My Review
The Prince of Spies is the third and final book in the Hope and Glory series
by Elizabeth Camden.
This may just be my favorite series by her yet, it's fabulous.
If you love historical books and want to learn something from them read this author's books because her research is immaculate. She brings to the forefront what other authors won't. It may not be pretty and delicately wrapped in a bow but it's the truth and sometimes the truth can be harsh when it's exposed.
Each of the siblings have a turn at telling their own story in this series
and this is Luke's story.
Taking place in the Gilded Age Washington, D.C. 1902.
The book starts with Luke seeing a young woman attempting to rescue a dog who has fallen through the ice. Not knowing who she is he rescues the dog but can't get this
woman out of his mind.
They make a connection on that ice but he still doesn't know who she is.
After he's able to track her down and realizes she's the daughter of Congressman Clyde Magruder that's when the trouble starts.
At one time the Magruders and Delacroixs family had a joint business partnership in the food industry. Luke and Clyde ran this business partnership.
The Delacroixs made sure the quality of their products where safe for consumers but the Magruder family added fillers and preservatives to the product to stretch the profits without permission from the Delacroixs family. When this turned fatal for some of the consumers Luke never forgave himself or the Magruder family.
When it turns out that Marianne is the daughter of this congressman will it even be possible for the two to be friends let alone any more?
It was fascinating reading about the "Poison Squad" . This was a group of volunteers before the Pure Food and Drug Act, the FDA. These men ate food with preservatives and fillers in a four month study to see how ingesting it affected them, sometimes it proved fatal.
This author's books are auto-reads for me. The research and quality of her books
goes above and beyond others.
Make sure to read the fascinating historical note at the end of the
book about the Pure Food and Drug Act.
I highly suggest this book and look forward to her next book.
Published February 16th 2021 by Bethany House Publishers
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
GoodReads Summary
Luke Delacroix has the reputation of a charming man-about-town in Gilded Age Washington, D.C. In reality, he is secretly carrying out an ambitious agenda in Congress. His current mission is to thwart the reelection of Congressman Clyde Magruder, his only real
enemy in the world.
But trouble begins when Luke meets Marianne Magruder, the congressman's only daughter, whose job as a government photographer gives her unprecedented access to sites throughout the city. Luke is captivated by Marianne's quick wit and alluring charm, leading them both into a dangerous gamble to reconcile their feelings for each other with Luke's driving passion for vital reforms in Congress.
Can their newfound love survive a political firestorm, or will three generations of family rivalry drive them apart forever?
About The Author
Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in gilded age America featuring clever heroines and richly layered storylines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won the RITA and Christy Award, and she lives in Florida with her husband who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books.
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