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Homefront Sleuths #4
The Judas Monk Murders: A Homefront Sleuths Mystery
A spy missing. A village full of secrets… and one very persistent Pomeranian.
The peaceful village of Crofter’s Green buzzes with questions when a young commando trainee is found dead at the ruins of St. Swithin’s Abbey. The military calls it an accident—but is it? And what does it have to do with the legend of the Judas Monk, a tale of betrayal that has haunted the abbey for centuries?
Harry Jenkins and the Homefront Sleuths must untangle a web of wartime deception before the truth is buried for good.
As the investigation unfolds, each of the Sleuths has their own challenges to face. Evie faces a new threat from an old enemy, while Alice must find a way to delve into a murder mystery dating back to the middle ages. Harry must press on with his investigation despite a military commander determined to stop him at all costs. Dorothy and Tom are busy with the renovations of their cottage—and Blake… well, let’s just say Blake may have the biggest adjustment of all.
Meanwhile, Bonzo the Pomeranian is about to prove that sometimes the best detective work is done on four paws.
With danger lurking in the shadows and secrets hidden beneath the ruins, Harry and his friends must navigate military red tape, hidden tunnels, and village gossip to uncover the truth—before some very, very serious damage is done.
A delightful mix of cozy mystery, wartime intrigue, and village charm—perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Carola Dunn, and The Mitford Murders. Scroll up and One-click now!
The peaceful village of Crofter’s Green buzzes with questions when a young commando trainee is found dead at the ruins of St. Swithin’s Abbey. The military calls it an accident—but is it? And what does it have to do with the legend of the Judas Monk, a tale of betrayal that has haunted the abbey for centuries?
Harry Jenkins and the Homefront Sleuths must untangle a web of wartime deception before the truth is buried for good.
As the investigation unfolds, each of the Sleuths has their own challenges to face. Evie faces a new threat from an old enemy, while Alice must find a way to delve into a murder mystery dating back to the middle ages. Harry must press on with his investigation despite a military commander determined to stop him at all costs. Dorothy and Tom are busy with the renovations of their cottage—and Blake… well, let’s just say Blake may have the biggest adjustment of all.
Meanwhile, Bonzo the Pomeranian is about to prove that sometimes the best detective work is done on four paws.
With danger lurking in the shadows and secrets hidden beneath the ruins, Harry and his friends must navigate military red tape, hidden tunnels, and village gossip to uncover the truth—before some very, very serious damage is done.
A delightful mix of cozy mystery, wartime intrigue, and village charm—perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Carola Dunn, and The Mitford Murders. Scroll up and One-click now!
Audible Audio
First published May 5, 2025
451 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Anna Elliott
82 books434 followersAnna Elliott is an author of historical fiction and fantasy. She enjoys stories about strong women, and loves exploring the multitude of ways women can find their unique strengths. She was delighted to lend a hand with the Sherlock & Lucy series, and thrilled to continue a new spin-off series featuring Becky and Flynn. Her first series, the Twilight of Avalon trilogy, is a retelling of the Trystan & Isolde legend. She wrote her second series, The Pride & Prejudice Chronicles , chiefly to satisfy her own curiosity about what might have happened to Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, and all the other wonderful cast of characters after the official end of Jane Austen’s classic work.
WEBSITE: http://sherlockandlucy.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sherlockand...
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/77782...
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anna-El...
Anna lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and five children.
WEBSITE: http://sherlockandlucy.com
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sherlockand...
FACEBOOK READER GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/77782...
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anna-El...
Anna lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and five children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
June 21, 2025
Every one of the books in this series so far has had inconsistencies, but this one takes the cake. Someone takes a step forward while speaking to someone - but he’s sitting in a car. Someone closes a book three times without having opened it in between. Time passes, and yet certain events are always six months ago.
This level of sloppiness is an insult to the reader.
This level of sloppiness is an insult to the reader.
May 8, 2025
Entertaining relationship listening 🐕😁
This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book four of five more to come?
I have thoroughly enjoyed the series I have listened to and look forward to more. A dead body is found at the bottom of the monastery. This leads to a mystery of why? But the team doesn't give up. They uncover the truth leading to misleading the enemy to a mistake. 😉🌃
🎊 I would recommend this series and authors to readers of romantic family and friends relationships adv mystery novels 😏😊 2025 🙄🎶
This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book four of five more to come?
I have thoroughly enjoyed the series I have listened to and look forward to more. A dead body is found at the bottom of the monastery. This leads to a mystery of why? But the team doesn't give up. They uncover the truth leading to misleading the enemy to a mistake. 😉🌃
🎊 I would recommend this series and authors to readers of romantic family and friends relationships adv mystery novels 😏😊 2025 🙄🎶
August 17, 2025
Are all the readers of the series related to the authors? is that why it gets so many five-star reviews?
Sigh. well at least the. Katherine/Viola plot twist is resolved here - - and I'm not marking that as a spoiler because if you haven't figured that one out by now you really aren't paying attention.
Thought on names: we have Alice Greenleaf, who is an herb gardener, Dorothy Baker who works at the cafe (and is her young redheaded son Tom a tribute to the best Doctor Who ever, Tom Baker, who would have been just about the same age this time?) and others too numerous to mention. But when I got to the sequence where a couple in a scary position are called the "Trembleys" I could hear my daughter saying what she often says to me "Oh, you think you're so clever, don't you?"
Deep sigh. Well, these are like the Amish mysteries / romances my library buys that apparently people borrow as free reading material to fill up their e-readers. They are included in my Kindle unlimited subscription, so I read them while waiting for better books to come along, brain candy in these troubled times
I don't know if these have been printed as paper books, but if they were I certainly wouldn't recommend my library spend any money on them.
P.S. I am rotflmao over review that compares these books to the marvelous Anthony Horowitz's"Foyle's War" television series. Horowitz is a fabulous author for the television series and print fiction. He is to these authors as a fine dining restaurant is to McDonald's.
,
Sigh. well at least the. Katherine/Viola plot twist is resolved here - - and I'm not marking that as a spoiler because if you haven't figured that one out by now you really aren't paying attention.
Thought on names: we have Alice Greenleaf, who is an herb gardener, Dorothy Baker who works at the cafe (and is her young redheaded son Tom a tribute to the best Doctor Who ever, Tom Baker, who would have been just about the same age this time?) and others too numerous to mention. But when I got to the sequence where a couple in a scary position are called the "Trembleys" I could hear my daughter saying what she often says to me "Oh, you think you're so clever, don't you?"
Deep sigh. Well, these are like the Amish mysteries / romances my library buys that apparently people borrow as free reading material to fill up their e-readers. They are included in my Kindle unlimited subscription, so I read them while waiting for better books to come along, brain candy in these troubled times
I don't know if these have been printed as paper books, but if they were I certainly wouldn't recommend my library spend any money on them.
P.S. I am rotflmao over review that compares these books to the marvelous Anthony Horowitz's"Foyle's War" television series. Horowitz is a fabulous author for the television series and print fiction. He is to these authors as a fine dining restaurant is to McDonald's.
,
January 13, 2026
3.5 stars- this was my least favorite of the series so far but the character development at the end made up for it
lots of plot holes and writing mishaps in this one- someone said it’s insulting to the reader and i think that’s so funny
lots of plot holes and writing mishaps in this one- someone said it’s insulting to the reader and i think that’s so funny
September 29, 2025
3🌟 (Audible Plus Catalog). This one ends on a cliffhanger! Who is the mysterious Siegfried???
August 16, 2025
The two "twists" that are "revealed" in this book were so heavy handedly telegraphed it became annoying. If you are going to be that obvious then don't string along the "twist" for so long. I imagine most readers had these plot points sorted incredibly early. I am sure she laughs at my opinion on the way to the bank, but I would have enjoyed just murder mysteries and not the underlying and dominant "German" spy theme.
June 23, 2025
If you like espionage murder and mystery with historical facts sprinkled in you will love this cozy
So glad I kept with this series Book 1 was a good mystery just had to get used to various pov’s
This mystery was great I love how the home front sleuths all come together to solve cases and do their part to keep England safe
The ending has us in for a treat Can’t wait for the next book in the series
So glad I kept with this series Book 1 was a good mystery just had to get used to various pov’s
This mystery was great I love how the home front sleuths all come together to solve cases and do their part to keep England safe
The ending has us in for a treat Can’t wait for the next book in the series
November 23, 2025
This series keeps getting better
The writing gets better, the plots become more detailed without becoming cluttered, the characters are developing at an appropriate pace, all in all, enjoyable writing.
I will say that there are some plotlines that have not been a surprise...certain people turning up. You can see where they're headed before you get there, but it hasn't made the stories any less enjoyable. Clean, lacking the sensationalism or modern twists that so many of these types of series' have now, which is refreshing.
The writing gets better, the plots become more detailed without becoming cluttered, the characters are developing at an appropriate pace, all in all, enjoyable writing.
I will say that there are some plotlines that have not been a surprise...certain people turning up. You can see where they're headed before you get there, but it hasn't made the stories any less enjoyable. Clean, lacking the sensationalism or modern twists that so many of these types of series' have now, which is refreshing.
April 22, 2025
THE JUDAS MONK MURDERS is a World War II mystery tour de force—traitors, espionage, and murder. Even after reading those fateful words, "The End," I still didn't want to put it down.
The team of Elliott and Veley have created a cast of characters that feel like real-life neighbors and friends. They are more than just names on a page—they are fully fleshed-out human beings. I care about them deeply. I feel their anxiety and pain. I feel their triumphs.
The Homefront Sleuths Cozy Mystery Series is a masterful weaving of narrative. Each book provides clues to the identities of the characters who inhabit Crofter's Corners. You may think that Evie Harris is the most enigmatic of the sleuths, but as you read book after book, you discover that each one has a backstory worth knowing. I will confess that the introduction of Viola in the second book—THE SPECTRE OF HAWTHORNE MANOR—left me speculating. Although she makes an appearance in the third book—THE SPITFIRE MURDERS—the answers I sought weren’t revealed until now. What was my question? That would be telling.
The legend of the Judas Monk adds a soupçon of the supernatural. A trainee from Fort Hardwick is found dead in the ruins of St. Swithun’s Abbey—a pile of stone said to be haunted. The positioning of his body doesn't sit well with Harry Jenkins. He is sure that Private Donnie Jamison didn't meet an accidental end. Harry and his nephew, Nigel Brewster, soon find the Army less than cooperative.
Murder is the crime writer’s bread and butter; it is also an unfortunate fact of life. There is nothing new about man killing man, or to be politically correct, person killing person. However, deliberate murder in times of war feels even more dastardly. THE JUDAS MONK MURDERS brings the act of war and the act of murder into close proximity. In the end, I found myself contemplating the human cost of human actions. Suddenly, The Homefront Sleuths Cozy Mysteries didn’t feel all that cozy.
If history, mystery, and perfectly crafted characters keep you turning pages, be prepared—this series is a masterclass in suspense. Next stop: THE MURDERS AT CLARION CASTLE!
The team of Elliott and Veley have created a cast of characters that feel like real-life neighbors and friends. They are more than just names on a page—they are fully fleshed-out human beings. I care about them deeply. I feel their anxiety and pain. I feel their triumphs.
The Homefront Sleuths Cozy Mystery Series is a masterful weaving of narrative. Each book provides clues to the identities of the characters who inhabit Crofter's Corners. You may think that Evie Harris is the most enigmatic of the sleuths, but as you read book after book, you discover that each one has a backstory worth knowing. I will confess that the introduction of Viola in the second book—THE SPECTRE OF HAWTHORNE MANOR—left me speculating. Although she makes an appearance in the third book—THE SPITFIRE MURDERS—the answers I sought weren’t revealed until now. What was my question? That would be telling.
The legend of the Judas Monk adds a soupçon of the supernatural. A trainee from Fort Hardwick is found dead in the ruins of St. Swithun’s Abbey—a pile of stone said to be haunted. The positioning of his body doesn't sit well with Harry Jenkins. He is sure that Private Donnie Jamison didn't meet an accidental end. Harry and his nephew, Nigel Brewster, soon find the Army less than cooperative.
Murder is the crime writer’s bread and butter; it is also an unfortunate fact of life. There is nothing new about man killing man, or to be politically correct, person killing person. However, deliberate murder in times of war feels even more dastardly. THE JUDAS MONK MURDERS brings the act of war and the act of murder into close proximity. In the end, I found myself contemplating the human cost of human actions. Suddenly, The Homefront Sleuths Cozy Mysteries didn’t feel all that cozy.
If history, mystery, and perfectly crafted characters keep you turning pages, be prepared—this series is a masterclass in suspense. Next stop: THE MURDERS AT CLARION CASTLE!
October 6, 2025
This series is very addictive. Full of tension.
November 17, 2025
oh! sooooo good!
July 31, 2025
Obsessed with the characters and their personal lives, mystery is okay and I like how they all link to the war
October 30, 2025
As far as the murder storyline, this was my least favorite. However, the character movement and adding a few more people was epic and I’m all about it.
July 24, 2025
SPOILER ALERT!
Enjoyed until ...
This writing duo spin an excellent tale with very genuine characters. Overall, it was a fast paced story and a good read.
In this fourth in the series, I felt the need for better editing. There were a few slips of timeline or logic that I found distracting. For instance, why would someone 1) in clandestine service, 2) posing as a salesman, be found in military uniform? In another instance, possibly critical evidence material goes - in the course of only part of a single day - from bits in a pocket to a packet wrapped in paper and twine "obviously worn with handling."
These books, while connected by character and place, are intended as stand alone units, not merely chapters. Or, at least, that was my understanding. And it was true of 1, 2 and 3. Unfortunately, this volume, #4, ends with a huge cliffhanger.
To my mind, this is unacceptable. There is plenty left to complete in each of the characters' lives that will draw us to the next volume. Are the writers suddenly so insecure that they thought we'd forget in two months time until the next release?
I don't read chapters; I read books. For a reason. I like to "close the cover" with a sense of satisfaction and time well spent.
In the case of "Judas Monk," I went from enjoyment to extreme irritation. I had intended to look into the other series by these authors. Now I am not sure I will.
Enjoyed until ...
This writing duo spin an excellent tale with very genuine characters. Overall, it was a fast paced story and a good read.
In this fourth in the series, I felt the need for better editing. There were a few slips of timeline or logic that I found distracting. For instance, why would someone 1) in clandestine service, 2) posing as a salesman, be found in military uniform? In another instance, possibly critical evidence material goes - in the course of only part of a single day - from bits in a pocket to a packet wrapped in paper and twine "obviously worn with handling."
These books, while connected by character and place, are intended as stand alone units, not merely chapters. Or, at least, that was my understanding. And it was true of 1, 2 and 3. Unfortunately, this volume, #4, ends with a huge cliffhanger.
To my mind, this is unacceptable. There is plenty left to complete in each of the characters' lives that will draw us to the next volume. Are the writers suddenly so insecure that they thought we'd forget in two months time until the next release?
I don't read chapters; I read books. For a reason. I like to "close the cover" with a sense of satisfaction and time well spent.
In the case of "Judas Monk," I went from enjoyment to extreme irritation. I had intended to look into the other series by these authors. Now I am not sure I will.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2025
I have enjoyed the whole series and I can’t wait for the next book to come out ,I really like all the characters and you feel you know them and they are your friends,the story lines and very good and once I start reading I find it hard to stop.i hope there will be a lot more to this series.
June 23, 2025
another enjoyable book in the series
The writing in this book is especially good. Not only do we get to know the characters more, but there are some plot developments that may or may not be a surprise to those who have read the earlier books. The chilling potential of traitors and stolen confidential information is clearly conveyed so the reader has some idea of what is at stake when confidential and secret plans are captured to aid the enemy.
The suspense and intensity of this book were especially well presented. The car race through the cornfield was nicely described and exciting, as was Nigel and Evie‘s encounter with the married couple on the roadside as they drove to London.
There are still many questions with regard to undiscovered spies in their town,, under the command of Sigfried, who are doing their best to eliminate Evie. This book has an especially intriguing cliffhanging ending, which simply makes me want to start reading the next book immediately.
The historical detail is effortlessly woven into the story, never feeling like a lecture or an information dump.
The characters are especially likable, and it is a pleasure to watch not only how well they work together, but also how they continually watch out for the welfare of each other. I very much enjoyed this book… Perhaps the best so far.
The writing in this book is especially good. Not only do we get to know the characters more, but there are some plot developments that may or may not be a surprise to those who have read the earlier books. The chilling potential of traitors and stolen confidential information is clearly conveyed so the reader has some idea of what is at stake when confidential and secret plans are captured to aid the enemy.
The suspense and intensity of this book were especially well presented. The car race through the cornfield was nicely described and exciting, as was Nigel and Evie‘s encounter with the married couple on the roadside as they drove to London.
There are still many questions with regard to undiscovered spies in their town,, under the command of Sigfried, who are doing their best to eliminate Evie. This book has an especially intriguing cliffhanging ending, which simply makes me want to start reading the next book immediately.
The historical detail is effortlessly woven into the story, never feeling like a lecture or an information dump.
The characters are especially likable, and it is a pleasure to watch not only how well they work together, but also how they continually watch out for the welfare of each other. I very much enjoyed this book… Perhaps the best so far.
November 18, 2025
The fourth book in the series that I have now listened to and this one is just as enjoyable as the previous three. This time our little band of sleuths - Retired Met officer, Harry, his nephew, Nigel, Evie who runs the tea shop, Alice a herbalist, Dorothy, wife of the war wounded Tom and Blake who was also injured in the war, are called up when the body of a young soil died is found at the foot is the monastery walls. Murder or suicide? Then there are two missing men, a thread about espionage and the legend of the Judas Monk. Once again this is not a deep and heavy crime thriller, it’s cosy, the characters are likeable and the ‘mystery’ is resolved. What more can you ask for when you want to put your feet up and relax. I like the way that there are historical facts scattered through the book and the author’s afterword is always enlightening. I also like the way that we get to know the characters a little more with each book and there was one thread that began in book 2 that I missed but which is resolved in this book. I’m pretty sure I know where the cliffhanger that this book ends with is going to lead - but I’ll just have to wait and see. I’ll let you know if I’m right when I read the next in the series.
December 2, 2025
2.5 Stars
I know I asked for more of an emphasis on the over arching main mystery, and this book tried really hard to deliver. But. It missed the mark. I think I’m struggling to understand the village layout, because there seems to be a new landmark each book. Granted, I don’t live in a quaint little English village so don’t know what it’s like but you would think that having a covert military base in walking distance would warrant a mention in the previous books.
Again, I had the issue of a lot of characters and their names being bandied about but not enough substance surrounding said characters or anything to distinguish them from one another.
The physical descriptions of the abbey left me so confused, there wasn’t much in the way of properly explaining what the layout was. This is a huge thing for me because I’m a visual reader so if something isn’t making sense I get thrown out of the book and have to take a small break to try and understand how something might look or be laid out.
There’s two more books on audible and then I’m probably going to leave this series there, unless some sort of miracle happens and it gets a LOT better.
I know I asked for more of an emphasis on the over arching main mystery, and this book tried really hard to deliver. But. It missed the mark. I think I’m struggling to understand the village layout, because there seems to be a new landmark each book. Granted, I don’t live in a quaint little English village so don’t know what it’s like but you would think that having a covert military base in walking distance would warrant a mention in the previous books.
Again, I had the issue of a lot of characters and their names being bandied about but not enough substance surrounding said characters or anything to distinguish them from one another.
The physical descriptions of the abbey left me so confused, there wasn’t much in the way of properly explaining what the layout was. This is a huge thing for me because I’m a visual reader so if something isn’t making sense I get thrown out of the book and have to take a small break to try and understand how something might look or be laid out.
There’s two more books on audible and then I’m probably going to leave this series there, unless some sort of miracle happens and it gets a LOT better.
January 15, 2026
I’ve enjoyed this series so far and this book makes me continue to enjoy it. The scandal of having your government be a part of a murder. The intrigue of a cover-up. But there are so many twist and turns. I think I knew who did it, but I was completely wrong. Figuring out this murder mystery was so much fun. The characters put their lives in danger even more than the previous books. Our murder mystery club is stepping out of their comfort zone and into the danger zone by taking on a new case. I love how they do have an actual cop part of their club and a retired cop so that their findings can land in the right hands to allow them to get justice for a murder victim. Enjoyed the new settings that were brought to this story and that is something this author seems to do very well. Every one of her books has been set in this small idealistic town but she always branches out to areas outside the town to give us more interest and intrigue in how life in England worked at the time. Broadening the setting allows us to stay interested because if all of the books were set in the sleepy town, I feel like we would not be as taken in by the mystery.
April 23, 2025
This is book four of a wonderful series. The relationships between the "Hometown Sleuths" gets closer with every book. And I want to join their group. Especially Evie. She is finally showing how skillful she is when it cones to various fields of investigation.
This one has a very intricate plotline. There are several different crimes(?) involved and at one or two points they pair up in two's so that all the various factors could be followed up. I love reading about medieval architecture and this books make me want more.
Bosco only had a tiny part in this book but it makes me wonder who has him. Tommy has him one early morning then Alice had him on another afternoon. Just we want to make sure someone is being responsible 😁😁
It ended on a huge cliffhanger. I cannot wait till the next t book in this series.
I received an ARC of this book from the authors. My review is voluntary and honest. I recommend this entire series.
This one has a very intricate plotline. There are several different crimes(?) involved and at one or two points they pair up in two's so that all the various factors could be followed up. I love reading about medieval architecture and this books make me want more.
Bosco only had a tiny part in this book but it makes me wonder who has him. Tommy has him one early morning then Alice had him on another afternoon. Just we want to make sure someone is being responsible 😁😁
It ended on a huge cliffhanger. I cannot wait till the next t book in this series.
I received an ARC of this book from the authors. My review is voluntary and honest. I recommend this entire series.
October 14, 2025
This installment of the Homefront Sleuths deals with murders connected to a military base. A body is found carefully arranged in the ruins of a monastery. The commanding officer wants it ruled an accident, but Harry and Nigel see it differently. With help from a friend in high places they get access to the ruins and the base.
In this fourth book we learn more about the sleuths' back stories. Bonzo, the Pomeranian plays more of a part helping to "dig up" an important clue. There are surprises for everyone, especially Blake, (in a twist I should have seen coming). The story gets a little tangled but the threads come together in the end.
Again, the Historical Facts at the end shine light on the elements of this fictional story that are based on facts; something that always elevates any Historical fiction for me.
This book ends with a very suspenseful cliff hanger that guarantees that I will be seeking out book 5.
In this fourth book we learn more about the sleuths' back stories. Bonzo, the Pomeranian plays more of a part helping to "dig up" an important clue. There are surprises for everyone, especially Blake, (in a twist I should have seen coming). The story gets a little tangled but the threads come together in the end.
Again, the Historical Facts at the end shine light on the elements of this fictional story that are based on facts; something that always elevates any Historical fiction for me.
This book ends with a very suspenseful cliff hanger that guarantees that I will be seeking out book 5.
January 25, 2026
I’m not even out of chapter one and I am already irritated. It’s ‘quash’ not ‘squelch’!
It’s such a shame that the author doesn’t either use a British fact-checker or do it herself. She is obviously aware that in mid July in the south of England it doesn’t get truly dark until about ten in the evening, and yet she has people closing blackout curtains at all sorts of times from 4pm onwards. She completely ignores the fact that the military police exist until she wants someone to remove a couple of soldiers near the end. She has a professor of antiquities telling a complete stranger the location of stored treasures that remained top secret until about 25-30 years ago. She has crickets in the garden (we have the occasional grasshopper but not crickets) and larks singing in bushes, the list goes in and on. As a British reader it’s all very distracting, and drags you out of what is otherwise a pleasant story.
Despite the fact that it ends on a cliffhanger, I am not sure that I can cope with another one.
Also the narrator consistently pronounces the ‘uh’ vowel in words such as ‘worry’ as if she comes from the West Midlands in an otherwise southern accent.
It’s such a shame that the author doesn’t either use a British fact-checker or do it herself. She is obviously aware that in mid July in the south of England it doesn’t get truly dark until about ten in the evening, and yet she has people closing blackout curtains at all sorts of times from 4pm onwards. She completely ignores the fact that the military police exist until she wants someone to remove a couple of soldiers near the end. She has a professor of antiquities telling a complete stranger the location of stored treasures that remained top secret until about 25-30 years ago. She has crickets in the garden (we have the occasional grasshopper but not crickets) and larks singing in bushes, the list goes in and on. As a British reader it’s all very distracting, and drags you out of what is otherwise a pleasant story.
Despite the fact that it ends on a cliffhanger, I am not sure that I can cope with another one.
Also the narrator consistently pronounces the ‘uh’ vowel in words such as ‘worry’ as if she comes from the West Midlands in an otherwise southern accent.
July 17, 2025
Loving this series - the books are continually getting better in terms of plot and character development.
On a separate note - seen the Viola storyline coming as soon as we met her - soooooooo glad to have been right on that one.
I think Blake might also be one of my fave book characters ever.
Now that I’m a few in, I think that this series gives slight Thursday Murder Club vibes, with the different main characters and what they bring to the table but a much more mild version.
Are Evie and Nigel ever going to be straight with each other? Time will tell.
Love Anna and Charles “historical notes” at the end - truly fascinating bits of knowledge.
Cannot wait to start the next one on the absolute clanger of a cliffhanger!!
On a separate note - seen the Viola storyline coming as soon as we met her - soooooooo glad to have been right on that one.
I think Blake might also be one of my fave book characters ever.
Now that I’m a few in, I think that this series gives slight Thursday Murder Club vibes, with the different main characters and what they bring to the table but a much more mild version.
Are Evie and Nigel ever going to be straight with each other? Time will tell.
Love Anna and Charles “historical notes” at the end - truly fascinating bits of knowledge.
Cannot wait to start the next one on the absolute clanger of a cliffhanger!!
October 21, 2025
I was holding out hope that Evie's husband was going to be a good guy, but I pretty much decided Paul Harris was the notorious Siegfried in the last book and this story only confirms that for me. Still not real news, so I could be wrong, but everything leads in that direction. At this point if Paul turns out to be a good guy and Evie and Nigel are quits before they start, I'll be sad.
Anyway, when a soldier is found dead at a nearby monastery ruin the military tries to wrest control of the case from Nigel and Harry. Thanks to Evie, that effort fails and a traitor is revealed. I'm really loving this series. Very consistent. Very entertaining. Strong plots and characters. I'm at the Why only seven books?" point of my journey. I'll read these again. I know I will.
Anyway, when a soldier is found dead at a nearby monastery ruin the military tries to wrest control of the case from Nigel and Harry. Thanks to Evie, that effort fails and a traitor is revealed. I'm really loving this series. Very consistent. Very entertaining. Strong plots and characters. I'm at the Why only seven books?" point of my journey. I'll read these again. I know I will.
November 28, 2025
3.5
I need to reiterate, that this is an easy to read series, that works really well if you're looking for a cozy mystery. If you're looking to read something super well written, with a great plot, no inconsistencies, and perfect flow, this isn't the series for you.
Keeping all that in mind, I still enjoy the books. They're light, and you know where the plot is going, and can generally guess at all the outcomes.
I did appreciate the Katherine/Viola plot being resolved early. I would have been very annoyed had it waited until the end.
My biggest annoyance is a little girl named Megan. No one was naming their child Megan before 1940. I checked, and only 6 girls in all of England, Wales and Ireland were named Megan.
I need to reiterate, that this is an easy to read series, that works really well if you're looking for a cozy mystery. If you're looking to read something super well written, with a great plot, no inconsistencies, and perfect flow, this isn't the series for you.
Keeping all that in mind, I still enjoy the books. They're light, and you know where the plot is going, and can generally guess at all the outcomes.
I did appreciate the Katherine/Viola plot being resolved early. I would have been very annoyed had it waited until the end.
My biggest annoyance is a little girl named Megan. No one was naming their child Megan before 1940. I checked, and only 6 girls in all of England, Wales and Ireland were named Megan.
April 16, 2025
Still excellent reading - this novel is just what fans of Agatha Christie, Manning Coles, Shereen Vedam and Jill Walsh Paton would like. The authors have a definite knack of grabbing your attention and keeping hold of it - the only reason that I took breaks in reading this was because it is difficult and dangerous to cross a street or cook a meal without paying attention to what I was doing. I am glad to see that Viola was who I thought she was and I am definitely interested in finding out why Evie thought a certain German operative was "heart-stoppingly familiar to her". Next, please!
I received an ARC from the authors and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from the authors and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 24, 2025
We learn more about each of the Sleuths in this fourth installment of the series. Not only is there a murder which sets off the story but we learn of a traitor in the Armed Forces. We grow more in invested with each character, as their individual character grows and we learn more of their talents. Everything is well researched and we get the feel of Britain during the war. It is so interesting and flows so well that it is hard to put down. In this one though we are left with a cliff hanger and the anticipation for the next book is high. This father/daughter team know how to keep their readers anticipation and well entertained. This series is a must read.
May 7, 2025
The dynamic father and daughter duo have another hit!! Once again I was captured from the beginning when I began my ARC. I wanted to read the whole story in one go but sleep called and I had to wait until the next day to rejoin the Hometown sleuths in their quest to find out who killed the young soldier and the traitor in the ranks. Another excellent WW2 story with more intrigue and “hold your breath” moments. We are left with a cliffhanger at the end so I can’t wait until the next book is out. More excitement!!
A must read and I recommend you read the series from the beginning so that you can get a greater enjoyment of the characters and the way they interact.
A must read and I recommend you read the series from the beginning so that you can get a greater enjoyment of the characters and the way they interact.
June 3, 2025
Great read!
This is a very well-plotted and well-written book. The story is set in WWII England and the period provides an interesting backdrop for the mystery. I am very much enjoying this new series of the Homefront Sleuths by Veley and Elliot. It is a nice departure from the Sherlock and Lucy books, all of which I read with gusto. I hope this father’s-daughter team will continue to collaborate for years to come so I can continue to be delighted when I see they have a new release which I will inevitably pounce on as soon as it is available. Many thanks to the authors for providing me with so many hours of great entertainment and escapism from current events!
This is a very well-plotted and well-written book. The story is set in WWII England and the period provides an interesting backdrop for the mystery. I am very much enjoying this new series of the Homefront Sleuths by Veley and Elliot. It is a nice departure from the Sherlock and Lucy books, all of which I read with gusto. I hope this father’s-daughter team will continue to collaborate for years to come so I can continue to be delighted when I see they have a new release which I will inevitably pounce on as soon as it is available. Many thanks to the authors for providing me with so many hours of great entertainment and escapism from current events!
August 10, 2025
Gahhh this book just ended on a cliffhanger!
Firstly , I want to say that I am eating this series up. It has everything you could possibly need & more:
dual povs
mystery
whodunnit
found family
a splash of romance happening 😏
I have to admit that this one just might be my favorite in the series. I absolutely loved the twist of Katherine & Blake - I surprisingly didn’t expect it. Also the little spark between Evie & Nigel , yes please. Maybe Alice & Harry too?? I’m here for it. As soon as I was done with this one, I instantly downloaded the next one.
If you haven’t read this series - please do. You’re missing out.
5 ⭐️
Firstly , I want to say that I am eating this series up. It has everything you could possibly need & more:
dual povs
mystery
whodunnit
found family
a splash of romance happening 😏
I have to admit that this one just might be my favorite in the series. I absolutely loved the twist of Katherine & Blake - I surprisingly didn’t expect it. Also the little spark between Evie & Nigel , yes please. Maybe Alice & Harry too?? I’m here for it. As soon as I was done with this one, I instantly downloaded the next one.
If you haven’t read this series - please do. You’re missing out.
5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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