High Treason at the Grand Hotel: A Fiona Figg Mystery
Fiona Figg, a file clerk working at the London War Office during WWI, is sent to Paris to spy on the suspected spy Fredrick Fredricks. En route she meets Lady Gresha MacLeod, aka another suspected spy, Mata Hari, and, once at the hotel, she discovers that both Lady MacLeod and Fredrick Fredricks have rooms there. Sternly warned by her boss not to masquerade as anyone, she disguises herself as Harold the helpful bellboy soon after checking in. This allows her (him) to overhear conversations, pick room locks, search for clues, hide in closets, and be sent hither and thither by the grumpy desk clerk. Meanwhile, she (he) poses as a wine waiter, discovers a murdered countess, gets hit on by a voluptuous maid, and chases a serial murderer, all while trying to report in at the British Embassy during its slim daily opening hours of 1 pm to 3 pm! Also along from the War Office is Captain Clifford Douglas, who Fiona tries to avoid, but she’s always grateful when he seems to conjure himself out of thin air exactly when needed.
Second in the Fiona Figg mystery series, this standalone is full of intrigue and adventure, with a motley cast of characters, a healthy dose of wry humour, and some downright laugh-out-loud bits. Fiona is quite disarming in her clever bumbling way, and you can’t help but wonder what she will do next. Fiona narrates the story, so we’re alongside on her mission, caught up in her amusing asides. The conversational banter is witty and slick, and our intrepid heroine/hero sometimes confuses herself with her disguises. She’s daring, brave, savvy, and often sassy, much to Clifford’s very British chagrin. And who knew hats were so vital to spy-craft? A delightfully diversionary read!
