I received both the audiobook and ebook from NetGalley for this book. I’m a big fan of Julia Kelly’s books. I listened to the first half and read the second half. I enjoyed both and was happy to see this series continuing. I like both Evelyne and David, clever and likable characters.

This book is a continuation of the first book in the series so I recommend reading them in order. The audiobook brought the story alive with good narration. I loved how strong the female protagonist is in this book.

What a gem of a series and book! The setting, the characters, the story are both entertaining and compelling, and there is that very deep undercurrent of romance not yet acknowledged. I, for one, am ready to see it surface, though their work and working relationship will present a number of stumbling blocks that should prove interesting. Ms. Kelly manages to avoid glamorizing an interesting period in human history without casting a pall over the characters or the narrative. In her realistic look at certain aspects of life in war time England, she conveys the spirit, hope, and tenacity of its people. I look forward to my next visit with Evelyne and David and to their next assignment.

Marisa Calin does an excellent job bringing these characters to life.

Evelyne Redferne returns to solve another mystery, but this time with the SOE supporting her efforts. After graduating from her training program where she learns how to be a spy, Evelyne is ready for her first field assignment.

When Evelyne is sent to Sussex to Blackthorne Park to perform a security check, she is disappointed assuming she would have been given a riskier assignment since she is a native French speaker. Not only is her assignment lackluster, but David Poole, whom she worked with to discover a mole in Churchill’s War Rooms is her handler and incredibly distracting. Regardless, she heads to the countryside shocked to discover the manor has been requisitioned as a weapons research and development facility. When the lead engineer turns up dead, Evelyne is determined to find out what is really going on at this facility before Churchill himself turns up for inspection in only a few days.

Betrayal at Blackthorne Park is a fun and quick whodunnit read, that keeps the reader guessing. The story is the second in what looks like to be an ongoing series, and A Traitor at Whitehall should be read first to understand Evelyne’s background.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and author Julia Kelly for the advanced copy of the audiobook. Betrayal at Blackthorne Park is out on October 1st! All opinions are my own.

Having listened to the audiobook, I can say that Marissa Calin is the perfect narrator for this series. Her voice inflections put me back into 1940's England. She does a great job with voices for the different characters, too.

This is the second book in the Evelyne Redfern series. I did not read the first book, but this read easily as a standalone. Evelyne Redfern is newly graduated from training as a British secret agent in the early days of WWII. David Poole is her handler but wants to return to the field. There is chemistry between them that I am sure will develop as the series continues.

Sent to a secure ammunitions facility to secretly investigate some thefts, Evelyne becomes involved in investigating a suicide, or is it a murder? This is a light historical mystery with a strong story and vivid descriptions. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for the advanced copy of this audiobook.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Julia Kelly, and MacMillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Julia Kelly is back with another Evelyne Redferm story that keeps the thrills high and the historical fiction entertaining. Kelly has a great approach and uses a seemingly innocent protagonist to propel the story forward in the middle of the Second World War. After completing her spy craft studies, Evelyne is sent into the middle of a small English community before the arrival of the prime minister. What Evelyne discovers is an apparent suicide, with some odd clues that point towards murder. Who would have killed the man and for what reason? Evelyne will have to discover the truth before the arrival of Churchill or anyone else of importance. Kelly dazzles once more and kept me hooked until the very end.

After an exhausting spy school experience, former typist Evelyne Redfern is ready to help Britain however she can during the war effort. While she is eager to topple Nazi plots, she is sent on a security mission at Blackthorn Park in sleepy Sussex. This is not what Evelyne hoped or how she wanted to spend her time. Missions are meant to be exciting and clandestine, but this is still something undercover as she must keep the area safe before Prime Minister Churchill arrives. He will soon come to inspect a secret weapons research facility, key to the British war effort.

When Evelyne learns that her handler on this mission is none other than David Poole, she is doubly disappointed. He is not only as rigid an agent they come, but his dashing nature makes it harder for Evelyne to focus on the task at hand. She will have all the hurdles to overcome as a new trainee in the field. Before Evelyne and David can get used to one another, they are presented with a larger and more troubling mission. The Chief Engineer at the weapons facility is found dead in his office and what could be a suicide has hints of being something more sinister. A true mystery that must be wrapped up before the PM visit!

With the pressure high and the stakes even higher, Evelyne and David will have to gather all the evidence under cloak of darkness. They have a number of suspects to interview, though the murderer has been quite elusive. With the murderer on the loose and secrets sure to be spilled if they are not caught, the case is of the highest importance with little time to waste. Julia Kelly does well with this piece of historical fiction that is easily digestible for the curious reader.

I do enjoy historical fiction, mixing factual events with fictional accounts and characters. Julia Kelly does well to balance both and keep the story moving forward with ease. Her narrative approach helps things clip along as the story gets more intense. She is able to mix fact, fiction, and a little action to provide the reader something well worth their attention. As characters emerge throughout, they add depth and excitement to the mystery, where nothing is guaranteed throughout the experience. Plot points emerge and keep the reader guessing what is coming, as well as how it will all come together. I am eager to see where Evelyne and David will find themselves in the coming novels, as well as how Britain will remain safe with them on the prowl.

Kudos, Madam Kelly, for a wonderful reading experience.

Julia Kelly is back with a second installment in a WWII mystery series featuring Evelyne Redfern. After uncovering a murderer in the Cabinet War Rooms in the first book, “A Traitor at Whitehall,” Evelyne is recruited to become an agent. After completing her training, she is dispatched to Blackthorn Park, an estate requisitioned by the SOE for the development of weapons of “ungentlemanly warfare.” It appears that supplies are disappearing. While investigating the potential theft, Evelyne discovers the body of Sir Nigel, head of Engineering. With the pressure of an impending visit from Prime Minister Churchill, Evelyne and her ‘handler’ David Poole race to apprehend the murderer.

The book features banter and growing romantic tension between Evelyne and David, along with an examination of Britain’s secret weapons program. As before, there are numerous literary references to the golden age of mystery writing (think Dorothy Sayers). The narrator, Marisa Calin, in addition to a charming British accent, brings the vocal cadence of the time period – an airy quality that I associate with the Hollywood movies of the 1940s. Thanks to Netgalley for access to the audio version of this novel. I am eager for Evelyne and David’s next case.

Evelyne Redfern, freshly graduated from a spy training program, is initially disappointed when her first assignment is a simple security test at Blackthorn Park, a secret weapons facility in Sussex. However, things quickly become more complicated when she discovers the chief engineer dead, forcing her and her handler, David Poole, to investigate. As they uncover layers of deception, Evelyne realizes that their work could be crucial to the war effort, especially with an upcoming visit from Winston Churchill.

I have been waiting for this book! The first book was a delight, and I was eager to see what happened next for the indomitable Miss Evelyne Redfern. Although it would have been fun to see her training, we instead get to see her first assignment. She is eager to prove herself, and when a murder once again falls into her path, she jumps to work.

Seeing her interact with David Poole, who chafes at being a handler, was immensely fun. They work together so well, and of course there is the hint of romance between. And an appearance by Evelyne’s aunt was equally entertaining (she hints at her own past, which I am longing to know more about!)

Overall, this was a cozy mystery. The narrator was a delight to listen to. I am very much looking forward to book three.

The 2nd in a series featuring Evelyn Redfern who graduated from the typing pool to secret agent during World War II.
The mystery was good and I’m enjoying Evelyn’s growth as a character. The audio production however took my attention away from the story. I am not a fan of the breathy voiced narrator.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity. My review and be found on Litsy under the book title and on IG.

This is the second book in the Parisian Orphan series.

I really enjoyed the first book, and had assumed it was a stand-alone novel. I was delighted to find out that we would meet the characters again as a second book had been written.

Evelyne has been trained now as an agent for the SUI, and David has been trained as her handler. Her first assignment is to verify the security at Blackthorn Park, an estate in the countryside, while David remains behind in London. Shortly after Evelyne arrives, she finds the chief engineer dead in his office, and so a murder investigation begins. David arrives from London and the pair work together to solve the mystery.

Despite the serious subject, this war-time novel is a light and easy read, with excellent characters and great descriptions. This is not a romance, but Evelyne and David certainly have some chemistry as they complement each other with their skills. The author clearly did plenty of research and it shows, as this really makes you feel that you in the British countryside during the war.

We also get some more insight into Evelyne and her family, and her relationships with her friends. All of this gives us a well-rounded book with a great plot.

I listened to the book and enjoyed the narration. The characters were clear, and it was easy to follow the plot and the twists and turns.

An enjoyable book, and I'm looking forward to more in this series.

Julia Kelly is back with the second in her Parisian Orphan series, and Betrayal At Blackthorn Park was every bit as good as A Traitor In Whitehall!

I am forever astounded by historical female figures (fictional or actual) and Evelyne Redfern is one such character! She's a fierce underdog, with an intelligent, conscientious and analytical head on her shoulder; these attributes making her the perfect detective as she transitions after graduating the Special Operations Executive spy finishing school!

The on-page interaction and chemistry between Evelyne and her sidekick David Poole (because he is the Watson to her Holmes, after all) is so good! Their relationship is both intimate, yet remains platonic for the moment (...will this change as the series continues?). I love the built in trust that comes from them both sharing this secret spy life; a true camaraderie stemming from this instant understanding between them!

I love that Kelly has deep roots in writing historical fiction, as it translates so well to mysteries from this WWII time period! The first book in the series was female-centric and I'm hoping the third book swings back towards this type of cast, as I love Kelly's representation of women from this time period! Her writing within these two books has me wanting to branch out to read her historical fiction backlist!

I started this series with Marisa Calin's narration in my ears, and I'm so happy for the continuity that comes with her narrating this second book as well! She does a fantastic job portraying the wit and pointedness that Evelyne has as a character! There's really something special when a narrator can represent a character the way Calin does, interjecting just the right amount of liveliness!

I'm so excited to see where Kelly takes Evelyne Redfern next! (Highly recommend reading this series in publication order!)

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

Title: Betrayal at Blackthorn Park
By: Julia Kelly
Narration: Marisa Calin
Pub Date: Oct 01 2024


Genre:
Fiction, Women’s Historical

Red Flags:
Death, Grief

Summary:
Evelyn Redfern has been recruited as a secret agent and has just finished her training when she is called on her first assignment to manor which is an undercover weapons lab.
This assignment is supposed to be a quick trip to ensure security protocols are being followed. David Poole, who was her partner in the first novel, will reluctantly be her handler. While veering away from her own protocols, Evelyn finds herself in a very tricky situation and makes the infamous call to David…what happens next is a warm and cozy mystery, told in unique Julia Kelly style!

Review:
I am falling in love with Evelyn Redfern and David Poole!

Julia Kelly’s first book in this series was one of my favorites last year, and I was thrilled to receive an Advanced Reader’s copy of the second book, Betrayal at Blackthorn Park. Kelly’s unique writing engages the reader with amusing, captivating, and pleasantly deep characters, all while creating a warm and cozy mystery. The reader falls in love with the impulsivity of the Protagonist, Evelyn Redfern who is perfectly partnered with David Poole’s by the book nature. I thoroughly enjoyed every part of this novel, and can’t wait for the next highly anticipated book in the series! The audio was an excellent narration from Marisa Calin! Highly Recommended!!!

Thank you Juila Kelly, Marisa Calin, MacmillanAudio, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#Betrayalatblackthornpark
#Macmillanaudio
#Juliakelly
#MarisaCalin
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#netgalley

This is a fun police procedural set in wartime England. Evelyne and her partner, David, are interesting characters, and the manor setting is interesting.

This book put me in a book slump. I really don't know if it's the book or just the narrator. Her narration is so melodramatic and her intonation are so distracting. I just couldn't connect to the story and I was so bored. I wonder if I read the book in print if I would feel the same way. I had to force myself to finish.

I cannot finish listening to this book, the narrator is absolutely awful to listen to. So I will plan on reading the book instead as I did enjoy the first book in the series and like the authors other books.

This book brings us to WW ll in England. There's a murder that a brand-new female detective is called on to solve. Wonderful setting and well developed characters. I enjoyed this book.

This has mixed reviews from me. I liked the mystery aspect of the story but the reader was hard to help me grasp the storyline. It was hard to follow along.

I was pleased to have an opportunity to listen to the audio version of the second entry in the Evelyn Redfern Series. We are still in the early stages of WWII. Still in Great Britain. Thanks to her amateur work solving a murder when she worked as a top secret typist, she was plucked from the secretarial pool and trained up to be an investigator/spy working on the war effort. We leave London and her boarding house for Blackthorn Park, formerly a great estate and now converted to a research and manufacturing facility for cutting edge weaponry. What starts out as an overnight field assignment to check out theft allegations morphs into a death on the premises. Evie's handler, quite handily, is David Poole, who reluctantly paired up with her in A Traitor at Whitehall when she proved to be insightful and useful. There's still a spark there but they are all business. Davit and Evie end up onsite together sussing out the nature and implications of the death and later suspicious incidents. This is a well-plotted mystery with enjoyable characters and historical story. I that Evie still lives in a boarding house in London. The audio was odd. I think maybe it was produced at too high a speed. I will admit that I want to connect more with Evie and whatever is her inner self. David too. But I expect to stick with this series so this is apparently minor to me.

As to the epilogue, Evie's backstory, to date, has not been front and center. Evie and her French mother ended up in the tabloids when she was a child because her father very publicly and with a great deal of shaming tried his custody case in public, fighting for Evie right up to the time her mother died. Her father, Reginald, promptly ditches her with her aunt, sends her off to boarding school and ignores her. But..... just when we wonder why we keep hearing about her poor little rich girl childhood it seems that Daddy has communicated in a quiet mysterious way. I will definitely tune in.

2nd in the series, it's a quick and convincing immersion in Evelyne’s world of SOE, Britain's WW2 Special Operations Executive. This time Evelyne's been through the special agent training program to learn to pick locks, infiltrate suspicious locations, and survive in enemy territory. Dashing David Poole from their first, almost accidental op is back, newly promoted to be her handler for her first post-training assignment. It’s supposed to be a simple test of security at one of the many rural estates turned over to various aspects of war work. In and out with no-one the wiser.

But best laid plans rarely survive contact with the enemy, in this case a sneaky thief who is making off with essential supplies (and possibly plans) for the building of small bombs and other weapons essential to the work of SOE saboteurs in France. Soon Evelyne's facing a corpse and David's dashing to her rescue... even though he's not really needed. Evelyne draws on her previous experience and training to instruct the constable who must secure the scene while waiting for more experienced officers to arrive.

Modern women will delight in Evelyne's take-charge ways, and appreciate David's often stepping back and letting her get on with it rather than (as is more realistic still) taking over every scene to do the interrogating himself. The writing is crisp and clear, the settings economical and easily visualized. The plot moves along at a good clip without sacrificing the credibility of relationships between not only Evelyne and David but with other characters as well. Indeed, one of this book's great strengths is how well it portrays the world of wartime Britain, where any cottage in any village might be housing staff for some secret research facility nearby and nobody can tell even their best friend what their war work really consists of. Britain may never be tested like that again, and that's a good thing, because the green and pleasant land that banded together with enduring fortitude and wry humour to withstand the onslaught of one of the largest armies Europe has ever seen is barely imaginable today.

Any fan of Golden Age mysteries will thoroughly enjoy the contemporaneous crime novels that Evelyne reads on train trips and in other idle moments..

If you've chosen the audiobook, you too may find the narration very uneven. The first phrase of a sentence flies out with tween-girl speed and inflection, while the rest is slow and portentous as a wartime speech by Winston Churchill: stirring to hear for 15 minutes in an emergency but wearing on the ear, and the patience when it goes on for hours, regardless of which character is speaking and whether their content is deep and serious or debating a new haircut.

#NetGalley #WW2 #spies

This is mulybfirst in the series and I did not feel like I missed out. Both Evelyne and David have spent time undergoing training, she as a undercover field agent and he as a handler.

Their first assignment is to check security at a weapons lab. Except that it ends up as murder, and David decides to join Evelyne in the field. Lots of twists and turns later, the plot is revealed.
Very fast paced and intriguing.

The narration was okay, it took me a while to get used to the wispy, singsongy tones of the narrator.