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Ann's War Mystery #3
Blackmail: An Ann’s War Mystery: The Ann’s War Mystery Series, Book 3
About the The Ann’s War Mystery series is a series of five novellas set in 1944-5. Each story contains approximately 15,000 words and a complete mystery. The stories Betrayal, Invasion, Blackmail, Escape, and Victory. Ann’s story arc will evolve over the series and reach its conclusion with book five, Victory.
With her husband, Emrys, still missing in action, Ann Morgan faces the prospect of spending her first wedding anniversary, and Christmas, alone. However, a phone call from Alistair Blythe, a young man she briefly walked out with before her marriage to Emrys, sets Ann on a trail that leads to murder, encounters with black market spivs, and threats to her life.
With assistance from spymaster Charles Montagu and Detective Inspector Max Deveraux, Ann uncovers a major secret of the war. And, with the snow falling at Christmas, she receives a present she will never forget.
With her husband, Emrys, still missing in action, Ann Morgan faces the prospect of spending her first wedding anniversary, and Christmas, alone. However, a phone call from Alistair Blythe, a young man she briefly walked out with before her marriage to Emrys, sets Ann on a trail that leads to murder, encounters with black market spivs, and threats to her life.
With assistance from spymaster Charles Montagu and Detective Inspector Max Deveraux, Ann uncovers a major secret of the war. And, with the snow falling at Christmas, she receives a present she will never forget.
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First published May 22, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 5, 2018
The third in a series of books about Ann who is a resourceful, modern woman, struggling in wartime Britain. Her difficulties surround the personal impact the war is having on her.
With her first wedding anniversary approaching she has not seen her husband for some 9 months since his plane was shot down over France. He was on a secret mission and her only contact with him is his boss who keeps his eye on her. Trouble is when she sees him her heart misses a beat as she fears briefly he may be the bearer of bad news.
The second misfortune for Ann is that her boss was murdered and she had ‘inherited’ his private investigatory business. Ann is making the offices presentable when she receives a call from a former boyfriend. While he stumbles over his words a loud noise like a backfiring car is heard, Ann rings the police as Alistair is no longer on the line and someone else has replaced the phone.
A gentle story, still with an unbelievable plot but overlooked, because of the storytelling and the less complicated world.
It would be churlish to pick fault as the book is a reflection of its time and imparts interesting information. However, sweet inquisitive Ann is able to crack another case by her direct questioning and because her personality appears to allow others to be open with her to the point of self incrimination.
A casual view of the time, told with more implied romance than is natural for my liking.
She is almost tempted but remains loyal to her missing man is a recurring theme. However here is perhaps the ultimate test when she attends the WI dance and it is Christmas. In the obvious absence of her husband she will be placed within the proximity of a warm blooded handsome man. Will he melt her resolve? Will his gift turn her head as he moves In hold with her around the dance floor?
There is only one thing she wanted this Christmas, but she is unaware if he is alive or dead. Will her plutonic friendship with DI Max Devereau extend beyond the village hall?
This shows the thrust of these books, where the crimes, although serious, appear to be window dressing for a blossoming romance. Less Dempsey and Makepeace and more Mills and Boom.
With her first wedding anniversary approaching she has not seen her husband for some 9 months since his plane was shot down over France. He was on a secret mission and her only contact with him is his boss who keeps his eye on her. Trouble is when she sees him her heart misses a beat as she fears briefly he may be the bearer of bad news.
The second misfortune for Ann is that her boss was murdered and she had ‘inherited’ his private investigatory business. Ann is making the offices presentable when she receives a call from a former boyfriend. While he stumbles over his words a loud noise like a backfiring car is heard, Ann rings the police as Alistair is no longer on the line and someone else has replaced the phone.
A gentle story, still with an unbelievable plot but overlooked, because of the storytelling and the less complicated world.
It would be churlish to pick fault as the book is a reflection of its time and imparts interesting information. However, sweet inquisitive Ann is able to crack another case by her direct questioning and because her personality appears to allow others to be open with her to the point of self incrimination.
A casual view of the time, told with more implied romance than is natural for my liking.
She is almost tempted but remains loyal to her missing man is a recurring theme. However here is perhaps the ultimate test when she attends the WI dance and it is Christmas. In the obvious absence of her husband she will be placed within the proximity of a warm blooded handsome man. Will he melt her resolve? Will his gift turn her head as he moves In hold with her around the dance floor?
There is only one thing she wanted this Christmas, but she is unaware if he is alive or dead. Will her plutonic friendship with DI Max Devereau extend beyond the village hall?
This shows the thrust of these books, where the crimes, although serious, appear to be window dressing for a blossoming romance. Less Dempsey and Makepeace and more Mills and Boom.
May 6, 2020
The Ann's War Mystery Series is a series of five novellas set in 1944-5. Each story contains approximately 15,000 words and a complete mystery. The stories are: BETRAYAL, INVASION, BLACKMAIL, ESCAPE and VICTORY. Kindly note that each mystery is resolved within one story, and that Ann's story arc will be resolved over the five books.
About BLACKMAIL
With her husband, Emrys, still missing in action Ann Morgan faces the prospect of spending her first wedding anniversary, and Christmas, alone. However, a phone call from Alistair Blythe, a young man she briefly walked out with before her marriage to Emrys, sets Ann on a trail that leads to murder, encounters with black market spivs and threats to her life.
With assistance from spymaster Charles Montagu and Detective Inspector Max Deveraux, Ann uncovers a major secret of the war. And, with the snow falling at Christmas, she receives a present she will never forget.
About BLACKMAIL
With her husband, Emrys, still missing in action Ann Morgan faces the prospect of spending her first wedding anniversary, and Christmas, alone. However, a phone call from Alistair Blythe, a young man she briefly walked out with before her marriage to Emrys, sets Ann on a trail that leads to murder, encounters with black market spivs and threats to her life.
With assistance from spymaster Charles Montagu and Detective Inspector Max Deveraux, Ann uncovers a major secret of the war. And, with the snow falling at Christmas, she receives a present she will never forget.
June 3, 2018
Love can be bittersweet, Ann learns, especially forbidden love. Set amidst the hope and anxiety that WWII will soon end, with the troops pushing the Germans back, Ann has her own concerns in the love department: a growing fondness for the detective she's worked cases with, while still holding on to her love for his missing, presumed captured, husband. Uncertainties often lead to people making decisions that can destroy their lives as Ann learns when her old boyfriend is murdered. Is it an indirect consequence of the restrictions caused by war, or is it something more. Learn what Ann does as she snoops around to find the murderer.
June 17, 2019
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One more time and author, Hannah Howe has got me hooked. This was my 3rd in this series and again I am well pleased. Great characters, great storyline, and the knowledge that book 4 is within my grasp. But after that I have to wait until the release date to read the last book in this quintet. Once again, my thanks to this author for the great job she does for we, the people.
One more time and author, Hannah Howe has got me hooked. This was my 3rd in this series and again I am well pleased. Great characters, great storyline, and the knowledge that book 4 is within my grasp. But after that I have to wait until the release date to read the last book in this quintet. Once again, my thanks to this author for the great job she does for we, the people.
January 15, 2021
Another snapshot of life during WW2, where Ann uses her time-solving crimes whilst worrying about what has happened to her husband who has been reported missing somewhere in Europe.
A good little story that uses language suitable for the era (though, I am not certain that 'gay' was used then in that context). However, well-written and fast-paced, this was an enjoyable tale.
Worth a look.
A good little story that uses language suitable for the era (though, I am not certain that 'gay' was used then in that context). However, well-written and fast-paced, this was an enjoyable tale.
Worth a look.
March 9, 2023
A wonderful story
Ann gets involved in her Private Investigator activities. There are good number of twists and turns in this engaging tale. I am enjoying this series.
Ann gets involved in her Private Investigator activities. There are good number of twists and turns in this engaging tale. I am enjoying this series.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews