Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose

Marion Lane #2

by T.A. Willberg

Coming soon! Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose by T.A. Willberg will be available Feb 01, 2022.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Fantasy, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

320 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2022

About the author

T.A. Willberg grew up on a small-holding in South Africa. At 27, she moved to Malta and wrote the MARION LANE mystery series. Her books have been named one of Amazon's "100 Best Books of 2021" as well as a Strand "Book of the Month", a LibraryReads pick and many more. They have been translated into multiple languages.

She has recently launched her own online writing course, which she hopes will help aspiring authors write, edit and publish their novels (more on this at tawillberg.com).

T.A. now lives between Europe and South Africa with her long-time partner, Will.

Reviews

[Paromjit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the historical mystery series, with fantastical elements, featuring Marion Lane, a second year apprentice inquirer at Miss (Nancy) Brickett's secret detective agency, located underground in the myriad of tunnels to be found in London, set during the cold war. This is my first read of the series, but it works reasonably well as a standalone. It is 1959 and there has been a murder in Harrogate, the victim 33 year old Eddie Hopper, branded with a rose, but he is not the only person branded and killed. The killer is known as The Florist, and the agency has been tasked with finding him, their police liasion in the London Met is Constable Redding, but this time he is unable to help, there is a compromising witness. The agency employs the misfits and outsiders, of which Marion is one, with its distinct training programme, she is now assistant mechanic to Professor Uday Bal, the Head of Gadgetry, involved in the development of the quirky gadgets.

The agency is governed by the High Council, that includes Frank Stone, a mentor admired by Marion, and Delia Spragg. Frank has asked to Marion to work on the dangerous murder inquiry which she is happy to do, although she has a intriguing mystery of her own that preoccupies her mind, she has received an anonymous letter that warns her that one of the three recruits taken on is not to be trusted. This has her trying to pay close attention to Jerome Longmore, Thomas Proctor and Ambrosia Quinn, a woman with a penchant for taking detailed notes, wondering who is the culprit. Some agency people are showing signs of discontent, with secret meetings, organising under the umbrella of the Employee Rights and Protection Society. Before long the grumblings turn into something far more sinister, with the agency becoming infested with false propaganda, fake news, inquisitions, torture and murder as a reign of fear and terror takes hold.

I have to admit it took me a little while to get immersed in the story, but it grew on me, as did the central protagonist, Marion, a woman who slowly develops into a far more confident inquirer, starting to trust her skills and capabilities. She is tested to her very limits here, put in the unwanted position where her close circle of friends begin to question who she is and become suspicious of her as she walks the tightrope of following orders and trying to protect those that matter to her. This is a dark historical mystery, atmospheric and engaging, bringing alive the tensions of the Cold War years, and where the author draws the various threads together skilfully. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

[T.A. Willberg]

Dear Reader,

I can't wait for you to come along on another adventure with me and Marion. THE DEADLY ROSE was such a delight to write and got me through the year that changed all of our lives, 2020. I truly hope you'll enjoy it.

P.S. If you pre-order the book, send your receipt to contact.willberg@gmail.com and I'll send you back a signed and personalised digital card.

Lots of love,

Tess x

[Geonn Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series, but again I'd like to see more about the actual work they do outside in the real world. Two books in and so far both investigations have been too in-house, like the agency only exists to investigate itself.

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think this series is for me - there were just too many things that made no logical sense. Why wouldn't Marion tell Frank and Nancy about her warnings? Why wouldn't she tell them about the bartender communicating with the prisoner? How can her friends not guess that she's infiltrating the crazy nazi like group and not really buying into their crap - aren't they all crack detectives? And I get that half the 'head council' was in charge of the crazy nazi like group - but half weren't so there we nothing they could do to stop what was going on -even after the torture of one of their own?

Once again -this story was really about internal politics and the group inside - not really about solving a mystery. Yes there was a mystery -but it really really took a back seat to the main plot. Like I said - this just isn't for me.

[Maria Sclafani]

Although I thought this series had promise, I fear it has fallen prey to the Harry Potter Plot Syndrome: where a secret organization (or society) run by people who are supposedly the smartest and most qualified to do so, quickly gets taken over by the "bad guys," some of whom aren't even smart! (looking at you, Draco). The takeover is so complete, and the effects so harmful that you have to wonder.....if the "smartest," "best" people can't prevent their top-secret organizations from being turned into weapons against them, perhaps they should not exist? For most of this book, I kept thinking...."who is running this thing right now? what are they wasting them time doing instead of, I don't know, making sure the organization doesn't get turned into a hotbed of fascism?"

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s 1959 and Scotland Yard is trying to find a new killer who has killed several times on the streets of London. The newspapers call him The Florist because of the rose he brands on his victims. The police have turned yet again to the Inquirers at Miss Brickett’s for assistance, and second-year Marion Lane is assigned the case. Marion is also involved in her own mystery, having received an unsigned letter warning her that one of the three new recruits should not be trusted. She tries to move forward on The Florist case, but she continues to receive messages predicting what is going to happen. When one of he co-workers, a second-year investigator is murdered, she switches gears on her investigating. As Miss Brickett's becomes divided, suspicion is everywhere, lies and power-hungry people pit friends against one another, as well as investigators against mentors. No one knows who to trust. As Miss Brickett's seems on the verge of destruction, Marion needs to find her informer and follow the clues to find the Florist and the traitor. Do these situations have anything to do with one another? How many more people will die? Is Marion in danger?

This is the second book in the Marion Lane mystery series and I enjoyed this one more than the first. These books are set during The Cold War at Miss Bricket's secret detective agency, located underground in the tunnels underneath the City of London. I love Marion! She is smart, loyal, intuitive, brave and persistent. She did what she had to in order to find out what was happening even though it put her at odds with friends and allies. Marion does have some unsettling feelings based on the fallout of previous cases, but is working through them, at times wondering if they are the good guys. This is a dark historical mystery, atmospheric and engaging, bringing alive the tensions of the Cold War years. It has mystery, intrigue and murder. Throw in some quirky gadgets, suspicious characters and twists and you have a great historical mystery to try to unravel as you read or listen to this thrilling and entertaining story. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Karen Cass. She adds voice, tone and expression throughout the story which added to my enjoyment. I will continue to listen to books narrated to the voice performer.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

We have a mystery that Willberg manages to twist until the end. There's still chemistry between Marion Lane and her co-Inquirers. There's a mole in Mrs Brikett's underground chambers.

Unfortunately, it could not hold my attention and I forced myself to read it. Furthermore, I was annoyed by very avoidable mistakes right from the first page on.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are a ton of characters, and very few of them have any distinguishing characteristics. The red herrings are obvious. The mystery is…bad. But I was interested enough to finish it, so there’s that.

[Yvonne (It's All About Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finished reading: March 11th 2022

"The truth is very often just an opinion. Be sure to form your own."

The first book Marion Lane And The Midnight Murder was one of my favorite reads of 2020, and I have been highly anticipating this sequel ever since I heard the news that the author was turning it into a series. I'm not sure if it's a case of having too high expectations or if I simply wasn't in the right reading mood, but the fact is that I enjoyed Marion Lane And The Deadly Rose considerably less than the first book. Sure, I still loved the Miss Brickett's world, the gadgets and everything it entails. The 1959 setting with the Cold War looming gives the story an extra edge, and you will definitely have an healthy dose of secret society and conspiracy in this sequel. I also still like that the main character Marion is an apprentice and not a full blown Inquirer, because it gives the story the opportunity to explore the inner workings of the organization and the training. BUT. While I can't put my finger on exactly why, there is no doubt that there was something about the plot that didn't work as well for me this time around. There were parts that dragged considerably and there were a lot of dull moments before things finally got more interesting towards the end. I wasn't too happy with the fact that this was once again an inner investigation and one of the final twists was pretty obvious... And then I'm not even talking about the appearance of the romance and love triangle vibe, which were both really unnecessary in my opinion and kind of partly ruined the story for me. I did still enjoy the writing, so I will probably still read the third book to see if the magic of the first book returns.


P.S. Find more of my reviews here.

[ClaireJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first book in this series earlier this year and I was blown away by how fantastic it was, but this one I loved even more!

I read this in two days as I was completely hooked from beginning to end. It is jam packed full of mystery, intrigue and murder! The quirky gadgets, the twists and turns, the suspicious characters all combine together to make a thrilling whodunnit murder mystery that I am sure Agatha Christie would have admired.

The setting of Miss Brickett’s, a detective agency is very imaginative in an underground London full of hidden tunnels and secrets to uncover. The rich atmosphere is enticing and immersive due to such engaging and dazzling storytelling. It gave me the same kind of excitement and mood that I get when I read a Harry Potter book. That feeling of adventure and anticipation when you discover a new magical world that is hidden away secretly under our noses.

If you love to do a bit of sleuthing and enjoy an historical mystery this is a book for you. It has become one of my most loved series with some of my favourite characters. I also think it is one of my top reads of the year.

[liztheliterary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't pick a favourite between this book and book one - they're both so good!

This series has been refreshing, enthralling and very original so far. Imagine a female version of Sherlock Holmes in an underground London academy for spies. The author has done an amazing job with the setting and research. The amount of details and descriptions going into the original devices used in the academy is astounding.

The only negative remark I can make, is that there were a lot of characters to keep up with. For someone like me, who's bad with names, it'll require a bit more effort to remember who's who.

Can't wait for the third book!

Thank you for the review copy, Jonathan Ball Publishers. It was so much fun!

[Clara]

I feel like there's a fad of "secret organization" series, like The Invisible Library, about young idealistic people who serve a deeply compromised organization that basically judges them all the time and tries to kill them sometimes. Somehow the people who run these organizations are a bunch of lemmings even though they are super powerful. Marion Lane is definitely a series like that.

My more existential pet peeve with the series and its eponymous main character is that she never seems to question why she lives underground or what this organization does. It seems like a hot mess. Does this organization do anything beyond just be very dramatic underground and like, commit human rights violations? Does anyone who is not an angsty teen work at this organization?

I think having read a few of these, I have realized that they are not for me. And that's fine. Not everything needs to be a thing I like.

However beyond the mission statement of the series, there are a lot of illogical, improbably, and frankly kind of stupid details that made this book really hard to enjoy. While I dislike the overall premise of worshipping an organization that frankly seems more and more fascist with every book, I think I could have still enjoyed a mystery.

A few of my objections:
Why would you go on an undercover mission in a flashy American car imported from the US with a bumper sticker that says "Daddy-O" in red white and blue if you are TRYING NOT TO BE NOTICED?

Why would Kenny, the American character who talks like some kind of weird wiseguy stereotype, say Darn? What kind of American private dick says Darn? Have him say Damn, dammit!

Characters seem to have feelings that are expressed by verbs that are kind of weird. So-and-so's eyes were "flecked with relief." What does that look like? How can emotion fleck somebody's eye? A fleck is a small particle. How can relief be a particle?

Also, this is a spy book about an extralegal spy organization. And yet, the mystery is not very mysterious? We are apparently supposed to suspect two people who have almost no personality except "Very Suspicious" and...I guess we are supposed to care. I guess this is mostly my fault for sticking with it until the end when I wasn't really enjoying it, but, I think I'll pass on the final Marion Lane book.

[Marlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published at Reading Reality

The tunnels under post-war London that house Miss Brickett’s top secret and extremely secretive agency of Inquirers and Gadgeteers stretches far under the city in 1959. It seems to reach from an occasionally tenuous connection to the reality above the ground to imaginary realms as diverse as the Invisible Library, Unseen University’s library in the Discworld, all the way north to Hogwarts and out to the Scholomance. It’s a place where the science is sufficiently advanced to be indistinguishable from magic, and the magic has tentacles in entirely too many places labelled “Here be Dragons”. The monsters there are more than monstrous and dangerous enough to be, if not quite real dragons, entirely too close for comfort.

But the story in Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose, for all the secrets concealed in, for and by Miss Brickett’s, touches more on real-world dangers of the time, along with the darkness that oozes out of the human heart.

Marion Lane, who we were introduced to in the marvelous first book in this series, Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder, is now in the second year of her (hopefully) three year apprenticeship at Miss Brickett’s. The events of that first year (and first story) have left her scarred but undeterred. She loves her work, she loves Miss Brickett’s, and she is determined to become a full-fledged Inquirer at the end of her three year apprenticeship.

(This is a broad hint, even a hint and a half, to read the first book first. There are a lot of players in this game and one definitely needs a firm grasp on the scorecard.)

But Marion, like the Librarian Irene Winters of the Invisible Library, has a tendency to be the fool that rushes in where angels would rightfully fear to tread. Not that Marion is anymore foolish than Irene, but they both have that tendency bordering on compulsion to leap in hopes that the net will appear – or at least in certainty that if it doesn’t they’ll be able to think of something on the fly – sometimes literally – before they reach that sudden stop at the bottom of their current plummet towards seeming doom.

The case that Marion finds herself in the middle of, whether she planned to be there or not, has dimensions that encompass the world above and the heart of Miss Brickett’s. A case that at first seems like two cases with little to do with one another.

Out in the real world, a Russian spy known as “The Florist” has left behind a series of corpses with ugly calling cards. His victims are branded with a rose on their torsos. Through rather roundabout means, Marion’s mentor at Miss Brickett’s has been informed that Scotland Yard is stumped but is not asking for assistance from Miss Brickett’s as usual because something that has been discovered in the case has put the agency under suspicion.

At the same time, Marion has received an anonymous letter that one of this year’s intake of new recruits is not to be trusted. As the three newbies begin their first year apprenticeship, something rotten is exposed in Miss Brickett’s that may or may not have anything to do with either “The Florist” or the untrustworthy first-year. But the rot that is exposed will turn out to be the most dangerous secret of all.

Because it has divided the formerly unified Miss Brickett’s into a hotbed of suspicion, lies and power-hungry madness that has pit friend against friend and protegee against mentor. All in an attempt to satisfy greed, a lust for power, and a desperation not to be caught at all costs.

A cost that may, quite possible, include the lives of Marion and her friends.


The gorgeous UK cover
Escape Rating A-: Marion Lane and Miss Brickett’s have tunneled under the crossroads between mystery, fantasy and science fiction and sit in the center of a vast web that encompasses all three genres.

With more than a bit of espionage fiction tossed in to make this mixture a very tasty stew indeed.

While Miss Brickett’s strongly reminds me of the universe of The Invisible Library – and would serve well as a readalike for that series especially now that it has concluded – the way that things work also gives hints of Hogwarts, or the world of A Marvellous Light in that it exists in plain sight, that people in high places know about it, but that it operates in a bit of a hidden pocket of its own.

And even though Miss Brickett’s doesn’t teach or use magic, it still feels a lot like a fantasy.

Very much on my other hand, however, the two issues that Marion feels compelled to solve are both grounded in the real. The case of The Florist, his spy games and his ties to the KGB and the Soviet Union read like a fantasy or alt-history version of the historical case of the Cambridge Five and the infamous British double agents including Kim Philby and Anthony Blunt. The Florist himself may have been considerably over the top, but it’s an over the top version of stuff that actually happened.

The rot in Miss Brickett’s is also all too real, but in an entirely different way. We’ve seen, in real life, in very recent history, just how easy it is to sway people with persuasion, with lies, with propaganda, by seeding doubts, planting suspicions and reaping fears where none originally existed.

Watching those poisoned flowers bloom in a closed, hothouse environment like Miss Brickett’s was chilling – and entirely too real. The tense atmosphere created by the club that becomes a cult just added to the sense of claustrophobia, paranoia and deadly danger that always exists at the fringes of the place.

The two cases fed into one another in ways that were both completely expected and utterly chilling at the same time. We know it’s going to get worse before it even has a chance at getting better – because that part, at least, is something that has happened before and will happen again. It’s humans being human, and sometimes we suck.

As Marion Lane’s adventures (and most definitely misadventures) with the Florist and his “Deadly Rose” come to a close, it’s clear that this case may be wrapped up but that Marion’s adventuring career is FAR from over. I’m looking forward to following Marion Lane’s further escapes whenever she next emerges from the tunnels of Miss Brickett’s.

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder so I was very excited to pick up the second book in the series. The Deadly Rose is an excellent follow up and it was nice to return to Miss Brickett’s Academy. Like the first book there is a lot going on with multiple mysteries and storylines. There’s murder, spies, betrayal, and secrets galore. Miss Brickett’s academy is divided more than ever and Marion encounters danger at every turn. Eventually all the storylines converge into a satisfying conclusion. I also liked some of the throwbacks to the first book as well. Even though I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first one, it was still highly entertaining.

Unfortunately, I did find the romance subplot to be lacking, underdeveloped and unnecessary with everything else that’s occurring. There wasn’t really time for romance in this book so I’m curious to see how it will be incorporated in the next book. Overall, I really enjoyed the mystery and adventure in this book and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Ronald Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and largely frivolous romp. Alternate history of London in the 1950's. Secret detective agency underground with lots of Bond-inspired mechanical gadgets they use to solve mysteries the police can't solve. Second in a worthy series.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poor imitation of a Harry Potter book. I don’t understand how this secret spy ring can allow all these double agents running around,. This is got to be the worst spy agency in the world.

[Sabina Millar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story, well written, and a cozy little mystery.

[Bea Byrne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got an hour through the audiobook and couldn’t go on. The writing was so clunky. I felt condescended to and couldn’t feel any empathy for the characters.

[Luanne Ollivier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled across T.A. Willberg's debut novel, Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder in 2020. I absolutely loved it and have been eagerly awaiting the next entry in this fantastic series. It's here! Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose has just released.

What's to love? How about a hidden detective agency below the streets of London, an eclectic group of 'Inquirers', wondrous, magical gadgets that aid in investigations and a spunky female apprentice. The name of the agency, Miss Brickett’s Investigations & Inquiries, conjures up time and place and a bygone method of crime solving. The 1959 time period is perfect.

Marion Lane is our lead character. You can't help but like her. She's clever, curious, dogged and determined to become a full fledged Inquirer. Willberg fleshes out Marion and gives her a personal life as well. Those personal and workplace relationships will be sorely tested in this second entry. A killer named The Florist is loose in London and Scotland Yard has called on Miss Brickett's for help. A mysterious letter to Marion suggests that one of their new recruits may have ties to the killer....

Willberg's plotting is full of twists and turns, changing and challenging my answer for whodunit with every new clue. Who to trust? Who not to trust?

I wanted to be Nancy Drew when I was younger. Marion evokes that desire and Miss Brickett's brings to mind Platform 9 ¾. Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose was a unique, wonderfully imaginative, delightfully fun read that took me away from the worries of today. I had great fun walking in Marion's footsteps as she pursues the mysteries of Miss Brickett's. I'll be eagerly awaiting the third book!

And personally, I think the reader would enjoy this latest having read the first book.

[Saika Mehnaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pace & Language- Standard pace. The language was a bit advanced.

Plot Development- Progressive. The plot was slightly related to first book, rendering the read of first book of the series essential. Although, both the books’ investigations have been related to internal politics of Ms. Brickett’s. It would be great to see the actual work investigators do outside the agency. The mystery revelation didn’t feel that much of a shocking to me either.

Character Development- Progressive. Marion’s character evolved in a gradual perfect pace. Readers will observe her journey of change from the first book. The supporting characters got a bit of light too, although I would say I would like it if there were more developments to them.
Marion and Bill reminds me of Hermione Granger and Harry Potter, loved their friendship. I’m interested in more backstories of Bill and Kenny though (hopefully the third book provides!) Also, the character of Ms Brickett’s head, Nancy seemed shady from the first book, would like more perspective of her. [Attention:

Climax- Closured. I expected a cliffhanger since I know a third book is coming.

Overall- Loved it (because of Marion and whole setup of Ms Brickett’s)

Final Verdict- I feel like this series shouldn’t end in three books.

[Jessica Samuelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

London 1959

Somewhere in London, there is a bookshop. At least, there is what appears to be a bookshop. In truth, it is the entrance to the underground headquarters of Miss Brickett’s Investigations and Inquiries. The secret detective agency works in the shadows to solve cases the official police cannot.

Second year apprentice Marion Lane has found a home and a family of sorts at Miss Brickett’s. She loves both the work she does and the friends who work beside her. However, something is stirring in the tunnels of the secret detective agency. A new organization has sprung up among the employees and it’s ready to tear Miss Brickett’s apart from the inside. Meanwhile, Marion has started getting mysterious letters from an unknown informant. The first piece of information? One of the new recruits is not to be trusted.

I enjoyed this follow up to Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder. In some ways, it has a very cold war era spy vibe, but the steampunk-like gadgets and the connection between Marion and her friends combine to make sure the story stays fun.

NOTE: This is the second book in the Marion Lane mystery series. It builds on the first book, so the series should be read in order.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book was an absolute delight! Marion Lane is a second year apprentice detective at Miss Brickett's Investigations and Inquiries; a secret underground London detective agency. Marion is a wiz in the Gadgetry Department and is surrounded by fellow detectives who have been recruited for their skills, intelligence, and lack of personal attachments. A murder takes place in a London back alley where the victim is branded with a rose. Marion is assigned the case and during the course of the investigation begins receiving internal notes including one that says not to trust one of the new recruits. Brilliantly written with subplots that keep you interested and inter-dispersed with Harry Potter like gadgetry and mood. I often thought I could imagine myself enjoying the pursuit for answers with Marion! Hope there is more to come.

[It'sBrynanas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the world building in this series and I really like the characters.

I’m not a huge fan of the writing - not because it’s poorly written but bc it feels like things are missing. Things move so quickly and I find myself sitting here going, wait how did that happen?? How did X know Y? Why did this happen and how???

To me, this feels more like an editing problem than a writing program but it still means I’m only half enjoying the book.

[Elizabeth Wagner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed how this story built on the first one and showcased how quickly a world built on secrets could fall apart because of said secrets. It was good to see Marion rely on others more and build friendships, even though betraying them. Some of the plot felt a bit clunky, but overall it worked well. Amanda’s death felt more impactful than Michelle’s in book one, so that helped push some of the drama.

[Lovely Loveday]

Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose is the second book in the Marion Lane series by T.A. Willberg. A thrilling mystery that is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seat until the very end, with unexpected twists and turns lurking around every page turn. It is jam-packed full of mystery, intrigue and murder! I can't wait to read more in the Marion Lane series.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rounded down from 3.5 stars

I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first but I liked how things unfurled and came together by the end. There is a lot that carries from the first book so I think reading close together is better than far apart but maybe I just need a better memory.

[Mel Pretorius · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just absolutely love this series: Marion Lane. "Marion Lane and the Deadly Rose" by T A WIllberg is just as good as the first book, and long may the series continue. It's like Harry Potter meets James Bond. Just love it!

[Lillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the progression from the first book into the second. I think we have many more mysteries with Marion Lane to look forward to in the future!

[Shannon Rausch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, loved this! I accidentally read the series out of order and can’t wait to go back to book one and move on to book three. A very cozy mystery and the audio narration is perfect.