Overview
Recently moved to the English Cotswolds, Gemma Brown desperately wants to create the kind of idyllic life she’s read about in her favorite mystery novels, with herself as the leading lady. But fitting in proves difficult as Gemma is more adept at solving mysteries and setting up the village’s first bookstore than she is at baking cakes or grasping social niceties. Nevertheless, she finds a friend in Peggy, a young woman recently moved to town herself, and Ursula Beurton, who is not only the village’s best baker but an enigmatic figure who sparks controversy in the small-town gossip network.
As Gemma spends more time with Ursula, she begins to suspect all those novels are affecting her thinking. The oddities she starts to notice must be her imagination because, if not, they point to something far more dangerous than winning the local baking contest or being placed on the church committee. Could her neighbor be a real spy?
Following her instincts and a few skills learned through fiction, Gemma soon becomes embroiled in an international intrigue involving the village’s mysterious benefactor, Lady Marchmont, MI5, and the KGB. In an unexpected twist, however, Ursula asks Gemma for a favor which may endanger all their lives as their next chapter unfolds in Gemma’s new venture, the Undercover Bookshop.
Review
Gemma Brown has recently moved to the English Cotswolds. She desperately wants the kind of idyllic life she’s read about in her favorite mystery novels. But fitting in proves difficult. Nevertheless, she finds a friend in Ursula Beurton, who is not only the village’s best baker but an enigmatic figure who sparks controversy in the small-town gossip network.
Oh…I love a book with great book references and this one is full of them. And a fabulous setting of a quaint, English town just had me all dreamy and wanting to hop on a plane.
Then there is Gemma! I really enjoyed her, at first. She is a bit lost but she has a great reading mind. But then I became a bit frustrated with her. For someone who is supposed to be smart, she really makes some dumb decisions! (😂😂😂 Don’t we all!). But, sometimes those decisions lead to something much bigger….like espionage! And yes, you need to read this to find out. I am not going to spill the beans!
I absolutely love this author. If you get a chance, read The Berlin Letters as well!
Need a story with a bit of an MI5 twist…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest opinion.
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