Evelyne Redfern · #1
A Traitor in Whitehall
From Julia Kelly, internationally bestselling author of The Last Dance of the Debutante, comes the first in the mysterious and immersive Evelyne Redfern series, A Traitor in Whitehall.
"Kelly spins an Agatha Christie-esque mystery . . . thoroughly delightful and well-researched."―Susan Elia MacNeal
1940, England: Evelyne Redfern, known as “The Parisian Orphan” as a child, is working on the line at a munitions factory in wartime London. When Mr. Fletcher, one of her father’s old friends, spots Evelyne on a night out, Evelyne finds herself plunged into the world of Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s cabinet war rooms.
However, shortly after she settles into her new role as a secretary, one of the girls at work is murdered, and Evelyne must use all of her amateur sleuthing expertise to find the killer. But doing so puts her right in the path of David Poole, a cagey minister’s aide who seems determined to thwart her investigations. That is, until Evelyne finds out David’s real mission is to root out a mole selling government secrets to Britain’s enemies, and the pair begrudgingly team up.
With her quick wit, sharp eyes, and determination, will Evelyne be able to find out who’s been selling England’s secrets and catch a killer, all while battling her growing attraction to David?
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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