Murder at Bletchley Park

The Blind Detective #8

by Christina Koning

Spring, 1941. The Second World War has entered a dangerous phase, with British ships being torpedoed in the Atlantic and nightly bombing raids on major ports. At Bletchley Park, top secret home of the nation's code-breakers, the race is on to crack the German Enigma code and thus prevent further naval and military losses. This endeavour is suddenly very close to home for Frederick Rowlands, blind veteran of the Great War, when his daughter, Margaret, who works at 'the Park' as a cryptographer, is arrested on suspicion of betraying secrets to the enemy.

Then a young woman is found murdered, and Rowlands is drawn into a deadly battle of wits where he must decode a series of clues that will lead him to the killer and enable him to discover the real traitor at Bletchley Park.

320 pages, Hardcover

Published December 21, 2023

About the author

This author also writes under the name A.C. Koning

Reviews

[Sue Plant · Rating 3 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

have always loved stories about bletchley park and added bonus of a blind detective i have to admit to being intrigued by it

margaret starts work at bletchley park, after postponing her final year at university, she is a maths student and very bright hence why bletchley park grabbed her

but its not long before she is arrested for murder....

her father is the blind detective and though at first he cant gain access to bletchley park its not long before he calls in favours and gets to investigate

though this book wasnt quite as i expected it was an interesting read though at times when it got a bit political it did lose me a bit, on the whole though i would be interesting in seeing how these characters progress further

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review of Murder in Cambridge and Murder at Bletchley Park, both part of the Blind Detective historical mystery series.
I chose to review them together as this is a compelling and well written historical mystery series. The main character who suffer from the aftermath of WWI is interesting, clever and brave.
The story take place in different location and it's always great to discover something about these places.
The mystery is solid and I like the golden age atmosphere and the surprising twists.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Scilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's early WWII. Rowland's daughter Margaret has graduated from college and has gone to Bletchley Park for secret war work. She brings her friend Pamela with her for Christmas to stay with the family. After they have gone back, Margaret is very anxious when Pamela disappears. When Rowlands goes to Bletchley Park, they search for some missing papers and find them in Margaret's locker. Shortly thereafter, Inspector Douglas asks Rowlands to come to his office. Margaret has been put in Holloway Prison for safety, and Rowlands finds himself once again helping Douglas solve a case, . They not only need to find who is the traitor giving information to the enemies, but also solve two murders. Not only Margaret, but also Rowlands is in danger.

This is an exciting and clever British mystery with a blind detective!

I thank Netgalley and Allyson & Busby for an ARC.

[Sarahlovesbooks76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the latest Blind Detective historical mystery series. I haven't read any of the previous books, and although some background knowledge would be useful, it did work as a standalone.

Rowlands' daughter Margaret takes a job at the mysterious Bletchley Park. She is soon embroiled in a murder case, and Rowlands calls in favours to help investigate. Can he help save Margaret before it is too late?

A fun historical cosy mystery, I really liked Rowlands and it was interesting to have a blind detective. I will definitely be reading more of the series.

[Darren Togwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good fun and you can tell the author did their research on this period of history to keep the story relevant to the time period. The blind thing felt a little shoehorned in, but the characters were well fleshed out and believable. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for the author’s other books.

[Tony Peck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in wartime with Bletchley Park on the edges of the story, I liked the every day details of war time London, but found the story lacking… perhaps all a bit mundane.
The lead character, Rowland has depth and an added dimension is his blindness and it’s impact on his interaction with the world.

[Peacefulbookery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-researched historical mystery.

[Ruth Armstrong]

Well written. WW2 detective story with a blind detective.