First, this was not easy to read—there were so many proper nouns, i.e. place names in Vienna and Prague. Second, partly due to the proper nouns it was slow going for me. I thought the idea was interesting, but I had a hard time I scanned a lot of the story because I had such a hard time remembering “who was who”. There was just a lot of description that seemed to bog the story down for me. I had to reread some parts because I was a bit lost in what was supposed to be happening. I wasn’t sure if the story was to be about a marriage of convenience or a Cold War spy story or the retrieval of lost artifacts.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

like the premise of the story - a post-WW2 spy and art hunt as Austria tries to rebuild itself - but it struggled to keep my attention and I found myself continually reading-reading sections trying to follow it, and just kept losing interest.

There were so many sections of either thoughts or reminiscing of the characters or location and art descriptions that got so wordy and sort of rambled, I lost often the intent of what was going on. It made the story drag quite a bit. At the same time, oddly where detail was needed, it was often left out when it came to what was actually happening in the story - they’d go from sitting to all the sudden walking; thinking about how to get in a shop stealthily to all the sudden being inside; hearing a shot and staggering but no explanation of whether he was actually shot or where he was shot until pages later; etc. I kept rereading thinking I had missed something that I didn’t, which made me lose even more interest. It was just odd.

All in all a much slower book than I anticipated for a spy-focused novel and so much rereading for bypassed detail it was frustrating.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine.

The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan takes the reader back to the Cold War in Eastern Europe. Sophie and Stephen grew up on neighboring estates in England. She was warned not to ever fall in love, instead pour her love into her music. Simon was told he was not worthy of love. They were best friends with a spark between them. During WWII they both worked at Bletchley Park decoding secret messages. After the war, they were both recruited to work in Vienna and Prague. Simon is to uncover the man promoting communism while Sophie is finding antiquities stolen by Nazis.

There are twists and turns on every page. Who can be trusted? Is anyone who they really seem? Are the valuable antiquities Sophie is finding to be returned to their former owners, or are people using it to gain access to power? Can Simon keep Sophie safe? Can they find a way to trust one another? Can they find a way to finally tell each other of their love?

This was not an easy book to read with all the names and places in Vienna and Prague, but it was interesting. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

Ready to be swept into the post WWII era? Ready to travel to Europe, particularly Vienna and Prague? This book is a long song to both with a love story that takes a twist on the marriage of convenience theme as it slides back and forth between pre WWII to post WWII and back. This is a story that will pull you in and hold on.

“Because beautiful things must find completion.”
Love and money. Two of the most dangerous things. Especially when one is supposed to be faked. Meet Lady Sophia and Simon Barre, a married couple that is only together to keep Simons estate. What happens when Sophia and Simon are in a dangerous situation that will mark her a traitor?

When Sophia came to terms with the fact that she loved him, it made me cry. I loved it. The way it all fell together was so beautiful.

I had a very difficult time getting into this one. Lots of starts and stops over a number of days. I enjoy the author’s books and understand her writing style, but this book was so description-heavy that I found myself skimming ahead for any type of action. Considering that the previous book, The London Restoration, left me speechless and awestruck, I was disappointed that I wasn’t nearly as invested in Simon and Sophie.

I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Fiction through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed this one. There were twists and turns around every corner that kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next! Well done!!!

This book took me awhile to get into but once I did it held on. I really enjoyed the complexity of each character and trying to see the reasons behind the things they did. It was a little slow at the beginning but by the middle to end it is very fast paced and hard to put down. Overall I enjoyed the book.

As a fan of Rachel McMillan's The Herringford and Watts mysteries, I was excited and leapt at the opportunity to get my hands on an early copy of The Mozart Code, courtesy of #NetGalley.
The basic concept of spies in Vienna following WWII, amid the threat of communism and the cold war, mixed in with the search for lost treasures, and a war time romance, was intriguing to me. McMillan was clearly meticulous in her research of the time period and the cities of Vienna and Prague for this book, resulting in incredibly detailed descriptions of locals and people. The book is well written, with the change between past and present when telling the story of Sophia and Simon well thought out, and the change in point of view between the two characters throughout the book providing context for their actions and relationship.
However, I found the book quite difficult to get into. The plethora of details were, for me, heavy and plodding, and at 15% into the book I had not been engaged and did not feel that anything of import had actually happened. I could have easily put the book aside at this point without any qualms. However, I still had hope that it would take off, and the story did pick up to a certain amount.
As I continued, I found the descriptions in the book to be so foreign that I started to only scan them, looking for some action. Instead of really caring about the characters, I found them to be entitled aristocracy who were suffering the injustices of their privileged upbringing; something I could not relate to. The events they are embroiled in seemed to be greeted with a 'stiff upper lip' and little to no emotion. To me, the characters were one dimensional, and none of their trials - even the torture of one them - rang true or held any emotion. I simply could not get invested in them.
I really wanted to enjoy this book. I kept reading in hopes that I would. But for me it was just something to finish so I could find something more engaging to read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book received for free through NetGalley

I liked the first book in the series and was excited for this one. However, I have only made it 29% of the way into this book and found myself frequently starting and stopping. I had trouble getting into it and figured it was better to review as is. It was written well just not my cup of tea.

“I’m not leading you. We’re merely having a conversation…with our feet.” He smiled.


The Mozart Code takes us beyond WWII into the beginning of the Cold War.. An elegant showcase of the world, and in particular, as Austria is struggling to find her feet after it is pulled apart by the ruthless Nazis.

Sophie Huntington-Villiers and Simon Barrington have known each other since before the war because of their respective families, but as the war commences they are drawn into cracking codes at Bletchley.

Living in Vienna is full of the unexpected after the war for both Simon and Sophie, and through their mutual interests in music and chess, they are led through a maze of the symbolism of what Mozart means to both of them. While the Allied forces and the Communists are working hard to win Austria back at all costs, Simon is looking to crack the code of the Eternity Spy Ring, but it is a bit murkier as to what Sophie is seeking to find.

I liked the common background that Simon and Sophie shared. They didn’t meet just at Bletchly, they were acquainted beforehand, and while they wouldn’t admit to it, there is a definite mutual attraction between the two. But because of their social classes and past, they can’t or won’t allow themselves to pursue what is there.

As the Mozart Code progresses, Simon and Sophie are pulled together by their circumstances they don’t necessarily understand completely and the tides of the time draw them in. Sophie is also convinced that getting married would be the death of her, it would be like having a vise script on her freedom as a person. Granted her parents expect her to marry for status, not for love. Reading this was like watching one of those movies, though complicated because of the characters, they will eventually find what they are looking for and they do.


My gratitude to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley. "I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

The Mozart Code is an interesting twist on post WWII history. A love story, with intrigue, art, history, and classical music - all interwoven through the lives of Sophie and Simon, a dynamic duo of espionage. Their unique connection with each other creates an interesting waltz through the pages of the story. Their friendship, respect, and love for one another is fun to watch unfold, yet creates a tension that is an underlayment to the multiple facets of the plot.

I choose this book for the title and I am glad I did. I adore Mozart so was intrigued. I found the information about Mozart and the post war days interesting and the characters kept me coming back. I enjoyed the way Rachel McMillan developed her characters, leveraged different kinds of tension throughout the story, brought art and music into the core of the story, and how the plot twisted just enough to keep you guessing.

Thank you NetGalley, for the free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Brimming with intrigue, mystery, and romance, The Mozart Code whisks you away on a dangerous game into the underbelly of early Cold War eastern Europe. With striking detail, it paints the desperation of a people who survived one enemy only to be swallowed by the next as they grasp for some kind of identity in the void. As the clues lure Simon and Sophie deeper into the web of secrets and lies, they must decide, is love truly worth the sacrifice?

The character interactions were absolutely brilliant. I loved watching all the conflicting character motivations at play, even between Sophie and Simon. No one was all they seemed to be, which lent to the air of mystery and intensity.

Sophie was every bit the typical strong female character—tall and brilliant with perfect aim and calculating precision. And yet, despite the fact I think this trope is used far too often in fiction, I still ended up liking her. Her fear of vulnerability and loss of freedom is one I deeply relate to. And the way she eventually softened to Simon made me like her all the more. Her stubbornness was perhaps not quite as deep-seated as she thought.

Simon was . . . perfect in almost every respect. My heart ached for the rejection he’d endured from his family, and yet I admired him for how graciously he handled it and refused to become embittered by it. He was so kind, gentle, and thoughtful. He loved Sophie without reservation, and yet he was patient enough to give her space and allow her to learn to love him on her own. He was the very best kind of gentleman and perfect balance to Sophie’s stubborn independence.

I thoroughly enjoyed this unique twist on the marriage of convenience trope. The romance was slower, perhaps, and less passionate than younger love, but it was more mature, the kind that comes from shared life experience and understanding. Yet, while they’d had time to get to know each other on a deep level, they still had to learn to truly give all of themselves to each other.

I was expecting the story to be more plot-driven than it turned out to be, but despite the slower pace, the plot was still well-executed and kept me on my toes all the way through. Each of the plot twists was cleverly developed and fit well with the overall theme and tone. The author did a brilliant job weaving the web of mystery and intrigue into the story and building it to an intense head at the end. The only aspect that could have been improved was the action scenes. I had a hard time picturing how the events fit together or grasping the urgency of the situation.

The author’s meticulous research seeped through in her vivid descriptions and imagery that made me feel as though I were really there. The ancient, almost relic-like beauty of Prague and Vienna jumped off the page as the author delved into all their nooks and crannies. I found the world of coding particularly fascinating!

The strong music theme and Mozart motifs were a delightfully rich addition to an already beautiful story. I enjoyed exploring the mystery surrounding Mozart’s life and work and his mythical death mask. And Sophie’s love for his music rekindled my own love for it!

The ending was beautifully bittersweet—hopeful yet unresolved in a way as the characters were left with scars and unanswered questions. And yet they also left determined to rebuild their lives and learn to move on.

You wouldn’t expect such rich themes in a spy novel, and yet McMillan surprises again! The themes of identity and freedom are artfully explored through evocative flashbacks and imagery that gives the reader insight into Simon and Sophie. Chess piece by chess piece and note by note, the author peels back the layers on these secretive characters and exposes their deepest longings and fears.

I loved watching Simon learn he couldn’t base his worth on other people and Sophie that it’s ok to be vulnerable and allow yourself to love completely. Most importantly, love sacrifices. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. It holds fast to the other person no matter what. And how vividly that came out in Sophie and Simon’s relationship!

This is a book that will draw you in from page one and captivate you with its rich prose and complex characters. If you love slow-burn romance enmeshed with spies, danger, and intrigue, this is the book for you!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

romantic, espionage, Europe, cold-war, subterfuge, suspense, suspicion, historical-fiction, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, mystery*****

Having been a decryptor at Bletchley during World War 2 Sophia is unwilling to let go of the good she has done to just become another wealthy Brit living in Vienna and having a penchant for beautiful music. Working alongside her former MI6 paper husband, she continues in intelligence but in a different way. The publisher's blurb gives some interesting hints, and I don't do spoilers, but this work is a fascinating blend of history and imagination resulting in a very enjoyable read.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Thomas Nelson-Fiction via NetGalley. Thank you!

I loved The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan. It was great going back in time to the days after the World War II. Five stars.

The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan is a post World War II story that is supposed to have the main heroine looking for a lost Death Mask of Mozart, the composer. While I love the cover on the story, the story does not live up to what should be inside the story. First, the story takes place after World War II, so the heroine is trying to uncover historical artifacts that the Nazi had stolen during World War II. Great! I can really get behind a treasure hunt story. But that is not what this story is about. The main heroine and her "love" are what the story is focused on. The plot moves back and forth between their courtship, marriage, and the present day. Emotions fly across the page. But I wanted a treasure hunt. I do not mind if the romance intermingles with the plot, but the story does not focus on what the characters are doing. Once in a while, McMillan goes back to the hunt for the death mask of Mozart, but it does not seem that important. While the issues with the plot did not work for me at all, McMillan is a wonderful creating at bringing this post World War II world to life. I enjoyed traveling through the countryside and the rubble of the setting. I love how she evaluates the story's importance with her writing. As for the characters, they also appeared indifferent to what McMillan wanted them to do. They did not see the importance of finding these items. It appeared to be more important at showing their relationship than what they need to accomplish.

I received a complimentary copy of the Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

This was an exciting and intriguing read which kept me hooked from start to finish. It had lots of twists and turns.

This book is an excellent read.
There is so many books out about WWII. But, after the war? Russia may have fought against the Nazi regime in a “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” scenario, but Communism is a deadly enemy to the people and countless lives were lost under Stalin’s regime. Russia lost no time land grabbing immediately after Germany surrendered.
This story tells of the spies which abounded in the early days of the Cold War. Austria’s future remained very uncertain; a fact easily forgotten.
For the hero and heroine of this carefully detailed penned saga, each uses their own talents to live a double life. This story is espionage at its finest.
“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

After reading this book, I wish I’d given more time to visiting the historical aspects of both Vienna and Prague when I was there some years back. I just couldn’t get used to the author’s writing style - possibly because it’s not light reading. Fans of espionage and war stories may find it more compelling.

Such an amazing story set in post-WWII Europe!

This is the kind of story you want to read with time and attention. The relationship between the main character is complex and the plot has a lot of twists and turns. It deals with espionage and Cold War, secrets and double-agents across Europe, and there's so much to take in at any point.

I loved Sophie and Simon, who tried to the best they could despite all the pressures. As the story rushes to a conclusion, more and more problems complicate their relationship, but still they persevere. I loved the ending!

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.