Anne Perry is great at giving us an enjoyable glimpse into history whether it’s 1880s Victorian England, WWI or now the years leading up to WWII with the Elena Standish series. As a fan of Historical Fiction and especially of Fictional Historical Mystery Perry is adept at setting compelling intrigue and giving us a glimpse into the times she writes about.

I read the first two books in the series and hoped there would be another, now I wait for the next and more. I found the book illuminating and compelling. The ending caught me somewhat off guard and I wonder how what happened will inform the next book, because surely there will be a next.




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Anne Perry takes us into A Darker Reality in an espionage tale in 1930's Washington. Elena Standish, photographer and M16 undercover agent, is visiting her American millionaire grandfather at his 60th wedding anniversary. Lila, a guest, is murdered and her grandfather is arrested. Her father is in the British diplomatic corps, her grandfather, the former head of M16. She works with a fellow agent to find out whodunit and clear her grandfather. The Nazis are supported by her grandfather's friends. She is also trying to find an intelligence leak to the Germans with regard to atomic weapon research. What could go wrong? Conflicting loyalties. Growing fears of war to come. Great mystery and spy novel.

Another absorbing mystery by one of best in the genre...Anne Perry. This is the 3rd in the Elena Standish series. Set in the 1930s leading up to WWII Ms Perry gives us an excellent tale of murder and spys! Elena and her parents are on a trip to Washington DC to visit her mother's parents when a woman is run down in the driveway. The woman killed is a British spy and after her grandfather is arrested Elena fights to clear his name. With intellegent, well drawn characters this is is a must for readers of WWII fiction.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. Wow what can I say about this title it was just an awesome read. This book was just something so wonderfully different I’ve never quite read anything like this. You should read to find out you won’t be disappointed. I’m definitely going to read more by this author.

This is the third book in the Elena Standish series. I have read the first two and now this one. Anne Perry does a very good job with the historical aspects of the story and keeping it accurate. I would recommend reading them in order so one knows what going on. It is well written, enjoyable, and hard to out down.

This is book 3 in a series, however, you will not be lost if you read it as a stand alone. This is a good (not great) series.

Elena and her British parents travel to the US to visit her mother's parents. Once in the US things begin to heat up and the spy business begin.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine for this advanced readers copy. This book released September 2021.

This is the third Elena Standish novel. In each novel Elena is faced with new circumstances that are dangerous and that broaden her in her new life as a spy. I have enjoyed the past books very much but this one was a little different. It seemed a little slower than the others with what was actually known and what wasn’t, questioned over and over again. The actual story line was good at the beginning and the end with the middle somewhat dragging. I did enjoy this book and it did end well with some things open for the next novel. I enjoyed getting to know the new character James Allenby. I also enjoyed getting to know her father, Charles, better in this novel. And of course, I love that her grandfather, Lucas, was in this story again. He and his wife Josephine and Toby are my favorite!
I received this book as an Net Galley arc to read in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was excited to receive a copy of the next installment in the Elena Standish series. Perry has given us another story with many twists and turns and makes the reader feel the rising tensions in volatile world climate.

I still find Elena naive and sometimes lacks common sense and good judgement, but she is growing. I very much enjoy this time period and look forward to the next mission for our young agent.

Since this is the third in the series, I went back and read the other two. The protagonist is an interesting young woman who, because of a past indiscretion, is constantly underestimated by men. Despite that, she is working as a spy for MI6 and gets into many interesting situations. This third book has her in America.
The most interesting thing about this book is that it is set between WWI and WWII. It gives a lot of information about the feelings of the people in both England and America regarding the rise of Hitler and the nationalistic movement. Sadly, there are a lot of parallels to the current era regarding issues of immigration as well as isolationism, anti-semitism and others.
I found the book well written and very engaging. I look forward to more books in the series.

This latest Elena Standish novel takes place in Washington DC as Elena and her parents visit her American mother's wealthy and well connected parents. Elena's grandparents are marking their 60th wedding anniversary with an extravagant ball. Among their influential guests is President FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt. Elena covers the event with her distinctive photographs. When beautiful Austrian Lila Worth is murdered, Elena's grandfather is arrested as the main suspect.

While Elena doesn't know her grandparents, she undertakes to help solve the mystery to help her mother. It turns out that Lila Worth had been a spy for MI-6 and was directly involved in stopping the German nuclear research project. Elena must somehow help (1) find out the identity of the real killer to get her grandfather released from prison and (2) help MI-6 find out who may have betrayed Lila Worth and try to stop the German push for nuclear power.

I love that Elena is very much a heroine. Her family loyalties and her sympathy for her grandparents and mother play a large role but she keeps her judgment as she faces very complex situations. Anne Perry delivers a complicated, engrossing story and a richer sense of Elena Standish.

3.5 stars

Elena Standish and her parents are in the United States visiting her mother's parents, whom she doesn't know well. As her father's work took them to various countries and it's been years since her mother, Katherine, has been able to visit her parents. It's her grandparent's 60th wedding anniverary party and all of their influential friends, including President and Mrs. Roosevelt, are there. Elena's introduced to many of her grandparent's friends and captures pictures of many of them throughout the evening. The party comes to dramatic halt when one of the guests, Lila Worth (an undercover agent), is killed! Elena's grandfather Wyatt is soon arrested for her murder and Elena and her father set out to prove his innocence.

I liked how Elena's father, Charles, dealt with Wyatt's attorney (a character I didn't like at all) and all he did to help clear his father-in-law's name, even though it seems his father-in-law didn't care much for him. I liked how Elena figured everything out using the pictures she took at the party. I wasn't prepared for the twist at the end. That really surprised me.

I enjoyed the mystery but felt it dragged in some places as some of the information was repeated several times. I resisted the urge to skip some parts because I was afraid I'd miss something important. This wasn't my favorite in this series but I'll probably read the next book since we may find out more about the Nazi spy network.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

A mystery killing at a family anniversary party has Wyatt arrested for the murder. Wyatt’s daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter are visiting from England. The granddaughter was taking photos at the party. Could those photos help prove his innocence or guilt? Elena relies on the skills she has learned from working for M16 and from her British grandfather. An interesting take on American and British cultures between the wars, layered with family relationships.

During the pre-WWII years, a young British woman, after seeing a horrifying demonstration of what is happening within Nazi Germany, has eagerly joined the British secret service to do her part to keep her own country safe and stop the atrocities that she suspects are coming.

With each new book, Elena Standish is confronted by a dangerous circumstance that stretches her emotionally and in her new profession. Enjoying the past books, I was eager to pick up this latest. Because of the way each book progresses with Elena’s life and the people around her while following a countdown to war as events move forward in time, I highly suggest readers start with the first book and read the series in order.

The Darker Reality occurs in spring of 1934, taking Elena and her parents across the pond to stay with her maternal grandparents. Elena has only met them once as a small child and so meeting her American grandparents is like meeting strangers that she knows a bit of something about. The occasion is to celebrate Wyatt and Dorothy’s 60th wedding anniversary at their grand house just outside Washington, DC. Elena sees where her mother grew up and her mother happily shares many childhood memories as to her grandparents.

The night of the anniversary celebration brings out Washington’s elite- the movers and shakers including the Roosevelts themselves. Elena is pleased to have her small camera with her to photograph the event for the magazine and for her own pleasure. She is much struck by a charismatic and beautiful Austrian woman married to an American scientist, Lila Worth. Elena is also stunned to hear many in the throng embracing the ideals of the Nazi Party and a similar organization, Free America. But then Lila is killed when a car runs her down. Not long after, the accident becomes a homicide investigation and her grandfather, Wyatt, stands accused because he seems to have been missing from the party and could have conked Lila on the head before arranging to run her down since it was his own car that was used.

Not just a murder investigation though Elena is determined to prove this little known grandfather innocent, but she is not unaware that the investigation is political because of who Lila was and that no one could have come from the outside to do the job- it was her grandfather or someone in his circle of friends. With the assistance of fellow British agent, Allenby, who had been Lila’s partner in rooting out the person sending the Nazi’s details about the American work with an atomic weapon and whatever else would be useful to know of American strengths and weaknesses, Elena sifts through all the suspects, motives, and opportunities while trying to help Allenby find the Nazi pipeline of information.

While I was dazzled by book one and really liked book two, this third Elena Standish venture took me the longest time to make a connection. There were a few reasons for this. At first, I was shocked at how Elena was acting. It was hard to believe she was 29 and already had such harrowing adventures in earlier books. This Elena acted like an untried amateur girl sleuth and she deserved it when James Allenby had to jerk a knot in her to control her impulses, emotions, and try thinking before she spoke or acted instead of running around wrecking havoc in the mission.

Then there was a lot of time spent rehashing the same thoughts and ideologies so that the pace bogged down. It was fascinating the first few times that Elena and others pondered the chilling rhetoric espoused by Free America and how could people actually believe in it. On a side note, the historical setting and descriptions were richly drawn and seemed authentic.

I figured out the mystery’s who, why, and how not long after the murder was announced and it wasn’t that hard so I was flummoxed as to why the pros and particularly insiders like Elena who was on the spot found it so tough to work out. I guess it is a matter of letting one’s emotions get in the way, so I tried to cut her some slack, especially since she got back in the game and did some really good espionage and detective work in the end.

So, in summary, it wasn’t the best outing in the series, but did end up well and left things open to pursue that dangerous Nazi spy network that needs to be identified. I hope James Allenby is back for the next book. Historical Mystery fans who like the pre-war era of the 1930s and a mix of mystery and intrigue should definitely give these a try.

I love this author! Anne Perry never ever disappoints. This new book, A Darker Reality, the third novel in Anne Perry's spy thriller series, features young British photographer and secret agent named Elena Standish. This book can be read as a standalone, as I have done. After finishing it however, I am happily left looking forward to the two books I missed in the series!

The time is 1930's and the world political climate is far from stable. While attending her grandparents 60th wedding anniversary party, Elena Standish, an English photographer is drawn into a murder mystery with shadowy political overtones. Unsure of who to trust, Elena must endeavor to prove her grandfather's innocence.

The book is fast paced and draws the reader into its grasp from page 1. I award this book 4 stars.

A Murder in Pre-WWII Washington, DC

Elena Standish and her parents are visiting the maternal grandparents she has never met for their sixtieth wedding anniversary party. Elena is charmed by the lovely home and feels a growing affection for her grandmother, a woman of a different and more restricted generation. At the party, armed with her notebook and camera, she mingles and takes pictures of the guests. One of the guests, Lila Worth, seems like a person she could get to know and enjoy. She also meets James Allenby, a British Embassy employee. She is a bit reluctant to trust him although he know about her work for MI6.

Shortly after the President and Mrs Roosevelt arrive, a terrible tragedy takes place in the parking area. Lila is killed by being hit and run over by one of the cars. Elena is horrified. She is even more upset when her grandfather is arrested and charged with the murder. Now she has to trust Allenby as they set out to prove her grandfather innocent.

This is the third book in the series. Instead of an international setting the action takes place in Washington, DC. The setting was well done making you feel like you’re visiting the pre-war capital. The plot is interesting, but the pace is rather slow. I found the conversations about the crime very repetitious. However, the tension between Elena and Ellenby keeps the story moving.

Elena is growing as a character, feeling more in control of her abilities as a member of MI6. Although the action takes place in US, the author gives us glimpses of what’s happening in Britain, particularly Lucas, her grandfather, who I always enjoy.

This is a good continuation of the series. Well worth reading.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

Getting to know your American Grandparents.
In this book # 3 featuring Elena Standish we see her dealing with family loyalty and at the same time keeping her job a secret from parents and grandparents. Getting to know your mother’s wealthy parents and visiting the home her mother grew up in America is expecting to be just a great experience until one of guest is found murdered during her Grandparents wedding anniversary party. This is at a time during the rise of the Nazi party in Germany before the start of World War II. The story if filled with action, intrigue and political situations. Who is to be trusted? Elena has to make some hard decisions.
Anne Perry has again managed to produce a great story well worth reading. Looking forward to continued Elena stories.

In the 3rd book in the series, Elena Standish puts both her photography skills and spy training to work to solve a murder. This time it’s in Washington DC, where she has gone with her parents to celebrate her grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. There’s a murder at the party and a complex investigation involving Elena’s family ensues.

This particular series gets better with every book, taking place in Washington just before the outbreak of WWII, Elena finds herself wrapped up in a murder charge against her Grandfather and his ties to the America Firsters; spies maybe a new romantic interest. All very well done.

A Darker Reality by Anne Perry is the third in the Elena Standish series and the most poignant thus far. It is 1934 and no one wants another war. Elena has joined her parents, Katherine and Charles, on a trip to Washington D.C. to celebrate the 60th wedding anniversary of her grandparents, Katherine's parents, Wyatt and Dorothy Baylor. It had been a long trip by sea, then a few days in New York and the trip to Washington left hem all tired, but ready for the party the next day. It was a formal affair and Elena was encouraged to photograph the guests in he guise as a fashion photographer. She did some interesting people there, including a woman named Lily Worth and Captain Peter Allenby, who worked in the British Embassy. She also overheard many of her grandfather's friends and business associates discussing their views on the current state of the world, and expressing their support of Adolph Hitler and many of the tenants he espoused. She was very upset by this and couldn't believe her grandparents felt the same way. Tragedy struck later in the evening when a body was discovered amongst the parked cars. It was Lily Worth, the women with whom Elena had felt a connection. Things got even worse when blood was discovered in the grill of her grandfather's car and Wyatt was arrested for murder.

It is not easy when one discovers that people they love or respect have very different beliefs than oneself. In times gone my, people imply didn't discuss politics or religion or other things upon which people might have strong opinions. It is still a shock to discover it. Elena was in a peculiar position, as she loved her mother, who loved her own father, a man Elena didn't even know. In order to honor her mother, she had to believe in him. The reality was, she had to look deeply to find things to admire about him, but her grandmother gave her those things when she told stories about their lives many years. I made for riveting reading. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Darker Reality by Ballantine Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #ballantinebooks #adarkerreality

A Darker Reality by Anne Perry (Elena Standish #3) 4 stars

Book #3 in the series featuring Elena Standish, it follows "A Question of Betrayal". Elena and her parents are visiting Washington D.C. to see her American grandparents. At her grandparent's anniversary party, a guest in run over by her grandfather's car and he is arrested as the main suspect in her homicide. But the guest was no ordinary lady, Lila Worth, the wife of a prominent scientist was also working for MI-6. Her assignment was to find out how scientific research was finding its way into the hands of Germany. Is Elena's prominent and influential grandfather a murderer or is this a political plot. Elena is determined to find the real murderer no matter how much it hurts.

After the action packed story from "A Question of Betrayal", this book started out slow with some action thrown in near the end. This is not Elena the spy, but Elena the daughter on display here. Her interaction with her parents provides a deeper understanding of the past, with implications on her future as an MI-6 operative.

World War II has not happened yet, but rise of Nazi Germany is a ominous shadow on the horizon. This also shows that America was not anxious to fight another war, there was a substantial isolationist movement in the country at the time. It would take a direct attack on December 7, 1941 to bring America fully into the war. Elena uses her intellect and investigative skills to solve the murder, but the toll it take is measurable. This book introduces a new character and I wonder if we will see more of him in future book. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Ballentine Books for this ARC