I love Anne Perry and the new Elena Standish mystery is excellent! She and her parents are visiting Washington DC - the first time she has visited her American grandparents in their home country. In hindsight, we often forget how many Americans, as well as many in England and Europe, opposed war following the blood bath of WWI and were willing to make a deal or even supported Hitler's rise in 1930s Germany. The pro-Nazi groups in America are at the center of this story - is her Grandfather a believer in Hitler and is he willing to commit treason against his country? Or is he a patsy and something - or someone - else is at the center of the mystery? When a guest is murdered at her Grandparents' anniversary party immediately following her families' arrival, Elena and her father look for the truth after her grandfather is arrested for the murder. Elena's sympathies are divided as she finds out the murdered woman was a fellow spy and is appalled by the admiration so many of her grandparents' friends have for Hitler and his appalling white supremacism policies. The characters are well done and so is the story. - the ending is masterful! I look forward to the next Elena Standish book and hope to see more of James Allenby in the future! Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #ADarkerReality.

Elena and her parents have come to America to her mother’s parents home for an anniversary party. Elena is thrilled to see where her mom grew up and meet her grandparents for the first time. At their party She meets a very interesting woman whom she immediately likes so when this woman is run over a few hours later Elena is especially devastated, and her grandfather is arrested for the murder.
Love this series, and Perry is an excellent mystery writer.

I was excited when I received a pre-published arc of "A Darker Reality" through Netgalley and the publisher. Before I continue, I must make a full disclosure. Anne Perry is one of my favorite mystery authors. I keep up to date with her Monk & Pitt series (including the more recent Daniel PItt) as well as the Elena Standish books. This one did not disappoint.
Although the mystery itself is not the most suspenseful, Perry's character development and descriptions bring you right into Elena's world.
It's difficult to explain the plot without giving away too much. However, Elena, along with her parents, are in Washington D.C. visiting her American grandparents. The time is in the mid-1930's as the talk of war is slowly coming to the forefront. That is really all I can say about the plot, although I will say it is full of espionage and deceit. "A Darker Reality" definitely belongs on you library book shelf as well as your personal to be read list

First I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for allowing me to read this book. I fell in love. with Elena Standish in A Question of Betrayal which I read late last year. When i saw this book pop up in Net Galley as a book to request, I jumped! What is Elena up to? How is her sister doing with mourning her husband's death? How is her grandpa Lucas and his sweet dog Toby (and no, I probably wouldn't have remembered Toby if I didn't have a cat named Toby!)? How is Peter? This book picks up with Elena and her parents taking a trip to the states for the 60th anniversary of her grandparents marriage. At the party, Elena takes pictures of the guests for her grandparents. She mets a very beautiful and kind woman named Lila. She hits it off with Lila and looks forward to spending more time with her. Then tragedy strikes and Lila is brutally murdered. The twists keep coming.... and doesn't stop. This book will keep you guessing until the last minute. I can't wait until the next installment of this series.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Elena and her family travel to the US for her grandparents wedding anniversary. The president and first lady attended the anniversary party. A woman was hit by a car was killed. Elena's grandfather was charged with her murder. Elena learned the woman was a spy. This book had many twists and turns.

A Darker Reality by Anne Perry is a great WWII-era historical mystery that is a great addition to the excellent Elena Standish mystery series.

This is the third book in this excellent series and this time we travel overseas to the States. It was interesting to see this new location added in to the series, and while I enjoyed it, my heart has a special place for GB.

This time Elena is entangled into a complex, gripping, and suspenseful murder/mystery plot that involves many suspects (including family) and international in its scope.

The plot was intriguing, developed twists and turns, and I really enjoyed how it progressed. I also enjoyed the historical events and individuals that were appropriately weaved into the narrative.

I hope the next book in series takes us back east and I look forward to the next installment.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Ballantine/Random House for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.