Member Reviews

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park is another well written historically based novel by Julia Kelly. A sequel to Traitor in Whitehall, both Evelyn and David return working as a spy team to solve a possible theft at a secret research facility where new weapons are being developed. Of course Evelyn stumbles upon a dead body and she and David are thrust into the center of the investigation. It did take me a while to keep all the male personnel at Blackthorn straight at first but they each provided a suspicion of possible suspects..
Evelyn once again proved to be a force to reckon with, especially given the time frame she is living in as she took over immediately, much to the chagrin of many of the males there. Her personality continued to evolve but my hope of a romance between she and David seems a distant possibility.
Hoping there will be a third book very soon!
Many thanks to Julia Kelly, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an arc of this glimpse into espionage in the days of Winston Churchill, published on October 1.

Was this review helpful?

I loved Evelyne, and her sassy spunky qualities. She is a perfect female protagonist for the time. She is borderline rude after having been polite to everyone but especially with any male characters. She is clever, intelligent, and believes in doing the right thing. Her relationship with David shows that there is an obvious growth there that I missed because I had not read the first novel, but that makes me want too even more.

I didn’t suspect the killer! I thought there was something shady and off about the individual, but it wasn’t being the murderer. I thought it was someone else, for the exact discovery that Evelyne made, and that makes the novel, and its plot well thought out.

Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

A good historical mystery series has become my catnip in recent years and Julia Kelly has created a great one that I find so entertaining. Betrayal at Blackthorn Park is the second in her Parisian Orphan series and I love spending time with Evelyne (and David).

Here’s the book’s description:

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.

When Evelyne discovers Blackthorn Park’s chief engineer dead in his office, her simple assignment becomes more complicated. Evelyne must use all of her—and David’s—detection skills to root out who is responsible and uncover layers of deception that could change the course of the war.

When I read books like this, I think about all the things that happened during World War II that we’ll just never know about. So many layers of secrets, not to mention the Official Secrets Act that actually prevented people from talking about what they did during the war for decades - if they even talked about it at all. It’s been fascinating to see books like Kelly’s being published. They take the bits that have been shared and declassified and turn them into entertaining - and enlightening - stories.

Kelly is a very good historical writer so I always feel like I’m right in the time period with the character while also never feeling like I’m inundated with unimportant details. It’s not an easy balance to strike, as I know from all the historical books I read, so I always appreciate Kelly’s skills with turning her vast research into a compelling narrative.

The mystery in this one was intriguing and I wasn’t sure who the killer was, or if there were more than one, or what their motivation was. The staging of the murders was clever (diabolical, but clever) and it showed off how good Evelyne and David are at their jobs. I think I struggled a little with the motivation of the murders but I suppose, in wartime, no one can be counted on to act rationally.

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park was just what I expected - and needed - from Julia Kelly’s second historical mystery novel. I’m thoroughly enjoying this series and can’t wait for the next installment.

In case you missed my review of the first book:

Review: A Traitor in Whitehall
Kaley
·
October 18, 2023
I’ve been happily reading Julia Kelly’s historical fiction novels since the publication of The Whispers of War in 2020 - which I LOVED (review here). I’m always excited when she has something new being published but I was especially excited when I learned her 2023 release would be a historical mystery.

Read full story
*An egalley of this novel was provided by the publisher, Minotaur, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Was this review helpful?

WWII mystery. In this book, former typist Evelyne Redfern has completed her training as a spy and is sent on her first mission. While her first mission is supposed to be an easy one, of course things become complicated. I enjoy the historical setting, the slow-burn romance developing between Evelyne and her colleague David, and the intelligent and resourceful protagonist.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

Was this review helpful?

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I will continue to read her books. A read with twists and turns that you will think that you are on an amusement park ride. Characters who clash throughout the story and you keep track of their interactions. A death at Blackthorn Park and a visit from Winston Churchill will have you on the edge of your seat to keep up with the action..
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the Publisher and leaving a review by my own accord.

Was this review helpful?

It is rare that I love the first book in the series (and really dislike the second . A Traitor at Whitehall was. 4.5 ⭐️ read for me so I was so excited for this book ! But … This second book in the series was honestly meh at best . I kept having to walk away from it because nothing much was happening and Evelyn was just annoying and David who was suppose to be the seasoned spy was nothing more than a sidekick detective at best .

My rating 2.5 ⭐️

Honestly in rounding up to 3 ⭐️ only because I loved the first book 🤦‍♀️

Was this review helpful?

“Betrayal at Blackthorn Park” by Julia Kelly is such a page-turner. It's got everything: romance, historical vibes, and a whole lot of secrets. Picture yourself in a posh English countryside estate, and you're already halfway there.

Kelly’s writing is like a paintbrush on canvas—so detailed, you can almost smell the roses in the garden. The characters? Super interesting. They've all got layers and hidden agendas that keep you guessing. The main character’s journey is a wild ride, full of twists and turns as she digs into her family's past.

What I loved most is how the book mixes an exciting plot with deep emotional moments. Themes of trust and betrayal are handled really well, making you think about the grey areas in life.

If you're into historical fiction and mysteries with a touch of drama, this book is right up your alley. It keeps you hooked till the last page.

Was this review helpful?

A twisty little murder mystery in the historical setting of WWII Britain. I liked the book. There were times when the story slowed down but was still enjoyable. There was obviously a prequell story that I missed so a few places were a bit confusing, but didn't really detract from the story.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you Netgalley, Minotaur Books and Julia Kelly.
This is the second installment in the series and I loved it just as much as I did the first.
Evelyn has graduated from her training as a spy and is sent on her first solo mission.
I love the good old detective work, clues and mischief they get into.
Evelyn is a wonderful character.
I surely hope the series continues
Highly recommend
4 stars

Was this review helpful?

Basing Book 2 of Kelly's Evelyne Redfern series on the English Country House mystery motif, our protagonist Evelyne ventures forth on her first assignment for the Special Investigations Unit. Combining the stately manor from Agatha Christie and the gritty reality of WWII, Book 2 picks up where A Traitor in Whitehall left off. The novel works well as a standalone title. Kelly has created characters who live within their time period. There are no anachronisms, and the setting grounds the reader in a time of major change and peril. Evelyn is an homage to the unsung women of that period. Still blocked by gender discrimination, her personality is self-assured, observant, and quick of thought. The plot combining historical, romance, and mystery takes careful plotting, and Kelly succeeds. Her mystery follows the rules of 'fair play,' and all the pieces are there for the careful reader to solve. Full disclosure: here I fell for a red herring (a misleading clue). I look forward to discovering more of the espionage intrigue of the characters from the Ungentlemanly Warfare sector. Recommended for all audiences, especially those unfamiliar with this time period.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity."

Was this review helpful?

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly – Intrigue and Mystery During WWII

If you enjoy a good story with mystery and intrigue, Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly may be the book for you. This is the second book in the Evelyne Redfern Mystery series.

Evelyne Redfern completed her training at the finishing school for the Special Investigations Unit. She has been summoned to headquarters to receive her first assignment. On her way, Evelyne encounters David Pool whom she had previously worked with. Evelyne is assigned to investigate an anonymous report that things have gone missing at Blackthorn Park, a facility that develops weapons. David has also been assigned. This time he will be Evelyne’s handler and not a field agent.

Under the cover of night, Evelyne makes her way through the grounds to the manor house. After picking the lock Evelyne hears a gunshot. She dashes up the stairs and enters Sir Nigel’s office and finds the man dead of what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Or is it? Is it connected to the report of missing supplies?

I love reading historical fiction, especially from the timeframe of WWII. Betrayal at Blackthorn Park was filled with mystery and intrigue.

I enjoyed reading this book because of the main characters Evelyne and David. Both characters were very likable and had an interesting relationship. There was some attraction between the two. But they were both professional and respected one another. The author did a good job in describing the scenes and characters so the reader can visualize them. There were lot of characters and many twists and turns. I was trying to guess whodunit based on the evidence and possible suspects. The book kept me guessing to the end.

I really enjoyed reading Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly and recommend it. This was the second book in the Evelyne Redfern Mystery series, but it worked well as a standalone book. Now I want to go back and read the first book in the series, A Traitor in Whitehall, and look forward to reading more of Julia Kelly’s books. If you like historical fiction, mysteries, intrigue, and WWII history, be sure to read this book.

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

Was this review helpful?

BETRAYAL AT BLACKTHORN PARK by Julia Kelly features the same two characters – trained operatives Evelyne Redfern and David Poole -- as her earlier WWII historical mystery, A Traitor in Whitehall. This time the action takes place primarily in the English countryside where Blackthorn Park is being used as a weapons research facility. Due to concern about missing materials, Redfern and Poole set out to investigate, but quickly confront a death – suicide or murder of Sir Nigel, the brilliant but brusque scientist who leads the engineers? All of this is a bit confusing initially because so many characters are introduced, but then the relationships and motives crystallize; plus, suspense develops further as newly manufactured weapons malfunction just prior to a visit from Winston Churchill. I agree with Publishers Weekly who said, "Most readers will be able to ferret out the culprit well before Evelyne and David do, but their simmering romantic chemistry and Kelly's talent for brisk pacing win out in the end." I also thoroughly enjoyed the AUDIO BOOK for BETRAYAL AT BLACKTHORN PARK which was narrated by Marisa Calin with her soft British accent and expressive voice. Looking forward to more in this series.

Was this review helpful?

Evelyne's first assignment as a spy during WWII is to Blacktorn Park where alternative bomb making and testing is taking place. Some of the supplies have been reported as missing and Evelyne is assigned to see if she can find out anything. But when she gets there, she comes across an administrator who's been murdered but it was covered up as a suicide. Evelyne, with the help of her handler David, must figure out what is going on at Blacktorn Park before the bombs manufactured there hurt more people or it becomes a wider problem.

This is a cozy historical fiction mystery and it actually the second in the series. I don't know that reading them in order is a must, but it did certainly give character insight into this one to have read
A Traitor at Whitehall first. I love the mix of historical fiction with a mystery angle, and I hope Julia Kelly keeps writing these! They are not too heavy or bloody while also being good.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

Was this review helpful?

This book is set during WWII, in England. Evelyne Redfern has been training to spy and to detect spies, and has been given her first assignment as a field agent. She was disappointed to see that Blackthorn Park - the place she was assigned - was a sleepy country estate. She quickly realizes that the estate is real, but also camouflage. Blackthorn Park's numerous outbuildings are places where new weapons are being developed and tested, and is important enough in the war effort that Winston Churchill is coming to visit.

Evelyne has a room on the estate but her handler, David Poole, has taken lodgings in the village. Then, two men are murdered, including the chief engineer. Since Evelyn and David just arrived and had alibis, the two of them begin the detective work of establishing where people were when the two men were killed. For those of us who love romance, there was a very tiny inkling of it. .

I enjoyed this book very much. This is the second book in a series, but it works well as a standalone book. I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher St. Martin's Press, and voluntarily read and reviewed it

Was this review helpful?

I was so happy to see another Evelyne book! I thoroughly enjoyed the first and am quite happy with her return.

Newly trained spy Evelyne views her first assigned task as a disappointment but little does she realize that there is more than she could imagine at Blackthorn Park. Murder ensues and it is a race to discover who the killer is. It was great to welcome back David...I can't wait to see where this partnership goes!

An enjoyable who-done-it and I am anxious for more.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Minotaur for my complimentary arc and to MacMillan Audio for my complimentary ALC of Betrayal at Blackthorn Park. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am happy to have Evelyne and David back!! They work well together. I really like how they interact and how David allows her to take charge on the investigation. Many things have changes since we last them, but it is a good change.

Just like an Agatha Christie novel, there are many twists and turns. You think you have it all figured out and BAM there is a twist.

Perfect if you enjoy:
Historical Fiction and mystery combined
WWII secret weapons
Strong Women
Agatha Christie Novels

Looking forward to the next installment, because that ending !! This is the second book in the series and made be read as a standalone. But do yourself a favor and read A Traitor in Whitehall.

Marisa Calin did a fabulous job with the narration.

Was this review helpful?

Evelyne Redfern was a typist in Churchill’s war rooms when she was introduced in A Traitor in Whitehall. After solving a murder and proving her abilities she was chosen to join the Special Investigative Unit (SIU). In Julia Kelly’s second book in the series she has completed intensive training and is ready to serve. As a new and untested agent her first assignment is less than exciting. An anonymous tip suggested a theft of materials from Blackthorn Park, a weapons research facility. She is to enter the facility at night to test their security. Her handler is David Poole, who worked with her on her murder investigation. As she enters the manor house through the servants’ area there is a gun shot. Dr. Nigel, the head of the project, is found dead in his office with his gun clutched in his hand. While everyone accepts it as a suicide, Evelyne suspects murder, which is confirmed by the coroner. Winston Churchill has a visit scheduled in three days, so Evelyne and David are under pressure to find answers.

Dr. Nigel was demanding and difficult to work with. He was also critical of his engineers’ designs. When he was contacted by the head of a training area where one of their inventions malfunctioned, he demanded an inventory of materials and a review of their suppliers. Whoever killed Dr. Nigel was familiar with the facility, leading Evelyne to believe that it was an employee. As she and David retrace Dr. Nigel’s steps in the days before his murder, question the staff and pour over reports, invoices and personnel files, another murder is staged as a suicide. The victim had also requested some of the files, where Evelyne believes they will find some of their answers to their investigation. The clock is ticking and they fear for Churchill’s safety. Evelyne and David work well together. Even though he has been assigned as her handler, he is more comfortable in the field. He treats Evelyne as an equal and recognizes her abilities. While he shows his concern for her and there is a hint of affection, they keep their relationship on a professional level. Kelly keeps you guessing to the end with her wartime mystery. It is atmospheric and moves at a brisk pace with a solid conclusion and a hint at what is to come, something that I am looking forward to. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press - Minotaur for providing this book.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed the second book in this series! Just as good as the first. I like the characters a lot. I like that David never overpowered Evelynne, he was a true partner. I sped through this in just over a day. Can’t wait for the next one!

Was this review helpful?

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is the 2nd book in the series but it was good as a stand alone book.

Taking place in WWII, Evelyne Redfern is eager for her first assignment as a field agent. She isn't happy that her first assignment is doing a security review of Blackthorn Park. A place where they are building explosives for the war. While there she stumbles into what at fist appears to be a suicide but ends up being a murder. Soon her handler, David, is there and the two are set on solving the murder. Can they solve it and another one before Churchill is expected to visit?

It was a fun read and was easy to keep up with the pace. I look forward to more in this series and reading her first one.

A solid 4/5 stars

Was this review helpful?

When I heard there was a second book coming from Julia Kelly in her Evelyne Redfern (Parisian Orphan) series, I couldn’t wait to read the new installment!

In book 2, we meet up with Evelyne freshly graduated from a rigorous training program in all things spy craft and eager for her first assignment as a field agent. She is once again teamed up with her erstwhile partner David Poole but is disappointed to learn her only task is to perform a simple security test at Blackthorn Park, a requisitioned manor house in the sleepy Sussex countryside during WW II. At Blackthorn Park, however, there is more than what meets the eye. Mystery and intrigue are ever present as Evelyne’s simple assignment is complicated by a double murder.

I thoroughly enjoyed following Evelyne and David as they worked together to solve another mystery. Evelyne is smart and clever and quick on her feet, and I love how David is supportive and really plays second fiddle to Evelyne as they begin to unravel the mysteries. The story is never heavy handed, making this more of a light, cozy mystery in a historical setting. Kelly does a great job of balancing both fact and fiction to keep the story moving quickly along.

I highly recommend this one to historical fiction fans of all stripes. And for readers feeling a bit burned out on WW II fiction, although this one is set during the war, it really isn’t about the war. Rather, it offers a peek at some of the behind-the-scenes work that was done to help England protect itself and its allies during the war.. 4.5 stars

Was this review helpful?