A Jewel in the Crown

The Secret Churchill Files #1

by David Lewis

James Bond meets Maisie Dobbs in this riveting new historical caper series featuring a gifted young socialist-turned-counterespionage spy on a World War II mission orchestrated by Winston Churchill himself…

1940: Weeks after the evacuation of Dunkirk, Germany is poised to invade a near-defenseless Britain. To safeguard the Crown Jewels from the Nazis, Winston Churchill devises a daring gamble to have them shipped overseas. The priceless artifacts will be secretly removed from the Tower of London and driven north to Scotland by two operatives posing as a young married couple, to be taken from there to Canada.

Caitrin Colline—a Welsh coalminer’s daughter and an ardent socialist—will play the wife of Lord Marlton, Hector Neville-Percy. A less likely couple is at first difficult to imagine. Yet Caitrin’s bold, streetwise confidence and sharp wits complement Hector’s social ease and connections, essential to a second part of their uncovering Nazi sympathizers within the highest ranks of Britain’s aristocracy.

Battling enemies within and without, Caitrin wonders if anyone in their circle can be trusted—even her partner. And when unexpected events catapult her into a life-or-death chase across the continent, the morale of a nation and the fate of Europe itself in the balance.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, British Literature

304 pages, Hardcover

First published July 23, 2024

About the author

Library of Congress Authorities:
Personal name heading: Lewis, David (Cinematographer)
Located: California
Place of birth: Wales
Field of activity: Historical fiction ;
Cinematography
Profession or occupation: Authors ; Cinematographers
Found in: Lewis, David. A jewel in the crown, 2024: title page (David Lewis) about the author (born in Wales and moved to Hollywood to become a director of photography ; has worked on movies, TV, music videos, and commercials ; also lived and worked in Scotland ; lives in Southern California)

Reviews

[eyes.2c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful!

Riveting WWII tale of spies, misdirection, the Crown Jewels, a secret women’s organisation, and English lords who want Churchill to make peace with Hitler. Not happening!
A derring-do thriller that rather appealed.

A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thrilling start to a new WWII mystery series, focusing on the theft of the British royal jewels en route to Canada for safekeeping from the Germans. Kept me gripped to the last page, with great one liners that made me guffaw. A winner!

[Sheri Schuttler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so pleased that I was able to get an advanced copy of this book to review. Spy books set during WW2 in England are totally my jam, and I loved that our protagonist was a smart female.

This was a quick and fun read. The settings were detailed and easy to picture. The characterization was good, with fully realized characters, both real and fictional. I particularly enjoyed a look into Winston Churchill's personal demons and his long-suffering body guard, Thompson.

Plot-wise, I appreciated that there were many twists and turns in the cross-country pursuit of the jewels. Although fiction, most of the action made sense, with the exception of Hector's actual intentions in the mission. This was not at all clear considering he walked right into the hands of the Germans. If this was his intention all along, he really screwed up with the way he put Caitrin's life in danger by keeping her in the dark. I enjoyed learning about the 512 and seeing more of the SOE. This was an adventure worthy of Maggie Hope!

The only part that I foresee causing me any trouble in future installments is in the character of Caitrin. I like that she is strong and smart and pretty and capable. The problem is that women like this tend to have this lone wolf, "I'm the smartest one in the room, and you can't possibly have anything to offer me" attitude. I encountered this with Maggie Hope (Ugh, she made me CRAZY) and with Maisie Dobbs (Ugh, constantly sabotaging her own happiness). Hopefully, Caitrin's Socialist ideology doesn't lead her to dismiss anyone who is not of her class, and hopefully, Caitrin does not get in the way of her own progress by thinking she can do it all on her own.

P.S. I see that a lot of readers did not like the humor or the elevated diction. Personally, I really liked it because it forced me to do some research and learn something!

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks goodreads for the giveaway. The trouble that I had with this book was the writing itself. The author used a lot of words throughout that I did not know how to pronounce. I get that the author was trying to be authentic but it was too much. The story was too descriptive at times. While I did like the story of two different spies working together to save the Crown Jewels, it just felt like the story dragged on.

[Elizabeth Kane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, fun read. Set in Britain at the onset of WWII, a young woman (commoner) is recruited to be a special agent and teamed with a young man (who is a Lord) to transport the Crown Jewels out of the country for safekeeping in case of invasion by Germany.
The quips and comments and relationship is great, but then a twist as she is left behind and is betrayed as the young man (Hector) is working with the "bad guys" to steal them and hold as hostage to force Churchill to reach an agreement with Germany to avoid war.
They have all seriously underestimated our gal and in the end, things and alliances are not all as they seem.
I would read another. Fun. Remind me of Massie Dobbs , sort of, which much more action!
Picked this from friend Sarah Byrd's read list.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Jewel in the Crown” by David Lewis is a great combination of mystery and historical fiction, my favorite genres! This is the first book in a new series. I hope to be able to read the future books in this series, too.

Catrine and Hector are the main characters alongside Churchill. The setting is WWII with British espionage versus Nazis. The book also includes interactions between classes, city/town, and secret organizations.

I received this as an ARC giveaway through Goodreads. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

[Jgrace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Jewel in the Crown - Lewis
Audio performance by Simon Vance
4 stars

I was very tempted to tag this book as historical fantasy. There aren’t any magical components to the plot, but it is fantastic in the manner of a comic book hero story. Except that the hero is definitely female. Lewis combines a smattering of historical WW2 fact with the completely imaginary escapades of two undercover British agents.

Caitrin Colline is a London constable when she is recruited to a clandestine, and strictly female secret service. She is the very working class daughter of a Welsh coal miner. She is a feminist and a socialist. Following rigorous training in self defense, sabotage, and subterfuge, she earns her first assignment in the war with Germany. Naturally, she is asked to play the wife of a British aristocrat (also a spy) in a daft attempt to hide the British Crown jewels safely away from German invaders.

Caitrin is a fun character. I enjoyed watching her get the best of the men ( including Winston Churchill) who underestimated her. Clearly, Caitrin will return in a sequel. The war will be lost without her. I look forward to a future book and another Simon Vance performance.

[Marian Gracis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75
A fun novel set mostly in the British Isles in the early years of WWII. The principal characters are quite interesting and unpredictable and Winston Churchill is rendered in factual , if quirky , detail.
Implausible events happen with some frequency as do amazingly close calls, but it was a fun read. I enjoyed the historical detail and will look for the next in the series.

[Donna Pfeiffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was enjoying the beginning of the book because of the inclusion of historical facts, authentic English vocabulary, and Winston Churchill, but the ending and resolution were too drawn out.

[Lynette Calleros · Rating 2 out of 5]

This historical fiction book takes place in WWII in the UK with a strong female character who has to help save the Crown Jewels from a possible German invasion.

This story was just hard for me to get into. The story took many twists and turns and seemed disjointed a bit. There are a lot of side characters you meet in the book and start to get to know but then you never hear from them again. Quite a few stops and starts.
And I understand how the author wanted to write in the dialogue of the time and how people would talk then, but it made for a harder reading experience.

I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway from the publisher for my review. This book will be available in August 2024.

[Dan Herrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel. The main characters were well put together and engaging. It was well paced and held my attention. I would be interested in reading more in this series, or with these same characters.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

Honestly I just think the writing style wasn't for me, I often found the humor in the book to fall flat and it took away from the seriousness of what was happening.

Thank you for the ARC C:

[Ella Droste · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a total page-turner! 🌟 The suspense is real as the characters navigate a web of spies, betrayal, and secrets in the upper echelons of British society. I loved the witty banter between Caitrin and Hector, and the twists kept me guessing until the very end! 😲

While the writing occasionally got a bit too descriptive for my taste, the captivating storyline and engaging characters more than made up for it. If you’re into historical mysteries with a dash of humor and intrigue, this one's for you!

I'd like to thank the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Mary Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of A Jewel in the Crown in a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you to the author and publisher; it’s much appreciated.

This book is the beginning of a series, which looks promising. I almost liked this a lot. It’s enjoyable to see things from Churchill’s point of view and the adventure sure is exciting. However, there really isn’t much character development and Caitrin Colline, who is the star of the series, is thrown into the action without explaining her motivation. I really do like the page-turning writing style though and am looking forward to the next in the series.

[Kirstin Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical fiction! So well written with small chapters that kept me reading “just one more chapter”.
#goodreadsgiveaway

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had low expectations when I picked this up. Read it all before – WWII, the Blitz, Churchill, feisty undercover heroine. Check. But it turns out WWII is endlessly fascinating – as is Winston Churchill – and this was a fresh, vivid read that had me flipping pages quickly. The heroine of this book, Catrine Colline, is a working-class Welsh girl with a socialist bent. She’s working as a policewoman when the book opens, and is recruited by “512,” an undercover outfit comprised only of women who were furthering Britain’s war efforts.

512 is fictional, but it bears a strong resemblance to Churchill’s SOE (Special Operations Executive), an undercover operation (made up of many women) who were often in Nazi occupied France. That’s not Caitrin’s remit, however. She’s interviewed and recruited by Churchill himself to team up with a blue blood and drive the crown jewels to a waiting ship that will whisk them to Canada for the duration of the war. Class friction obviously results when she and Hector Percy-Neville, Lord Marlton, set off on a road trip through the stately homes of Britain with their ultimate destination: the Canadian ship. First, though, they have to swing by the Tower to collect their cargo.

Now it’s pretty well known that the crown jewels actually spent the war in a biscuit tin buried under Windsor Castle, so this trip is obviously going to have some hiccups, if history is to be adhered to. The two are also looking out for Nazi sympathizers among the aristocracy, so staying at stately homes has a two-fold purpose. They encounter an array of attitudes (including Nazi sympathizers) and they almost reach their destination when everything goes sideways.

That’s not a spoiler, but the ways things go sideways will not be revealed in this review. Let’s just say we find our Colline on horses, bikes, boats and airplanes as she continues her quest. Some of the aristocracy the two meet with are charming, some, not so charming, but no one is as memorable as Hector’s mum. The characters in this novel stand out like gems in a crown, if you will. They are fully realized and indelible. There are two women toward the end of the book that will stay with me for a long time.

This is also a wonderful adventure story. As Churchill gets spotty news of their progress, we as readers also see him on the roof during the worst of the blitz, brandy and cigar in hand as he watches the bombs fall. He wanted to see history as it happened. (He was also famous for visiting bomb sites). While I have read lots about Churchill, I never really tire of reading about him and he adds spice to the proceedings.

This suspenseful, entertaining, historically enlightening read has two wonderful main characters and a fabulous story. It’s a great debut, and I devoutly hope there will be a book two.

[Dlora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this historical fiction set during The Blitz. I felt the plot was a bit thin but the setting was so rich and fascinating. Full of history, full of politics, full of pathos leavened with humor and the amazing British stoicism. I was moved by this description of wartime London from Churchhill’s perspective: “He would never get used to stepping out of the Annexe building into a darkened London. It felt as though the wounded city was holding its breath, hibernating to heal. This strange period would linger in his mind until he died. . . . In the absence of the usual city sounds of cars, buses, and lorries, footsteps could be heard clearly. And after a raid they would become a constant brittle crunching over shattered glass.” The fictional story follows Caitrin from 512, an uncover group of women spies and saboteurs, assigned with Lord Hector, from SOE as a “scallywag,” a group of men trained to head the resistance and use hidden cases of arms should the Germans overrun Britain, which seems way too likely. Caitrin and Hector are tasked by Churchill with secretly moving the Crown Jewels from London to rendezvous with a fast submarine that will transport the jewels safely to Canada. “These were remarkable objects in their own right, but much more than that. They were also the history of a country, a record of a nation’s life and endurance. Its heart. Its soul.” Throughout the book, you get a real sense of Churchill as a person, not just the hero of the war, but a man with mixed reviews from his countrymen, an individual quirky as well as brilliant. And yet, “For all of Churchill’s flaws, drama, and Victorian sense of heroism, Thompson [his ‘bodyguard’] believed he was the only man who could lead the country to beat the Nazis.” Almost more intriguing than this bird’s eye view of Churchill, his feelings about the war’s progress, and the Crown Jewels operation, is the depiction of the history and tradition of the country. “Sometimes I think this island is far too small for so much history.” Contrast England’s rich past with America: “The Americans lack a tradition, a history essential for a nation’s foundation.” Fun, humorous relationship between Caitrin and Lord Hector pitting her socialism with his landed gentry traditions, her feminist feelings with his protective lord liege feelings. She realizes, “Gaining their equal place in the world would not be easy for women, and the biggest changes would need to be within themselves.” Good book!

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

As an avid reader who received an Advanced Reader Copy of "A Jewel in the Crown" through a Goodreads giveaway, I was eager to dive into this historical fiction novel. However, my excitement quickly turned into disappointment as I delved into the pages.

One of the major drawbacks of this book is the author's writing style. David Lewis's tendency to use overly elaborate and uncommon words detracted from the reading experience. Instead of enhancing the narrative, these unnecessarily complex terms served only to confuse and frustrate me as a reader. The prose felt forced and artificial, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. I understand that in historically based texts, it is necessary to sometimes use words no longer in common vernacular, but the majority of the uncommon vocabulary was unnecessary in this novel.

Moreover, I found the portrayal of the main character's interactions with historical figures, particularly Winston Churchill, to be unconvincing and implausible. The main character's supposed "sassy" attitude felt out of place and anachronistic, as if a modern woman had been transplanted into the 1940s setting. This lack of authenticity diminished my enjoyment of the novel and made it challenging to suspend disbelief.

While I understand that this is an Advanced Reader Copy and subject to potential revisions before publication, I cannot overlook the fundamental flaws in the writing style and characterization present in this version of the book. Unless significant changes are made to strengthen the storyline and enhance the authenticity of the characters, I would have difficulty recommending "A Jewel in the Crown" to other readers.

[Rose Aria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing: 4
Characters: 5
Plot: 4
Setting: 4
Enjoyment: 5

Full disclosure, I received this book for free.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book!

In all honesty, a couple of chapters in, my initial impressions of it were:
1. Why would you write a book about what is seemingly the least interesting part of World War II (protecting the crown jewels)?
2. Choosing to place the author's name at the start of every other page instead of any other information always reminds me of the wise words of Viktor: "Actually, yes, but only because you signed your notes. Every page, I might add. Eh, a little egotistical, don't you think?"
3. There were a lot of editing mistakes and some disjointed dialogue. In the beginning, it did read a bit like the author had his trusty thesaurus at hand the whole time, and the history dumping felt a bit oppressive and out of place at times. Sometimes the characters seemed to be lecturing each other on history just to educate the reader. ***Though this was an ARC, so some of these issues will hopefully be removed***
4. I want more character development! We barely get to know Caitrin before she is recruited to 512, and that whole period of time was very rushed, leaving me with a lot of questions. Also, when Caitrin meets Hecky for the first time, he is seemingly overwhelmed and baffled by her and has a hard time adjusting to her strong personality, but immediately after it seems like he has fallen for her with no build-up. In my opinion, when you know how to write a good, entertaining story (which this author clearly does) don't be afraid to make it longer and let things steep a little!

However, I swiftly and completely fell in love with Caitrin and the other characters more than I have in a very long time (who knew I could love reading so much about Churchill?). Caitrin is witty, intelligent, skilled, and brave, but not above making mistakes. David Lewis is clearly skilled with wordplay and witty jokes, as I found myself laughing through a large portion of the book. I thought that the big betrayal was perfectly timed, surprising me by being about halfway through the book as opposed to toward the end like a lot of other stories. This allowed for enough time to really feel the pain and frustration that Caitrin experienced afterward and to see her pull herself out of it to save the day anyway.

I did feel like it was odd how quickly Caitrin accepted that Hecky had not actually betrayed her.
I found myself wondering how she could not worry that either he was lying and still aligned with the Nazis or so easily influenced that he was changing his mind repeatedly. Perhaps if there had been more development of their relationship prior, then relief could explain her willingness to believe him, but the way the story was written, I couldn't see someone so highly trained and already once-betrayed acting the way she did at that point.

This book is 100% worth the read even if you aren't very fond of historical fiction, if nothing else than to meet Caitrin and enjoy immersing yourself in the entertaining writing and get a few good laughs.

[Simon Mcleish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of fun in this implausible alternative universe Second World War Thriller. Definitely not to be taken seriously as history, but actually has a lot to say about class in 1930/1940s Britain, especially the German-sympathisers in the aristocracy. The main character, Caitrin Colline, is a police officer in London's East End originally from the coal mining area of south Wales, who is invited to a secret meeting with Churchill. There, she is commissioned to work with, and pass herself of as the wife of, Lord Hector Neville-Percy to safely move the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London t0 Canada - this is, of course, very unlikely given the time period. Twists and turns occur, and implausible physical feats from Caitrin especially. It is more amusing than James Bond, but the implausibility is at about the same level. It's clearly on the same wavelength as thirties thrillers such as those of Leslie Charteris, Sapper, and early Leslie Charteris, though with a more modern take on class.

I'd probably read a sequel, but I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to get hold of one.

[Kelly Cassia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went back and forth a few times on how I wanted to rate this one. It was between three and four stars but in the end, I did enjoy the writing and love a good historical fiction. There was a slight dual POV that was thoroughly enjoyable from our smart-witted, fictional, female main character: Caitrin, and from Winston Churchill. I enjoyed those scenes and appreciated the glimpses they gave us readers of the very serious and devastating war that was happening during Operation Cat. I’m glad the author thought of that aspect. We all know what was happening at that time but putting it on the page ensured that the importance of it was not neglected.
Caitrin and her side of the story were very serious and to the point while also having fun and lighthearted moments. The witty banter between Caitrin was marvelous. He had no idea what kind of partner he was getting in Caitrin and underestimated her as many other men did. She was confident and smart-witted. She has her personal views and beliefs, but she will not stand down and goes above and beyond putting her own life at risk multiple times to complete an operation that is bigger than she could ever know.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read this advanced readers copy for my honest review.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caitrin Colline is recruited to be part of an elite group in service to the Crown. After completing her training she is summoned by Winston Churchill to learn about her first mission where she will play the role of newlywed while transporting the Crown Jewels away from the dangers of the Blitz in London. Along the way, she and her partner engage with the British aristocracy to ferret out Nazi sympathizers. Soon Caitrin suspects that all is not what it seems and she must take drastic action to uncover the bad guys and save her own life.

“A Jewel in the Crown” features witty dialogue and a host of strong female characters. Of course, those strong women are often underestimated by the men surrounding them. The story is fast-paced. Caitrin is clearly the smartest person in every room she enters, but that sometimes diminishes the other characters.

This book is great for readers who enjoy historical fiction, World War II fiction, or historical mysteries/thrillers.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Kensington Books, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dawn Cochrane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been letting my mother, who is in a long term care facility, read most of the books thar I have won as it seems to entertain her, as reading is the only hobby she has. Then I read them.
I thought this book was very well written and quite a page turner as in "what will happen next" mode. If this is a true historical fiction, was very surprised to find out that England had an entire group of women that were supposed to be spies or to help ferret out Nazis and others who were helping the Nazis. Ultimately, that is what this book is about. A very twisty plot where you don't know until you get almost to the end who is on who's side as far as WWII is concerned.
My mother enjoyed this book too as she always tells me when she is done reading one so i can bring her another. There is a lot of theft going on in her long term facility, so I can't really bring her any library books or any that I have paid full price for.
I am looking forward to David Lewis' next book in this series. I hope he is writing one.

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick story about why I asked for an advance copy of this book. I was at The Poison Pen bookstore in Scottsdale, AZ to see Jacqueline Winspear speak about her last Maisie Dobbs book, and the owner offered this book as a prize. She made it sound so good, so as I sat there I went to Netgalley and asked for it. I am so glad I did, as it is the start of just the kind of series I love. Historical fiction with real characters, and a very plausible story. It begins with Caitrine Colline, a Welsh constable who is picked to be trained to be a lethal weapon by a secret woman's society. She comes to the attention of Winston Churchill who is planning an important mission. He asks her to pretend to be married to Lord Marlton, Hector Neville-Percy in order to help him. They have NO IDEA how clever and well trained she is, to their detriment.
The banter between the two helps the story move along. We get a very good insight into Churchill as well as the British people. The plot is very clever as the couple drive through England to get to Scotland. I really enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest opinion.

[Booknblues · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading books about World War II, England and have read a number of them recently. A Jewel in the Crown which was recently nominated for the Edgar Awards best first book by an American author is yet another of those. I found it to be a quite satisfying start to a series(I hope).

We are given two quite engaging protagonists, Caitlin Colline, a police constable and Lord Marlton, Hector Neville-Percy, who has been excluded from service because of a bad heart. Churchill has personally assigned them a task, which may be a pill a bit hard to swallow (hint-look at the title of the book.)

Despite the necessary suspension of great disbelief, I did find it a fun read with a quibble about how amazing Caitlin Colline is.

[Lizz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook Review: A Jewel in the Crown by David Lewis

I received this audiobook through NetGalley, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to discover new authors and share my thoughts.

This was my first book by David Lewis, and I really enjoyed it. A Jewel in the Crown is a compelling historical fiction novel set during World War II, with fascinating ties to Churchill and the global events of that time. The storyline was engaging and informative, blending real historical elements with fictional intrigue in a way that kept me interested throughout.

The narrator did a great job bringing the story to life. I especially appreciated the accent and the way they pronounced the German words—it sounded authentic to me, even though I don’t speak German. It added an extra layer of depth and realism to the audiobook experience.

Thank you again to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. I look forward to reading more from David Lewis in the future!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at London and England during the Blitz. A young woman Caitrin Colline has been accepted by a very secret organization simply called 512. It is group of only women who are fighting to defeat the Nazis.
This particular mission is for Caitrin to accompany another spy gentleman named Hector (a simplification of a long British Lord’s name.) They are commissioned to take the Crown Jewels to a ship, and sailed to Canada for safe keeping for the duration of the war.

It was a good plan, but things did not go according to plan . Lots of sword fighting, intrigue, locked rooms and Nazis.
I received n ARC from NetGalley to read the second book in the series A Beacon In the NIGHT. It was so enjoyable I searched for the first book.
A Beacon in the Night will be released on June 24 and it’s a very exciting continuation of Caitrin Colline, her secret organization and her adventures.

Both books provide a very entertaining read.

[Lori Crabill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in WWII England, the story follows Caitrin Colline, a strong and resourceful protagonist. Assigned by Winston Churchill to retrieve the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London and transport them to Scotland, she teams up with an unlikely secret agent for a high-stakes mission under the cover of night. Naturally, challenges arise.

Caitrin Colline, the determined daughter of a Welsh coal miner, tackles every obstacle with grit and skill. Author David Lewis crafts a meticulously researched, fast-paced adventure with witty dialogue. As an award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, his talent shines in this captivating tale that kept me reading well into the night.

The book is packed with excitement from start to finish. With more Caitrin Colline adventures on the horizon, I’m eagerly anticipating Book II.

This novel has everything I love—set in England, a strong female lead, a clever mystery, and more. I highly recommend giving it a read. Enjoy!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Jewel in the Crown by David Lewis is an entertaining start to a new WWII-era historical mystery series that I enjoyed.

The year is 1940, and Caitrin Colline has been invited into the inner circle of Britain’s behind the scenes action of espionage, political intrigue, mystery, action, suspense, and maybe even murder.

The author’s ability to add some light-hearted humor and one-liners to the book helps take off some of the weighty edge that the Second World War brings to the forefront.

Looking forward to where this series goes.

4/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Books | A John Scognamiglio Book for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/23/24.

[Barbara Mates · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed meeting Caitrin Collins, a constable and member on an elite women's espionage unit, the 512 in this new series, The Secret Churchill Files by David Lewis. She is smart, funny, thoughtful and cares about equality for all..plus she's good with a gun. She is tasked by Winston Churchill (who in this fictional work is presented as smart, quirky and as a human being who understands loss)to pose as wife to Hector, Lord Neville-Percy to get the Crown Jewels out of London which in 1940 is suffering heavy bombing by the Germans and on to a safe location (it was determined that were the Nazis to seize them, the moral of the Kingdom would be destroyed). Although the route and the plan seemed straight forward enough chaos ensues as German agentss and some British aristocrats who support Hitler seek to thwart the mission.