Elena Standish is back, this time visiting her maternal grandparents in the US. I think this series gets better with each new entry. Elena is maturing as a person and learning how to keep secrets, even when she feels she's unfairly judged by her family. Recommended for those who enjoy Maggie Hope and Maisie Dobbs. ( )

Excellent!

Well, I like Elena Standish and her poor judgement in men, but Anne Perry isn’t what she used to be. Very wordy with rather strident political views (not that they are incorrect, but….) ( )

Elena is at a family gathering and party in DC when a vibrant, interesting woman that she just met is murdered. The woman, Lila Worth, is a fellow MI6 agent involved in securing A-Bomb secrets. At this point in US history, there were many prominent NAZI sympathizers in the US, Charles Lindbergh, for example. One of whom may be her American grandfather, who becomes the prime suspect for the killing. The party pictures Elena has taken become the key element in solving the crime. But are they really an accurate portrayal of the scene?
Perry provides an excellent picture of the ambivalence that America and its leaders had in determining their true enemies and friends prior to WW2. ( )

It's spring, 1934. Plucky young MI6 operative, Elena Standish is finally on a much deserved holiday to America. She and her American mother and British ambassador father, arrived in New York city's port and after a few days have continued on to Washington, D.C. to visit with family. Elena's maternal grandparents are celebrating their sixtieth anniversary with a wonderful fête at their home where scions of industry and government staff are in attendance. Being the gifted photographer she is, Elena circulates the room capturing the moment in shots of elegant women, high-powered men and people celebrating the couple's good fortune. All goes well until one guest is killed and one of Elena's family is held on suspicion of murder. Surely, it can't be true. Elena is incensed and commits to unearthing the details and finding who the true culprit is.

This third book in the Elena Standish mystery series is well written and deftly explores the mixed sentiments of folks concerning political developments in Europe. Some see tensions between rising Bolshevism and conservative nationalism. Others merely wish to avoid another war at all costs. And there are some who look at the developments as wonderful opportunities to make a fortune. Elena has insight into the rising specter of Germany but is unable to share such knowledge owing to the covert nature of her experience.

The scene settings with all their fashionable elegance are lushly described. One can easily imagine the fluid movement of gowns of silk taffeta and organza, the crisp and elegant black tie tuxedos of the men in attendance and the sparkle of the ladies' jewels glistening beneath the room's elegant chandelier. The character development is good, especially that of Elena as she has gradually over the course of three books recaptured the acceptance and respect of those around her. The family dynamics and differences of sensibilities drawn on nationalistic lines are touched upon in a thought-provoking manner. There are a number of surprising twists in the story. The tension gradually increases in the last quarter of the book and gently releases as it draws to a satisfying close.

This is an interesting series and well worth the venture for the historical fiction fan who enjoys a touch of added mystery.

I am grateful to Ballantine Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone. ( )