During Harry and Meghan, I got really into Wallis Simpson and the whole abdication crisis so this made me really excited to read. Loved this fiction take on a a very interesting woman!

I had a hard time reading this book, it wasn't an easy read. I was excited to read more about Wallis Simpson but the way it was written just didn't appeal to me. #netgalley #arc

I really enjoyed this book! If you like the royal family and British culture you will devour this book. It was fascinating and I learned so much about behind the scenes of Wallis Simpson's life and loyalties. I was so intrigued by it and kept turning the pages. I like the way the author used facts to spin this story and I would definitely be interested in reading more by this author. I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

After being disowned and left penniless by her husband’s death, Amelia Montague becomes private secretary to her cousin Wallis Simpson, hoping to positively influence Wallis and the Duke of Windsor. However, she soon uncovers the couple's self-interest and Nazi sympathies, which only deepen as the Germans invade France, leaving Amelia to escape alone. Recruited by MI5 and the FBI, Amelia follows the Windsors to Nassau, where she discovers Wallis’s treachery runs deeper than anyone suspects.

This was a very interesting book to read. I fully understand why Amelia was based on several private secretaries because I doubt anyone would put up with so much nonsense! I knew the Duke and Duchess of Windsor had connections to the Nazis but I didn’t know just how much it was. So I feel as though I was entertained and I learned a lot.

If there was one point of criticism I would have, it would be just how far into the book it takes for Amelia to spy on Wallis. I’d thought, based on the book blurb, that it would play a much larger role in the story.

Overall, this was interesting and detailed. I definitely recommend it to readers interested in the British royal family, an interest in World War 2, or just a well-written historical fiction book.

An English ruler gives up his throne and his country to marry a divorced American. The nation blames her. The division tears apart two brothers; their wives at permanent odds. Is this Prince Harry and Megan? Yes, but it also describes former King Edward VIII and his wife, Wallis Simpson. What kind of woman would force a man to give up his kingship for her?

According to historical fiction author Georgie Blalock’s latest novel, The Windsor Conspiracy, the kind of woman who would do that is a ruthless, self-centered social climber who wanted to see a country destroyed for rooting against her.

Luckily, Wallis Simpson is not the protagonist of The Windsor Conspiracy. That honor goes to Simpson’s fictitious cousin Amelia, whom Wallis hires as a private secretary after Amelia has a fall from grace in their native Baltimore. Amelia knows Wallis’s reputation… but Wallis was the only one who offered help after Amelia’s husband was arrested for embezzlement, and then killed himself. Maybe she’s not that bad after all?

The novel kicks off at Wallis’s Paris wedding to the former king, and Amelia describes to readers how angry Wallis is about the number of guests who haven’t shown up, and why. Amelia gets advice from her aunt and from Wallis’s best friend on how to be a good social secretary: Who’s Who in society, and who sits where at a dinner party? Even though Wallis is harsh with other staff members, she’s kind to Amelia, and she even helps her upgrade her wardrobe. Amelia is loyal, having been burned by social and familial scorn after her husband’s death (they eloped against her stepfather’s wishes). Wallis’s kindness—and her need to keep her job—make Amelia excuse Wallis’s behavior again and again. But when Wallis cozies up to a high-ranking Nazi, and as Germany makes moves threatening a peaceful Europe, Amelia realizes that more is at stake than reputations.

Thanks to the TV series The Crown and the recent internet theories about Princess Kate, I’ve gotten more interested in the history of the royal family. Still, until I read The Windsor Conspiracy, all I knew about King Edward VIII (in the book, Wallis calls him David) and Wallis Simpson was that he abdicated to marry her, and that he seemed sympathetic to Nazis. Blalock fleshes out that knowledge with her well-researched novel. Her Wallis is so obsessed with the crown that she constantly snipes at David for giving it up to marry her. It’s clear that she’s only with him for the status, and they are both obsessed with getting King George to grant her the “extra-chic” title of Her Royal Highness. Even worse, as the war progresses, Wallis actively roots for Germany to defeat England, believing that Hitler will put her and David back on the throne. “The country deserves it,” she tells Amelia, “for the way they treated me.”

Amelia is a terrific stand-in for the reader. Her doubts about Wallis—should I trust this person that everyone’s warned me about but has been really nice to me personally?—are the kinds of questions everyone has had about someone in their life at some point, and give the story a universal appeal. She’s also hard-working and kind, an easy protagonist to root for.

The Windsor Conspiracy is centered around World War II and gives readers an angle on that conflict that isn’t usually seen. As the book progresses, Amelia finds herself in physical danger, but most of the danger in the book is psychological. The novel’s biggest revelation is character-based: What drives a person to sell out their own country? Blalock portrays David as spoiled and lazy; he and his wife are both narcissists. Their story had an unhappy ending for them, but a good one for the fictional Amelia and the rest of the world. It’s a good reminder that when narcissists are put in positions of leadership, people will suffer. That people who are cruel to others but nice to you have their own agenda and won’t hesitate to hurt you if it helps them. Read, and vote, accordingly.

I love to read about Wallis Simpson. She has fascinated me since I was a child, I mean the King gave up everything for her. Everything.

This book is mainly about her cousin, Amelia, that works for Wallis. Wallis is verbally abusive, I have read that she did possess a superior attitude with all. Amelia gives up much to serve Wallis and one day, she finds love and then learns self worth.

This was a very good book.

4 stars- a really interesting read on an infamous woman and her husband. When I was young, I was so intrigued by Wallis Simpson. Wow! What kind of love must they possess to abdicate for the sake of the relationship! As I got older and read more, I realized that wasn’t entirely the real story. I enjoyed this book- it is a mix of learning about the relationship between Wallis and the Duke, learning about how they lived during WW2, and learning about their relationship with Hitler’s government. I would’ve preferred if the “first part” of the plot was more like 50% than the 70% that it was. The second part of the plot was very interesting, but much shorter. Overall, if you like reading about infamous people, history, and intrigue- you will enjoy this novel!

Amelia Montague is thrilled when her famous cousin, Wallis Simpson, gives her a second chance as her private secretary. Amelia is no stranger to controversy and infamy and thinks she can deal with Wallis's drama, particularly as it takes her away from the United States. However, she soon finds that Wallis and her new husband, the former King Edward VIII of England, are not just shallow but Nazi sympathizers. When France is occupied by Germany, Amelia flees Paris with the Windsors but soon finds herself doubting Wallis's professed support of her. Sent back to Paris to retrieve Wallis's safe, filled with jewelry and correspondence, Amelia is imprisoned by the Germans. When she is finally released, she agrees to spy on the Windsors as Edward takes up his new role as governor of the Bahamas.

Amelia is a fictional character, but the basis of the story--the Windsors' activities prior to and during World War II is largely factual and fascinating. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will love this book. The beginning is a bit slow, despite delightful details about 1930s Parisian fashion houses, but the story really picks up when war breaks out. #TheWindsorConspiracy #NetGalley

What a fascinating way to tell this story. Well research and engrossing. I highly recommend!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Duke of Windsor and Wallis Simpson are in exile at a friend’s French château with wedding plans underway. As Simpson listens to the BBC broadcast of the 1937 coronation of England’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, she is embittered over the abdication which destroyed her dreams of becoming queen. Amelia Montague, Wallis’s cousin recently hired as her personal secretary, keeps Wallis’s frenzied life running smoothly. Through Amelia’s eyes, we learn of her tumultuous life with the Windsors and their Nazi associations. A secondary, much less engaging storyline is Amelia’s story – the scandal she has escaped in the United States around her husband and his death. This new position is an attempt to pull herself out of the resulting debt and rebuild her life.

Blalock gives us a fascinating, page-turning story of the exiled Windsors in France and the Bahamas. Wallis is furious that King George refuses to bestow her the honorific Her Royal Highness but still insists she is addressed as such. She obsessively presses the duke to plead her case with the king. Among the Windsors’ circle is the German foreign minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, and many other Nazi sympathizers. In their admiration of Hitler, they plan a trip to Germany which the Crown makes every effort to prevent, then disassociate from. The press is not kind to the couple as their admiration and high regard of Hitler is on display.

The dynamics of the Windsors’ relationship and their interactions with others are riveting. They are a very self-involved couple and inconsiderate of all others – whether escaping an occupied Paris or acting in the role of Governor-General of the Bahamas. Even their extensive personal possessions are of more importance – a priority over the safety of themselves and their staff. You can’t look away from this train-wreck of a couple as you read this compulsive and astonishing story.
--Historical Novels Review, August 2024

The Windsor Conspiracy is a fast-paced look into a different side of WWII. I’ve only read one other book by this author but when I saw she was releasing a new book surrounding Wallis Simpson, I knew I had to read it. This story follows Wallis Simpson’s cousin and personal secretary through the tumultuous period following King Edward’s abdication from the thrown. We get a look into the Windsor’s relationship with the Nazi’s as well as Wallis’ ambition for the throne.
I flew through this book and really enjoyed the overall plot. The biggest criticism for this book is the pacing. The spying seemed like a last minute addition and I found myself wanting more of this storyline. The beginning gave us so much great character development which I wouldn’t change. I just wish the ending was as developed as the first part of the book. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast-paced historical fiction novel but just don’t expect it to be a spy novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy of this title in exchange for my honest review!

American Amelia Montague defied her family five years ago to marry the man she loved, but that decision cost her everything. Disowned by her family, and left a penniless widow after her husband’s death, Amelia becomes her cousin Wallis Simpson’s private secretary in France. With no other prospects available, Amelia has no choice but to succeed, and under their Aunt Bessie’s direction, hopes to have a positive influence on Wallis and the Duke of Windsor.

During the next two years, Amelia realizes that not everything with the Windsors is glittering happiness. Beneath the façade of the besotted couple simmers Wallis’s rage at her stunted ambition, and the couple soon reveal themselves to be self-centered Nazi supporters who pursue their own interests at any cost.

When the Germans invade France, and the Windsors leave Amelia to escape the Gestapo on her own, Amelia finds herself in position to work for the most unlikely of employers: MI5 and the FBI. Convinced to work undercover, Amelia joins the Windsors in Nassau and soon realizes that Wallis’s treachery extends far deeper than the US and British government even knows…

I always wondered what might be the reason that she was so very hated. Knowing this is historical fiction doesn’t take away the suspicion that Wallis was a Nazi and wanted the throne. The research is quite evident in the story, and the writing is so richly described that I actually thought this was more of a biography than historical fiction.

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

Amelia Montague is a young cousin of Wallis Simpson. After a personal tragedy of her own, Amelia leaves America to be a private secretary to her cousin Wallis in Europe. She arrives just in time to witness Wallis Simpson marry Edward VIII after he has abdicated the throne of England. The now Duke and Duchess of Windsor remain exiled in France. Amelia at first is eager to learn about her new role and is touched at how Wallis helps her out of her difficulties. As the world inches towards WWII, Amelia becomes concerned about the relationship between the Duke and Duchess and their friends in Germany. Are they giving military secrets to the Germans? Why are they banished to the Bahamas? Are they still spying even in their banishment?

My thoughts on this novel:
• I have always found the love story between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson to be so romantic. This story definitely took the stars out of my eyes as it detailed the callous way that Wallis treated the Duke as well as their traitorous activities with the Germans. Both Wallis and the Duke were very self-centered people.

• In the acknowledgement section at the end of the novel, author Georgie Blalock details the very real history she used to put together the story of the Duke and Duchess. She also used various books about people who worked for the Duke and Duchess to come up with the fictional character of Amelia.

• I especially enjoyed it when Amelia became a spy for MI5 and the FBI. I did feel stressed though as Amelia spied on Wallis and tried to get the information to the proper people.

• There is a light romance in this novel between Amelia and Robert, an employee at the American embassy. I adored it.

• The characters were very interesting and richly imagined. It was quite the time to be living. I found myself at first liking Wallis and then greatly disliking her. She was an interesting multi-layered character.

• I read this book quickly. It was engaging and fascinating to read.

• Favorite quote, “Wallis had said the best revenge was a life well lived. She’d been right.”

Overall, The Windsor Conspiracy is an engaging story set before and during WWII focused on the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and their traitorous activities. I enjoyed Cousin Amelia’s spunk as she investigates them.

This is a great historical fiction story about Wallis Simpson Windsor and her husband David, the former King of England who abdicated his throne so he could marry her. It’s told from the viewpoint of Wallis’ secretary, who’s also her cousin Amelia.
The story follows Wallis from her marriage through their time in The Bahamas during WWII. Amelia is there when the couple meets Hitler and gets to know their wealthy friends. It’s a well written blend of fiction and history, 4 stars.

Synopsis:
Georgie Blalock, the acclaimed author of The Other Windsor Girl, delivers an enchantingly reimagined fictional portrait of Wallis Simpson through the lens of her cousin who is engaged to spy on the Duchess of Windsor for her alleged Nazi sympathies and finds much more than she bargained for!
When the Germans invade France, and the Windsors leave Amelia to escape the Gestapo on her own, Amelia finds herself in position to work for the most unlikely of employers: MI5 and the FBI. Convinced to work undercover, Amelia joins the Windsors in Nassau and soon realizes that Wallis’s treachery extends far deeper than the US and British government even knows…

FYI Glenn Miller, who wrote this music and plays the clarinet on the recording, was a soldier in WWII and disappeared when his plane went down over the English Channel in 1944.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Amelia Montague was married to Jackson Bradley whom she trusted. She soon found that he had been living a crooked life and then committed suicide. People wrongly thought that she was in this with him which she wasn’t. Now, she is trying to find a way to pay people back for the wrongs her husband did to them. So, when she was offered the position of private secretary to her cousin, Wallis Simpson, in France, she accepted it.

We see how Amelia has to learn the personality of Wallis and all of the duties she is called upon to do. All Wallis and Edward, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, seem to dwell on is how angry they are that the British royal family will not let Wallis be called "your royal highness”. Wallis is a selfish and greedy woman who doesn’t hesitate to reprimand Edward which is embarrassing to others.

The Windsors are friends with the Nazis and travel to Germany to tour the area and see how the Third Reich is taking over. Amelia is appalled and worries how they will fall back on the Windsors. There is no doubt about how Wallis rules with her mean and evil ways. Edward just drinks a lot and whines about not having a title for Wallis plus the small duties he has been requested to do.

This is by far one of the best books I have read in a long time. Having read and reviewed numerous books about the British royal family, this book, while I realize is fiction, truly hits the nail on the head about the actions of Edward and Wallis.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book! Fans of The Crown will be interested in this fictionalized account of Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, in the lead-up and early days of World War II. Amelia, a fictional character imagined as a poor distant cousin, arrives to be Simpson's private secretary shortly before her marriage to the former King Edward. The duke and duchess are petty, capricious, and yet generous to Amelia, and she begins to enjoy her proximity to the Windsors' perceived wealth and power. However, as the Windsors draw closer to prominent Nazis, including Adolph Hitler, Amelia wonders where their true loyalties lie. Bialock does an entertaining job weaving the historical record of the Windsors' acts of treason with Amelia's personal dilemmas. The story ends on a completely fictional and improbable note, but historical fiction fans will enjoy wondering "what if."

Please excuse me while I go spend countless hours Googling Wallis Simpson. Wow, this book blew my mind. Not only was it well written, with vivid details, but it was also well researched.

Then, the authors note at the end gives the details that are true to history and I am shocked at how little needed to be changed to tell this story.

A must read for historical fiction/nonfiction fans, royalty watchers, and anyone who loves a good spy novel.

I received an advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

The Windsor Conspiracy is the first book I've read by Georgie Blalock, but I will definitely read more of her work. I've been fascinated with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor for a while, and this book was a great blend of actual historical people and events with fiction. Our heroine Amelia was fictional; however, the author drew on accounts from assorted Windsor secretaries to make her more realistic.

Amelia Montague, a young American woman, defied her family five years ago to marry the man she loved. That didn't end well; she was disowned by her family and is now a penniless widow. She becomes her cousin Wallis Simpson’s private secretary in France, hoping she can succeed and make something of herself. During the next two years, she learns that all is not well between Wallis and David, The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, despite the façade of a couple in love. Wallis thought she would be queen of Britain, and she cannot get over her rage over David having to abdicate the throne. Amelia also discovers that both of them are self-centered Nazi supporters who only care about their own interests. When the Germans invade France, the Windsors leave Amelia behind to face the Gestapo on her own! She finds herself in an unlikely position of agreeing to work for MI5 and American intelligence to spy on the Windsors. When Amelia joins them in Nassau, she soon discovers Wallis's treachery goes much deeper than the British and American governments had ever imagined.

This really was an exciting story! Amelia's spying didn't happen until the last third or quarter of the book, but the truths Amelia learned about the Windsors kept me glued to the pages. Amelia was a great character. She defied her family to marry for love, but her husband turned out to be a snake, bilking people out of their money. After his death Amelia was hounded to make reparations, but she was penniless; therefore, she ended up being cousin Wallis's personal secretary. She remembered Wallis being fun when they were young, but now Wallis is all about power, wealth and appearances. She could be extremely kind to Amelia, like paying her debts which were incurred by her dead husband. But Wallis could turn on a dime, demanding Amelia do something dangerous lest she have to pay Wallis back all that money. When the Windsors abandon her to the Gestapo and she becomes their "guest" for a while, Amelia realizes just how awful dear cousin Wallis and her dethroned king could be. She is eventually talked into spying on the Windsors; she is terrified and put in ever increasing danger, but she was brave and pushed through her fear. Amelia found romance with Robert Morton, a foreign service officer to the American Ambassador to France...or was he? Amelia could be feisty when she's lied to and put into danger! I did enjoy Robert, plus Amelia's Aunt Bessie, though she was not in the story for long. Amelia's friend Eugenie was fictional, but Lady Williams-Taylor was real, as well as Mademoiselle Moulichon and Mr. Metcalf. The stars of the story, however, were Wallis Simpson and David. Much of the events of 1937 through 1944 are based in reality. They were determined to regain the British throne, and they were great admirers of Nazi Germany. They believed Britain would actually lose the war, and Wallis held a lifelong grudge against England. Wallis treated David quite badly; she was overbearing and insulting, often in front of others. There are records of their alleged treasonous activities. This was such a fascinating subject and story, and I highly recommend it!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A wonderful read which I highly recommend! Thank you Net Galley, the author, and publishers for the ARC!

The Windsor Conspiracy by Georgie Blalock is based on the lives of Wallis Simpson and the Duke. The story is written through the eyes of a fictional character but based on real-life historical documents and research.

This book was enjoyable and keeps the interest throughout. It's a good paced story. It's more of Wallis's story, her motivations, and her ambitions. Amelia's character is fictional, and her story arc is strong. However, the constant reference to her trust issues and her being naive was a bit repetitive.

This book is perfect for the readers who love The Crown or the historical setting involving the royalty.

Thank you, William Morrow and Netgalley, for this book. All the opinions are my own.