Maggie Hope, the former secretary to Prime Minister Winston Churchill, is in the final days of her training to become a spy for MI-5—and it's painfully apparent that although she meets the intelligence and psychological qualifications, her physical skills are somewhat, well...lacking. A "softer" assignment is sought for this fledgling spy, a sort of test mission. Hope is sent to Windsor Castle to tutor the young Princess Elizabeth in math and to keep an eye on the queen-to-be midst the raging German air attacks of World War II.

Susan Elia MacNeal has imbued her book with the sense of tragedy, loss of innocence, and sacrifice that must have been widespread in England during this period of the war. At Windsor Castle, walls where paintings and tapestries once hung are empty, their precious adornments stored away; windows are taped to minimize breakage; and even the royals are subjected to war-time rationing.

It's tricky business writing historical fiction, especially when at least some of the players are still alive, but MacNeal does a commendable job giving us some, but not too many, hints at life in the royal household and those who inhabit it. There's a Downton Abbey/Upstairs, Downstairs feeling to the book, though it doesn't quite capture the depth of characters and settings that those productions do.

There is, however, a lost love, potential new love(s), at least one good friend, an errant father, and a compassionate mentor. Given the chance, I suspect MacNeal is more than capable of delivering over the course of the series. Maggie Hope is a strong protagonist with an interesting backstory, some of which was introduced in the first book, Mr. Churchill's Secretary. And then there's the spy story, which involves secrets, codes, underground caverns, and plots to kill the king (and perhaps the next queen). It all seems a bit predictable at times, occasionally contrived, but it is still an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next book in the series.