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Sophie Burgoyne #3

Dredemere Castle

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Paper, Paper! Read all about it! Acrobat Murderer eludes police! But the newspaper story cannot tell the reader what is really happening — that this is another episode in the invisible war fought by hidden combatants.

As Britain hurtles towards a crisis that must be averted at all costs, the police scramble to find a man who has escaped them.

An assassination triggered The Great War. Could the same happen again?

With a deadline looming, Sophie, Ada, and Flora are sent undercover to Dredemere Castle — a place poets eulogize for its beauty. There, they discover more dangers and an atmosphere rife with suspicion as the fearful hour approaches.

Sophie and her friends struggle to keep up their spirits in the face of unexpected challenges while playing a deadly game of cat and mouse. Can they solve the mysteries that stare them in the face before it is too late?

A standalone story, but best read in series order.

516 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2023

218 people are currently reading
31 people want to read

About the author

G.J. Bellamy

12 books26 followers

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5 stars
548 (62%)
4 stars
251 (28%)
3 stars
68 (7%)
2 stars
11 (1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Alison.
3,697 reviews145 followers
October 18, 2023
Three and a half stars.

I read this five days ago, yet when I read the blurb I could not recall a single thing that happened!

Sophie Burgoyne is a minor aristocrat, daughter of an impoverished vicar, who has set up rather an unusual business as both a typing and employment agency. Through a cousin, she has also become a police spy working for the Foreign Office and some of her most trusted friends/employees assist her.

At a pivotal moment in Egyptian history, an Egyptian statesman is in England, he is due to meet with British politicians at Dredemere Castle to broker Egyptian independence, however there is a strong risk that he will be assassinated. Security is heavy, with police surrounding the castle, and Sophie and her team are undercover. But as always, there are so many people undercover or playing a part that it is difficult to determine allegiances.

This was probably my favourite of the series (out of the four I have read).

Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
25 reviews
November 28, 2023
Captivating

I read copiously and yet rarely write a review. However , after reading the 3rd book of this series I cannot ignore the absolute pleasure I get from reading GJ Bellamy ' books. Many authors paint scenes surrounding their subjects , some better than others but by my opinion none has yet made me more part of the action. And action there is aplenty. This author paints scenes so well that the book could almost be used as is for a movie. Little tidbits of human behavior often absent from a story not only add to the reality of the story ,but also give a deeper understanding of the characters. And there's romantic tension growing several characters that helps propel the stories.

I enjoyed this series despite the likelihood of the premise. But that is what fiction is. A great read of mystery and action. Grab a chair and enjoy a great adventure,
11 reviews
February 8, 2023
Great mystery series!

This series is really well written! The plots are sufficiently complex to be quite interesting, the characters are strong and really well developed. I look forward to the next book in this series
Profile Image for margo wheeler.
140 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2023
Loved this read for its historical accuracy, plot and excellent characters

What a joy. A real page turner except for looking up the true history of the characters such as the Egyptian and English negotiators. Outstanding job by the author.
Profile Image for Homerun2.
2,726 reviews19 followers
August 18, 2023
This historical series has become a favorite. Set in post World War I London, it involves an agency run by an enterprising young woman which furnishes domestic help to households or for special events. It turns out Sophie, the proprietor, is a cousin of a man with links to the British version of the FBI/CIA. How better to find out information than to have strategically placed servants?

The cast is very appealing, smart, collaborative, funny and unafraid. In this story, an Egyptian diplomat is coming to the UK for a very important discussion about Egypt's future and there is reason to believe he is an assassination target.

Lots of action, great dialogue -- a fun read.
43 reviews
March 3, 2024
Sorry to be a pest…but you must read these books…yes, I mean you

This third book in the series was likely even better than the first two which were exceptional! Creepy, scary ( but nicely fleshed-out) bad guys, multi-dimensional good guys (erm, persons rather) and interesting back stories and back stage goings on all around. And frankly charming. Very tough to roll those things into one book, but they’ve done it again!
Profile Image for Patricia Gulley.
Author 4 books53 followers
December 6, 2024
I like Sophie and her secret agency, always a good mystery, but this book was so dragged out with tangents and side stories that had nothing to do with the mystery. Like two maids discussing hot water bottles, not for a paragraph but a whole scene. I don't like espionage stories much, but the thread running through all the books keeps getting more interesting. The last few pages discussing events resonates for current events.
119 reviews1 follower
October 3, 2023
Espionage... Action...humour...etc.

I love the characters, from Aunt Bessie to the gentry to the maids and of course Sophie and her team. I'm still waiting to see what happens in her romantic life. Anyone who likes the 20's, and world politics at that time would like this book.
90 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2024
truely entertaining! each book in the series gets better!

The story, the mystery, the intriguing history of the era all get mixed together! The cast continues to grow & their relationships deepen. Castles….. foreign office….. home office…..Scotland Yard……. Criminals
( both foreign & domestic) mix at dinner parties and country weekends. Great fun. I recommend
Profile Image for Jill.
384 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2024
Fantastic Story

Sophie and crew have another case with the FO. So many groups are involved in this situation that it is quite difficult to find out who is actually in charge. One wouldn't know who to trust. For once, the reader knows who the bad guys are and basically what they plan to do. Liked this book.tremendously.
4 reviews
March 24, 2023
Excellent intrigue

The Sophie Burgoyne mysteries are well written with many twists and turns. The characters are very interesting and well fleshed out. I love the plots and the story line for each character. Well done
1,262 reviews2 followers
April 21, 2023
I thoroughly enjoy this series. The characters are relatable and believable. The plots are complex enough to keep your attention and move quickly. I look very forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Mary Kyle.
244 reviews
April 30, 2023
Sophi.Ada.&Flora are awesome

The main characters are engaging and resourceful. Supporting characters, Archie, Aunt Bessie inspector Morton are well described and the villains are truly dreadful or should I write the dredefull. 5 stars and I hope for more.
1 review
June 11, 2023
Such a fun series

Stories are entertaining, plot twists common. Many laugh out loud moments Certainly want to read more of these. Screen are Castle was satisfyingly longest and best
260 reviews2 followers
September 19, 2023
Convoluted

And quirky! The series is filled with twists and turns. Events both serendipitous and suspicious fill each chapter. Best of all the people are engaging, which attractions will grow, antagonists become friends and . . . ?
30 reviews3 followers
October 2, 2023
Fabulous Series

Sophie Burgoyne is an amazing character, full of initiative and courage. This series is an absolute delight. From the characters to the plots, it is well done. I also enjoy the setting of interwar Brittain. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Divad.
69 reviews7 followers
November 29, 2023
A lengthy plot that holds up

So often these long books sag somewhere along the line. But this not.

It causes me to wonder what efforts the author makes to achieve this. The classics achieve this as well

Well done
15 reviews
December 9, 2023
Best in the series so far

I really enjoyed this book. There were times when I laughed out loud. The bit with the mattress was so unexpected and funny. Sophie is quite the clever young woman.
Profile Image for Karen Strong.
18 reviews
August 6, 2024
I’ve now read the first three in this series by G.J. Bellamy. I’ve enjoyed them all, and this one was quite engaging. The plot is interesting, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Some of the premises are a bit of a stretch for the 1920s, but reading them in the 2020s is fun.
200 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2023
Dredemere Castle

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Excellent story, well drawn characters, superior plot. I look forward to the next in this series!
116 reviews5 followers
January 22, 2023
Fantastic

I couldn't put this book down it is so good.
The plot line was engrossing.
As a native of the area I loved the Nottinghamshire setting.
This really is a must read.
10 reviews
April 10, 2023
I am really enjoying this series

A great change from all the lowest common denominator books of today. Enjoying a much simpler time when people had respect for others
1,024 reviews6 followers
January 9, 2025
I like these books but find them overly long. There are instances of extraneous information that adds nothing to the plot. It looks just like the author is padding out the book for some reason.
22 reviews
March 6, 2023
totally Hooked

I love this series! I have enjoyed reading the first 3 books in succession but now I have to wait for the 4th book to come out. Oh the agony!! And it has only been 5 minutes. I’ll just have to read her other books while I wait.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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