Review: The Mozart Code

Title: The Mozart Code

Author: Rachel McMillan

Publisher: 15th March 2022 by Thomas Nelson

Pages: 336 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: women’s fiction, historical fiction, romance

My Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

Lady Sophia Huntington Villiers is no stranger to intrigue, as her work with Alan Turing’s Bombe Machines at Bletchley Park during the war attests. Now, as part of Simon Barre’s covert team in postwar Vienna, she uses her inimitable charm and code name Starling to uncover a lethal double agent immersed in the world of relics—including the death mask of Mozart. 

Simon Barrington, eighth earl of Camden, is determined to end the Cold War before it becomes as devastating as the war Britain has just won. He has been in love with Sophie Villiers since the moment he met her. A marriage of convenience to save Simon's estate brings them closer until a mission in Prague drives Sophie to a decision that will brand her not only a traitor to her country but also to her new husband.

With Sophie’s allegiance in question, Simon is torn between his duty to the crown and saving the woman who might have betrayed his cause and his heart.

My Thoughts

Rachel McMillan has done it again! Much like The London Restoration, her latest offering, The Mozart Code, is an incredibly well written book - so rich in history with clever tales of espionage, combined with a wonderfully moving romance. 

‘I often wonder if men do not revel in the carnage of war because it allows them to rebuild the world to suit whatever utopia they imagine. They can ascribe their own traits and philosophies in the reconstruction of devastation. They can compose, as it were.’

Although a standalone novel set in post World War II entering into the Cold War, it does commence shortly after The London Restoration. This time around Rachel gives her readers the story of Simon Barre and Sophie Villiers, who are both now working as operatives in Vienna after World War II. I adored The London Restoration and believe reading this first book would be beneficial to the overall backstory of this world Rachel has so meticulously presented, giving readers a deeper appreciation and immersion. 

‘As if each city had chosen human portals through which to whisper their secrets … in a city of spies, shadows met every corner and crept over every wall.’

The Mozart Code tells the tale of spies in Vienna after WWII due to the seeming threat of communism. This is a well crafted mystery highlighting the division and corruption in both Vienna and Prague combined with the much sought after recovery of relics and treasures thought to have perhaps been lost during the war. Rachel tells the story of a sinister underworld and the incredible danger faced in trying to find answers. 

It is also a romance with the chemistry between Simon and Sophie simmering away over many years and circumstances, they now find themselves bringing it to the boil. Although in a marriage of convenience, their history dictates a far deeper relationship. Just like the spy saga, their relationship is complex and unpredictable but similarly proving to be a rich and rewarding read. 

“We’ve been like a string of dynamite burning for years and it’s finally reached the end of its fuse.”

Although some readers claim to get a little lost in both the depth and breadth of detail, I have nothing but praise for Rachel’s writing talent. Her use of language is sublime with everything from the vibrant imagery of the darkened Vienna streets to the smouldering tension and unspoken words between Simon and Sophie. 

Much like The London Restoration oozed Rachel’s love of all things British, The Mozart Code is like a companion love story to both Vienna and Prague with the addition of Mozart and music. If you love quality European historical fiction, spy stories, romantic thrillers then look no further. 

“You’re not in love with me, you know.” Simon straightened. “I don’t recall telling you I was in love with you.” He had long since determined that the word would send her far from his orbit. “Just a look there. You got all misty and far away. We’ll make it a rule. Never say it to me and I won’t say it to you.”

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The London Restoration

Title: The London Restoration

Author: Rachel McMillan

Publisher: 18th August 2020 by Thomas Nelson

Pages: 336 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: historical fiction, romance

My Rating: 5 cups

Synopsis:

The secrets that might save a nation could shatter a marriage.Madly in love, Diana Foyle and Brent Somerville married in London as the bombs of World War II dropped on their beloved city. Without time for a honeymoon, the couple spent the next four years apart. Diana, an architectural historian, took a top-secret intelligence post at Bletchley Park. Brent, a professor of theology at King's College, believed his wife was working for the Foreign Office as a translator when he was injured in an attack on the European front.

Now that the war is over, the Somervilles' long-anticipated reunion is strained by everything they cannot speak of. Diana's extensive knowledge of London's churches could help bring down a Russian agent named Eternity. She's eager to help MI6 thwart Communist efforts to start a new war, but because of the Official Secrets Act, Diana can't tell Brent the truth about her work.

Determined to save their marriage and rebuild the city they call home, Diana and Brent's love is put to the ultimate test as they navigate the rubble of war and the ruins of broken trust.

My Thoughts

The London Restoration is an incredibly well written book - excellent research so rich in history, clever spy tales and twists with  heartfelt romance. Set in post World War II London, Rachel's love for historic cities, especially churches, is sprinkled lovingly throughout in a most engaging way. She brings great architecture to life, which was so necessary in war torn London.

“Some will see a crack. A bombed building.” The right side of his mouth twitched into a small smile. “You will see a map and imagine the potential in the rubble.”

This is a slow build story but each flashback, each moment is pertinent as Rachel cleverly moves the puzzle pieces around her storyboard. She gives you the time to get to know her characters, their story, their situation and what future they each envision. The ending was perfection.

“She wasn’t sure why the spell of these buildings held her so tightly. They were brick and mortar and artistry, pleasing to the eye but not flesh and blood. “Sometimes I can’t tell whether the emotion I feel in these places is from something emotional or spiritual. But I feel like I’ve known these churches all of my life.”

The London Restoration is about restorative practices on many levels. That is what is so clever about this book. Yes, it is about the physical restoration of London after the devastation of war. However, it is also most definitely about personal restoration and the impact war has had on relationships. The love story of Diana and Brent is something special - from their marriage before the war, how the war impacted upon them individually, to after the war and how they both work so hard to restore or create a new relationship after all that has ensued. This is a mature and heartfelt journey. 

“If I ask what you did during the war and you tell me, then you are as good as a traitor. But what you are doing after the war is what is keeping us apart, Di.” He grabbed her hand. “We are getting so close to being who we are together. This just seems like recklessness.”

This book is just so interesting from a historic point of view. The  architectural history, especially the information about Wren and the churches, will have you Googling names, dates, places. This could have been a very dry inclusion but not under this skilled author’s pen - it was fascinating. 

‘Diana had read that alongside Roman coins and medieval stained glass, the bombs had erupted over 230 coffins from three different centuries.’

Then there is the plot - again, just so clever! This is real espionage - secrets and lies abound! The subtle inclusion of everything from politics to the use of classical music as code is quite extraordinary. One cannot help but be impressed by the excellent job Rachel does in balancing the many components of this tale. 

“But the new war is boiling under the surface. It won’t be the one we just saw with guns and artillery fire and bombs desecrating our city. It will be a quieter one of propaganda and intelligence.”

The London Restoration provided me with a few glorious hours lost in the past - walking amongst bombed churches, trying to make the world a better place whilst investing in a relationship that had undergone life changing experiences. I learned so much, I was captivated by the ending so much and I was cheering for both Diana and Brent just so much! If you love quality historical fiction with mysterious thrills, espionage and rekindling of love, then this is most definitely the book for you.

“History without fallen kingdoms is just a fairy tale, Professor Somerville. The true beauty is in resilience. We’ll see the cracks in our facades, but we will know what went into their creation. London will be more beautiful because it was torn apart. But didn’t stay so.”

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.