Customer Reviews

The Spy (Liars Club, Book 3)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was the best regency novel I've read in a long time. Spies, loyalty to the crown, and wonderful characters, it's got real plot. In this "Liar's Club" series, the men are dangerous, not just by being rich/titled, but also from their secret occupations serving the Crown. The women are smart, in no way absurdly silly in their mannerisms (like some other books). Sometimes I tire of the Stephanie Laurens series (her first series only has danger present from the ton, her new series being too long-winded), or the emptiness of some other Regency novelists. But Celeste Bradley writes excellent books, exciting, realistic, and wonderful plots. I will buy all her books. Highly recommended.

I debated about the rating on this one. James had been built up from the first book, so I was really looking forward to his story. However, he is so full of guilt (understandable as it is) that it quickly becomes tiresome. Fewer but more poignant instances would have been a better approach. Phillipa, while intelligent and brave, also seems very young.

As is typical of the series, the hero-spy has trouble unmasking the heroine, that is, seeing her for who she truly is and determining her guilt or innocence. Makes you wonder about their spying abilities, which is actually mentioned by the heroines. This time that flaw is more grating somehow.

Robbie is a delightful boy and is well used to bring out traits of both protagonists. The intrigue is more prominent in this book. There is less humor and true romance, though the chemistry is there. At first, it's all friendship for James--thankfully no "lusting for a man" stuff. But Phillipa (Flip) is smitten early on. Her decisions serve to bring up James' guilt and self-directed anger. Their reconciliation seems too quick and the epilogue adds little that's new.

I'm waiting to learn what happened, will happen to Ren.

Somewhere between 3 & 1/2 and 4 stars.

I've really enjoyed all three books in Celeste Bradley's series so far and eagerly anticipate the next one! James does come across as rather obtuse for a master spy, but there is a suggestion in the book that perhaps his talents really lay in other areas. James is far from the typical calm and collected spy that populates the pages of most romance novels. Rather, he's passionate, kind and rather impetuous. One senses that of the two Phillipa would have made the better spy! Kudos to Ms. Bradley for not going with the clichéd "Why am I lusting after a man?" plotline but rather developing a true friendship between the lead characters (and their sidekicks).

The Spy, the third in this series and so far the best of all. In the first two, The Impostor and The Pretender there were several unresolved issues that were subsequently wrapped up in The Spy, which only added to my enjoyment of this book.

Phillipa Atwater has a missing father who has left her the message to "watch out for James Cunningham". What better way to keep an eye on him, than to gain entrance to his home, posing as a young man who will tutor his nine year old son. A very close friendship develops between James and "Flip" as she is truly able to get close as friend while posing as a lad. It was a unique way for them to connect and for me it really worked. I just loved Flip as she was so endearing. James was able to talk to her (him) and finally deal with some of his earlier heartaches. Phillipa becomes quite smitten with James and it is difficult to keep up the ruse of being a male.

There was more depth to this story and not as much light hearted humor as the first two. James and Phillipa are a great romantic couple and the fantasy harem dancer scene was just so very romantic. This book was an absolute page turner that I could not put down. I give it five stars plus and cannot wait to read The Charmer, for more excitement from this great series.

I suggest reading these in order as it will really enhance the pleasure and you will appreciate and understand the events so much more.

In 1813 London, James Cunningham trusts no one ever since his lady love Lavinnia Winchell kidnapped him to learn the names of the Liars Club members, troublemakers to her patron Napoleon. James feels guilty because he revealed those names and much of the group died. He seeks evidence to implicate Lavinnia, but she insists it was a love tryst that went wrong.

Phillipa Atwater remains unsure what to do as she does not know what her missing father Rupert meant with the missive "watch out for James Cunningham". Dressed as a man, she arrives at James' home seeking the job of tutor to nine years old Robbie. She hopes to find a clue that will elucidate her dad's note and rescue him from the French who abducted him. She introduces herself as Phillip and obtains the position.

James goes to the Liar's Club to discuss Rupert, who once was a cryptograph member, but now turned traitor and is working for Napoleon. They seek his missing daughter who might break Napoleon's latest codes developed by Rupert. She falls in love with her employer, but he believes she is "Flip", a weak male though he finds himself looking strangely at "him".

Fans of the Liar's Club novels (see THE PRETENDER and THE IMPOSTER) will appreciate the return of delightful characters as they add depth to the exciting story line. The lead female protagonist is a courageous individual whose dilemma of safety vs. falling in love makes for fun reading. She/"he" make the novel. Though the resolution of James' "guilt" allows the cleansing of his soul and the tough evil villainess is pathetic, this is a fun tale as the audience will enjoy the often amusing adventures of Flip.

Harriet Klausner

This was an ok read but nothing special. The cutest thing was the street savvy little boy, robbie and his relationship with phillipa. I couldn't believe that our hero, master spy, James couldn't tell that Phillip was a woman.... He needs a career change. Even the dialogue wasn't all that interesting. I had to stretch to give it 3 stars..........

This is the 3rd in the series I've read and it shows Bradley's continual flaws. She writes an intriquing beginning filled with humor, tension and romance. Phillipa's situation as an impoverished wharfrat on the run tore at my heart. James's stuttering life as a cold betrayed spy burdened with guilt and the desire yet ignorance of how to become a father to the orphan boy he adopts made me fall for him.

But then Phillipa's turn to manipulator and her acts as harem dancer seducer harkened a usual Bradley twist into illogical characterization. Phillipa's act was professed as one of love but it was pure lust. Lust used to twist James further in his guilt. Her unveiling should have made him realize who and what she was about but instead became a perverted assumption of betrayal.

In the end, I lost those two charming characters of the early romance and instead found a couple of seducers who used each other for lust and betrayal. There was no love there. No happy ending, despite the pretty epilogue.

One wonders if Ms. Bradley only understands lust and not true love.

Still, for the great first 100-200 pages I award her high marks. Phillipa's masquerade as a young lad and her friendship with James and Robbie touching. Also the ball rescue for sweet Bitty.

You take great characters, a great theme, a good writer, then ruin it with a rediculous plot!

First, how come only certain 'servants' can tell Phillipa is a woman but the notoriously smart, dangerous, and charming spys don't have a clue? Even the spymaster is decieved? Oh please!

Next, take a moment to think about the situation in the sitting room. How realistic do you think it would be that a 'professional spy' will be seduced in his sleep by someone posing as a man! Come on! You built these characters better than that!

Then, you have James fall in love with a person who he thought was a man? In less than 24 hours! Give me a break!

And what's up with the secret sex? That was a truly lame plot! Jame's trusted valet would actually decieve his master just so this woman who was already deceiving him could have sex with him? Especially when we find out who the valet really is! I think the Mrs. Bradley was in too big of a hurry to write this to come up with another good story.

I was mad that I had to read this book to keep with the series and couldn't get done with it quick enough! All the other books in this series have been wonderful though, so I do recommend the rest of the series. This one just ticked me off at it's stupidity.

I liked reading "The Spy". It was a well told story and I already knew the back story and some of the characters from the other books in the series which makes it easier to get into. I didn't really like the romance part as much. She appeared as a boy for most of the story and developed a crush on him, while he just knew her as a guy friend/employee. It was too unlikely that he could discover her identity and fall in love so quickly. Also, the whole "harum seduction" was really kind of "it just so happens I can dance like your fantasy harum girl!" If you've read the other books in the series, you'll enjoy the revelations of who and what was behind the killing of the Liars/spys and it is an entertaining and enjoyable story. I especially liked the little boy.

Celeste Bradley is one of my favorite authoresses. The Spy, as well as The Impostor (the ones I've already read) are very funny, tricky and twisted.
I think that in The Spy, CB created a paralel mistery with the identification of the wicked informant from the staff of the Liars Club. I'm sorry to inform that, due to my former "resolving-misteries-before-the-last-chapter education", I identified the bad guy before the middle of the book.
Despite this, I enjoyed the full story.
Thank you Celeste!