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4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
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fiona figg betrayal at ravenswick looking forward agatha christie kelly oliver mysterious affair affair at styles next book cozy mystery main character next installment forward to the next war effort next adventure war office historical cozy file clerk jacqueline winspear time period mystery series
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CMeade
3.0 out of 5 stars Just Okay...
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2020
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This book has a fabulous description. After reading it, I was totally sold on the storyline. It seemed right up my alley and I was happy to shell out $5.99 for the Kindle ebook.
I was hoping to be decently entertained and enjoy a good mystery. Sadly, the book description was far superior to the actual book. Similar to a movie trailer that makes the movie seem way better than it actually is.
To me, the writing was awkward and the characters were shallow. I couldn’t connect with any of them or by into the plot. Most of the story elements were rushed and lacked depth and appropriate follow through.
I have read many books in this genre set in this same time period where I was swept away by the engaging characters and fully taken in with the unfolding mystery. Unfortunately this attempt fell flat. It wasn’t terrible, just forgettable. It seems to be the first in a series but I won’t be returning for a sequel.
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Marylf
2.0 out of 5 stars No satisfactory ending . . .
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2020
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This is a book for light reading that requires you to surrender some common sense (woman disguised herself as a man to do the investigation, etc). I would have rated it higher if the ending had not left me up in the air. I guess the reader is expected to buy the second book to get the loose ends tied up; and, probably you will have to buy the third in the series to finish book two.
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Grady HarpTop Contributor: Children's Books
HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWER
5.0 out of 5 stars ‘A photographic memory came in handy when filing while eavesdropping’
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2020
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Tennessee author Kelly Oliver earned her degrees from Gonzaga University and Northwestern University and is a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt University. She has published numerous articles on such important issues as the refugee crisis, reproductive technologies, campus rape, women and the media, the environment, and animals in The New York Times and The Los Angeles Review of Books, as well as being featured on ABC news, CSPAN books, and the Canadian Broadcasting Network. Her published books include both non-fiction and children’s, young adult, and adult fiction. Now she opens a new series – the Fiona Figg mysteries and BETRAYAL AT RAVENSWICK is Book 1. She lives in Nashville.

The decision to place this new mystery series in the World War I era finds Kelly in top form as a writer of both romantic mystery and wit, able to focus her stage setting so clearly that we the view war torn world in a different light. Once again the primary character is a female sleuth, Fiona Figg, and her personality and motivation for this story is evident from the opening words: ‘I should have poisoned him. If only I’d had the chance. By the time he confessed to loving another woman and asked for a divorce, it was too late. When he left me, he took my desires to be with him, even in my desire for death. If it weren’t for an article in the Daily Times about a certain South African war correspondent living near Wickham Bishops, I might still be languishing in my bed, wishing I’d never been born. I’d been such an idiot…’

Kelly’s writing style is a fine blend of raw humor with tense tale spinning that makes this mystery series opener a complete pleasure to read: laugh a lot at her language choices and similes while deeply inhaling her well-paced mystery. She provides a very succinct and useful summary invitation into her world – ‘What's the best way to purge an unfaithful husband? Become a spy for British Intelligence, of course. Desperate to get out of London, and determined to help the war effort and stop thinking about her philandering husband, Fiona Figg volunteers to go undercover. At Ravenswick Abbey a charming South African war correspondent has tongues wagging. His friends say he's a crack huntsman. The War Office is convinced he's a traitor. Fiona thinks he's a pompous prig. What sort of name is Fredrick Fredricks anyway? Too bad Fiona doesn't own a Wolseley pith helmet. ‘

Kelly Oliver continues to grow as one of our more important authors today. Welcoming a new series form her allows us to further appreciate her fine-honed skills at writing novels that enhance our reading pleasures and entertainment. Very highly recommended. Grady Harp, April 20
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Jape G
3.0 out of 5 stars No ending!
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2020
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I was captivated when reading the preview on Amazon. Enjoyed the mystery until the end, no resolution! I suppose it will be answered in the next installment but...
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Mr Giggs
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written, brilliant new mystery series
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2020
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Thankfully, Betrayal at Ravenswick is just the first in an exciting new mystery series starring the indomitable Fiona Figg, a brilliant young woman who is working for the War Office in London during World War One when her husband leaves her for another woman. Still grieving her lost marriage, Fiona Figg promptly reinvents herself and becomes an integral part of the British war effort. Fiona is clever, fierce, hilarious, compassionate, and even heartbreaking, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this engrossing mystery--never a dull moment! The entire cast of characters is multi-dimensional and quirky, as is the countryside setting. I don't want to spoil any of the fun for other readers, so I'll leave it there.
I can't wait for the next book in the series. I devoured this one the day I bought it!
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Marilynn M.
4.0 out of 5 stars Clean, cozy mystery
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2020
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I enjoyed reading this light but interesting mystery about a woman working for British intelligence as a file clerk. She is asked to follow a man who is suspected of being a spy. This is wartime. The reader gets an glimpse of the state of living conditions there. (I certainly do not look forward to having only a margarine sandwich for lunch.) Readers are also given the idea of wartime by the many, many wounded that are treated at hospitals and the terrible wounds they suffer. There is much humor despite wartime--or perhaps because of it.. Keeping up the stiff upper lip. Our heroine also becomes involved in a murder mystery as she investigates said spy. Is he involved or not?
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Marla
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and absorbing
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2020
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Hoping for an entertaining escape from our current situation, I dug into this new mystery by Kelly Oliver. I had enjoyed her previous mystery novels, and so had reason to be hopeful. I found the characters well developed, the plot absorbing, and the historical setting vividly rendered. Fiona Figg is a very appealing hero; a brilliant mind with a wry sense of humor operating within the patriarchal norms of her day. Like all of Ms. Oliver's novels, this one has a mix of playfulness and poignancy that keeps me engaged. Looking forward to the next installment.
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Megan Leighty
5.0 out of 5 stars Surprised at how much I liked it.
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2020
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Though some of it seems a bit unlikely, the main character was well written and fun. The mystery and detecting were both well laid out with red herrings and all for Miss Figg to sort. I will definitely read the next installment.
Quirky and fun read!
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Kindle Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth reading
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 10, 2020
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I couldn't get beyond 30% . The 'plot' was implausible, and I couldn't empathize with the main character(s), in particular the main person. And, I'm not convinced that a suspicious death would not require the police to be informed. The whole scenario seemed unlikely and the story line too fragmented, but then, I'm a fan of DLS.
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Stitching fun
5.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing murder mystery
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2021
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This book was a refreshing change for me. A bit fanciful but transported back to the days of Agatha Christie and a slower pace of life. I recommend it.
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joane Déziel
5.0 out of 5 stars Betrayal at Ravenswick
Reviewed in Canada on October 7, 2020
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Un livre captivant, une détective-espionne pleine d’humour, intéressant jusqu’à la dernière page! Je le recommande à tous et chacun d’entre vous..
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Barbara Bailey
4.0 out of 5 stars Deceived
Reviewed in France on April 19, 2020
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book but am feeling deceived as I, and all other readers, are obliged to buy the next book in the series in order to follow Fiona to the end of this mystery. Readers beware!
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