reviewsbyerin

It's 1914 in England and loyalties are being questioned as Europe braces for war. Peter Holstein is under suspicion of being a spy due to his German heritage and his friendship with the British monarchy. This peaceful man with a stuttering tongue has done nothing to endanger his country, but he does have secrets. He's a novelist publishing under the name Branok Hollow, and he keeps to himself to have plenty of time to write letters and tinker with his current manuscript.

Rosemary Gresham grew up a London street urchin and has done what it takes to survive. Now an accomplished thief, Rosemary delights in the challenge of each new and difficult job she's hired to do. When the mysterious and well-paying Mr. V secures her services to prove Peter Holstein has ties to Germany, Rosemary sets off for his Cornwall estate to pass herself off as a librarian.

While Peter is thrilled to have help putting his family's papers in order, Rosemary is ever mindful of the information she is seeking to uncover for Mr. V. The Holstein family have been book hoarders for years, and Rosemary's task is no small one. Her curiosity grows as she observes Peter locked in his study day after day, where she can hear him using his typewriter for hours at a time. What is he typing? While Rosemary finds Peter a kind and gentle man, he comes under more suspicion every day and pressure mounts for her to produce the evidence of where his allegiance lies.

This was a fun and captivating novel! I enjoyed the glimpse into this particular time in history and the real historical figures who make appearances. Roseanna M. White's new Shadows Over England series is off to a promising start. Book 2 releases in January!

I received my copy of the book from LitFuse Publicity. All opinions in this review are my own. If you would like to see what other people are saying about "A Name Unknown," click here.