As the story goes on, it becomes apparent that she’ll have to choose between her family and Luke (although historical record, as well as the fact this is a romance novel, makes her choice obvious). Anyway, back to the story … Marianne is attracted to Luke, enough to go behind her father’s back when he forbids her to see Luke again.īut she’s fiercely loyal to her father and the Magruder family, despite Luke’s accusations. That’s the kind of historical factoid which fascinates me and is the element that raises Elizabeth Camden’s novels into the must-read category for me. It is thanks to Dr Wiley and his Poison Squad that we now understand what preservatives are safe for use in food, and in what quantities. The men become known as the Poison Squad, which is based on real-life research conducted by Dr Wiley, the man responsible for the establishment of the US Food & Drug Administration in 1906. Luke volunteers for medical trials intended to determine if the food additives Magruder and others use are safe. (In this case, “public good” means not producing food that kills people.) She’s the adopted daughter of Congressman Clyde Magruder, who Luke wants removed from office because of his history of favouring his own business interests over the public good. Unfortunately, she is Marianne Magruder, from the Magruder family who have been Delacroix enemies for decades.

When Luke Delacroix helps a lady save a dog, he is immediately intrigued and wants to get to know her better.

Highly recommended.The Prince of Spies is a twist on the Romeo and Juliet story, complete with feuding families and threats of poison. The characters are all superbly developed and interesting, and the reader will want to know more about this time period and this series. “This is a well-written, captivating romance that is rich with history. Now they must embark on a dangerous gamble to reconcile their growing feelings with Luke’s driving passion for vital reforms in Congress.Ĭan their newfound love survive a political firestorm, or will three generations of family rivalry drive them apart forever? Luke is fascinated by the vibrant Marianne and her daring work as a government photographer, leading them into a forbidden romance. Trouble begins when Luke meets Marianne Magruder, the congressman’s only daughter. His current mission: to thwart the reelection of Congressman Clyde Magruder, his only real enemy in the world. In reality, he has been secretly carrying out an ambitious agenda in Congress.

Luke Delacroix has long had a reputation of being an impulsive adventurer, the wild son of one of Gilded Age Washington’s most prominent families.

The Prince of Spies by Elizabeth Camden