Julie Anne Long Beauty and the Spy

Beauty and the Spy

Julie Anne Long

Warner, Mar 2006, $6.50

ISBN: 0446616869

In 1803 Richard sets out to prove that Thaddeus Morley betrayed his country; instead the patriot is murdered and his lover Anna Holt accused of the crime. Richard's friend, James Makepeace helps Anna flee London, but without her beloved three daughters, Susannah, Sylvie, and Sabrina; he promises to insure their safety. As she leaves behind all she cherishes, Anna knows she will love Richard forever, but never forgive him.

In 1820 Susannah Makepeace enjoys her season when someone murders her adopted father James, leaving her with nothing, as even her fianc dumps her. She moves into her aunt's cottage in Barnstable where she sees a naked male swimming in a nearby pond. She sketches the sight in elaborate detail. His father has exiled him to Egypt to keep him out of trouble as the womanizing drunken Viscount Kit Whitelaw, as a loyal English spy, seeks to prove that Morley killed James. Instead of Egypt, he heads to the country following clues. When he meets the artist who drew the erotic pictures of him, sparks fly. However, someone wants Susannah dead, as mysterious accidents occur to her, while Kit needs to uncover the truth about the woman who owns his heart.

The first of three Regency romances starring the Holt siblings, BEAUTY AND THE SPY is a delightful historical tale. Readers will feel for Anna as she has learned one thing about her daughters over the seventeen years of exile that they are safe. She doesn't know Susannah is not out of harm's way, as her guardian is killed and an unknown assailant wants her out of the picture. Sub-genre fans will appreciate Julie Anne Long's opening swing of the BATS, while looking forward to Sylvie Lamoreaux's story.