Thank you for the opportunity to read this interesting novel during WWII taking place in North Africa.

It is the first novel that I have read using North Africa as the theatre for the Second World War. This is the story of a group of WACCS who have recently settled in to alleviate the burden of soldiers at the front. And then there is a suspicious death. Working with the MP a scrappy WACC helps to solve this murder.

Based on the first WAAC unit posted to Algiers during WWII, this mystery following one brave woman trying to do her part while hiding a painful past from everyone. I loved having a different setting and theme for this historical mystery.

Set in exotic Algiers amid the Allied offensive in North Africa in 1943, MURDER IN THE RANKS brings the crucial role of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps to the forefront. Despite squad leader Dottie Lincoln's conscientious efforts to watch over her fellow auxiliaries, she is witness as one of them falls from the roof of the Algiers Opera House. Certain her friend has been murdered, Dottie enlists the official assistance of a captain in the military police, and together they begin an investigation that will prove she is not the only auxiliary keeping dangerous secrets. Peppered with fascinating historical detail and meticulously drawn characters, MURDER IN THE RANKS is a thrilling, atmospheric mystery with a cagey spitfire of a protagonist. I loved it!

This enjoyable historical mystery is set in the North African theatre in WWII and centers on an American women’s army auxiliary corps. I have read lots of books set in WWII but this was really unique in setting and its insight into a women’s corps. Dottie has trauma and mysteries of her own in her past but is trying to do her part in the war when a member of their small group is murdered. Dottie has to find the truth while proving her own loyalty. I thought the book was well-written and well-plotted, with really interesting historical detail woven in. I am hoping this is the start of a series, partly because I enjoyed it and partly because there were some unresolved elements by the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own.

This was the first book I read by Kristi Jones, and it won’t be my last. I love books written during WWII with strong leads, usually as spies, but this book was more a crime thriller with a few murders than a spy story. Murder in the Ranks was a great introduction to a genre I occasionally read when I need something different from a historical romance or spy thriller. This book did not disappoint. Set in Algiers, in the African theater, Dottie Lincoln is the leader of a group of WAACs who arrive in a combat zone much maligned and distrusted by their male counterparts. When one of her WAACs is murdered, the plot thickens, becoming more a story of intrigue and a who-dun-it than a spy novel with rich female spies. I enjoyed the story. It kept me reading over the weekend, but there were some dropped plot points and a mysterious backstory for Dottie, which was never fully explained or resolved. The setting and dialogue were good, and the story realistic, but many details appear to be overlooked as the story gains momentum. Why did Dottie’s husband take their daughter, and why weren’t readers told how or if she ever got her back? I felt the plot dangled too much, and some critical details that would have helped me find empathy for Dottie were never disclosed in the storylines. Although I liked the book, there seemed to be something missing. But I found a new author. I will read more works by this author because she addressed a side of the war I was previously unfamiliar with, and I found the storyline intriguing. Three and a half stars because the book is good, even with some lapses in backstories.

Thank you to Net Galley, Crooked Lane Books, and Kristi Jones for the advanced reader copy of the book. This review is voluntary and is mine alone.

In her debut mystery, Kristi Jones takes us to a World War II theater we seldom read about, Algiers in North Africa. Set in 1943, Murder in the Ranks introduces Dorothy (Dottie) Lincoln, a squad leader in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. The women are glorified secretaries without the benefits, pay, rank, or insurance and death benefits that the men receive. But, they’re essential to the war effort, freeing men for combat.

The women are also required to spend time at dances to improve troop morale. Dottie is careful to keep track of her squad members, and she even steps in when one soldier gets too pushy with Ruth Wentz. But, she’s determined to do more when she sees Ruth fall from the roof of the Algiers Opera House. Although Captain Devlin from the Military Police calls it suicide, Dottie pushes for a full-scale investigation. She insists Ruth was murdered.

Devlin listens to Dottie’s arguments, and agrees to launch a murder investigation. But, his superior officer gives them three days to find the truth. Dottie pushes him at all times, despite his normal job investigating the black market. Despite his scepticism, he allows her to question the women, and even takes her into a combat zone, an action that becomes a problem for both of them when General Eisenhower sees a woman in the wrong place.

But, that’s not the biggest problem for Dottie. She has a secret in her past, and when another one of her squad members ends up in the hospital, she has to prove she’s not a German spy while still trying to find a killer.

Murder in the Ranks has typical debut mystery problems. Dottie is the only character who is well-developed, but if this becomes a series, I’m sure it will improve. It always takes time to introduce a cast of characters in a first mystery. The atmosphere was well-done, but the story moved a little slow at times. Even so, I hope to see more of Dottie Lincoln in the war.

Pick this one up to read about Algiers during the war. The descriptions are fascinating. The story of the WAACs and the lack of the support for the women needs to be told.

Murder in the Ranks is a well written mix of historical fiction and mystery. This was my first encounter reading a WW2 novel set in Algiers. It was enjoyable learning a new bit of history. The mystery aspect was very much the focus of the storyline. An enjoyable read, especially, if you like a mystery involving many characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this novel.

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Kristi Jones for the advanced reader copy of the book.  What follows is my unbiased review of the book.

Set during World War II, Murder in the Ranks seems to be the first book in a series about Dottie Lincoln, a member of the WAAC forces, and Captain Devlin, an investigator with the Military Police. Dottie is running from her past by joining the WAACs, although that past seems to be catching up with her.

Stationed in Algiers during the North African campaign, Dottie Lincoln and her fellow WAACs have a variety of duties in support of the Army so that more men can be free to fight on the front lines. One part of their “support” includes attending dances to boost morale among the men. Dottie is a squad leader and watches out for the women under her charge. At one of these dances, she spots Ruth having some difficulty with one Private Rivera. Later on, Ruth falls three stories from a balcony of the building to her death, just as a Nazi bombardment is happening. Did Ruth commit suicide? Was she murdered? Was it an accident?

Dottie doesn’t accept the initial ruling of Ruth’s death as a suicide. Captain Devlin convinces his boss to allow him to investigate the case for 3 days. After that, the case will be ruled a suicide or an accident. There are plenty of suspects, but little evidence. Plus, the truth about Ruth’s past threatens to come back and derail the investigation, while also providing another possible suspect.

Overall, I enjoyed Murder in the Ranks a lot. There was plenty going on in the story with the backdrop of the North African campaign. How do you investigate a possible murder with the war going on? I felt the characters lacked some depth, but that’s common with first novels in a series that want to introduce so much to the canvas. Dottie gets a good amount of development. I think her “secret” could have been left in limbo to the next in the series, but it works here as well. It serves to cast doubt on her motivations to those she’s working with.

Kristi Jones has done a great job with the setting of Algiers during the war. I could really picture it, despite it being a different time and place. Her descriptions are well done. The characters all have great potential. She has a good description of what it was like to be a WAAC, with all of the responsibilities but none of the benefits that the male soldiers receive. They are glorified secretaries for the most part while also being hated by many of the soldiers for being there.

Between the good mystery and the details of the WAACs I recommend the book. There is a bit lacking in the depth of the characters, but overall this is a good read. If it’s the first in a series, I see a lot of potential.

I don't usually read murder mysteries but the plot of this one intrigued me and I decided to try it. Set during WWII in Algiers among the Allied forces, it details the living conditions of the troops and population during the war in a very realistic way. The plot is well thought out, the characters interesting and likable, and overall, it is a great reading experience. I highly recommend it.

A WWII mystery in North Africa. Dottie joins the Army helping where she can. After a murder, her role changes. It's a good story, a must read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Ebook received for free through NetGalley

I enjoyed following the story and needed to know what happens next. Set up in such a way that I’d love to know what happens next.

This is a well-written, well-constructed mix of mystery and history. The story is a mix of mystery, possible spy activity, and the challenges of being a woman in the Women's Army Auxilary surrounded by men involved in the war. I look forward to more in this series.

Murder in the Ranks was unlike any book I’ve read. It was a mix of mystery and history. This novel was more mystery with some historical facts sprinkled in. I enjoyed reading about a piece of history that I’m not familiar with. The storyline flowed well and we were taken along the investigation to try and determine who was the suspect. The ending was unpredictable but I felt like the reader wasn’t given enough clues to accurately guess the murderer. We learned a little about the main character’s life but the reader is left without any resolution to her personal life.

Murder in the Ranks by Kristi Jones is a historical mystery taking place in Algiers during WWII. Dottie Lincoln cannot accept that her Women's Army Auxiliary Corps teammate Ruth's death is a suicide. She joins forces with Military Police to shed light on what really happened, only turning the spotlight on her past and connection with Germany. Can she clear her name and find out the truth about Ruth's death?

I have read my fair share of WWII historical fiction, but this is my first set in the North African theater. I appreciated the background on the WAAC's involvement, as this was new to me too. However, from reading the synopsis, I thought there would be more about Dottie's past than what was in the book. The plot doesn't focus as much on her clearing her name as I was lead to believe. It focuses mostly on finding out who Ruth's murderer is.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sending an ARC for consideration. All opinions are my own.

You won’t want to miss this incredible historical fiction debut set in 1943 Algiers, North Africa featuring a courageous group of women soldiers.

Twenty-nine-year-old Dorothea ‘Dottie’ Lincoln is squad leader to a group of 5 women who belong to the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps stationed in Algiers. Jean Kirksey, Mary Jordan, Sue Dunworthy, Mabel ‘Butch’ Cornfeld, and Ruth Wentz make up Squad B of the 22nd Post Headquarters Company, known by many as the Double Deuces. They were the first American women soldiers assigned to a combat theatre. When trouble erupts at a local Army dance, Dottie is put in the spotlight for failing to ensure the safety of her squad. The remainder of the tension-filled story is dedicated to clearing her name and seeking justice for the victim.

As much as I smiled at references to ‘battery acid’ and ‘abyssinia’, or raised my eyebrows in interest at how Algiers or ‘Desert Fox’ earned nicknames, or how soldiers became caught up in black market trading, I was equally shocked at how the female soldiers were treated both by the military in terms of their rank/position, unequal pay, insurance, medical coverage and death benefits, and by the enlisted men. In highlighting these pioneers, the women sent to “free a man for combat”, author Kristi Jones made me aware of their sacrifices, courage and the critical role they played in combat theatres during WW2. She reminds readers that although the war initiated social and economic changes, it also altered the role of women in society. Patching this together with a compelling murder mystery is no small feat, yet Jones did this with the panache of a seasoned writer.

The amazing cover caught my attention but it was the pull of the North African theatre that had me reaching for this one. I highly recommend this historical murder mystery based on and featuring a real company under General Eisenhower's command.

I was gifted this copy by Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Historical fiction is a new genre to me, but I’ve discovered that I love it! This book is a perfect example of why!