Frankie's Letter

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 I like fiction and non-fiction books, but I've not spent much time into the combination of the two, which seems to be the space where historical fiction lives.

 Frankie's Letter is the first I've read in this particular genre. This book is set in 1909 on the cusp of World War I and revolves around Sir Charles Talbot, who is based on William Melville.

 Melville joined the London police in 1872, according to the author in the historical note on page 8. He enjoyed a successful career  and was part of the search for Jack the Ripper. He retired in 1903 with the rank of superintendent, but it was a ruse. 

 Melville set up shop near the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police, to engage in espionage and counter-espionage.

The story takes place during the first World War, starting in Germany where an American, Anthony Brooke, is serving as a doctor while working as a spy in behind enemy lines.

Another agent, Terrance Cavanaugh, is shot and the only hope was finding Brooks who is undercover as Dr. Conrad Etriech. Cavanaugh gets to the doctor's house but is dead when he hits the floor. 

That's page 12, over the course of the next 277 pages, Brooke becomes whatever character he needs to be in the service of England.

It's a good story that keeps you guessing who did what, why did they do it, and how does the story develop.

Sir Talbot guides and mentors Brooke through increasing degrees of difficulty until he completes the final exam.

The book kept me engaged. It's a quick read with a conclusion I didn't expect. Ultimately, I don't think historical fiction is my thing, or needs to be a section of history with which I'm more familiar. If you haven't dabbled in historical fiction, you can take a peek at Frankie's Letter.