His Majesty's Hope    by Susan Elia MacNeal Order:  USA  Can Bantam, 2013 (2013) Softcover, CD, e-Book      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth If you haven't been reading the Maggie Hope series by Susan Elia MacNeal, where have you been? History buffs of the world should certainly have these four books on their personal library shelves. If for no other reason than to know history so we are not doomed to repeat it! The fantastic research that was necessary to produce four (hopefully the fifth will be available in the Fall) books recounting Britain's defense of their country during World War II makes that disastrous period of time come alive. My English friend Paddy has told me she was a little girl during the blitz. She remembers that time just as MacNeal depicts it. In previous novels, Maggie has made herself valuable to both Winston Churchill and King George VI. Even though (horrors) she is an insignificant woman, she is chosen for a very dangerous mission – to parachute behind enemy lines to deliver radio crystals to a British spy working disguised in Germany as well as to deliver an extremely vital message that could change the course of the war. Then she is to be picked up and taken back to London. Sound easy? But Maggie decides to disregard her orders and do some spying of her own. I remember this period of time. I was a little girl then, but old enough to have memories of black-out curtains, and neighborhood air raid wardens; saving bacon grease for the manufacture of munitions; peeling tin foil off cigarette packs for the war effort; ration stamps; flattening empty food tin cans to donate to the war effort; listening to Churchill as well as Roosevelt on the radio telling us all to be brave, support our fighting men and women, and remember the all-important slogan Loose Lips Sink Ships. I also recall receiving miniaturized letters from my brothers fighting in the Pacific. I think they were called v-mail. This series was suggested to me. I am so glad Maggie Hope came into my life. I have thoroughly enjoyed all four books and look forward to her continuing saga. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews