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Eleventh Hour
(The Carstairs Affairs #1)
by
Borrowed from the Secret Intelligence Service cipher department to assist Briers Allerdale - a field agent returning to 1920s London with news of a dangerous anarchist plot - Miles Siward moves into a 'couples only' boarding house, posing as Allerdale’s 'wife'. Miles relishes the opportunity to allow his alter ego, Millie, to spread her wings but if Miles wants the other
...more
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Showing 1-30
Start your review of Eleventh Hour (The Carstairs Affairs, #1)
Cracking 1920s spy read with a lovely Buchany period feel (all bureaux and international espionage and dastardly international anarchists). This is the kind of book that just makes me happy: romance in tandem with external plot, internal conflict but where people talk to each others like adults and discuss problems. I particularly liked Miles, the linguist with a yen to be a hero, and especially that his cross-dressing is clearly part of his gender identity, not a sexual kink. A thoroughly
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A fun historical spy story about two government agents in the 1920s. What sets this one apart, in addition to great period detail, are the characters.
Briers Allerdale is the more conventional hero, a player in the Great Game, accustomed to moving among other spies and agents and provocateurs and guns for hire across Europe. He's now back home in London for a new assignment. A dangerous known-anarchist woman has been spotted playing the role of a maidservant in the cozy domestic household of a ...more
Briers Allerdale is the more conventional hero, a player in the Great Game, accustomed to moving among other spies and agents and provocateurs and guns for hire across Europe. He's now back home in London for a new assignment. A dangerous known-anarchist woman has been spotted playing the role of a maidservant in the cozy domestic household of a ...more
4.25 stars
This has 1920s London + two men forced to pose as husband and wife + an attraction + an anarchist plot. And it's Elin Gregory (author of one of my all-time favourites On a Lee Shore).
I loved the setting and time period and I really enjoyed Miles and Briers, especially Miles. He's a cypher for the government with a particular talent for dressing up and acting as a lady (which, to his reluctance, the government forces him to do on more than occasion). He's been teamed up with Briers, a ...more
This has 1920s London + two men forced to pose as husband and wife + an attraction + an anarchist plot. And it's Elin Gregory (author of one of my all-time favourites On a Lee Shore).
I loved the setting and time period and I really enjoyed Miles and Briers, especially Miles. He's a cypher for the government with a particular talent for dressing up and acting as a lady (which, to his reluctance, the government forces him to do on more than occasion). He's been teamed up with Briers, a ...more
Fabulous historical romance
Any book which references the 1897 St Helens Challenge Cup team's front row as inspiration for the name of one of the characters is a winner in my book.
Rugby League is often overlooked by its posher big brother so this made me very happy.
That it comes along with a superbly plotted historical romance set against the backdrop of anarchist plots in London in the late 1920s can only be a bonus.
Everything about this book just worked for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Any book which references the 1897 St Helens Challenge Cup team's front row as inspiration for the name of one of the characters is a winner in my book.
Rugby League is often overlooked by its posher big brother so this made me very happy.
That it comes along with a superbly plotted historical romance set against the backdrop of anarchist plots in London in the late 1920s can only be a bonus.
Everything about this book just worked for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
"Eleventh Hour" is set in the London of 1928, and at first glance may seem like a comical bit of English drawing room suspense, complete with a seasoned field agent and a cross-dressing linguist from the cipher and translation department masquerading as husband and wife.
Alongside that dainty tea cup, add in a Tommy gun, anarchists, nasty London sewers, a murderous Macedonian and an absolutely nail-biting ending, and you have a much truer sense of the flavor of "Eleventh Hour."
Recent intel has ...more
Eleventh Hour
Elin Gregory
Manifold Press, 2016
ISBN: 9781908312402
Cover by Michelle Peart
Four stars
Four stars from me is five stars from most other reviewers. Just saying.
Elin Gregory is another of those Brit authors who not only has a way with language, but manages to handle the past in a manner that is authoritative as well as captivating. She puts in just the right amount of detail without getting heavy-handed and showing off. We are back in the era of Lord Peter Wimsey, or Hercule Poirot, and ...more
Elin Gregory
Manifold Press, 2016
ISBN: 9781908312402
Cover by Michelle Peart
Four stars
Four stars from me is five stars from most other reviewers. Just saying.
Elin Gregory is another of those Brit authors who not only has a way with language, but manages to handle the past in a manner that is authoritative as well as captivating. She puts in just the right amount of detail without getting heavy-handed and showing off. We are back in the era of Lord Peter Wimsey, or Hercule Poirot, and ...more
By Jove, what a little cracker this was. As has been said in other reviews, this was very '49 Steps' by John Buchan, terrifically atmospheric with all the detail and language ringing true. Think Spooks or James Bond, but set in the roaring 1920's. 5 stars.
Miles, slight of frame but huge of heart and courageous to a fault, especially when dressed as his alter ego Millie, the little tiger...or should that be tigress?? Briers [and yes, I loved the reasoning behind his first name, hehe] was the ...more
Aug 04, 2016
LenaRibka
added it
DNF at 53%
I'm probably the only person in the world who doesn't like this book.
It's hard to read a book when you can't warm up with main characters. And that is exactly what happened to me - I really didn't connect with Briers Allerdale and Miles Siward.
The blurb appeared very promising, and honestly what could be better than two British agents of the Secret Intelligence Service playing a married couple as undercover in London of the 1920's in a dangerous mission to save "King and country"?
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2016 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: Eleventh Hour by Elin Gregory
1) I will have to keep my eyes open for more stories by this author as she pulled me into this story from the beginning.
2) Thoroughly enjoyable and historically fun story of espionage and an unusual romance, with great characters.
3) I must confess that I'm a huge Helen MacInnes fan, so the storyline of Eleventh Hour by Elin Gregory was right up my alley. Having lived in England, I am also a big fan of the Victorian sewer ...more
1) I will have to keep my eyes open for more stories by this author as she pulled me into this story from the beginning.
2) Thoroughly enjoyable and historically fun story of espionage and an unusual romance, with great characters.
3) I must confess that I'm a huge Helen MacInnes fan, so the storyline of Eleventh Hour by Elin Gregory was right up my alley. Having lived in England, I am also a big fan of the Victorian sewer ...more
I loved everything about this story. I loved Elin Gregory’s style of writing, the British setting, the 1920’s era, the characters, and the plot, which moved along at a great pace. There were plenty of things happening, and just when one strand of the puzzle seemed to have been resolved, we were off again, on the trail of another clue.
Miles had unexpected depths. It was extremely satisfying to see him come into his own, not only in his role as Millie, but also as himself. Briers would’ve been ...more
Miles had unexpected depths. It was extremely satisfying to see him come into his own, not only in his role as Millie, but also as himself. Briers would’ve been ...more
This is well written, but didn’t tickle my fancy like it has for many of my GR friends. Miles is an interesting character. A small man, underestimated and ridiculed by his colleagues, he blossoms as his more confident alter ego Millie. But I didn’t feel anything special for Briers or their budding relationship. Likewise, their mission progresses in a workmanlike fashion, but didn’t exactly raise my heart rate.
A beautifully written romance between Briers and Miles, undercover British agents in the 1920’s. Set against the backdrop of London the detail of character, place, and time, are enthralling. I couldn’t stop reading this. Recommended.
One of my favourite books this year :)
DNF 46%
A quite new romantic crime-solving story (M/M). Highly praised by some friends. Curious!
... but I couldn’t hold my interest.
A quite new romantic crime-solving story (M/M). Highly praised by some friends. Curious!
... but I couldn’t hold my interest.
A perfect historical thriller!
This book was hard to put down. It's definitely slow-paced and allows the reader to sink into the story, the exciting plot and all the characters with relish! It's also an interesting tale of motive and morale.
I found here absolutely everything I could hope for. There's mystery, intrigue, danger and suspense. I've always found the inter-war years greatly interesting and the early stages of the British Secret Intelligence Service fascinating. The Great Game between ...more
This book was hard to put down. It's definitely slow-paced and allows the reader to sink into the story, the exciting plot and all the characters with relish! It's also an interesting tale of motive and morale.
I found here absolutely everything I could hope for. There's mystery, intrigue, danger and suspense. I've always found the inter-war years greatly interesting and the early stages of the British Secret Intelligence Service fascinating. The Great Game between ...more
I suck at writing reviews so I don't often bother, but Eleventh Hour is so brilliant that I felt I have to share.
It is very rare that I find a historical mm tale that hits the right notes for me but this is right up there with Charlie Cochrane's Cambridge Histories or Josh Lanyon's Snowball in Hell.
The characters ring true, both the main and minor players are true to life with a depth that made me really care about what happened to them. Their language and mannerisms are spot on and the 1920s ...more
It is very rare that I find a historical mm tale that hits the right notes for me but this is right up there with Charlie Cochrane's Cambridge Histories or Josh Lanyon's Snowball in Hell.
The characters ring true, both the main and minor players are true to life with a depth that made me really care about what happened to them. Their language and mannerisms are spot on and the 1920s ...more
Full review on Prism
But this is smart, funny and romantic. The spy stiff was thrilling and exciting, the romance slow burn and lovely. Miles dressing in woman's clothes was not salacious, but part of his character - and Briers got that.
There needs to be a sequel. Really
But this is smart, funny and romantic. The spy stiff was thrilling and exciting, the romance slow burn and lovely. Miles dressing in woman's clothes was not salacious, but part of his character - and Briers got that.
There needs to be a sequel. Really
Here's my pros and cons of this book:
Pros:
*1920s is literally the best setting for a histrom you can't change my mind
*the atmosphere is so soft and will make you feel mushy emotions
*Cool Spy Stuff
*book that admits the rest of europe actually exists?? holy wow. Briars actually speaks czech!!!
*smol and tol archetypes
*cross-dressing and some good good gender feels
*Miles as Millie is some Good Shit
*when Briars fucks up and does some not great presumptions about Miles, he takes the time to think ...more
Pros:
*1920s is literally the best setting for a histrom you can't change my mind
*the atmosphere is so soft and will make you feel mushy emotions
*Cool Spy Stuff
*book that admits the rest of europe actually exists?? holy wow. Briars actually speaks czech!!!
*smol and tol archetypes
*cross-dressing and some good good gender feels
*Miles as Millie is some Good Shit
*when Briars fucks up and does some not great presumptions about Miles, he takes the time to think ...more
This was such a gentle book. Which isn't what you'd expect really from a book about spies--and don't get me wrong, the spy and intrigue plot is very well done--but the romance and the characters are just so kind and careful with each other, it's very wonderful.
I'd classify this more as a HFN (and I see there is a sequel, so that makes sense) not only in content, but also in context. It's hard to imagine a HEA in mid 1920s Europe. A fact the book is very aware of, and drives home with a ...more
I'd classify this more as a HFN (and I see there is a sequel, so that makes sense) not only in content, but also in context. It's hard to imagine a HEA in mid 1920s Europe. A fact the book is very aware of, and drives home with a ...more
My essential reading for a long day's travel, and never has a tedious railway journey been so enjoyable. I loved this story. This is such a delightful romp! A true Ripping Yarn, as they used to be called back in the twenties when this was set - all anarchist plots, suave foreign agents, silk stockings and Mills bombs. Dee-light-ful stuff!
The setting is wonderfully 1920s London, and the little details ground the reader thoroughly in its time and place. The two protagonists are an interesting ...more
The setting is wonderfully 1920s London, and the little details ground the reader thoroughly in its time and place. The two protagonists are an interesting ...more
I thoroughly recommend Eleventh Hour to anyone who enjoys adventure and suspense in their m/m reads.
Set in post-war 1920s, London is immersed in spies and terrorist plots. There are so many levels to this novel that there's never a dull moment as Briers and Miles are commissioned to stop an anarchist who has slipped through the SIS net, and the reader is kept on the edge of his/her seat to the final page.
The two men (who, for their assignment, are disguised as a married couple - husband and ...more
Set in post-war 1920s, London is immersed in spies and terrorist plots. There are so many levels to this novel that there's never a dull moment as Briers and Miles are commissioned to stop an anarchist who has slipped through the SIS net, and the reader is kept on the edge of his/her seat to the final page.
The two men (who, for their assignment, are disguised as a married couple - husband and ...more
Excellent. I absolutely loved this. It's a spy thriller romance and it's delightful. It's fun and exciting and full of intrigue and dashing smart people foiling the bad guys in 1928 London. The main characters are wonderful and so well-developed. Briers is the suave, experienced field agent and Miles is a brilliant linguist who's only ever worked in an office and happens to both look good in a dress and be willing to wear one in service to king and country, and they go undercover as a married
...more
At least 3.5 stars, rounded up
Intriguing setting (post WWI London) well-imagined, with a welcome depth of period detail. Fluent and vibrant writing.
The central relationship ("manly" Briers Allerdale and secret cross-dresser Miles Siward) is most attractive, although annoyingly subordinated too often to the demands of a slightly bonkers plot involving caricatured anarchists. To be fair, the plot isn't at all untypical of thrillers actually written in the 1920s, but given that the treatment of ...more
Intriguing setting (post WWI London) well-imagined, with a welcome depth of period detail. Fluent and vibrant writing.
The central relationship ("manly" Briers Allerdale and secret cross-dresser Miles Siward) is most attractive, although annoyingly subordinated too often to the demands of a slightly bonkers plot involving caricatured anarchists. To be fair, the plot isn't at all untypical of thrillers actually written in the 1920s, but given that the treatment of ...more
This was a great book, the attention to detail was wonderful. The author was able to evoke a strong sense of the minutae of daily life as a couple that gay couples were unable to openly experience in this time*; hand-holding, going out to dinner, waking up together, arguing.
And it was a jolly good caper story as well with lots of the famous British (and Welsh) flair for understatement!
I look forward to the next novel that Ms Gregory publishes :)
*I know that for many people in many parts of the ...more
And it was a jolly good caper story as well with lots of the famous British (and Welsh) flair for understatement!
I look forward to the next novel that Ms Gregory publishes :)
*I know that for many people in many parts of the ...more
I read this in beta, in fact even in that form this was one of my favourite reads of 2015. I'm so excited to read the finished version.
3.5 stars. Set between the great wars (WWI and II), this is a cute, funny, sweet spy romp with a touch of cross-dressing. Briers, a field agent, and Miles, borrowed from the cipher office, are thrown together in the effort to stop an anarchist plot. Because of Miles' theatrical background, and a previous assignment impersonating a woman, (and a mild predilection for cross-dressing) is set up as 'Millie' and the two of them move in, as a couple, into a 'marrieds only' boarding house, so they can
...more
Action, danger, espionage and a dose of romance play beautifully alongside one another in Elin Gregory’s historical thriller, Eleventh Hour.
I love a novel that offer readers the opportunity to become ensconced in time and place without it turning into a full-fledged history lesson about the era. Set in post-World War I London, this story allows for just enough detail to ground readers in its setting, delivering a welcome touch of realism without the historical aspects becoming cumbersome or ...more
I love a novel that offer readers the opportunity to become ensconced in time and place without it turning into a full-fledged history lesson about the era. Set in post-World War I London, this story allows for just enough detail to ground readers in its setting, delivering a welcome touch of realism without the historical aspects becoming cumbersome or ...more
I am new to Elin Gregory's writing, but I heard great things about Eleventh Hour, and after a particularly fractious day, I treated myself to the book. I was not disappointed. I have a particular fondness for tales set in the first half of the twentieth century, and Elin's expert touch drew me into the pre-war non-technological world. There is something much more exciting about an era where it was people rather than gadgets that did the legwork, and coded messages have to be left in unexpected
...more
Wow. Having read 'On A Lee Shore' by the same author, I was expecting great things from the outset, and while this book has a very different tone and feel to it, it has all the page-turning magic I've come to expect from an Elin Gregory story.
Briers and Miles come across as very real characters in very believable situations. The relationship that builds between them is touching and true, and the secondary characters (though occasionally deserving of a good kick in the shins, from a modern ...more
Briers and Miles come across as very real characters in very believable situations. The relationship that builds between them is touching and true, and the secondary characters (though occasionally deserving of a good kick in the shins, from a modern ...more
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
I first came across this book as I was trying to find something new to read; I thought the blurb sounded interesting and I enjoy Historical stories so I decided to put it on my maybe pile and continued looking at other books. As the search went on, however, my mind kept going back to this book, over and over again; there was just something about it that I couldn’t let go of so I took it as a sign and decided this would by my next read. Obviously my ...more
I first came across this book as I was trying to find something new to read; I thought the blurb sounded interesting and I enjoy Historical stories so I decided to put it on my maybe pile and continued looking at other books. As the search went on, however, my mind kept going back to this book, over and over again; there was just something about it that I couldn’t let go of so I took it as a sign and decided this would by my next read. Obviously my ...more
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