France, and London, England – 19th Century

Spies are an interesting, quirky bunch, and overall, generally elusive. That is the nature of the beast, and Annique Villiers, the Fox Cub, is the best in the Game. For years, she has worked hard, spying for her homeland, France, making sure that her country stayed top in her priorities. Her loyalty never veers. Now, captured by the vile Leblanc, a fellow Frenchman, Annique works to stay one step ahead and anticipate his every nefarious action. If she does not escape, her death is sure to be long, torturous, and enjoyed by her jailers.

As he watches the mysterious woman straighten her spine and meet their captor head on, Robert Grey, a British spy, cannot ignore the French lady’s courage, genius, and fortitude. Right before his eyes, she morphs into a courtesan who knows how to play her captor’s game; and not long before that, she was the piteous innocent, unskilled in her interrogator’s amusement. If Grey had not known better, he would think that this was not the first time his mystery lady had been in similar circumstances.

Before he knows it, the woman has conjured a plan to escape their cell and even carry out Grey’s injured cohort, who, if they do not seek medical help, will surely die. And so begins a dangerous journey and adventure between two unlikely characters who have every right not to trust one another. Not long after their escape, Grey realizes just whom he is dealing with -- the much-lauded Fox Cub, Annique Villiers. And just as spies are wont to do, she keeps many secrets, never revealing her hand until she deems it necessary. It just so happens that Annique may be the key to one of the problems Grey has been trying to solve, and so she once again is captured. But this time, by more unfair means. Grey uses his attraction for her to ensnare her, and it soon becomes obvious that they’re both trapped...by one another.

THE SPYMASTER’S LADY is one of the hardest books I’ve ever reviewed. Not out of dislike or antipathy, but because it’s a difficult job to not reveal the many surprises that author Joanna Bourne has intricately worked into her story. This is not simply a tale of boy meets girl, falls in love and lives happily ever after. In the great game of spymasters and secrets, poker faces must be perfected, and loose lips definitely do sink ships. Grey has a lot of hard work ahead to figure out the many layers that make up Annique. She may be France’s answer to the perfect spy, but she is also a woman with a heart of gold that she keeps locked up tight. She isn’t in this business for fame or money, but a sincere desire to work hard for her country and ensure that her countrymen live long, prosperous lives.

The one thing that I find most noteworthy is the particular attention that Ms. Bourne pays to not revealing too many surprises and secrets of her own too fast. There were several times where I was just gob smacked, and reading back, it should have been obvious all along. She reveals the details in her descriptions, but never totally lets the reader in on the reveal until she’s ready.

Secondary characters abound and include a handful of Grey’s coworkers at Number Seven Meeks Street, the headquarters of the Military Intelligence of Britain. They are a ragtag crew of men and a woman, who watch each others’ backs and take great care in the enormous amount of work they do for their country. I have great hopes that one or a few of these very men have their own stories waiting in the wings. Word on the street is that there is yet another spy novel coming from the very talented Joanna Bourne later this summer.

THE SPYMASTER’S LADY is a grand way to start 2008 off right. Cozy up to the fireplace and engage in the simple luxury of reading an awesome tale -- get it today!

Amy Cunningham