The Secret Guests
By Benjamin Black
This book is a historical fiction that takes place in 1940 when the Germans are determined to destroy London. As London endures nightly bombings, King George VI arranges for his daughter’s Margaret and future Queen Elizabeth to be shipped off to neutral Ireland, while he and the Queen stayed behind to show Hitler they did not fear him. The girls are in the care of a female special agent named Miss Cecelia Nashe, and an Irish detective Mr. Strafford. They are given new identities and go by the names of Mary and Ellen. While residing in Clonmillis Hall the girls are bored and have little to do. The oldest sister finds her only joy in riding a horse called Prince. The plot is slow-moving for a while, but people on the outside have figured out the identities of the two girls and are bent on causing them harm. The challenges for Miss Nashe and the detective are many especially for Miss Nashe being a female in a mostly male-dominated world. Having time for themselves is nearly impossible because of the risks that come with being watched. When Miss Nashe agrees to vacation away for time alone, shortly after, one of the sisters is thrown off the horse and injures herself. The interesting thing about this book is that the author exercises historical accuracy, all while adding intriguing fictional details. It’s a fascinating albeit somewhat slow read.
HS
