London Gambit

London Gambit (2016) Tracy Grant

Set in London June 1818

In the Malcolm & Suzanne Rannoch timeline, this book does not go back into the past, but continues to follow events after the short story Incident in Berkeley Square.

Teddy Craven, David’s oldest nephew and ward, has fled Harrow, because he can no longer handle the teasing after his parents’ deaths, but when he sneaks into his father’s warehouse in London, he discovers a body, and Malcolm is called out by Jeremy Roth to help investigate (and help with Teddy).

Susanne is called out because Bertrand has an injured man who he had helped to flee France, and wants Susanne’s help in settling him in.

We also get to see David and Simon becoming parents of David’s wards.

“If we’d woken up sooner we could have helped,” George said.

“And I have no doubt you would have,” Simon said. “But in some ways perhaps it’s as well the man got out the window. I’m not sure we have enough rope in the house to have tied him up.”

Amy frowned in consideration. “We would have used the window cords.”

And how they are working out their relationship in light of these momentous changes

Lady Clare as good as told me—” He bit the words back. It was too much, even to share with Simon.

“What?” Simon asked.

David looked up and tossed down the last of his brandy. “She implied that she knew about us. And that she’d be quite comfortable with our continuing our relationship while she lived as Lady Worsley and had my children.”

The conversation, and Lady Clare’s complete composure in making her offer, had shocked him, but Simon nodded. “I’m not surprised. She looks a hardheaded young woman, she’s been out for a few seasons, and she wants a husband. God knows there are worse compromises made on the marriage mart every day.”

“Good God, Simon.”

“I’m not saying I advocate it, but I can understand her making the suggestion.

One of the things I find fascinating about this series is how we see the everyday life that surrounds the lives of these spies.

“Sometimes I wonder what Harry sees in me.”

“Cordy, you can’t be serious.”

Drusilla and Jessica were tugging a doll between them. “Share,” Cordelia said.

Suzanne got up to put another doll in Jessica’s hand. When she returned to the sofa, Cordelia had pulled the cherry-colored gauze of her scarf close about her.

The book ends with a huge (but not especially unexpected) change in the lives of the characters. It’ll be interesting to see where this goes.
Rating: 8/10

Published NYLA

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