Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This is an enjoyable, gripping read that I raced through in a couple of days. The characters are interesting and well developed and the plot is pacy.

It’s set across two time periods, the later 1970s and the later 1930s. I have to say that I preferred the 1930s storyline, but that might be just that I have a greater interest in pre-war history than in the 1970s.

Overall, I’d recommend this as an engaging spy story that doesn’t expect too much from the reader.

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy in return for this honest review.

I had high hopes for this book at the description sounded very intriguing however I really did not enjoy this book and I found it difficult to finish. It was a disappointing read.

Excellent storyline and really well written. I was sad when it ended as I was enjoying it so much.
I am now looking for other Michael Ridpath books.
I would thoroughly recommend.Thank you Netgalley and Atlantic books for giving me the opportunity to give my unbiased opinion.

The Diplomat’s Wife is a road trip with a difference. Emma is the widow of an ex diplomat and together with her Grandson, Phil, she decides to undertake a road trip to some of her old haunts but without fully explaining the reasons why.

The story describes this trip together with Emma’s recollections of her time in Europe just before the start of World War 2.

The book is decently paced and the story, as it unravels, is an interesting one albeit it felt that it would have benefitted from more depth and did at times feel a bit like storytelling by numbers.

Overall a reasonable read

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. An enjoyable read, great storyline, great characters. I shall be looking out for more books from this author.

I really enjoyed this. The slower paced life of the 1930s combined with the glamour of a diplomats lifestyle yet underneath it all there was espionage and double crossing. Emma tells the story of her life to her grandson Phil over the course of, what Phil was thinking would be, a seemingly boring trip across Europe in the late 1970s. It turns out to be anything but. I found it really interesting to guess who were the good guys and who were the bad guys in her tale and I didn't always get it right!
This was a great read and I had trouble putting it down. It think it would make a great Sunday night BBC drama.

A beautiful and intricately written historical novel, combining love and espionage. The protagonist’s story has completely vowed me over!