The Countess of Prague: Book One    by Stephen Weeks Order:  USA  Can Poisoned Pen, 2017 (2017) Hardcover, Softcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth The cover of The Countess of Prague by Stephen Weeks would be enough to entice me to own a copy. And the contents of this fascinating novel live up to the promise given by the cover. This, the first of a series of ten books – the first opening in 1904, the last in 1914 – engulfs the reader in the world politics of those times. Europe, not yet involved in the war that loomed, is in turmoil. Born to a noble Czech father and an English mother, Beatrice von Falklenburg (Trixie, as she is known to her friends) is restless. Marriage has not offered a life she wants to live, so she organizes her days around her own interests and expects her aristocratic but impoverished husband to do the same. Growing apart from her husband, she just can't bring herself to take a lover. Her Uncle Berty is a fixture in her life. When an old man once under his military command is killed, she decides to investigate. Traveling wherever her questions take her, she finds herself involved with common people as well as aristocrats. She enters a whole new world in which she feels she was destined to live and realizes she loves what she is doing. She begins to see her servants in a different light – as real people who live their own lives. If you have been to Prague, you will love to follow Trixie through the elite section of that old beautiful city. If not, you will put Prague on your bucket list. You will also visit the seamier side which could be the poorer side of any city, but with lots of historic spots not to be missed. 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