Author: Emma Parry
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Zando
Book Release Date: April 28, 2026
Pages: 309
Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: A riveting reimagining of the young woman who almost ended the American Revolution.
Philadelphia in the 1770s. Peggy Shippen longs for the war she’s living through to end. Though not always appreciated at home, she finds her curiosity is welcomed by a lively and influential circle of friends, including a glamorous rising star in the British army, Captain John André.
When the war separates them, Peggy is devastated—both by his absence and the horrors of ongoing conflict—before finding consolation in a man whose heroics for the Patriots have captured the world’s imagination: General Benedict Arnold.
As she trades Loyalist balls for Patriot salons, entertaining the most prominent figures of early America, and navigating the country’s lethal political currents, she conceives of an audacious scheme to achieve peace and her family’s survival, unleashing what would become the most famous act of treason in history.
When uncertainty and bloodshed are the only constants, Mrs. Benedict Arnold asks, how far will one woman go for safety?
My Review: Peggy Shippen Arnold is known for being one of the most famous femme fatales of the American Revolution. She has been known for being involved in her husband, General Benedict Arnold’s plot to betray the Patriots with the British. This novel retells her act of treason from her perspective. In this novel, Peggy persuades her husband to betray the Patriots. It also tells us of the reasons why she betrayed her country.
Peggy Shippen Arnold has often been seen in a negative light because she was a spy for Great Britain. I was curious to read this novel because she seemed like a fascinating figure and her story seemed like a soap opera. After reading this book, I came away from having greatly disliked her character. Peggy is a socialite who loves parties. She becomes easily smitten with various men throughout the novel. She is a loyalist because she is smitten with a British spy. Peggy also lacks common sense. She is selfish and flighty. Therefore, I could not relate to her, and did not care about her story.
Overall, this book is about betrayal, love, and war. Except for Peggy, I found the other characters to have more development. I also liked the cameos of other famous figures in the book like Eliza Hamilton and Theodosia Burr. I did think that the book moved slowly in the beginning. However, the plot picked up halfway through the novel. I thought that this book is very well-written, and Mrs. Parry did an excellent job in making colonial America come alive. There was enough political intrigue and drama to keep the reader invested! I recommend this book for fans of My Dear Hamilton, Becoming Lady Washington, and The Secret Wife of Aaron Burr!
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
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