The Debutante’s Code by Erica Vetsch

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 53: A Bookchat about A Mark of Grace with Kimberly Woodhouse & a Review of The Debutante’s Code by Erica Vetsch

THE BOOK

Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn’t spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love. But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They’ve been living double lives as government spies—and they’re only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family’s legacy.

Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spy craft. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors—not to mention nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner Daniel Swann, who suspects her of a daring theft.

Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents’ last mission? Or will it lead her to a terrible end?

THE REVIEW

“The Debutante’s Code” would not pair well with a light cup of Darjeeling. No, indeed, dear readers. This cloak-and-dagger mystery calls for a strong cup of Earl Grey to complement the story’s robust notes of dark academia and anglophile. 

Erica Vetsch has once again proven herself to be a skilled writer with a flair for capturing the details and atmosphere of a historic setting. Her words bring Regency Era London to life, juxtaposing grimy pubs and glittering ballrooms so vividly that one wonders if Vetsch is in fact a time-traveler recounting her visits to the past. 

If you’ve ever wished Jane Austen had written tales of espionage and murder, then “The Debutante’s Code” is sure to be your cup of tea!

THE AUTHOR

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling author and ACFW Carol Award winner, and has been a Romantic Times top pick for her previous books. She loves Jesus, history, romance, and watching sports. This transplanted Kansan now makes her home in Rochester, Minnesota.

Read more about Erica at her website. (www.ericavetsch.com)

Reviewed by:

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.