description Ha'penny Overview
Ha'penny is a 2007 alternate history detective novel by Canadian author Jo Walton, serving as the second installment in her Small Change series. Set in a late 1940s Britain where the government negotiated a peace with Nazi Germany, the story explores a totalitarian society steadily sliding into fascism. The narrative alternates between Inspector Peter Carmichael and Viola Lark, an actress drawn into a plot to assassinate the Prime Minister. The book blends the traditional murder mystery structure with political thriller elements, appealing to fans of speculative historical fiction.
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What is the plot of Jo Walton's alternate history novel Ha'penny?
Published in 2007, Ha'penny is set in an alternate 1940s Britain where the country has signed a peace treaty with Nazi Germany and is slowly sliding toward fascism. The plot follows a famous actress, Viola Lark, who gets coerced into participating in a conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler during a state visit.
Do I need to read the first Small Change book before Ha'penny?
While Ha'penny can be read as a standalone mystery, it is the second book in Jo Walton's Small Change trilogy, following Farthing. The books share the same overarching political timeline and recurring characters, but each focuses on a different protagonist, so reading Farthing first provides crucial context for the setting.
What is the significance of the title Ha'penny?
The title continues the series' theme of using pre-decimal British coins, starting with Farthing and Ha'penny, which were low-value currency pieces. The titles serve as a metaphor for how seemingly small, undervalued political compromises can compound into devastating societal consequences.
What genre does Ha'penny belong to?
Ha'penny is a brilliant blend of alternate history, espionage thriller, and cozy British mystery. Walton combines the locked-room and country-house murder tropes of classic Golden Age detective fiction with the grim, high-stakes reality of a totalitarian regime.
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