London Interlude

Rannoch Fraser Mysteries #0.6

by Tracy Grant

June 1814
A Malcolm & Suzanne Rannoch Historical Mystery Novella

A year and a half after entering her unusual marriage of convenience to British attaché and intelligence agent, Malcolm Rannoch, Suzanne Rannoch pays her first visit to her husband's home. England: the country her husband fled for reasons she does not fully understand; the country Suzanne has secretly spent the last five years fighting against as a French spy.

The trip takes Suzanne and her husband to the heart of London society — the world Malcolm grew up in. A glamorous labyrinth of unwritten rules and unvoiced codes. Yet the glittering ballrooms of London are not free of the intrigues of the Napoleonic Wars. The search for stolen papers that could tip the international balance of power pits Malcolm and Suzanne against each other. Suzanne faces a stark choice between her loyalty to her cause and her love for the man she married—in order to spy on him.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical Mystery, Regency, Romance, 19th Century, Fiction

69 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2015

About the author

Tracy Grant studied British history at Stanford University and received the Firestone Award for Excellence in Research for her honors thesis on shifting conceptions of honor in late fifteenth century England. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her young daughter and three cats. In addition to writing, Tracy works for the Merola Opera Program, a professional training program for opera singers, pianists, and stage directors. Her real life heroine is her daughter Mélanie, who is very cooperative about Mummy’s writing. Tracy is currently at work on her next book chronicling the adventures of Malcolm and Mélanie Suzanne Rannoch.

Reviews

[Merry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read several books in the series. I started with book 1 and there is discussion on the order they should be read. I found this short story rather pointless, and it didn't advance the story at all. Why does Malcom have difficulties with his father....what happened with his mother (some sort of psychiatric issues). I rate the story a 2.5* It was short was the most I can say.

[Misfit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course. The papers she had been tasked to recover, the papers that could wreak havoc for Bonapartist agents in London, were in the hands of her husband.

What a fun little novella, and I like the way the author is using these between books to flesh out a bit more of Malcolm and Suzanne's back history. This one is centered on the pair coming to England (and Suzanne meeting the family) just prior to the Congress of Vienna, which you'll find covered in Vienna Waltz.

I do not recommend reading this novellas in chronological order, there be spoilers and shouldn't be read until you've been through Imperial Scandal. There be spoilers for what's revealed at the end of IS.

Kindle copy obtained via library loan.

[BJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story shows the slightly prickly relationship between H and h. It was very short, just enough to set the scene and introduce characters.

[Betty Strohecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good 'interlude' reading about Malcolm returning to London and introducing Suzanne to his family. However, it was too short for my taste. I am invested in these characters and want to read more about them. Novellas are not my favorite type of literature.

[L Y N N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I can't imagine beng in Suzanne's position. Amazing to realize that Malcolm is indeed 'true blue' to his own principles and morals, regardless of his espionage assignments/missions! Good for him!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story... It narrates Suzanne's (aka Melanie) first time in London and meeting some of Malcom's (aka Charles) family. Timeline wise it seems to fall right before Vienna Waltz. I like this series, and my only complaint is that the time jumps (& name changes) can be confusing.

[MissKitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing on with this series. So far am enjoying it. This is another novella, so equally short.

The couple have been married a year and the heroine finally gets to meet the relatives of the Hero. The Hero completes a simple “job” (they are spies) then they are off to Vienna for the next mystery.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a novella read on my Kindle. The story is set in London in 1814 when Malcolm and Suzanne return to London to meet his family. Both are spies but he doesn't know she is one. The reading was quick and easy.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is addictive since the strong personable characters draw you into each story and you are just as breathless and desperate for their safety and happiness in a world of treachery, partly created through their own actions.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but interesting. Still leaves me wanting more of the backstory.

[Edwina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this novella from start to finish! Four stars because it kept me on my toes and I'm so excited to continue reading about Malcolm and Suzanne's adventures in Vienna Waltz!

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slight and inessential. Fast reading, but I’ll welcome returning to the regular series and its details.

[Ashley Hobgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read this e-book out of curiosity. I enjoyed reading this book because of the drama and history. I loved getting meet Malcolm's family. I thought the novel was well written. It is a must read.

[Paul Burnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

What could possibly go wrong here? You’re beautiful. Accomplished. Married. A mother to a beloved child. In love with your husband. Been through two wars with him. Saved his life. He saved yours. And all that stuff happened before this book’s events began to unfold. It’s just the secrets that haven’t been revealed, hardly suspected. Thankfully, our hero and heroine are sufficiently entertaining – and entertained themselves – that all, characters and reader alike, can get caught up in solving a mystery that though close to home, very close, is yet not at the center of their marriage and family. And, oh, it’s much more difficult to meet the members of his family for the first time than to solve any – or keep any – of the secrets.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh enjoyed this so much. I loved the mystery and the suspense of mission and I really enjoyed Malcom and Suzanne's relationship. I've started next book in the series' order after and I find they are more suspicious of each other in it, than in this story. It's engaging though and I now wanted to keep reading the whole series.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malcolm and Suzanne with their son, Colin, are in London for a short visit before going to Vienna for the Congress. They stay with Malcolm’s Aunt Frances, his mother’s sister. Suzanne meets a number of Malcolm’s family and friends. She also learns more about Malcolm and his beliefs.

[Georgia Carvalho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief novella that fits towards the early part of the series. Feels a bit awkward to read out of order, funny feeling like you have to forget some of the characters and developments.

[Foggygirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great but quick Suzanne and Malcolm adventure.

[Kathleen Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read - a reminder of how much I love reading Suzanne and Malcolms stories...I am looking forward to the release of the next in the series.

[Vani]

I borrowed this book via my library's Overdrive app without realising that it's a novella from a series. Once I started, it became clear that the book is best read in chronological order to really understand the characters and how they came to be in London. As such, I've stopped reading and won't be rating it as well.