Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly

BETRAYAL AT BLACKTHORN PARK by Julia Kelly features the same two characters – trained operatives Evelyne Redfern and David Poole -- as her earlier WWII historical mystery, A Traitor in Whitehall. This time the action takes place primarily in the English countryside where Blackthorn Park is being used as a weapons research facility. Due to concern about missing materials, Redfern and Poole set out to investigate, but quickly confront a death – suicide or murder of Sir Nigel, the brilliant but brusque scientist who leads the engineers? All of this is a bit confusing initially because so many characters are introduced, but then the relationships and motives crystallize; plus, suspense develops further as newly manufactured weapons malfunction just prior to a visit from Winston Churchill. I agree with Publishers Weekly who said, “Most readers will be able to ferret out the culprit well before Evelyne and David do, but their simmering romantic chemistry and Kelly’s talent for brisk pacing win out in the end.” I also thoroughly enjoyed the AUDIO BOOK for BETRAYAL AT BLACKTHORN PARK which was narrated by Marisa Calin with her soft British accent and expressive voice. Looking forward to more in this series.