In Edwardian London, not all that glitters is gold as a lady and an intelligence officer's secret mission take them from the city's dazzling ballrooms to its covert intelligence offices.
Sir Merritt Livingstone has spent a decade serving the monarch in the field, but when pneumonia lands him behind a desk in the War Office Intelligence Division just as they're creating a new secret intelligence branch, he's intent on showing his worth. He suspects an aristocrat of leaking information to Germany as tensions mount between the two countries, but he needs someone to help him prove it, so he turns to The Imposters, Ltd. No one knows who they are, but their results are beyond compare.
Left with an estate on the brink of bankruptcy after their father's death, Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother open a private investigation firm for the elite to spy on the elite. Dubbed The Imposters, Ltd., their anonymous group soon becomes the go-to for the crème of society who want answers delivered surreptitiously. But the many secrets Marigold learns about her peers pale in comparison to her shock when she and her brother are hired to investigate her best friend's father as a potential traitor.
Lady Marigold is determined to discover the truth for her friend's sake, and she's more determined still to keep her heart from getting involved with this enigmatic new client . . . who can't possibly be as noble as he seems.
Lionfeathers! It's been a minute since I've read/reviewed a book by Roseanna M. White. (Okay... maybe since like February, but it feels like longer...) I really thought, once upon a time, that Lost Heiress was my favorite. And then it was A Name Unknown. And then Portrait of Loyalty. And every book between. But honestly, I'm really digging Beautiful Disguise right now and I don't know what to say about that except that this author literally always keeps me engaged with her quick wit, likeable characters, and the fact that she really does cameo her characters in other books, which keeps me happy when I have to leave certain favorites behind. (Looking at you, Brooke, Margot, and Barclay!) And tell me why, the Imposters are just such a special and unique troupe of characters. I love them ALL. (Although, I'd pay good money to know what Gemma and Graham are fighting about! Sheesh!) I love that Marigold is so good at what she does. I love that Merritt sees the real her. I adore that Yates is such a doting tease of a little brother. I love that Leonidas is exactly who he is. I love that the Caesars stay and take care of Marigold and Yates still. I love that I got caught off guard there at the end because I did not see the ending coming like that. Yes, if you enjoy elements of suspense, theatre, the circus, the London Season, pre-WW1 espionage, and subtle (or not so subtle) humor, take a flying leap on your trapeze and for pete's sake read the book. It's so good, I swear.
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