"This is a fun tale"

In 1813 London, James Cunningham trusts no one ever since his lady love Lavinnia Winchell kidnapped him to learn the names of the Liars Club members, troublemakers to her patron Napoleon. James feels guilty because he revealed those names and much of the group died. He seeks evidence to implicate Lavinnia, but she insists it was a love tryst that went wrong.

Phillipa Atwater remains unsure what to do as she does not know what her missing father Rupert meant with the missive "watch out for James Cunningham". Dressed as a man, she arrives at James' home seeking the job of tutor to nine years old Robbie. She hopes to find a clue that will elucidate her dad's note and rescue him from the French who abducted him. She introduces herself as Phillip and obtains the position.

James goes to the Liar's Club to discuss Rupert, who once was a cryptograph member, but now turned traitor and is working for Napoleon. They seek his missing daughter who might break Napoleon's latest codes developed by Rupert. She falls in love with her employer, but he believes she is "Flip", a weak male though he finds himself looking strangely at "him".

Fans of the Liar's Club novels (see THE PRETENDER and THE IMPOSTER) will appreciate the return of delightful characters as they add depth to the exciting story line. The lead female protagonist is a courageous individual whose dilemma of safety vs. falling in love makes for fun reading. She/"he" make the novel. Though the resolution of James' "guilt" allows the cleansing of his soul and the tough evil villainess is pathetic, this is a fun tale as the audience will enjoy the often amusing adventures of Flip.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted January 27, 2004

Summary

James Cunnington has a pressing mission at had: He must find the daughter of a missing code breaker for the Liar's Club, a man suspected of turning traitor for Napoleon. Time is of the utmost concern. While it is evident that his ward's new tutor has something to hide, James in unaware that the woman he seeks now resides under his very roof... Desperate and near destitute, Philippa Atwater must don gentleman's clothing to pass herself off as a scholarly young tutor. Her clever--if itchy--disguise allows her time to pursue her quest to find her father, ruthlessly abducted by French spies. Closely guarding the cryptic notebook he entrusted to her care, she sense danger all around her-- even in the home of her roguishly handsome new employer, James Cunnington. Now Philippa is about to discover that the desire can be as lethal as a well-aimed bullet...