The Counterfeit Guest
Spring 1797. The war with France deepens, the Channel Fleet has mutinied … and a ruthless traitor lurks within fashionable London society. A chance encounter places an unlikely sleuth on his trail: Mary Finch. Having gained a fortune but lost the regard of Captain Robert Holland, she wants only to enjoy the delights of the Season, yet she cannot ignore the evidence of a deeper mystery. Her curiosity leads to a meeting with an elusive spymaster and an audacious proposal. With England’s security and a friend’s safety at risk, Mary agrees to become a guest at the exotic Champian Hall, to learn the traitor’s secrets from within his household. The assignment is a perilous one, for it aims to unmask a band of murderous conspirators who will stop at nothing to achieve their aims – and Mary has only her wit and courage for protection.
The second book in the Mary Finch series is now available in the UK, the US, and Italy.
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Some reviews...
We return to the heroine of The Blackstone Key, Mary Finch, for another dose of drama and derring-do. ... The author really evokes the period in time while giving us a feisty heroine to root for.
Lovereading.co.uk
This intriguing and entertaining read is filled to the brim with suspense and drama, and is definitely one not to be missed!
The People's Friend
The Counterfeit Guest sees a welcome return for ... Mary Finch, whose adventures in the first of this entertaining series left us longing to meet up with her again. ... Beautifully written, packed with action and a host of fascinating characters, Melikan's fans can savour another delicious historical adventure.
Lancashire Evening Post
... Melikan's sprightly sequel to The Blackstone Key ... the novel's confident voice, quirky characters and sparkling period detail should keep fans of light historical thrillers turning the pages.
Publishers Weekly
Mary Finch, the unlikely heroine of The Blackstone Key (2008), returns in another delightful foray into Georgian-era espionage and intrigue. ... The authentic period detail in this suspenseful novel of wit and manners will please both Austen enthusiasts and historical whodunit fans.
Booklist
Rose Melikan tells her story from a patently omniscient point of view, jumping from one character's head to another within the same scene. I've read few authors who can do this well, but in this case, the story itself is suspenseful and entertaining enough that the technique became less of a distraction and more of a gripping narrative of espionage, loyalty and danger.
reviewingtheevidence.com
A 'refined gentleman' - elegant, mature, and frosty - mysteriously appears at a country-house funeral in 1790s England. His stealthy presence touches off a cloak-and-dagger plot in The Counterfeit Guest ... Melikan's novel is a well-researched drama with a pace that quickens as the tale progresses ... With characters isolated and limited to passing notes and mailing letters, readers may find themselves silently urging: 'Hurry up; he's coming!'
Hour Detroit Magazine (November 2009)
...a book that makes for fine reading, and it's a wonderful addition to any collector's shelf.
Romance Reviews Today
If Jane Austen had set out to write a whodunit, it would have been as smart, action-packed, well crafted and filled with unique characters as Melikan's second book featuring heiress Mary Finch.
Romantic Times Book Reviews
The back cover blurb states that the book is in the grand tradition of Charlotte Bronte--and this is true. Melikan has the language spot on.The author has captured the spirit of the times, Georgian England, along with manners, dress, and customs, without intruding on the story.
crimespreemag.com
The Counterfeit Guest (Touchstone, 2009), is the second volume in the Regency mystery series by Rose Melikan and its protagonist, Mary Finch, is just as engaging as ever...I spent a delightful time with Mary and her friends and look forward to the third volume in this trilogy. Highly recommended. ****
Jane Austen Society of Puget Sound
What makes this story so fascinating is its attention to historic detail.
tucsoncitizen.com
The drama and suspense are terrific and the mystery that's woven through it all is irresistible. Mary Finch is one of those characters that you wish you could know in real life, she is a wonderfully kind hearted person, but has the heart of a lion and longs for adventure in her life.
Exclusively Books
Rose Melikan brings the period to life in her language, characters and fascinating historical detail...This reader anxiously awaits the third book in the series, with the hope that Mary Finch and her adventures will continue long after the next installment.
Merrimon Book Reviews
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