Poetry of Reading: December 2023

Imperial Scandal by Tracy Grant

by Natasa Djordjevic - 7:35 AM

In 1815, the excitement of Vienna pales when the news that Napoleon escaped sends chills amongst his enemies. Wellington prepares for the battle near Brussels that will shape the future of Europe. British attaché Malcolm Rannoch and his wife Suzanne had enjoyed the galas, but he must return to work as a spy for the crown since the Emperor returned.

Malcolm meets with French agent La Fleur who is selling information when Colonel Harry Davenport, aide de camp to Wellington, arrives to warn them. Shots are fired killing La Fleur. In the garden, Malcolm finds the murdered corpse of Harry's sister-in-law highly regarded Lady Julia Ashton who should not have been there unless she was spying. As the city is gripped by the nearby hostilities, Malcolm and Suzanne, trusting no one as they fear an insider betrayal, investigate who murdered Julia and why.

The latest Rannoch Napoleonic Era amateur sleuth In 1815, the city of Vienna was abuzz with excitement until the news of Napoleon's escape sent shivers down the spines of his enemies. The Duke of Wellington prepared for the imminent battle near Brussels that would determine the fate of Europe. British attaché, Malcolm Rannoch, and his wife, Suzanne, had enjoyed attending the galas, but Malcolm had to return to work as a spy for the crown after the Emperor's return.

Malcolm met with a French agent named La Fleur, who was selling information, when Colonel Harry Davenport, an aide de camp to Wellington, arrived to warn them of danger. Shots were fired, killing La Fleur. In the garden, Malcolm discovered the murdered body of Lady Julia Ashton, Harry's sister-in-law, who should not have been there unless she was spying. With the city gripped by the nearby hostilities, Malcolm and Suzanne didn't trust anyone as they feared an insider betrayal. They decided to investigate who killed Julia and why.

This latest Rannoch Napoleonic Era amateur sleuth (see Vienna Waltz) is an entertaining whodunit that uses the real suspense of the pending battle at Waterloo as a powerful backdrop to the investigation. The murder mystery is cleverly devised, with super red herrings and terrific twists that make for a fabulous early nineteenth-century thriller. is an entertaining whodunit that uses the real suspense of the pending battle at Waterloo to serve as a powerful backdrop to the investigation. The murder mystery is cleverly devised as super red herrings and terrific twists make for a fabulous early nineteenth-century thriller.