Camille
Camille Lefebre is an actress but, because of the laws in France about women appearing on stage, she acts as her twin brother, Robert. It is in this guise that she is attacked by a rich nobleman’s son and she kills him. Immediately, she flees Paris and heads for London, where an aunt lives. On the coach from Dover to London, she encounters two gentleman, who, believing her (as Camille, now) to speak no English, discuss many things from her attractiveness to state secrets. One of these gentlemen is Samuel Pepys, who, on learning something of the truth, aids her escape and takes her on as his personal secretary. In doing so, Camille finds herself tangled up in treasonable plots and a personal vendetta against her by the brother of the man she slew.
Camille is a wonderful creation: she switches effortlessly from female to male, is intelligent and thoughtful and is pretty nifty with a rapier as well. Above all she is a consummate actress and I found myself really caring about her.
I have no hesitation of recommending this book, which is very well paced and full of adventure.
