The Lusitania Code by Linda Robertson:

5 stars

Emmeline (Foxy) Butterschloss is pulled from an extended episode of depression while secluded at her country estate when her grandnephew — and only remaining family member — Lt. Dinny Custus finds himself, through no fault of his own, in serious trouble. Foxy teams up with her old friend Lord Ainsworth and steps back into the sinister world of intelligence and intrigue.

This book threw me for a loop. I expected a historical mystery with a side of political intrigue. The Lusitania Code, however, is a viper’s nest of political intrigue with a side of mystery. Robertson burrows deep.

Long before The Secret Adversary was mentioned, I was catching more than a hint of Tommy and Tuppence in the narration. The world-building is immaculate; I could easily believe this book was written in the 1920s. The dialogue reflects that authenticity — I even looked up a few phrases to confirm, and yes, they were period-appropriate. The character development is rich and layered, and the relationships feel complex and believable.

Choose your analogy — viper’s nest, spider web, den of slavering wolves — they all apply to the story’s structure. Robertson clearly knows her history. This is not fiction floating in isolation, but a narrative grounded in real events and political tensions, which adds both realism and a certain unease. The personal tragedies are visceral and not always comfortable to read.

This is a dense book. At 308 pages, it carries the weight and momentum of something much longer. The sections on Room 40 and codebreaking are especially fascinating. Only one paragraph struck me as superfluous, and even that added texture to Foxy’s character.

A few elements did muddy the waters slightly. The oil-on-the-lug-nuts detail didn’t quite track for me. Flashbacks sometimes begin or end without a clear signal, which can be momentarily jarring. The poetry — lovely in itself — is heavily concentrated in the first third and then disappears, though literary references continue. A more even distribution, or trimming one piece, might improve balance.

My only significant reservation concerns the use of real historical figures and contested theories as central pillars of the plot. Fiction can blur perception, and when real people are involved, that line deserves careful handling. Two historical figures emerge in a harsh light; a third was, to my knowledge, accurately depicted. While this didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the story, it’s something readers may want to keep in mind.

Ultimately, I rated The Lusitania Code according to its strengths: it’s a brilliant story, an impressive fiction debut, and one I thoroughly enjoyed — while still noting that concern.

This novel will appeal to mystery readers, particularly fans of Agatha Christie, who enjoy dense, calculated storytelling. It offers drama, suspense, romance, and danger. I especially appreciated that Foxy is not a bright young ingénue but a seasoned protagonist with depth and presence. Just remember: this is fiction.

Thank you to Level Best Books for the opportunity to read The Lusitania Code. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley, and I am writing this review voluntarily.