The Temptress: The Scandalous Life of Alice, Countess de Janze by Paul Spicer

From TheBookbag
Revision as of 14:52, 9 April 2018 by Sue (talk | contribs)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigationJump to search


The Temptress: The Scandalous Life of Alice, Countess de Janze by Paul Spicer

1847399142.jpg
Buy The Temptress: The Scandalous Life of Alice, Countess de Janze by Paul Spicer at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Category: Biography
Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Sue Magee
Reviewed by Sue Magee
Summary: The type of biography which reads like a good story with mystery thrown in. Recommended.
Buy? Yes Borrow? Yes
Pages: 320 Date: February 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 978-1847399144

Share on: Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn



Happy Valley in Kenya was an idyllic setting. The high altitude made for a benign climate and the farms were owned by colonial settlers who became the 'White Mischief' set of the nineteen forties. They farmed their estates, partied the night away and extra-marital affairs were the norm. Author Paul Spicer's mother was loosely involved with the set and he uses the connection to good effect to tell the story of the life of Alice, Countess de Janzé – a beguiling and volatile woman who always thought more of her animals than of her children.

The book is the story of her short and tumultuous life, from her beginnings in Buffalo New York as a member of the rich and powerful Silverthorne family, through her time in Paris when she met and married Count Frederic de Janzé and her life her Kenya, where she originally went because it improved her health and loved it so much that she made her life there – leaving her two daughters behind with relatives. Her marriage had never been strong and Alice was readily tempted into affairs with Josslyn Hay and others. Hay – later to be Lord Erroll – was murdered in his car in the early hours of the morning and the husband of his then mistress stood trial for his murder, but Spicer presents an impressive argument that the killer was in fact Alice.

The research is impressive, ranging as it does across three continents, several decades and a time of war. It's worn lightly though, with the book reading more like a good story with added mystery elements. I found it very hard to put down, despite the fact that I knew the basics of the story before I started reading. It's got everything that you need to tempt you to keep reading – French aristocrats, an American heiress, a louche society where anything seemed to be allowed and a mysterious death. It's salacious and if that's what appeals to you then you'll enjoy this book.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

For more about the 'White Mischief' set we can recommend The Bolter by Frances Osborne.

Please share on: Facebook Facebook, Follow us on Twitter Twitter and Follow us on Instagram Instagram

Buy The Temptress: The Scandalous Life of Alice, Countess de Janze by Paul Spicer at Amazon You can read more book reviews or buy The Temptress: The Scandalous Life of Alice, Countess de Janze by Paul Spicer at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
Buy The Temptress: The Scandalous Life of Alice, Countess de Janze by Paul Spicer at Amazon You can read more book reviews or buy The Temptress: The Scandalous Life of Alice, Countess de Janze by Paul Spicer at Amazon.com.

Comments

Like to comment on this review?

Just send us an email and we'll put the best up on the site.