The Secret Life of Violet Grant

by Beatriz Williams

Book Overview

A story of love and intrigue that travels from Kennedy-era Manhattan to World War I Europe from the New York Times bestselling author of Her Last Flight and Husbands & Lovers.

Fresh from college, irrepressible Vivian Schuyler defies her wealthy Fifth Avenue family to work at cutthroat Metropolitan magazine. But this is 1964, and the editor dismisses her...until a parcel lands on Vivian's Greenwich Village doorstep...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425274845
• ISBN13: 9780425274842
• Release Date: May 2015
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 528 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.2" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

4 stars

THE SECRET LIFE OF VIOLET GRANT by Beatriz Williams Y’all already know historical fiction is my favorite genre. That said, I don’t often choose to read historical romances as they tend to veer into eye roll territory for me. However, this one surprised me. It’s a fun yet serious historical mystery with a bit of romance thrown in. Set in 1964 New York with flashbacks to pre-WWI Germany in 1914, this story follows Vivian Schuyler as she tries to piece together the story behind the disappearance of her great-Aunt Violet Grant. Violet Grant (allegedly) murdered her much older husband and ran off with her lover as war tensions escalate in Germany. All Vivian has to go by are the contents of a valise that once belonged to Violet and a few letters addressed to her other aunt. What I enjoyed the most about this was the banter between Vivian and the other characters. Vivian’s sarcasm, humor, feisty wit and observations had me chuckling as I was reading. While the romance aspect of this was a little ridiculous at times. I found myself invested in it toward the end. Overall, this has just enough mystery and history to keep me interested, entertained and reading well into the night. Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

Fun read; enjoyed it immensely

A quirky protagonist and fast moving story.

Very witty protagonist! The characters are probably more interesting than the actual story (which was pretty good too). Being from NY I got a real kick out of the sarcasm and semi-outrageous banter between the upper crust 1960s NYC contingent.