Queen's Gambit

November 1, 2020
A 19th-century journalist becomes a potential target in a mission to kill the queen in this thriller. It's 1897, and Margaret Harkness is a 40-year-old writer who describes herself as a suffragette and Christian socialist. She's working on freelance pieces for newspapers when she's diagnosed with "something resembling lupus." Her illness and age make her consider retirement to Australia, but she's doesn't have the money necessary for the journey. As a result, she accepts a job with her old friend professor Joseph Bell--a real-life figure who provided author Arthur Conan Doyle with the inspiration for his famed fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. Bell's latest spy-hunting assignment takes the two to Germany, where Harkness works as Bell's translator. However, their mission coincides with that of Herman Ott, a man with a connection to the Russian revolutionary group Narodnaya Volya ("People's Will"), who's on a mission of revenge against Queen Victoria. Soon, Harkness discovers that she, herself, is in danger, as well. Harper, the author of A Knife in the Fog (2018), offers an excellent continuation of Harkness' adventures. All of the characters are vivid creations, but the middle-aged Harkness is a standout as a middle-aged female protagonist--a demographic that's unfortunately rare in thriller fiction. Harper's prose is often as humorous as it is well researched; an early scene in which Harkness meets Queen Victoria and deals with a snobbish chamberlain is but one of many fine examples of his skill. Harper seamlessly and enjoyably blends elements of historical fact with a thrilling story of political intrigue and anarchy. There are some slightly slow moments, but they're few and far between, and Harkness' sharp intellect and delightful personality more than make up for them. A marvelous tale that will satisfy historical fiction enthusiasts.

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