A Spying Eye ~ Book Blog Tour Review & Giveaway!

A SPYING EYE

A Henrietta

and Inspector Howard Novel

by MICHELLE COX

Genre:  Adult Fiction (18+)

Categories:  Historical Mystery

Publisher:  She Writes Press

Pages: 256 pages
Release dates:   October 25, 2022

Content Rating: R: There are some swear words peppered throughout (not many) and 2 explicit sex scenes (tasteful, but more than a PG-13 scene)

Book Description:

In A Spying Eye, Clive and Henrietta return to Europe in an attempt to resurrect their failed honeymoon. While in London, they are approached by their old friend, Inspector John Hartle, who convinces them to search for the missing panel of the Ghent Altarpiece, a famous Renaissance painting, of which Hitler’s top men are also in pursuit.

Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Oldrich Exley threatens to cut off financial support for the entire Von Harmon brood if Elsie continues with her plan to marry Gunther―a situation made worse by the sudden appearance of one Heinrich Meyer, who claims to be little Anna’s father and threatens to take her away. Desperate, Elsie seeks the help of Clive’s sister, Julia, who is herself the victim of domestic abuse and who has fallen under the spell of a handsome Texas millionaire bent on acquiring a rare painting from the Howard collection.

Clive and Henrietta’s search takes them to Chateau du Freudeneck in Strasbourg, France―the ancient seat of the Von Harmons and home to three eccentric distant relatives. What begins as a wild goose chase turns decidedly more deadly when several Nazi officers also arrive at the chateau in search of a “valuable item.” When Henrietta and Clive attempt to flee after Henrietta uncovers a shocking truth, they are forced to trust themselves to a suspicious French servant who seems all-too willing to help...

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Book Review:

HALL WAYS REVIEW: Hmm. Do I go with the bad news or the good news first? I think the bad news. Upon reading the last words of the Epilogue on this sixth installment of the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series (I've devoured them all), I have a serious case of the blues. Why? Because I have NO IDEA WHEN the next book is coming, and I must have answers! Answers, I say! Sure, author Michelle Cox masterfully connects the dots of our main mystery and gives us enough closure on that element that readers are satisfied. And sure, we get our dose of warm fuzzies with our main couple's HEA, but there are so many subplots that demand another book from Ms. Cox, and I need it, stat!

Okay, so there really isn't any bad news other than that I will have to again exercise patience in waiting for the next Henrietta and Clive adventure to begin. And truly, I cannot complain one single little bit since Cox dropped in my much-demanded Texas twist, and lemmetellya, billionaire cattle rancher Glenn Forbes does not disappoint. High-five for giving Julia (and readers) something to smile about in her life. I cannot wait to see how this unfolds. Or Elsie and Gunther's story unfolds...or Antonio and Bennett's...or Edna and Pascal's...and what about M15, the Nazis, the Russians, and the Deuxième Bureau?! 

Speaking of the Deuxième Bureau, not only did my Texan heart sing, but my Francophile heart did as well with so much of A Spying Eye set in France. The descriptions of the countryside, the villages, and the even a chateau area perfect and pulled me right into the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the French phrases sprinkled throughout the novel to add authenticity to the dialogue. Having Clive return to France and the Nazi presence there adds an edginess to the plot. (And perhaps explains why Clive seems a bit grumpier than usual.) Trust no one --except PLEASE, can we trust the Texan?

As always, Cox's characterization skills shine in her storytelling, and readers see the very best and very worst of people. There are characters to love and loathe, and some who fall into a gray area between -- we want to loathe them, but is there a spark of something good? Or in those we think we love, is there a spark of something unseemly? Off? Misunderstood? 

One thing that's certain is A Spying Eye is a fabulously entertaining novel, start to finish. (And don't skip over the Author's Notes and Sources sections at the end. Fascinating stuff.) I recommend the full, delicious series but if you want to jump right in, you certainly can and won't be disappointed. 

Meet the Author:

Michelle Cox is the author of the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series as well as “Novel Notes of Local Lore,” a weekly blog dedicated to Chicago’s forgotten residents. Her books have won over 50 international awards and have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Foreword, Elle, Redbook, Brit&Co., POPSUGAR, Buzzfeed, and many others.

Unbeknownst to most, Michelle hoards board games she doesn’t have time to play and is, not surprisingly, addicted to period dramas and big band music. Also marmalade. She lives in Chicago with her husband, three children, and one naughty Goldendoodle and is hard at work on her latest novel.  Connect with the Author:  

website ~ facebook ~ twitter ~ instagram ~ tiktok ~ goodreads ~ bookbub

Enter the Giveaway:

ONE WINNER! 

$150 AMAZON GIFT CARD

courtesy of author Michelle Cox

(US only; ends Nov 28)

A Spying Eye Book Tour Giveaway