Wow! I loved this exciting second book in the Parisian Orphan series! Julia Kelly has written an outstanding historical mystery, well researched and fast paced. It has wonderful character development and a strong female protagonist. Newly trained agent Evelyne Redfern is assigned to Blackthorne Park to investigate the security of the facility and report to her handler, David Poole. Blackthorne has been requestioned by the British Government for weapons development and testing. Not long after her arrival the sound of a gunshot turns her investigation deadly when she discovers of one key scientists for the project dead in his office. With an impending visit by Winston Churchill to the facility, David joins Evelyn as the two race to uncover the secrets beneath the surface of Blackthorn Hall. This book delves a bit more into Evelyn's history, and the interaction between Evelyn and David definitely adds to the story. Although the second in the series, it works well as a standalone also. Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own.

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly is the second in the delightful and engaging Evelyne Redfern series, one I'm enjoying tremendously. This Historical Fiction Mystery is set during World War II with spies, top-secret missions and research, theft, murder and tiny stirrings of romance.

Feisty and enterprising Evelyne Redfern has completed training as a field agent with the Special Investigation Unit and is excited to do her part. However, when she discovers her first task isn't what she bargains for, she is disappointed. Plus, she is teamed up with her infuriatingly charming handler (who sweetly blushes) and fellow spy David Poole. Despite their differences the two complement each other very well and their mutual respect is evident. Winston Churchill's arrival means increased security involving special skills, Evelyne's and David's wheelhouse. Another situation which grabs Evelyne's attention is the death of the chief engineer who some say committed suicide. She notices things others don't and David helps her investigate. Red herrings abound but Evelyne is bright.

I like that Evelyne takes charge in situations even when she is unsure. Her wise aunt's sparkle makes me smile. The cliffhanger is well done and makes me thirst for more. But the writing! It's gorgeous! I wonder what the third in the series holds?

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this captivating novel.

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park is book two in the Parisian Orphan series by Julia Kelly.
I loved being back in the company of Evelyne Redfern. I enjoyed her character in book one and was excited to see what was in store with the second book.
The author expertly weaves together elements of mystery, historical intrigue and a hint of romance that kept me hooked from start to finish.
This intriguing mystery is set in Britain during WWII. Kelly does such a phenomenal job taking us back setting the scene. I could picture everything so vividly it was just perfectly executed.
Julia Kelly has amazing storytelling skills. This book will keep you turning pages.
The perfect historical mystery story.

Thank You NetGalley and Minotaur Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Former typist, Evelyne Redfern, has just completed a rigorous spy training program. She is excited for her first assignment. Her first task is performing a simple security test at Blackthorn Park. When Evelyne discovers Blackthorn Park’s chief engineer dead in his office, her simple assignment becomes more complicated.

Evelyne is a unique character. I love that she is a tough female and she is definitely not falling into the female norm!

This is not my usual genre. I love historical fiction, but I do not care for something like Alfred Hitchcock or Agatha Christie. This is basically what the story reminds me of. It is a lot of deductions and it moves a bit slow. So take this with a grain of salt, read this for yourself and form your own opinion.

The reason I stuck with the story is that I absolutely love this narrator. The narrator, Marisa Calin, is super! She kept this novel moving!

Need a different type of historical mystery…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this audiobook from the publisher for a honest opinion

I love a good who-done-it and Betrayal at Blackthorn Park was the perfect mystery full of intrigue, pinning everyone as a suspect.

This is the second book in the series, but I feel like this novel can be read as a standalone. I never once felt lost which I attribute to great writing by Julia Kelly. The suspense kicks off full force as soon as Evelyne gets to Blackthorn Park and from that moment on, I was hooked.

There is something that interested me from the start and I found myself losing sleep as I worked to see if Evelyne would be successful on her first real case. I really enjoyed the whole investigation. The imagery gives dark academia which is perfect for the fall season, and I love that it wasn’t overtly graphic. I enjoyed seeing the obvious bond between David and Evelyne and how great they worked together during their investigation and shared a love of reading. I hope to see their relationship mature further in future installments.

The case is tied up neatly, with who I had guessed all along being the perpetrator, but the last chapter leaves a looming question that we will have to wait for the next installment to unpack. I love this so much! It’s nice to have one mystery solved with another one looming on the horizon. It doesn’t get much better than this!

EVELYNE, UNASSUMING SPY

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by author Julia Kelly is one of my favorite novels of the year! The novel's setting is during WWII. Kelly’s two main characters are a delightful set of spies sent to perform a security test at Blackthorn Park. Evelyne is fresh from intense training in spycraft and ready for action. Imagine her disappointment when she learns her first assignment is as simple as performing a security test! To make matters worse, she is to have a handler, David, who is in equal measure by the book and handsome beyond compare.

As Evelyne performs her security check, she confirms something serious is amiss. How serious is it? Dead body serious! The bodies start to multiply! These essential people (Division Leaders) are “mysteriously” dying.
To make matters worse, she and David know that Winston Churchill is arriving in a matter of days to witness a demonstration at the secret weapons and research facility. Evelyne finds essential details because she blends in and hides in plain sight. After all, Evelyne is a woman, and no one would suspect her to be a spy. She and David solve the case with the cooperation of a few helpful, loyal people who are also truth seekers. In doing so, the two discover they have made a splendid team and could work together again. And, as a bonus, is there a hint of something more growing between them than just mutual admiration for a job well done?

Minotaur Books and NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. However, my opinions are entirely my own and uninfluenced.

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park, set in Britain during World War II, is a welcome continuation of the Evelyne Redfern series. We already know from the first book in the series, A Traitor in Whitehall, that Evelyne had an unusual upbringing, a boring job as a secretary to support the war effort, and that she excelled when she was selected to perform a much more exciting and dangerous role. We learned she was patriotic, brave, loyal, determined, and very, very competitive. Especially competitive when partnered with another undercover agent, David Poole. David had more experience, more influence, more power, but still . . . there was something about him. Like maybe some little spark between them? This is wartime and they have jobs to do, the fate of the country is at stake, so any attraction, if it is even real, must be buried for now.

So here we are today. Evelyne has completed rigorous training, been in danger, and is now an official field agent. She’s proud of what she’s accomplished and eager to start real field work. So imagine her surprise and dismay when she is given that assignment and learns it is nothing more exciting than performing a simple security test at Blackthorn Park, a requisitioned manor house in the countryside. And imagine her barely concealed irritation when she is introduced to her handler: none other than David Poole. If that doesn’t add insult to injury . . . .

However, Evelyne and David are both professionals. He doesn’t like being her handler – and not in the field – any more than she does. They have one of their usual tiffs and then get down to work. They create her cover story and identity, plan how she will observe and acquire the information needed and get started. This is all in preparation for the Prime Minister’s upcoming visit to Blackthorn Park, and if they don’t agree about anything else they are in full agreement that this mission is vital.

Evelyne’s slow, boring start to the mission goes just fine – until the chief engineer is found dead; a murder not very well disguised as a suicide. David immediately drops his handler role and is right there at Evelyne’s side. Although she initially resents what she perceives as his interference, they do work amazingly well together. There are so many potential suspects, so many potential additional victims, so many people with weak or non-existent alibis and so many people that are just greedy, mean, and have secrets they would do anything to protect. And the clock keeps ticking down to the Prime Minister’s visit.

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park is well-plotted and exciting, with enough clues to track down and people to investigate to keep your interest first page to last. People from book one pop up and it’s good to catch up with them and there is a large, fascinating new cast of characters to figure out. Not to mention that persistent little bit of tingle between Evelyne and David. Although they are both competitive and ambitious, they also are able to nearly finish each other’s sentences and work hard to hide their fear when the other is in danger. They seem so comfortable and meant to be partners – at work and maybe more – that you can’t wait to see this relationship progress.

Thanks to Minotaur Books | St. Martin's Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of Betrayal at Blackthorn Park. I was happy to continue with this series and totally satisfied with the story. I voluntarily leave this review and was not compensated in any way; all opinions are my own.

Top notch historical mystery!
Having completed her training to be a field agent, Evelyne Redfern is ready for an assignment that will help England win the war! She is a little disappointed to be sent to the English countryside, to a requisitioned manor house called Blackthorn Park, where scientists are designing, making and testing weapons, to investigate the possible theft of supplies. Things get more exciting when one of the members of the Blackthorn team is found dead and Evelyne and her handler/partner, David Poole, must sort out what happened before Prime Minister Churchill's scheduled visit later that week. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, and the sequel does not disappoint! Betrayal at Blackthorn Park moves at a quick pace and provides a mystery worthy of one of Evelyne's favorite fictional detectives, Hercule Poirot. The characters are as good as the mystery: Evelyne is a likeable, intelligent and strong female lead character, the dashing David is equally smart and more open-minded about the role women can play than most men in the 1940's, and Evelyne's aunt is quirky and interesting. Can't wait for book 3!

Thanks to Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of Betrayal at Blackthorn Park. This is book 2 in the Parisian Orphan series about Evelyn Redfern.

This book picks up where A Traitor In Whitehall ends. Evelyn has just finished her training and is being sent on her first mission which should be simple until she finds a dead body. Her handler is David and get need to work together to figure out who is behind this, especially since it could be connected to the war.

I loved seeing Evelyn become more confident and the attraction to David! I love this historical mystery set in 1940s England during WWII and the way this one ended I can't wait to read book three!

If you like historical mysteries with a hint of romance you'll enjoy this book. I've loved Julia Kelly's historical fiction and her historical mysteries have been just as fabulous!

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park comes out tomorrow - October 1st!

I am a sucker for WWII historical fiction with a female main character. In the first book of the series, Evelyne worked in Churchill’s War Rooms to help uncover a traitor. She teamed up with her handsome co-worker, David, to solve the case and uncover the traitor.

In this second book in the series, Evelyne is newly graduated from a training program to become a spy. Her first assignment is to work with David to assess the security of a secret facility in advance of Churchill’s visit. When the bodies start piling up, Evelyne and David are on the case.

I enjoyed this second installment just as much as the first. WWII historical fiction is a favorite of mine and I can’t get enough of it. This book has the right balance of mystery and intrigue for me. There is a bit of romance, but my preference is for a stronger romance storyline.

I can hardly wait to read more books in this series! Hopefully there will be more romance in the next installment.

BETRAYAL AT BLACKTHORN PARK is Book 2 in the Parisian Orphan series by Julia Kelly. I thoroughly enjoyed Book 1, A TRAITOR IN WHITEHALL, and couldn’t wait for the next installment in this entertaining historical mystery series. After being recruited as a secret agent in the first book, Evelyne Redfern has just returned from a rigorous spy training program and is ready for her first assignment as a field agent in Britain during World War II. Evelyne is disappointed to learn that her first task is just to check security protocols at Blackthorn Park, a manor house in the country that has been requisitioned for the war effort. Little does she know that Blackthorn Park is a site for top secret weapons research and development, making security of critical importance. But her simple assignment takes an unexpected turn when Evelyne discovers Blackthorn Park’s chief engineer dead in his office of an apparent suicide. Evelyne suspects there is more to this death than meets the eye. Then another death occurs. Soon Evelyne and her partner, David Poole, are on the case, using all of their instincts and skills to catch a killer. Can they solve the mystery before Winston Churchill comes to inspect Blackthorn Park? The story is fast-paced and intriguing, blending history and fiction perfectly. I was completely engrossed in this story and very much look forward to the next Evelyne Redfern book. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Betrayal at Blackthorn Park is the second title to feature Evelyn Redfern. She's recently returned from training to be a special operative to help defeat the Germans. Her first assignment, which is expected to be easy, finds her working with David Poole as her handler. David is an trained operative in his own right, but is working to transition into being a handler with Evelyn as his first agent. Evelyn is going undercover at a facility that makes "clandestine weapons: after a tip was received that things have been going missing. Shortly after her arrival, her mission escalates into a murder investigation when the head of the facility is found dead. To make matters worse, time is ticking to solve the case prior to PM Churchill's visit to the facility.

The mystery in this one is excellently written and really engaging. I was kept guessing and loved all the historical details that were included. I really like Evelyn and David as characters and the chemistry they have together. I'm very excited to see how their relationship continues to develop. Additionally, there is definitely a mystery related to the death of Evelyn's mother and her relationship with her father that I'm looking forward to learning more about in future titles.

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park is a delightful sequel to Julia Kelly’s A Traitor in Whitehall. Having completed her training as an SIU agent, Evelyne Redfern gets her first assignment in the field. Her job is to investigate a series of thefts happening at a secret facility. Her handler, David Poole, quickly becomes immersed in the investigation, after the top scientist at Blackthorn is murdered. The book has a large cast of intriguing characters, so there are suspects at every turn. David and Evelyne develop a working relationship with hints of a much deeper connection in the future, which I very much look forward to reading about! Evelyne and David race to solve the murder before an important visit from the Prime Minister, investigating the possible sabotage of a secret weapon vital to Britain’s war effort. I don’t want to give too much away, but the scientific aspects of this book were fascinating and well-researched. Betrayal at Blackthorn Park is a well-written, well-researched, highly enjoyable book highlighting those places where the vast machinery of wartime meet with the very personal and unexpected sacrifices experienced by those who lived through it. The book also ends with a teaser for book three, which I can’t wait to read next!

I have never read anything by Julia Kelly until I selected for an ARC of A Traitor in Whitehall. I was very excited that I got to continue the journey of Evelyne Redfern and David Poole in this book. I hope this becomes an ongoing series!

I love Kelly’s Evelyne Redfern mysteries and her latest is delightful. I love the mystery and how I always learn so much about WWII history from her stories. Perfect for fans of Maisie Dobbs books!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

Murder and betrayal!___3.5

Much as I like the exploits of Evelyne Redfern and David Poole this was just a bit bland.
Heaps of happenings but I felt bogged down in the chase to discover what the murdered engineer Sir Nigel Balram had been looking for.
Evelyne and David are sent to a very secret dirty tricks location in Sussex looking for something out of the ordinary when an apparent suicide turns up.
Their orders change somewhat. David was supposed to be handling Evelyne’s assignment.
Working out what happened was straight from one of my fav English detective novels
The culprit is finally trapped down. No surprise!
However we are left dangling on a cliff’s edge as the next adventure is anticipated
So, despite the not quite up to par of the first in the series I’m anxious to see what happens next.
An enjoyable read nonetheless.

A St Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

An excellent sequel from Julia Kelly. Evelyne Redfern is back and fully trained now. She's a bit disappointed when she learns her first case is about materials going missing from Blackthorn Park, a place that is developing weapons. However, when she shows up to inspect, she finds a dead body. David is back as well. This is a fast moving cozy mystery and I can't wait to read the next one Julia Kelly writes!

This is the second book in the Parisian Orphan series, and Evelyne Redfern has returned! She’s a fresh graduate of a spy training camp, and she’s ready for her first assignment. She’s disappointed that it is investigating alleged theft at a weapons testing facility.

She’s reunited with David Poole; he’s acting as her handler this time. Things go wildly wrong on her first mission as Evelyne is the first on the scene for a death. Just what is going on at Blackthorn Park? They are supposed to be testing weapons for the war.

Evelyne and David team up to investigate the death. Is it a simple suicide or something more sinister? Churchill is scheduled to visit Blackthorn Park in a few days. Is it safe for him?

This series makes for great light reading, cozy even. I enjoy books like this that offer a good contrast to darker reads. I’ll definitely keep reading this series. I have a feeling a trip to France is in the future for Evelyne and maybe a romance? The sparks are there!

A mundane assignment quickly turns into a deadly serious mission

Evelyne Redfern has no sooner returned from advanced intelligence training in Yorkshire to her cozy digs at a boarding house in London when she is summoned to the offices of the Special Investigations Unit. There she encounters David Poole, with whom she had first butted heads but eventually successfully partnered on her first case. Waiting for them both are Mrs. White, their steely handler, and Mr. Fletcher, the head of the SIU and a onetime friend of Evelyne’s infamous parents through whom Evelyne came to work for the organization.. Evelyne is tasked with covertly infiltrating the buildings at Blackthorn Park, a country estate in Sussex requisitioned to house an R&D facility run by noted inventor Sir Nigel Balram. Someone suspects that there is thievery plaguing Blackthorn Park, and the powers that be want any vulnerabilities to be located and shored up prior to a proposed visit there in a few day time by none other than Winston Churchill. David is to act as Evelyne’s handler on this mission, his first time in that role, and quite frankly neither of the pair is excited about what looks to be a pretty rudimentary assignment. When the first dead body appears less than 24 hours after Evelyne’s arrival, it looks like there may be more to the problems of Blackthorn Park then first suspected. David ends up joining Evelyne in Sussex, and as the two begin their investigations they discover that the apparent suicide was in fact murder. With extramarital affairs, rivalries between different people on the estate, a gossipy maid and some thoroughly unpleasant individuals in the mix, and covert weaponry whose explosions are not being controlled as they should be, there is something seriously wrong at Blackthorn Hall. Is it thievery or is it sabotage? And who is behind it? The clock is ticking….can Evelyne and David root out the guilty parties and prevent any more unnecessary deaths?
This is the second mystery featuring the “Parisian Orphan” Evelyne Redfern, who has a scandalous background which she has fought to leave behind her. In the first, she was an untrained neophyte thrust into an operative’s role and as such working without the full confidence of either her new partner David or of the hard-to-please Mrs. White. Now that she has solid training behind her, Evelyne is ready to prove herself to those who might still have doubts that she is up to the job, so having a dead body turn up on day one of what should have been a routine assignment is quite inconvenient. She and David are working out the bumps in their partnership (and doing their best to ignore a growing attraction to one another), and Evelyne is feeling more secure in her role. The quirky characters that occupy Blackthorn Park and its environs provide a wide range of potential suspects, and it will take the combined instincts and talents of Evelyne and David to get to the bottom of what’s rotten in Sussex. A solid historical mystery, perfect for readers of Anna Lee Huber, Susan Elia MacNeal and Jacqueline Winspear. Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me early access to this latest installment in an enjoyable series.

This book started out strong and kept me turning pages, but about 40% in, I had trouble hanging with it. Overall a good mystery, though.