Lying with Lions by Annabel Fielding Book Review

Publication Date: June 21, 2021
Publisher: Anastasia Rydaeva
Format: ebook & paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery/Gothic

Synopsis

Edwardian England. Agnes Ashford knows that her duty is threefold: she needs to work on cataloguing the archive of the titled Bryant family, she needs to keep the wounds of her past tightly under wraps, and she needs to be quietly grateful to her employers for taking her up in her hour of need. However, a dark secret she uncovers due to her work thrusts her into the Bryants’ brilliant orbit - and into the clutch of their ambitions.

They are prepared to take the new century head-on and fight for their preeminent position and political survival tooth and nail - and not just to the first blood. With a mix of loyalty, competence, and well-judged silence Agnes rises to the position of a right-hand woman to the family matriarch - the cunning and glamorous Lady Helen. But Lady Helen's plans to hold on to power through her son are as bold as they are cynical, and one day Agnes is going to face an impossible choice...

My Thoughts

Beneath Hartfell Hall is a labyrinth of tunnels that is the province of Agnes Ashford, an archivist engaged by the affluent and titled Bryant family. These tunnels hold the history of the Bryant family.

The Bryant's declining fortunes were bolstered by Lord Alastair Bryant, the current Baron of Willoughby, marrying a wealthy coal magnate's daughter, Helen Davenport. Helen is disparaging of her husband and his family, especially her sister-in-law who has always viewed Helen as an interloper because of her origins. She is also estranged from her only brother, Reginald Davenport, the black sheep of the family, but maintains a relationship with her father, Theodore Davenport.

While wading through documents Agnes uncovers a family tragedy that no one speaks of and a son banished from the home. This sets Agnes on the trail of a mystery, but her attention is diverted when the death of Alastair Bryant threatens to expose another scandal.

Agnes is not the innocent she seems. Circumstances have taught her that she must make the best of the opportunities that come her way, even to making those opportunities, if she is to regain the position in society she once enjoyed. Clever and unobtrusive, Agnes inveigles her way into the family's lives and grows even closer to Helen, unearthing more secrets and potential scandals.

Helen Bryant is a cold, selfish and conniving woman. Her purpose in life is to retain her position in society, preserve her wealth and protect the family from scandal any way she can. She is a product of her upbringing. Occasionally, she shows a little softness towards her lover, Agnes. At face value, her actions seem noble, but the political situation of the day reveals to what extent she is prepared to go, willingly aided by Agnes.

As war breaks out, Helen is determined to keep her son away from the battlefields, but when Agnes discovers an unforgivable act, her conscience finally prompts her to sacrifice all that she has worked towards.

Mystery and drama abound in this novel from Annabel Fielding. It begins in the latter years of the Edwardian era and continues into the early years of George V's reign. When Edward VII dies and George V takes over, the political outlook also changes, especially for the wealthy. Socialism is on the rise, Home Rule for Ireland is being debated (where many have estates), there is a constitutional crisis in the House of Lords and an increase in taxes is proposed on the wealthy to fund social welfare. These historical aspects are cleverly woven into the story and provide a real threat to the family's wealth and position.

Both Helen and Agnes are unlikeable characters, although I did feel more sympathetic towards Agnes at the end. I enjoyed the power play between them and the exciting final showdown.

Lying with Lions is a very intriguing novel that I'm happy to recommend.