The Traitor Among Us

As the presumably last work by Perry, who died in April 2023, this fifth Elena Standish historical mystery (after A Truth To Lie For) may feel bittersweet to longtime fans. Elena’s MI6 boss has asked her to find out why agent John Repton was murdered. His body was found in a ditch near Wyndham Hall, the country home of her sister Margot’s prospective in-laws, giving Elena a unique opportunity to scope out the situation. Repton was surveilling the estate because members of the household were rumored to have ties to fascists. Accompanying Elena for a weekend party is fellow agent James Allenby, posing as her love interest. Of course, her beloved grandfather Lucas is working the case as well from behind the scenes. The backdrop of this story is the chilling rise of Hitler and the increasingly loud voices of those in Britain who will do anything to prevent another war. Of course, readers know what is coming, yet Perry makes it seem fresh and compelling.