Book Review: Betrayal at Ravenswick

I am so glad it is Friday and this week is over. What a heavy, exhausting week, am I right? I don't have a whole bunch planned for this weekend, but I feel like that's just fine. I am going to work on something for a fun Valentine's giveaway on my Instagram coming up, so stay tuned for that!  

Betrayal at Ravenswick - Kelly Oliver

Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie...

What's the best way to purge an unfaithful husband?

Become a spy for British Intelligence, of course.

Desperate to get out of London, and determined to help the war effort and stop thinking about her philandering husband, Fiona Figg volunteers to go undercover.

At Ravenswick Abbey a charming South African war correspondent has tongues wagging. His friends say he's a crack huntsman. The War Office is convinced he's a traitor. Fiona thinks he's a pompous prig.

What sort of name is Fredrick Fredricks anyway?

Too bad Fiona doesn't own a Wolseley pith helmet.

Are you a fan of Agatha Christie? I know next to nothing about Downton Abbey so I can't give you a comparison there but it really did have some touches those familiar with Agatha Christie might pick up on. I didn't realize that I haven't read a historical mystery in quite awhile, so this was a fun read to break up some heavier books I've finished as of late. 

In this one, we open with Fiona Figg, literally walking in on her husband being a dirtbag. It becomes the catalyst that changes her life completely. The story takes place during World War 1 in London, and through a series of good ideas on her part, she finds herself living the life as a spy. (Side note, I felt like this book was really female power centered, because despite having her marriage fall apart, Fiona pulls herself together and speaks up loud enough for people to hear and it turns out, she was the one with the best idea and it turned out to be brilliant.) She goes on this mission but the rub? She has to pretend to be a man... and do it well. Oh, and a doctor though she has next to no medical training. Honestly, that was the most fun part of the book for me, its such an interesting premise so I couldn't put it down. 

I should just tell you that the book does end on a bit of a cliff hanger, so if you are able to have book two on hand, High Treason at the Grand Hotel, I would recommend it. I was able to be provided a copy and I'm half way through it, and it is written exactly the same and had a great transition. 

The story itself is fun and entertaining, I think the premise was good, the setting was really well written, and the time period was captivating. My only complaint was not being able to connect with the characters. In hindsight though, I'm not sure we were supposed to. It's a mystery, we aren't really supposed to form a connection, we should be able to look at everyone with fresh eyes, right? It did have humor throughout and that really helped. Also, if you are looking for a quick read, this is a good option. The chapters are rather short so you fall into the "just one more chapter" guise and suddenly find yourself half-way through. 

Overall, it was a fun little book. I'm finishing book two because you know how I am, I can't leave something unfinished and I have to know what the heck is going on. I also want to know how Fiona ends up, I just really want her to have some kind of happily ever after with someone who understands how great she is. I'm saying this having finished Bridgerton and I just want everyone to get a happily ever after. Fight me. 

Thank you to TLC Book Tours for having me on this tour and author Kelly Oliver for providing copies for review! 

Do you enjoy cozy mysteries? I've really seen a lot of them popping up so I feel like this one is right on time in the publishing world!

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