The Royal Assassin by Kate Parker

The Royal Assassin by Kate Parker ISBN-13: 9780425266625 Trade Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Released: July 7, 2015

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Back Cover:
When the Duke of Blackford enters her bookstore, Georgia Fenchurch knows the secret Archivist Society is in need of her services as a private investigator. The Tsar of Russia and his family are visiting Queen Victoria on the auspices of the engagement of the Russian princess Kira to the son of the Queen’s cousin. When Kira’s bodyguard is found dead on a train returning from Scotland, the Queen calls on Blackford to discreetly protect the princess and prevent an international incident.

The Russian royalty refuses help in finding the murderer, suspecting anarchists and demanding every extremist in London be hanged. But that is far from the English way. To get the job done, Georgia must go undercover as Kira’s English secretary.


My Review:
The Royal Assassin is a historical suspense novel set in September 1896 in London, England. It's the third book in a series, but you don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one. However, there is an ongoing quest for justice throughout the series so far, and some aspects of that storyline are spoiled in this book.

I love this heroine. She's smart, capable, and sensible (except when it comes to the handsome duke, who inspires silly, giddy thoughts). Her male colleagues respect her. She's not perfect, but she's likable. She and the other characters acted realistically.

The author captured the time period well in terms of technology and manners. (Georgia pushed the edge of 'proper behavior' in private, but I suspect even that is realistic). The suspense came from the danger to the Russian princess and those around her. The mystery of whodunit is more complex than it initially appears, though whodunit is guessable from the clues.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this fun, exciting novel. It was just a really fun romp, and I've already bought the previous two novels so I can read them.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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