Betrayal at Blackthorn Park: An Evelyne Redfern Mystery

Thanks to Minotaur Books & NetGalley for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own. This is the second in the well-written series featuring Evelyne Redfern during World War II. I read #1 last year but I think you could easily start with this one. Then you’ll want to go back and also read A Traitor in Whitehall because Evelyne is the kind of engaging, intelligent character who makes any book a page-turner. After completing her intense 6-week spy training program, Evelyne is sent as a field agent to perform a simple security test at Blackthorn Park, a top-secret research and development facility set up in a converted manor house in the British countryside. She soon discovers a dead body and is joined by David Poole, her handler and fellow agent. The two of them must solve the murder among a houseful of suspects, with only three days before the upcoming visit of Winston Churchill. Witty dialogue, a bit of humor, lots of clues, some red herrings, suspense, danger, and intrigue with a touch of romance makes this an engaging “solve along” mystery. And I was delighted with the way the story ended as there’s the promise for book #3.