Jan 24: Stealing the Crown - SPOILER Thread - by T P Fielden (2020)

[Susan]

Welcome to the first book in our January 24 Challenge, Revisiting the Golden Age, Stealing the Crown The first book in the Guy Harford Mystery series was written by T.P. Fielden and was published in 2020.

Britain is at war—but the greatest threat to the Crown might be within the Palace walls.

London, 1941: Major Edgar Brampton is found shot dead in his office in Buckingham Palace. All signs point towards a self-inflicted tragedy, but when Palace authorities hurry his body away and order staff to stay silent, fellow courtier Guy Harford’s suspicions are raised.

While the outside world faces the onslaught of war, within the Palace walls a curious mystery unfolds. Rumours swirl about Brampton’s relationship with the Queen, and there’s talk of other plots involving those closest to the King.

To get to the bottom of what really happened, Guy joins forces with some unlikely allies—Rodie Carr, a beautiful East End burglar, and Rupert Hardacre, a postman with a past—but time may be running out…for him, for the King, and for Britain. Someone has their eye on the crown, and they’ll do anything to get it.

Can Guy solve the case before more blood is spilled on the royal carpets? Or will he be the next victim?

Please feel free to post spoilers in this thread.

[Susan]

I felt this was very much a first book. Had we not been going to read the first two books in each series, I might have given up at this point, so I am pleased that I will read the second as I think this might get better.

I liked the setting of the palace. I used to work in a very posh shop in Regent Street and we had quite a lot of customers who worked at Buckingham Palace, who were oddly similar to those in this novel!

[Sandy]

I also liked the setting. The main character is fine and he has a couple of sidekicks that could be interesting. I think palace intrigue has good potential.

This book may have suffered in comparison as I read it immediately after Drink to Yesterday with its darker view of wartime spying.

[Susan]

Agreed. Drink to Yesterday had a much darker, and more realistic, feel. There was a real sense of danger, which was missing in this book.

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "I felt this was very much a first book. Had we not been going to read the first two books in each series, I might have given up at this point, so I am pleased that I will read the second as I think..."

Oh, no! Seems very back-bitey (yes, I just made that word up!😂)

Definitely agree, first book, sort of all over the place, but good setting, with palace + Blitz, so many possibilities. I look forward to trying the second, if I can get it. The gossipy tone could be funny, but the author kept jumping from gossipy group to group, I wasn’t sure what/who mattered to the mystery, and what was just there to entertain and impress with inside knowledge. Queen Mary and the sausages was hilarious, and Guy’s trip to Badminton to try and deal with it!

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "Agreed. Drink to Yesterday had a much darker, and more realistic, feel. There was a real sense of danger, which was missing in this book."

True - I haven’t read the Coles’ books yet, but couldn’t help thinking of A Chelsea Concerto, which I read last year. Much heavier look at wartime London.

[Susan]

Judy mentioned A Chelsea Concerto - will have to have a look, thanks Susan.

[Rosina]

I have just started this and am already bewildered. Why have they announced the death of Brampton, informing the press and his wife (and American models with suspect friends), before they have 'discovered' the body? If the palace police are concerned at his not turning up for work, they could just read the newspapers, all of which covered the tragic death.

Mr ffrench-Blake will also have to be silenced, since he will know that Brampton didn't shoot himself in the Chelsea house. Is this just incredibly bad plotting, or will there be a simple explanation later?

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "Judy mentioned A Chelsea Concerto - will have to have a look, thanks Susan."

You’re very welcome, a five-star read for me, very moving and evocative, I learned so much about the earliest part of the war - the USA didn’t get in until after Pearl Harbor (12/7/41), so that’s the date our WWII basic education often starts.

[Susan]

There was a lot going on before 1941, but obviously history starts at the part you enter it.

Rosina, no, it is confusing and poorly plotted. I doubt I would read the second unless it was on our list, but the setting may be enough that I want to give it a second chance.

I think the main character is the problem. He's just so clueless for much of the novel.

[Susan in NC]

Susan wrote: "There was a lot going on before 1941, but obviously history starts at the part you enter it.

Rosina, no, it is confusing and poorly plotted. I doubt I would read the second unless it was on our li..."

That’s it, you’ve got the nub right there - we’re re told Guy is handsome and a talented artist, and he clearly misses his life in North Africa, but apparently bungled things badly there. But that reputation has followed him home, and seems to hamper his ability to think like the diplomatic/spy/military/political types he’s up against! Unless we’re supposed to see him as the bumbling-yet-good hearted-stalwart underdog, I don’t see how he can investigate on his own! I guess we’ll see…

[Michaela]

In spite of the negative thoughts of many readers here and on GR on the whole I liked this. Guy, Rodie and other characters are funny, and the complicated historical details are well explained. Nearly every character is suspicious.
I also found it good that it was mentioned that Nazis didn´t only exist in Germany or Austria but even the UK. In the US you can still find enough of them. I had a shock when I first saw photos or videos of marches there that reminded of the 1930s and 40s in the "Reich".

[Sandy]

Michaela wrote: "In spite of the negative thoughts of many readers here and on GR on the whole I liked this. Guy, Rodie and other characters are funny, and the complicated historical details are well explained. Nea..."

I too am looking forward to continuing the series as, like you say, the characters are enjoyable and the palace intrigue is interesting.

[Susan in NC]

I think the characters are funny and likable, and the series has possibilities - I hope I can get book 2, I’d like to see how the characters develop

[Judy]

I've finished this now and must agree with everyone's comments that the plot is confusing and disjointed, and also that Guy is not very impressive as a detective!

I also found Rodie a rather unconvincing character, though giving the series detective a burglar sidekick could work well for future plots. Having said all that, I quite liked Guy and enjoyed the setting and the writing style, so I'll be happy to try book two.

I was torn between a 2-star and 3-star rating, as I had a lot of problems with it, but went for 3 as I found it a fairly enjoyable read.

[Judy]

I thought the author's note at the end about the real-life inspiration for the book was interesting as far as it went, but I'd have liked a bit more detail.
I've just read an article about the English Mistery on Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English...

[Jessica-sim]

I finished the book and I enjoyed it mostly for the period details. I think the author evoked blitz life very well and I enjoyed the cameos of all the famous names.

The plot was less enjoyable and I wish that Ted and Foxy were at least included in the last chapter, we just left them somewhere behind never to be seen again. Actually there were a lot of unexplained moments that I even now don’t know why they were included or what they added.

I am looking forward to the second book but do sincerely hope that Guy has got his wits together by then because I found his slow-on-the-uptake level very tiring.

[Susan in NC]

“Slow on the uptake” is a very diplomatic take for our budding detective! Sometimes I get the impression an author isn’t quite sure who will be the star of the series, so you get a bumbling but talented artist, a “postal employee” who is certainly more, a cheeky but appealing burglar, etc. and they see what sticks…

[Susan]

Yes, you do feel the author should have known a little better where his central character was going. We got glimpses of someone who could take control, then they vanished. Perhaps he gets a better editor by book 2, let's hope so.

[Susan in NC]

;o)