I found this piece to be exceptionally well-crafted, and I'm eagerly anticipating the opportunity to delve into more works by this author. Given its potential popularity among our library patrons, we're certainly looking forward to adding it to our collection

The Windsor Conspiracy is another story about how horrible Wallis Simpson is, this time from the perspective of a fictional cousin Amelia who serves as her personal secretary. What’s interesting about this book that makes it unique compared to other books about her is how deeply it explores her relationships and plotting with the Germans after her husband abdicates the British crown and she’s shunned by British and most of European society. Amelia strives to see the flashes of good in Wallis despite much of it appearing controlling or manipulative to an unbiased eye. Even though Amelia’s character is fictional many events and correspondence in the book is pulled from real life events, which makes Wallis even more detestable than I thought her to be before reading this. I knew that the pair had meetings with members of the Nazi party but wasn’t aware of how entrenched the relationship was. This book is very readable, and at the same time hard to read, because Wallis is so awful. I enjoyed learning more about her and the duke’s role in the events leading up to and during World War II. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a compelling and exciting novel which is a fictionalized account of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and their relationship with the Nazis during WW II. The author has compiled dozens of rumors, stories and real documents into the story of Wallis’ plot to regain the British crown for the David, her husband, the Duke when Britain loses the war to Germany. (With her help!).

The author cleverly blends historical figures into the story. From famous designers, political figures, royalty and infamous Nazi villains, we see the Windsor’s path.
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It is cleverly delivered to the reader via the fictional character of Amelia, a cousin of the Duchess who works as her secretary. Through her eyes, the reader learns of the perfidy of the Windsors and their collaboration with various Nazis. Amelia is a patriot who becomes an operative for America as she watches and reports on the actions of the couple.

I loved it. I am a unique reader since I have spent years studying the couple. After a chance encounter and a brief handshake, I began reading everything about them. So, if I found this novel absolutely wonderful, it is well worth reading and using as a jumping off point to discuss one of the most infamous couples of the 20th century.

Thank you Netgalley for this first rate fictionalized account of the activities of the man who was briefly a king and his wife, the would-be Queen.

This wasn't the first book I've read about Wallis Simpson and the Duke of Windsor, but it was the most engrossing. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I always thought the Windsors were a tale of devotion and deep love. A King that would give up his throne to be with the woman he loved. But this novel tales a fairy tale of old, sinister and devious characters that will do anything to keep their beauty and power. In the end it seemed that the Windsors were co-dependent, extremely selfish and totally out of touch with the world and it’s people.
The main character is fictional which gave this novel an interesting edge. I jumped onto the internet a number of times to see if a character was real or imaginary. The fun of reading a historical novel that has real figures, is you know the story but don’t know the fictional characters part or storyline. Georgie Blalock took us on an imaginary journey through Paris, Germany, and the Bahamas during the 30s and 40s and gave us a new insight into the opulence and self-indulgence of the Windsors and their friends. Well worth the read.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I was invited by Harper Collins to read an advanced copy of #TheWindsorConspiracy because I had previously read and reviewed another book by Georgie Blalock, #TheOtherWindsorGirl.
Amelia is Wallis Simpson’s cousin and has had a few troubles in her young life. Desperate for a fresh start, she becomes the personal secretary for Wallis. The Duke of Windsor and Wallis are “exiled” to France after his abdication from the British throne. Amelia receives much of the brunt of Wallis’ frustration at the disappointment of not becoming queen and not being called “her royal highness”.
There are some in elite society that maintain their friendships with the Duke and Duchess including one Lady Taylor who gives Amelia some tips on how to be the best personal secretary to the difficult Wallis making herself indispensable. As she improves at performing her duties, she becomes more a confident and friend to Wallis. Amelia is also making friends of her own from attending the many social events Wallis brings her to.
During this time, the Nazis are rising to power. The Duke and Duchess are sympathizers and entertain many high ranking officials. They even make a trip to Germany to observe all the “successes”. When the Nazis invade France, Wallis sends Amelia to Paris to retrieve her safe full of jewels. While there, Amelia is detained by the Gestapo. For weeks, she is kept in a hotel with no word from Wallis. Amelia uses her charm and contacts to discreetly get word out about her situation. Soon her friend (and romantic interest) from the American Embassy comes for her.
When Amelia arrives in Britain, she learns that Wallis did not do anything to help her get released despite her connections. The Duke and Duchess are now in the Bahamas where the Duke was installed as the governor. Amelia is asked if she would like to return to Wallis, but this time as a spy, because it is suspected that she is helping the Nazis in order to potentially become queen. Amelia agrees and undergoes training before heading to the Bahamas.
Once there, Amelia meets her contact and it is none other than the aristocrat who taught her how to be a good personal secretary! Amelia gets to work right away searching for evidence of Wallis’ spying. She shares tidbits that she finds here and there but one night at a party she discovers a big secret. Shortly after sneaking into the house to make a phone call Amelia is caught. When Wallis is notified of the betrayal she watches at Amelia is interrogated.
How does it end? Find out on July 16.
#NetGalley

The Windsor Conspiracy
Its 1937 and Amelia Montague has excepted being a private secretary to her cousin Wallis Simpson in France. Yes, that Wallis Simpson. The Wallis Simpson that Edward VIII gave up his throne in England to marry her. Amelia would rather do anything than be Wallis’s secretary but with not many prospects after her husband who she eloped with killed himself because of shady dealings there aren’t many prospects. Amelia finds that the now ex King Edward who is called The Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson’s life is not this romantic fairytale. Wallis is ambitious and lets her rage at how she is treated push her and the duke into becoming self-centered Nazi supporters with their own interests in mind. After abandoning Amelia in Paris after the Nazi invasion, Amelia finds herself in position to help the FBI uncover the Windsor’s shady dealings with the Nazis, leading her to Nassau.

Research, Writing & Characters/Real Historical Characters
While The Windsor Conspiracy is a historical fiction novel, Georgie Blalock put a lot of research into the novel. Much of what you read in the book is taken from what really happened despite not every character being a real person but being based off many different people. The writing is excellent too! I knew I would enjoy this one after falling in love with The Other Windsor Girl about Princess Margaret last year. The only odd thing was at one point in the book there was a line that said Things must be bad for Sir Walter to lose his cool. I found that sentence to be odd considering the time. Other than that, there wasn’t much I disliked.

Overall
If you don’t have a physical or digital copy of The Windsor Conspiracy, preorder the novel coming out on July 16th! Thank you, Georgie Blalock, for the early copy! I can’t wait to do our Behind The Book Q&A discussing the novel more in depth!

Am thankful for being able to read an ARC of this book. Very interesting story about people I haven't read a lot about. The writing is exceptional and defines the characters extremely well.

I sped through this book in a few days time. Well-written and filled with fictional and actual personalities, The Windsor Conspiracy contains actual events surrounding the Duke of Windsor and his wife, Wallis. Intermixed with fictional characters that bring the story to life.

I had enjoyed the Other Windsor Girl and was excited to read more by the author. It had everything that I enjoyed from Georgie Blalock, it had that element that I wanted and had a great historical fiction element. The characters were what I was hoping for and glad I got to read this. It uses the Duchess of Windsor perfectly and glad it was so well done.

The amazing story of a fictional cousin of Wallis Simpson as she tries to grapple with Wallis’s selfishness and attempts to become a Queen without duty. Hard to put down!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Amelia is escaping her past. Her husband embezzled money and offed himself when his deeds were discovered. Rumors abound about Amelia's level of knowledge and involvement and she needs a fresh start. This backstory leads Amelia to take a position as private secretary to her cousin, Wallis Simpson.. Simpson has recently married the Duke of Windsor (formerly the king of England who gave up the throne to marry a divorcee) when the book begins.

While the Duke was allowed to retain his royal title, Buckingham Palace denied the title to Simpson, which both seethed about for the rest of their lives. Before reading I thought I knew quite a bit about this power couple, including the fact that they were Nazi sympathizers. I was ignorant, however, of the depth of their involvement and the treasonous acts they committed. This book goes into some detail and I was shocked that they weren't tried and hung. Anywho...Amelia tries to go about her business and do her job, but Simpson plays to her emotions and then presents tests of loyalty to ensure she's adored. Eventually, Amelia winds up working for the allies as a spy in the house of the Windsors. 4 stars.

The character of Amelia is an amalgamation of several of Wallis's secretaries and statements they made about Simpson after their employment ended. The treasonous acts committed by the Windsors are taken from historical documents. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone interested in royalty or historical fiction.

The Windsor Conspiracy is a great book that illustrates what the inside of the lives of the Windows after their marriage, which took place after the abdication of Edward VIII, King of England, in 1936.

Well-illustrated from an outside view, we see all the possibilities that could have motivated many things and how the lives of the former Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson could really have been. It also gets one's imagination to even assume a reality that's plausible!

Anyone interested in British history, especially British Royal Families would find this book of great interest. A fascinating book that kept my interest and had difficulty putting it down! In other words, this is a must read!

Many thanks to Net Galley for the advance reader ebook copy of “The Windsor Conspiracy “ by Georgie Blalock! I had previously greatly enjoyed Blalock’s earlier historical fiction, “The Other Windsor Girl” and rated it 4 1/2 stars. “Conspiracy “ tells the story of (fictional) Amelia Montague, whose late husband’s crimes have left her penniless, alone, and in disgrace. And so she has finds herself grateful when her now-infamous cousin, Wallis Simpson, provides a position for Amelia: serving as her private secretary. This provides us, as the reader, that same “behind the scenes with the royals” perspective that made “The Other Windsor Girl” such a fantastic read; and “Conspiracy” is a great read, too. We sympathize with Amelia, and Blalock even manages to draw out some circumstances that allow us to feel twinges of sympathy for Wallis, as well. But overall, Wallis is such an unbelievably selfish and self-centered, which even Amelia finally realizes. A great read - I definitely recommend - 4 stars! #TheWindsorConspiracy #NetGalley

A tantalizing tale of Wallis Simpson's fictionalized cousin, who spies on pro-Nazi Simpson and her husband, the Duke of Windsor. Thrilling!

Told from the point of Wallis’s personal secretary, Amelia, Wallis’s cousin who is a destitute widow (her character was based on numerous personal secretaries). Written starting at the time shortly before the marriage of David and Wallis took place, there’s history, drama, enjoyable scenery, fashion, unlikeable characters (David and Wallis), and espionage.

I find British royal history fascinating, and after being invited to read The Windsor Conspiracy - that cover and the synopsis decided me - I downloaded this and it pulled me right in. Ms Blalock obviously put a lot of time into research for this story and the result is terrific historical fiction that’s well written and engaging.



Thank you to William Morrow Paperbacks and NetGalley for the DRC

I didn't know much about Wallis Simpson and the Duke of Windsor. Even though this is a fictional story, according to the author's notes, many of the events are true. I found this book to be quite eye-opening to the depths Wallis went to be known as Her Royal Highness. I recommend this book as a compelling addition to WWII fiction.

I received an email that The Windsor Conspiracy was available and as a prior fan of Blalock's novels, would I Like to read it? Of course I would!

Told through the eyes of her private secretary, The Windsor Conspiracy focuses on the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, their desperate attempts to regain the throne and the HRH title they believe is being withheld from Wallis, and their ties to Nazi Germany.

Amelia is Wallis' cousin, now widowed and destitute, disowned by her own family after marrying the wrong man. With obvious sympathies from Wallis, she is hired on as a personal secretary to the Duchess, bringing her into a world different than her own. As she makes connections with other Americans in Paris, the Duke and Duchess' actions become suspect as Nazi sympathizers amongst their questionable circle of friends. Amelia is left to join forces with the Allies to watch the Duke and Duchess from the inside.

I'm rather obsessed with most books on the Royal Family and this was one no different. I can still remember both my grandmothers' (one American, one Scottish) distaste for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and what they had chosen to do. This was long before the suspected Nazi ties were more publicly know. While this is a work of fiction, Blalock has done her research into the couple and crafted a highly believable story based on what is already known. David comes across as the spoiled pompous playboy and Wallis the bitter social climber. Amelia, the fictional heroine, is much more sympathetic and the reader will find themselves on her side, wishing for a more satisfying end to the Duke and Duchess.

The story and life of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor has always been of interest. This book although fictionalised provides a really interesting narrative of the relationship between Wallis Simpson and her private secretary Amelia Montague (her fictional cousin) before and during WWII.
There was obviously a lot of research undertaken for the book and the abdication of the Duke changed the lives of some many people. Wallis Simpson expected to be Queen but the Duke’s abdication changed not only the future of England but their own future life.
If you love historical fiction and the royals then you will enjoy this book.

I usually read my ARCs the month before their publishing date but I was so excited to get this that I read it immediately. I enjoyed The Other Windsor Girl and An Indiscreet Princess also by this author. This is a hard one because it is about Wallis Simpson and her husband the Duke of Windsor and they are both very self centered people. It also takes place during WWII and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were supportive of Hitler. This story is told through the eyes of a fictitious character, Amelia, who is Wallis's personal secretary. Amelia is caught up in all of their ridiculousness and all she wants to do is get to safety from the war but the Duke and Duchess have other plans. Wallis and the Duke are more concerned with their belongings than the Nazis or the well being of their staff. WWII was a rough time because it seemed like everyone was a spy. You didn't know who to trust.

-Aunt Bessie was right; Amelia could learn a lot from Wallis, including how to face difficulties with grace and rise above her past.

-The truth dawned on Amelia. They weren't here to see the real Germany, but a pretty picture postcard with none of the ugly things she'd glimpsed during the car ride here.

-...but if there was one thing Wallis was good at, it was seeing only what she wanted to see.

-"It's not the diplomats but their wives you have to worry about."

-The Duke and Wallis were experts at getting other people to pay for things.

-...but Wallis rarely saw how her actions led to her troubles.

-"France is falling, women and children are being shot on the roads, and all you care about is yourself and your pride. Stop being so selfish and start seeing what's around you. Europe is at war."

-Their obsession with their things was maddening.