Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Freshly graduated from a rigorous training program in all things spy craft, former typist Evelyne Redfern is eager for her first assignment as a field agent helping Britain win the war. However, when she learns her first task is performing a simple security test at Blackthorn Park, a requisitioned manor house in the sleepy Sussex countryside, she can’t help her initial disappointment. Making matters worse, her handler is to be David Poole, a fellow agent who manages to be both strait-laced and dashing in annoyingly equal measure. However, Evelyne soon realizes that Blackthorn Park is more than meets the eye, and an upcoming visit from Winston Churchill means that security at the secret weapons research and development facility is of the utmost importance.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

October 2024; Minotaur Books; 978-1250865519
audio, ebook, print (320 pages); historical mystery

I've been reading Julia Kelly's books for a few years and love her historical fiction stories. Last year she branched out with a mystery series. I wasn't sure if I would be as happy with it as I am with her stand-alone novels. I completely enjoyed A Traitor in Whitehall and was excited to read the next book in the series, Betrayal at Blackthorn. It did not disappoint.

I really like the main characters Evelyne Redfern and David Poole. They work well together and while the series is named for Evelyne and she takes the lead on the investigations, I feel like they are very much a partnership. And they have real chemistry. 

Of course, I like the time period as WWII is my favorite time period to read about. I guess Evelyne and David could be sent into Europe, they are currently investigating on home front and it gives the reader insight into the war efforts in England.

This book is set at an engineering lab. I find it funny that the lab was set up in a country manor. Are there no labs at Oxford or Cambridge? Since Kelly's literary roots are in historical fiction, I'm sure it is historically accurate.

I do like how she weaves history and mystery together. 

Speaking of the mystery - it is well done. It is intricate enough to keep your attention but not so convoluted that you can't figure it out. I figured out who did it before it was revealed but not the motive.

If you are looking for a fun book with great characters, then make sure you put this book on your list. (You don't have to read the first book but they are both such great reads, I don't know why you wouldn't read them both!)

Buy Betrayal at Blackthorn Park at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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