Was Mary Blandy a lovesick fool or a heartless killer?

Henley-on-Thames, 1751.

For Mary Blandy, still unmarried at almost thirty, the question of marriage looms large.

But no suitor lives up to her father’s high expectations… until Captain William Cranstoun appears on the scene.

He’s no great catch, but a grateful Mary quickly falls in love regardless … only to have her hopes cruelly dashed by unwelcome news.

Increasingly desperate to avoid the stigma of spinsterhood, she resorts to drastic measures … and her father pays the ultimate price.

But is Mary really a cold-hearted killer … or the victim of a terrible deception?

Based on a true crime that took place in 1700s England, MY GRAND ENEMY is a chilling historical tale of murder and deception. Loved it

"1763 England in the first half of the eighteenth century was at the zenith of a golden age: a green and pleasant land, noted for excellent beef, weak coffee, and the amount of water its inhabitants used for everything but drinking purposes."

Although the golden age was not a phrase that suited the women in this time, at least wasn't for Polly. In a large old-fashioned house in England, in the year 1720, a daughter was born, Mary called as her mother and Polly was her nicknamed.
This was a classic romantic book set in England during the 18th century in the start. So we all know that there is a father who wanted his daughter married to a nobleman. Mr. Blandy as the years passed, found her daughter near thirty with no proposal until Captain William Cranstoun arrived. Unfortunately, he wasn't the nobleman that Mr. Blandy looked for it.
From this point, the classic romantic story turns into a thriller based on a true story. Someone should be punished for people who got poisoned.
"Rumour bred rumour, each wilder than the last"

Thanks to Sapere Books and Netgalley, I have given an honest review of My Grand Enemy by Jean Stubbs.
Published Date 17 Jun 2021.

My Grand Enemy is based on a true story set in the mid 1700’s. Miss Mary Blandy is a young beautiful lady at the age of looking for a husband. Her father wants a well connected and possibly noble son-in-law. Years pass and nobody suits mr. Blandy until the arrival of Captain William Cranstoun, 5th son of Lord Cranstoun with all its implications.
I liked this story. It is a tragedy. Women’s lives were not their own until the 20th century in the UK. And this book describes the hope, then despair of a young lady driven to an act that will have severe consequences. Because there is not much she can do to change her circumstances.
I thought the book well written for a period piece, true to the time of the story. The pace can be slow at times. The characters can be maddening. The conclusion is sad but predictable.
It’s worth an Austen but without the happy ending.
Thank you for Netgalley for a free copy of the book.
#my grand enemy #netgalley

Miss Mary Blandy, Polly to her parents, beloved daughter of attorney Francis Blandy. With high hopes of her catching a titled husband he settles a large dowry on her. Attractive to fortune hunters but no man is good enough for Mr Blandy. Until Captain William Cranstoun, fifth son of a lord. But Miss Blandy is no longer in her first flush of youth, nearing thirty. Complications mean there is no wedding imminent, and her fathers ill temper becoming the norm Mary becomes desperate. And her father is the one to suffer.

Part domestic story, part criminal trial this novel is based on a true crime from the 18th century. At times, unfortunately, the story drags. The section sharing newspaper stories was overlong. The build up to the “crime” was a long time coming. It’s an interesting enough read, a window into a past trial.

MY GRAND ENEMY by JEAN STUBBS is an exciting romantic thriller which takes place in England during the 18th century, bused on a true murder trial.
Mr Francis Blandy is determined that his daughter Mary should marry into the nobility. His control of her life and selfish ambition leads to her still being a spinster at thirty. She becomes enamoured with the wily Mr Cranstoun, who has met with her father's approval, due to his distant ties to the aristocracy and is willing to wait for him to disentangle himself from a former alliance. She fails to see that he is after the ten thousand pound dowry her father has promised.
I am not going to spoil the read for you by telling you any more.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Sapere Books. The opinions in this review are completely my own.