"This series has successfully diversified with the focus on the younger two Standen characters and was and interesting and entertaining historical amateur detective story that I think fans of historical fiction or mysteries will enjoy."
The Standen family return but this time it’s Anthony’s children, Maria and Antonio drawn into investigating the murder of two Jews in Frankfurt against the backdrop of the Fettmilch uprising. Having read two previous books from David West, ‘The Spy Who Sank the Armada’ and ‘Fire and Earth’ I started ‘Called to Account’ by David West already familiar with retired spy and winemaker Anthony Standen and his family.
The former spy has educated his children widely, teaching them everything from winemaking, to lock picking, wrestling and all the languages he knows. So his eldest children Maria and Antonio are more than capable of travelling from their vineyard in Frascati to Frankfurt, in order to find new customers for their wine.
While conducting business the siblings find themselves discovering the murders of a Jewish moneylender and his wife, and they are keen to find out who was the culprit, with little support from the powers that be. The author once again uses excellent background knowledge and research to seamlessly integrate fact and fiction in this historical mystery.
In this third book, the plot has been based on the Fettmilch uprising in Frankfurt and the longer Maria and Antonio are in Frankfurt, we see the Anti-semitic and anti-establishment tensions rising. The tension building in the plot held my attention and I was keen to keep reading to see what would happen.
Alongside the investigation we also see feelings grow between Maria and Manuel and the obstacles they could face if their relationship flourishes. I liked this plot line as someone who has read previous books, as it offered opportunities for happiness for Maria, while also not being entirely separate from the conflicts shown in the rest of the story.
This series has successfully diversified with the focus on the younger two Standen characters and was and interesting and entertaining historical amateur detective story that I think fans of historical fiction or mysteries will enjoy.
Charlotte Walker, A LoveReading Ambassador
It is 1612. Maria and Antonio travel to the Frankfurt fair to find new buyers for their wine. They find a buyer and Maria finds an admirer, Manuel.
| Primary Genre | Indie Author Books |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
It is 1612. Maria and Antonio travel to the Frankfurt fair to find new buyers for their wine.
Called to Account features in the following genres: Indie Author Books, Indie Books We Love, Historical Fiction, Recommendations, Fiction
Paperback. Not Available.
Called to Account was written by David West and published by David V.S. West
