The King's Justice: A Maggie Hope Mystery

The King's Justice: A Maggie Hope Mystery

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  • Create Date：2021-02-04 04:17:04
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Susan Elia MacNeal
  • ISBN：9781984819598
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Editor Reviews

How far can a multitalented woman be pushed before she breaks？ British-born， American-raised Maggie Hope has held an amazing series of jobs since moving to war-torn London。 She's worked for Winston Churchill， traveled as a spy to Berlin and Paris， and escaped from a Scottish island where someone has been killing exiled Special Operations Executive agents。 。 。 。 And she's [now] faced with a new serial murder case when suitcases filled with bones turn up in the Thames。 。 。 。 A bit of code-breaking and some deeper insight into Reitter break open the case but put Maggie in the killer's crosshairs。 Action-packed， intertwined mysteries featuring an introspective heroine and packed with little-known historical details。”—Kirkus Reviews

“Vivid descriptions of devastated London and distinctive， emotionally flawed characters enhance a plot that builds to a wicked twist。 This enjoyable effort will inspire those new to MacNeal to seek out earlier entries。””—Publishers Weekly

“I have read and loved every single one of the Maggie Hope mysteries。 In her ninth， The King’s Justice， Susan Elia MacNeal raises the bar。 Maggie faces old enemies， new killers， and her personal demons—not to mention unexploded ordinance—with an extra helping of her own special brand of derring-do。 Longtime readers will be richly rewarded and first-timers will be made instant fans by this taut， breathtaking， and authentic read。”—Pam Jenoff， New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris

“In The King’s Justice， Maggie Hope， a veteran of missions for the Special Operations Executive， is suffering from what we now call PTSD and doing it none too quietly。 The mystery is riveting， but Maggie’s emotional journey is at the heart of this superb novel as she struggles to come to grips with the impact of the violence she has endured， as did so many。 I devoured this story。”—James R。 Benn， author of When Hell Struck Twelve and other Billy Boyle WWII mysteries

“Susan Elia MacNeal spins another rousing tale featuring gutsy Maggie Hope。 Once again， MacNeal deftly weaves a fast-paced mystery with enticing historical detail， but this time gives us a fully realized exploration of a psychologically wounded but still determined survivor of the darkness of war。 。 。 。 A multilayered thriller that will keep you up all night reading！”—Melanie Benjamin， New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator's Wife and The Swans of Fifth Avenue
 
“The King’s Justice is gripping。 It is reality， gritty and frightening。 I feel the cold， the fear， and the courage。 The very air of it exists on the edges of my own memory。”—Anne Perry， bestselling author of Death in Focus
 
“With any luck the adventures of red-haired super-sleuth Maggie Hope will go on forever。 Maggie makes for an appealingly damaged heroine， struggling to overcome the emotional scars that espionage and murder have left on her soul， losing herself in cigarettes， scotch， and risk-taking—but the war won’t allow Maggie much in the way of rest， as a serial killer， a missing Stradivarius， and the sensational murder trial of her last antagonist collide in a new series of challenges。 Taut， well-plotted， and suspenseful， this is a wartime mystery to sink your teeth into。”—Kate Quinn， New York Times bestselling author of The Huntress

“Inimitable， indefatigable， intrepid—there simply are not enough good adjectives to describe Maggie Hope。 The latest installment of Susan Elia MacNeal’s masterful series brings us a wiser and wounded Maggie， one who defuses bombs and buzzes around London on her motorbike， drowning her demons in pink gin and pitting her wits against a serial killer determined to have the last laugh。 I was riveted from the first page to the last， rooting for Maggie all the way。 Reading her latest adventure is like walking a tightrope made of razor wire。”—Deanna Raybourn， New York Times bestselling author of A Murderous Relation
 
“Set in wartime London 1943， Susan Elia MacNeal’s latest Maggie Hope novel， The King’s Justice， is a powerfully emotional work that poses difficult questions for Maggie as she searches for justice。 Or is it actually vengeance she wants？ Perhaps redemption？ A charismatic but severely damaged heroine， Maggie’s a ticking bomb， not unlike the dangerous， unexploded ordnance it’s her job to defuse daily。 The King’s Justice is a poetically nuanced portrayal of London in war， twisted souls， and hard moral choices。 But more than anything else—and best of all—it’s a brilliant novel featuring a very human Wonder Woman。”—James W。 Ziskin
 
“A new Maggie Hope mystery is always cause for joy， and The King’s Justice proves once again that Susan Elia MacNeal sits at the top of her genre。 Beautifully written and meticulously researched， this novel immerses readers in the threadbare vibrancy of wartime London and the moral complexity at the heart of justice， as Maggie battles her own despair to track down a murderer of extraordinary depravity。 MacNeal spins yet another superb yarn that will leave you yearning for the next。” –Beatriz Williams

From the Publisher

Reviews

NJ_Reader19 ，

War is hell， and the latest in the Maggie Hope series shows the impact on the civilians left behind as well as those who don't do their fighting on the front lines。 Maggie is dealing with her disillusionment with the SOE as well as likely PTSD by smoking， drinking， and defusing bombs。 I enjoyed this outing with Maggie， but hope that she can find at least a small measure of peace and happiness in the next book。 Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC。

Nikki ，

Maggie Hope has had an eventful war， and it's only early 1943。 Burned out from espionage work， she's doing bomb disposal in London， drinking and smoking too much， and in a complicated and unconsummated relationship with Scotland Yard inspector James Durgin。 SPOILER ALERTHarking back to the previous book， the serial killer she narrowly escaped and helped to arrest is now scheduled for execution， about which Maggie is ambivalent。Many of her coworkers are conscientious objectors and "Britalians" -- Maggie Hope has had an eventful war， and it's only early 1943。 Burned out from espionage work， she's doing bomb disposal in London， drinking and smoking too much， and in a complicated and unconsummated relationship with Scotland Yard inspector James Durgin。 SPOILER ALERTHarking back to the previous book， the serial killer she narrowly escaped and helped to arrest is now scheduled for execution， about which Maggie is ambivalent。Many of her coworkers are conscientious objectors and "Britalians" -- sons of Italian immigrants， suspect and constantly in fear of internment as enemy aliens like their parents。 Maggie sees one of them being given a white feather in a pub （as they are not in uniform）， a holdover from World War I。 Meanwhile， Inspector Durgin is concerned with discoveries of skeletons in suitcases along the Thames -- each found with a white feather。I'm not a huge fan of serial killer novels， and here's one of my favorite authors with two in a row。 But MacNeal has concentrated on the victims and the detectives without dwelling inside the killer's mind， which is less distasteful。 Maggie Hope once again has a lot of feelings about the need for secrecy even when it can cost lives。 MacNeal also does a great job of showing what life in wartime London was like in Maggie's interactions with her friends and housemates， as well as the other bomb disposal workers。 All in all， an excellent entry in the series; I can hardly wait for The Hollywood Spy。 。。。more

Carolyn ，

WOW！ What a spectacular book！ Susan Elia MacNeal never ceases to amaze me with the meticulous details she finds in her research related to WWII。 She is brilliant in the way she intricately weaves those details into her story。 I am a history nut and I knew several of the tidbits in this particular story， but had no idea about most of the situations she includes here and it was fascinating。 This particular book， with our favorite heroine Maggie Hope， was a thrill a minute ride。 To watch Maggie's c WOW！ What a spectacular book！ Susan Elia MacNeal never ceases to amaze me with the meticulous details she finds in her research related to WWII。 She is brilliant in the way she intricately weaves those details into her story。 I am a history nut and I knew several of the tidbits in this particular story， but had no idea about most of the situations she includes here and it was fascinating。 This particular book， with our favorite heroine Maggie Hope， was a thrill a minute ride。 To watch Maggie's character change from the very first book （"Mr。 Churchill's Secretary"） to this 9th book has been startling。 In this latest story， Maggie is suffering with what we now know as PTSD。 Is it any wonder？ To go from an athletic， honorable， naive， idealistic young woman to a chain smoking， hard drinking， reckless， adrenaline chasing cynic？ Frankly， I am surprised she still has any sanity left after all of her experiences。 But， even what sanity she has left is fragile in this book。 The murders and mysteries here will， once again， have you on the edge of your seat。 The writing is， as always， stellar。 Ah， Maggie。Another outstanding book in one of my favorite series of books。 Goodness knows how long we must wait for the next book。 But， I will be waiting for the next installment， as always。 ;） 。。。more

Michelle Connell ，

I was confused by the beginning and thought I had missed a book。 But the plot continued on from the case and involved the man sentenced to hang。 I also didn't like seeing Maggie so destructive， but she dealt with her demons later in the story。 Other than this， an excellent story！ I was confused by the beginning and thought I had missed a book。 But the plot continued on from the case and involved the man sentenced to hang。 I also didn't like seeing Maggie so destructive， but she dealt with her demons later in the story。 Other than this， an excellent story！ 。。。more

Tina Siegel ，

Maggie volunteers for a job that nobody wants and only she could do。 The mental， emotional， and physical cost is significant。 War rages on and she begins to understand the horror unfolding in Eastern Europe。

Pam Jenoff ，

Have you read the Maggie Hope mystery series， set during World War II？ In the latest installment， Maggie tracks down a stolen Stradivarius violin while investigating a serial killer in wartime London。 Terrific！

Amy Zupancic ，

Predictable plot， but much better than the previous title in this series。 I keep reading these books because they are easy reads that don’t require much thought， perfect for an audiobook listen when I’m doing laundry， etc。 They aren’t great works of literature， but they are “okay” historical mystery/suspense titles。

GERRY Hermans ，

Maggie joins a bomb diffusion squad in London。 She becomes reluctantly involved in the investigation of murders & bones packed in suitcases & dumped into the Thames。 There are white feathers sent to conscientious objectors of whom one is Mary's co-worker。 There's a serial killer & a copycat， a mysterious woman who saves Maggie's life。 Add to all this is a missing irreplaceable valuable violin。 Maggie fights her demons & her past。 What does the future hold for her？ Suspense to the end。 Maggie joins a bomb diffusion squad in London。 She becomes reluctantly involved in the investigation of murders & bones packed in suitcases & dumped into the Thames。 There are white feathers sent to conscientious objectors of whom one is Mary's co-worker。 There's a serial killer & a copycat， a mysterious woman who saves Maggie's life。 Add to all this is a missing irreplaceable valuable violin。 Maggie fights her demons & her past。 What does the future hold for her？ Suspense to the end。 。。。more

Sue ，

Ai had a hard time with this one。 Jumped around lots

Kristine Thurston ，

Always a treat。 I look forward to each new Maggie Hope。 Well researched and well written， these mysteries feel "just right" for a weekend （or any time） escape。 Always a treat。 I look forward to each new Maggie Hope。 Well researched and well written， these mysteries feel "just right" for a weekend （or any time） escape。 。。。more

Nicola Wilks ，

This series jumped the shark ages ago。 I'm officially calling it quits。 This series jumped the shark ages ago。 I'm officially calling it quits。 。。。more

Laurie ，

A favorite series！

Elyse ，

Always enjoy reading a Maggie Hope mystery！

Julia ，

Maggie is a little off the rails in this book after living through all the drama of the last eight books。 Now she's a bomb defuser in London and reluctantly gets drawn into a murder investigation and a Stradivarius violin theft。 A quick， easy read。 Maggie Hope never disappoints！ Maggie is a little off the rails in this book after living through all the drama of the last eight books。 Now she's a bomb defuser in London and reluctantly gets drawn into a murder investigation and a Stradivarius violin theft。 A quick， easy read。 Maggie Hope never disappoints！ 。。。more

Kellie ，

Not my favorite of this series。 So many loose ends that weren't tied up。 Yet， there will be another hopefully a better one in the future。。。。 Not my favorite of this series。 So many loose ends that weren't tied up。 Yet， there will be another hopefully a better one in the future。。。。 。。。more

Collette Mcdonough ，

Another amazing book in the Maggie Hope series。

Linda Baker ，

The ninth mystery in the Maggie Hope Mysteries is set in London in 1943。 The Blitz is seemingly over， but the city is in ruins。 After her experiences since the beginning of the War， one could say that Maggie is in ruins herself。 The things she saw and did working as a spy behind enemy lines have left her disillusioned and wondering if she has taken the wrong path。 Maggie feels betrayed by her government and is taking a leave from the SOE。 She still has a talent for solving murders， but the last The ninth mystery in the Maggie Hope Mysteries is set in London in 1943。 The Blitz is seemingly over， but the city is in ruins。 After her experiences since the beginning of the War， one could say that Maggie is in ruins herself。 The things she saw and did working as a spy behind enemy lines have left her disillusioned and wondering if she has taken the wrong path。 Maggie feels betrayed by her government and is taking a leave from the SOE。 She still has a talent for solving murders， but the last one she helped Scotland Yard with was the Blackout Beast， Nicholas Reitter， a serial murderer who was terrorizing the city。 Her up-close and personal encounter with Reitter almost cost her life。 Her escape is drinking too much， smoking too much， riding a motorbike at high speed， and de-fusing unexploded bombs in the streets of London。 Most of the men she works with are conscientious objectors and "Britalians"， British citizens of Italian extraction。 War has changed Maggie in ways she never expected。 Her "boyfriend"， Detective Chief Inspector James Durgin， is worried about her and wants to involve her in a new case， the theft of a Stradivarius。 Maggie is reluctant but agrees， not expecting the theft will intersect with another serial murderer operating in London， "Jimmy Greenteeth"。 This murderer targets not women but conscientious objectors， disposing of the bodies in a particularly gruesome fashion。 That makes it personal for Maggie。I had not read this series before， so I felt somewhat at a disadvantage at the beginning。 However， MacNeal brought me up to date on many of Maggie's very complicated life events without divulging them all。 Now I must start at the beginning of the series to catch up， not a chore！ The story drew me in with its vivid portrayal of wartime London immediately。 There is a wealth of historical detail about wartime measures of which I was unaware。 Even not at her best， Maggie is an engaging character who struggles with the moral complexity of living through War and surviving。 I am looking forward to finding out more about how this American girl landed in Britain and started as Mr。 Churchill's Secretary。 I highly recommend "The King's Justice'。Thanks to Bantam and NetGalley for a digital copy。 The opinions are my own。 。。。more

Reader57 ，

Maggie is dealing with PTSD but is aiming for that stiff upper lip of the British。 The “Blackout Beast” is sentenced to execution based mostly in her testimony and there is a another serial killer at work。 This one is killing young men who are conscientious objectors。 She tries not to get involved but she and the Beast have unfinished business。 Kind of heavy stuff for a Maggie Hope mystery。

Ksb Nh ，

An excellent series。 I recommend reading them in sequence。 This mystery involves a serial killer （‘sequential murderer’ to the police） on death row。

Mary ，

This book is historical in nature and set in London。 in December of 1942。 Maggie is a secret agent that carries a lot of past history with her。 She is called upon to investigate the theft of a very fine violin--a Stradivarius。 In the process， she uncovers a serial killer that ultimately leads to another serial killer。 She also spends time diffusing bombs from the war that are unexploded and hidden in the rumbles of London。 It is an intriguing story and enjoyable to read。

Bridget ，

Goodness， I'm excited for book 10。This is definitely a darker story that sort of strips the romance that a lot of books have regarding the WWII era。 While I wouldn't say this is my favorite book in the series， it sets the stage for book 10 very nicely， teasing a new mystery and a new setting that makes me wonder how soon I can pre-order book 10。That said， I read this thing in about a day。 Cheers to my favorite series！ :） Goodness， I'm excited for book 10。This is definitely a darker story that sort of strips the romance that a lot of books have regarding the WWII era。 While I wouldn't say this is my favorite book in the series， it sets the stage for book 10 very nicely， teasing a new mystery and a new setting that makes me wonder how soon I can pre-order book 10。That said， I read this thing in about a day。 Cheers to my favorite series！ :） 。。。more

Carol Brite ，

I have enjoyed this series。 I love historical novels， and this series is set in WWII。 Unfortunately， I am beginning to get tired of it。 The author has too many stories going on at once in each book。 I am ready for the series to be over。 I have tried to keep going with the series， but I hate it when an author drags a series out too long。 These authors need to look at Agatha Christie if they want to have a multiple books with the same character。 Each book needs to be complete。 It should be able to I have enjoyed this series。 I love historical novels， and this series is set in WWII。 Unfortunately， I am beginning to get tired of it。 The author has too many stories going on at once in each book。 I am ready for the series to be over。 I have tried to keep going with the series， but I hate it when an author drags a series out too long。 These authors need to look at Agatha Christie if they want to have a multiple books with the same character。 Each book needs to be complete。 It should be able to stand alone。 If the next book is the last in the series， I will read it; but if it is not， I will not continue the series。 。。。more

Christina Coward ，

Susan Elia MacNeal’s new book in the Maggie Hope series is a must read。 It’s 1943 and Maggie is home from being held captive on the “forbidden Island” off the coast of Scotland and is just not herself。 She is drinking too much， smoking like a chimney， riding around London on a motorbike and basically being reckless in all areas of her life。 She has left the SOE and is currently defusing bombs to pass her time。 This dangerous new job gives her the rush of adrenaline that she's missing in life and Susan Elia MacNeal’s new book in the Maggie Hope series is a must read。 It’s 1943 and Maggie is home from being held captive on the “forbidden Island” off the coast of Scotland and is just not herself。 She is drinking too much， smoking like a chimney， riding around London on a motorbike and basically being reckless in all areas of her life。 She has left the SOE and is currently defusing bombs to pass her time。 This dangerous new job gives her the rush of adrenaline that she's missing in life and it’s a way to stay busy and ignore the nightmares that plague her sleep。 The trial of the Blackout Beas， Nicolas Reitter， has her on edge as she just wants to move on with her life but cannot with his fate is undecided。 While Nicolas Reitter sits in a cell waiting to be executed， human bones in suitcases are turning up on the Thames。 Chief Inspector Durgin is trying to put the pieces together without alerting the public， but Maggie is as usual， one step ahead and faster than the law in solving crimes。 How are these new crimes related to Nicolas？ Is there a connection with a missing priceless Stradivarius violin and the suitcases of bones？ Mysterious hospital deaths， white feathers being delivered to conscientious war objectors and of course Maggie’s MIA mom all contribute to the climax at the end of the book！ Not only was this an amazing mystery， but there were many social issues that makes one think…death penalty vs life sentence， and PTSD-the after effects from war/battle stay with you and follow you wherever you go and as a result has to be dealt with rather than ignoring。 。。。more

La ，

Maggie Hope is in a bad way at the beginning of this one， fighting her demons with a disregard for her own safety。 Dragged into another murder investigation， her adventure kept me on my toes - hoping for the capture of this killer and for the salvation of Maggie。 Page turner！！！

Lynn Strand ，

Another fabulous grown up Nancy Drew story。 Love Maggie Hope！

Scilla ，

Maggie is now defusing bombs in London。 The Blackout Monster is behind bars waiting for execution， but there is a new serial murderer know as Jimmy Greensleeves who is targeting young men who are conscientious objectors （which includes Maggie's friends on the bomb squad）。 The killer puts the cleaned bones in a suitcase and drops them from a bridge into the Thames。 Maggie is smoking， drinking a lot， and driving a motorcycle recklessly。 Reiter claims he may know who the new killer is， but he will Maggie is now defusing bombs in London。 The Blackout Monster is behind bars waiting for execution， but there is a new serial murderer know as Jimmy Greensleeves who is targeting young men who are conscientious objectors （which includes Maggie's friends on the bomb squad）。 The killer puts the cleaned bones in a suitcase and drops them from a bridge into the Thames。 Maggie is smoking， drinking a lot， and driving a motorcycle recklessly。 Reiter claims he may know who the new killer is， but he will only talk to Maggie。 Meanwhile， the Stradivarius violin belonging to a famous violinist is stolen， and Durgin wants Maggie to help look into it。When one of Maggie's bomb squad friends disappears， Maggie has to get involved into looking for the new serial killer。 She finds a suspect and a link to the violin as she is in a very bad situation！ This is a very good， suspenseful WWII novel。 。。。more

Muff ，

Generally I avoid books about serial killers， but Maggie’s experiences in WWII London kept me reading。 The best part is about defusing UXBs。 She seems to be resolving some of her rage and fellings of impotence。

Gladys ，

overall enjoyable

Julie ，

I have enjoyed all Maggie's books and keep coming back for more！ I have enjoyed all Maggie's books and keep coming back for more！ 。。。more

Jim Cole ，

I'm a huge fan of this series， butt this one could be titled "Maggie Hope Has PTSD"。 Still better than the eighth book of the series， but nowhere near as good as the first seven。 I'm a huge fan of this series， butt this one could be titled "Maggie Hope Has PTSD"。 Still better than the eighth book of the series， but nowhere near as good as the first seven。 。。。more

Jamey Johnston ，

Excellent as always！ Maggie Hope is my hero！