Loved the premise, loved the mystery, loved the plot and the period – WWII
I volunteered to review this book because I loved the premise and plot as well as the time period. I had read a similar story before which I very much enjoyed so I had high hopes for this book. It was good overall but lacked excitement and romance. This was strictly an espionage mystery with a murder mystery rolled into one.
Evelyne Redfern at 22yo is working in a munitions factory doing a very mundane and dull job albeit necessary for the war effort. One evening she meets one of her father’s friends, Mr. Fletcher who asks her to meet him. She is curious so she goes to his office to find out that she has been offered another mundane job as a typist but on the QT, she is to spy for Mr. Fletcher. As a lover of all English mystery writers, this is a dream come true until she finds a murdered girl. She finagles herself into the job of detective with David Poole with much success. She is very observant, the one trait that will save her life and catch the culprit.
Although I enjoyed the book to some extent, it was not thrilling like it could have been. It also needed a little tension between Evelyne and David periodically. I found the book well-written but extremely slow. I am being generous to give it 4 stars. I would like to have known more about her father. He sounds like a character to follow. I suspect that her mother’s death was not entirely accidental either. So many stories that never got covered. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through NetGalley.

I enjoyed following Evelyn’s journey and the building of her backstory. The dynamic between Evelyn and David was fun and refreshing to follow for a historical mystery set around this time.

Would recommend to fans of Susan Elia MacNeal’s Maggie Hope Series!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. This is the first in a series.

In 1940 London, Evelyne Redfern is working in a munitions factory when she is recruited by an old family friend, Mr. Fletcher, to work in Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms. Not long after she starts working s a typist, one of the other typists is murdered. Evelyne finds herself drawn into investigating the death and discovers there is more going on at the CWR and teams up with David Poole to investigate the murder and hopefully uncover a mole.

Well written and capturing the feel of wartime London, the novel pulled me in. The characters were engaging, and the plot moved along at a good pace.
I liked Evelyne's strength and resilience. The series has a cozy feel, and I think it is the start of a fun new series.

I recommend checking this one out and look forward to more in this series. Opinions expressed are mine alone.

I received a digital ARC via Netgalley though all thoughts are my own.

I was so excited when I heard about this book and I'm so glad to have been able to read this book as it was just as exciting to read it.

This is the story of a young woman named Evelyne who finds herself going undercover for someone who once knew her Mother and seeks to find out some information on possible moles while WWII is happening and London is having to deal with the threat of bombing, of which there have been several dropped.

When Evelyne stumbles across a woman who has been stabbed, she finds herself trying to figure out what happened which leads her down some dangerous paths and eventually teams up with the mysterious Mr. David Poole who has secrets of his own.

The clock is ticking as Evelyne and David race to hopefully find the killer and stop a mole from leaking sensitive information to the enemy before these people disappear without a trace.

I really enjoyed that Evelyne has to have a book wherever she goes, has some sleuthing skills, and doesn't give up just because there have been some dead ends.

Looking forward to more books with her and I always know I'm going to have a great time with Julia Kelly's books!

Trigger warnings: murder, war, bombings, violence, treason, blackmail, cheating

In wartime London, Evelyne Redfern is unexpectedly drawn into the world of Winston Churchill's cabinet war rooms when her father's friend recognizes her. As she settles into her role as a typist, a coworker is murdered, prompting Evelyne to use her amateur sleuthing skills to get justice. She reluctantly teams up with David Poole, a minister's aide on a mission to uncover a government spy, but their partnership becomes increasingly complicated as they chase spies and a killer in a place where secrets reign supreme.

I’ve never read anything by this author before, but I was intrigued by the blurb. And it did not disappoint. Evelyne was an interesting and believable main character. I was sympathetic to her past. I enjoyed following her investigation and the way she approached the matter.

The plot moved at a good pace and it was difficult to put down. If I had to criticize anything, it would be how easily it was for other characters to confide in her. And just because it is called out in the story didn’t stop me from raising an eyebrow every time it happened.

Overall, this was a fun mystery and I look forward to seeing what happens next to Evelyne. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy historical mysteries, especially those set during World War 2.

When I started listening to this book, it had been long enough since I'd read the synopsis that I couldn't remember many of the details that had attracted me to it. As a lover of Foyle's War and other British wartime mysteries (in books as well as on TV), I was happy to get into it and remember that it's a murder mystery. The war effort is, of course, at the center of things in terms of the plot. There's a good bit of history as well, including the early days of the Blitz and how it affected life in London, and a glimpse into what life was like on the homefront for the women who'd become so important to the workforce while so many men were away fighting the war. I enjoyed this one - there are quite a few characters, which can be confusing in an audiobook but the narrator did a good job of giving them different voices. The mystery was interesting, as was the backstory of the main character, Evelyne.
I also didn't realize that it was actually the first in a planned series, but by the end of the book I was very happy about that aspect, because I found the characters appealing and the writing engaging, and will absolutely be on the lookout for book two.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

I loved this first in a new mystery series by one of my favorite historical fiction writers, Julia Kelly. Evelyne Redfern is recruited to work in the Churchill War Rooms, am underground bunker of offices to provide a safe place for important people during WWII. Evelyne finds a dead body, and becomes involved in solving the case. It’s a great historical setting. Evelyne is dubbed the “Parisian Orphan”, due to her mother’s illustrious past and her father’s fame s a playboy. As a result of an interesting upbringing, she brings a lot of personality into the character. I loved the book and can’t wait until the next one. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

A fantastic beginning to Kelly's Evelyne Redfern series!

Evelyne Redfern takes a position in the Cabinet War Rooms and finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. She teams up with mysterious David Poole, and together they uncover not only the murderer but discover who is behind leaking classified information to the enemy. A fiery heroine, enigmatic hero, and enough secrets to suspect just about everyone, this mystery is a joy and I'm looking forward to the next installment.

A Traitor in Whitehall weaves the tale of Evelyne Redfern, a single woman in one of Churchill's war rooms, who is tasked with finding a mole in their midst. But, her job is made more difficult by the murder of a woman in her typing pool. This story was set against the backdrop of the Blitz in London during World War II. I haven't ever really read a mystery encompassed in a historical fiction novel, but I absolutely loved this! Kelly does a great job of bringing the war room to life, while also dropping clues that will help solve the mystery. You didn't know who you could trust. This story had some twists and turns, but everything came together nicely. I can't wait to read more in this series!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book! It released last week.

4 more than a typist stars

With action in Churchill’s cabinet war room bunkers deep under London streets, this historical fiction mystery definitely kept my interest. Evelyne Redfern is recruited to root out a traitor while serving as a typist. How are British secrets getting out? And why has it escalated to murder? Evelyne is using her sleuthing skills, just like in the detective novels she likes to read.

David Poole is investigating the leak, and soon they team up. What is David’s exact role, though? Should Evelyne trust him? Will Evelyne’s past catch up to all of them? As the bombs fall on London, the tension ratchets up.

I really enjoyed meeting these characters, and I’m excited to see that this looks like the beginning of a series. This is my second book by this author, and I appreciate her authentic writing style and lack of grisly details. I’m ready for the next installment and learning more about Evelyne’s past and brewing romance.

A Traitor in Whitehall is part mystery mystery, part historical fiction. The story takes place in one of my favorite places in London, the Churchill War Rooms. There is a murder, a mole, and our heroine Evelyne sets out to catch the killer. A page turner and a unique take on WWII - this is a fast paced and fun read and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Julia Kelly introduces us to Evelyne Redfern, a want-to-be detective who finds herself in the middle of a murder, blackmail, and treason. Evelyne comes from a well-known family in wartime England, and has the much disliked nickname of "the Parisian Orphan" due to her mother's scandalous death in Paris when Evelyne was very young. Evelyne is approached by an old friend of her father's to take a job in the typing pool in Churchill's Cabinet War Room (CWR); however the catch is that she must report back to him of what things were going on within the CWR. Evelyne becomes a part of the investigation with the mysterious (and alluring) David Poole, one of the cabinet's ministers. Following is a drawn-out investigation of the corruption within, and the team of Evelyne and David find some very surprising goings-on at the CWR leading ultimately to the disclosure of the guilty. Evelyne and David make a great investigative team and their personal relationship and character make them great together in other ways! As the books finalizes - it appears that there will be a future to the team of Evelyn and David. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press - MInotaur Books, for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #ATraitorinWhitehall

First book in a new WWII series The Parisian Orphan sets up the groundwork for a new investigative team. Evelyne Redfern is offered a typist job in Churchills secret war room by an enigmatic old family friend. Almost instantly she becomes involved in murder and espionage. Teamed with the handsome David Poole she must find who is ferrying secrets to Germany and willing to murder to continue. Evelyne seems to have a real knack for this work and possibly an attraction to her new partner. Cozy mystery/historical fiction, more to come in this series. Thank you Netgalley and St Martins publishing.

A supposedly chance encounter allows Evelyne Redfern to leave her job in a munitions factory for one as a typist in Churchill’s Cabinet War Room. Mr. Fletcher had known Evelyne as a child. She was well educated and spoke French fluently, courtesy of her late mother. Now he would like her to use the position at CWR to observe her fellow workers and report back to him. Someone is leaking information to the Germans and he would like her impressions. Within a week she discovers the body of one of the other typists. Locked in a room with the body, she is rescued by David Poole. Investigators ignore her observations of the scene. Poole, however, is investigating the mole and is willing to listen. Investigators are ready to write it off as a crime of passion. As a typist, the victim had access to top secret information, Her death and the search for the mole must somehow be connected.

Evelyne is a fan of British mysteries. When she is ignored, her fist inclination is to investigate on her own. With women relegated to secretarial work, she demands that Poole treat her as an equal when he requests her help. Julia Kelly has created a strong character who knows her own abilities but working for the CWR she is wary of those around her, including Poole. Kelly’s description of the working conditions and the atmosphere in the underground headquarters at the beginning of the Blitz give you a good idea of what those workers faced. Evelyne and Poole work well together and Kelly’s closing scenes suggest that we can look forward to seeing them again. I look forward to seeing what she has in store for Evelyne and Poole in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Books - Minotaur for providing this book for my review.

A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly is a captivating historical novel filled with a compelling main character, a solid plot, and a delightful cast of characters. While the murder mystery could have been more gripping, the engaging relationships and the overall charm of the story more than make up for it. If you enjoy historical fiction with a touch of mystery and strong character dynamics, this book is a must-read. I definitely recommend it and can't wait to read the next book in the Parisian Orphan series.

I really enjoyed this story about the inner workings going on in Churchill's bunkers during WWII. Having visited there, it was easy to visualize the inner workings and empathize with those working underground during the bombings of London. Kelly writes an intriguing story of a possible traitor or traitors and of the sacrifices that civilians made in the service to their country. Evelyne Redfern, was working at a munitions factory until she ran into a friend of her parents who sent her to work in Churchill's War Rooms as a typist and ask that she keep her eyes open for odd things going on. And then there was a murder. Evelyne, a lover of cozy mysteries, discovers the body and decides to investigate. But she is thwarted but David Poole, an aide to the minister who was secretly working on finding a mole. However, I found it incredible how during the murder investigation that David Poole, would embrace Evelyne to help him in the investigation and share their efforts. As they closely worked together, Evelyne and David also fought their attraction for each other.That being said, I enjoyed the intrigue and kept track of the suspects and clues. Lots of red herrings and twists and turns. This is an interesting read about espionage but also a bit of a cozy mystery too. I think that we could possibly see Evelyn / David again in future stories. Many thanks to #netgalley #atraitorinwhitehall #juliakelly #minotaurbooks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to St. Martins Press, Minotaur and NetGalley for my complimentary eARC and to MacMillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed A Traitor in Whitehall. It’s an engaging mystery with all the twists and turns of an Agatha Christie novel. But the humor ! Oh my goodness, I chuckled throughout the story. WWII is a favorite time period of mine, and to have a women lead in a murder investigation made it that much more enjoyable. Evelyne and David make a great team and I look to forward many more books.

Marisa Calin did a fantastic job with the narration of the story. I enjoyed her accents and different voices for all the characters.

A Traitor in Whitehall follows Evelyn as she gets a new job typing for the ministry during WW2. Unbeknowest to her other coworkers Evelyn is put into place to find the mole in the operation. Secerts are being traded to the ememy and Evelyn must do everything in her power to stop it.The girls that she works with warn her to stay away from Jean, another employee that no one can stand. Evelyn is found locked in a room with the dead body of Jean and now has to discover not only the mole, but the murderer. Evelyn is teamed up with Mr. David Poole to help both of the crimes. Twists and turns in this fast-paced historical mystery.

WWII Cozy Mystery

It’s 1940, Evelyn Redfern, known and the Parisian Orphan, is doing her part for the war effort working in a munitions plant. The work is boring, so when Mr. Fletcher, one of her father’s friends, recruits her to work in Winston Churchill’s war rooms she jumps at the chance. Fletcher coaches her to look for a suspected leak, but when one of the other secretaries is found dead she transfers her attention to solving the mystery.

In her investigation she’s helped by a reluctant colleague, David Poole. At first he seems determined to keep her from investigating, but when she discovers that he is also looking for the suspected leak, they team up.

Since this is the first book in a new mystery series, it’s reasonable that the first quarter of the book gives Evelyn’s background. In the next section of the book, the mystery heats up and we’re introduced to the myriad characters working in the tunnels of the war room. At this point, I found the number of characters a bit overwhelming. However, as the story progresses the characters fit into place and it’s easy to figure our what’s happening. I was pleasantly surprised by the twist at the end.

I loved Evelyn’s character. She determined and spunky, but with a clever mind and quick repartee. The amusing dialogue kept the story moving. David is a good foil for Evelyn. At first, he’s very standoffish and tells people she’s just taking notes for him, as their relationship develops he becomes more accepting of her help.

This is a great cozy mystery with well researched background on the Churchill war rooms. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks to the published and Net Galley for this review copy.

This is a good whodunit book. Set in England in WWII, a group of people worked underground on government business when someone is found dead. It has to be someone approved to be underground and the newest typist is determined to find out who the killer is. It is a good closed door, amenture detective story.