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Kate Hardy Wartime Adventures #1
On Kapiti Coast
In 1943 wartime New Zealand, a body on the rocks near a US Marine Corps training camp sends reporter Kate Hardy in search of a killer. Dive into a fast-paced blend of mystery, history, and a slow-burning romance in this first book of a gripping trilogy.
The US Marine Corps has landed in New Zealand and set up training camps throughout the North Island, and they’re not leaving until they’re ready to storm back into the Pacific. But something unusual is going on at one of the camps, and the press wants to find out what it is.
Reporter Kate Hardy is sent to Camp Russell, the largest of the US Marine Corps camps, to see what’s going on.
The Marines have been training for an invasion, with landing boats coming ashore in the dark through rough surf, men in heavy gear scrambling around the scrubby sandhills and up steep hillsides, and platoons making epic forced marches through the night. But suddenly, Camp Russell is under lockdown, workers are denied access, and local dairy farmers are forced to leave their warm milk at the gate. Kate's editor has asked her to find out what they’re trying to hide.When she runs into a US Marine Major in need of assistance, and he happens to be on his way to the camp in question, she’s suddenly embroiled in a series of dramatic and dangerous events. To make matters worse, members of her own community, who arrived in New Zealand in the 1870s to escape being inducted into the Prussian army, may be involved. They’re from Schleswig and consider themselves Danish, but locals think they’re German.
A romantic thriller with a unique setting in the South Pacific for people who love stories from World War II.
The US Marine Corps has landed in New Zealand and set up training camps throughout the North Island, and they’re not leaving until they’re ready to storm back into the Pacific. But something unusual is going on at one of the camps, and the press wants to find out what it is.
Reporter Kate Hardy is sent to Camp Russell, the largest of the US Marine Corps camps, to see what’s going on.
The Marines have been training for an invasion, with landing boats coming ashore in the dark through rough surf, men in heavy gear scrambling around the scrubby sandhills and up steep hillsides, and platoons making epic forced marches through the night. But suddenly, Camp Russell is under lockdown, workers are denied access, and local dairy farmers are forced to leave their warm milk at the gate. Kate's editor has asked her to find out what they’re trying to hide.When she runs into a US Marine Major in need of assistance, and he happens to be on his way to the camp in question, she’s suddenly embroiled in a series of dramatic and dangerous events. To make matters worse, members of her own community, who arrived in New Zealand in the 1870s to escape being inducted into the Prussian army, may be involved. They’re from Schleswig and consider themselves Danish, but locals think they’re German.
A romantic thriller with a unique setting in the South Pacific for people who love stories from World War II.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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February 5, 2025Believable, likeable characters that hold our attention. The story is fictionalized history that was satisfying, educational and enjoyable to this history buff
February 20, 2026
I feel like I had read this book before. Same plot and same kind of characters in a number of similar books that I found way more compelling than this one. At times, I found the narrative disjointed and it seemed to jump around without clear timelines. I realize this was the first in a series, but this one does not make me want to read any others.
June 23, 2025
Not what I expected.It seems the author couldn’t decide if she was writing g a thriller or a Harlequin romance. She did neither well.
August 2, 2026
I live in New Zealand and was looking forward to this story!!! Was an ok read, got a bit waffly at times and I skipped through parts. Was fascinated with all the travel, driving, etc they did in such short times, be hard pushed to do that these days in better cars and roads. Had some moments of finding that hard to believe. Also interested that she expected to see a fox and tally ho and all that rubbish. We do not have foxes in NZ. Won't be reading any more in this series.
May 17, 2025
A typical WWII mystery/romance only this time it takes place in New Zealand. Pretty much the same plot, handsome American Marine officer meets a spunky reporter who involves herself in a mystery he has been sent to solve. Attractions sparks, they get shot at and he gets kidnapped…..you figure it out. If you like this one it is a series.
August 18, 2025
Kate Hardy is an impressive woman during WWII
This story is an excellent tale about woman and their role in conducting WWII. They are constrained by the times and traditions which changed during the war. Kate Hardy is a great example of the strengths and thinking that get women through the terrible war.
This story is an excellent tale about woman and their role in conducting WWII. They are constrained by the times and traditions which changed during the war. Kate Hardy is a great example of the strengths and thinking that get women through the terrible war.
November 8, 2025
New Zealand in WW II
Adventure, espionage and romance during WW II. Although New Zealand is closer to Japan, this story is about German spies in New Zealand. There's romance and lots of adventure involving Americans stationed in New Zealand. This is a light read about an interesting time in history.
Adventure, espionage and romance during WW II. Although New Zealand is closer to Japan, this story is about German spies in New Zealand. There's romance and lots of adventure involving Americans stationed in New Zealand. This is a light read about an interesting time in history.
May 22, 2026
I was going to give this book a generous 3 stars until I got to the end and was left hanging. Now seeing it's like a series of 3-8 books. Not interested if the first book was not great. There are lots of choppy parts where I was confused on what was going on. I love the perspective of World War II in New Zealand though.
It was a very simple read.
It was a very simple read.
April 27, 2025
Really enjoyed this book
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that she never stops writing. Her books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that she never stops writing. Her books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
April 28, 2025
Not a favorite
G
I was expecting a different sort of book with more about how the people lived and survived the world during WWII in that war. Maybe that is why I found d it hard to follow at times
G
I was expecting a different sort of book with more about how the people lived and survived the world during WWII in that war. Maybe that is why I found d it hard to follow at times
January 6, 2026
In spite of the fact that the author knows absolutely nothing about livestock --- especially dairy cows! this is a really good, fast paced book set in New Zealand during WWII. Definitely looking forward to the next one.
April 23, 2025
I can’t wait to read more books in this series. I loved it.
June 15, 2025
Gripping story
Excellent development of setting and characters. Wilson kept me turning pages to find out what happens next. I'm looking forward to Book 2 of the series.
Excellent development of setting and characters. Wilson kept me turning pages to find out what happens next. I'm looking forward to Book 2 of the series.
January 11, 2026
Boring war romance
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews