Starred review from December 5, 2022
Biller (The Brightest Star in Paris) transports readers to sparkling 19th century Vienna for a unique and wonderful tale of intrigue and espionage. Maria Wallner, manager and jack-of-all-trades at her family’s Hotel Wallner, is thrilled when the Wallner is chosen to host the famed Hotelkeepers’ Ball, hoping to use the event to restore the financially strapped hotel to its former glory. Meanwhile, American secret service agent Eli Whittaker is in Vienna on a tip about American codes being stolen and sold—and Maria is among his suspects. When Maria is repeatedly targeted by a mysterious attacker, however, Eli’s first instinct is to keep her safe and catch her assailant, throwing his carefully ordered investigation into chaos. As the pair grow closer in the dramatic run-up to the ball, Eli wrestles with the possibility of Maria’s involvement in code stealing—until his heart takes over, and his primary focus becomes their mutual attraction. Biller’s eclectic cast brings the refreshing setting to vibrant life while the intriguing mystery and mounting passion between the leads unite to keep the pages turning. Historical romance readers—especially those looking for a break from Regency England—will be dazzled. Agent: Amy Bishop, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.
June 10, 2024
On New Year's Eve, 1877, Viennese hotelier Maria Wallner looks forward to returning her family's hotel, the Hotel Wallner, to its former glory. Her task is not easy, complicated by plenty of obstacles, from her mother and father's openly flaunted affair to meddling seers who foretell that Maria will meet a handsome, dark-haired stranger. It turns out that the handsome stranger is Eli Whittaker, a gorgeous American treasury agent who has twice saved Maria's life from those trying to sabotage the hotel's comeback. Eli is not supposed to be getting caught up in the intoxicating whirlwind of Viennese society and the charms of this beautiful and hardworking woman--his mission is to find out who is selling secret American codes. But as the chaos and danger threatening Maria's family and livelihood grow, so does the passion between the two. Narrator Carlotta Brentan deftly narrates Biller's (The Brightest Star in Paris) latest, capturing Maria's German Austrian accent and Eli's American accent with aplomb. Her depictions of the eclectic group of secondary characters are exceptional. VERDICT Highly recommended, particularly for listeners looking to branch out from Regency England-based romances.--Elizabeth Gabriel
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