Ottilie Divine's War: The Diplomat Who Vanished

Ottilie Divine's War #1

by Andrea Hicks

A vanished diplomat. A young woman with everything to prove. A wartime mystery that could change everything.
London, 1939. When Ottilie Divine’s friend begs her to investigate her husband’s sudden disappearance, she finds herself pulled into a tangled web of secrets, betrayals, and whispers of treason.

As Europe teeters on the edge of war, Ottilie, a young investigative journalist, follows a trail that winds through smoky gentlemen’s clubs, shadowy government offices, and a world where trust is a dangerous luxury.

With a sharp mind and a braver heart, Ottilie, daughter of famed sleuth Camille Divine, must race to uncover the truth. But when she is persuaded to allow a young chemistry student who has a gift for deduction to become involved in her investigation, the stakes rise higher than she ever imagined.

Because someone is watching, and they’ll stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.

Fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Susan Elia MacNeal, and richly layered historical suspense will love Ottilie Divine’s War. Start reading now, and step into a world where danger hides behind every curtain, and nothing is quite what it seems.

Perfect for fans of historical thrillers, complex mysteries, and lovers of Sherlock Holmes, The Miss Fisher Mysteries, and Agatha Christie, Ottilie Divine’s War – The Diplomat Who Vanished promises a suspenseful journey filled with unexpected twists.
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Genres: Historical Fiction

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2025

Reviews

[Joan Rogers and Ian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull overlong and ridiculous

Cardboard cutout characters. With a name like Ottilie Divine there might at least be some humour but there isn’t. Strange formal speech patterns try to indicate past times but fail. Dreary plot, over complicated and overlong. Poor writing style. No real sense of wartime London and to complete the rubbish, Sherlock Holmes’s and Watson like cut out magicians , especially Holmes, to magic up code breaking and other devices that substitute for a decent plot. We even have the ‘evil’ Moriarty and brother Mycroft , transposed eighty years into a new century acting as simple plot devices rather than real plot development. Also snobbish again allowing ‘aristocracy’ and connections to substitute for depth and research. Easy to skip read as whole chunks are laboured and irrelevant. Bad writing in a poor book.

[Mbsuther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Divine's War

This book was a Facebook choice that had some decent reviews. I was looking for a WWII mystery series that would really hold my interest. This one fit the bill nicely. I was doubly glad (but surprised) with the appearance of Holmes and Watson. The mystery was well written and very well paced. The characters, including Holmes and Watson, were developed in an interesting manner. My only critique was that the last main mystery to be solved was done way too quickly. The storyline made sense, but it seemed too "contrived". I will definitely read the next in the series. A 4.4 out of 5 rating.

[Kim Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I simply cannot make my mind up about this. In some ways I object to the idea that Ottilie Divine is being helped by Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. It was bad enough that movie makers took him from the Victorian era and put him in the second world war but now authors think they can take the same liberties! And why did Lestrade get all the plaudits? I'm fact why was he even involved? I thought the Charles Wentworth disappearance was DCI Owens case. I realise the Lestrade and Holmes know each other but shouldn't Lestrade have passed the info onto the DCI? It all seems at trifle contrived. That being said the mystery itself was actually quite good. It's just the rest of it I'm unsure about.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Very enjoyable book. I wondered about having Holmes and Watson in this book. But I really enjoyed their presence. Using Moriarty as a spy master was a very clever idea. I loved the idea of a grown up Ottilie following Camille's footsteps. I was not disappointed.

[Mary Sue Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read

This book was a surprise. I was expecting a WW2 story complete with bombings and destruction. What I got was Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The novel is well written and very crestive.

[CATHY A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in the series was a good contrast to the books featuring her mother and stepfather.
Although I picture Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in Victorian times, it was a clever addition to the story. A good read!

[jeff joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant twist

Brilliant read didn't expect sherlock Holmes and doctors watson to appear can't wait for book 2 hope this series will be as compelling as the first one whith ottilie,s parents

[Sue Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm hooked and will be reading the series!


Interesting characters, lots of surprising twists, and sprinkles of humor. England at the cusp of their entry into WWII sets the stage for intrigue, villainy, and heroism, under the looming threat of invation.

[Ralph Labriola · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book ! I read it in 3 days. I can't wait for book 2

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read!!

So here we have depth of character a touch of humor here and there with a blossoming investigative reporter who rooms at 221B ....need I say more