Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e ARC of this book.
The third in the Elena Standish series. Would probably be difficult to read as a standalone but not impossible. Really enjoy the author's books and the further character development that occurs here. Interesting conclusion will keep us waiting for the next book.

This story was a bit different, seeing that the good guys are usually a bit more clear-cut, as are the bad ones, and this time around, that issue was considerably fogged up. Families can be split asunder by politics in the best of times, and prior to WWII was NOT the best of times, with America fighting off the Great Depression, and FDR trying to get us back on an even keel despite events in Europe foreshadowing tragic events to come. The heroine is a gutsy woman who has to hide what she really does for a living from her own family, for her safety and theirs, but her own past indiscretions are rather widely known and deprecated by her own family. In spite of everything, she works hard to prove her worth to her country and its liberty in face of the Nazi horrors coming to light. Another great book by this author. Thanks to NetGalley for provind me with an ARC to read!

A Darker Reality is the third in Anne Perry's Elena Standish series. Elena is fresh from a case that had gone horribly wrong. She also found out her boyfriend was a German spy and she came home in shame. Now Elena is travelling to Washington, D.C. with her mother and father to attend her grandparent's fiftieth anniversary party. Elena hasn't seen them since she was a toddler and thoroughly enjoys getting to see the elegant mansion where her mother grew up. She's also looking forward to redeeming herself by using her photography skills to record the event and all the glitterati, including Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. When glamorous guest Lila Worth is run over in the front driveway Elena's photograph's may provide evidence to help the investigation. When the authorities make a quick arrest she is horrified to learn that the prime suspect is her grandfather. He claims his enemies are trying to frame him. It's up to Elena to discover what is really going on. As usual, things are not as they seem and there is much more going on than a simple hit and run. This was an exciting, suspenseful read. Those who enjoy spy fiction or novels about World War II will enjoy A Darker Reality. Elena Standish is as enjoyable as Perry's other characters and the setting of 1930's Washington, D.C. is facilitating. I look forward to all of Perry's novels, and I'm eager to read the next Elena Standish. Thanks so much to Net Galley for the chance to read an ARC.

framed, friendship, family-dynamics, espionage, 1930s, murder, murder-investigation, law-enforcement, suspense, photographer, generations, Washington-DC, diplomat, historical-novel, historical-figures, historical-research****

I wish I had read the earlier books in series, it might have helped. It was very atmospheric, warts and all. The publisher's blurb is better than usual so the only thing I can add is that the diligence was as expected, the characters just a little pastel, and the whole very interesting.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Anne Perry does it again! I love the Elena Standish series, and A Darker Reality is definitely my favorite so far. The web within a web in which Elena operates for MI6 proves a fascinating read. Prepare for a sleepless night once you start..

I had not read the 2 prior novels in this series, but the story definitely can stand alone. The premise is intriguing. Elena, an MI6 operative visits the home of her grandparents in Washington DC. Suddenly, she is drawn into a murder investigation which turns her world upside down. Couldn't put it down.

The third book in the Elena Standish series once again focuses on Elena’s heart being fooled but righted in the end by her rational brain. While the book contains vivid character interactions and dire secrets that will out, it also wastes valuable real estate hypothesizing repeatedly who could have dunnit with no forward movement by the main players to actually discern factual details until more than halfway into the novel. But this makes the eventual disclosure of who did do the murder all the more painful and moving, especially since the evidence was always in hand. A very disturbing 60th anniversary celebration amongst friends and family ends with unforgivable surprises.

Elaine Standish is once again involved in MI6 affairs as she attends her American grandparent’s anniversary party. Lila Worth, the beautiful British secret agent is murdered and Eliane must find who killed her since her grandfather has been accused of being the perpetrator. Will she be able to track the killer with no thought to her safety or the consequences of her discovery?

As Eliane and her fellow agent, James Allenby, uncover more details of possible motives, the story becomes more complex and intriguing. With various conflicting political ideologies, dangerous scientific research, and secret organizations, the list of suspects grows. Almost everyone that Elaine speaks with urges her to be careful in investigating the case, leading you to be believe that this is infinitely more dangerous and far- reaching than what is first suspected. Elaine shows great courage and takes a huge risk to find out what and who are behind Lila’s death.

Elaine has learned grown quite a bit in being a MI6 agent from when she first began. Sh has learned to hide her emotions, lead people to assume things that were implied, and not hold back when she needs to come up against dangerous people. I am hopeful there will be more books in the series. With an unexpected ending, I was reminded of Agatha Christie’s detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. I would recommend this book for mystery lovers and historical fiction readers too.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic arc of the book. I was not required to write a review; all opinions expressed are my own.

This is a great third book in the series. Elena Standish and her parents have come to Washington, DC to help Elena's mother, Katherine, to celebrate Katherine's parents' 60th wedding anniversary. Katherine's parents Dorothy and Wyatt Baylor, have arranged a large fancy party for the next evening, and have even invited President Roosevelt. It's spring of 1934, and many of those at the party are right wing; most are not anxious to have another war; and several are also against Jews and Blacks. Elena has her camera. and takes lots of pictures at the party, and meets a young man, . Elena meets a beautiful woman, Lila Worth who is with her husband who is a scientist. Lila came from Austria, and Elena immediately likes her. She also meets a young man, James Allenby.

Then, the chauffeur comes in with blood on his fingers and tells them all that someone has run over Mrs. Worth in the parking lot. Elena's father, Charles, asks Elena to help him get Roosevelt out by the side entrance. The police arrive and take a long time interviewing everyone. James takes Elena outside to talk with her. He tells her that Peter has told him about her (letting her know that he is also in MI6), and she shouldn't let the police know what she does. The police arrest Wyatt Baylor before they finally leave.

The family all believe that someone is trying to frame Baylor, and Elena tries hard to figure out how to prove him innocent. James comes to take Elena out to dinner, and her parents believe he is courting her. Lila was also in MI6, and was trying to send false information about splitting atoms so MI6 could find out who was sending information to the Germans. James convinces Elena to pretend to be Lila to complete the task Lila was supposed to do.

This is a very exciting book, and Elena is a very likeable heroine.

I've read a few of Anne Perry's books and the last book I thought was enjoyable. "A Darker Reality" was just okay for me. It was well-written and Perry is a great storyteller, however I could not connect for most of the book until you get close to the end where the pace picks up and I become more interested in the twists and wanting to know the end. Unfortunately, the conclusion ends in a very unusual cliffhanger that isn't my cup of tea. As for this story, it may interest other readers but it was just not for me. Still look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballentine for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was a history major but I know little about the time leading up to WW2, so this series interests me. These books are slow reads, but filled with good character development and historical accuracy.

It's 1934 and Elena Standish is a new MI6 agent. She and her mother and father (Katherine and Charles) are visiting Katherine's American parents, who are celebrating the 60th wedding anniversary. Elena, who also is a photographer, will take some party photos. At the party she meets Lila, an Austrian woman who is married to an American scientist, and James Allenby, who says he also is MI6 and who works at the British Embassy. She also hears disturbing conversation from guests who are espousing a pro-Nazi thought. During the evening Lila is killed and Elena's grandfather is arrested for the crime. Elena is sure he is innocent, but can she prove it?

The last 1/3 of the book picks up the pace and there is a pretty good twist at the end...something I really did not expect. If you like Anne Perry's other series, then give this new one a try.

A Darker Reality is the third book in the Elena Standish series. The books should be read in order.

The third in the series finds Elena in the United States attending the anniversary party of her grandparents. I like the aspect of Elena being a spy but the story felt hurried along at the beginning. Elena did not appear to be on top of things which I felt lacking. The cliffhanger at the end must mean Elena will be back.

I read the two preceding books about Elena Standish. You can read them in order or as a stand alone, but the books are good. This time we find Elena in Washington D.C. with her father, Charles, and her mother, Katherine. They are there to help Katherine's parents celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Elena does not know her grandparents that well as she was raised mostly in England. Elena is a free-lance photographer who really works for MI6, British Intelligence. While at the anniversary party, Elena meets a lovely, fascinating woman, Lila. Also one of the guest is President Roosevelt. Lila is killed, and Elena's grandfather, Wyatt Baylor is charged. It was someone driving Baylor's car who killed her. That is the story in a nutshell. Helping Elena is a man from the British Embassy, Capt. Allenby. Capt. Allenby is in contact with Elena"s British grandfather, Lucas. So the mystery begins. Who did kill Lila? A majority of the story is Charles and Elena speculating about whether or not it was someone who wanted Lila dead, or someone trying to frame Wyatt to discredit him. As it turns out, Lila is also a spy who is married to a scientist who is working on developing the atom bomb. Lila was an Austrian and anti-Nazi. Many of Wyatt's friends are pro-Nazi. Elena proves her grandfather is innocent with the pictures she took at the party. Elena does solve the murder with the help from her friend, Capt. Allenby. I highly recommend this mystery. It is a page turner.

Loved this book! I’ve been a fan of Anne Perry’s delightful characters forever; but this was my first Elena Standish story. Now, I must read the prior episodes. I love how Ms. Perry continues to evolve and create new, endearing characters over the course of time. She is a rare talent that doesn’t rest on her laurels and remains fresh and innovative. It did take a few chapters to reel me in since I’d not read the prior installments. However, this book does well as a stand alone. Thank you Netgalley for the privilege to read this pre publication in exchange for an honest review.

Elena had not met her grandparents, now coming from Europe with her parents for their sixth anniversary party. A party that ends with a murder, unknown to many she was a British spy is that why. Elena herself was a young M 16 agent with the setting pre WWII, using photography as a cover. The pictures later gave proof of who the murderer was. Also uncovering secrets and the times of Hitler and deceiving people or of what people wanted to hear. Well done with many twists. Given ARC by Net Galley and Random House for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

Anne Perry is a masterful story teller. “A Darker Reality”, the third installment in the Elena Standish series, unfortunately, does not measure up. Rather than her usual buttoned up story, this one jumps around seemingly going nowhere. The characters are all very busy doing absolutely nothing. Their conversations and “investigations” do little to discover clues or untangle the espionage knot. Throughout the story, one is left questioning how any of these people could work for MI6 as kindergarteners would ask more pertinent questions. The end of the book does present a solution to the puzzle of who committed the murder, but leaves more questions than answers. Unless this book is intended as a “part 1” it does not satisfactorily resolve anything.

For a woman who is nearly 30 and a spy for MI6, the main character seems rather immature. She instantly trusts two people she has known for a matter of hour adamantly defends a grandfather she has never really known, and charges into homes of people she has decided for some reason may be the perpetrator – or know who is – but fails utterly to ask a single intelligent or useful question and garners absolutely no information.

Her counterpart for most of her “investigation” is also an MI6 agent. He has several very pointless conversations with his superior back in England that say nothing and contribute nothing. He does not hesitate to put Elena (main character) into completely ridiculous and dangerous situations – again, for no reason that contributes to the plot or a resolution of any of the myriad sub-plots running through the story.
Provided there is not a great deal of time between this book and the next installment, checking back to see if the same story continues might be worth the effort, but not so long as the characters fail utterly to do anything intelligent and act like children.

Pre World War II is the era for this latest from Anne Perry. Elana returns to her grandparent's home for their anniversary party. Her family is there as well as many famous dignitaries including President Franklin Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor. Someone is murdered outside and all the guests are suspects. Elana, using her cover as a photographer is also a spy for M16. Her grandfather is arrested for the murder of the guest. What is really happening in this strange world prior to World War II where nobody is who they seem to be?
I found this novel to be a pretty interesting read. It is definitely an interesting period of time for a novel setting. It opens up much about America's elite at the time the rest of the country was still reeling and literally starving from the Great Depression. It was sometimes difficult for me to keep up with all the characters and who or what was related to whom. Fans of Anne Peery will undoubtedly enjoy this book. Thanks to #ADarkerReality#NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I had been so looking forward to this book and was very grateful to receive an advance release copy.

I have read all of Anne Perry's William Monk, Thomas Pitt, and Daniel Pitt series. I think she is a wonderful writer and I enjoy the information I learn about the Victorian era and now, with Elena Standish, the early 20th century.

In this third book about Elena Standish, we learn more about her family. She and her parents have gone to America to celebrate the wedding anniversary of her maternal grandparents. Unknown to anyone in the family except for her paternal grandfather-- although her father suspects-- Elena works for MI-6. She has survived some serious encounters while doing a job that would surprise those around her. You see, Elena had a love affair that went extremely wrong and many view her as flighty and as having bad judgment.

In this outing, Elena's grandfather is accused of killing a young woman at his wedding anniversary party. Naturally, she wants to get him out of jail and prove his innocence. Can she do it?

The ending is a cliffhanger. I don't believe I've ever read an Anne Perry book with this sort of conclusion. It's as if she wants to start the next book in the exact same place where she left off in this one. The troubles in this book could easily be expanded to another.

I highly recommend "A Darker Reality," It is exciting and tightly plotted. If you enjoy Anne Perry, I believe you'll find this book a welcome addition to your to-read list.

This is the first book I've read by this author. She does an amazing job of creating complex characters who are not black and white - good vs bad,

The story builds the plot slowly, methodically and throughly. I felt like I was there in the culture, the decade and the political atmosphere.

Always cognizant of the fact that most of Anne Perry's books are set in Europe, it was an interesting twist to see the American actions prior to WWII in the eyes of the English. It made a somewhat simple story into a more interesting mystery. A true example of how there are two sides to every story.