Death in Focus (Elena Standish Book 1)

New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry brings us an exciting new thriller of espionage and murder set across Europe in the 1930s. The world is on the brink of war and no one is to be trusted as young photographer Elena Standish becomes embroiled in a terrifying game of cat and mouse...

It is 1933 and Europe is a place of increasing fear and violence. Young British photographer Elena Standish is on assignment in Amalfi when she meets Ian Newton, a charming Englishman with whom she falls in love. But what does she really know about him?

Accompanying him on a train across Italy to Paris, she finds him critically stabbed and dying. He tells her he is a member of Britain's Secret Service, on his way to Berlin to warn MI6 so that they can foil a plot to assassinate one of Hitler's vilest henchmen and blame Britain for it, thus causing a devastating diplomatic crisis. Elena promises to deliver the message. But she is too late, and finds herself fleeing for her life.

Meanwhile Lucas Standish, secret head of MI6 during the war, learns that his beloved granddaughter is being hunted in Berlin for murder. With Elena on the run, and at least one traitor in the British Embassy, it is impossible to know who to trust...

Praise for Anne Perry's previous novels:

'A brilliant Victorian police procedural in which well-realized characters and settings are fascinating in themselves' Booklist

'Engrossing... Perry has always excelled in courtroom scenes and arguments between barristers, and she outdoes herself in two dramatic trials'Washington Times Daily

'Perry balances plot and character neatly before providing a resolution that few will anticipate'Publishers Weekly

“Masterful! It's exceedingly rare for an author to have the talent to blend classic elements of a thriller with compelling family dynamics and geopolitical intrigue, but Anne Perry pulls it off like the consummate pro that she is. And, on top of all that, Death in Focus is written in her unique literary voice. And I guarantee you'll love Elena Standish! Brava! - Jeffery Deaver Anne Perry's Victorian mysteries are marvels of plot construction... truly remarkable - New York TimesThere is a freshness about [Perry's] writing which makes it truly exceptional and I was gripped until the final page . Death on Blackheath was one of the best books I've read this year and I cannot recommend it highly enough - Eurocrime Elegantly constructed and nail-bitingly tense - Good Book GuideThe investigation concludes in a hold-your-breath trial... A brilliant Victorian police procedural in which well-realized characters and settings are fascinating in themselves - Booklist”

Masterful! It's exceedingly rare for an author to have the talent to blend classic elements of a thriller with compelling family dynamics and geopolitical intrigue, but Anne Perry pulls it off like the consummate pro that she is. And, on top of all that, Death in Focus is written in her unique literary voice. And I guarantee you'll love Elena Standish! Brava! - Jeffery Deaver

Anne Perry's Victorian mysteries are marvels of plot construction... truly remarkable - New York Times

There is a freshness about [Perry's] writing which makes it truly exceptional and I was gripped until the final page. Death on Blackheath was one of the best books I've read this year and I cannot recommend it highly enough - Eurocrime

Elegantly constructed and nail-bitingly tense - Good Book Guide

The investigation concludes in a hold-your-breath trial... A brilliant Victorian police procedural in which well-realized characters and settings are fascinating in themselves - Booklist

Anne Perry is a New York Times bestselling author noted for her memorable characters,historical accuracy and exploration of social and ethical issues. Her two series, one featuring Thomas Pitt and one featuring William Monk, have been published in multiple languages. Anne Perry has also published a successful series based around World War One and the Reavley family, and the recent standalone novel The Sheen on the Silk. Anne Perry was selected by The Times as one of the twentieth century's '100 Masters of Crime'.

New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry brings us an exciting new thriller of espionage and murder set across Europe in the 1930s. The world is on the brink of war and no one is to be trusted as young photographer Elena Standish becomes embroiled in a terrifying game of cat and mouse... It is 1933 and Europe is a place of increasing fear and violence. Young British photographer Elena Standish is on assignment in Amalfi when she meets Ian Newton, a charming Englishman with whom she falls in love. But what does she really know about him?Accompanying him on a train across Italy to Paris, she finds him critically stabbed and dying. He tells her he is a member of Britain's Secret Service, on his way to Berlin to warn MI6 so that they can foil a plot to assassinate one of Hitler's vilest henchmen and blame Britain for it, thus causing a devastating diplomatic crisis. Elena promises to deliver the message. But she is too late, and finds herself fleeing for her life.Meanwhile Lucas Standish, secret head of MI6 during the war, learns that his beloved granddaughter is being hunted in Berlin for murder. With Elena on the run, and at least one traitor in the British Embassy, it is impossible to know who to trust... Praise for Anne Perry's previous novels: 'A brilliant Victorian police procedural in which well-realized characters and settings are fascinating in themselves ' Booklist ' Engrossing ... Perry has always excelled in courtroom scenes and arguments between barristers , and she outdoes herself in two dramatic trials' Washington Times Daily 'Perry balances plot and character neatly before providing a resolution that few will anticipate ' Publishers Weekly

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