Marching Through the Fire

The Walker and Stone Series #2

by Lawrence J. Epstein

This mystery thriller is set in England during the Nazi Blitz attack in 1940. The book is a sequel to Battlelines but can be read on its own. Two Scotland Yard detectives and a woman from Military Intelligence work to solve a mysterious murder and in doing so come across a Nazi spy plot.

The Nazis have sent in an agent to work with the head of the pro-German movement in England. That head is in charge of a secret mission that threatens the British nation. The detectives have only a limited time to discover the identity of the pro-German head in London.

Additionally, the fate of a refugee child is at stake for one of the detectives. And there remains the possibility of romance in the dark nights filled with German bombs and British deaths.

Genres: British Literature, Fiction

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2025

Reviews

[L Becerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended!

Reading this book was like experiencing a perfect blend of history, mystery, and a strong detective atmosphere.The story takes place in 1940, a difficult and war-torn period.

One of the things I would highlight the most is that, in my opinion, Lawrence J. Epstein, the author, creates an excellent setting that truly conveys the coldness of the time, the people, and the war itself.

The book is fast-paced, yet written with enough detail to capture the reader’s attention from beginning to end. You’ll not want to stop reading it! I also loved the role of the detectives and how the story develops through them.

Highly recommended and worth reading!

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marching Through The Fire was a book that I was very fortunate to win in a goodreads giveaway! If you are someone who is looking for a quick and easy read and like world war II mystery stories then you should pick up this book. I for one enjoyed it and the plot was very intriguing.

We are introduced to two detectives named Walker and Stone who live in England. Shortly after the blitz there are all sorts of Nazi conspiracies going around the country. They team up with a youg woman named Edith from the military intelligence to get to the bottom of the rumors and put a stop to any plots of nazi invasion.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a historical fiction mystery that takes place in London during the beginnings of WWII. As the Germans are beginning their bombing on London, Walker and Stone of Scotland Yard try to sabotage a plan to steal and share London's top secret plans with the Germans.

The plot of this book had good potential and the mystery portion of it kept you guessing until the end. But I just couldn't get over the writing to make me like this book. I don't know how else to describe it other than it felt very mechanical. The dialogue was very unrealistic and basic. The characters were never developed. There was a side story about Stone and his family, who had taken in a young German Jewish boy, but it was never fully explained or developed.

Good potential but just not good execution in my opinion.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Maps R · Rating 5 out of 5]

After visiting some concentration camps, I became very curious about espionage and the Nazis. This book has been very interesting, more than just a history book, it is a fascinating story that set me in the context. Starting with the setting in the 1940 Nazi Blitz, it creates an atmosphere full of mystery and suspense. The way the author develops the characters is fantastic. The three main characters create an amazing dynamic between a brave military woman who works in intelligence and the two Scottish detectives. You can feel their commitment to stopping the Nazi spies and the situation unfolding in London.

This book goes far beyond. The mix of genres adds emotion, and mystery alone is not enough, one key aspect is the personal and human side of the story. One part that caught my attention is related to the refugee children, which shifts the whole dynamic of the book. It brings a different view, showing that it is not only adults solving problems, the population is affected, and children too, which left me overthinking.

It also leaves room to understand that all the people involved in the situation are human, and sometimes we might put aside their reality. Love, mystery, chaos, humanity, and personal stories during such a difficult time will catch your attention and connect with you in this book.

[Lina Perea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about espionage in London

Marching Through the Fire, by Epstein, is an excellent mystery book that brings together all the elements to keep the reader absorbed in the story.
The plot is so well developed that it leaves nothing to the imagination and manages to engage all five senses in the reading. The setting is London in 1940, during World War II. It is described in such a precise and detailed way that, as the story unfolds, the reader feels transported to that time.
The main characters are detectives from Scotland Yard, a military intelligence woman, and a refugee child. Around them, a story full of mystery, intrigue, and Nazi conspiracies is woven.
The fears, anxieties, joys, and other emotions of the characters are so well crafted that they allow the reader to identify with some of them and awaken deep feelings.
It is a book that captivates the reader from the cover to the very end of the story.

[Ivana S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marching Through the Fire pulls you straight into the heart of war-torn 1940s London, where danger lurks not just in the sky but in the shadows of betrayal. As a reader, I wasn't just turning pages, I was racing against time with detectives Walker and Stone, and the compelling Military Intelligence agent. The plot is rich with espionage, mystery, and emotional stakes, especially the subplot involving a refugee child that adds depth and humanity to the thriller. What I really enjoyed was how the author balances the tension of a Nazi plot with personal moments, including glimmers of romance amid the Blitz. It’s atmospheric and smart, yet accessible. Even if you missed Battlelines, this book stands firmly on its own. Fans of historical thrillers will feel right at home here. Gritty, gripping, and surprisingly heartfelt; a satisfying read all around.

[Eric F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marching Through the Fire and I by Lawrence J. Epstein is a really good book. The story was full of action and mystery, and I liked the setting in London during the war. It felt very real, with all the bombings and danger around.
The team worked well together, and I liked their different personalities. What I liked most was how they trusted each other, even when things got dangerous. It reminded me of a group project I did at school. At first, we didn’t know each other very well, but we had to work as a team.
The spy plot with the Nazis was exciting and kept me guessing. I wanted to know who the bad guy was and what would happen next. Also, the part with the refugee child was very touching. It made me care more about the characters. And the little bit of romance was nice too, not too much, but it fit the story.

[Gianfranco · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best time for excitement

Ultimately, although it may sound sad, novels set against the backdrop of war are very captivating, as they provide the basis for everything from action and mystery to anxiety, without neglecting love. The narrative is elegant, giving it a shadow-like quality that makes each scene equally mysterious and compelling, page after page. Personally, I love that the book is set during the Nazi war, as I love history, and when an author lets their imagination run wild based on historical events, at least for me, it is easier to give them a clearer context in my head and thus allow my imagination to reach those same heights. I'm not going to give any spoilers, I'll just say that the book allowed me to experience all kinds of sensations, so I think it has a wide audience. Highly recommended.

[Steven Finkelstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s 1940, and the blitz attack by the Nazis threatens to tear Europe apart. In England, a pair of Scotland Yard detectives must team up with a women representing Military Intelligence. They have been tasked with finding out the identity of a Nazi agent who they believe to be working for the British government. The clock is ticking to stop the pro-German agent before he is able to succeed in his nefarious objective.

This is the second book in a series, but it works fine as a stand-alone story as well. The action sequences are intense, there’s excellent character development, and the tension continues rising the further the reader progresses. This is a scintillating literary experience and is sure to be a hit with history enthusiasts.

[Rodrigo J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigue, espionage, and courage

This book captured my attention from the very beginning. I really liked how it combines mystery with the historical context of World War II. I felt the tension on every page, as if I were also searching for the spy alongside the characters. The setting during the Blitz gives the story a strong sense of urgency and constant danger. The main characters are well developed, especially the detective who cares about the refugee child, which adds a human and emotional side to the story. I appreciated that, even though it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone novel. It left me thinking about how, even in such dark times, people can still find courage, loyalty, and a sense of duty. It is definitely a story that blends action, emotion, and thoughtful reflection in a very balanced way.

[Margarita Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a mystery novel that combines classic detective suspense with unexpected historical intrigue, you should pick up this series. In the second book ‘’Marching Through the Fire’’ as two Scottish detectives and a woman from Military Intelligence try to solve a murder, they come across a Nazi conspiracy in England. I'd like to recommend this novel for four reasons: first, the double tension is not just about solving a murder but also about saving the country from the Nazis. Secondly, the rich atmosphere that the author describes in the novel. Third, the depth of the detective characters and, finally, the unpredictability of the plot that keeps readers hooked from the beginning. This novel is perfect for anyone who loves high-stakes mysteries.

[Carlos Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in from the first chapter. The story takes you to London during the Blitz, and it really feels like you are there, hearing the bombs, feeling the fear, and watching people try to keep living their lives.
What I liked most was the characters. The detectives are not perfect heroes. They get tired, scared, and make mistakes, and that made them feel real. The woman from Military Intelligence also stood out, strong but human, and sometimes just as lost as everyone else. If you like historical mysteries with real emotions, this one is worth reading. It’s intense, but it also leaves you with a sense of hope.

[ZebraDebra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thriller, Marching Through the Fire, is full of tension and mystery with plenty of moments in which I was on the edge of my seat. With a background of England during the Nazi Blitz attack, the story takes unexpected twists and turns that left me breathless. The character descriptions and dialogue are so vivid that it seems like a story that really took place – a true story. However, it is a fiction novel written with expertise and, although it is the second book in a series, it works perfectly well as a standalone. It is certainly enticing to read the first book after this one, if you have not already done so. Five stars from me.

[AMAO · Rating 5 out of 5]

💯💯💯💯💯

[Norman Bander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent who-dun-it

Great solid story. Suspenseful, clever, exciting. A really good,fictional tale of World War 2 , nazis, London during the Blitz, and love

[Mailmanr5 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know how I finished this. The dialogue is unrealistic. Did anyone ever speak like this? The plot was simple. Shallow characters.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book that takes place during the blitz in London in WW II.