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Lady Wynwood’s Spies #5
Prisoner
A Christian Historical Adventure set in Regency England with romance and a supernatural twist
Part five in an epic-length serial novel
Lady Wynwood’s team of aristocrat spies is shocked at the betrayal by one of their teammates and the kidnapping of a second. In a race against time, they must find the hiding place of the treasonous group that they call the Gentians in order to save one of their own.
However, they also face the threat of mysterious agendas within the secret government department, the Ramparts. The team is split apart by the Ramparts’ leaders, who seem overly interested in using the mysterious Root elixir for their own purposes.
While knowing that each day brings more suffering and torture for the prisoner, Lady Wynwood’s spies scramble to uncover any clues left behind as to where the Gentians have gone. But with their resources and abilities limited by the Ramparts, can they make it in time before the enemy accomplishes its perplexing goal?
PLEASE NOTE: Like the novels published in Jane Austen’s time, this is a novel in multiple parts. Each volume has a completed story arc, but this is NOT a stand-alone novel and the story continues in volume 6.
Part five in an epic-length serial novel
Lady Wynwood’s team of aristocrat spies is shocked at the betrayal by one of their teammates and the kidnapping of a second. In a race against time, they must find the hiding place of the treasonous group that they call the Gentians in order to save one of their own.
However, they also face the threat of mysterious agendas within the secret government department, the Ramparts. The team is split apart by the Ramparts’ leaders, who seem overly interested in using the mysterious Root elixir for their own purposes.
While knowing that each day brings more suffering and torture for the prisoner, Lady Wynwood’s spies scramble to uncover any clues left behind as to where the Gentians have gone. But with their resources and abilities limited by the Ramparts, can they make it in time before the enemy accomplishes its perplexing goal?
PLEASE NOTE: Like the novels published in Jane Austen’s time, this is a novel in multiple parts. Each volume has a completed story arc, but this is NOT a stand-alone novel and the story continues in volume 6.
478 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2022
77 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Camille Elliot
22 books230 followersRegency romance with Zondervan under her pen name, Camille Elliot, Camy writes Christian romantic suspense with Love Inspired Suspense as Camy Tang.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 12, 2022
This is the 5th book in a 10 part serial novel by Camille Elliot (aka Camy Tang). With a historical fantasy feel a group named the Gentians led by Apothecary Jack is pursued by members of the Ramparts connected to England's top spy teams. Apothecary Jack has developed a potion that will turn men into brutes (think the Hulk) called the Beserkers with strength and power that is almost unbeatable. Can the Ramparts stop the Gentians or will they split apart over what they think is the important pursuit?
If you have not read the first four serials, they are crucial to the understanding of serial 5. Elliot does an excellent job of summarizing the first four parts before beginning part 5, but you will not have near the understanding of the story without reading the first 4. Each of the serials ends with a cliffhanger which keeps the reader waiting with bated breath for the serial.
The Ramparts are definitely heroes as they help one another in attempting to defeat the Gentians as well as locate one of their own who has been kidnapped. But are some of the others working the case not quite what they seem? While Apothecary Jack and his cohorts are the true epitome of villains using everything in their armory including the "Root" to defeat the Ramparts. You will fall in love with the Ramparts team and grit your teeth will following the dastardly deeds of the Genetians especially Apothecary Jack, Doctor Heddetch, and the pale eyed man.
Elliot has done a superb job of bringing together fantasy, the Regency period, and a Christian thread to create a serial story in the vein of Jane Austen. I look forward to the rest of this 10 part serial story.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book by the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
If you have not read the first four serials, they are crucial to the understanding of serial 5. Elliot does an excellent job of summarizing the first four parts before beginning part 5, but you will not have near the understanding of the story without reading the first 4. Each of the serials ends with a cliffhanger which keeps the reader waiting with bated breath for the serial.
The Ramparts are definitely heroes as they help one another in attempting to defeat the Gentians as well as locate one of their own who has been kidnapped. But are some of the others working the case not quite what they seem? While Apothecary Jack and his cohorts are the true epitome of villains using everything in their armory including the "Root" to defeat the Ramparts. You will fall in love with the Ramparts team and grit your teeth will following the dastardly deeds of the Genetians especially Apothecary Jack, Doctor Heddetch, and the pale eyed man.
Elliot has done a superb job of bringing together fantasy, the Regency period, and a Christian thread to create a serial story in the vein of Jane Austen. I look forward to the rest of this 10 part serial story.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book by the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 27, 2022
This serial should be read in order, otherwise you will loose crucial facts and feel like you are watching the first episode of the 5th season of a series.
Warning: this story includes mention of abuse/torture.
I enjoyed getting to see more scenes with the enemies in this book, having quite a few scenes with the pale eyed man (who is still very intriguing) and Jack. We also discover more about Lady Wynwood’s dead husband’s past and also learn the inner strength she has.
So many possibilities of where the author will take the reader but still so many unknowns.
If you enjoy regency era with action, suspense and some speculative fiction, you should enjoy this serial.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
Warning: this story includes mention of abuse/torture.
I enjoyed getting to see more scenes with the enemies in this book, having quite a few scenes with the pale eyed man (who is still very intriguing) and Jack. We also discover more about Lady Wynwood’s dead husband’s past and also learn the inner strength she has.
So many possibilities of where the author will take the reader but still so many unknowns.
If you enjoy regency era with action, suspense and some speculative fiction, you should enjoy this serial.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*
June 7, 2023
The story beginning in volume one continues in this epic serial novel. Danger and stakes are upped, and the tension is not often relieved in this installment.
I felt like there was a lot more illustration of how women were treated in this volume. The vast majority of the prejudice against women comes from some secondary characters in high positions, but it illustrated how difficult it could be for a woman during this time, especially one that didn’t strictly follow society's rigid expectations.
At one point, the author even takes this idea and turns it on its head for me, showing how sons didn’t get much more of a choice in their lives than the women did. They were often just as much victim as their female counterparts, cogs in a large machine with expectations and vicious repercussions if those requirements went unmet.
The spiritual thread seemed greater in this one as well, probably because of the situations represented and how it would have forced a person of faith to rely on God to a greater extent. I really liked how the author showed how we can easily get off track when we are distracted by our grudges and failures, but even better was when the character was still used for good in the story, despite her flaws and challenges.
This is part of a series, one which heavily leans on earlier volumes for the story. Even having read the other novels, I sometimes struggled to keep the various threads from tangling. That being said, this is a good novel, especially for those who enjoy suspense and complicated plots. Due to some thematic material, I recommend it for adults and up.
I received a review copy of this book from the author but was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
I felt like there was a lot more illustration of how women were treated in this volume. The vast majority of the prejudice against women comes from some secondary characters in high positions, but it illustrated how difficult it could be for a woman during this time, especially one that didn’t strictly follow society's rigid expectations.
At one point, the author even takes this idea and turns it on its head for me, showing how sons didn’t get much more of a choice in their lives than the women did. They were often just as much victim as their female counterparts, cogs in a large machine with expectations and vicious repercussions if those requirements went unmet.
The spiritual thread seemed greater in this one as well, probably because of the situations represented and how it would have forced a person of faith to rely on God to a greater extent. I really liked how the author showed how we can easily get off track when we are distracted by our grudges and failures, but even better was when the character was still used for good in the story, despite her flaws and challenges.
This is part of a series, one which heavily leans on earlier volumes for the story. Even having read the other novels, I sometimes struggled to keep the various threads from tangling. That being said, this is a good novel, especially for those who enjoy suspense and complicated plots. Due to some thematic material, I recommend it for adults and up.
I received a review copy of this book from the author but was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
December 7, 2022
Hopefully you’ve read the first 4 volumes of this series before you get to this one. In case you’re not aware, this is part of an epic-length serial novel, so you really need to read in order. Also, each volume ends with a cliffhanger! Thankfully, by this volume, I remembered the characters and what’s been happening much more completely than in earlier volumes, so I enjoyed it more. Also, some of the plot threads are starting to come together.
As with the earlier volumes, I had a hard time putting this one down and actually ended up reading it all in one day!! (I did stay up until nearly midnight, and I’m retired, so can get away with reading during the day too). The lines between the “good guys” and the “bad guys” blur a bit with some of the action in this book – who can be trusted to do what needs to be done right now, and who has their own agenda that steals resources away from the most pressing need?
Elliot has quite the skill at leaving certain plot threads dangling just out of sight for an entire volume, and also “ignoring” certain characters for most of a whole volume. I just hope I can remember what happened in this volume by the time the next one comes out. If you like strong female Victorian characters combined with suspense combined with applying Biblical principles to daily life, I think you’ll really go for this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
As with the earlier volumes, I had a hard time putting this one down and actually ended up reading it all in one day!! (I did stay up until nearly midnight, and I’m retired, so can get away with reading during the day too). The lines between the “good guys” and the “bad guys” blur a bit with some of the action in this book – who can be trusted to do what needs to be done right now, and who has their own agenda that steals resources away from the most pressing need?
Elliot has quite the skill at leaving certain plot threads dangling just out of sight for an entire volume, and also “ignoring” certain characters for most of a whole volume. I just hope I can remember what happened in this volume by the time the next one comes out. If you like strong female Victorian characters combined with suspense combined with applying Biblical principles to daily life, I think you’ll really go for this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 8, 2022
Lady Wynwood’s Spies, Prisoner is volume five in Camille’s ten part regency spy series. I’m not usually into books with a cliffhanger but in this case I am ALL in. I am completely invested in the lives of the characters and the intrigue surrounding them.
Each character is well written and unforgettable, the plot tightly written, and the overall flow of the story perfect.
In this book Lady Wynwood has been kidnapped and Sol’s team is tasked with finding her. As they seek out clues, secrets are revealed, feelings are exposed, and danger is around every corner. Despite the odds they each are determined to rescue her.
Their enemies may have an advantage with the root formula that gives inhuman strength, but that is nothing compared to the bonds of love and friendship that strengthen the team. For them failure is not an option.
I love these books and think they should be optioned for a mini series. This was an excellent book and I look forward to the rest.
I received an advance copy courtesy of the author but these are my honest thoughts.
Each character is well written and unforgettable, the plot tightly written, and the overall flow of the story perfect.
In this book Lady Wynwood has been kidnapped and Sol’s team is tasked with finding her. As they seek out clues, secrets are revealed, feelings are exposed, and danger is around every corner. Despite the odds they each are determined to rescue her.
Their enemies may have an advantage with the root formula that gives inhuman strength, but that is nothing compared to the bonds of love and friendship that strengthen the team. For them failure is not an option.
I love these books and think they should be optioned for a mini series. This was an excellent book and I look forward to the rest.
I received an advance copy courtesy of the author but these are my honest thoughts.
December 25, 2022
Prisoner by Camille Elliot
Lady Wynwood’s Spies Volume Five
Solomon “Sol” Drydale has developed quite a team under his command in the Ramparts. Mr. Coulton-Jones, Mr. Ackett, Mr. Rosmont, le petit prince. Miss Phoebe Sauber, the niece of his good friend Lady Wynwood, and Phoebe’s friend Miss Keriah Gardinier have been so helpful in finding potions to use against the men who are the Root.
But now, something stinks at the Ramparts. Two of the other senior officers have been let on the case. Laura, Lady Wynwood, has been kidnapped. These additional agents seem much more concerned with finding the Root than Laura.
The group of agents and civilians under Sol pull together to find Laura. With some, their faith is strengthened, their prayers more fervent. Others who had less faith wondered if Laura’s and Phoebe’s faith was the answer.
As always, these volumes solve one dilemma but end with a cliffhanger. However, an ongoing main story continues as it follows the characters’ lives. I always look forward to the next volume. An excellent series. Each book does end on a cliffhanger.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
Lady Wynwood’s Spies Volume Five
Solomon “Sol” Drydale has developed quite a team under his command in the Ramparts. Mr. Coulton-Jones, Mr. Ackett, Mr. Rosmont, le petit prince. Miss Phoebe Sauber, the niece of his good friend Lady Wynwood, and Phoebe’s friend Miss Keriah Gardinier have been so helpful in finding potions to use against the men who are the Root.
But now, something stinks at the Ramparts. Two of the other senior officers have been let on the case. Laura, Lady Wynwood, has been kidnapped. These additional agents seem much more concerned with finding the Root than Laura.
The group of agents and civilians under Sol pull together to find Laura. With some, their faith is strengthened, their prayers more fervent. Others who had less faith wondered if Laura’s and Phoebe’s faith was the answer.
As always, these volumes solve one dilemma but end with a cliffhanger. However, an ongoing main story continues as it follows the characters’ lives. I always look forward to the next volume. An excellent series. Each book does end on a cliffhanger.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
February 11, 2023
Love, love, LOVE this Regency series with its blend of suspense and supernatural/speculative, strong and smart (but very human) characters (and the women's intelligence doesn't make the men stupid by comparison). Be aware, however, that once you start, you're in for the long haul ... but IMHO, it's a very worthwhile commitment. (I've read up through #5 at this point.) Camille Elliot has become a must-read for me!
(cross-posted up through book 5)
(cross-posted up through book 5)
December 12, 2022
This is book five of ten in the Lady Wynwood Spies series and will need to be read in order to understand this complex story. Ms. Elliot has done a remarkable job of creating an intriguing world of good versus evil. With a team of spies for the crown and a group of diabolical men they are trying to stop, it's extremely easy to get caught up the continuing story of how this team of the Ramparts organization are going to thwart the Citadel’s plans and how Lady Wynwood plays a part in this part of the story.
Ms. Elliot shows the faith of several of the Ramparts team in a way that exhibits how they depend upon God through difficult times. It’s more than just, “Help me, God.” The faith element is not “preachy", nor does it seem forced, but rather a part of the characters’ lives. While I did not like that Lady Wynwood had to be captured and tortured, I did like that the pale eyed man could not read her mind. Every time he tried it was as if there was a barrier he couldn’t see beyond like he could everyone else he had encountered.
With betrayal, mistrust, and greed of some of the officers, it will be interesting to see who can be trusted within the Ramparts organization. Will it continue to be this small group of unorthodox spies that will stop the Citadels of achieving their goal of creating an army of supernatural warriors? I think this amazing band of spies will continue to be tested to their limits as they battle Apothecary Jack and the pale eyed man. I highly recommend this series if you enjoy intricate plots, strong protagonists, and ruthless villains. Ms. Elliot has done a superb job in publishing more than one book a year so you don’t lose track of all of the details. I am hopeful that book six will be released soon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
CW: murder, prisoner torture, but no graphic details
Ms. Elliot shows the faith of several of the Ramparts team in a way that exhibits how they depend upon God through difficult times. It’s more than just, “Help me, God.” The faith element is not “preachy", nor does it seem forced, but rather a part of the characters’ lives. While I did not like that Lady Wynwood had to be captured and tortured, I did like that the pale eyed man could not read her mind. Every time he tried it was as if there was a barrier he couldn’t see beyond like he could everyone else he had encountered.
With betrayal, mistrust, and greed of some of the officers, it will be interesting to see who can be trusted within the Ramparts organization. Will it continue to be this small group of unorthodox spies that will stop the Citadels of achieving their goal of creating an army of supernatural warriors? I think this amazing band of spies will continue to be tested to their limits as they battle Apothecary Jack and the pale eyed man. I highly recommend this series if you enjoy intricate plots, strong protagonists, and ruthless villains. Ms. Elliot has done a superb job in publishing more than one book a year so you don’t lose track of all of the details. I am hopeful that book six will be released soon.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
CW: murder, prisoner torture, but no graphic details
March 22, 2023
This review is more of the series than this specific book
This is not the best series I’ve ever read, but somehow I have not been able to stop reading these books. I don’t even realize how engrossed I am until I have to put it down to do productive things. The characters each have their own voice and I feel like the author has done a great job of showing the story from each perspective while keeping it cohesive. Also, there are many little ‘nuggets’ dropped throughout that seem offhand but end up becoming important. I tend to figure things out way before the end when I read, but I find myself somewhat surprised over and over when the characters and the story don’t do what I expect them to.
I don’t really get anything from the spiritual/religious references, but did not realize this was a Christian historical until after book 1 sucked me in. It doesn’t affect my rating negatively, but doesn’t add anything for me either.
I find the interpersonal relationships are developing a bit slow. There are several romances budding but none have taken root yet and it’s been disappointing but the rest of the plot has kept me hooked.
I can’t put my finger on exactly why this series has me under its spell, but it does. I love long series that give characters time to evolve and grow, even if they started on the periphery. However, now that I’ve reached the end of what has been published so far, I am a bit grumpy with the cliffhanger ending while I wait for the next book… if I had known this series was on-going and ended on cliff hangers, I probably would have held off until it was finished.
All in all - this author has made what could have been a really weird plot into something compelling and I’m impatiently waiting for the next book already.
This is not the best series I’ve ever read, but somehow I have not been able to stop reading these books. I don’t even realize how engrossed I am until I have to put it down to do productive things. The characters each have their own voice and I feel like the author has done a great job of showing the story from each perspective while keeping it cohesive. Also, there are many little ‘nuggets’ dropped throughout that seem offhand but end up becoming important. I tend to figure things out way before the end when I read, but I find myself somewhat surprised over and over when the characters and the story don’t do what I expect them to.
I don’t really get anything from the spiritual/religious references, but did not realize this was a Christian historical until after book 1 sucked me in. It doesn’t affect my rating negatively, but doesn’t add anything for me either.
I find the interpersonal relationships are developing a bit slow. There are several romances budding but none have taken root yet and it’s been disappointing but the rest of the plot has kept me hooked.
I can’t put my finger on exactly why this series has me under its spell, but it does. I love long series that give characters time to evolve and grow, even if they started on the periphery. However, now that I’ve reached the end of what has been published so far, I am a bit grumpy with the cliffhanger ending while I wait for the next book… if I had known this series was on-going and ended on cliff hangers, I probably would have held off until it was finished.
All in all - this author has made what could have been a really weird plot into something compelling and I’m impatiently waiting for the next book already.
April 5, 2023
Not a series to be read all at once
Definitely do not read this series over the course of a week, you will be seriously aggravated. The characters have not developed any ..... character. They have stalled in their development. Everyone is just running around, doing everything in the same way, without personal growth or maturity. Even the so-called adults are incapable of a mature level of characteristic behaviour and act with uncertainty, misplaced faith, and lack of communication with each other. And truly, midlife romantic angst is annoying. What is also annoying is the portrayal of the spy chiefs as argumentative children who are incapable of any rational thought that doesn't support their very narrow, misogynistic belief system. At this point, there are so many holes in the storyline that the challenge is to determine whether or not to skip books 6 through 9 and just read 10 in the hope it will tie everything up without having to go through the frustration of having to read the books in-between. This series has little historical fact, no accuracy as to the social mores of the era, and should most definitely not be called a Regency romance.
Definitely do not read this series over the course of a week, you will be seriously aggravated. The characters have not developed any ..... character. They have stalled in their development. Everyone is just running around, doing everything in the same way, without personal growth or maturity. Even the so-called adults are incapable of a mature level of characteristic behaviour and act with uncertainty, misplaced faith, and lack of communication with each other. And truly, midlife romantic angst is annoying. What is also annoying is the portrayal of the spy chiefs as argumentative children who are incapable of any rational thought that doesn't support their very narrow, misogynistic belief system. At this point, there are so many holes in the storyline that the challenge is to determine whether or not to skip books 6 through 9 and just read 10 in the hope it will tie everything up without having to go through the frustration of having to read the books in-between. This series has little historical fact, no accuracy as to the social mores of the era, and should most definitely not be called a Regency romance.
December 13, 2022
With Aunt Laura a prisoner, this episode of the serial novel takes many a circuitous route to find out who kidnapped her and where she is being held. Can our intrepid spies find her before it is too late?The ongoing search for The Root and its ingredients adds a few smiles and a number of hair-pulling moments. I must admit there were times when I wondered who was in this for themselves or there just to undermine the efforts of those who really cared.
This singular serial story gives us the opportunity to get to know several characters in different settings, learning more about their very special abilities. One really should start at the beginning of this series to receive the most enjoyment, but it is a story full of intrigue and suspense regardless, one you will not put aside until finished.
The Prisoner is #5 in the Christian Regency Romantic Adventure. Watch for more to come! These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.
This singular serial story gives us the opportunity to get to know several characters in different settings, learning more about their very special abilities. One really should start at the beginning of this series to receive the most enjoyment, but it is a story full of intrigue and suspense regardless, one you will not put aside until finished.
The Prisoner is #5 in the Christian Regency Romantic Adventure. Watch for more to come! These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.
December 16, 2022
I don't normally like cliff hanger series but I've made an exception for this one and the bonus is you get to know the characters much more as each one has a staring role in various books. As well as the action and suspense there is a thread of romance for different character's that run through the series but this is very slow burn and low key compared to the action. You really should start at the beginning of this series to receive the most enjoyment, but it is a story full of intrigue and suspense that I read in one go. Can't wait for the next. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 25, 2025
Another suspenseful Camille Elliot Regency era faith-filled book.
The prisoner in the title is Lady Wynwood herself. And it’s not pretty. Some of it was hard to read, some of it was fascinating because she got both Apothecary Jack and the pale-eyed man to talk revealing more about her than expected.
I’m at a loss as to why the good-guys aren’t using guns to fight the men on the drug that makes them ultra strong. I mean they go in with fists and knives when a bullet will do far more to stop them. Ah well, it makes for a great fight scenes.
The prisoner in the title is Lady Wynwood herself. And it’s not pretty. Some of it was hard to read, some of it was fascinating because she got both Apothecary Jack and the pale-eyed man to talk revealing more about her than expected.
I’m at a loss as to why the good-guys aren’t using guns to fight the men on the drug that makes them ultra strong. I mean they go in with fists and knives when a bullet will do far more to stop them. Ah well, it makes for a great fight scenes.
January 10, 2023
Austen's Regency meets Lords of the Rings. Well written, believable characters and a plot with twists an turns. An unexpectedly enjoyable reading, though for a better understanding of the plot all boos should be read in order.
May 11, 2024
Captive
The major characters are in all of this series And it is great to follow them through each book. Some elements of the plot are in all books ,with other new elements. Looking forward to book.six.
The major characters are in all of this series And it is great to follow them through each book. Some elements of the plot are in all books ,with other new elements. Looking forward to book.six.
February 7, 2023
Prisoner Rescued
Thank you for this heartwrenching story about Laura's kidnapping and then her great rescue by the team. I'm looking forward to the next adventure.
Thank you for this heartwrenching story about Laura's kidnapping and then her great rescue by the team. I'm looking forward to the next adventure.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews