I loved Jane Thynne's earlier novels about Clara Vine a British film actress in Nazi Germany before and during the war and was eager to find out what she would write about next. Midnight in Vienna also has a British female protagonist Stella Fry, who instead of Germany spends time as a tutor in Vienna. We meet Stella n 1938 having returned to England after her Jewish employers have escaped from Austria. Struggling to find a role in Britain, a country vacillating between fear of a potential conflict and slightly hysterical hedonism at the tail end of the era of the Bright Young Things Stella has an interview with mystery writer Herbert Newman within hours, Newman is found dead having dedicated his final novel to her. Stella teams up with investigator Harry Fox to discover more about Herbert's death.
As ever with Jane Thynne the sense of place and time is the best aspect, and the plot comes second. I hope that Stella and Herbert return in future novels to show us the home front as Clara brought to life Nazi Germany.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.

It’s 1938 and Stella Fry has just returned to London from Austria, where she has been working as a private tutor for a Jewish family in Vienna. With the worsening political situation in Europe, the family decided to leave for the safety of New York, and Stella has found herself back home with no job. Famous mystery writer Hubert Newman is advertising for someone to type up his new manuscript and Stella applies for the position. After meeting with Newman and being offered the job, she is shocked when she learns the next day that he has been found dead. Another shock follows twenty-four hours later when she receives the manuscript of his new book, Masquerade, and finds that he has dedicated it To Stella, spotter of mistakes.

Harry Fox is a former Special Branch detective who left the police force under a shadow, but is still carrying out unofficial intelligence work, spying on suspected communists. He has reason to believe that Hubert Newman’s death was not a natural one and when his path crosses with Stella’s and he discovers that she had lunch with the author the day before he died, the two team up to investigate.

I really enjoyed Midnight in Vienna; the only negative thing I can say about it is that Stella was a bit too trusting of strangers and too quick to put herself in dangerous situations without thinking of the consequences. The biggest example comes very early in the novel when, having only just met Harry Fox, she agrees to travel back to Vienna alone on the trail of someone possibly implicated in Hubert’s murder – at a time when everyone else is trying to get out of Austria. However, I can forgive this because the Vienna sections of the book are so well done, perfectly illustrating the mood in Austria during that period which followed the annexation by Nazi Germany.

With Hubert Newman being an author, there’s also a literary element to the novel. Newman (a fictional character, by the way) is a member of the Detection Club, a real-life society of prominent British mystery writers, and Harry Fox’s investigations lead to a meeting with one of the founding members, Dorothy L. Sayers. She only makes a brief cameo appearance but I thought the way Thynne portrayed her character was very convincing. As well as the literary world, we also get a glimpse of the theatrical world of the 1930s through Stella’s actress friend, Evelyn, so there’s a lot going on outside of the central mystery.

This is the first of Jane Thynne’s novels I’ve read. It seems that most of her previous books are similar wartime/espionage thrillers and having enjoyed this one so much I’m sure I’ll be reading more of them. I’m also wondering whether there will be a sequel to this book as I think there’s plenty of scope for some of these characters to return for a second adventure.

An absolutely brilliant 'must-read' novel set in 1938. It's a murder mystery, a thriller, and an excellent example of historical fiction. All the characters and events are believable, from Stella Fry newly returned from Vienna and taking a post with a famous author who unexpectedly dies, to Harry Fox, formerly of Special Branch with his own reasons for being interested in an author's desk. To say more would risk spoiling the novel. Just read it - you won't be disappointed.

With thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for an ARC.

An interesting and intriguing read. The story focuses on writers/poets at the peak of their popularity during the late 1930s in Britain, particularly those who had strong links with Communism. The so called Red List which included George Orwell and WH Auden among others. The crux of the story is centred around the sudden death of a famed detective novelist - and the young woman he had lunch with prior to his death. I found this story fascinating as it reflects the intrigue and machinations of MI5 and Comintern during the Thirties, and I really enjoyed learning about how the Secret Service dealt with the perceived threat from Russia even before the outbreak of WW2. The characters are well written and very believable - I wanted them to succeed in their investigations and I wanted to know what had happened and why. A great read!

Really good thriller. Great atmosphere and setting as Europe approaches World War Two. A young woman is given the chance to work as secretary for a renowned crime writer who wants his latest manuscript typed and edited. But when he dies having sent her the manuscript she will need to work out the messages hidden within it. Well paced and gripping.

Midnight in Vienna takes place in 1938, with the threat of war looming. The main character, Stella Fry has been working in Vienna as a tutor for the children of a Jewish family, but is forced to leave her beloved Vienna when, under threat from the Nazis, her employers decide to flee to the United States.

Back in England Stella, short of a job and needing something to fill the space, answers an advert from author Hubert Newman, a mystery writer who needs someone to type up his manuscript. No sooner has she taken it on, than she finds that the writer has died. Even stranger, he has sent her the manuscript as though he had predicted his own demise, and dedicated it to her.

The dead man was a mystery writer and Stella suspects that as his dedication refers to her as a ‘spotter of mistakes’ that the clues lie hidden in the manuscript. The manuscript is of course wanted by several other parties – spies, assassins and others who fear that the manuscript holds the clues to the manufacture of a deadly weapon that could turn the tide of the war.

Stella Fry is an interesting character with a fully fleshed-out life. In London she is living with an actress friend who is desperate to gain fame and fortune. She has access to society where literary figures, actors and other members of high society mix socially, and this means she is able to get in touch with Hubert Newman’s associates in the literary world, and here becomes even more convinced that all is not right.

Determined to solve the mystery of Newman’s death, Stella returns to Vienna to unravel the mystery, and the reader is treated to a portrait of Vienna in the grip of Hitler, with all its anti-Semitism and the atmosphere of fear in which scientists and intellectuals are driven out to seek refuge in Europe. The action moves smoothly from London and the gentlemen’s clubs and literary soirees to Vienna, with the impending sense of danger ever present.

The other main character in the book, Harry Fox, a failed Special Branch Detective, who killed someone in the past and is therefore supposedly unemployable, is a great foil for Stella, and the two soon team up. Harry Fox has his own reasons for pursuing the case as he is used unofficially as a spy to track down communist sympathisers. Unorthodox in his methods and mistrustful of almost everyone, he warns Stella that she is in danger. Like all true heroines she ignores the warnings and the plot moves on apace.

This is intelligent, well-written historical fiction with characters who you feel you can get to know, and it evokes a great sense of period time and place. I hope we will have sequels to this novel where we can enjoy more adventures with Stella Fry and Harry Fox, because they do make a great team. Highly recommended for anyone who loves stories of mystery and espionage set in WW2.

This was a total delight.

Clever thriller set just before the Second World War and introduces us to two memorable characters who team up to solve a bewildering murder.

The writing is beautiful, the characters are an absolute joy, and a wonderful sense of time and atmosphere.

A fabulous historical spy thriller. The novel begins in London in the late 1930s. Recently returned from VIenna, Stella Fry is due to start working with author Hubert Newman. But before she begins, Newman is reported dead and Stella's life starts to unravel. Ex=policeman Harry Fox suspects Newman's death wasn't accidental and he warns Stella to be careful. They eventually team up to investigate Newman's death - neither quite realising the risk they're taking.

Set in the lead up to WW2, moving between London and Vienna, this is an atmospheric and pacy spy thriller that ticks all the boxes.

A great read!

Jane Thynne's latest novel is set in 1930s London and Vienna. Europe is on the brink of war and threats seem to be everywhere. Stella Fry has recently returned from Vienna and is settling back into London life. She is soon caught up in a mystery, following the death of her potential new employer, an author of crime novels. She meets a private detective and is soon off chasing down clues and phantoms.
The author's attention to detail and depiction of London life just before the outbreak is war is engaging. I loved her Clara Vine novels and now we see Europe from the other side of the divide. Her combination of history and well drawn characters make for as really good read.

A clever thriller set just before the second world war that introduces super bright Oxford graduate Stella Fry and private detective Harry Fox who team up to solve a bewildering murder of a crime writer. Espionage, betrayal, glamorous actresses and gritty 1930s London and Vienna make this Jane Thynne detective story exciting, interesting and vivid. I enjoyed the characters, several based on real people, and hope that Stella and Harry are reunited in a sequel to this book.

"We stand at the cliff edge of great peril and enormous dangers surround us"

1938 across Europe things are heating up and private tutor Stella returns to England when the Jewish family she worked for pack up and leave Vienna heading for safety in America. An ad for a copy typist brings her into contact with renowned author Hubert Newman, it also brings her to the attention of those that lurk in the shadows.

Midnight in Vienna was a bit of a slow starter for me but once I got my head round the characters it evolved into an immersive, vibrant picture of pre war intrigue with espionage, secrets and politics, cleverly weaving fact with fiction with a good sense of time and place.

Good characters and a real sense of atmosphere adds to the drama in this well researched, gritty historical thriller.

Another fine historical spy story from a favourite author.

"Midnight in Vienna" opens in London, 1938, where Stella Fry, recently returned from Vienna, is on her way to an interview with renowned author Hubert Newman. He requires the services of a typist and proof-reader, and finds her ability to "spot the mistakes" perfect for the job. He agrees to send her the manuscript immediately. However, when Newman is reported dead the following day, Stella soon finds herself drawn into a sinister plot. With the threat of war with Germany looming, and spies around every corner, she realises there's a lot at stake.

And with that, the reader embarks on a journey from England to Austria, from the stuffy men's clubs of London to the street cafe's of Vienna, all painted in perfect detail, as Stella is persuaded to help track down someone closely involved with Newman. Clearly the author has carried out her usual deep research, and has succeeded in weaving factual events into the story. Although the pace of the story flags a little in parts, events move along nicely and the mood of Austria is clear, as the effects of the Nazi movement start to show, and people watch each other closely, and seek to leave the country. We learn of plans to help certain scientists escape to Britain before they are imprisoned, and how the growing threat of Communism drives governments to take drastic measures. This is as much a detective novel as it is a spy one - fans will love it.

The author has a knack of writing seemingly frail female characters who find immense amounts of strength and determination within themselves, and Stella grows as we learn more about her life before London. The book is full of gorgeous characters, from Stella's flamboyant actress flatmate Evelyn, to former Special Branch detective Harry Fox, to an eager journalist. There's even a nice cameo from Dorothy L Sayers and an important member of Churchill's inner circle.

Readers of the author's previous series featuring Clara Vine will find this book a slightly different read - darker, and more stark, but retaining the same period detail and colour. This book will appeal to fans of Kate Quinn, Deborah Swift and Louise Fein.

Heartily recommended.

This was a great read. Set in 1938 just as fear of another war was reaching fever pitch, it tells the story of how a spy ring for the USSR was discovered. One of the main protagonists is a writer of detective murder mystery novels and the book takes on this style as you are led through a number of possible scenarios and thrown a few red herrings before you see the mystery unravelled. The two lead characters are great, a woman who is easy to underestimate and a flawed former police officer. The book while not violent was gripping as the ending came about. The novel uses historical characters and is based on factual accounts of the day. A really enjoyable book.

This was an espionage thriller set in the late 1930s, both in London and Vienna. Stella Fry has been a governess for a Jewish Viennese family for 5 years but has to leave and return to London when they emigrate to America after deciding that their future in Vienna is not great due to Hitler’s plans.
Harry Fox is an ex police man who is doing work for the intelligence service, following possible communist sympathisers. When Stella is offered a job by mystery writer Hubert Newman, to type up and edit his latest work she accepts as she has little choice and needs the money. However Hubert meets an untimely end and it seems as if Stella’s life could also be in danger. Harry suspects foul play and tries to warn Stella to be careful.
Harry and Stella team up to investigate and this leads them into the murky world of espionage where there is danger for both of them until the mystery is resolved.
The premise of this story was good and I really wanted to like it- however I found it very slow moving with too many characters which made it very confusing. I decided I actually didn’t care what happened to any of them! I don’t think the author managed to create particularly life like characters.
The plot meandered on or a while and I had to force myself to pick up the book. Unfortunately it was not the book for me although others might have a different opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

This was a total delight. I previously only knew of the author as the wife of the wonderful Philip Kerr but Jane Thynne is such a gifted writer in her own right.

Tjis is a clever thriller set just before the second world war and introduces us to two memorable characters in Stella Fry and Harry Fox who teamup to solve a bewildering murder that has other implications for national security.

The writing is lush, the characters area joy and there is a wonderful sense of time and place.

This is a thriller that thrills and is one to relish.

Hopefully the start of a series too.