High Treason at the Grand Hotel

This is a very quick and easy to read historical mystery which I enjoyed very much. This author is new to me, but I was quick to grasp the main characters backstory. It’s very well written with some nice twists and turns interspersed throughout the novel. The author really highlighted attention to detail especially about Paris which I enjoyed immensely. I highly recommend this novel and can’t wait to read more from this author.

Such a charming and thrilling read, one I didn't want to end! Seriously, it has everything a stellar book requires yet it is not overdone. The author is very skilled at using historical details (do read the afterword), developing fabulous characters and situations. Additionally, her sense of humour is just incredible. This is one of those books I felt an immediate affinity with. It's non-stop pure enjoyment. The very thought of the next in the series, the third, fills me with anticipation.

In 1917, Fiona Figg, a young woman in her 20s, is a file clerk who has done spying jobs on the side. Well, in this book she has spying down pat! Not only that but she is quirky, clever and much more than fluff. She has lost her husband so has had to deal with intense grief and this depth contributes to her character. To her delight she is sent to Paris to uncover secrets about Frederick Fredricks and packs disguises, just in case. Things go awry early on her trip but her quick thinking and friend Clifford wrangle her out of dicey messes, time after time in several locales within Paris.

Beautifully-written unexpected twists and turns abound like crazy as she inveigles and discovers far more than Fredrick's dealings. The subplots are just as fabulous. I really get a sense of the characters in this thoughtful book. Despite the challenges, Fiona doesn't take herself too seriously, yet there is so much substance everywhere you look. Each personality is portrayed so very well, even the minor ones.

If you don't pick up this Historical Fiction book, you truly are missing out. It is such a treat! You will find mysteries and touches of romance punctuated by incredible historical details which made me feel I was back in Paris. Food, building and clothing descriptions are lovely.

My sincere thank you to Level Best Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated.

High Treason at the Grand Hotel by Kelly Oliver is a winner.

It is a historical novel with just enough to grab you until the very end. How can you not like a book about a British spy?

Highly recommend!

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical mystery as it's fun to read and engrossing.
An interesting cast of characters, a vivid historical background and a solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I want to read other books in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

1917 Paris seems very exciting to Fiona Figg. Sent to pursue the Black Panther, she has been given strict orders which she immediately flouts.

A light hearted spy mission sending a file clerk from London (very condescending male bosses by the way) who treat her as just someone available and not a very good one at that and keeping with the times, Fiona herself is just grateful for the opportunity knowing fully well, she is quite capable of handling the assignment with a few distractions of course!

This was a story full of dry wit and humor (very reminscent of British wit) and was a entertaining story told. Based on a lot of actual facts - the Black Panther did exist in spy networks, Mata Hari was in reality a female spy and these are woven into the story very well.

Fiona Figg, file clerk as well as secret agent that seems to be where she shouldn’t be pretty much every time. When she is needed in Paris to follow a Possible spy Frederick Fredricks, she carries with her an arrangement of disguises such as wigs and hats. It seems that as usual, Fiona is trying her best to do a great job but trouble waits her at every corner. This time caught red handed with a bloody paper knife over a dead countess, she has a lot of explaining to do. Can she get the much needed info back to her boss or will she be tried for murder. The book is full of great historical information that is correct as well as enough humor to keep you entertained and engrossed in the story not wanting it to end. Another 5++ star book.

Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

The plucky perkiness and perilous missteps of the Perils of Pauline meets the spy trade in this light and luscious tale of a file clerk with a penchant for fine hats, expensive apparel she can’t afford, and a bevy of disguises, wigs, and facial hair. She is much more adept at fooling herself than she is at fooling others but never allows missteps to be her last steps. A thoroughly fine romp that will take your mind off the dire news of the day. Famous spies and double agents of history litter her path toward justice for country and individuals. Delightful.

This was hard to put down, this is a great mystery with a bit of some suspense. Can’t wait for the next book.

High Treason at the Grand Hotel by Kelly Oliver. I am not a big fan of detective and spy novels where the hero/heroine is a klutz and falls into his/her discoveries. This was such a novel. It is World War I and England is running short of men to do some of these jobs, leaving only one choice. Fiona is sent to Paris to follow a suspected German spy. That is her assignment: follow. She can't do it. She assumes disguises, puts herself and others in danger, albeit she does solve a serial killer crime and does come across some important information, but it is all dumb luck. She loses it as quickly as she finds it. Fiona is intelligent but she leaps before she looks and hopes for the best. She has good intentions, but not good sense.

One high point in the novel was Oliver's description of the execution of Mata Hari that was moving and historically accurate. Oliver's description and portrayal of Fiona's friend, Clifford Douglas, is comically extremely entertaining, although it is his character who continually bails Fiona out of messes she fins herself in. He is much more than the buffoon he appears to be, no matter how amusing he appears to be. The plot is based largely on reality and real people from the time period. It is a decently written book, it is the character to whom I object. Others may not feel the same way.

I was invited to read a free ARC of High Treason at the Grand Hotel by Netgalley. All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #hightreasonatthegrandhotel

Entertaining spy story set mostly in Paris, 1917. Interesting characters including Mata Hari. Lots of laughs.
I requested and received a temporary free ebook copy from Level Best Books via NetGalley.

I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley.com

She's back! Fiona Figg is on the case - it is Paris - 1917. Sent by the War Office, she is still on the trail of the Black Panter. She is supposed to observe and behave. However, if you know Fiona, that is not her style.

She has her "get-ups" and starts to investigate and ends up in a few situations as the book progresses.

Can she obtain enough information on the Black Panther to help the War Office? Or will she end up getting into more trouble then she bargained for? Only time will tell.

Miss Fiona Figg was a divorced and widowed woman. Her x-husband died in her arms. She started as a file clerk for Room 40 which eventually becomes MI5. It is 1917 the first world war, so many men have gone to the front only women are left. She was to follow Fredrick Fredricks in Paris. He was believed to be a spy. She loved using disguises although her boss told her no. She was witty, funny but she also felt for people. Frederick was tall, dark and handsome, have you heard that before? He was a friend of Clifford Douglas who was British and worked for the War Office. Fiona once compared him to her pet Beagle with big eyes and talked constantly. It kept my attention very easily. It was engaging, and humorous but it had tear sections, too. She seemed to always be in hot water. The characters were wonderful. I highly recommend this mystery and spy Novel.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This is a quirky, fun murder mystery that takes place in 1917. We follow Fiona Figg, sorta widow, sorta divorcee, as she tries her hand at being a spy, chasing the elusive Frederick Fredericks. Along the way Fiona gathers her information by wearing crazy costumes, solves another murder, and meets some thoroughly entertaining individuals. If you are a fan of the cozy mystery, humor in your spy novels, and fun historical fiction this is for you.

A highly entertaining story of espionage and murder in Paris during World War I. Fiona Figg, a filing clerk, turned sometimes English spy, is tasked with surveilling a suspected German spy. Fiona has perseverance and a love of disguise which works…though not always as well as she thinks. She reminds me Pink Panther but smarter and not as slapstick.

There’s a pinch of romance, real historical people who fit in well with the story (it doesn’t feel forced), adventure, twists and plenty of humor. It is sure put a smile on your face and cause some laughter. I haven’t read the first book in this series but I plan on correcting that soon.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'd say this was more a 3.5/5 than a 4, but I enjoyed it enough to bump it up as I couldn't give a half star.

I struggled to get into this initially - it felt very obvious to me from the incredibly heavy-handed use of Anglicisms that the author wasn't actually British. At first I thought this was going to make the book incredibly hard to read because it drew me out of the reading experience, but luckily once Fiona reached France a) the Anglicisms dropped off and b) the plot became greatly enjoyable.

I haven't read the first book in this series, but didn't feel that that stopped me from enjoying this book - the important points were rehashed as one would expect in a continuation of a series. This was a very enjoyable quick read. The plot moved at a good pace, Fiona's narration and her internal monologue were incredibly entertaining. I don't know if I would ever feel compelled to re-read this book (I rarely do, to be fair), but I would definitely be interested in picking up any future books featuring Fiona Figg.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Level Best Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Fiona Figg is back in another delightful historical mystery. She is sent to follow up on the notorious Black Panther and not to wear any of her normal disguises. In essence not to stand out or get too close to her target.

But soon she will wear many disguises, as she finds herself caught as a bellboy hanging over a dead countess body with a bloody knife. Will she be able to save herself without her identity being discovered or will she be a victim of the guillotine?

I grabbed HIGH TREASON AT THE GRAND HOTEL for its splendid cover, WWI setting in Paris, and protagonist Fiona Figg as a British spy. Starting slow, it caught fire as she follows suspected agents for the Germans, including the infamous Mata Hari. Will Fiona uncover the truth before more Allied ships are sunk by the enemy? And what about that sexy soldier who consoled her after the death of her husband? A fine hf-mystery for those intrigued by Great War spydom and a worthy #2 in the Fiona Figg series.

4 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 05 Jan 2021
#HighTreasonattheGrandHotel #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, Level Best Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.