Genre Fiction
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A Truth to Lie For: An Elena Standish Novel
A lethal new weapon endangers all of Europe-unless Elena Standish can rescue an ingenious scientist from Hitler's clutches-in this action-packed mystery by bestselling author Anne Perry.
It is the summer of 1934, and Hitler is nearing the summit of supreme power in Germany, his eyes set on European domination. When Britain's MI6 gets word that a pair of German scientists have made breakthroughs in germ warfare, they send Elena Standish on a dangerous mission to get one of them out of Germany before he's forced to share his knowledge and its devastating power with Hitler's elite.
But the British soon learn that it's more than just time that Elena is working against. The new head of Germany's germ warfare division is an old enemy of Elena's grandfather Lucas, the former head of MI6. And he's bent on using any means at his disposal to avenge his defeat at Lucas's hands twenty years before.
What starts as an effort to save Europe from the devastation of disease soon becomes an intensely personal fight. As Elena and the scientist make their way across Germany, from Berlin to Bavaria and beyond, they confront not only the Gestapo but also a ragtag group of unpredictable Nazi supporters. Elena finds her every decision challenged in this compelling thriller that takes a searing look at what it means to do what's right in a world rife with so much evil.
It is the summer of 1934, and Hitler is nearing the summit of supreme power in Germany, his eyes set on European domination. When Britain's MI6 gets word that a pair of German scientists have made breakthroughs in germ warfare, they send Elena Standish on a dangerous mission to get one of them out of Germany before he's forced to share his knowledge and its devastating power with Hitler's elite.
But the British soon learn that it's more than just time that Elena is working against. The new head of Germany's germ warfare division is an old enemy of Elena's grandfather Lucas, the former head of MI6. And he's bent on using any means at his disposal to avenge his defeat at Lucas's hands twenty years before.
What starts as an effort to save Europe from the devastation of disease soon becomes an intensely personal fight. As Elena and the scientist make their way across Germany, from Berlin to Bavaria and beyond, they confront not only the Gestapo but also a ragtag group of unpredictable Nazi supporters. Elena finds her every decision challenged in this compelling thriller that takes a searing look at what it means to do what's right in a world rife with so much evil.
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
"Anne Perry's lush descriptions of the magnificent home and luxurious setting help settle readers into a comfortable niche. . . . [She leads us] on a steady march, keenly analyzing suspects, subjecting readers to palm-sweating confrontations with Agent Elena in disguise."-Historical Novel Society
"Another sharply and well-written story focusing on the great character of Elena Standish and her secret work. The story keeps the reader engaged throughout the novel, with twists and turns."-Red Carpet Crash
"A Darker Reality is a terrific installment. . . . [It's an] absorbing and calculating thriller/mystery that grabs the reader from the first page. Readers will look forward to more Elena Standish adventures as she continues her passage through intrigue and adventure."-Great Mysteries and Thrillers
"There can be little denying that Anne Perry is a prolific storyteller and mystery writer. She has written a number of beloved mystery series and Elena Standish is just the latest series of hers that has quickly gained in popularity. . . . If you are a fan of Perry then you will no doubt find lots to love in this one."-The Lit Bitch
"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
"Anne Perry's lush descriptions of the magnificent home and luxurious setting help settle readers into a comfortable niche. . . . [She leads us] on a steady march, keenly analyzing suspects, subjecting readers to palm-sweating confrontations with Agent Elena in disguise."-Historical Novel Society
"Another sharply and well-written story focusing on the great character of Elena Standish and her secret work. The story keeps the reader engaged throughout the novel, with twists and turns."-Red Carpet Crash
"A Darker Reality is a terrific installment. . . . [It's an] absorbing and calculating thriller/mystery that grabs the reader from the first page. Readers will look forward to more Elena Standish adventures as she continues her passage through intrigue and adventure."-Great Mysteries and Thrillers
"There can be little denying that Anne Perry is a prolific storyteller and mystery writer. She has written a number of beloved mystery series and Elena Standish is just the latest series of hers that has quickly gained in popularity. . . . If you are a fan of Perry then you will no doubt find lots to love in this one."-The Lit Bitch
Short Excerpt Teaser
CHAPTER 1
"I believe you have been complaining recently that your work is not challenging enough." Peter Howard raised his eyebrows very slightly. In the sunlight through the office window, he looked amused rather than surprised.
Elena drew in a breath, then slowly let it out again. "Yes," she said. She had been recruited to MI6 by Peter just over a year ago, in May 1933. Now, in June 1934, he was her mentor, and her commanding officer. "I'm doing what any halfway competent clerk would do just as well," she added.
A flash of amusement lit his face. "Then you will be pleased that I have a job for you that will require all your talents and abilities. Well, except photography."
Photography was Elena's profession, her art, and her passport to all kinds of places and situations. It was her expertise as a photographer that had resulted in her invitation to a conference in Trieste, where she had also succeeded in her first official MI6 assignment. And more recently, her photographic skills had added so much to her family's celebration in Washington, DC-and ultimately led her to solve two murders.
But she did not want to think about that now. It had been less than two months since the incidents in Washington, which had involved her grandfather, and which had ended so terribly. The pain was still raw for both of her parents, but especially her mother. Elena had hardly known her American grandfather, whereas she had a close and loving relationship with Grandfather Lucas, the former head of MI6.
Peter was talking, and she had not been listening.
". . . Berlin again," he was saying. "You must not be recognized, Elena. This is not an order-the mission is too dangerous for that-but it is a request that you cannot refuse."
The irony of the distinction was not lost on her.
"We're sending another person as well, but you will not meet. Nor will you contact each other unless it is absolutely necessary."
What had she missed? The humor of a few moments ago had vanished. Peter was no longer smiling but squinting as he looked past her, as if he saw something threatening approaching from far off, something that was crowding out everything else.
He must have observed her confusion, because a gentleness appeared in his face. Not just in his eyes, but in his mouth as well. "What is it?" she asked as politely as she could. Now fear brushed by her. She waited, as if for the blow.
"I want you to get someone out of Germany who is currently in Berlin."
She knew he would read the fear in her face, and yet she could not hide it. That first assignment in Berlin had marked the moment she had changed from a naïve-and frankly fairly boring-girl into a young woman of courage and imagination. A woman who expressed a passionate anger against the indifference of those who saw only what they chose to, which was primarily what fitted in their comfortable lives.
Her throat was dry. "Berlin?" She only just managed to get the word out.
"Yes," he said, watching her reactions. "There are two scientists we need to get out of the country."
"Physicists?" she asked, remembering her last mission, also one she had not chosen, but which had been thrust upon her.
"No, this time they are biochemists," he replied. "Two brilliant men. They form a research team, and the work of one depends on the other."
She remained silent, knowing that Peter would tell her only what she needed to know.
"One of them is creating new germs to be used in warfare, while we believe the other is on the brink of finding an antidote to those same germs, which is vital, of course, before using them against anyone."
He was still watching her intently.
"You were a child during the last war," he continued, "but you have learned enough about the use of gas in the trenches to imagine what germ warfare can be. What it can do, not only to armies, but to entire civilian populations, is-"
"Yes," she said sharply, cutting him off. The thought was obscene. "What do I have to do?"
"We're going to get these two men out of Germany. The extraction of one of them is your task. We'll send another agent, Alex Cooper, for the other."
"Why?" The word was out before she thought that perhaps she was asking for more information than she needed.
Peter's smile was bleak and there was a flicker of pain in it. "Because it's vital that we get both of them out. And if they leave separately, there's a better chance that they will survive. It causes less suspicion."
Elena was paying close attention. The last thing they wanted was to allow Germany and Adolf Hitler to have the upper hand in germ warfare!
"...
"I believe you have been complaining recently that your work is not challenging enough." Peter Howard raised his eyebrows very slightly. In the sunlight through the office window, he looked amused rather than surprised.
Elena drew in a breath, then slowly let it out again. "Yes," she said. She had been recruited to MI6 by Peter just over a year ago, in May 1933. Now, in June 1934, he was her mentor, and her commanding officer. "I'm doing what any halfway competent clerk would do just as well," she added.
A flash of amusement lit his face. "Then you will be pleased that I have a job for you that will require all your talents and abilities. Well, except photography."
Photography was Elena's profession, her art, and her passport to all kinds of places and situations. It was her expertise as a photographer that had resulted in her invitation to a conference in Trieste, where she had also succeeded in her first official MI6 assignment. And more recently, her photographic skills had added so much to her family's celebration in Washington, DC-and ultimately led her to solve two murders.
But she did not want to think about that now. It had been less than two months since the incidents in Washington, which had involved her grandfather, and which had ended so terribly. The pain was still raw for both of her parents, but especially her mother. Elena had hardly known her American grandfather, whereas she had a close and loving relationship with Grandfather Lucas, the former head of MI6.
Peter was talking, and she had not been listening.
". . . Berlin again," he was saying. "You must not be recognized, Elena. This is not an order-the mission is too dangerous for that-but it is a request that you cannot refuse."
The irony of the distinction was not lost on her.
"We're sending another person as well, but you will not meet. Nor will you contact each other unless it is absolutely necessary."
What had she missed? The humor of a few moments ago had vanished. Peter was no longer smiling but squinting as he looked past her, as if he saw something threatening approaching from far off, something that was crowding out everything else.
He must have observed her confusion, because a gentleness appeared in his face. Not just in his eyes, but in his mouth as well. "What is it?" she asked as politely as she could. Now fear brushed by her. She waited, as if for the blow.
"I want you to get someone out of Germany who is currently in Berlin."
She knew he would read the fear in her face, and yet she could not hide it. That first assignment in Berlin had marked the moment she had changed from a naïve-and frankly fairly boring-girl into a young woman of courage and imagination. A woman who expressed a passionate anger against the indifference of those who saw only what they chose to, which was primarily what fitted in their comfortable lives.
Her throat was dry. "Berlin?" She only just managed to get the word out.
"Yes," he said, watching her reactions. "There are two scientists we need to get out of the country."
"Physicists?" she asked, remembering her last mission, also one she had not chosen, but which had been thrust upon her.
"No, this time they are biochemists," he replied. "Two brilliant men. They form a research team, and the work of one depends on the other."
She remained silent, knowing that Peter would tell her only what she needed to know.
"One of them is creating new germs to be used in warfare, while we believe the other is on the brink of finding an antidote to those same germs, which is vital, of course, before using them against anyone."
He was still watching her intently.
"You were a child during the last war," he continued, "but you have learned enough about the use of gas in the trenches to imagine what germ warfare can be. What it can do, not only to armies, but to entire civilian populations, is-"
"Yes," she said sharply, cutting him off. The thought was obscene. "What do I have to do?"
"We're going to get these two men out of Germany. The extraction of one of them is your task. We'll send another agent, Alex Cooper, for the other."
"Why?" The word was out before she thought that perhaps she was asking for more information than she needed.
Peter's smile was bleak and there was a flicker of pain in it. "Because it's vital that we get both of them out. And if they leave separately, there's a better chance that they will survive. It causes less suspicion."
Elena was paying close attention. The last thing they wanted was to allow Germany and Adolf Hitler to have the upper hand in germ warfare!
"...
