A Novel
by Alexandra Joel
Pub Date 07 Sep 2021
This was a fun and absorbing read set in both Australia and England.
Protagonist Blaise Hill grew up poor in Sydney. She has promise and wants a career. With the help of one of her teachers she secures a newspaper job. Blaise’s career will take her far, all the way to being the Royal Correspondent of the title.
Blaise’s early jobs taught her a lot about fashion so names like Yves St. Laurent, Mary Quant and Cecil Beaton make appearances in the novel. Her later career puts her in the midst of mid-century history; readers follow her as she covers Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones. Readers also meet John Profumo and Christine Keeler, and learn about spies including Kim Philby. It makes for a fascinating background.
This novel also has a romantic story line, family and friendships. Will Blaise find love with Charlie who seems to have it all; this includes a high government position, a family seat, charm and more. But…there is also the mysterious Adam Rule. He knows a dark secret from Blaise’s past; will he use this against her? Readers also get to know Blaise’s sister Ivy who contracted polio and the close friends with whom Blaise lives in England. Readers will be turning the pages as they await the resolution of the novel’s several strands.
Ms. Joel writes an interesting note at the end of the novel sharing her inspiration and resources. This background places the book in context.
The Royal Correspondent reads easily and I always looked forward to picking it up. Here is a good escapist read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 
Espionage is all too topsy turvy as you mostly only read about spies who got caught out! If Kim Philby had never been challenged there would never have been a stamp or monument in his name even if he was Monty’s cousin. If only he had read the epic spy novel Beyond Enkription in #TheBurlingtonFiles series. Little wonder Beyond Enkription is mandatory reading on some countries’ intelligence induction programs and has been heralded by one US critic as “being up there with My Silent War by Kim Philby and No Other Choice by George Blake”. See https://theburlingtonfiles.org/news_2022.10.31.php.
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