The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour with Jude Dobson – Fascinating, Gripping, and Inspiring Memoir

 
After reading the description of The Last Secret Agent by authors Pippa Latour and Jude Dobson, I wanted to read this story about the last female British secret agent in WWII.  

 

This memoir is a fascinating and gripping account of Pippa Latour’s early life and her experiences as a British female operative who was dropped behind enemy lines in France during WWII.  Pippa’s early life and experiences uniquely equipped and developed her character to be well-suited for the work she would sign-up for in her early 20’s.

 

I never knew that women were used as secret agents and deployed in war zones.  It was interesting to read about her training and the dangerous work she engaged in to transmit information on Germany’s troop movements back to Britian.  The dangers that these operatives encountered in the battle against Nazi Germany is almost unimaginable.  The life span of the operatives behind enemy lines was short.  They had a greater chance of being taken captive, tortured, and murdered than coming out alive.  The courage that Pippa displayed, along with the men and women like her, who served their county and the Allied Nations is awe-inspiring. 

 

We owe a great debt to the men and women fought in the critical battle against the great evil that Hitler’s Germany unleashed on the free-world. 

 

Pippa Latour’s recollections were beautifully recorded, researched and written by writer Jude Dobson.  This is an excellent memoir about an extraordinary woman who lived in a unique and critical time in history.  I highly recommend The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour with author Jude Dobson. 

 

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour with Jude Dobson.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

 

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly – Intrigue and Mystery During WWII

 If you enjoy a good story with mystery and intrigue, Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly may be the book for you.  This is the second book in the Evelyne Redfern Mystery series.

 

Evelyne Redfern completed her training at the finishing school for the Special Investigations Unit.  She has been summoned to headquarters to receive her first assignment.  On her way, Evelyne encounters David Pool whom she had previously worked with.  Evelyne is assigned to investigate an anonymous report that things have gone missing at Blackthorn Park, a facility that develops weapons.  David has also been assigned.  This time he will be Evelyne’s handler and not a field agent. 

 

Under the cover of night, Evelyne makes her way through the grounds to the manor house.  After picking the lock Evelyne hears a gunshot.  She dashes up the stairs and enters Sir Nigel’s office and finds the man dead of what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  Or is it?  Is it connected to the report of missing supplies?

 

I love reading historical fiction, especially from the timeframe of WWII.  Betrayal at Blackthorn Park was filled with mystery and intrigue. 

 

I enjoyed reading this book because of the main characters Evelyne and David.  Both characters were very likable and had an interesting relationship.  There was some attraction between the two.  But they were both professional and respected one another.  The author did a good job in describing the scenes and characters so the reader can visualize them.  There were lot of characters and many twists and turns.  I was trying to guess whodunit based on the evidence and possible suspects.  The book kept me guessing to the end. 

 

I really enjoyed reading Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly and recommend it.  This was the second book in the Evelyne Redfern Mystery series, but it worked well as a standalone book.  Now I want to go back and read the first book in the series, A Traitor in Whitehall, and look forward to reading more of Julia Kelly’s books.  If you like historical fiction, mysteries, intrigue, and WWII history, be sure to read this book. 

 

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

 

The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves – Unlikable Characters and Convoluted Story

                                 

Ann Cleeves is an excellent storyteller and I was excited for the opportunity to read her new book The Raging Storm, the third book in the Detective Matthew Venn series.  I have not read the first two books. 

 

Matthew Venn and his team were called to handle a case in Greystone, Devon after a famous sailor and adventurer, Jem Rosco, has been found dead in a dinghy.  Though Jem hails from the Greystone area, he is not necessarily considered a local hero by those who knew him way back when.  Will the investigators be able to draw out the truth from the people in this community?

 

I wanted to like this book, but I really struggled with the characters.  The main character Matthew was not likable.  He came off as a miserable man, who chose to carry the baggage from his past, and have a chip on his shoulder.  At times he treated his team poorly and seemed to have a low opinion of them, as well as the townspeople. 

 

Of all the characters I liked Sergeant Jen Rafferty the best.  Her character was better developed and came across likeable.  Though things are not easy in her life, she doesn’t wallow in self-pity.  Ross May’s character was rather flat and the object of Matthew’s criticism. 

 

From Matthew’s experience of religion, to the people in the community that seemed rather cultish, Christianity was portrayal as unhealthy.  It was an unrealistic portrayal of Christian believers. 

 

The story was very convoluted.  The people in the community seems rather insular and secretive, not the kind of folks you want to spend time with.  There were only a few characters that were somewhat likeable.  The story seemed to drag on and I just wanted it to end.  From the town, to most the characters everything about this booked seemed rather grey and unappealing. 

 

I have enjoyed Ann Cleeve’s other books and movies taken from her novels.  But The Raging Storm was not appealing.  When the main character is so off-putting it doesn’t make a good foundation for a story.  I would like have to have had the other characters on Matthew’s team better developed. 

 

Because of the unlikable main character Matthew and the convoluted story that dragged on, I didn’t care for The Raging Storm. 

 

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Ann Cleeve’s book The Raging Storm.  I received a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to give a favorable review.  The Raging Storm is schedule to be released September 5, 2023. 

The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves – Great Storyteller Brings Beloved and Determined Vera Stanhope to Life

The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves is the tenth book about DI Vera Stanhope.  I’ve watched the PBS series on Vera over the years but never read a novel by Ann Cleeves.  She makes the characters come alive as she reveals details about their personalities and lives while unveiling the mystery. 

 

The Rising Tide is about a group of friends who have known each other since high school.  Fifty years ago, their teacher had organized a weekend, Only Connect, where the group members bonded.  They’ve been gathering every five years since.  During the first reunion, one of their friends, Isobel, was killed in a terrible tragedy.  On their 50^th reunion, friend Rick Kelsall was found hanged.  Was it suicide or murder?  You can be sure that Vera and her team will not rest until they find out the truth about what happened, why, and who is responsible.

 

Vera Stanhope is one of my favorite characters.  I love her dogged determination to solve a case and bring justice for the deceased.  She is not intimidated by powerful and influential people and treats all potential suspects the same way.  I especially appreciated getting a better understanding and insight into Vera’s team members Joe, Holly, Billy, and Paul. 

 

I enjoyed reading The Rising Tide and getting to know the characters better.  Ann Cleeves does a great job bringing characters to life and describing the scenes so the reader can visualize what’s happening.  She’s a great storyteller and I highly recommend The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves.

 

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.