Monk, Daniel Pitt (Thomas and Charlotte's baby boy), a WWI series, and now a new series featuring Elena Standish. I missed the first two Standish books somehow; I hate starting a series on any entry besides No. 1, but I guess I didn't read the blurb too closely. Must be time for new spectacles. I used to devour Anne Perry books. Reading A Darker Reality reminded me of why I am no longer quite so anxious to do so.
Ms. Perry surely enjoys zeroing in on a number of things. The first is details about women's clothing. This novel takes place between the wars, so I guess people (at least people of means) dressed differently then. Readers get lavish details not only about "gowns," but how they make each wearer look. The second is the colors of a character's face. We often hear that either a person's face drained of color or some of their color has been restored. Finally, we get oodles of moralizing. As these stories develop, the characters can no longer answer a question with a simple yes or no. They will often take hard right or hard left turns into the details of why they feel how they feel, and what the potential ramifications are of their prospective courses of action. In this novel, Elena Standish and her supporting cast like to remind us--over and over and over--that getting to the truth is the most important thing on their minds.
The most important thing on MY mind was whodunnit. Ms. Standish has popped across the pond to Washington DC, that she might attend the 60th wedding anniversary party of her maternal grandparents, Wyatt and Dorothy Baylor. During the festivities, Ms. Standish falls in with a woman named Lila Worth, who seems intelligent, beautiful, and schooled beyond outward appearances. The two of them giggle like school girls while they dissect every party goer's clothing. The two see each other as future good friends. Elena, as the granddaughter of the hosts, must make the rounds of the guests, so she loses track of Lila. Out of nowhere, a server hired for the party bursts into the front hallway, covered in blood, calling out that Mrs. Worth has been run over by a car in the parking area of the house and is in fact quite dead. The police arrive, question everybody, and come to the conclusion that the only person who cannot account for his whereabouts at the time Mrs. Worth was killed was the host, Wyatt Baylor, so off to the hoosegow he goes.
While en route to solving the murder, Elena and her MI6 colleague, Captain James Allenby, remind each other repeatedly (and unnecessarily, if anyone wants to hear my opinion) that whatever they do, they CANNOT reveal that that they work for the British intelligence services. Everything would collapse catastrophically if they did. This draws out the dialogue between them to maddening lengths while, as mentioned earlier, they moralize. The book is just over 300 pages, but it probably could have served as a short story in which we just could have gotten to the point sooner. Part of my thinking is saddened by this aspect of Ms. Perry's works, because beneath all of the three factors noted above, there's a dandy mystery. I was surprised at the solution, although I was disappointed by the characters' muted reaction to the solution. After so much hand-wringing over the course of the story, everyone just kind of shrugs toward the end.
Ms. Perry will no doubt carry on with her successful series regardless of my opinion, and that's proper. But I wish she would pay more attention to the story and less to the gowns.
Ms. Perry surely enjoys zeroing in on a number of things. The first is details about women's clothing. This novel takes place between the wars, so I guess people (at least people of means) dressed differently then. Readers get lavish details not only about "gowns," but how they make each wearer look. The second is the colors of a character's face. We often hear that either a person's face drained of color or some of their color has been restored. Finally, we get oodles of moralizing. As these stories develop, the characters can no longer answer a question with a simple yes or no. They will often take hard right or hard left turns into the details of why they feel how they feel, and what the potential ramifications are of their prospective courses of action. In this novel, Elena Standish and her supporting cast like to remind us--over and over and over--that getting to the truth is the most important thing on their minds.
The most important thing on MY mind was whodunnit. Ms. Standish has popped across the pond to Washington DC, that she might attend the 60th wedding anniversary party of her maternal grandparents, Wyatt and Dorothy Baylor. During the festivities, Ms. Standish falls in with a woman named Lila Worth, who seems intelligent, beautiful, and schooled beyond outward appearances. The two of them giggle like school girls while they dissect every party goer's clothing. The two see each other as future good friends. Elena, as the granddaughter of the hosts, must make the rounds of the guests, so she loses track of Lila. Out of nowhere, a server hired for the party bursts into the front hallway, covered in blood, calling out that Mrs. Worth has been run over by a car in the parking area of the house and is in fact quite dead. The police arrive, question everybody, and come to the conclusion that the only person who cannot account for his whereabouts at the time Mrs. Worth was killed was the host, Wyatt Baylor, so off to the hoosegow he goes.
While en route to solving the murder, Elena and her MI6 colleague, Captain James Allenby, remind each other repeatedly (and unnecessarily, if anyone wants to hear my opinion) that whatever they do, they CANNOT reveal that that they work for the British intelligence services. Everything would collapse catastrophically if they did. This draws out the dialogue between them to maddening lengths while, as mentioned earlier, they moralize. The book is just over 300 pages, but it probably could have served as a short story in which we just could have gotten to the point sooner. Part of my thinking is saddened by this aspect of Ms. Perry's works, because beneath all of the three factors noted above, there's a dandy mystery. I was surprised at the solution, although I was disappointed by the characters' muted reaction to the solution. After so much hand-wringing over the course of the story, everyone just kind of shrugs toward the end.
Ms. Perry will no doubt carry on with her successful series regardless of my opinion, and that's proper. But I wish she would pay more attention to the story and less to the gowns.
July 9, 2021
Partner/ Netgalley and Ballentine
I’ve read the prior two books in the Elena Standish series and enjoyed them. It’s an interesting time period and not one I’ve seen explores much within the historical fiction genre. The Standish family and their diplomatic and M16 work has made for entertaining reading and I was looking forward to a Darker Reality.
I’m therefore sad to say that I struggled with this outing. Elena’s action and emotions just seemed odd for an individual of her age and as one who works as a M16 agent. Her adamant defense for a Grandfather she barely knew also struck me. I have to admit Elena was not a character I enjoyed in this book.
What I did find fascinating was the behind the scenes regarding the America First group in the 1930s and the mystery surrounding it. It made for some interesting while trying to puzzle out what was really going on.
I’m hopeful that Elena will mature in the next novel and am curious to see how the series moves forward.
November 27, 2021
This book was hard to hold my interest. It focused too much on allusions to past history affecting the main character, obviously revealed fully in a prior book The plot was thin and most of the copy focused on the characters rehashing of the main murder and details on the delicacy of the family relationships that were involved in solving the murder. Pretty unsatifactory read. The political background, which dealt with the attitudes of some elites in the US with sympathies to Hitler and Nazi’s was interesting, but I did not find the telling all that compelling.
February 2, 2022
I just can't read these books anymore. There is just too much emotional baggage with every conversation. I find myself just wanting to skip through pages and pages. This will be my last one.
October 4, 2021
The release of any new book by British author Anne Perry is typically cause to rejoice as you know you are getting a fabulous read that is perfectly plotted. Her most recent novel, A DARKER REALITY, is the third installment in her series featuring Elena Standish, a bright young woman who is a huge camera enthusiast and just happens to work for MI6.
The year is 1934, and the horrors that would shortly turn into World War II are spinning all around Europe. However, the murder that drives the book’s narrative actually takes place on U.S. soil. We witness the Standish family pulling up to the mansion-sized house in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. that belongs to Elena’s grandparents on her mother’s side. As an intelligence up-and-comer, Elena knows she can make some great connections in D.C. while celebrating her grandparents’ 60th wedding anniversary.
Elena must feel like a kid in a candy store as the attendees of this gathering are a who’s-who of D.C. and government types, including FDR and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She is introduced through her parents to Harmon Worth and his wife, Lila. The Worths are tight with her grandparents, especially Harmon, a distinguished scientist, and her grandfather Wyatt, a business expert. It is safe to assume that their relationship is probably yielding something important while war is looming over the nation.
Elena senses that Lila has something big going on, which is making her a touch preoccupied. As Elena continues to mingle, she comes across some guests sharing opinions on what is going on with the world, and it disturbs her. One woman states, “We all mean to keep this country safe from Communists, left-wingers, Jews, and, of course, the blacks. Herr Hitler will stop them sweeping across Europe.”
Suddenly, a chauffeur breaks into the party to announce that Lila has been run over by a car in the parking area and is dead. Elena’s testimony is especially valuable to Captain Miller, who is running the murder investigation, since she was one of the last people to speak with Lila. Elena’s boss had hoped that she would have a nice vacation in the States, but now she is in the middle of a serious global situation that most likely will involve MI6 at some point.
First and foremost, the authorities need to determine if the murder was personal or professional. As it turns out, Lila was well aware of the work that her husband was doing in the area of nuclear fusion --- think the Manhattan Project --- and may have known more than she let on, which obviously made her a target for somebody. Further digging indicates that Lila was in fact a British spy.
Shock and horror hit Elena when her grandfather is taken in as the initial person of interest based on his relationship with the Worths. Elena would like to know what it was he never told anyone that is now costing his family a heavy price. Is it possible that he had a secret life he couldn’t share with them? She must trust in him and do her job, which hopefully involves clearing his name.
Working seemingly against the clock, Elena gets deeper and deeper into the case and the huge ramifications surrounding it. She may have to face up to the role that her grandfather may have played not only in the murder but in whatever leverage is being sought to change the balance of WWII.
A DARKER REALITY is full of Anne Perry’s trademark moral quandaries and historical detail that instantly brings credibility to the story but also makes it feel like an actual slice of world history.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
The year is 1934, and the horrors that would shortly turn into World War II are spinning all around Europe. However, the murder that drives the book’s narrative actually takes place on U.S. soil. We witness the Standish family pulling up to the mansion-sized house in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. that belongs to Elena’s grandparents on her mother’s side. As an intelligence up-and-comer, Elena knows she can make some great connections in D.C. while celebrating her grandparents’ 60th wedding anniversary.
Elena must feel like a kid in a candy store as the attendees of this gathering are a who’s-who of D.C. and government types, including FDR and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She is introduced through her parents to Harmon Worth and his wife, Lila. The Worths are tight with her grandparents, especially Harmon, a distinguished scientist, and her grandfather Wyatt, a business expert. It is safe to assume that their relationship is probably yielding something important while war is looming over the nation.
Elena senses that Lila has something big going on, which is making her a touch preoccupied. As Elena continues to mingle, she comes across some guests sharing opinions on what is going on with the world, and it disturbs her. One woman states, “We all mean to keep this country safe from Communists, left-wingers, Jews, and, of course, the blacks. Herr Hitler will stop them sweeping across Europe.”
Suddenly, a chauffeur breaks into the party to announce that Lila has been run over by a car in the parking area and is dead. Elena’s testimony is especially valuable to Captain Miller, who is running the murder investigation, since she was one of the last people to speak with Lila. Elena’s boss had hoped that she would have a nice vacation in the States, but now she is in the middle of a serious global situation that most likely will involve MI6 at some point.
First and foremost, the authorities need to determine if the murder was personal or professional. As it turns out, Lila was well aware of the work that her husband was doing in the area of nuclear fusion --- think the Manhattan Project --- and may have known more than she let on, which obviously made her a target for somebody. Further digging indicates that Lila was in fact a British spy.
Shock and horror hit Elena when her grandfather is taken in as the initial person of interest based on his relationship with the Worths. Elena would like to know what it was he never told anyone that is now costing his family a heavy price. Is it possible that he had a secret life he couldn’t share with them? She must trust in him and do her job, which hopefully involves clearing his name.
Working seemingly against the clock, Elena gets deeper and deeper into the case and the huge ramifications surrounding it. She may have to face up to the role that her grandfather may have played not only in the murder but in whatever leverage is being sought to change the balance of WWII.
A DARKER REALITY is full of Anne Perry’s trademark moral quandaries and historical detail that instantly brings credibility to the story but also makes it feel like an actual slice of world history.
Reviewed by Ray Palen
October 10, 2022
It’s the 1930’s when The World War is still in everyone’s mind and what is currently happening in Europe has many people on the continent concerned. Something evil is brewing but some of the citizens of the United States seem to prefer to disassociate themselves from what’s happening in Europe. Remaining isolated seems preferable to once again helping other countries.
Elena Standish, recent recruit to MI6, is on a trip to Washington DC with her parents to visit the grandparents she barely remembers from her childhood. What starts out as a family visit quickly becomes a concerning intrigue for Elena and she is drawn in to a deepening mystery concerning a murder.
Terrific book which is, as usual, very well written and interesting. This is my first Elena Standish book but not my first Anne Perry read. I’ve enjoyed reading the Daniel Pitt series so I was excited to read this new to me series. Anne Perry just does not disappoint. This series takes place in a time period between two world wars and although I have not read the first two books in the series before reading this one I had no problem following the story. I hope to read the first two so I can learn more about Elena.
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway. Thank you to Ballantine Books and the author, Anne Perry.
Elena Standish, recent recruit to MI6, is on a trip to Washington DC with her parents to visit the grandparents she barely remembers from her childhood. What starts out as a family visit quickly becomes a concerning intrigue for Elena and she is drawn in to a deepening mystery concerning a murder.
Terrific book which is, as usual, very well written and interesting. This is my first Elena Standish book but not my first Anne Perry read. I’ve enjoyed reading the Daniel Pitt series so I was excited to read this new to me series. Anne Perry just does not disappoint. This series takes place in a time period between two world wars and although I have not read the first two books in the series before reading this one I had no problem following the story. I hope to read the first two so I can learn more about Elena.
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway. Thank you to Ballantine Books and the author, Anne Perry.
Want to read
September 20, 2021A Darker Reality by Anne Perry is the third novel in the spy thriller series of British Intelligence Secret Agent Elena Standish. It can be read as a standalone but the first two books are worth reading too.
Elena is visiting her American grandparents when a woman is killed at their anniversary party. Her grandfather is the prime suspect. With the help of MI6 agent James Allen (hopefully he comes back) Elena tries to get to the truth.
What makes this a tense filled book is the year. It's 1934 and Hitler's popularity is growing. Talks of "racial hygiene", splitting the atom to make an atomic bomb and Elena's commitment to her country make for an unexpected twisty ending.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Elena is visiting her American grandparents when a woman is killed at their anniversary party. Her grandfather is the prime suspect. With the help of MI6 agent James Allen (hopefully he comes back) Elena tries to get to the truth.
What makes this a tense filled book is the year. It's 1934 and Hitler's popularity is growing. Talks of "racial hygiene", splitting the atom to make an atomic bomb and Elena's commitment to her country make for an unexpected twisty ending.
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 12, 2022
This 1934 era historical mystery is set in Washington DC. FDR is president and citizens are lining up on the side of the Nazi regime to avoid another world conflict while others are concerned about Germany’s scientists developing atomic bomb capability. Elena, a newbie MI6 agent, is visiting her American grandparents. An elegant anniversary party in their honor evolves into tragedy when the beautiful young wife of an American scientist is murdered during the event. Elena’s grandfather is accused of the crime and she is determined to prove his innocence.
The story was not as strong as the previous two in this series. The plot bogged down a bit in the middle and the conclusion seemed rushed and weak. Still it was an interesting read. However, I missed having more story that included my favorite characters, Lucas and Josephine. Clean read.
The story was not as strong as the previous two in this series. The plot bogged down a bit in the middle and the conclusion seemed rushed and weak. Still it was an interesting read. However, I missed having more story that included my favorite characters, Lucas and Josephine. Clean read.
July 29, 2021
Thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHouse for a chance to read an ARC of #ADarkerReality. I really think that the Elena Standish series has become my favorite of Anne Perry's books. The newest in the series finds Elena in the USA to visit her mother's family as the world stage is edging towards WWII. As usual, Anne Perry completely captures the era and political feelings of the time.
The mystery centers around her family when a female spy is murdered at her grandparents' anniversary party and her grandfather is the main suspect.. Lots of great clues and blue herrings interspersed with political intrigue. A solid mystery and great cast of characters!
The mystery centers around her family when a female spy is murdered at her grandparents' anniversary party and her grandfather is the main suspect.. Lots of great clues and blue herrings interspersed with political intrigue. A solid mystery and great cast of characters!
February 6, 2022
I have been reading Anne Perry books for almost 30 years and have loved all her mystery series. This new Elena Standish series that takes place just before WWII is just as riveting and fascinating to read.
October 28, 2021
This one was good.
I love this Author and the Characters.
This book was dry, it started suspenseful and ended that way, but the middle dragged. It was so boring I put it down for a few days. I have never said that about this author before.
I love this Author and the Characters.
This book was dry, it started suspenseful and ended that way, but the middle dragged. It was so boring I put it down for a few days. I have never said that about this author before.
March 13, 2024
I’m hooked.
June 19, 2021
Review to Follow
July 31, 2023
I found this very, very slow, unlike the previous installments of the series, and consequently I picked it up and put it down at least a dozen times before finishing it. Bored cross-eyed at times with the redundancy. Elena and her family have travelled to Washington DC for the sixtieth anniversary party of her mother's parents, Wyatt and Dorothy Baylor. During the party one of the guests, Lila Worth, is run over with the car owned by Wyatt, and after a short investigation it is determined to be a murder. Wyatt is accused and is initially taken to jail. Elena, a freelance professional photographer, takes copious pictures of family and the guests. She will find one the exonerates her grandfather, showing his arm, his signet ring prominent, in front of an ormolu clock indicating the exact time, 10:25 p.m., of the murder. She will also determine during the second party to celebrate that the following photos, as she reviews the pictures, the accompanying notebooks notations, that the following photo was taken at 10:15. The clock had been set ahead for the alibi photo. She decides that her grandfather killed Lila. She confronts him, with Capt. James Allenby with her, he challenges them: that she will not turn over the evidence to the police. He then pretends a heart attack and grabs his pills, taking an overdose and dying.
There are two elements of this story: that of the dispute between those who are committed to never going to war again, the pain of the trenches and loss too great, and those who know Europe is headed for another war with Hitler gaining power daily and are preparing. Her grandfather is in support of Free America, a society of like-minded people who support preserving old values, he tells Elena when she queries him on his politics. The second theme of the story involves the development of atomic energy, the weaponization of the invention, and the level to which America/Britain and Germany have advanced. Free America and Wyatt are in support of Hitler. Lila Worth was working for MI6, as are Elena and Capt. Allenby. Lila found out that Wyatt was passing information to the Germans on the point where America was with splitting the atom. He killed her.
The story consists of endless conversations, thinking, conjectures about why Lila was killed, who killed her, the issues of which wide each of the characters is one and where the countries are with developing an atom bomb. There is very little action. The issues are visited over and over again between the various characters, subtlety being the watchword. There is much speculation with Allenby, Lucas, Elena's other grandfather and Peter Howard of MI6 on Elena's ability to pull off her mission without compromising herself and others. A very different type of story for this series.
There are two elements of this story: that of the dispute between those who are committed to never going to war again, the pain of the trenches and loss too great, and those who know Europe is headed for another war with Hitler gaining power daily and are preparing. Her grandfather is in support of Free America, a society of like-minded people who support preserving old values, he tells Elena when she queries him on his politics. The second theme of the story involves the development of atomic energy, the weaponization of the invention, and the level to which America/Britain and Germany have advanced. Free America and Wyatt are in support of Hitler. Lila Worth was working for MI6, as are Elena and Capt. Allenby. Lila found out that Wyatt was passing information to the Germans on the point where America was with splitting the atom. He killed her.
The story consists of endless conversations, thinking, conjectures about why Lila was killed, who killed her, the issues of which wide each of the characters is one and where the countries are with developing an atom bomb. There is very little action. The issues are visited over and over again between the various characters, subtlety being the watchword. There is much speculation with Allenby, Lucas, Elena's other grandfather and Peter Howard of MI6 on Elena's ability to pull off her mission without compromising herself and others. A very different type of story for this series.
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