This was a total delight.

Clever thriller set just before the Second World War and introduces us to two memorable characters who team up to solve a bewildering murder.

The writing is beautiful, the characters are an absolute joy, and a wonderful sense of time and atmosphere.

A fabulous historical spy thriller. The novel begins in London in the late 1930s. Recently returned from VIenna, Stella Fry is due to start working with author Hubert Newman. But before she begins, Newman is reported dead and Stella's life starts to unravel. Ex=policeman Harry Fox suspects Newman's death wasn't accidental and he warns Stella to be careful. They eventually team up to investigate Newman's death - neither quite realising the risk they're taking.

Set in the lead up to WW2, moving between London and Vienna, this is an atmospheric and pacy spy thriller that ticks all the boxes.

A great read!

Jane Thynne's latest novel is set in 1930s London and Vienna. Europe is on the brink of war and threats seem to be everywhere. Stella Fry has recently returned from Vienna and is settling back into London life. She is soon caught up in a mystery, following the death of her potential new employer, an author of crime novels. She meets a private detective and is soon off chasing down clues and phantoms.
The author's attention to detail and depiction of London life just before the outbreak is war is engaging. I loved her Clara Vine novels and now we see Europe from the other side of the divide. Her combination of history and well drawn characters make for as really good read.

A clever thriller set just before the second world war that introduces super bright Oxford graduate Stella Fry and private detective Harry Fox who team up to solve a bewildering murder of a crime writer. Espionage, betrayal, glamorous actresses and gritty 1930s London and Vienna make this Jane Thynne detective story exciting, interesting and vivid. I enjoyed the characters, several based on real people, and hope that Stella and Harry are reunited in a sequel to this book.

"We stand at the cliff edge of great peril and enormous dangers surround us"

1938 across Europe things are heating up and private tutor Stella returns to England when the Jewish family she worked for pack up and leave Vienna heading for safety in America. An ad for a copy typist brings her into contact with renowned author Hubert Newman, it also brings her to the attention of those that lurk in the shadows.

Midnight in Vienna was a bit of a slow starter for me but once I got my head round the characters it evolved into an immersive, vibrant picture of pre war intrigue with espionage, secrets and politics, cleverly weaving fact with fiction with a good sense of time and place.

Good characters and a real sense of atmosphere adds to the drama in this well researched, gritty historical thriller.

Another fine historical spy story from a favourite author.

"Midnight in Vienna" opens in London, 1938, where Stella Fry, recently returned from Vienna, is on her way to an interview with renowned author Hubert Newman. He requires the services of a typist and proof-reader, and finds her ability to "spot the mistakes" perfect for the job. He agrees to send her the manuscript immediately. However, when Newman is reported dead the following day, Stella soon finds herself drawn into a sinister plot. With the threat of war with Germany looming, and spies around every corner, she realises there's a lot at stake.

And with that, the reader embarks on a journey from England to Austria, from the stuffy men's clubs of London to the street cafe's of Vienna, all painted in perfect detail, as Stella is persuaded to help track down someone closely involved with Newman. Clearly the author has carried out her usual deep research, and has succeeded in weaving factual events into the story. Although the pace of the story flags a little in parts, events move along nicely and the mood of Austria is clear, as the effects of the Nazi movement start to show, and people watch each other closely, and seek to leave the country. We learn of plans to help certain scientists escape to Britain before they are imprisoned, and how the growing threat of Communism drives governments to take drastic measures. This is as much a detective novel as it is a spy one - fans will love it.

The author has a knack of writing seemingly frail female characters who find immense amounts of strength and determination within themselves, and Stella grows as we learn more about her life before London. The book is full of gorgeous characters, from Stella's flamboyant actress flatmate Evelyn, to former Special Branch detective Harry Fox, to an eager journalist. There's even a nice cameo from Dorothy L Sayers and an important member of Churchill's inner circle.

Readers of the author's previous series featuring Clara Vine will find this book a slightly different read - darker, and more stark, but retaining the same period detail and colour. This book will appeal to fans of Kate Quinn, Deborah Swift and Louise Fein.

Heartily recommended.

This was a great read. Set in 1938 just as fear of another war was reaching fever pitch, it tells the story of how a spy ring for the USSR was discovered. One of the main protagonists is a writer of detective murder mystery novels and the book takes on this style as you are led through a number of possible scenarios and thrown a few red herrings before you see the mystery unravelled. The two lead characters are great, a woman who is easy to underestimate and a flawed former police officer. The book while not violent was gripping as the ending came about. The novel uses historical characters and is based on factual accounts of the day. A really enjoyable book.

This was an espionage thriller set in the late 1930s, both in London and Vienna. Stella Fry has been a governess for a Jewish Viennese family for 5 years but has to leave and return to London when they emigrate to America after deciding that their future in Vienna is not great due to Hitler’s plans.
Harry Fox is an ex police man who is doing work for the intelligence service, following possible communist sympathisers. When Stella is offered a job by mystery writer Hubert Newman, to type up and edit his latest work she accepts as she has little choice and needs the money. However Hubert meets an untimely end and it seems as if Stella’s life could also be in danger. Harry suspects foul play and tries to warn Stella to be careful.
Harry and Stella team up to investigate and this leads them into the murky world of espionage where there is danger for both of them until the mystery is resolved.
The premise of this story was good and I really wanted to like it- however I found it very slow moving with too many characters which made it very confusing. I decided I actually didn’t care what happened to any of them! I don’t think the author managed to create particularly life like characters.
The plot meandered on or a while and I had to force myself to pick up the book. Unfortunately it was not the book for me although others might have a different opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

This was a total delight. I previously only knew of the author as the wife of the wonderful Philip Kerr but Jane Thynne is such a gifted writer in her own right.

Tjis is a clever thriller set just before the second world war and introduces us to two memorable characters in Stella Fry and Harry Fox who teamup to solve a bewildering murder that has other implications for national security.

The writing is lush, the characters area joy and there is a wonderful sense of time and place.

This is a thriller that thrills and is one to relish.

Hopefully the start of a series too.