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A Dangerous Legacy

(Empire State #1)

Elizabeth Camden (Goodreads Author)

4.12 · Rating details · 1,927 ratings · 350 reviews

Telegraph operator Lucy Drake is a master of Morse code and has made herself a valuable asset to the Associated Press news agency. But the sudden arrival of Sir Colin Beckwith at rival British news agency Reuters puts her hard-earned livelihood at risk. Colin is talented, handsome, insufferably charming—and keeping a secret that jeopardizes his reputation.

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Paperback, 334 pages

Published October 3rd 2017 by Bethany House Publishers (first published October 2017)

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Average rating 4.12 ·

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· 1,927 ratings · 350 reviews

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Oct 17, 2017 Hannah rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017-challenge, mystery-thriller, owned-books

I definitely enjoyed this tale of New York, reporters, Morse Code, and danger. It came in the mail today, and I was glad to dive right in. I intended to read a single chapter and get back to the other book I'm reading, but the story grabbed me from the beginning.

Lucy is likable from the start, and it's easy to identify with her longing to find justice and to shake off her uncle's stalkers, who are content to spy on her life and keep her and her brother from realizing their full potential in lif I definitely enjoyed this tale of New York, reporters, Morse Code, and danger. It came in the mail today, and I was glad to dive right in. I intended to read a single chapter and get back to the other book I'm reading, but the story grabbed me from the beginning.

Lucy is likable from the start, and it's easy to identify with her longing to find justice and to shake off her uncle's stalkers, who are content to spy on her life and keep her and her brother from realizing their full potential in life. From there the story moves swiftly, as she encounters Sir Colin Beckwith and as he stumbles across her family's nasty history. With Colin's eyes fresh on the family secrets, Lucy and Colin quickly realize that much more is going on in the family than she first imagined. In other words, the Saratoga Drakes aren't scrupulous about crushing more than family, if others get in the way of their plans.

Before long, Colin is mixed into the issue, despite his being an unlikely ally. After all, he's a reporter at heart, and the draw of a good story is hard to resist.

It fell just shy of five stars for me, but makes four (very good) easily. It's Camden's best in years (since Beyond All Dreams, in my opinion)—well-researched, detailed history, and two lead characters with clear chemistry. (Their banter is excellent. Brings to mind classic movies like Desk Set and His Girl Friday...)

Things that helped shy away from an "excellent" rating:
-An "oh my heavens" exclamation
-"Hear, hear" misspelled as "here, here" (pet peeve)
-Woman referred to as "hero"...in 1903, she'd be offended. She's a heroine.
-Content. Lucy entered a situation that requires a forced bathing (not something she was expecting ahead of time). For me, it got a bit too far into her feelings as the two women scrubbed her down. It's only a paragraph, but I'm intensely visual and didn't want to have that image.

It's also MUCH better edited than the last two releases, and the words flow with a lot more authenticity. Definitely worth a read!

Thanks to the publisher for a free review copy. A positive review is not required. ...more

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Dec 03, 2017 Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) rated it really liked it

Shelves: christian-fiction, kindle, books-i-own, historical, reviewed

I was not expecting the character of Lucy to be what she was in this book- I think the pearls on the cover threw me off. (While there are pearls in the story, I don't believe she ever wears them). Lucy is one determined woman, holding tightly to her values but willing to get a little down and dirty when battling unscrupulous people. Her strength is admirable, and I loved how the author also portrayed her flaws, exhaustion, and yearnings for a different life. She is complex in that way since she ...more

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Oct 02, 2017 Rachel McMillan rated it it was amazing

Honestly, Elizabeth Camden's books are just all the ingredients I love. I truly think she is writing for me! She has a masters in history, so her research is unparalleled, she has an easy, accessible writing style, characters and dialogue that leap off the page and a keen sense of time and verisimilitude. But, I think what I find most impressive, is the ease in which she excavates snippets of history not usually explored onto which she shines the spotlight of her inimitable narrative style.
...more

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Feb 27, 2017 Grace Mullins marked it as to-read

Elizabeth Camden has a second book releasing in 2017? Um, YES! YES, YES, YES! *wants book now* *right now*

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Nov 18, 2017 Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) rated it liked it

Shelves: read-reviewed, own

About this book:

“Lucy Drake's mastery of Morse code has made her a valuable asset to the American news agencies as a telegrapher. But the sudden arrival of Sir Colin Beckwith at rival British news agency Reuters puts her hard-earned livelihood at risk. Newly arrived from London, Colin is talented, handsome, and insufferably charming.
Despite their rivalry, Lucy realizes Colin's connections could be just what her family needs to turn the tide of their long legal battle over the fort ...more

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Sep 25, 2017 Jamie rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017

Another book by Elizabeth Camden means another excellent read! What makes her such a strong writer, is her ability to remain fitting and true to the time period she chooses, but also makes the plot intriguing and gives you a heroine you can root for.

I enjoyed the relationship between Colin and Lucy. There were some frustrations (which again, were very fitting for the time period), but I thought Camden did an excellent job with that part of the story.

I really liked Lucy (a ...more

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Dec 05, 2017 Aerykah rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed, books-i-own, new-in-2017, 2017, bethany-house-reviews

What an adventure this was! From apartments to mansions, from the sewers to an asylum, and more! There were, secrets, intrigue, suspicions, spying, encrypted messages, a psycho doctor..... *deep breath* ...and of course, there was romance too. ;)

This isn't a very fast-paced book at first. I kinda wish it was, but it's not. While I was very much enjoying the story, it was still pretty easy to put down and set aside for a while... which is exactly what I ended up doing for a couple of weeks about hal What an adventure this was! From apartments to mansions, from the sewers to an asylum, and more! There were, secrets, intrigue, suspicions, spying, encrypted messages, a psycho doctor..... *deep breath* ...and of course, there was romance too. ;)

This isn't a very fast-paced book at first. I kinda wish it was, but it's not. While I was very much enjoying the story, it was still pretty easy to put down and set aside for a while... which is exactly what I ended up doing for a couple of weeks about halfway through the book. But-- it's also the type of book that during those two weeks, I was still really looking forward to picking it back up and finishing it. And the last half of the book was finished within two afternoons. So obviously, the last half went much faster than the first.

I found many aspects of this story fascinating. The telegraph, the Morse Code, the pluming, the PTSD, the Panama Canal, etc. Elizabeth Camden's writing makes it easy for me to visualize the things she writes about. I enjoyed the way these things were woven into the story; it was all so very interesting and made my history-loving self quite happy!

I grew to love the characters (well... some of them, anyway) and enjoyed seeing them grow and develop throughout the book. It has me really looking forward to reading Nick's story! (Wish I didn't have to wait until June. :( ) Lucy and Nick were great and, like I said, I grew to love them... but I think Colin was my favorite character. I wish we'd been able to get to know his family, but maybe we'll get to learn more about them later? Colin just felt the most real to me and that made it easier to connect with him. Though, toward the end, I began to connect more with Lucy too.

One last thing before I sign off... I just have to say that I loved the dialogue. Dialogue is usually a pretty big thing for me. If a book is really well written, but the dialogue is terrible or seems really stiff or fake? It's likely that I won't finish the book. On the other hand, I'm likely to give a book an extra star if it has genuine, fun, engaging dialogue that I truly enjoy. This book is one of the latter. I don't know what it was specifically, but I remember thinking several times that the dialogue was great and I was really enjoying it.

A big thumbs-up and 5 stars from me! I definitely recommend this book! :)

I received a free copy of this book through the Bethany House Blogger Review Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

...more

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Jul 24, 2018 Jocelyn Green rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, christian-fiction

I would give this book 10 stars if I could. Equal parts fascinating, intruiging, and entertaining. Plenty of rich history for my taste. There were so many twists and turns, I was kept guessing until the last chapter, which resolved everything perfectly. The characters were fully-developed and completely loveable (except the ones you love to hate). I will read everything Camden writes forever.

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Sep 17, 2018 Staci rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2018

Enjoyable!

I loved the history woven into this novel...AP and Reuters, transpacific transmissions and water valves. So interesting!

While I didn't love main characters Colin and Lucy, they definitely had admirable traits and I especially liked the names they had for each other: "London" and "Yankee". The inclusion of carrier pigeons was a nice touch.

I look forward to Nick's story in book two.

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Dec 05, 2017 Cassie rated it it was amazing

Truth: the last few books I've read of Elizabeth Camden's have been slightly disappointing. Nothing has lived up to Against the Tide, which I adore.

I am so happy to say this is my second favorite Camden book, coming second only to Against the Tide.

I loved it. It was exciting and there was danger involved, but not too much. And the characters were delightful.

So glad I read this one!

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Dec 31, 2018 Alicia rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, adult-fiction, own-it-hardcopy

So much happened in this book and I loved reading it all! The story opens up the world of telegraphy at the beginning of the 20th century and follows Lucy and Colin, two people passionate about their work and with troubles of their own. A heartless uncle, a crumbling English manor, homing pigeons and a trek in the sewers of New York are just a few of the things that make their way into this book.

The banter between Colin and Lucy was fun to read and the sparks between them shot throug ...more

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Nov 21, 2018 Kellyn Roth marked it as did-not-finish

I got distracted. There's not a thing wrong with the book. :P However, I'm going to have to pick it up at a later time. I don't know why, but for some reason, there were months on end when I couldn't pick up a book and make myself finish it ... but I will finish this one later. For now, it just goes back on my "to-be-read" shelf.

.........

I just DNFed this book a second time. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME! Every time I start this book, I read the first chapter and get ...more

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Nov 09, 2019 Randi rated it really liked it

Lucy Drake works for Associated Press in New York, helping to distribute updates to newspapers all over America by Morse code.
Her brother Nick is a plumber working to supply tenants of New York's multi storey apartment buildings with running water. He does this in secret as Lucy and Nick have a longstanding lawsuit against their uncle concerning the plumbing invention their father did right before he went off to war. Their father’s invention makes Nick’s work in the apartment buildings technica ...more

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Sep 13, 2018 Loraine rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, christian-fiction, romance

Elizabeth Camden's historical fiction always captures my attention. This story is filled with suspense, danger, romance, and history. Focusing on the beginning of the competition between England's Reuters News Agency and the United States own Associated Press News Agency, the two agencies are constantly competing for getting the news out the fastest. Lucy Drake is the only woman telegrapher for AP and Sir Colin Beckwith is the manager of the Reuter's office in New York.

I loved the twists and tu ...more

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Sep 09, 2018 Jerry rated it really liked it

An enjoyable historical romance.

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Feb 13, 2019 Rachelle Cobb rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Reminds me of Dickens’ Bleak House.

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Nov 14, 2017 Diane Estrella rated it it was amazing

There were several times while reading this book, that I had to put it down.... NOT due to poor writing or storytelling, but because I was getting nervous for these characters. I was actually worried that this story would not have a happily-ever-after ending!

I have read almost all of Elizabeth Camden's books and she is most definitely a "go-to" author for me. Her stories are always solid and she takes her own personal passions throughout history and gets her readers to care about them as well. ...more

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Jun 04, 2017 Emily rated it it was amazing

Easily one of the best of this genre that I've read in 2017. I'm not going to go into an incredible amount of detail here, since it's been over a month since I read it, but I felt like I should give this book at least a sliver of what it deserves.

The history. SO rich. So seamlessly inviting. It's not EVERY day that you get to travel the sewer systems of New York.

The characters. Beautifully flawed, yet redeemed. I actually was a bit wary of the FMC and her brother at first, because t ...more

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Nov 03, 2017 Charity Andrews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: christian, us-history-fiction, historical-other-fiction, suspense

One thing that you can always know you'll get when you pick up an Elizabeth Camden novel is history. I'm not talking about a time period, necessarily, but a lifestyle. You will learn so much about the era she chooses to write in. You will learn how they lived, worked and loved.

This time she takes us to the Turn of the Century. In a time of booming industry, factories, wires, and even plumbing, she intertwines a beautiful story. Of course, there is much more than that to it! You can c ...more

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Feb 12, 2018 Cathy Daniel rated it it was amazing

I want to give this book 5+++++ stars! Who knew Morse code could be so intriguing and romantic! ;)

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Jun 07, 2018 E.F.B. rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, didn-t-hate-it-didn-t-love-it, won-in-giveaway

Note: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but was not asked for a review of any kind in exchange. I'm am only writing this review because I like sharing my bookish thoughts and opinions. :-)

I have not read any books by Elizabeth Camden before and probably would not have for a while had I not won this book, so she was a completely new author to me and I did not know what to expect going in. Overall, it wasn't bad at all. I really enjoyed the historical elements like talk of the l ...more

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Nov 11, 2017 Clara rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, reviewed

Elizabeth Camden's books are so quirky that they fill your heart with fuzzy feelings and make a silly smile impossible to be hidden.
Plus, she has the talent to pick "simple" historical facts/inventions (many things we might actually take for granted today) and spin a fascinating story that grows very strongly in your heart. And the way she ties all these little details to support the main plot is truly astonishing. Maybe you've heard that her novels are veeery detailed, but no fear, there' Elizabeth Camden's books are so quirky that they fill your heart with fuzzy feelings and make a silly smile impossible to be hidden.
Plus, she has the talent to pick "simple" historical facts/inventions (many things we might actually take for granted today) and spin a fascinating story that grows very strongly in your heart. And the way she ties all these little details to support the main plot is truly astonishing. Maybe you've heard that her novels are veeery detailed, but no fear, there's nothing randomly put just to fill the story.

I love layered stories in which you deeply get to know the characters as the story progresses, and in which history is richly enlaced into the plot. I know Elizabeth Camden is one of these writers, though I haven't read many of her books. Nevertheless, something I am quickly finding out to be true is that she can write heroes annoyingly infuriating who make you want to wipe away their roguish grin during the first pages, but, also, who can gain your heart quite quickly.

Colin Beckwith is one of these said heroes. At the same time, especially in the beginning, he can be snobbish and maddening, as you get deeper into the story, you'll find out he's a man who's been given a burden he's not sure he's fit to carry it out and who, when chasing after his dream, got himself trapped into a conflict he now spends his present time trying to forget. Honestly, Colin can be described with the same words he used to describe his home back in England: from the outside, it looked like a castle, inside it was a wreck. He's been forced to keep a mask in order to preserve his family's legacy - or at least he sees this as the only way - and the only thing keeping him sane is the opportunity to still work with what he loves, even if not in the front lines.

Once again, though, he's mistaken. His supposed sanity and his heart will be tested when he meets Lucy Drake. They come from different social classes, have been raised with a different perspective of life, work for competing companies, what can they possibly have in common? Apparently, nothing, until they stumble into each others' secrets and are forced to form an association. Even so, soon they will find in each other a kindred spirit because of more than just shared passion for telegraphy but due to decades-old inherited burdens, which they fight with all their might for.

As they get to know each other, how long can they continue to put their families' legacy in front of their own personal desires? How far becomes too far once you've known true sense of camaraderie alongside peace and happiness?

I'm so excited there will be one more installment to this story. Nick's book couldn't come soon enough :)
surely one of the best reads of the year!

*Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own. ...more

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Sep 16, 2018 Charlene rated it really liked it

Shelves: christian-fiction-historical-tbr

A spy, a bold telegraph operator, Messenger pigeons and morse code. It eventually kept me very entertained!

It started a little slow for me but I really enjoyed the second half.

I really liked Lucy I thought she was very bold and brave. Her courage really shines through this story. However I didn’t like Colin much even at the end!

I like that the author lead the story to a very dangerous edge :)

This was my first by Elizabeth Camden and I look forward to reading more in the fire.

I also listened ...more

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Oct 09, 2017 Kelly Bridgewater rated it it was amazing

A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden is a unique historical novel that takes place during the early twentieth century. One thing I really enjoy about Camden's novels is her ability to bring the technology we use every day to the forefront of my imagination in a fictionalized story. I'm always drawn into the trouble the characters find themselves in while learning something about the great inventions that have made life easier for modern day life.

Camden does a great job at writing A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden is a unique historical novel that takes place during the early twentieth century. One thing I really enjoy about Camden's novels is her ability to bring the technology we use every day to the forefront of my imagination in a fictionalized story. I'm always drawn into the trouble the characters find themselves in while learning something about the great inventions that have made life easier for modern day life.

Camden does a great job at writing the story. She is clear and concise in her descriptions and her writing. I have no problem picturing the scene and the setting. Camden does a really job at bringing New York City to life. She also does a great job at bringing the elaborate mansions to life when Camden travels out of New York to spy on Uncle Thomas.

I really enjoyed the plot in this story. I enjoyed seeing how the telegraphers worked and how the plumbing began in the early twentieth century. One of my favorite things for a historical writer to do is to tell me a little bit about history without overwhelming me. Sarah Sun din and Camden are my favorite two writers who do this. I enjoy the twists and turns that Camden has created in the mystery to keep Lucy and Nick on their toes as they struggle against their uncle and seek justice.

I really enjoyed spending time with Lucy, who is a smart woman who doesn't mind working for a living. Never once does she go out of her way to try to blackmail her uncle for her own selfish reasons. She wants him to allow the plumbing valve to be distributed for the masses at a reasonable cost. I admire her ability to negotiate and keep a level head throughout the novel. As for Camden, he wasn't one of my favorite hero's. He is a nice guy who appears to be just wanting a rich American heiress to keep his English home afloat, but by the end of the novel, he changes, and I respect him for that.

The romance doesn't dictate the story, but it does take up a good majority of the plot. Not too much. Not too little. Camden keeps it at an even keel. Just the way fans of historical romances like it.

I really LOVE the cover for this novel. The publishing company did a great job. The skyline of New York City in the background with the soft blush colors really captured my attention.

Overall, A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden is a refreshing tale on the importance of the telegraph machine and plumbing for American history. The characters were wonderful to spend time with, and the plot was a great way to spend a couple of days. I anxiously await what historical invention Camden will be crafting a story around next.

I received a complimentary copy of A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own. ...more

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Jan 08, 2018 Rebekah Gyger rated it liked it

I have read plenty of novels in my life in which Morse code played a part in the narrative, however this is the first time I have seen it played out in the setting of a newspaper industry. The history between AP and Reuters was something that I enjoyed learning about, along with how new stories were dispersed in that day. Sometimes it is difficult to wrap my mind around the realization the internet is not as old as it seems to those of us who cannot remember a time without it, and that the sprea ...more

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Aug 22, 2017 Kav rated it it was amazing

There is something so decadent about an edge-of-you-seat suspense paired with historical romance! And this one is riveting. Deeply intricate story threads woven into a complex pattern of loss and greed and vengeance. A villian who has "...no soul and that let him fight with the single-minded zeal of a jackal." (p 12) and a heroine determined to stand up for what is right and just though it alters the course of her life in devastating ways. A family legacy of sorts that has ensnared both Lucy and ...more

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Jul 07, 2018 Laura rated it liked it

A DANGEROUS LEGACY is the first book of Ms. Camden's newest series. I am seriously behind in reading her books so I have several in my to-be-read as-soon-as-possible pile beside me. I was glad this is the first book of the series so I didn't have to figure out what order to read them in.

I liked Colin, a British hero, with an accent and a sense of humor. What's not to like? Plus, he used homing pigeons which was a unique twist. Lucy is somewhat prickly, but understandable since she is being stal ...more

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Oct 20, 2017 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

"Colin remained motionless for a full minute after the door slammed. Lucy Drake was as attractive as he remembered. He wished she wasn't."

Battling decades of law suits regarding the rights to a family invention, Lucy Drake and her brother Nicholas, are exhausted with their attempts for full disclosure and justifiable inheritance. As a telegraph operator with the Associated Press, Lucy discovers an unlikely ally within the rival British news agency Reuters, a Sir Colin Beckwith, when information ...more

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Aug 21, 2017 Amy rated it really liked it

Shelves: comps

Every Elizabeth Camden novel -- and I've read them all -- is the exact same experience for me: a brilliant, unique premise hooks me in, historical details keep me interested, then a wild plot twist skews the story into another tangent that, more often than not, completely overshadows the original plot of the book and leaves me scratching my head. Fortunately, this was one of the "not's." While A Dangerous Legacy still veered in a completely different direction than I'd been led to expect by the back c ...more

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Oct 11, 2017 Lucinda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Every time I read one of Elizabeth Camden's books, it's my new favorite. I love all her stories—how can I possibly choose? I have all her ebooks. Now I need to start getting the paperbacks.

I loved Lucy and Colin. Such depth to these characters. Their relationship was a delight to read, sweet, funny, tense at times, and so romantic.

As usual, the historical part of the book was fascinating. The author's profession is really put to good use.

Highly recommend this one.

Looking forward t ...more

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