Evelyne Redfern · #2
Betrayal at Blackthorn Park
With mystery, intrigue, and the hints of romance international bestselling author Julia Kelly is known for, Evelyne Redfern returns in Betrayal at Blackthorn Park.
Freshly graduated from a rigorous training program in all things spy craft, former typist Evelyne Redfern is eager for her first assignment as a field agent helping Britain win the war. However, when she learns her first task is performing a simple security test at Blackthorn Park, a requisitioned manor house in the sleepy Sussex countryside, she can’t help her initial disappointment. Making matters worse, her handler is to be David Poole, a fellow agent who manages to be both strait-laced and dashing in annoyingly equal measure. However, Evelyne soon realizes that Blackthorn Park is more than meets the eye, and an upcoming visit from Winston Churchill means that security at the secret weapons research and development facility is of the utmost importance.
When Evelyne discovers Blackthorn Park’s chief engineer dead in his office, her simple assignment becomes more complicated. Evelyne must use all of her―and David’s―detection skills to root out who is responsible and uncover layers of deception that could change the course of the war.
The series
World War II provides the backdrop for countless mysteries, but the Evelyne Redfern series approaches the era from a refreshingly personal angle. Rather than focusing solely on battlefields or intelligence agencies, these novels explore the hidden tensions of wartime Britain through the eyes of a sharp-minded young woman whose curiosity repeatedly places her at the center of dangerous investigations.
Read full series description
Set amid blackouts, rationing, military preparations, and the constant uncertainty of war, the series captures a nation trying to maintain a sense of normalcy while secrets gather in the shadows. Against this richly detailed historical setting, murders, disappearances, and suspicious events emerge, revealing that even during humanity's largest conflict, some mysteries remain deeply personal.
At the heart of the story is a heroine whose determination often leads her where convention says she should not go. As she becomes increasingly involved in solving crimes, she must navigate social expectations, evolving relationships, and the realities of a world undergoing profound change. Her growth feels as compelling as the mysteries themselves, transforming each novel into both an investigation and a character journey.
What sets these books apart is their atmosphere. The threat of war is ever-present, but it never overwhelms the story. Instead, it deepens every interaction, adding urgency to decisions and weight to secrets. Elegant country houses, bustling London streets, military installations, and quiet coastal communities all become stages for mysteries layered with intrigue, deception, and human complexity.
Drawing on the traditions of classic British detective fiction while embracing the emotional depth of modern historical mysteries, the series balances suspense with warmth and historical authenticity. The result is a reading experience that feels immersive rather than merely nostalgic, inviting readers to step into a vividly realized past where danger often hides behind polite conversation and respectable appearances.
The Evelyne Redfern novels offer a compelling blend of historical mystery, amateur sleuthing, wartime intrigue, and character-driven storytelling. Rich in period detail and filled with carefully woven secrets, the series captures both the uncertainty of an extraordinary era and the enduring appeal of an intelligent heroine determined to uncover the truth, no matter where it leads.
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