I pushed myself through the first five chapters, but I could not get attached to the story enough to finish the entire thing. Nothing was exciting or enrapturing enough to keep me hooked or entertained.

As a big fan of the previous 2 books in this series, I was delighted to get the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. I loved this one as well. The characters are great, and I found it easy to keep track of the new people in this installment. I enjoyed the setting in Portugal and found it very atmospheric both in the location and historical period. It was also interesting to learn more about the main character’s family life. The mystery was unique, and I enjoyed all its twists and turns. Highly recommended!

Book #3 in the Evelyne Redfern series was just what I wanted. Evelyne and David on an adventure to Lisbon, Portugal to locate a missing informant. But you know it will not be that straightforward. Evelyne encounters a dead man on the plane just after landing in LIsbon from London. Plans go off the rail from there. since she and David have to talk to the local police. Evelyne also has a secret, personal mission to find her wayward father who had sent her a secret message before she left. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery with its twists and turns. Evelyne is becoming a favorite character because she is not afraid of much and is becoming more confident in her abilities as an intelligence officer. The story is set during WW2 as the backdrop, but focuses on the world of espionage and not the fighting portion. Being set in Lisbon, gives the reader a different perspective on the time and focuses on Evelyne and David's story. We learn a little more about Evelyn's father, Sir Reginald, but I don't think his story is done and we will see him again. The ending was a surprise and perfectly sets up book #4. If you have read the first two books in the series, I highly recommend book three. I love a good series because you know the characters and their backgrounds plus you know will enjoy their next adventures.
#ADarkandDeadlyJourney #NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars rounded up for a pleasant spy story with minimal violence, no sex or bad language. This is book 3 in the series and it is the only book that I have read in the series. It worked for me as a stand alone. Evelyne Redfern is a field agent for British Intelligence in 1940. She is sent to Lisbon, Portugal to find out why one their best informants has disappeared. She is partnered with David Poole, her partner on her last assignment. She has a side issue: she wants to find her father, Sir Reginald Redfern, who was last seen in Lisbon. He sent her a cryptic message while she was still in London.
She does solve both mysteries. Along the way, she has to deal with the Portuguese police, a menacing German spy, and a Russian princess.
Thank You St Martin's Press/ Minotaur Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.

I loved Julia Kelly’s "Last Garden in England" and "The Last Dance of the Debutante" and I found the first two books in this series to be enjoyable, but this one did not do it for me. I did read to the end and was moderately entertained (hence the three star review) but I found the writing blocky and full of filler (lots of dialog consisting of discussion of food and polite “thank yous” on every other line). This book focused on Portugal during WWII. Evelyne Redfern and partner (and clear love interest) David Poole are sent to Lisbon to find an informant who had gone missing. I didn’t find the setting to be either deep or compelling — no more historical information than you could get from reading a wikipedia article. All in all — not really my thing.

As I did not care for this book, I won't share my review elsewhere.

As usual, Evelyne Redferne is a good change of pace in a truly crazy world. A nearly madcap thriller, it really doesn't matter how it ends. The journey is the thing.

I love this series about Evelyne Redfern. Kelly has created a fun character.
Evelyne next assignment with Britian’s secretive Special Investigations Unit has her in the middle of a disappearance of a man who had crucial evidence that could change everything and provide a clue during WW2.
Evelyne and her partner David are assigned to Lisbon. However, on the plane ride passengers are murdered.
These two always find adventure, romance and scary situations.

Evelyne Redfern, British Agent, is back for book # 3. This time in wartime Lisbon, Portugal. Teamed up with her handsome partner, David, Evelyne is tasked with finding a missing informant whose intelligence could shift the tide of World War II.

Lisbon, a city teeming with intrigue, wealth, and espionage, sets the perfect backdrop for this riveting mystery.

This third book in the series masterfully blends historical fiction and mystery, offering compelling characters, rich atmosphere, and a page turning plot. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it to fans of strong heroines, World War 2 historical fiction and mysteries.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the early read in exchange for an honest review. I’m already eagerly awaiting Evelyne’s next story!

Evelyn Redfern is a British aristocrat who works in a defense typing pool, and is also a British Undercover Agent during WWII. In this third adventure, she and her senior partner,David, have been assigned to Lisbon, to investigate the murders of two British Assets. As they navigate the list of myriad suspects, which include German spies, desperate expats from numerous countries trying to escape the War, dangerous Black Marketeers, and even a princess, they must use their wits to stay alive. When Evelyn realizes her estranged father may be involved, her loyalties are tested.
This book is a worthy successor to the first two in this series. I enjoy the author’s writing style which is reminiscent of the time period. I impatiently look forward to Evelyn’s further exploits.

Thank you Netgalley, St-Martin’s Press and the author Julia Kelly.
I have read the three installments of the Evelyne Redfern series and loved them all.
Evelyne and David are now in Lisbon on assignment with Britain’s Special Investigative Unit.
Once they land, Evelyne discovers one of the passengers is dead. Evelyn is under investigation since she found the body and cannot divulge her true identity.
Lots of twits and turns.
I cannot wait to read the next installment
4 stars

I have been on a murder/mystery roll lately and unfortunately when you read several stellar books first and then come up to one that misses the mark, my review will be a bit lower. This one is a 3.5 read rounded up to 4 stars.
My con for this story is there are way too many characters to keep track of and so much going on. You almost need to write down the names of the good guys and the bad guys in order to keep track and then we even find out some of those were made up characters, not even real. I found the original mystery investigation became convoluted.
The main characters Evelyne and David were quite the investigators, and I did enjoy their roles but towards the end that was not as it seemed either.
I’ve read several of Ms. Kelly’s books previously and I will continue but this one missed the mark for me. I’m sure others may disagree.
This is my own opinion expressed in this review. Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press.

I enjoyed being able to read this advance copy. Thank you for including me!
This book kept me coming back for more. I couldn’t put it down! I wasn’t thrilled with the ending, because I want to see what Evelyne does next. Can’t wait to see what happens.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I am a true fan of Julia Kelly's and always love to dive into one of her historical fiction novels. Having read the previous two novels in this series, I went in with high expectations, and they were met!

In this volume, our intrepid heroine, Evelyne Redfern, is sent to perform an undercover assignment in Lisbon, along with her partner, David Poole. There have been hints at developing feelings between the two in the previous novels, and I was hoping for some forward momentum here, which we received, though the slow burn does smolder slow (and that ending throws it all into question - no spoilers, but wow!!). I do appreciate that the bulk of the attention in the novel is given to the mystery and suspense, as our main characters attempt to solve a puzzle (in this case - where is a missing British informant, and how is Evelyne's estranged father caught up in the whole affair?).

Excellent writing, perfect pacing, and a heroine to root for. This is a fantastic series that I absolutely recommend and will be recommending to all!

One small note - there were quite a few copy editing issues (repetitions of words and phrases within a sentence, misspellings, etc.) that did take me out of the narrative at times, but I'm certain that will be cleared up before publication, and I'll be sure to purchase a copy at that time.

Evelyn is thrilled to be again partnered with David when they are sent to Lisbon to look for a missing informat. Lisbon is a hotbed of spies for all sides at WWII heats up and everyone is worried that Portugal will choose a side, so it is a very important mission. She is less thrilled when she finds out that her estranged father may be there and that she needs to determine who's side he is one.
A wonderful look at Lisbon and an intriguing read. I cannot wait for the next in this series

A Dark and Deadly Journey. An Evelyn Redfern Mystery. By Julia Kelly

Evelyne and David work together for the Britain’s secretive Special Investigations Unit. They are sent to Portugal when their informant mysteriously disappears. Evelyne has also been given an ‘off the books’ side-mission to look deeper into German plans that could tip the balance of World War Two. In Lisbon they encounter many people who have a ‘flexible relationship with legality’.

This is book three of the Evelyne Redfern mysteries and the first one that I have read. This book can be read as a standalone as backstory details are woven in. While the mystery of their missing Lisbon contact person was solved in this book, several pieces of new information were revealed that will lead Evelyn into future sleuthing adventures.

I enjoyed the historic aspect of our characters being in a country not directly in the line of fire during WW2. The intrigue of who might be aiding war efforts, on either side, was still present. Much of the plot’s development was communicated through dialogue between the two main characters, by revisiting key discoveries through conversation. While this served as a helpful reminder of their investigative progress, it was a bit redundant. I also enjoyed a hint of romance between David and Evelyne in the midst of their sleuthing.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy a strong female investigator and I certainly plan to put future books in this series on my TBR list.

Many thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this complementary copy. Opinions here are my own.

This work read very much like a 1940s spy novel or British movie. It was easy to imagine how the characters behaved and acted like the ones we watch in old black and white or film nor movies. Easy to follow plot. Like the setting in Lisbon. Bit of a different twist to WWII traditional settings. Ending made it seem like a squirrel is coming.

A Dark and Deadly Journey is book three in the Evelyn Redfern series. I hadn't read the first two, but still enjoyed this wonderful historical fiction mystery.

I won't give a synopsis since the book description dies a much better job than I could ever do, but this is definitely worth the read if you enjoy historical fiction. I rated it a strong four stars.

Thank you Netgalley for the digital ARC of A Dark and Deadly Journey,b which releases in September 2025.

Evelyne and David are special agents for the British during World War II. They are sent to Lisbon to investigate the disappearance of one of their agents. Privately, Evelyne is also looking for her father. The characters are flat, the story was predictable, the writing was appropriate for a fifth grader. The story ended with an unexpected cliff hanger, but I didn't care. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc with no pressure for a positive review,

this was such a perfect addition to evelyne's story.

i adored how she's really coming into her own as an agent, as well as seeing her partnership with david grow. it truly felt as though their relationship became closer without compromising either characters' own personalities.

julia kelly manages to write such fun who-done-its while still maintaining that air of seriousness and reality for the time period.

and the ENDING??? i was only a little surprised, but disappointed in the best of ways. it only makes me eager for book four.

Two purposes take British Special Investigations agent Evelyne Redfern to Lisbon. There is her official mission: to track down a missing informant with crucial intelligence on German plans. And then there is the personal mission no one knows about: findout out just what her father is up to. Before they even leave the airport, Evelyne discovers a murder and a diary linking the victim to their case, putting their mission at risk from the start. Evelyne and her charming partner David must rely on their wits while racing to uncover the truth.

I have been waiting for the next adventure of Evelyne and this did not disappoint. It was fun watching Evelyne try to juggle two investigations that connect. I did feel as though she should have confided in David sooner, because he was understandably annoyed when he learned.

There were a lot of details to keep track of, but not so much that it was impossible to make my own deductions. The only annoyance I had was with the ending. It perfectly sets up the next book and I cannot wait to read it!

This is a fun addition to the series and any reader who enjoys cozy historical mysteries will definitely enjoy this one.