The Secret Guests by Benjamin Black

I organized my Kindle books the other day. Yes, I have a Kindle and, Yes, it has hundreds many titles on it. That’s in addition to my insane extensive collection of physical books in the house.

Yes, I have a problem and, No, I will not be seeking help. That, dear readers, is why this place is called Book Barmy.

During these difficult times (are you also tired of that phrase?) publishers have moved exclusively digital for their advance readers. So, it was time to get the old Kindle organized and in doing so, I discovered a book I read in January and never told you about. (I’ve since created a folder on the Kindle called ‘books read’ — see “duh” above.)

The Secret Guests, by Benjamin Black

During the blitz, the British royal family, including the young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, hunkered down at the palace to weather out the attacks. The Secret Guests however imagines a fictionalized alternative scenario. In this novel, Elizabeth and Margaret are secretly sent away to a rundown estate belonging to a distant cousin located in war-neutral Ireland. The princesses are called Ellen and Mary, and are accompanied by Celia Nashe, an MI5 agent, posing as their governess. Once they reach Ireland, Detective Garda Strafford a local Irish police officer, is also assigned to their protection.

They arrive at the decrepit Edenmore Castle and are greeted by their host, the bewildered and entitled Sir William and his servants. The girls settle in, while Celia and Detective Strafford attempt to get used to protecting the young royals.

He found it slightly uncanny to be in their presence; they still seemed to him figures from some famous old painting who had come magically alive.

The girls explore the castle and grounds, discovering horses to ride (Elizabeth) and barns to sneak cigarettes (Margaret). The staff start to wonder about the girls, there’s gossip in the village, and the local IRA group becomes suspicious. Is there a plot to kidnap the princesses? Who actually knows their true identity?

Billed as an “enthralling historical mystery”, and as fan of anything about the Royals (I adored watching The Crown) I had high hopes for this novel. But somehow The Secret Guests missed the mark for me. Benjamin Black, the pen name of the acclaimed novelist John Banville, has a poetic and atmospheric writing style, but oh dear readers, the suspenseful plot soon became plodding and often dull.

That’s not to say I didn’t finish it — I did in fact. I was still interested in what was going to happen to the girls — especially the young Princess Margaret — whose character was brave and spirited – already forming her future free and often reckless personality. Elizabeth, on the other hand, is already shouldering the weight of her responsibility as the future queen – she is formal and stiff. I did appreciate the conflicting viewpoints of Ireland and the English during that time period. But, then when I got to the end of The Secret Guests, it felt rushed and out of the blue.

Now I know why I didn’t tell you about this January read –I totally forgot I read it.

A digital review copy was kindly provided by Henry Holt via NetGalley.

Do not despair, I am engrossed in two books at a time right now. An page turning thriller and one of Obama’s favorite books. Absolutely loving both. More later.