CARFAX INTRIGUE open discussion

[Tracy]

Starting a thread for people to post thoughts, questions, etc... as they finish reading. No need for spoilers, so read at your own risk if you haven't finished yet :-).

[Betty]

Three chapters in. I had trouble getting mine to download. I always have that trouble when I preorder. It finally downloaded today.

[Tracy]

Betty wrote: "Three chapters in. I had trouble getting mine to download. I always have that trouble when I preorder. It finally downloaded today."

Oh, sorry about that, Betty! So glad you got it to download at last!

[Kimberly]

I have finished the book and I loved it. I found the collection of characters invited to the party inspired! I had a number of questions, but my first is will Gisele's secret be revealed in the next book? She and Julien have been going back and forth with something she needs to tell Malcolm. After Edgar's betrayal, I am worried this secret will destroy her relationship with Malcolm.

[Tracy]

Kimberly wrote: "I have finished the book and I loved it. I found the collection of characters invited to the party inspired! I had a number of questions, but my first is will Gisele's secret be revealed in the nex..."

So glad you enjoyed it, Kim! It was a fun story to write, though surprisingly challenging as there were a lot of strands to juggle and just figuring out who was where when was tricky. Yes, we'll find out in WESTMINSTER INTRIGUE what Gisele and Julien are keeping from Malcolm - and Malcolm will find out too. With a lot of consequences for the central characters and the direction of the series. I know a lot of readers have mixed feelings about Gisele - it will be interesting to see if learning the truth behind what she's been doing changes that.

As for your other questions, do ask!

[Kimberly]

I was also wondering about Roaul's brother. Will we see him in the story again soon? I know he is in Spain, but with his connection to the League could he show up in England or maybe send messages from Spain? He could also effect Kitty & Raoul and their vision for Spain which appear to be on opposite sides.

[Tracy]

Kimberly wrote: "I was also wondering about Roaul's brother. Will we see him in the story again soon? I know he is in Spain, but with his connection to the League could he show up in England or maybe send messages ..."

He certainly could show up in London or send message (not saying he definitely will, but we will hear more about him at some point). There's also Raoul's nephew Raimundo who is now married to Annabel Larrimer, and so will almost certainly come back to Britain.

What makes you think Raoul and Kitty are on opposite sides?

[Kimberly]

Not Raoul against Kitty. Raoul and Kitty against Raoul's brother.

[Tracy]

Kimberly wrote: "Not Raoul against Kitty. Raoul and Kitty against Raoul's brother."

Oh, yes definitely. Raoul's brother is supporting the Royalists, Raoul and Kitty are supporting the Liberals. As ifsRaimundo

[Betty]

I also finished and enjoyed the mix of people at the ball - lots of possiblities for future challenges.

I've always liked Julien and felt he was masterful in his interactions with his guests. For the first time, I'm beginning to like Kitty and see her fitting in more naturally with the others.

Will have to say I actually felt sorry for Carfax. I know he still has power, but it still has to be hard to see others in his home.

[Tracy]

Betty wrote: "I also finished and enjoyed the mix of people at the ball - lots of possiblities for future challenges.

I've always liked Julien and felt he was masterful in his interactions with his guests. For ..."

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Betty! I loved writing Julien and Kitty settling into their new roles. I'm glad you're liking Kitty more. I think she is feeling more comfortable with the group and they with her, which probably contributes to her seeming to fit in more naturally. Writing her scenes with Mélanie in CARFAX INRIGUE, I realized that as agents they have something in common Melanie doesn't share with the other women in the series, except Manon.So I think their friendship is interesting to explore.

I felt sorry for Carfax and Lady Carfax too. It's quite a transistion to being guests in their former home.

[Kimberly]

Betty wrote: "I also finished and enjoyed the mix of people at the ball - lots of possiblities for future challenges.

I've always liked Julien and felt he was masterful in his interactions with his guests. For ..."

Hi Betty -

I like your comment about Carfax. I felt sorry for him as well, but as you say he still has power. The person who really worries me is Aunt Amelia Mallinson. She has loss everything (influence & power) with this change. We know she is still angry with Hubert, but I wonder how she feels for Julien & Kitty especially with them doing things SO differently. LOL

[Tracy]

Kimberly wrote: "Betty wrote: "I also finished and enjoyed the mix of people at the ball - lots of possiblities for future challenges.

I've always liked Julien and felt he was masterful in his interactions with hi..."

Amelia has lost more than Hubert - he's still a spymaster. I don't know if it's easier or harder for her because Kitty is so different from her.

[Betty]

So true about Amelia. I could sense how difficult it was for her, Kim and Tracy. She's lost her position, her home, has to figure out how to navigate the beau monde, and then there's Gisele.

[Tracy]

Betty wrote: "So true about Amelia. I could sense how difficult it was for her, Kim and Tracy. She's lost her position, her home, has to figure out how to navigate the beau monde, and then there's Gisele."

Yes, in addition to her home and position, her marriage isn't what it was. An her children don't have the position they had, which we get a sense matters more to her than it does to Hubert.

[Kimberly]

Tracy wrote: "Betty wrote: "So true about Amelia. I could sense how difficult it was for her, Kim and Tracy. She's lost her position, her home, has to figure out how to navigate the beau monde, and then there's ..."

I think David and his sisters are worried about their parent, especially Amellia. I don't think any of them care about the loss of the title to Julien. I think David is especially happy because now the pressure is off of him to marry and produce an heir. It will also stop his mother from throwing woman at him at every opportunity.

[sunshine_in_ny]

I’m so glad to see above that Gisele’s secret will be revealed and to Malcom! I’m one who is on the fence about her. Hopefully I will like her better as we spend more time with her and understand her motives more. I just feel so bad for Andrew still.

[Tracy]

sunshine_in_ny wrote: "I’m so glad to see above that Gisele’s secret will be revealed and to Malcom! I’m one who is on the fence about her. Hopefully I will like her better as we spend more time with her and understand h..."

I do think it's tough for readers with Gisele because in order to keep plot twists secret we can't really know what's driving her. Do you fel badly for Andrew even now Gisele is back living with him?

[Kimberly]

Tracy wrote: "sunshine_in_ny wrote: "I’m so glad to see above that Gisele’s secret will be revealed and to Malcom! I’m one who is on the fence about her. Hopefully I will like her better as we spend more time wi..."

Hi Tracy, I agree that not knowing what is driving Gisele makes me worry about her mental health like her mother. I hope she has explained to Andrew what is driving her otherwise the secret will continue to cause damage to their marriage wheather she is living with him or not. If Andrew doesn't feel Gisele trusts him, I think it will continue to question if their marriage is secure and more importantly how can he support her if she doesn't have enough faith in him to allow him to share the burden.

[Tracy]

Kimberly wrote: "Tracy wrote: "sunshine_in_ny wrote: "I’m so glad to see above that Gisele’s secret will be revealed and to Malcom! I’m one who is on the fence about her. Hopefully I will like her better as we spen..."

I think not being in Gisele's head may also make her mental health more questionable. In CARFAX INTRIGUE she talks with Julien about keeping the main secret from Andrew, just as Juiien is keeping it from Kitty. Secrets can indeed be hard on a marriage as we see in the series. On the other hand, the spy characters at least accept the secrets are inevitable. I may be wrong, but I do think when we know Gisele's secret it will make sense why she was so determined to keep it.

[sunshine_in_ny]

sunshine_in_ny wrote: "I’m so glad to see above that Gisele’s secret will be revealed and to Malcom! I’m one who is on the fence about her. Hopefully I will like her better as we spend more time with her and understand h..."

Yes, I still feel badly for Andrew. Plus he really seems like "odd man out" when in the group dynamic. I'm sure you'll make it all right in the end though. :)

[sunshine_in_ny]

Kimberly wrote: "Tracy wrote: "sunshine_in_ny wrote: "I’m so glad to see above that Gisele’s secret will be revealed and to Malcom! I’m one who is on the fence about her. Hopefully I will like her better as we spen..."

Yes, Kimberly! All this is also tied up in why I feel bad for Andrew!

[Tracy]

sunshine_in_ny wrote: "sunshine_in_ny wrote: "I’m so glad to see above that Gisele’s secret will be revealed and to Malcom! I’m one who is on the fence about her. Hopefully I will like her better as we spend more time wi..."

Yes, thinking through the opening group scenes in CARFAX INTRIGUE, Andrew is the only nonagent there. David and Simon are both "civilians" but at least they're a couple. Add to that Andrew's background is less aristocratic. Granted so is Melanie's, but Melanie at least shares being an agent.

[Betty]

I'm wishy washy about Gisele also, and hope I will begin to like her better. Andrew is such a nice guy! I don't like him being left out.

[Kimberly]

In a lot of ways, I think Andrew is like Jeremy Roth. He is on the fringe of the group. He is asked to trust without fully knowing what that entails. He is limited in how he can help, but he and Ian could be in danger from Gisele's actions. However, unlike Jeremy, I don't know how well he can defend himself and his family.

[Tracy]

Kimberly wrote: "In a lot of ways, I think Andrew is like Jeremy Roth. He is on the fringe of the group. He is asked to trust without fully knowing what that entails. He is limited in how he can help, but he and Ia..."

Andrew's also like Roth in that he's not an aristocrat though as the estate manager's son he'd be considered "better born" than Roth (so it was less of a scandal for him to marry Gisele than it would have been for Roth to do so). It does make both Andrew and Roth outsider to a degree. But unlike Andrew, Roth, though he isn't an agent, is an investigator. While it's true the Rannochs and their friends don't tell him everything, it's also true Roth doesn't tell them anything. So he is on a much more equal footing than Andrew.

It's a good point that Gelly's actions could endanger Andrew and Ian. On the other hand, given her family's connections to the League, they'd all be at risk in any case. Perhaps more so without the things Gelly's doing to keep them safe.

[Tracy]

Betty wrote: "I'm wishy washy about Gisele also, and hope I will begin to like her better. Andrew is such a nice guy! I don't like him being left out."

I'm glad Andrew comes across as likeable! I like him too.