Many readers will know that literary fiction author, John Banville, uses the pen name Benjamin Black. As Mr Black he has written a well regarded series of mysteries that take place in 1950s Ireland.

This historical/suspense novel also takes place in Ireland. It is a dark time for Britain as bombs regularly fell in London. Based on what the author thinks happened, this novel posits that fourteen year old Elizabeth and ten year old Mary were sent to Ireland to keep them safe.

This slow burn of a novel imagines how this was done, what it was like for the princesses and who the people were who ensured their safety. They are challenged.

Margaret, renamed Mary, to keep her identity hidden, is a particularly vividly drawn character. She is inquisitive and a bit of an imp. Elizabeth/Ellen as the older, more staid sister is also brought to life.

There is a plot against the princesses. Who knew they were there? Who is responsible? We all know that Margaret and Elizabeth survived so the reader knows the ending. Nonetheless, the unraveling is suspenseful.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this read in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret Guests
My thanks to #NetGalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review. Benjamin Black explored the relationship between England and Ireland during WWII as he fictionalized the story of the King’s daughters Margaret and Elizabeth. It has been rumored that the young princesses had been secreted away in a safe house in Ireland during the Blitz. The Secret Guests takes many liberties, but also gives the reader an inside look at the ravages of war.

The Royal Family Margaret& Elizabeth sent to Ireland to protect them during ww2.A fascinating idea a story that drew me in so well written so involving Benjamin Black always writes literary fiction at its best.#The Special Guests #henryholt

The novel begins with the king's daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth, being secretly sent to Ireland for their safety during the Blitz. Based on a rumored-to-be-true story. Assigned to protect them are quiet Anglo-Irish detective Strafford and MI5 agent Celia Nashe. Nothing much happens for awhile as the girls become acclimated to the fusty old manor house they're billeted in. Then a man turns up dead with a newspaper clipping in his pocket with a circled picture of the royal family, and it is apparent that the girls' cover is blown. Black has a particular affinity for the willful Margaret.

Interesting read about the protection of the Royal family members during World War II. I was not aware that the Elizabeth and Margaret were moved to neutral Ireland during the war. Good historical information about the relationship between Ireland and England and some of the differences in how they viewed the war. One doesn't hear much about Ireland in terms of their participation or stand during the war.

The Secret Guests by Benjamin Black is a creative novel about Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret and their time in Ireland after being sent there “under the radar” for their safety during the Blitz that occurred in London during WWII.

What I found most fascinating was a behind the scenes, closer look at relations between Ireland and England at this time, and as close as the two countries were geographically, that they were far apart in regards to inter government and political differences and healing wounds that are still fresh in minds at that time.
I had not read a novel that had brought that angle to life as of yet. Very interesting and the author definitely sets himself a part in this market with this angle.

5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I enjoyed this book. The premise is that Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret are sent to Ireland for safety during the early part of World War II. They pose as ordinary girls in an old country house, hosted by a Duke friendly to the crown. But, of course, someone realizes who they really are.

The pacing of this book was a bit odd. It's slow in places, and the last part seems hurried. Chapter or section breaks would have been helpful in sorting out the elements of the plot.

I found this book by Man Booker Prize-winning novelist John Banville writing under a nom de plume a compelling twist on the rash of WWII novels out today. It focuses on young British princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, sent for safety during the Blitz to Ireland, neutral during the war but not entirely supportive of England due to the long oppression of the Emerald Isle. The author has a wry poetic style which I loved and his “take” on English-Irish politics played out against the backdrop of the war was illuminating. Highly recommend for history buffs and for those who love good yarns spun by fine Irish writers. 5/5

Pub Date 14 Jan 2020.

Thanks to Benjamin Black, Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

#TheSecretGuests #NetGalley

This is an interesting piece of historical fiction taking place during World War II. As the bombs are falling on London, the King and Queen arrange for their daughters to take shelter at a dilapidated castle in the Irish Republic. They are sent with a minder, MI5 agent Celia Nashe as well as a member of the Irish Garda, Saint john Strafford, neither of whom are thrilled with this assignment, to look after them. The story of the girls and their time there is interesting, but it is the depictions of Irish history and the clashes between the Irish and the British that make this an extraordinary book. I learned a lot of history and I thoroughly enjoyed the story.