The book opens with Fiona Figg, fresh from a successful mission for the War Office, back in the file room. She's chaffing at being what surely amounts to being demoted back into the office where her main job is to file and, grr, be expected to make coffee for the male dominated decoding staff. She also, much to her annoyance, finds she rather misses Kitty, her "niece" and partner on assignments that allow her to use her love of disguises to ferret out spies. That soon changes, however, when she is elated to not only get a new assignment but one that allows her to use her disguises and acting abilities to portray both a male admiral and female aristocrat. It also puts her into contact with the males vying for her favor, one with the British service, Archie, the other, well, we're never quite sure where Fredrick Fredricks' loyalty rests.
Unfortunately, Fiona is alternately attracted to both of them. To be honest, her wildly fluctuating hormones seemed to guide her actions more than usual even in this book, becoming rather tedious when I was ready to get on with the story. Fredricks seems the more interesting of the pair, however, and does have the knack of disappearing and reappearing regularly. Too bad Archie wants to kill him and, in fact, has tried to in a previous book. Both say the other isn't to be trusted although Fredrick claims to have changed and is searching for peace now, not looking to blow things up or kill. Fiona isn't sure she believes him but, then, she just plain seems unsure about her own heart, let alone the men who want to claim it.
As for the mystery, it happens relatively late in the story. A man is murdered in the room next to where Fiona is staying. Archie shows up with Fredricks and Kitty arriving soon after. Fiona more or less abandons her guise as a society Lady to ask questions but it isn't easy. Even the murder investigation is tinged by the war effort, something always just on the edge of the story, especially as it impacts the rich vrs. poor. You'll meet some characters who turned out to be based on real-life people, too. Be sure to read the Notes From the Author at the end for a fascinating look at those who inspired them. It is such fun to watch Fiona investigate, even when she's forced to admit Kitty's skills at forensics and the men's muscle are helpful.
To be honest, the murder seemed the side-story in this book, interestingly enough, as I found myself more invested in keeping track of which way Fiona's heart was leaning from scene to scene and being appalled at the "monkey gland" experiment and such. As a result, I wound up going with a 4 star rating but will still highly recommend the book. It's a quick, full of action read, with characters that will intrigue you. Thanks #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for allowing me to catch up on Fiona's world. That teaser chapter at the end, though. Whew, that next book is going to be super exciting, too.
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