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Homefront Sleuths #10
The Celluloid Sentry
Not yet published
Expected 31 May 26Lights, camera… murder in Crofter’s Green.
A Homefront Sleuths mystery of wartime secrets, film-set scandal, and murder behind the klieg lights.
June 1942 brings rare excitement to Crofter’s Green when the Ministry of Information’s Crown Film Unit arrives to shoot a patriotic film, Metal for Our Men. Soon the quiet village is swarming with actors, cameras, cables—and more drama than any script could hold.
But the glamour fades fast.
When a young Home Guard sentry is found murdered near the ruins of St. Swithun’s Abbey—his body wrapped in celluloid film—the Homefront Sleuths know the film crew has brought more than movie magic to their peaceful corner of Kent.
The only clues?
A film canister the victim tried to hide…
A scrap of paper covered in code…
And a film set where everyone seems to be acting.
As Evie, Alice, Dorothy, and Alfie quietly gather clues among the temperamental cast and suspicious crew, Harry and Nigel begin untangling a web of lies. Meanwhile, Blake and Katherine race to decipher a cryptic message that hints the chaos on set is no accident.
Because hiding behind the klieg lights is a far more dangerous production.
The deeper the Sleuths dig, the more they fear the shadowy spymaster Beckett is using the film crew as cover for a plot that could cripple Britain’s wartime defenses.
When Nigel is forced into a dangerous undercover role, the case turns suddenly—and painfully—personal. With trust strained, time running short, and a master of disguise moving among them, the Sleuths must expose the killer before the final scene ends in catastrophe.
Lights are blazing. Cameras are rolling. And the murderer is still on the set.
Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Rhys Bowen, Jacqueline Winspear, and clever wartime village mysteries.
One-click now and return to Crofter’s Green for the Homefront Sleuths’ most dangerous production yet.
A Homefront Sleuths mystery of wartime secrets, film-set scandal, and murder behind the klieg lights.
June 1942 brings rare excitement to Crofter’s Green when the Ministry of Information’s Crown Film Unit arrives to shoot a patriotic film, Metal for Our Men. Soon the quiet village is swarming with actors, cameras, cables—and more drama than any script could hold.
But the glamour fades fast.
When a young Home Guard sentry is found murdered near the ruins of St. Swithun’s Abbey—his body wrapped in celluloid film—the Homefront Sleuths know the film crew has brought more than movie magic to their peaceful corner of Kent.
The only clues?
A film canister the victim tried to hide…
A scrap of paper covered in code…
And a film set where everyone seems to be acting.
As Evie, Alice, Dorothy, and Alfie quietly gather clues among the temperamental cast and suspicious crew, Harry and Nigel begin untangling a web of lies. Meanwhile, Blake and Katherine race to decipher a cryptic message that hints the chaos on set is no accident.
Because hiding behind the klieg lights is a far more dangerous production.
The deeper the Sleuths dig, the more they fear the shadowy spymaster Beckett is using the film crew as cover for a plot that could cripple Britain’s wartime defenses.
When Nigel is forced into a dangerous undercover role, the case turns suddenly—and painfully—personal. With trust strained, time running short, and a master of disguise moving among them, the Sleuths must expose the killer before the final scene ends in catastrophe.
Lights are blazing. Cameras are rolling. And the murderer is still on the set.
Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Rhys Bowen, Jacqueline Winspear, and clever wartime village mysteries.
One-click now and return to Crofter’s Green for the Homefront Sleuths’ most dangerous production yet.
392 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 31, 2026
About the author
Anna Elliott
166 books475 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 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really look forward to every entry in this series. In this case I was lucky to score an ARC through the authors' website. The stories are a little improbable, rather like the murder rate in Cabot Cove, but I find the characters to be very believable and the small village setting is spot on. Crofter's Green is located near the coastal city of Dover. Dover's harbor is a prime target for a Nazi invasion giving rise to espionage and Fifth Column activity in the area. It's also near a top secret military base and a cottage factory supplying parts for Spitfire manufacturing. It's home to Evie, ex French underground, Harry, ex Scotland Yard Inspector, Nigel, village Police Detective, Alice, herbalist, and a host of others who all play a role in fighting the Nazi threat. The trials of World War 2 are present, rationing, blackout at night, black market operations, frequent bombings, and acts of sabotage. All are well used to give depth to the mysteries. The best part is you not only try to find out who did the crime, but which member of the detective round table will be the one to solve the mystery. The mysteries are well told with each character taking their own chapters to tell their point of view. Perhaps slightly more serious than the average cozy, they are extremely enjoyable and highly recommended.
May 17, 2026
It’s no secret that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Home Front Sleuths mysteries from the first and they just keep getting better with each installment.
This book has it all: a film crew making a wartime propaganda film; Nigel working undercover for Mr Brown; a mysterious coded message; and a murder with more than enough suspects to go around.
What makes this series so special are the characters and how they develop with each passing book. The circle of sleuths, each with their own strengths, have one thing in common: they are true to the end, to their country and to their friends.
Thank you very much to Anna Elliott and Charles Veley and the Homefront Sleuths team for offering me an Advance Reader Copy. It was very much appreciated to be among the first to enjoy this book and this review is given without prejudice. As soon as the book comes out in an audiobook I will be reading it again!
This book has it all: a film crew making a wartime propaganda film; Nigel working undercover for Mr Brown; a mysterious coded message; and a murder with more than enough suspects to go around.
What makes this series so special are the characters and how they develop with each passing book. The circle of sleuths, each with their own strengths, have one thing in common: they are true to the end, to their country and to their friends.
Thank you very much to Anna Elliott and Charles Veley and the Homefront Sleuths team for offering me an Advance Reader Copy. It was very much appreciated to be among the first to enjoy this book and this review is given without prejudice. As soon as the book comes out in an audiobook I will be reading it again!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an excellent series and informative of war conditions during WW 2. I received an ARC for an honest review. The development of the characters continues so you know how they work so well together. The film crew descends on the village to make a morale boosting film. Nigel is contacted by Mr. Brown for a private assignment which he can not tell anyone about. How will this secrecy affect his relationship with Evie, who had to deal with Paul's deception. With the Cozy Cup providing the catering for the film crew what will the ladies discover. Mr. Finch keeps a tight rein on the expenses of the film. Nigel is investigationg a group who are after weapons and ammo to help the German occupation.
Each book in the series builds on each other in giving us the building relationships and hardships each have come through. You look forward to each episode and what will happen next. Highly recommend
Each book in the series builds on each other in giving us the building relationships and hardships each have come through. You look forward to each episode and what will happen next. Highly recommend
Review of advance copy
NOTE: I received an advance copy of this book for free. This review is my honest unsolicited opinion.
Celluloid Sentry continues a great series and forever develops the Sleuths. The plot is twisty, the characters so real, and the pace is just right! Fast enough to keep you going, but comfortable enough at times to really feel at home in the Cozy Cup.
Some new characters in this one; there is at least one I hope to see again!
Celluloid Sentry continues a great series and forever develops the Sleuths. The plot is twisty, the characters so real, and the pace is just right! Fast enough to keep you going, but comfortable enough at times to really feel at home in the Cozy Cup.
Some new characters in this one; there is at least one I hope to see again!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I never realized just how exciting living in a small village in England could be during WWII. Propaganda movie filming, fifth columnists, counter espionage infiltration - so much for bucolic country life. This is more like Manning Coles' works than Heron Carvic's, and I recommend it to fans of Coles and Oppenheim.
I received an ARC from the author's and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from the author's and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews