Novels with a British Flavor: Murder, Magic and What We Wore, That Inevitable Victorian Thing, and Genuine Fraud

Having just returned from a trip to London, I have found myself gravitating toward books related to that area of the world.  London is steeped in history that is a gold mine for authors, looking for a colorful setting. Murder, Magic and What We Wore by Kelly Jones is a Regency novel, involving spies and a young protagonist who finds she is a "glamour artist." She can turn any item of clothing into a disguise.  That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston is a revisionist novel which supposes the British Empire never fell. The Crown Princess, Victoria- Margaret, opts for a summer of freedom before undertaking her royal duties.  e Lockhart's new novel, Genuine Fraud, about a young orphan who imagines herself as a superhero, is reminiscent of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley. Told in reverse order, the suspense is palpable, as the truth is revealed.

A Regency novel is one which was written during or set within the Regency era between 1811 and 1820, when George IV was the Prince Regent in England and Napoleon was dominating Europe.  In Kelly Jones' Regency mystery, Murder, Magic and What We Wore, Annis Whitworth's father has died and left her and her guardian aunt penniless. Determining that he was a spy, Annis longs to find out the truth behind his death.  When she attempts to alter a gown for her mourning period, she discovers she has the magical ability to quickly turn any article of clothing into whatever she wants it to be. In need of money to pay off her father's debts, she disguises herself as Madame Martine, a "glamour modiste,"  and sets up shop as a seamstress.  Meanwhile, she is trying to convince the War Office that her abilities lend themselves to her becoming a spy.  Her maid Millie, who helps her with her disguise, as well as her quest to find her father's murderer,  is actually much more  suited to the task. In getting to the bottom of her father's death, Annis discovers a great deal about her parents' lives as spies, as well as a plot to help Napoleon escape from prison. The fiercely independent female characters, creatively detailed fashions and quirky humor in this novel are great fun and a wonderful introduction to the Regency novel for young readers. 

That Inevitable Victorian Thing introduces Victoria-Margaret, who is in line to become Queen of the British Empire, which never lost the Revolutionary War.  Genetic matchmaking technology now determines one's mate, so she asks to be allowed to disguise herself as a commoner, Margaret Sandwich, so that she can spend a summer in Toronto among people she will one day rule.  There she meets Helena Marcus, whose parents are geneticists, and her best friend, Augustus Callaghan, at a debut party.  Augustus is  heir to his family's Canadian/Hong Kong lumber business which is plagued by American pirates. He makes some questionable business decisions in trying to thwart the piracy. Although not a genetic match, Helena and Augustus hope to one day marry.  After Helena and Margaret quickly fall into a flirtatious friendship, they decide to spend the summer together at the Marcus cottage up North at Lake Muskoka, where Augustus' family also owns property. There the three grow closer and ultimately discover one another's secrets in this light revisionist history set in the near future. Chapter headers, including maps, gossip columns, and correspondence, flesh out this alternate world and make this a uniquely entertaining read. 

Genuine Fraud is a psychological thriller which is told in reverse order, and focuses on a young anti-hero who is on the run after her best friend supposedly commits suicide.  Jule West Williams narrates her story as if she is a super hero.  A capable fighter and master of disguise, she inserts herself into once situation after another, pretending to be something she is not. After a series of social maneuverings, Jule makes friends with Imogen Sokoloff, a rich adopted heiress, who flits through life befriending people and then casting them off.  When she tires of Jule, Imogen finds leaving her behind is not so easy. She owns a flat in London, which Jule takes over, along with Imogen's identity. The narrative twists will keep readers guessing as to what is real and what is merely a fabrication Jule has created to live a "heroic life."   Fans of e. Lockhart's previous novels, such as We Were Liars and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, will love this captivating new novel that reveals one surprise after another until the very end.