This audiobook was delightful to listen to. The narrator Maris Calin did a great job of reading with emotion and animation. I also loved that each character had their own distinct voice. It made it easy to follow along with the story. I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

In a series reminiscent of Susan Elia MacNeil's Maggie Hope series mixed with Rhys Bowen's Her Royal Spyness series, the second book of Kelly's Parisian Orphan series opens with the start of Evelyne Redfern's spying career. After solving a murder in the series' first book, Evie trained as a spy and is ready for her first official assignment. Again paired with David Poole, they are investigating a crime research facility at Blackthorn Park. However, soon the investigation takes a turn as a murder occurs. It's up to Evie and David to find out who the killer is while also solving the mystery of why supplies are causing issues at the facility.

Written in an easily flowing manner, Betrayal at Blackthorn Park is a historical mystery that looks into a side of World War II often overlooked-the research that went into the technology developed during the war. And keeping with the first book, historical facts were interwoven in to the story seamlessly, and Evie and David's working relationship borders that of colleague and something more. Evie is also depicted as a strong woman who is more than willing to pave her own way and not reply on tenuous family ties. David, meanwhile, shows he is still growing to appreciate this trait in Evie. Then the bombshell dropped at the end indicated book three is pending.

Since I listened to the NetGalley audio advanced reader copy, I can add the narrator was excellent. A true British upper-class accent to match Evie's character. And the narrator did a great job using her voice to depict emotions of the characters.

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 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 narration really enhances this title. 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.

For newly trained spy Evelyne, her first assignment—a seemingly simple security test at a Sussex manor house requisitioned for weapons research—takes a deadly turn when she discovers the chief engineer murdered. With Winston Churchill’s visit imminent, Evelyne and her handler, David, must uncover a web of deception that threatens to derail the war effort.

I loved this. I generally avoid WWII books, but this one is solidly a murder mystery, with the war being secondary. The characters are well-developed, and I enjoyed the relationship between Evelyne and David. The audiobook narration is well done.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park is the second book in the Parisian Orphan series. It is a cleverly written book for cozy mystery lovers with an intriguing whodunit drama filled story.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?

This story has everything for those mystery lovers who enjoy following the clues, trying to detect the red herrings and cheering for a plucky MC as she takes on a murder mystery.

I also was drawn into the building relationship between Evelyn and David. Will they stay in the “friend zone”? I’m not saying, but the quirky chemistry between them that adds humor to the story.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:

Cozy mysteries
Agatha Christie
History
Strong female MC
Espionage
London
Amateur sleuth
Asshole men who think women are inferior and the women who show them up

How was the audiobook?

Marisa Calin did a wonderful job bringing this story to life and all the different style accents added to each character's personality.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?

Slow burn

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

If you are a fan of solving mysteries, this Christie-esque cozy mystery is for you. Plus this is the first book in a brand new series, so you know there are more murders and intrigue to come!

Thank you Minotaur Books and MacMillan Audio for this gifted copy.

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia
Kelly is the second book in the Evelyne Redfern mystery series. I enjoyed the first book in this historical fiction and couldn't wait to read the second book. Julia Kelly didn't disappoint. This was a fast paced page turner. I love the chemistry between Evelyne and David. They are tasked with solving crimes during WW2. If you like historical mystery you will love this series. I can't wait to read the next installment. The ending of book 2 has really made me want more!!

My favorite genre is historical fiction and this murder mystery set during WWII did not disappoint. The heroine, Evelyn Redford is a newly trained undercover agent for the war effort in London. She is smart, likable, and a bit tenacious. The story was easy to listen to and kept my interest throughout. Narrator Marisa Calin was excellent. I definitely recommend this audiobook to anyone who enjoys WWII mysteries with a strong female lead.

With mystery, intrigue, and the hints of romance international bestselling author Julia Kelly is known for, Evelyne Redfern returns in Betrayal at Blackthorn Park.

Thank you Minotaur Books & Macmillan Audio for both of my ARCs of this book! I enjoyed reading this book. I haven’t read the first book in this series but this reads perfectly as a standalone book. I don’t feel like you have to read the first book in order to read this.

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.