The impeccable manners required of the upper set during the Regency are still largely in place, even after World War I. Yes, there were more blurrings among the classes, and roles were not as distinct, but one did not discuss or behave inappropriately at an embassy party or ball or wedding. Overlay all this propriety with rumblings of discontent, as Germany begins its rise once more, from the ashes of the war to end all wars. All the world trembles, because it wants no more wars. And now we get to the good part. James Bond move over, and let the damsels take over. The deeper into the story I got, the more enraptured I became, and I was reading instead of doing, racing to learn what happened next. Anne Perry thoroughly captures the aura of the era, transplanting you to that time and place. Highly recommend!

This is another fantastic book by Anne Perry! I won this book and wished I had read the first book before. This can totally be read as a stand-alone but I would like to have been more familiar with the characters! It’s such a page turner and so loaded with action! Thanks Anne for another winner!

Thank you for the advance read,NetGalley. I like Anne Perry’s books, generally. This second book in a series involving Elena Standish was disappointing. However, I do think I’d read the third with hope that I appreciate Elena more as a character.

Thank you to the Author Anne Perry, the publisher, Random House and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my candid review.

I really like this series of books. It is the story of how the British Secret Service was started in WWI and how is continued to expand and grow in WWII. It is a generational story of how spies are grown, or developed and how ordinary people end up in extraordinary circumstances.

It gives a very good insight into WWII from the inside of Russia, England and the rest of Europe.

I look forward to more adventures from the author.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction and this story about a young woman, Elena, entering into espionage through M16, which her grandfather once was the head of. Elena, a photographer, is given the task and sets out to find out what happened to a particular handler as her sister is in Berlin marrying a member of the Gestapo. However, dangerous things are happening in Britain which are also putting her family at risk. The story takes us through two different timelines and we see how the German occupation and threats affect both Britain and Italy through descriptive and historical detail A very good book and recommended for historical fiction and WWII fans. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine. for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. #NetGalley #AQuestionOfBetrayal

Interesting historical story about a young female photographer recruited by MI6 to go to Mussolini's Italy. There, she needs to find a former boyfriend--one of the few who can recognize him. There is plenty of family drama too, as Elena's sister gets married.

Hitler is gaining more influence on the international stage. Tensions are rising in Europe. Deception, intrigue and political allies and enemies are in constant flux. Who do you trust? This is backdrop for fledgling MI6 operative, Elena Standish, as she heads to Italy to get both vital information and a fellow operative out before it's too late. Set in the time period just before the start of WWII, this historical fiction novel interweaves a variety of well defined characters and their storylines to give the reader an exciting story.

This is the second book in the Elena Standish series. I did not read the first and will say it's not necessary for one to enjoy and completely understand what's going on in this novel. The author gives enough backstory to aid in this. However, just like most continuing series', by reading the first book, you would have a deeper understanding of the players which always make the reading experience richer.

I really enjoyed this book. I love this time period. The parts in Trieste with Elena were suspenseful without being too heavy. Surprisingly, even though it's called: an Elena Standish novel, the book was equally divided between other characters which I would call main characters, rather than supporting. Perry did a great job connecting storylines, from these various individuals who were in other parts of Europe, to the central plot. I particularly liked this device. It reminded me on a small scale of what Herman Wouk did with "The Winds of War".

Elena isn't the most charismatic individual; but that may be the draw at this point. It will be exciting to see how she changes the more experience she gets as a spy for MI6. Looking forward to more in this series. Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy for an honest review.

I think this was my favorite Anne Perry book to date. Her mysteries are superb, and this one isn't to be missed.

I really enjoyed this book. A young woman beginning the craft of espionage against the backdrop of the early days of WWII. Great characterizations and a well-crafted book became a lovely read. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

I have not read book 1 of this series, but I intend to now.
This is a fascinating, tight story of events during the rise of Hitler in Germany, complete with those seemingly supporting him, those seemingly opposing him, and the difficulty of distinguishing between them.
Two storylines carry through, in England and in Italy, each trying to work out what is The Truth about the status of Europe.
Into this is added a young woman (introduced and experiencing a baptism of fire in the first book) who is sent to Italy to get an agent out and retrieve his information.
In England it becomes evident that there is corruption in the highest levels of government security.
How it plays out is an exciting story.

This was a very enjoyable book. The story follows Elena Standish, a photographer and member of the British MI6 agency, to Italy so that she can locate her former lover and fellow MI6 agent. Did he betray his country and Elena to work for the Nazi's? I liked this book a lot. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Bravo Perry!

Unknown to each of them members of the Standish family is flung into situations that come together in unexpected and sometimes dangerous ways. Perry has once again given us some amazing new characters to come close to in an age that is pregnant with malice and a taste of things to come.
It's the Interbellum period in Europe between World War I and II. Germany is still stinging from its defeat and looking for a better way. Hitler is on the rise and Austria is wavering. Italy is governed by Mussolini. Churchill is out the way and many powerful Brits want peace at all costs. A German organization xx is becoming more powerful and appears to be a vanguard for a new push.
Elena is asked by MI6 operative Peter to go to Trieste to check on an agent under deep cover who might be in danger.
Margo has gone to Berlin to attend her best friend's wedding to a high ranking German Officer and is alarmed by what she hears and sees. It's a pleasure to find out more about Margo.
Lucas has a visit from an old friend who subsequently takes a fall down steps and dies.
From the dangerous to innocent situations, the plot morphs into something more.
I'm loving the Standish family and the satellite characters that form part of their challenging and secretive bubble.

A Random House - Ballantine ARC via NetGalley

I love Anne Perry's books and A Question of Betrayal does not disappoint. I thought it was a great read. I am giving it four and a half stars.

Anne Perry is a queen of historical mystery (and such an interesting story herself!) and I always enjoy her books. I will say that this read slowly for me for some reason, but it was still good, so take my word for it and read it and decide for yourself. I love the twists and red herrings she uses, and its so much fun to try and guess the ending!

This book is different that her Victorian books. This takes place just before WWII. Elena Standish is the main character. She works for MI6 and is sent to Trieste to make contact with another agent. There is a lot of cloak and dagger activities and you never know who is on your side. The intrigue is cat and mouse is great and kept my attention. The characters are very different from Pitt and Monk. The plot reflects the changes in morals of a more modern time.

Excellent mystery. It kept me guessing as to who really was the bad guy.

I can always count on Anne Perry to provide me with a read that awes me with the power and skill of the writing. I really liked Death in Focus, the first book in this new series by Perry, and this second book was just as absorbing. Much of the story takes place in Italy, in the 1930's, where Elena has been sent to locate a man who is an operative of the M16 in England, the same man who broke Elena's heart in the earlier book. So while there is some romance entertwined in this story, the majority of the focus is on the dangerous situation that both Elena and Aiden are in, and the action becomes fast and treacherous as they try to escape from Mussolini's Italy. Yet, even while the action is so heated, Perry takes time to give descriptive detail about the Italian fall season, which always adds richness to my reading experience.
During this same time period Elena's older sister Margot has gone to Berlin for the wedding of a very close friend. Margot finds that the groom is a member of the Nazi party, and at the wedding she overhears a disturbing conversation about the plans the Nazis have for the invasion of other European countries. And even at home in England, there are developments, and some unexpected danger from a surprising source, which underscores the sense of unrest throughout Europe at this time. Perry craftily develops the sense of impending catastrophe and violence throughout all the layers of this story.
I wish to thank the author, Ballantine Books, and Netgalley for the copy of this book I received.

Was this the best book I have read on this subject? No, but it wasn't the worse. I believe Anne Perry just needs to get her rhythm. The characters and plot needs to be flushed out more. This feels like a cozy mystery and that is fine if that is the goal. I hope the twists and such keep going throughout the series.

The characters are well developed and the plot flows well. Unfortunately, I had figured out who the bad guys were less than halfway through the story, but the suspense and drama builds to a peak of excitement.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book to read and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an earc of this book.
Beautiful,almost lyrical language, well developed, interesting characters, book 2 in this series does not disappoint. Can't wait for book 3.

Anne Perry, once again brings her readers a great series of mysteries. This time we are following the exploits of Elena Standish, granddaughter of retired director of MI6, Lucas Standish.

World War One has ended and the countries of Europe are trying to rebuild. In Germany Adolf Hitler is starting to take advantage of the war torn country to build his followers and make the people believe he is offering the best solution to their troubles. In England Lucas Standish who lead MI6 through the war has stepped down and though he still has his ear to the ground and friends on the inside he is in retirement.

This is the second book in the series and I look forward to more of this fascinating collections of adventures that Elena will be taking as she becomes a more experienced spy for Britain. Though in the last book she had been dumped by the man she loved her, and fired from her job, she went off on a holiday and got caught up in a murder and espionage. Now back in this second mystery, she has proved herself worthy of being a undercover agent for the British intelligence and is sent off to northern Italy to help bring informant Aiden Strother back with the information he has gathered, because it has become clear his cover has been blown. Elena has been chosen because she may be the only one who can recognize him... he is the man she loved who dumped her.

Elena has to accomplish this mission to prove herself worthy of continuing to be a trusted agent. She has to maintain her level of calm, control and not get caught up in personal feelings. It is hard to be a young woman scorned and still want to rescue the man who ruined her name.

This is a absorbing book, with a good mystery, good character development and some historical developments that keep the plot moving and the story compelling. It will be fun to watch Elena and her sister Margot as they move forward with their personal relationships and their top secret government positions. Also very relatable are their grandparents, Lucas and Josephine Standish.