Red Lily - by Janice Graham (Paperback)

About the Book

Red Lily is a warm, witty historical suspense about unexpected heroism and the mysteries of family ties.

Book Synopsis

From the New York Times bestselling author of Firebird comes a delightfully funny and tender tale of family secrets, reluctant spies, and one unforgettable woman!

Paris 1989.

A cold war is ending.

A new family is beginning.

And one dog is about to save the day.

Carl Box has never met his Aunt Lily. She was the family scandal - exiled, disgraced, and never spoken of. So when he's named the heir to her Paris estate, he packs a bag (and his two-legged dog, Billy) and prepares for paperwork, not espionage.

But Lily is very much alive. And very much in trouble.

What begins as a simple inheritance turns into a Cold War caper filled with coded messages, eccentric operatives, and secrets that could still get people killed. Carl soon finds himself in the role of spy - dodging agents, covering for Lily, and wondering what exactly she's been hiding all these years.

Red Lily is a warm, witty historical suspense about unexpected heroism and the mysteries of family ties - perfect for fans of Killers of a Certain Age, Jacqueline Winspear, and Only Murders in the Building.

Review Quotes

"Janice Graham turns the thriller genre on its head with this captivating tale of clueless heroes and unlikely spies."

- Diane Johnson, Pulitzer prize finalist and author of Le Divorce

"...a masterfully written, whimsical spy thriller set in Paris just before the Cold War fizzles and the Berlin Wall crumbles....With its firm grasp of the period and punchy, believable dialogue, Red Lily is an irresistible offering....Highly recommended for fans of Mick Herron's Slow Horses and Linwood Barclay's Never Saw It Coming."

- BlueInk Reviews (starred review)

"... an intoxicating blend of espionage, family intrigue, and historical reflection....Graham weaves a story that is both thrilling and deeply human....One of the novel's greatest strengths is its protagonist, Lily-a woman whose past is as layered and complex as the secrets she has spent a lifetime guarding. Though she fits into the tradition of the wily older female sleuth, à la Miss Marple or Jessica Fletcher, Lily's story is uniquely her own....This is historical suspense at its finest."

-Los Angeles Book Review

"...Graham does a remarkable job of building suspense throughout her novel....a striking balance of excitement, humor, and sincerity, perfect for anyone seeking a lively, twisty adventure."

- Kirkus Reviews