I was on the blog tour organised by Rachel's Random Resources

http://ramblingmads.uk/2024/03/19/blog-tour-murder-in-moscow-kelly-oliver/

Fiona Figg follows her heart and the dastardly Fredrick Fredricks to Russia where she is quickly arrested by the Cheka (secret police). Can Kitty save her?
Murder in Moscow is the 5th book in the Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane series of cosy spy and murder mysteries set during WW1.
Despite her doubts, Fiona travels to Russia to meet Fredrick. Instead of a rendezvous, she is arrested alongside a Russian countess and hauled to a prison. Her rescue is organised by Kitty but she is straight back into action working undercover as a nanny for the infamous head of police.
I really like this series of books. There is such a wonderful humour to the tone and style of writing. Most of the book is written from Fiona's first person narration so we hear her inner voice commenting on her experience. Other chapters are written to show Kitty's third person perspective on events.
Fiona and Kitty are wonderful characters in their own right but superb when working together. The relationships in the book have developed over the earlier ones in the series but there are no spoilers about any previous plot twists. The romantic tension with Archie and Fredrick continues to occupy Fiona's thoughts even whilst in danger!
Murder in Moscow is an enjoyable historical spy and murder mystery and a great addition to the series.

Fiona is in Moscow, taking a chance on Frederick Fredericks' word (he left her a letter at the end of the previous book telling her to meet him at the Metropole hotel the city. She arrives, with him nowhere to be found, and before too long, both she and a Countess are arrested and bundled off to prison, where Fiona endures a miserable several days.

Meanwhile, Kitty discovers Fredericks' letter to Finoa, and immediately jumps into action, heading to Moscow and, with Poppy's nose, tracking Fiona down and rescuing her and a number of other women from prison. After arriving at the dingy British consulate, Fiona is a bit alarmed to find a cold Archie Somersby there, along with a number of MI5 agents, all of whom are plotting against Lenin. As part of their plans, Fiona is to spend time undercover as a governess at the home of the head of the secret police so she can dig for info.

Whilst there, she figures out there's a mole amongst the British spies, and she and Kitty must figure out how to save their agents and possibly complete their mission.

It was interesting getting to spend some time in Kitty's head this time around, in addition to Fiona's (she's up till now been the sole PoV in this series). Kitty can't understand Fiona's hemming and hawing over Archie, much less Fiona's attraction to Fredericks, whom Kitty sees as nothing but a traitor. The two men in Fiona's life continue to pull her in different directions: I will admit I'm a bit ambivalent about Archie, especially after he gave Fiona an ultimatum in the last book, while Fredericks is doing awful things in every country he visits.

Of course the hapless and ridiculous Clifford is along for the ride, constantly interjecting stories of his glory days hunting big game, and generally being ineffective and needing careful handling and guidance by the women so that he does not thwart their efforts at accomplishing their goals.

No matter how flummoxed the men make her, they can't get in the way of Fiona's sleuthing, and she assumes disguises to infiltrate locations, finds clues, and proves, yet again, she's not only a detective, but an accomplished spy, despite her higher-ups reluctance to fully appreciate her skills.

This series, now on book eight, continues to entertain me. Fiona's a blast to spend time with, and she's funny, intelligent, and brave. I am excited to see what she gets up to next.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Boldwood Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Murder in Moscow is a spy/espionage mystery set at the end of World War 1. The Bolsheviks are in control of Russia, the Tsar and his family have been arrested and are secluded somewhere and Lenin is ready to surrender to the Germans. Fiona Figg has gone to Russia to meet up with Frederick Fredericks, when she gets arrested and thrown into jail with Countess Brasova, the Tsar's sister-in-law. Meanwhile, Kitty Lake heads to Moscow with some other agents to stop the surrender and to find Fiona and get her safely out of Russia. With agents in disguise, double agents, secret plots and more, this story had me on the edge of my seat to see who escapes and who never leaves Russia.

This is the 8th Fiona Figg Mystery and 5th Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mystery, but the first I have read. I think it left me at a bit of a disadvantage for the beginning of the book, but once the story got going, I was fine. I do plan to read the previous books to get the full story. I love that the two main characters are women. The disguises they use were wonderful and I like how they use there wiles at times to get what they need. The men seem to be more supporting characters in this book, but they do play an important role. Fiona is smart, insightful, sneaky and able to get out of tricky situations, but sometimes needs help. Kitty has some awesome skills with her feet that help get Fiona and others away when they are being pursued. Poppy is Kitty's dog and also has some mad skills. There is an ongoing story involving Fiona, Frederick Fredericks and Archie which I'm not up to date on, but I am not a fan of love triangles. I will definitely read more in this series. Not only is there some history, but the stories are set all over Europe, so I get to armchair travel as well. If you enjoy an historical mystery involving spies, then I suggest you pick up this series.

I had never read the Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane series before being given this ARC, So naturally, I went back and read the previous released books to get to know the characters. And I was not disappointed! Oliver's series set during WWI is intriguing, well-written, and not what I expected. More of a cozy-historical fiction-mystery series - think more Rhys Bowen's Royal Spyness series than Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series. With Murder in Moscow, however, Oliver does an even better job of ramping up the gripping intrigue and peril - while still maintaining some of the lightheartedness that I enjoyed about her previous books. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Murder in Moscow and can't wait for Fiona and Kitty's next adventure.

In the latest Fiona Figg mystery, readers travel to Moscow in the days after the Bolshevik Revolution before the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. With hostile Cheka and Bolshevik forces all around them, Fiona, Archie, Clifford, Kitty, and Poppy-poo must thwart the Cheka's attempts to arrest Fiona for the murder of Iron Viktor. Fiona, utilizing all of her many skills and disguises as a spy, must get around Moscow and make the most of her limited excursions into the city to discover the identity of the true murderer of Iron Victor. Oliver has done an excellent job with the historical context of the novel (the Bolshevik Revolution) and the spy terminology and other technologies present in this novel. Oliver’s characters and their relationships with each other are the stars of the novel, especially Fiona’s relationship with Archie from other books in the series. Kitty is also a fascinating character; the chapter insights into her side of the investigation and her perceptions of Fiona’s work add another level to the novel. Another excellent cozy mystery solved by Fiona Figg, this novel is a fun and lighthearted read that fans of the series and the cozy mystery genre are sure to enjoy.

Kelly Oliver does it again in a historical cozy mystery novel. It worked with everything that I was looking for and thought the characters felt like they were supposed to. I enjoyed the way the Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane mystery series has gone through these entries and enjoyed reading this. I'm excited to see where Kelly Oliver will go and hope there is more.

I love books which are based on history, in this case the Ambassadors Plot in 1918 in revolutionary Moscow and the spies who operated there. This is a cosy crime/thriller but even so I felt it lacked authenticity, the way Kitty and Fiona acted and behaved, their clothes and the story. A little like the real Operation Ambassador to me it lacked a satisfactory conclusion and rushed to the happy ever after ending. I would read more in this series because it was an entertaining and light read despite it’s faults

Journey into the heart of 20th Century Russia in this fun and funny historical mystery, perfect for fans of Verity Bright and Helena Dixon.

1918 Moscow

Will following her heart mean losing her head? It could mean losing her job.

Fiona Figg trails her nemesis Fredrick Fredricks to Moscow. But when she arrives at the grand Metropol Hotel, the bounder has vanished.

After Fiona doesn’t show up for work at the War Office, Kitty Lane raises a red flag and tracks her to Russia. Seeking haven at the British Embassy, Kitty and Fiona become embroiled in a plot to overthrow the Bolshevik government.

But the plot turns deadly when Fiona goes undercover as a governess in the household of Iron Viktor, the Bolsheviks’ Head of Secret Police. And when Viktor turns up dead in his study, Fiona finds herself wanted for murder and on the lam.

Can Fiona and Kitty find the real killer and escape the Kremlin before it’s too late? Or will this dangerous game of Russian roulette be their last? (GoodReads synopsis)

I’m kinda getting tired of Fiona. She’s very whiney, and many of the situations she finds herself in are her own fault. She doesn’t seem capable of learning her lessons. I’m also not impressed with Archie, and don’t like how the readers were left with the two characters. Kitty was fine up to the ending. The interludes gave the reader a sense of partnership.

The saving grace of this series is the thoroughness of the research the author put into the background. While each novel is set during WW2, the author takes such pains to stay as true to historical facts as possible. The blending of fiction is what the author owns, and usually not what she bended to fix the narrative.

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

Yet again Fiona Figg has lost her heart to nemesis Frederick Fredericks. Travelling to the heart of Moscow to find him, she finds herself in the middle of some very dangerous political machinations. Not everyone is happy that the Romanovs were deposed the previous year, and factions plan to overthrow the Bolsheviks. Fiona goes undercover at the home of the head of the Secret Police. But her efforts land her in the the midst of a brutal murder - and she is a suspect. Can she clear her name, and avoid being killed too? Or has she taken one too many risks this time?

I loved that the story was set during the turmoil of the Russian Revolution. The historical detail and the wonderfully descriptive language took me into the heart of an important moment in history. It was also exciting and full of peril - as I expect from a Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane mystery.

Fiona is a strong and determined woman. Her work is unusual for the time, and she has to fight to be recognised and trusted. Kitty’s persona changes with the wind. She is adept at showing herself to be a flighty young thing one minute - and a martial arts expert the next. One should never underestimate Kitty Lane.

The dilemma for Fiona will always be who to trust. Her heart pulls her one way and her head the other. Time will tell if she ever discovers the true natures of both men in her life. I look forward to finding out if she ever succeeds.

Set in Moscow in 1918, this is the fifth instalment in the Fiona Figg & Kitty Lane mystery series. As with its predecessors, this can be read as a standalone novel regardless of being part of a series. If you’re lucky to have read some or all of the previous instalments, though, you are definitely going to enjoy the new developments in the story!

I come to look forward to a new adventure with Fiona and Kitty because, while I have read plenty of books set in and around World War II, I am less familiar with the events surrounding World War I. This series, therefore, is for me a constant source of knowledge. If - like me - you hadn’t heard of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which ended Russia’s participation in the Great War, you’re going to learn a thing or two.

At the end of the book, the author explains which characters are historical figures, and which ones are fictional but inspired by real people. I found this extremely interesting. Far from being a traditional history lesson, however, here we have excitement, danger, laughter, romance and more! A cosy mystery and espionage novel at its best.

#blogtour

I am a huge fan of Kelly Oliver and her work and I have been for a little while now. I have to say that I love the series featuring Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane. I read and thoroughly enjoyed reading the first four books in the series and I have been impatiently waiting for the fifth book to be released. Well ladies and gents the wait is over because the fifth book in the series is called 'Murder In Moscow' and it was released on 19th March 2024. I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Murder In Moscow' but more about that in a bit.

The fact that I saw the names 'Fiona Figg' and 'Kitty Lane' on the cover of a book that I knew I hadn't read yet was enough to grab my attention and draw me in. As soon as I started reading, I realised three things: Firstly that I was reading something special, secondly that I was going to become addicted to the story and thirdly that I wasn't going to be able to put the book to one side for any length of time. I was spot on with all three predictions. I initially picked the book up only intending to read a couple of chapters but I should have known better really because I was still sat there reading several chapters and an hour or two later. I felt as though I had reunited with old friends in the form of Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane. I developed my own theories as to what was going to happen so of course I had to keep reading to see if I was on the right track and discover the implications for my two 'friends' Fiona and Kitty. My Kindle wasn't exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I couldn't bear to miss a single second of the story. The more of the book that I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. I was so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and of how quickly I was getting through the book. All too quickly, I reached the end of 'Murder In Moscow' and I had to say goodbye to Fiona, Kitty and the rest of the characters. I found 'Murder In Moscow' to be a gripping, historical cozy mystery, which certainly kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

'Murder In Moscow' is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Kelly Oliver. Kelly has an easy going writing style that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Kelly's books often feels more like a chat between friends rather than reading a book. I hope that makes sense. Kelly clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. Kelly makes her characters seem just as real as you and I. As I mentioned earlier in the review, I grew to consider Kitty and Fiona as being friends of mine rather than just characters in a book. Kelly has clearly done a lot of research into the time period during which the story takes place and this helps to make the story seem that bit more realistic and authentic. I love the way that Kelly makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action. That's how I felt anyway.

In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Murder In Moscow' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I hope to read much more of Kelly's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

Murder in Moscow is the thrilling and humorous fifth book in the series. Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane make a fantastic duo as both are talented spies in their own ways. Fiona makes clever use of disguise whereas Kitty is good in a fight and is often the person who comes to Fiona's rescue.
I was anxious for Fiona at the beginning of the novel when she was arrested by the Cheka. Arrest in a foreign land during a civil war is never a good thing. It isn't long before she is caught up in another investigation and murder. With daring escapades, suspense and drama there isn't a dull moment.
I had very high hopes for Fiona and Ferdrick Fredricks at the end of the last novel so I was surprised at the turn of events in this book. I still have questions about both men but I have a soft spot for Fredrick and I get the sense that it's with him where Fiona's heart truly lies. Only time will tell and I'll be tagging along their journey to find out.

This was a fun, light-hearted romp through revolutionary Moscow featuring Fiona Figg and her ‘niece’ Kitty. Fiona has gone to Moscow in search of the German spy Frederick Fredericks, her charming caddish love interest. But she can’t find him and ends up in dire straits. Kitty, another operative, comes to the rescue with her intrepid little dog Poppy but they are both chased by the Cheka and they also have to try and find a mole in the fight to save the Tsar.

I studied Russian history at uni so I loved the setting of this book and all the real-life English and Russian characters portrayed in it, such as Countess Natasha, married to Michael, the Tsar’s brother. I prefer mysteries with more realistic heroines though so I am not sure if I will read another one in the series. I will definitely have a look and see, though.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is my first Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mystery. It’s a historical cozy mystery weaving equal parts historical intrigue and simplicity. This gives the series a unique vibe. It’s a whodunnit with well researched historical references, yet somehow the book remains light and frivolous. The main characters relate to one another as many colleagues do with a blend of simplicity and underlying complexity. These are definitely not cookie-cutter characters you will find in other books in the same genre. If you enjoy quirky characters, cozy mysteries, a British cast, and historical settings, this series is for you. 3.5 stars.

I have enjoyed this historical series. Although this is down the line in the collection of novels, it reads rather well on its own. I like Oliver taking readers to different locations in this series, now to Moscow. We are immersed in the tension between the Bolsheviks and those still loyal to the Czar. Additional tension is added as some are trying to make peace between the Bolshevik government and the Germans.

I appreciate the possibility of British female spies during WW I. I like Kitty and her scientific abilities to investigate evidence. I was getting a bit tired of Fiona's inability to choose ultimate romance between Archie and Frederick but it seems she may have done so here. Or has she? It looks like there will be additional adventures for Kitty and Fiona so I will be watching for them.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

‘Murder in Moscow’ is a brilliant historical whodunit, with top-notch characters, fast-paced and packed full of action! This is the fifth book in the ‘Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mysteries’ but it can be read as a stand-alone very easily. The author provides all the salient points and I feel a new reader would pick up the narrative with no problems. I do recommend reading the whole series as it is great historical cosy crime.

It will come as no surprise due to the title that Fiona Figg has landed herself in Moscow, after following the German spy Frederick Fredericks there. But she is on personal business rather than spy business! She is following her heart but when she arrives there he is nowhere to be seen. Random point here as a big fan of ‘A Gentlemen in Moscow’ I loved that the Metropol Hotel was featured. Kitty lies to the War Office and says that Fiona is trailing Fredericks and hot-foots it to help her out and boy does Fiona need it, especially when she lands on the Cheka’s (secret police) radar…

I loved that this outing was a dual POV telling with both Fiona and Kitty having their own chapters. I always wondered what Kitty was getting up to in the background and now we know - basically being an awesome spy and saving people’s butts! Hopefully, this will continue into the rest of the series. It's a great cast of characters and they still have their secrets and readers don't know where they stand with them. Is Fredericks really a German agent and is Archie, Fiona’s beau a double agent?!

This was a fun read and I loved all the Russian history, politics and characters. But then I studied Russian history at uni so I am a bit biased. The author managed to tease out the high-level aspects that would affect the story but they still managed to pack it full of authentic and relatable details. I would say that there wasn't really an overreaching mystery like in the other books and the majority of the story was the gang trying to get out of scrapes but it was still an entertaining read!

Let me know if you pick this one up!

I really enjoyed Murder In Moscow by Kelly Oliver. This is book 5 in the Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane mystery series and they just keep getting better.
I loved that this book had more action and thrills. Fiona found herself in more precarious spots than previous books and it added to the nervous anticipation while reading the book. I also enjoyed the new element of adding in chapters called “Kitty’s Interlude” where you get Kitty’s perspective.
The ending left me wanting more and I was shocked to discover that I had reached the end of the book. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series! I need to find out what happens with Fiona’s love triangle and where Fiona finds herself next.

I have posted this review on Amazon, Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6341950307

And Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/C4wJBtOLy6b/?igsh=ZzVwbDJtbjhvdG45

This was an enjoyable read in an era in history I don't see much of. I love anything Romanov and this had just enough to keep me going. The femme fatales as spies was exactly what the month of March needed. The FMC chose the right choice for a lover in the end and I was glad when his secret wasn't told to the Cheka.

What I didn't like was some of the names of the characters. It seemed like the author ran out of ideas, gratefully though she at least made the niece to the FMC witty and smart, contrasting to the ditzy costumes she wears when she spies.

Murder in Moscow by Kelly Oliver

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

1918 Moscow

Will following her heart mean losing her head? It could mean losing her job.

Fiona Figg trails her nemesis Fredrick Fredricks to Moscow. But when she arrives at the grand Metropol Hotel, the bounder has vanished.

After Fiona doesn’t show up for work at the War Office, Kitty Lane raises a red flag and tracks her to Russia. Seeking haven at the British Embassy, Kitty and Fiona become embroiled in a plot to overthrow the Bolshevik government.

But the plot turns deadly when Fiona goes undercover as a governess in the household of Iron Viktor, the Bolsheviks’ Head of Secret Police. And when Viktor turns up dead in his study, Fiona finds herself wanted for murder and on the lam.

Can Fiona and Kitty find the real killer and escape the Kremlin before it’s too late? Or will this dangerous game of Russian roulette be their last?

My Opinion

I am trying to read more historical fiction, and this is the second book I have read in the series. From what I have read this is a great series and relatively easy to get lost in. Fiona has a habit of getting into trouble and this book is no exception - this book is mostly told from Fiona's perspective but we do get to see a bit from the perspective of Kitty.

For me, this was a great cosy mystery and this series is really helping me in my quest to enjoy more historical fiction. At less than 250 pages, I read this book in a few short hours - I started it and whilst I only wanted to read a few chapters I didn't actually manage to put the book down until I had read over 30%.

Rating 4/5