Princess Elizabeth’s Spy: A Maggie Hope Novel

Early in WWII, after the Battle of Britain, fears of a German invasion of England remain high in MacNeal’s enjoyable sequel to Mr. Churchill’s Secretary. American expat Maggie Hope, formerly the prime minister’s secretary, is training in Scotland to become a spy for MI5. Dismissive of so-called “women’s work,” Maggie reluctantly accepts her first assignment—to go undercover at Windsor Castle as math tutor to the 14-year-old Princess Elizabeth. After the initial, somewhat slow scene-setting chapters, which depict scheming Nazis as well as the dubious loyalty of the duke and duchess of Windsor, the plot picks up momentum with false starts, double agents, and red herrings. MacNeal provides a vivid view of life both above and below stairs at Windsor Castle. Excerpts from actual news broadcasts and speeches by the future Elizabeth II and Churchill add historical authenticity. Agent: Victoria Skurnick, Levine Greenberg Literary. (Oct.)