Another absolutely gripping novel in this WWII spy series.

Characters are well drawn and the mystery of theft or sabotage at a secretive British estate had me guessing and engaged for the entire read. I also like the main character, Evelyn’s backstory and possible budding romance with her handler/ co-agent.

This was a well-written and researched WWII mystery. You do not have to read the first book in the series to enjoy this one, but the first in the series was also a very good read.

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park was a disappointing second act to the series. I found the characters rather thin and uninteresting. As for the plot - I had trouble remembering what it was and it seemed the characters did too.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy to read and review.

I love a historical fiction novel, especially one in with a new or unique locale so I can feel like I’m learning a little bit too while enjoying a good story.

While the “action” contained a lot of dialogue of interviews, the pace seemed fast and the story moved along quite well. A compelling mystery and I hope there is more to come in this series!

Evelyne has finished her field training and is ready for her first official assignment. However, being sent to a country estate to investigate possible stolen supplies is not the assignment she was hoping for, even if the estate (Blackthorn Park) is being used to develop, test and manufacture unconventional weapons. Yet, the assignment quickly changes when, while doing reconnaissance, she responds to the sound of a gunshot and discovers that Sir Nigel, the brilliant head engineer, is dead, with his murder staged to look like a suicide. Sir Nigel could be rather brusque and had had disagreements with multiple staff, but nothing immediately apparent that would justify murder. Evelyne is quickly joined by David, who was initially her handler for the assignment, but now her partner given the change in circumstances. Adding to the pressure, Prime Minister Churchill is scheduled to visit Blackthorn Park in a few days for a weapons demonstration. It will take all their ingenuity to uncover the multiple secrets that Blackthorn Park and its residents hold, and further tragedy will strike before the mystery is solved.

this is the second book in the Evelyn Redfern mystery series. If you like WW2 mysteries, you will love the book. Read in two days.

I was fully engaged from start to finish in this WW2-era historical mystery.

The British agents assigned to the seemingly insignificant “case” quickly become engaged in solving a double murder in an exceptionally top secret government research facility. The setting was familiar. The war-time sensitivity to secrecy was familiar. But the protagonists were fresh, smart and are a team that I hope to encounter in future novels.

There was just enough tension between the seasoned male and his female rookie partner that it kept the book interesting.

Netgalley provided me a complimentary copy in return for a candid review.

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park is a cozy historical mystery. It follows A Traitor in Whitefall as the second book in the Evelyne Redfern series; however, there is plenty of context available to read it as a standalone.

Evelyne Redfern is a new recruit to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) during wartime. As a new agent, Evelyne and her handler are assigned what should be an easy investigation but she’s quickly faced with an unexpected murder, or two.

Evelyne leads the way in conducting a full investigation, letting the story unfold to reveal plenty of twists and unexpected scenarios. I appreciated the originality in both the crimes committed and how the mysteries were solved.

I highly recommend Betrayal at Blackthorn Park to anyone interested in a unique yet plausible historical whodunit.

Julia Kelly's "Betrayal at Blackthorn Park" is a gripping historical mystery set against the backdrop of 1920s England. With intricate plotting and vivid period detail, Kelly weaves a tale of secrets, scandal, and societal upheaval. This atmospheric novel captivates with its blend of suspense and historical charm.

#atraitorinwhitehall by @juliakellywrites was one of my favorite reads of 2023. so i was super excited to score an advance copy of her new one featuring evelyn redfern and david poole. while i did not enjoy #betrayalatblackthornpark as much, it was still a very good read. i'm interested in checking out the rest of ms. kelly's catalog, the historical fiction w/o the mystery. i do love a spunky '40s heroine.

p.s. thanks to #netgalley for the ARC.

Evelyne has just finished her training and not thrilled when her first assignment is investigating what appears to be a simple case of theft from a secret lab. However, things soon change and David joins her in investigating a complicated case of espionage and murder. Exceptional

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly is an exciting mystery set during World War II. 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 conducting security test at Blackthorn Park, a manor house in the Sussex countryside, she can’t help her initial disappointment. Making matters worse, her handler is to be David Poole, a fellow agent who is 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 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.

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park had me turning the pages to the very end. This book is an easy 4 stars. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction and family stories.

I received a free advanced copy and all opinions are my own. I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

When I finished the first book in this series, it appeared to be a standalone story and I wished for another book. Imagine my delight at finding out this was a series and I was getting access to an early copy of the second book?!?

Evelyn was recruited to be a secret agent in the first Parisian Orphan book. After solving a murder while working as a typist in Churchill’s underground war rooms in that story, she returns in this second book having gone through a grueling training camp. Her first assignment is a quick, overnight visit to a manor being used as a weapons development lab to evaluate security protocols. Her partner in the last book, David Poole, is now her handler and will stay in London.

Evelyn easily breaches security at the manor, but stumbles upon the dead body of the man in charge of the operation. And so, the overnight assignment because a murder investigation and David joins Evenlyn in the country.

The investigation moves quickly and some of the men working at the lab blend together initially, but the issue resolves itself quickly as the different personalities become clear. Some secondary storylines serve as red herrings, of sorts, but are resolved in a satisfying way. They aren’t just thrown in and forgotten.

The relationship between Evelyn and David is solidly in the friend zone, but there’s a delightful chemistry between them that adds humor to the story. This isn’t quite a “will they won’t they” relationship yet.

The bigger arc of Evelyn’s family story continues to be developed with the promise of more to come in the next book. I can’t wait!

This book is the second book of the Evelyne Redfern series. Since I loved the first book in the series: “A Traitor in Whitehall,” I was beyond thrilled for an early read of Betrayal of Blackthorn Park. I loved it. This book is the type of book I devour - World War two Historical fiction, a mystery, a thriller, and a bit of comedic banter – all in one book. When does book three come out? I’m not sure I can wait!

I loved this book and highly recommend it. Preorder at your earliest convenience at your favorite bookstore or Amazon!


Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an early read. It was a huge treat!

4.5 stars
STRONG recommend

This is the fourth book that I have by Julia Kelly. Her historical fiction mysteries based in England during WWII are the only exception I am making to my "no more WWII historical novels". This is the second book in the "Parisian Orphan" series. This novel was as good as the first book in this series so I eagerly await the next book!

Evelyne Redfern and David Poole are the two main characters in this fun mystery. Evelyne and David are new partners after Evelyne completed SIU (Special Investigation Unit) training during WWII in England. Evelyne is tasked to discover thefts at Blackthorn Park a munitions research, development, and manufacturing site at a requisitioned manor home in Sussex. David is Evelyne's handler for this case, but a death by suicide quickly changes things.

I love that I did not even come close to figuring out who or why the death by suicide occurred!! Julia writes beautifully and creates a feeling of you being there as the storyline unfolds.

My only complaint was that there were a LOT of secondary characters to keep track of. Maybe, a list of characters could be added to make it easier to follow along as the story unfolds.

Finally, please read the first book in this series to understand more about the characters and fully understand this novel better.

After reading "A Traitor in Whitehall", I was so excited to start "Betrayal at Blackthorn Park". Don't get me wrong- it was a solid mystery, with vivid descriptions of people and places, and more than enough potential villains to keep me guessing until the end- but I didn't think it was as enjoyable as "A Traitor in Whitehall". I think what I was missing was the sense of camaraderie between Evelyne and her female friends and housemates. We get glimpses of them throughout the book, but for me personally, not enough to be satisfying. A solid sequel that unfortunately didn't (for me) live up to the original.

This newest novel from Julia Kelly had her trademark authentic historical feel that sweeps you off your feet and back into 1940's wartime England, where loose lips sink ships and spies could be just around the corner. I loved the mystery, the dialogue, the love interest, and the main character (who does a great job at solving her first murder!). I highly recommend this book to any looking for their next WWII fix, and I think they will be very pleased.

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park
by Julia Kelly
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This second in a series is bang down my alley! I loved it. I adore Julia's evocative prose, fine character development, and tales you fall into headlong, and that the series takes place during such a critical time in WWII England hits my sweet spot. I loved reading more of the gripping adventures of Brit spy Evelyne and her partner David, and it eased the pain in my heart caused by the recent end to my two favorite historical fiction series, Maggie Hope and Maisie Dobbs.
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.

Calling all fans of Maggie Hope and Maisie Dobbs! I adore Julia Kelly’s new historical mystery series. A Traitor in Whitehall introduced a plucky and smart amateur sleuth/crime fiction enthusiast named Evelyne Redfern in a brilliantly plotted and paced, obviously well researched, and otherwise well crafted mystery in which the “locked room” setting is the Churchill War Rooms and the reader is utterly transported to World War II London.

The second book in the series, Betrayal at Blackthorn Park, does not disappoint. This time around, the setting is the English countryside, specifically bucolic Blackthorn Park in Sussex, and the sense of place is again vividly drawn. World War II is still raging. But Evelyne has received formal spy training since her last bout of sleuthing in London and is eager to prove her worth to the war effort. Paired again with (slow burn romantic interest?) David, Evelyne seeks to ferret out another murderer, and this intriguing tale is likewise well researched and engaging. For me, the underlying criminal motives proved not quite as compelling as in the first book of the series, and I missed some of the more colorful characters left in London, but I loved the book regardless, and am already eagerly awaiting the next in the series!. I’ve not been so excited about a new mystery series since I discovered Susan Elia MacNeal’s Maggie Hope tales a decade or so ago.

Highly recommended to fans of Susan Elia MacNeal’s Maggie Hope series, Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs stories, and tales of other intelligent and independent woman sleuths, including Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily novels, Anna Lee Huber’s Lady Darby books and Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness and Molly Murphy series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the privilege of a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

The second book in Julia Kelly's Evelyne Redfern series is so bang down my alley! I adore Julia's evocative prose, fine character development, and tales you fall into headlong, and that the series takes place during such a critical time in WWII England hits my sweet spot. I loved reading more of the gripping adventures of Brit spy Evelyne and her partner David, and it eased the pain in my heart caused by the recent end to my two fav histfic series, Maggie Hope and Maisie Dobbs. Keep calm and spy on, Evelyne and David, and brava, Julia!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for a copy of Betray at Blackthorn Park. I am an avid reader of Julia Kelly's novels and was excited about this advanced copy. I enjoyed the delightful and intelligent characters portrayed by Ms. Kelly, however, the storyline fell a little short for me. Looking forward to other books by one of my favorite authors!