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Homefront Sleuths #9

The Saint Mary's Cipher

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Palm Sunday brings spring to Crofter’s Green—and a deadly secret.

When a postal van crashes outside the Cozy Cup, Dorothy agrees to hold a registered parcel for the shaken driver. Minutes later, the parcel vanishes—and the postman is found murdered. The only clue? An address in London…and a faint cipher that points back to St Mary’s Church.

As Alice prepares the sanctuary for Palm Sunday, she notices something odd., Blake uncovers a hidden code, and Harry traces a careful‑spoken stranger through village lanes. The Sleuths soon discover a chilling scheme, and a whispered signal that could feed a German revenge plan and leave the village in ruins.

Meanwhile, a desperate telegram sends Evie across the Channel on a midnight boat to rescue an old ally—and to confirm a warning that may be the key to stopping the plot before Easter Weekend. With church bells quiet under blackout, a father’s fate to be decided in court, and a wedding hanging in the balance, the Sleuths must outwit a ruthless local ring before the first bombs fall.

Packed with springtime atmosphere, familiar characters, and the cozy charm you love about Crofter’s Green, The Saint Mary’s Cipher delivers heart, humor, and high stakes in equal measure. Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Rhys Bowen, and Jacqueline Winspear.

One‑click now for village warmth, clever clues, and a race‑against‑time mystery!

356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2026

261 people are currently reading
126 people want to read

About the author

Anna Elliott

131 books468 followers
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.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Profile Image for Heatherinblack .
761 reviews9 followers
April 9, 2026
It is written in episodes

As the series has gone on, each book has become more like an episode on a tv show. Which isn’t a bad thing. The stories build and the focuses change as you would expect for a tv series. They aren’t the most elaborate mysteries, but you get to see the evolution of the sleuths see as their part in fighting the war. I realize that sound a bit melodramatic, but I have been up a lot of hours (not because of the book, because I had to be up, I finished the book). I enjoy the different roles each character plays and how they come together. Great friends so have.
Profile Image for Laura.
488 reviews3 followers
March 17, 2026
Some thoughts I had while reading this:

I wish there had been more in France because that was very exciting.

I wanted to see tante Celeste’s reaction to Evie telling her Paul was a spy.

I guess Lady Hawthorne’s friend is never coming back for Bonzo if she’s calling him her dog now?

I’m very happy that Alfie and Pilot are back.

Why does every description of someone have the same description? “they have an intelligent face with intelligent features.”

When Evie uses the oar to move the loose sea mine out of the way of the boat, it seemed very unlikely and yet I was riveted and held my breath!

If the newest spy they’re tracking knows what Mr. Brown looks like and where his office is what is he going to do?

I also still don’t trust Mr. Brown after book 7 and definitely think he’s working with the Nazis.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Delores Johnson.
127 reviews
March 20, 2026
Nooooooooo! the book ended on a cliff hanger. I LOVE this series, but I HATE cliff hangers!
152 reviews
March 19, 2026
Excellent…really!! but…

The book was really well done. A new arch enemy has been introduced. And the story was very exciting.

There were several plot lines aligned throughout the book, perfectly placed and paced. Evie and Nigel travel to France for a dangerous mission. Harry has his hands full between several murders, suspicious activities, and threats by the long arm of the Nazis, threatening London, in general, but even their town specifically. Blake continues to amaze with his brilliant ability to decipher coded communications. All of the sleuths work together seamlessly to assemble all the moving parts in attempting to solve the mysteries presented so artfully.

There are plenty of suspects, though the rising body count quickly rules several of them out. There are characters from previous books in the series that play pivotal roles in offering valuable information for the investigation.

My first suggestion to a potential reader is to think twice before reading the character descriptions at the beginning. I felt as if they distracted me…while trying to keep those details in mind AND figuring out people who were threats, those who were victims, or some who were simply minor characters.

Nigel’s mother and his niece and nephew were included in the story, but I felt they served no real purpose, which is unusual these stories.

There were a couple of typos… One was the misspelling of a character’s name which really surprised me. These few slips didn’t interfere with understanding the narrative.

And the only other “complaint” I have is a selfish one… There are so many loose ends left “unfinished” that will probably drive me crazy until the next book comes out!!

I just love these books and the characters all of whom fit so perfectly together, not only as professional investigators/amateur detectives, but also as members of a closely knit community in the English countryside during World War II.

I also have to note that the authors are amazing in how quickly subsequent books in the series are released. The writing is quite good; the characterizations are excellent, overall; and the suspense and the pacing are so on point.

I read this in one sitting—woe is me…I devoured it now I have to wait. I eagerly look forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Madelon.
955 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 7, 2026
The Saint Mary’s Cipher is a pulse‑pounding look at what people are willing to do in wartime to protect their country and their loved ones. The people may exist only as characters on a page, but the writing brings them alive—and sometimes that will bring a tear to your eye.

Crofter’s Green represents any English village in a time of war. Its denizens, from the Lady of the manor to the townsfolk, all do their best to live an ordinary life. They hang blackout curtains on their windows, and their children attend school. They learn to identify overhead planes by the sound of the engines—friend or foe. And, as anyone who watches mysteries from the BBC knows, one village can be a hotbed of crime. My husband often remarks that he doesn’t want to live in Midsomer.

There is interesting history woven throughout this series. We learn about the Women’s Land Army (WLA), where girls enlisted to work on farms. They came from disparate backgrounds, and they did the work willingly, often saying that if their husbands and sweethearts were off fighting, it was the least they could do.

The home‑front sleuths—Evie, Alice, Dorothy, Blake, Nigel, and Harry—have an added member in Katherine, Blake’s wife. It seems that new characters are added with each adventure. Kudos to Anna and Charles for including a Who’s Who page to help cement the regulars in your mind.

Ciphers play a big part in this book: the one that warns Saint Mary’s is at risk during the Easter service, and the one that sends Evie and Nigel across the Channel to France.

The Saint Mary’s Cipher is fast‑paced and hard to put down. The dangers are softened by a touch of romance that never overtakes the story. As always, do read the Historical Notes section; it contains facts that pertain to the narrative.

To fully grasp the rhythms and relationships of Crofter’s Green, it’s a good idea to read the books in order.
291 reviews2 followers
May 3, 2026
Another good book in this series. It is now 1942. America has entered the war and the Sleuths are once again doing their part to keep England safe. As this is the 9th book, the characters are well developed and and relationships are more enhanced. Having read the series from the beginning, I can appreciate that.
Nigel and Evie help a resistance fighter get out of France, and learn that the Sleuths are now on Germany's radar. Dorothy takes care of a package for the postman while he walks to the repair shop after an accident. When he doesn't return and is later found dead, the Sleuths work together to find the murderer. It is a very twisted trail and bodies continue to show up.
More importantly, they try to discover where and how a bomb is going to blow up, possibly in the church on Easter Sunday.
As always this fictional tale is interlaced with actual history. This as always, is explained in the historical notes.
The Sleuths find the bomb and defuse it and several others. They save the day, but are not yet able to find the mastermind. I'm sure the story will continue in book 10, due out in June.
86 reviews
March 17, 2026
The latest episode in the Homefront Sleuths hits all the emotions. From the death of the postman to Evie receiving a telegram, you know that there will be intrigue that pulls you in to the end. We learn more in regards to the main characters and more about the people we have met in previous books. Even though each story is a stand alone by reading the previous ones you can get a better prescpective on the main characters. The developing relationship between Nigel and Evie, Blake and Katherine re-establishing their connection, as well as Blake becoming more comfortable with how to interact with people.
This is so insightful on what people went through in Crofter's Green and the continent during the war and how resourceful they were. If you have not read the previous books, I would suggest you do. I honestly suggest this series. I received this for an honest review and do not what to reveal too much and spoil anyone's experience. Can't wait for the next story from this father and daughter. They real build the suspense and explore all the emotions.
Profile Image for Carol.
30 reviews
Read
March 19, 2026
Really Harry's book, with not much of the found family aspect that first drew me to this series. Evie and Nigel are shunted into a side plot, as is routine by this point, and Dorothy, Alice, and Katherine do hardly anything at all. This is the first book where a little bit of knowledge of a previous book might actually help, but it also feels like that callback came at the cost of the rich cast of village people we used to encounter in previous installations. It's almost like they belatedly realized this at the last second because Mrs. Benton, Lady Hawthorne, and Bonzo (!) all suddenly are mentioned in the last hour of the book.

Editing is better, with only 2 instances of repeated phrasing that at least diff somewhat. But this installation lacks the warm family feeling of the previous novels, which is ironic because it feels like the first one to be really pushing their group identity as the "Sleuths."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
5 reviews
March 19, 2026
Loved this, as I have all of the others in the series and can't wait until the next one.
I did think it ended prematurely and there was more that needed to be investigated with regard to the spy that Blake encountered.
Themes I would like to see for future books in the series are:
- the growing relationship between Harry and Alice
- the repercussions of Blake introducing the spy to Mr Brown
- some background on Mr Brown - how did he get into that position, is he really 100% on our side?
- Tante Celeste - what happens to her now she is in the UK?
- Alfie - let's see him grow and become part of the sleuths

As you can tell, huge enthusiasm for the books and looking forward to more please.
236 reviews
March 30, 2026
Another cracking mystery which you won’t want to put down. Plenty of nail biting moments where you think “They are not going to get out of this!”. As usual every one of the sleuths plays their part in defending their country and putting their lives on the line. This time it is even more dangerous for Evie and Nigel who have an assignment in occupied France. The rest of the team co-ordinate their efforts to stop a catastrophe happening in Crofters Green bringing danger to them too.

I love these exciting stories and am somewhat sad when I have reached the last page. If you have never read this compelling series you MUST give it a try. So looking forward to the next one. A highly recommended read. If I could award it 10 out of 5 I would. Thank you so much authors for my ARC.
30 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2026
The ninth outing for the home front sleuths sees Evie and Nigel on a mission to break a friend out of occupied France. Meanwhile the remaining gang tackle several murders and a bomb plot. What started as a cosy mystery series has developed into espionage tales of Britain’s best spy ring. The books have evolved into a faster pace which remains enjoyable. However, the threads of the plots are becoming harder to follow and there is always a cliffhanger to pull you into reading the next book.

I suspect this book was not the strongest in the series as it has done some heavy setting the scene for future tales. I do enjoy the series and look forward to the next now that a new ‘big bad’ has emerged from the shadows.
2,056 reviews20 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 9, 2026
The Homefront Sleuths are being sent helter-skelter in this novel. Trouble in France, lost parcels, lost agents, incomplete codes, bodies all over - each of the Sleuths is running after and investigating their own baffling mystery only to find that the disparate threads come together. This has all the thrills of Manning Coles' Tommy Hambleton series, mixed with the depth of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple books. As always, the authors deliver an excellent mystery for readers to try to decipher, and as always, it baffles me to the very end.

I received an ARC from the authors and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Beverly.
352 reviews4 followers
May 1, 2026
I am enjoying this series very much. It has all of the elements I want: a good mystery; great, fully developed characters; set in early WWII in England; and thrilling spy moments. Although I previously read the first seven books in the series just earlier this year I decided to go back and read them all again to refresh myself with some of the other plots and characters as they are often referred to throughout the series.
I’m happy the authors originally set the first book in early 1941. Eight books later they’re just up to early 1942 so hopefully they will write up books to the end of the war. I’ll be looking forward to them!
Profile Image for Marseydoats.
2,357 reviews8 followers
March 15, 2026
I absolutely LOVE these books! This has gone from being my favorite WWII series, to my favorite series, PERIOD. I plan to re-read the entire series in order because I enjoyed them so much.
All the characters, from the main ones, to the secondary ones, to the people who only exist for a few pages, are absolutely wonderful. I would love to have tea with Evie, Dorothy, and Katherine, and work in the greenhouse with Alice.
I hope there will be quite a few more of these! in the meantime, I'm liking the author's Sherlock Holmes series....
346 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2026
Love this series!

I've read this entire series and I always look forward to the next "installment". Set during WWII in a small village, ordinary people, each having a particular skill, whether it's experience with the Resistance, cryptography, healing herbs, military, or just the power of observation, come together with the members of the local constabulary to foil the plans of bad people who want to bring England's downfall. Reading this series is like visiting old friends. I can't wait for the next book. I'll be marking it on my calendar in anticipation.
4 reviews
March 29, 2026
A Really good read!

I've enjoyed all the books in this series, and I think this one was my favorite. I like the well thought out historical context and the team effort to solving the mystery, as always. I liked the developing romance between Nigel and Evie and it's fun to speculate about what might be happening on some other fronts, not to give anything away. Good writing, believable mystery, and no crazy reveal at the end! The conclusion actually makes sense!
I liked it a lot!
719 reviews21 followers
March 15, 2026
I enjoyed reading the latest outing for Evie, Nigel and the rest of ‘the sleuths’. Set during WW2 in a small English village there is plenty of murder and espionage, we start with Blake being tasked with deciphering messages sent by a member of SOE who has gone missing. Then Evie gets a telegram which results in her and Nigel being smuggled into Brittany.
A very good as is usual for this series and which can be read as a standalone, but do read the series.
Profile Image for Susan.
516 reviews27 followers
March 19, 2026
This has to be the most complex book of the series yet it all the various plotlines seemed to flow into a very surprising conclusion that still hints at more mysteries to come. I really enjoyed having two dogs in the series, Bonzo and Pilot as they somehow helped find more hidden clues that the humans could not see.

I highly recommend both this book and the entire series.

I received an ARC from the authors. My review is honest and voluntary.
4 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2026
Awesome cozy mystery

Love the characters and the depth of the mystery. I feel like I've gone back in time to 1940's England during WWII. I admire the strength and resiliency of the people that lived during this war and these books page homage to them, even written fictionally. I love that the characters are ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the greater good.
87 reviews
April 3, 2026
What a cliff hanger

What an amazing read. All the characters of this series has a strength which makes more enjoyable. I know the Nazi regime was defeated but the terror the UK endured is beyond comprehension. So many everyday men, women and children foiled deadly plans. This series has brought to life for me. Love it.
909 reviews7 followers
April 24, 2026
First I want to thank the author’s for the list of characters at the beginning of the book. I am also a fan of a great dramatis thingummy!
Great story, even better characters. Each of the characters have main character energy and are pertinent to the plot. I’m really looking forward to the next book in the series.
3 reviews
April 25, 2026
Great read

I have really enjoyed this series and hope there will be many more books with this ensemble of characters. It is a comfort to realize that the sleuths are friends and depend on one another. They work well together in solving these mysteries. The era of WWII is particularly interesting as we learn what the people of Britain went through during the war.
181 reviews7 followers
March 16, 2026
Terrific mystery with Ev, Nigel, Harry, and the sleuths. Codes to break, bombs to diffuse, and mysterious packages. Lots of action, and a book you do not want to put down! I was an ARC reader and this is my honest opinion
Profile Image for Richard.
461 reviews3 followers
March 21, 2026
British resilience

I realize this is a work of historical fiction but, the plot rings with a sense of truth. The characters represent a cross section of the British peoples who endured the sacrifices, terrors, and triumphs of WW2.
Profile Image for Karen.
18 reviews3 followers
March 25, 2026
Best yet!

Such a phenomenal series; I recommend it to every reader I know. Wonderful characters, a vivid setting, the highest stakes yet, yet wrapped in perseverance and hope. A stellar read.
Profile Image for Larkin.
144 reviews6 followers
May 8, 2026
I've read each book in this series, and am happy that the writing keeps improving. It's hard not to become fond of the sleuths in this charming village. Part of the improvement I've sensed is the cessation of rationing descriptions in seemingly every chapter.
Profile Image for Hunter Ross.
614 reviews192 followers
May 9, 2026
Overall enjoyable. There were some silly parts like . Despite some silly parts enjoyed this one and not nearly as long as #8.
Profile Image for Susan.
7,445 reviews70 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 11, 2026
27th March 1942 Crofter’s Green, Kent. Danger comes to the village with a murder, and then a cipher indicates that Saint Mary's Church is being targeted. Can the sleuths gather enough information to foil that and others plots in the village, and abroad.
Another entertaining and well-written historical mystery with its wonderful characters. Another good addition to this very enjoyable series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jone.
4 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 11, 2026
Fantastic outing in the series, loved the characters and the mystery had me going right to the end and can’t wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Lavada Haga.
236 reviews1 follower
March 16, 2026
Very good book

The Homefront Sleuths Mystery series is set during World War II. If you enjoy reading books of this era as I do then you will want to read this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews