Genre Fiction
![Anne Perry - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_anne_perry.jpg)
A Darker Reality: An Elena Standish Novel
A personal trip turns perilous for Elena Standish after the murder of a British spy forces her to face dark family secrets in this exciting 1930s mystery by bestselling author Anne Perry.
"An absorbing and calculating thriller/mystery that grabs the reader from the first page."-Great Mysteries and Thrillers
On her first trip to Washington, D.C., Elena Standish finally gets to visit her American mother's wealthy parents and their magnificent home. Elena's grandparents are marking a milestone anniversary by throwing an elaborate party with the influential friends of her grandfather, a prominent political industrialist. Even President and First Lady Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt are there, and Elena takes pride in capturing the illustrious guests on camera. But the festivities come to a sudden and tragic end when one of the guests, Lila Worth, is run over by a car in the driveway outside. Elena believes Lila was trying to tell her something before her death, and when a call from her employer back home, MI6, confirms that Lila was a British spy, Elena pairs with a fellow agent to find out what vital information the young woman had in her possession.
Soon an arrest is made in Lila's murder, and to Elena's horror, the accused is none other than her own grandfather, who claims his political enemies are trying to frame him. But who are these enemies, and how can Elena defend this man she barely knows? Nevertheless, determined to clear his name and save her family from disgrace, she delves into the details of her grandfather's investments and discovers that his business secrets run deep. As Elena begins to question his loyalties, she wonders if she can trust anyone in this threatening new world order.
"An absorbing and calculating thriller/mystery that grabs the reader from the first page."-Great Mysteries and Thrillers
On her first trip to Washington, D.C., Elena Standish finally gets to visit her American mother's wealthy parents and their magnificent home. Elena's grandparents are marking a milestone anniversary by throwing an elaborate party with the influential friends of her grandfather, a prominent political industrialist. Even President and First Lady Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt are there, and Elena takes pride in capturing the illustrious guests on camera. But the festivities come to a sudden and tragic end when one of the guests, Lila Worth, is run over by a car in the driveway outside. Elena believes Lila was trying to tell her something before her death, and when a call from her employer back home, MI6, confirms that Lila was a British spy, Elena pairs with a fellow agent to find out what vital information the young woman had in her possession.
Soon an arrest is made in Lila's murder, and to Elena's horror, the accused is none other than her own grandfather, who claims his political enemies are trying to frame him. But who are these enemies, and how can Elena defend this man she barely knows? Nevertheless, determined to clear his name and save her family from disgrace, she delves into the details of her grandfather's investments and discovers that his business secrets run deep. As Elena begins to question his loyalties, she wonders if she can trust anyone in this threatening new world order.
Editorial Reviews
Praise for A Darker Reality
"A good historical mystery is like a balancing act [and Anne Perry] gets the balance just right. It would be easy to believe that Elena Standish really did exist, and that the books are actual biographical stories. Perry proves once again why she is among the top writers of historical mysteries."-Booklist
"A Darker Reality is full of Anne Perry's trademark moral quandaries and historical detail that instantly brings credibility to the story but also makes it feel like an actual slice of world history."-Bookreporter
Praise for A Question of Betrayal
"[Anne] Perry ties her story-strands together in convincing fashion, in a work whose twentieth-century setting seems to have brought out new psychological and descriptive nuances in an author better-known for her Victorian-era novels."-The Wall Street Journal
"[An] excellent sequel . . . Perry expertly blends character development with plot surprises. This prolific author shows no sign of losing steam."-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Suspenseful and tense . . . [A Question of Betrayal] shows how brilliant a writer and plotter Anne Perry is."-Bookreporter
Praise for Death in Focus
"Readers who love historical mysteries know that some of the most dramatic stories are set in the interim between the two world wars, when both the victors and the vanquished felt uneasy about their provisional hold on peace. Anne Perry stakes a strong claim to that unstable terrain in Death in Focus . . . the first book in a new series that opens in 1933 as Elena Standish, a resourceful photographer, is caught up in the world of international intrigue."-The New York Times Book Review
"Death in Focus [is] reminiscent...
"A good historical mystery is like a balancing act [and Anne Perry] gets the balance just right. It would be easy to believe that Elena Standish really did exist, and that the books are actual biographical stories. Perry proves once again why she is among the top writers of historical mysteries."-Booklist
"A Darker Reality is full of Anne Perry's trademark moral quandaries and historical detail that instantly brings credibility to the story but also makes it feel like an actual slice of world history."-Bookreporter
Praise for A Question of Betrayal
"[Anne] Perry ties her story-strands together in convincing fashion, in a work whose twentieth-century setting seems to have brought out new psychological and descriptive nuances in an author better-known for her Victorian-era novels."-The Wall Street Journal
"[An] excellent sequel . . . Perry expertly blends character development with plot surprises. This prolific author shows no sign of losing steam."-Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Suspenseful and tense . . . [A Question of Betrayal] shows how brilliant a writer and plotter Anne Perry is."-Bookreporter
Praise for Death in Focus
"Readers who love historical mysteries know that some of the most dramatic stories are set in the interim between the two world wars, when both the victors and the vanquished felt uneasy about their provisional hold on peace. Anne Perry stakes a strong claim to that unstable terrain in Death in Focus . . . the first book in a new series that opens in 1933 as Elena Standish, a resourceful photographer, is caught up in the world of international intrigue."-The New York Times Book Review
"Death in Focus [is] reminiscent...
Readers Top Reviews
MTellsitlikeitisJuli
I have very much enjoyed the previous 2 Elena Standish books and was very much looking forward to this one; however, I just finished it after starting and stopping reading it many times. This book was very wordy, what could have been said in a short sentence was ballooned out into unnecessary flowery and philosophical language that just came across as fluff writing and not enjoyable. The characterization felt forced and I was confused by some of the outbursts of the characters when it did not fit the scene that was taking place. Also, Peter’s feelings for Elena that were eluded to many times, did I miss something in the previous books? That felt like it came out of nowhere in this book. In short, in my opinion, not Perry’s best effort but I gave it two stars because I am very much hoping that she will come out with a 4th book that sees Captain Allenby and Elena coming together again. A romantic aspect to the story would be nice since Elena has been burnt twice by two separate men.
D.Woodward
This is an intriguing book. It drags a bit for a while as she rehearses what has happened, Very challenging to keep straight who the main players are. I hope there is a sequel.
Karena
Enjoyed seeing Perry adding a new character to her writing. Also, this story occurs in a different era and has a female lead character. Just getting to know the character but think I'll like her.
Hydra47Judith H.
The plot was good about events leading up to WWII. However, it was often buried in to much descriptive verse of of place and emotions. I think she also was giving us a modern day warning, history repeating itself as it always does. Seems a lot of fiction these days have a political/moral leaning message in them. In this case the message should give much food for thought.
Short Excerpt Teaser
Chapter 1
The car came round the curve in the gravel drive and in front of them stood the house, magnificent in the sunlight. Katherine drew in her breath with a gasp of pleasure. This was the house in which she had been born and had grown up, long before she had fallen in love with and married Charles Standish and moved to England, and then to various capitals of Europe. Now, in the late spring of 1934, after so many years away, Katherine was coming home. And she was bringing with her Charles and their younger daughter, Elena.
Charles sat in the front seat of the limousine that had collected them at the Washington, DC, train station. He looked back at Katherine, who was next to Elena in the rear seat, and smiled at her obvious pleasure. She had not seen her parents for many years, and now, on the occasion of their sixtieth wedding anniversary, she was bringing her family here to celebrate with them. They knew Charles, of course; Margot, the elder daughter, they had met years ago, but Elena they had seen only as a small child, and she herself had no memory of it.
"It's beautiful, Mother, really gorgeous." Elena did not have to pretend anything. The house was huge but so graceful in its lines, pale against the dark trees towering around it, including slender, exquisite dogwoods in bloom. She had not seen them before, and all along the drive from the station to this outer suburb, she was bewitched by their exotic, pale grace.
The car reached the front portico. The house looked full of space and sunlight, with a sense of timelessness, as if the troubles of the world beyond could not touch this place.
Elena felt a great sense of peace as she opened the car door and stepped out. It had been a long journey by train from London to Southampton, then the trip across the ocean, the excitement of New York, a little shopping, a little sightseeing, and finally the train to Washington, the nation's capital. Now, at last, they were here.
The massive oak door opened. It was not a butler or a maid, but an elderly woman elegantly dressed in the palest green, with a cream-colored lace collar. Her silver hair looked casually pinned up, but Elena knew how difficult that was to do gracefully. She herself had given up attempting the look that bespoke a very skilled lady's maid.
Elena drew in breath to speak, but her grandmother, Dorothy Baylor, spoke first. "You must be Elena. Welcome to Washington." Dorothy smiled, but her eyes went to Katherine, now stepping out of the car on the other side, assisted by Charles. The women moved toward each other and reached for a hug. They were the same height, with the same lean effortless grace, even the same high cheekbones. Katherine's hair, however, was brown with soft auburn lights in it.
Charles approached them, smiling. "Hello, Mother-in-law." He stood back a little. It was a long time since they had seen each other, and theirs had been an uncertain relationship at best. He was English and had taken their only daughter to live in Europe, as he rose in his career until he was a full ambassador.
Katherine turned in a single, graceful movement to include him.
Elena saw the light in his face, and the tiny knot inside her eased.
A moment later, Wyatt Baylor was there, behind his wife. He was tall, imposing, his hair thick and iron gray in color. His face was hawkish, redeemed of harshness only by the charm of his smile. Now he strode forward and hugged Katherine, quickly and hard, then turned to Charles, grasping his hand with both of his own. "Welcome! Welcome to Washington." He turned to Elena and, quite frankly, looked her up and down, his smile growing wider. "I'm delighted to see you, my dear."
Elena was aware of the power of his personality, almost as if she had touched a live electric wire. It was exciting, invigorating, demanding her attention. Utterly different from her other grandfather, who was probably the person with whom she felt most at ease.
"How do you do, Grandfather?" she answered. She smiled back tentatively. "Thank you for inviting us to your sixtieth anniversary. We're delighted to be here."
"Then come in!" He stood back and waved his arm in invitation. "Leave your cases there. They'll be taken to your rooms for you. Come in, come in."
Katherine was the first to follow her mother, and then Charles, and Elena behind him.
Elena could not help gazing around at the magnificence of the hall, with its glittering chandeliers and arched ceiling, and the staircases, which went in twin curves up to the balcony of the first floor, a sort of musicians' gallery, with delicately carved banisters and railings. Of course, she had seen marvelous houses before, but not as a family h...
The car came round the curve in the gravel drive and in front of them stood the house, magnificent in the sunlight. Katherine drew in her breath with a gasp of pleasure. This was the house in which she had been born and had grown up, long before she had fallen in love with and married Charles Standish and moved to England, and then to various capitals of Europe. Now, in the late spring of 1934, after so many years away, Katherine was coming home. And she was bringing with her Charles and their younger daughter, Elena.
Charles sat in the front seat of the limousine that had collected them at the Washington, DC, train station. He looked back at Katherine, who was next to Elena in the rear seat, and smiled at her obvious pleasure. She had not seen her parents for many years, and now, on the occasion of their sixtieth wedding anniversary, she was bringing her family here to celebrate with them. They knew Charles, of course; Margot, the elder daughter, they had met years ago, but Elena they had seen only as a small child, and she herself had no memory of it.
"It's beautiful, Mother, really gorgeous." Elena did not have to pretend anything. The house was huge but so graceful in its lines, pale against the dark trees towering around it, including slender, exquisite dogwoods in bloom. She had not seen them before, and all along the drive from the station to this outer suburb, she was bewitched by their exotic, pale grace.
The car reached the front portico. The house looked full of space and sunlight, with a sense of timelessness, as if the troubles of the world beyond could not touch this place.
Elena felt a great sense of peace as she opened the car door and stepped out. It had been a long journey by train from London to Southampton, then the trip across the ocean, the excitement of New York, a little shopping, a little sightseeing, and finally the train to Washington, the nation's capital. Now, at last, they were here.
The massive oak door opened. It was not a butler or a maid, but an elderly woman elegantly dressed in the palest green, with a cream-colored lace collar. Her silver hair looked casually pinned up, but Elena knew how difficult that was to do gracefully. She herself had given up attempting the look that bespoke a very skilled lady's maid.
Elena drew in breath to speak, but her grandmother, Dorothy Baylor, spoke first. "You must be Elena. Welcome to Washington." Dorothy smiled, but her eyes went to Katherine, now stepping out of the car on the other side, assisted by Charles. The women moved toward each other and reached for a hug. They were the same height, with the same lean effortless grace, even the same high cheekbones. Katherine's hair, however, was brown with soft auburn lights in it.
Charles approached them, smiling. "Hello, Mother-in-law." He stood back a little. It was a long time since they had seen each other, and theirs had been an uncertain relationship at best. He was English and had taken their only daughter to live in Europe, as he rose in his career until he was a full ambassador.
Katherine turned in a single, graceful movement to include him.
Elena saw the light in his face, and the tiny knot inside her eased.
A moment later, Wyatt Baylor was there, behind his wife. He was tall, imposing, his hair thick and iron gray in color. His face was hawkish, redeemed of harshness only by the charm of his smile. Now he strode forward and hugged Katherine, quickly and hard, then turned to Charles, grasping his hand with both of his own. "Welcome! Welcome to Washington." He turned to Elena and, quite frankly, looked her up and down, his smile growing wider. "I'm delighted to see you, my dear."
Elena was aware of the power of his personality, almost as if she had touched a live electric wire. It was exciting, invigorating, demanding her attention. Utterly different from her other grandfather, who was probably the person with whom she felt most at ease.
"How do you do, Grandfather?" she answered. She smiled back tentatively. "Thank you for inviting us to your sixtieth anniversary. We're delighted to be here."
"Then come in!" He stood back and waved his arm in invitation. "Leave your cases there. They'll be taken to your rooms for you. Come in, come in."
Katherine was the first to follow her mother, and then Charles, and Elena behind him.
Elena could not help gazing around at the magnificence of the hall, with its glittering chandeliers and arched ceiling, and the staircases, which went in twin curves up to the balcony of the first floor, a sort of musicians' gallery, with delicately carved banisters and railings. Of course, she had seen marvelous houses before, but not as a family h...
