tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22655888.post1572849334557751497..comments2023-10-19T11:01:34.551-04:00Comments on Jennie's B(ook)log: The Spymaster's Lady, Joanna BourneJenniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05804281162557876557noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22655888.post-51066361885111330032008-01-14T09:32:00.000-05:002008-01-14T09:32:00.000-05:00Marianne--I thought that bit was a little troublin...Marianne--I thought that bit was a little troubling too -- it seemed a little too pat. But it's probably possible that a hardened British spy could let his child take such risks. And Annique's mother did the same with her -- let her run around battlefields and whatnot.<BR/><BR/>But I liked when Annique and Galba played chess and he kept winning. ;)<BR/><BR/>You have to tell us what you thought of her old Regency, whether it's worth tracking down.Jenniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05804281162557876557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22655888.post-52541665738892655722008-01-12T04:31:00.000-05:002008-01-12T04:31:00.000-05:00But the honour among spies bit was established rea...But the honour among spies bit was established really early on. In the initial scene, in prison, Annique thinks 'It was an old custom of both French and British spies that they were not bloodthirsty with one another's agents.'<BR/>Seems unlikely to be true, somehow, but if it's true within the book, I can accept that. <BR/><BR/>I loved the book - got to the end, and started reading from the beginning. <BR/><BR/>My only quibble, and it's miniscule, is<BR/>S<BR/>P<BR/>O<BR/>I<BR/>L<BR/>E<BR/>R<BR/>- I was disappointed that Galba was her grandfather. And I don't think that's to do with this book: I'm prejudiced against that plot device. And anyway, it then raises questions that aren't answered - like why you would let your daughter run a brothel? - is patriotism a sufficient reason? <BR/><BR/>But minor, minor point. I thought it was lovely, and went straight to Amazon and bought Bourne's 1983 regency. <BR/><BR/>Marianne McAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22655888.post-2780339100441584982008-01-11T21:43:00.000-05:002008-01-11T21:43:00.000-05:00BIG SPOILER!!Okay, I just re-read the end. I get w...BIG SPOILER!!<BR/><BR/>Okay, I just re-read the end. I get what you're saying. Soulier didn't let her go out of the goodness of his heart. When Grey tells Soulier that Annique is British (p. 363), Annique thinks, "Thus Grey paid for her freedom with that great secret." Because Grey told the French that she was their spy, all the information that Annique (and her parents) had gathered would now be less valuable. Meaning the French could make adjustments because they knew what of their secrets were no longer safe.<BR/><BR/>I guess Soulier thinks that the damage is done -- years of information leaking out -- but at least it's at an end now. He says, "She is your agent, and untouchable." I don't know what that's about -- honor among spies seems unlikely. But taking Annique would no longer be arresting a French spy who has turned traitor, but instead be kidnapping a British citizen. ?? I think Soulier just assumes that anything Annique knows is already in the hands of the British, she is actually British herself and can claim their protection, and on top of that, he does like her. So he just lets her go. That's my take anyway.<BR/><BR/>Plus, like you say, it makes the HEA. Which we all like. :)Jenniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05804281162557876557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22655888.post-80618958895779324982008-01-11T17:47:00.000-05:002008-01-11T17:47:00.000-05:00I understand (I think) all of those plot points: ...I understand (I think) all of those plot points: Fouche didn't know, he just wanted her either in a whorehouse or dead. And Soulier could keep her from being killed but not the whorehouse before *he* knew about the divided loyalties. He said that he had to take her back, he couldn't let her stay because she would be hunted like an animal. <BR/><BR/>But I don't understand the conclusion Soulier came to: Why did learning about the divided loyalties change the bounty/hunt for Annique? Other than to permit the HEA, of course. I'm being cynical and maybe too practical, but why would Fouche permit any retired French spy to live happily ever after in England...with a British spy master?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22655888.post-59326822527143863872008-01-11T16:46:00.000-05:002008-01-11T16:46:00.000-05:00Yes, erm. Now I'm confused. :) But Fouche didn't k...Yes, erm. Now I'm confused. :) But Fouche didn't know about the thing that Grey reveals -- he was getting all his info secondhand from Evil Dude whose name I can't remember right now. Right? He only knows that she has the Albion plans, so he's content to lock her up in his whorehouse. I took it that Soulier was letting Annique go at the end (despite the divided loyalty that Grey reveals) simply because he is fond of her, and that he would lie to Fouche about how it happened. Now I feel like I need to re-read the last bit!Jenniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05804281162557876557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22655888.post-1186934885224061472008-01-11T16:04:00.000-05:002008-01-11T16:04:00.000-05:00No, I understood about Vauban and the loyalties. ...No, I understood about Vauban and the loyalties. My confusion was about why/how Fouche would let her live <I>for any reason</I>. Soulier was going to send her back, he couldn't let her stay with Grey because there would be a price on her head. But the news about the loyalty that Grey delivered -- how would that negate the price on her head? I would've thought that it would <I>increase</I> the price, if anything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22655888.post-14671749580456384302008-01-10T11:39:00.000-05:002008-01-10T11:39:00.000-05:00JMC--The bit with Vauban? And what she didn't know...JMC--The bit with Vauban? And what she didn't know? All the uncertain loyalties was a bit confusing, but it did make sense to me when I read it.Jenniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05804281162557876557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22655888.post-3225882517710326952008-01-10T08:23:00.000-05:002008-01-10T08:23:00.000-05:00I just finished this book and liked it a lot. But...I just finished this book and liked it a lot. But I'm confused about the ending. I think I missed something and must read the last chapter or so again.<BR/><BR/>My reading year has started very well -- three good books. I'm ignoring the two books that I set aside for lack of interest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22655888.post-20915286203908763362008-01-09T16:09:00.000-05:002008-01-09T16:09:00.000-05:00Yes, yes. Read it! I highly recommend. :)Yes, yes. Read it! I highly recommend. :)Jenniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05804281162557876557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22655888.post-45207158989811003662008-01-08T22:05:00.000-05:002008-01-08T22:05:00.000-05:00Sounds like a good book! This is the 2nd good revi...Sounds like a good book! This is the 2nd good review this book is getting... perhaps I should get it :)nathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02626894830238717124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22655888.post-47870232206095832962008-01-08T08:05:00.000-05:002008-01-08T08:05:00.000-05:00Excellent! I bought this book on Saturday night. ...Excellent! I bought this book on Saturday night. I'll be reading it soon, if I ever finish what I'm currently reading. LOL<BR/><BR/>Then I'll come squee too. :P~ames~https://www.blogger.com/profile/17683205224039402987noreply@blogger.com