The Spitfire Murders: A Homefront Sleuths Mystery

Homefront Sleuths #3

by Anna Elliott, Charles Veley

Spies, secrets, and a splash of tea—another mission for the Homefront Sleuths!

England, 1941: When a factory security guard dies under suspicious circumstances and a Spitfire test flight ends in disaster, the quiet village of Crofter’s Green is abuzz with questions. With the local police stretched thin by the war effort, it’s up to the *Homefront Sleuths* to uncover the truth.

Leading the charge is Evie Harris, village tea shop owner and amateur detective, who bravely goes undercover at the aircraft factory—despite a cryptic warning from a shadowy German spy. Watching out for her

🔎 Harry Jenkins – A retired detective with a sharp eye for trouble.
🌿 Alice Greenleaf – A no-nonsense herbalist with a knack for noticing what others miss.
📚 Blake Collins – A clever schoolteacher who sees patterns no one else does.
💡 Dorothy Baker – A quick-witted young mother whose instincts never fail.

As they untangle a web of sabotage and secrets, another worker turns up dead. Can they uncover the saboteur before disaster strikes again?

The Spitfire Murders is a heartwarming historical cozy mystery, brimming with intrigue, camaraderie, and wartime resilience.

Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Rhys Bowen, and Carola Dunn! Scroll up and one-click now!

Genres: Audiobook, Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Historical Fiction, Crime, Fiction, Historical

436 pages, Paperback

Published July 5, 2025

About the author

Anna 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.

Reviews

[Marjorie89 · Rating 3 out of 5]

So interesting yet so dull all at once

[Chantelle Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

3🌟 (Audible Plus Catalog). This series has very (overly?) complicated storyline + sometimes too many characters. We're finally getting to the "Moriarty" of Crofter's Green.

[Erik Deckers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been enjoying the Homefront Series immensely. It's given me a lot of insights into what home life was like during World War II. It's a nice historic look at what the people "back home" were experiencing. Anyone who's interested in learning more about WWII should read this series.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just love this whole town and all the fun characters in it! The mystery itself is so so but I like that it’s war time and how they solve them is always realistic

[C.G.Koens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder, Kidnapping, and Intrigue...oh my!

Once again, another good addition to the series from Elliott and Veley, complete with character growth and historically-based plots. And I will add, again, that it is very reminiscent of a more grown up version of Nancy Drew, with a cohort of friends swooping in at the last minute to save the day. There were a couple of typos or plot details that were wonky (like, one minute the two hostages are bound and gagged, and the next minute they're no longer gagged), but overall, it was an enjoyable, easy read, and I liked it enough that I plan to continue reading the series.

[Racheal Surridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant characters

I love this series, brilliant characters, excellent storylines can’t wait for a certain thing to happen. Hope it’s in the next book!

[Roo · Rating 4 out of 5]

great books, I'm off to find the next

[Clare Crawshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third one I’ve read in this series, it’s my least favourite one, I love the characters but the plot was a bit slow. I do love all the history of the war though , looking forward to book 4

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one. The characters are coming into their own and the storyline was awesome. I literally did my own googling on the spitfire planes and loved the historical accuracy. Great book in the series. My favorite so far.

[Phil Dunlop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why not 5 stars?

Ok, this is a very good story, why not 5 stars? Well, I was a pilot, was an F-111 pilot, Vietnam, F-111 had 2 engines, and that's how you would describe it in a story. The Spitfire was a single engine fighter and that's how you would and should describe it in a story. But, early in this story, and more than once, the author describes the aircraft sounds as "engines" and that just makes me cringe especially because the Spitfire sounded so uniquely wonderful. So, 4 stars is the best I can do. Yeah, its a nit, but it's a really big one.

[Lisa]

I appreciate the history notes at the end of each book in this series. I love how the author roots these books in a particular place that still exists. This is the book where Evie transitions from primarily being a widow to being open to love. That’s nice. This book is also less a mystery than a spy drama and I like those less. But I still enjoy the way the characters are all developing.

[Anna Butler-Whittaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one more from the series. Not my favourite of its genre, but not bad either. I particularly like the historical notes at the end of each book, they are really interesting and show that the series is super well researched.

[Bill Cross · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Spitfire Murders" is the third in the Homefront Sleuths series written by the father-daughter team of Charles Veley and Anna Elliot. While the authors are Yanks, they have definite affection for the UK as this series and the other two they’re responsible for (Sherlock and Lucy plus, Becky and Flynn) are also set in England. The Homefront Sleuths are a collection of six friends who live in the small village of Crofter’s Green who all have a penchant for solving mysteries. The time of these novels is in the early days of World War II, prior to the United States’ involvement when the war’s outcome was definitely in doubt.

While a dead body turns up rather quickly in the story (in fact, it happens in the prologue before we even get to the first chapter), the identity of the killer takes a back seat to what is more of a wartime spy thriller. It seems that vital parts of the famed British fighter plane, the Spitfire, are being manufactured clandestinely in Ashford, a town close by Crofter’s Green. (That factory is where the dead body turns up.)

The Homefront Sleuths are drawn into the intrigue when one of them, retired Scotland Yard investigator, Harry Jenkins, is called on by the police superintendent to investigate the murder. Harry, accompanied by his nephew, active duty copper, Nigel Brewster, starts digging; and before long, the investigation uncovers what could be an extremely deadly plot to sabotage the factory, and by extension, Britain’s entire war effort.

As in all of the Veley-Elliot novels, the chapters are short and told from the viewpoint of one of the main protagonists. Sometimes the action stays with a particular character for several chapters, but often each chapter changes focus (and location) to allow the investigation to proceed on multiple fronts simultaneously. It’s a good device as it keeps the action moving. Frequently, chapters will end with one of the protagonists facing danger, only to have the narrative shift scenes, creating multiple cliffhangers throughout the novel.

While I did enjoy this adventure, I have to admit I enjoyed it less than the previous one. That’s because, as mentioned above, it’s not much of a mystery. It’s more of a spy thriller. Finding out whodunnit becomes a bit of an afterthought as the sabotage plot and thwarting it become the novel’s main focus. And, to be honest, the bad guys turn out to be not very formidable. But the real problem is that there are six Homefront Sleuths, and giving each one enough to do in the story leaves little room for anything else. In fact, there are more sleuths than suspects in "The Spitfire Murders." In addition to the six main sleuths, there is also the war-injured husband of one of the members who has had a major part to play in this and the previous novel in the series.

If you’ve followed the first two installments in the series ("The Blackout Murders" and "The Spectre of Hawthorne Manor"), the third installment gives you a bit more on the mysterious background of sleuth/teashop owner, Evie Harris, as well as advancing the budding romance between two of the major characters. Blake, a sleuth with autism, is again the most underused of the main characters but has the potential to develop into the series’ most interesting personality. Hopefully, he’ll move more to center stage in future installments.

While I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the previous novel (and not as much as I have enjoyed the entire Sherlock and Lucy series), it still made for a fast read with plenty of action. I will be around for the fourth installment, which at the rate this team is turning out fiction, should be any day now!

[Dan Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was my privilege to receive an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this third book in the new Homefront Sleuths series. What follows is my candid review.
We were introduced to Evie (Evelyn) Harris in the first book of the series, when she took over her Grandmother's shuttered tearoom, and learned her backstory of having been an operative in the French Resistance before having to leave France for Britain. There, she lived in London and worked as an air raid worker until she was injured in a building collapse and moved to the small rural village where her late grandmother had the tearoom. In the first two books, she collaborates with a varied group of friends to stymie some gangs profiteering from war shortages, with possible German encouragement. As this book starts, her past in France seems to be catching up with her, in the form of a mocking letter from "Siegfried", the mastermind behind a lot of the plots she encountered in occupied France. At the same time, a murder at a secret factory of Spitfire parts in a nearby town indicates the possibility of intended sabotage of the British war effort. As the book develops, we are confronted with the question of whether the two things are interrelated or coincidental. Various members of the informal "Homefront Sleuths" group of her friends play various roles, according to their individual strengths, in uncovering the plot, even at their own personal risk.
I highly recommend this book and the series to which it belongs both to fans of group investigations and fans of war fiction. Almost needless to say, the backdrop to the investigation includes bombing and strafing runs by German aircraft.

[Jill E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

another good book in the series

Continue to enjoy the characters in these books. We learn more about them with each installment. Each one of them learns more about him or herself, realizing that each brings some special talent or gift to the table when attempting to solve the mysteries in these World War II intrigues.

The “homefront sleuths” continue to learn how to work together to defeat the evil plans of Nazi spies and British traitors, and solve related murders.

I was not aware that biological warfare was around as early as World War II, so this book continued to teach me about that time period.

This group of friends works hard to be supportive of each other, not just for the war effort, but also because of their concern over those in need in this small English town.

The pacing is good. While it sometimes seems that clues and answers come more quickly than might occur in other mysteries, having multiple “boots on the ground“ helps to turn up a lot of information as each person relies on their individual strength to improve the success of the entire group.

The book is extremely satisfying, and during a time when the world right now is often disheartening and perhaps even frightening, it is encouraging to see people work together for common purpose. I recommend this book.

[Louisa with an A · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one lost me big time. The travel, the jumping perspectives, the multitude of characters and side characters and semi side characters that played an integral role to the story but were treated as only a two-bit character. It was too much. The bloody dog is given more characteristics than some of the main characters.

I can see what the authors are doing (or trying to do), by setting up the overarching mystery of The Broker and Siegfried the Nazi spy and with each murder/s covered in the book more of the mystery gets revealed. However, the small-time murders are so BORING until the last few chapters and even then, the conclusions are still lacklustre.

I also have an issue with the fact that Harry is retired but still holding a police badge? Granted I don’t know much about 1940’s police and the rules but he seems very involved for a (technical) civilian. Same with Alice, Dorothy, and Blake. There is the half-cocked explanation that it’s because the police force is spread thin during the war but surely some of the part so of the cases that are being shared with these fully fledged civilians is against some rule.

I’m still continuing the series because I only have two more books left, and they’re free. But unless these next two books blow me out of the water, if there are any more books in this series published, I probably wont finish it.

[Milly Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book that I have listened to in this series and once again I have found it a nice easy listen and very enjoyable. We are back in Crofter’s Green again with Harry, Evie, Alice, Dorothy and Nigel and the little teaser that we were left with at the end of book 2 gains a little more traction in this book. In a local munitions factory that makes parts for Spitfires, a body is discovered. Harry gets called upon to investigate and what is soon discovered is that there is a plot that could be detrimental to the war effort and soon all of the Homefront Sleuths get involved in both major and minor roles as rather than solving the murder, the focus seems to be to uncover the plot. Yet again the chapters are fairly short and are from the POVs of the characters which does move the action along as it enables the reader to see what is happening elsewhere. Once again there is action and drama and I’m enjoying getting to know these ‘sleuths’ and to follow their lives. Add to this the historical notes that the author gives at the end and this series provides a lot of information about WW2 and what it was like for the women left at home and the roles that some of them played. I’m looking forward to listening to Book 4 when I get the chance.

[Giannina Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The excitement continues in the third book of the series. The research that is done is exceptional by the authors. Even though Evie is tempted to go away from the village, in how she feels to protect her friends, she is convinced to stay. A murder is discovered at the munitions factory and she goes underccover to find the culprit. This is one of the factories making parts for the Spitfires and some planes are malfunctioning.
There are many problems that arise that have to be resolved and all the Homefront Sleuths are involved in their respective ways. Dorothy's husband, Tom, becames friends with Blake and they bond over their shared experiences. In doing so, Tom become involved in resolution of the crisis.
In this book there is a bit more activity in regards to the experience of war time Britian Which only adds to the excitement of the story. Will they all escape unharmed or will this bring more problems to solve. I look for ward to what shall happen in the next book. I highly recommend this book and the whole series The authors have a way of putting you in the action of their stories.

[Rubena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading historical mysteries, especially those set in the Victorian period, or slightly earlier, and so enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes and Lucy James series. I wasn’t too sure about WW 2 but I’m very glad I read the Spitfire Murders.

Apart from the murders and espionage, I enjoyed meeting the villagers, ordinary people going on with their daily lives amid the chaos and uncertainty of war, people coping with loss, whether it be of a limb or a loved one, of coming to terms with the trauma of war and trying to overcome it to be useful to family and society. I hadn’t read the previous two books but got sufficient background information on the characters to feel that I knew and understood them.

As to be expected with Elliott and Veley, the book was well written and well researched. We get the POV of each of the characters in short chapters which not only gives you an insight into their thoughts but quickens the pace of the action and there was a lot a bit of that!

I enjoyed reading this book and will now have to read the first two to catch up and look forward to reading the others in the series.

[Jo Lynn Bruno-Diehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series and I must say, I am really enjoying it. Set in a village near London during WWII it centers around the "Homeland Sleuths" and their cooperative efforts to solve complex crimes that are often involving war related espionage activities.
This story starts with the death of a night watchman at a plant that manufactures parts for fighter planes. The death is soon discovered to be a murder and sets off a series of situations that keep the "Sleuths" working together and apart to find the traitor or traitors.
I found this book to be more "thriller" than "cozy." There were a lot of threads that tangled, but ultimately the story was compelling enough that I was able to follow it to the end. The "sleuths" continue to be revealed and elaborated on which is another strong point of the story. I feel like I am really getting to know them.
One of the things that I like about the authors is that they provide a history lesson explaining the organizations and situations that are portrayed in the fictional story.
I have come upon another series that is forcing me to continue my Kindle Unlimited subscription...
not that there is anything wrong with that.

[Isi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was such a cozy, satisfying read. I’m really enjoying getting to know more about Evie and Nigel. I’m absolutely shipping them. Their banter is perfect, and I swear Harry secretly ships them too. Speaking of Harry, I just adore him; his relationship with Evie feels almost fatherly in the sweetest way.

I’m also so sure that Viola is going to be important later on, and I can’t wait for Dorothy to finally invite her to stay at the new house. The whole cast feels like a found family, which makes the series feel warm and comforting even with the murder mysteries going on underneath.

I usually find historical books a bit boring, but this one completely works for me. It’s cozy, full of heart, and still gives me that mystery thrill. And I really want to know more about Blake (he’s definitely autistic, and I love how he’s written). I’m so sure his fiancée is Viola, and I can’t wait to see how that plays out!

[Rachel-Leigh LaBuschagne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have nothing really to say that I haven’t said before for the first two books. This series has been absolutely brilliant. It is so engaging and text you back to an historical era that you know was such a difficult time. So taking that type of history and making it into such an intriguing story is just amazing. I can tell there was so much thought process that went into this book. The twists and turns. The little details you only find out at the end. Very much going to read the fourth book. There are a couple things I’m hoping that will happen in this next one. But I guess I’ll only know after I’ve read it. You do get captured by the characters. They become almost friends of yours, like you can see yourself going to Eve’s shop and having a cup of tea with everyone. And I’ve really enjoyed the fact that Bonzo the Pomeranian has been in every single story, very much hoping he’s going to be having his cameos in the rest of the series.

[Faye Sherron · Rating 5 out of 5]

A successful solution: a story with characters to honor history

Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it... even, "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." Proverbs 29:1. The storytelling of Anna Elliott and Charles Veley are enjoyable and hopeful. Anna's characters and storyline create an opportunity to remind readers that integrity and courage are durable and doable. No amount of extreme violence or sexually explicit writing is used or needed in order to tell these engaging tales of historical fiction, and i was delighted and encouraged by reading three of the four Homefront Sleuths mysteries. i find the ongoing writing to bless and provide a hope-filled outlook.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this is my favorite book of the series. Dorothy had a much bigger part, Eve used her SOE experience and went undercover, Tom was back home with Dorothy an Tommy and Bosco had a hand, err nose, in finding clues.

This book had so many interesting things going on. Murder, espionage and more crimes. Love it. The various plotlines wove seamlessly throughout the book. Very enjoyable. I can't wait to read the next book and read more about the dynamics of this group of sleuths.

I highly recommend not only this book all of the books of this series but all of their books in their various series.I received an ARC of this book from the authors. My review is voluntary and honest.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER RIVETING READ FROM ELLIOTT & VELEY

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Spitfire Murders," the third book in Anna
Elliott's and Charles Veley's Homefront Sleuths Cozy Mystery Series. I especially liked the way the authors' showed us more of the characters' inner thoughts, hopes, dreams and fears. I also found that the authors' expanded descriptions of the settings enhanced my perception of the ambiance that surrounded the war years. It's satisfying to read about a band of strangers who came together to combat hidden foes and, in the process, developed close friendships.

[Madelon · Rating 5 out of 5]

In THE SPITFIRE MURDERS, our team of homefront sleuths finds themselves embroiled in the war effort that keeps the manufacturing locations of Spitfire parts secret. One such factory is in Ashford—just one town over from Crofter's Green—where a security guard dies mysteriously. Adding to the intrigue, a Spitfire test flight ends in a crash. Coincidence? Investigators don't think so.

Evie Harris, who has kept most of her personal history private from her new friends and colleagues, receives a threatening note that harkens back to her resistance activities in France. As she prepares to create a new identity for herself, she is stopped at her own front doorway by her friend and fellow sleuth Alice Greenleaf. With her clandestine escape from Crofter's Green foiled, she asks Alice to convene the rest of the amateur investigators, so she only has to tell her story once. When the need for an undercover operative at the Ashford Car Parts factory (a secret Spitfire parts manufacturer) arises, Evie volunteers as the obvious choice. After all, she is trained for this sort of thing.

Alongside the mystery, the team of Elliott and Veley conveys the dangers of German bombings that must be survived while uncovering the truth. The reality of women working in factories to support the war effort also sheds light on how some women work well together while others wallow in petty jealousies. These women are charting new avenues of independence, which would be daunting even in times of peace.

THE SPITFIRE MURDERS offers a good story, interesting history, and wonderful characters that become more real with each new book. In the last book, I developed a theory about who Viola—the total amnesia patient who befriended Dorothy during her husband Tom's brush with death in a London hospital—might be. I was hoping to get my answer in this third book of the series, but no luck. Viola is still in the picture, so perhaps I'll get my answer in book four.

I can hardly wait to read the next book, The Judas Monk, when the homefront sleuths are once again on the case.

THE SPITFIRE MURDERS will be available on Kindle on March 5, 2025.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so interesting and descriptive that I felt like I was there, and I didn't like that at all. I felt fear and hopelessness as I'm sure the people actually living that nightmare did. I wanted to scream when slimey character kept getting away from the cops!!! This plot was so diabolical!!! I kept turning pages and hoping for the best and fearing the worst. Evie had more courage than sense sometimes. Some very scary dramatic and suspenseful had me on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed this fast paced cloak and dagger story.

[Adena Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel had all the sleuthing and derring-do of Manning Coles' Tommy Hambleton WWII novels. it was fascinating how Evie's past, Alice's academic connections and Dorothy's new ambitions all wove themselves into the action plan for solving Harry's and Nigel's new case. The banter between Evie and Nigel was funny, particularlu considering when and where they had their exchange. I am looking forward to the next - I need to see if Viola is who I suspect she is and I need to see what happens between Evie and Nigel.

I received an ARC from the authors and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining Espionage listening 🎵👒

This kindle ebook novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book three of four.

I have listened to most of Anna Elliott and Charles Veley and enjoyed all of them.

The German spies are working in the village to sabotage the supply of parts for the Spitfire and other parts needed for the war. It all comes to a happy ending😃.

I would highly recommend this series and authors to readers of WWII British spy adventure thriller novels 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩🐕 2025 🎉😘

[Connie P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

I've come to really enjoy this series. Getting to know this group of steadfast and brave men and women in a little village in England. The setting is WWII . The characters are all well defined and each is interesting in their own right. I've come to like each of them, down to the latest, Tom. He's married to Dorothy and had been away fighting until he'd lost a leg and has finally returned home. This time the group is fighting against German spies and biological weapons. The story kept my interest from beginning to end. I'm on to the next book right now.