Review: The Paris Affair by Teresa Grant
Author: Teresa Grant
Title: The Paris Affair
Release: March 26, 2013
Reviewer: Noa
Source: Personal libraryPurchase: | Book Depository
In the wake of the Battle of Waterloo, the Bourbon court in Paris and their victorious allies give lavish parties while the Royalists are quick to exact vengeance for everything since the Revolution. Countless Bonapartists are arrested and executed in what comes to be known as the White Terror. In this seething atmosphere British attaché and spy Malcolm Rannoch learns that his murdered half-sister, Princess Tatiana Kirsanova, may have left behind a secret child in Paris; a child who may now be in grave danger.
While friends and former associates are imprisoned and executed around them, Malcolm and his wife Suzanne set out to find the girl. And as kings argue over legitimacy and relations battle over estates, trusting the wrong side can be deadly…
Malcolm and Suzanne have been one of my favorite fictional pairings since this series first began with with author Teresa Grant’s “other” identity as Tracy Grant (more on that Here). This couple has been through hell and maybe because of that their relationship doesn’t need stormy declarations and extravagant gestures. There is something very special about this relationship that makes reading this series not only an enjoyable experience – it is often an inspiring one.
The Paris Affair was no different. Teresa Grant continues the saga of British diplomat and agent Malcolm Rannoch and his mysterious wife Suzanne in the aftermath of the Battle of Waterloo. Everyone who is anyone is now congregating in Paris which means that the city is like a powder keg ready to explode at the slightest spark. This of course means that there is plenty for an agent of the crown to do – in fact, Malcolm Rannoch is quite busy from page one – when a frenchman who was seeking aid from the British in exchange for information not only uncovers a scandal within the British diplomatic ranks, he reveals that Princess Tatiana (see Vienna Waltz review) may have borne a child…Then he gets himself killed.
Now not only must Suzanne and Malcolm discover the killer, they must discover whether the dead man’s tales had any shred of truth to them.
Meanwhile, Suzanne is dealing with the devastation of losing the war she had put everything on the line for as well as her guilt at keeping such a major part of her past from Malcolm.
The Paris Affair is filled with introspection from both Suzanne and Malcom’s perspectives and really delves into the characters feelings – which I truly enjoyed, I kept wanting to go back and read Secrets of a Lady so that I could assure myself that they do in fact, have a happy ending.
The mystery, like Grant’s characters is well plotted, multi-dimensional and simply thrilling. Grant has such incredible talent in tying everything together as the story comes to its conclusion while always leaving the reader wanting more.
A truly wonderful read from a sublime author. As always, can’t wait for the next chapter in Malcolm and suzanne’s adventures!
