Foreign Affair: A Novel of Victorian England (A+ Series) »

A remarkable debut novel rich in atmosphere, color, and suspense, Caro Peacock's A Foreign Affair is an irresistible blend of history, adventure, and ingenious invention that brings an extraordinary new writer-and a truly endearing and unforgettable heroine-to the literary stage.

The year is 1837. Queen Victoria, barely eighteen, has just ascended to the throne of England, and a young woman named Liberty Lane has just had her first taste of true sorrow. Refusing to accept that her gentle, peace-loving father has been killed fighting a duel, she vows to see justice done. . . .

The trail she follows is a twisting and dangerous one, leading the spirited young Englishwoman into an intricate weave of conspiracy. Contacted by secret agents, she is asked to pose as a governess in order to infiltrate cold, rambling Mandeville Hall and spy on its master, Sir Herbert Mandeville, who is at the center of a treasonous plan.

Nothing at the hall is what it seems, and every turn reveals another deceit, another surprise, another peril, leaving Libby to wonder who to trust and embroiling her in a deadly affair that could destroy the young queen and place Libby herself in mortal peril. . . .

Stacey Hayman - Library Journal

Set in England at the moment of Victoria's ascent to the throne, British novelist Peacock's initial title in a new historical series begins with the murder of Thomas Lane. His daughter, Liberty, is a determinedly self-confident young woman driven to decipher the mystery of her father's death; an opponent of duels, he inexplicably died in such an act. In the course of her pursuit of her father's killer, Liberty uncovers a plot to overthrow the young Queen Victoria. This book has all the right elements: a plucky heroine succeeding against the odds, dastardly villains who fail, and the heroine's supportive friends who lighten her burden with unconditional love. Unfortunately, it's hard for the reader to warm up to the main characters, who remain stubbornly one-dimensional. The supporting characters show the most life but come and go quickly. A confusing back story, such as the occasional reference to a younger brother in India, makes it hard to focus on the main plot. One hopes the next book will be more engaging. Recommended for libraries with patrons who love historical mysteries similar to Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series. [Peacock previously wrote under the name Gillian Linscott.-Ed.]