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Society's most capable housekeeper, Eleanora Quinton, has a problem. Not only does a dead body fall right into the middle of her mistress' ball and her son get kidnapped by nefarious spies for Napoleon, but the only person who can help her also forces her to face her most secret fears. A spy himself, Nathan Black pulls the infallible housekeeper into a cyclone of espionage, intrigue, and danger. But the last thing Eleanora expects when the dead body hits the floor is love with the son of a duke.
Rosamund prides herself on her matchmaking skills. After meeting Marcus Worthing, Earl of Somerville and her older sister's childhood best friend, she knows she's found the perfect fiancé...for her reclusive sister. Unfortunately, she's spending far too much time thinking about the man.
Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury's to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne'er-do-wells by night. Now there's a new item on the list. He needs an heir - which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar's daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she'll do.
Really, it's too much to expect any normal man to behave like a staid accountant in order to inherit the fortune he deserves to support the lifestyle of an earl. So when Derek Saunders's favorite elderly aunt and her ill-conceived - and possibly fraudulent - Lady Travelers Society loses one of their members, what's a man to do but step up to the challenge? Now he's escorting the world's most maddening woman to the world's most romantic city to find her missing relative.
Olivia Kingsley didn't expect to fall in love and receive a secret marriage proposal two weeks into her first season. However, one dance with Allen Wimpleton, heir to a viscountcy, and her fate is sealed. Or so she thinks until her eccentric and ailing father, unaware of Allen's proposal, announces he's moving the family to the Caribbean for a year. In two days.
Simon Basset, the irresistible Duke of Hastings, has hatched a plan to keep himself free from the town's marriage-minded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to the lovely Daphne Bridgerton. After all, it isn't as if the brooding rogue has any real plans to marry - though there is something about the alluring Miss Bridgerton that sets Simon's heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphne, surely the clever debutante will attract some very worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.
Society's most capable housekeeper, Eleanora Quinton, has a problem. Not only does a dead body fall right into the middle of her mistress' ball and her son get kidnapped by nefarious spies for Napoleon, but the only person who can help her also forces her to face her most secret fears. A spy himself, Nathan Black pulls the infallible housekeeper into a cyclone of espionage, intrigue, and danger. But the last thing Eleanora expects when the dead body hits the floor is love with the son of a duke.
Rosamund prides herself on her matchmaking skills. After meeting Marcus Worthing, Earl of Somerville and her older sister's childhood best friend, she knows she's found the perfect fiancé...for her reclusive sister. Unfortunately, she's spending far too much time thinking about the man.
Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury's to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne'er-do-wells by night. Now there's a new item on the list. He needs an heir - which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar's daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she'll do.
Really, it's too much to expect any normal man to behave like a staid accountant in order to inherit the fortune he deserves to support the lifestyle of an earl. So when Derek Saunders's favorite elderly aunt and her ill-conceived - and possibly fraudulent - Lady Travelers Society loses one of their members, what's a man to do but step up to the challenge? Now he's escorting the world's most maddening woman to the world's most romantic city to find her missing relative.
Olivia Kingsley didn't expect to fall in love and receive a secret marriage proposal two weeks into her first season. However, one dance with Allen Wimpleton, heir to a viscountcy, and her fate is sealed. Or so she thinks until her eccentric and ailing father, unaware of Allen's proposal, announces he's moving the family to the Caribbean for a year. In two days.
Simon Basset, the irresistible Duke of Hastings, has hatched a plan to keep himself free from the town's marriage-minded society mothers. He pretends to be engaged to the lovely Daphne Bridgerton. After all, it isn't as if the brooding rogue has any real plans to marry - though there is something about the alluring Miss Bridgerton that sets Simon's heart beating a bit faster. And as for Daphne, surely the clever debutante will attract some very worthy suitors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.
Samuel Black must make a decision: to be a spy like his father or follow his heart.
Either is likely to give his mother chest pains.
For Samuel is no longer a lad with the ambitious and noble wish of being a lamplighter to keep the seedy streets of London safe. About to embark on university, his mind stirs with the thoughts of creating a policing force in London to safeguard its citizens. Held back by his family's legacy as spies, Samuel does not make his ideas known.
But when he stops a would-be purse-snatcher, his path unexpectedly veers into that of one Miss Penelope Paiget, and suddenly, Samuel must make a choice.
To Be a Spy picks up eight years after the conclusion of the Spy Series, a historical romantic suspense series following the adventures of a family of spies during the Napoleonic Wars.
Any additional comments?
To Be a Spy by Jessie Clever is fast paced short story in the Spy Series, which is a historical romantic suspense series following the adventures of a family of spies during the Napoleonic Wars. Not having read or listened to any of the previous Spy Series books (I think there have been 4 published so far), none of the characters were familiar to me. However, I didn't feel lost or confused at any time. Like the title implies, this is a very short story, which lasted about an hour on audio. I listened to it twice to make sure I didn't miss anything!
The story centers around18 year old Samuel Black who has always desired to make the world a better a place. The story begins when Sam stops a thief who just stole a reticule from Penelope Paiget — the most breath-taking woman he's ever met. Sam is about to go off to college and, like most new college students, he is struggling with what should he do with his life. Should be become a spy like his father? Or should he seek to create a police force like the Bow Street runners, but with some authority behind it? I have a feeling that the fine Miss Penelope will feature prominently in a future story involving Samuel and his quest to make the citizens of London feel safe on its city streets.
I listened to the Audible version of this story narrated by Rachael Beresford who did an admirable job. I especially enjoyed listening to this audiobook after increasing the speed to double time. I enjoyed it so much, I intend to seek out and listen to the other books in the series. I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an unbiased review.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I had fun with this one. I didn't have to wait a long time to have fun or and adventure. Samuel Black was young and in the prime of his life and it was time to make a decision. One day, one event, one chance meeting may change the future that he saw for himself.
Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
No, I like a little more meat in my story.
How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?
We were just getting introduced to the characters, I'd like some more depth in them.
What three words best describe Rachael Beresford’s voice?
Light, easy, pleasant.
Did To Be a Spy inspire you to do anything?
Yes, to see what else this author has written.
Any additional comments?
I received this audio book for free from the author or narrator in exchange of an honest review.
Would you listen to To Be a Spy again? Why?
Yes, it is a short listen and easy to fit in to a busy day or to wind down at the end of a busy day!
What did you like best about this story?
This short prequel introduces us to the characters of the series. The characters are quite endearing and the fact that they are a family of spies just makes it all that more exciting. I can't wait to read how the series unfolds.
What does Rachael Beresford bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
I thought that the narration was very well done and easy to listen to, allowing me to lose myself in the story.
Any additional comments?
I voluntarily received a review copy.