12 April 2026.
ISBN: 978-1-80703008-7 (PB)
It’s August 1930, and Archie Laverick, a biographer is on route to Berlin for a two-month trip to research a Prussian general, Field Marshal Blűcher. Archie is in a bad mood, as Fortescue his research student has deserted him in favour of a ‘ripping girl’ he has just met. His cousin young Duncan will have to sort it'
Archie eventually reaches the Adlon hotel.
The lobby of the hotel is reminiscent of the pre-war grandeur of the Kaiser Empire.
Any luck with a secretary? he asks Duncan. As a matter of fact, yes says
Duncan. She’s American, a foreign
correspondent, needs some extra cash and speaks German. We’re out on the
terrace. Archie is delighted when he is introduced to the attractive Harriet
Dryden, who does not flinch or flicker when she sees the left side of his face. Archie
had acquired two wounds face and leg in March 1918. He is slightly less happy when
he is introduced to Esme Carmichael, with short hair, a snub nose and freckles,
who is to be his research secretary, although her driving aim is to be a
foreign correspondent. She can’t start immediately she says as she and Harriet
have been invited for the weekend to a castle in Saxony.
Esme is late, if it wasn’t for the fact that his leg was throbbing, Archie would have just driven off and left her. As he impatiently waits, he is handed a telegram. ‘Harriet shot and killed. Police need to interview us. If I still have a job, can meet tomorrow same time. E Carmichael’. His irritation drained away as he remembered the slim attractive Harriet.
The following day Esme turned up driving a Horch convertible, with her eyes red from crying. During the weekend Esme had met Ruth, a worried and upset young lady, who had been trying to see Gray Trexler, a man she had been having an affair with, and was now pregnant by, but who was now refusing to see her. Esme said she would speak to Gray for her. But he refused to see her. Then Harriet was killed and Ruth was arrested for her murder.
After a couple of days in Silesia, Archie and Esme drove to Blűcher’s estate and met Princess Evelyn Blűcher. As Archie learns more about Field Marshall Blűcher, he also learns of his many mistakes, but Archie is sure he can deal with that! As Esme talks to people it is clear that few people think that Ruth shot Harriet. During this time both Esme and Archie have agreed to investigate who could have killed Harriet. Both are convinced that Ruth’s is innocence of the murder, but the police are convinced that she is a communist spy although they have been unable to pin any espionage charges on her, but they are not considering anyone else for the murder.
Gisela von Alderstein who works for a judge visits Archie and Esme and says it makes her angry when there is injustice and that she is happy to offer her assistance.
On the surface in the glittering circle that Archie moves it’s all fun and good times, but the scars of war linger. And festering beneath the surface there is resentment, shadows, blackmail and betrayal. It appears that even Archie whom Esme has begun to trust has skeletons in his closet. But as the pair continue to investigate, they become aware that there are people who seem determined that Ruth should hang for the murder of Harriet. Of course, the overriding question is, Why Harriet? What was the motive behind her murder?
Intricately plotted, this is a
mind-bending mystery. No one is what
they appear to be on the surface. Compelling reading. Highly recommended.
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Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett
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