Fifth Column

The Blitz Detective #2

by Mike Hollow

The neat row of small, late-Victorian terraced houses was punctuated by a gaping space: homes reduced to rubble in the night raid. Amongst the debris the body of a young, red-headed woman is found. But she has no connection to the houses or the street, nor can her identity be established. Nor was it the bomb that killed her. When the post-mortem reveals death by strangling, D.I. Jago is called on to investigate. He quickly establishes that the body is that of Mary Watkins, a seemingly respectable employee of a local engineering company. But the company is missing important chemicals, and few seem to really care about the death of Mary - not even her family. Was the young woman all she appeared to be? As Jago digs deeper he starts to uncover a trail of deception, betrayal, and romantic entanglements

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, War, Crime

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 2016

About the author

I first got into print when I was eleven. A boys’ comic published a feeble limerick I’d sent them and paid me five shillings, a fat sum at that age. But the postal order was nothing compared with seeing my words in print.

After that I kept writing – teenage poems for a late-1960s “underground magazine”, then grown-up poems, and later a happy mix of copywriting, journalism, editing and translating. All ways of getting paid for playing with words.

My CV? I was born in 1953 in the Essex County Borough of West Ham – home of the Blitz Detective – on the eastern edge of London. I grew up mainly in Romford and went to the Royal Liberty School, then studied Russian and French at Cambridge University.

My first job was translating for the BBC, and I did various jobs there for sixteen years before moving to work in communications for development agency Tearfund, travelling widely in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In 2002 I went freelance as a writer, editor and creative project manager. Now I earn a living by translating and spend the rest of my time in the cellar of my house in Hampshire chronicling the adventures of the Blitz Detective.

Why write detective novels? Because I enjoy reading them and I love to create entertaining stories. Why set them in that place and time? Because overnight the Blitz turned everyday existence into a life-and-death struggle for ordinary people – and some of them were my family.

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Reviewed by Clive on www.whisperingstories.com

Much has been written and performed about The Blitz and how it was handled by the British public, in particular those in the East End of London. Mike Hollow’s challenge has been to accurately portray that time whilst introducing details that previous works may have missed. In Fifth Column he has met that challenge in spades. I noticed no factual errors and learned for the first time about The Link and The Radio Security Service.

From the start the book has great atmosphere with emphasis on Britain’s fragility after the Dunkirk evacuation. Fear and determination fill people’s minds with a few understandably concerned that the country’s leaders may not be making the correct decisions. The darkness of the blackout, restrictions on entertainment and details of the bomb damage all help to build the terror of that era.

Fifth Column is not just a story of life in the Blitz, it is also an interesting and multi-angled crime investigation. Hollow gives us various motives, several likely suspects and a few red herrings whilst the story builds up to a dramatic denouement. Fortunately for the reader, once the incriminating evidence is produced the guilty persons all give comprehensive confessions to explain their motives and actions; neatly tying up the storylines.

As the lead character, Detective Inspector Jago is all one would expect; conventionally British, dedicated to his work, single and lonely. Some of the other characters are stereotypical but adequate for the tale.

I see that Fifth Column is one of four published Blitz Detective books and I look forward to reading more. I have awarded four and a half stars.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2, in the Blitz Detective mysteries

This series is set in 1940 during the London Blitz in the Essex County Borough of West Ham, one of the main targets of Hitler’s bombers and it is where Detective Inspector John Jago operates. When there is suspicion of murder, Jago’s job is to investigate and bring the killer to justice, even if it is in the middle of an attack.

The first novel “Direct Hit” opened when the Blitz began and the second continues this captivating drama. “Fifth Column” opens after an air attack just ended and a search party had discovered the body of a young woman found dead on a bomb site but after a short investigation, it was questioned whether a bomb had really killed her or had she felt under a more sinister encounter. The hunt to uncover the truth had just begun……

This is another page turner, beautifully written to grab our attention from the start. Mr. Hollow perfectly blends some historical events into his police procedural and has provided a wonderful protagonist in Inspector Jago who must battle incompetence, indifference and deception to get to the truth. On top of that, Dorothy Appleton, the attractive American war correspondent (recurring character from book 1) threatens to distract him from his duty…and she does a good job of that. We have all good sorts of criminal activity and it is fascinating to follow Jago while he is tackling the case in middle of the blackouts with searchlights illuminating the skies, sirens wailing endlessly and dodging bombs looking for shelter or hunting down a suspect. Reading this story I couldn’t help but to imagine the typical 1940’s English chap wearing a bowler hat with an umbrella on hand and speaking with an impeccable British accent. Indeed this story is very visual, the descriptions, twists even the pacing leave an impression. The narration and dialogue are nostalgic and reflect beautifully the time and the circumstance. The author has obviously done his research with a great attention to details and has brought to life both his characters and the environment.

I received this book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This is the Way I see it.

[Cold War Conversations Podcast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another compelling police procedural set during the London Blitz.

This is the second book in the Blitz Detective Series featuring at its centre Detective Inspector John Jago as he investigates the body of a young woman found dead on a bomb site.

Mike Hollow has again produced a polished and compelling murder story set against the backdrop of the early World War 2 air raids on the East End of London.

He paints an accurate description of life during this period assisted by his extensive knowledge of the period which whilst detailed doesn’t distract from the storyline and really helps to bring both the characters and the environment alive.

There are inevitable comparisons with Foyle's War, but Jago is a different sort of detective and the East End setting adds an urban grittiness to proceedings.

Fans of Foyle's War will definitely enjoy this book as will readers interested in the reality of the British home front during the Blitz.

I received this book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5* Fifth Column is a whodunit murder mystery which takes place during the Second World War in London. Taking shelter in an icy cramped grave-like environment, Detective Inspector John Jago awakes feeling cold, stiff and not quite ready to face another day after the usual night time air raids. Making his way back into his home which he felt lucky to find still standing, he answers the ringing telephone. The station sergeant advises Jago there has been one body found among the rubble which is quite suspicious, and as it turns out the young lady has indeed been murdered. There are many characters for the sleuth reader to pick from as to who the guilty culprit is. For those who enjoy the Agatha Christie style of writing this one would be a good choice.

**Thank you to Hudson Plc and NetGalley for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.**

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As bombs fall, a killer must be found...

My first taste of British fiction came in the form of fantasy from C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein. As a teen I discovered British Mystery and Romantic Suspense with Agatha Christie and Mary Stewart. So, as a history buff and mystery fan, I became excited when I heard about The Blitz Detective series. What could be better than crime solving during one of Britain's darkest historical hours?

I enjoyed Fifth Column, both as a mystery and as a historical. Not only did I have a great deal of fun trying to figure out who the killer was, I came pretty close but just missed it, but I also found the history aspect quite fascinating. There was just something about the almost stark realism that really grabs the attention.

Fifth Column isn't strictly what I'd call Christian fiction, rather more of a clean read with a little language. Because of that, Mike Hollow's straightforward writing style, and the WWII angle, I think this is a book that could easily appeal to men as well as women.

If you love slightly gritty British mysteries Mike Hollow's The Blitz Detective series just might be for you. I know that I've enjoyed both books so far in the series and I look forward hopefully to there being a third.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.)

[Thea | (unapologetic_bibliosmia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second of Hollow's books in this series I have read - with the first one being gifted to me in an ARC 2 years ago. I have had the sequels on my tbr list ever since but had yet to read them.

It took me a while to get into this, because it had been 2 years since I read the previous book in the series I couldn't remember who was who and what their story was. Unusually, there is no recapping or reintroduction to our main characters, nor hints of previous encounters with other key characters so I really struggled to place the main characters (especially since I read a lot of similar literature).

However, once I got about half way I'd gotten into the book and the story and was captured. I enjoyed the easiness of the read and the humour laced within the detective story.

I will definitely read the others in the series. These remind me of the Constable Twitten series too - readers of these will enjoy those.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was just a good read with good characters and a decent plot. The topics brought up were interesting and give a good view of the feelings of the time, I think, and of good old police work.

Looking forward to the 3rd one in the series.

[Carole Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at The Power of Words: http://bit.ly/2d2cTGp

Atmospheric … methodical ... authentic ... impressive.

Although not particularly fond of WWII fiction, I’m crazy about British drama and police procedurals, so I decided to give Fifth Column a try – and am I ever glad I did! Those four adjectives above don’t even begin to do it justice. Mike Hollow is an excellent descriptive storyteller. He knows his setting, police methodology, and human nature – and his narrative is easy to follow.

Fifth Column’s West Ham setting in London’s East End gives an urban grittiness to this WWII mystery, and I can’t remember when I’ve been pulled into a story’s atmosphere this much. Sometimes life gives a false semblance of certainty, but the Blitz wiped that out. Homes were destroyed, lives torn asunder. People slept in shelters at night and struggled to maintain a normal life during the daytime. The Blitz “flung ordinary people into the front line. Enemy bombs rained down on docks, factories and homes alike in chaotic destruction. Death struck randomly from street to street. No one could be sure they would be alive the next morning.”

I really like John Jago, a detective inspector in London’s Metropolitan Police, based at West Ham police station. At 18, he was conscripted to fight in the British Army during the Great War, and struggles with lingering memories. When Jago mentions having purchased his “shelter bed” at Selfridges, I loved being able to picture that London department store and its owner. Now he’s 42 and a bachelor, but only because he hasn’t yet found the right person. There’s a hint of romance with an American war correspondent, Dorothy, and I look forward to the growth of their relationship.

Fifth Column is also strong as a police procedural. Suspects abound, but I never found it confusing to follow. The mystery is solved through meticulous, step-by-step investigation that reflects human behaviors that never change. I had never heard of the term “fifth column” and was interested to learn that it refers to a group of people who sympathize with their country’s enemy.

British fiction sometimes contains a little mild language, but I didn’t notice any and thought this was a clean read. The spiritual thread is subtle, mainly brought out toward the end as Jago and Dorothy talk about evil, justice and judgement. I suspect faith themes will be further developed as the series progresses.

I’d like to read the previous book, Direct Hit, and look forward to much more from Mike Hollow.

Highly recommended.

Thank you to Kregel and Lion Hudson for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Beckie Burnham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fifth Column is the second book in Mike Hollow’s Blitz Detective series. Set during the years of the Nazi bombings of London, this mystery is perfect for those who want an authentic look at England during WWII. I loved the attention to detail that Hollow brings to his novel — from women’s fashion and popular culture to the more serious issues of the nightly attacks from the skies and the threat of sabotage from spies (fifth column refers to a group within a country sympathetic to the enemy). While Fifth Column is the sequel to Direct Hit, it can be read as a standalone. But I recommend you begin at the beginning; you don’t want to miss any part of this great series.

The nightly bombings are beginning to wear on Detective Inspector John Jago. A survivor of the Great War, he never thought that his world would be upended in such a way again. But he has a job to do. When a body of a young woman is discovered at the site of a bombing, it becomes obvious that a bomb was not the culprit and a murderer is on the loose.

Fifth Column has a number of strengths. It is a slowly unfolding mystery that will keep you guessing. There are quite a few suspects all with tenuous connections to the victim. DI Jago, DC Craddock and the reader have their hands full trying to discover just what is going on. Thrown into the mix are blackmarket dealings, pro-Nazi sentiment, thefts and an extortion plot. Sounds like a lot going on and there is, but Hollow allows his detective to methodically and intuitively work through each clue. DI Jago is an interesting and sympathetic character. All alone in the world and with his life revolving around his work, he, nevertheless, looks to the future that seems just out of reach. Other characters are great compliments to the story and to Jago’s character development. For historical accuracy, Fifth Column cannot be beat. It is obvious that Hollow spent a great deal of time on research. Every detail seems just right and adds a depth to the story not often found in mystery fiction. The author’s website is a treasure trove of information surrounding the story and the history of the era.

I loved Fifth Column, and if you are a fan of historically based mysteries, I am betting you will too. A plot line concerning Jago’s personal life is left dangling, ensuring that I’ll have another enjoyable return visit with The Blitz Detective.

Highly Recommended. Please note: this is a British novel and contains some language.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to Kregel and Lion Hudson for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fifth Column

By Mike Hollow

"The Fifth Column" is the second book in 'The Blitz Detective' series. In this book Detective Inspector Jago, is called upon investigate when the body a young red headed woman is found amongst the debris of a bomb site. One thing is for certain is that this young lady has not been killed by one of Hitler's bombs but by human hands.

As Jago investigates this murder, he discovers that it may not be just a murder that he is investigating. Are there more sinister undercurrents in force? Will Jago discover the presence of a fifth column operating to make Hitler's invasion of England easier?

Having enjoyed the first book in the series, this second one didn't disappoint. The atmosphere of blitz torn London is captured perfectly as is the atmosphere of danger and intrigue which would have been ever present during that period in history.

I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book in "The Blitz Detective" series.

[Terri Wangard · Rating 4 out of 5]

1940. The Blitz is devastating London. After a bombing, the body of a young woman is found by rubble, but it soon becomes apparent she did not die in the bombing. She was murdered.

Detective Jago leads the investigation. Finding someone who really knew Mary Watkins isn’t easy. The more he learns, the more tangled the mystery becomes. Everyone seems to have secret lives they don’t want to divulge. No one is heartbroken by Mary’s demise, but she’s said to be a nice, caring person. And it seems someone may want to aid Germany.

Mike Hollow takes the reader on a tour of rubble-strewn London, giving a glimpse into the reality of living in a war zone. All the references to streets and places may be more meaningful to someone familiar with London, but in all, Fifth Column is a captivating who-done-it well painted with strokes of history.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shade better than The Blitz Detective, this second in the series is set just afterwards as the Blitz continues. Jago and Cradock have to find the murderer of a young woman whose body is left in a bombed-out house. Various suspects connected with her family and the engineering firm where she works plus fears of a Fifth Column lead to a complicated case where there were one too many coincidental connections advancing the plot but it was all plausible. Very reminiscent of Foyles War, with believable characters

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 and 1 / 2 stars

DI John Jago is called to the scene of a suspicious death. With him is DC Peter Craddock. What they find is a young woman who is later quickly identified as Mary Watkins. Miss Watkins worked for a local engineering firm. They are involved with researching and manufacturing for the war effort.

The autopsy shows that she was strangled and her purse is missing. The personal director at the engineering form reports that Mary had a set of keys to the building. The director of the firm tells DI Jago that some things have gone missing from the company.

A friend tells Jago that while at an RAF dance she saw Mary steal a photograph from another girl’s purse while the other girl was dancing.

What follows is a story of assumed identity, romance, deception, thievery and deceit. This book is very well written and plotted. The subtle suspense starts out immediately and carries the reader along until the denouement.

This book illustrates very well the fear and strife that was related to the war. It tells of the bombs falling nightly, going to the air raid shelters and wondering your home will still be there when it’s all over. The ordinary people who had to deal with this were both brave and resilient. This novel is very well written and plotted. It goes into detail about the various characters and their lives, but the side journeys do not detract from the book at all. In fact, they add depth and color to the novel. I appreciated the relationship between DI Jago and DC Craddock. They get along very well.

This book reminds me a great deal of watching an episode of Foyle’s War. The way it shifts from differing backstories to form a whole picture of what is going on and the intelligence and doggedness of the detectives are a couple of examples of how like the television show Mr. Hollow’s books are. Save of course for the differing social classes portrayed in the different venues. I truly enjoyed this novel as I did with the previous Mike Hollow books I’ve read. Please write more Mr. Hollow.

[James Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as ‘The Canning Town Murder’ and it follows on from from the first novel ‘The Blitz Detective’. Once again Mike Hollow captures the period really well.The way people spoke, the way they thought and the actual way of life. The fear when the bombs were dropping, the necessity of having to get into your ‘Anderson’ shelter or down to your cellar to keep safe.
The story begins when a young lady is found dead in a bombed out building but it is soon discovered that she died from strangulation. The case is taken up by DI John Jago and the young DC Peter Cradock, they find out that the victim worked for a local engineering firm who were doing some secret work for the government and here the plot thickens because nobody wants to tell the police anything more than they need to.
Like the first book this is a really good whodunnit but it is also filled with bits of knowledge about the war like the List and the Fifth Column and the fact that Americans enlisted into our armed forces before their nation was actually involved, things I hadn’t known before. Mike Hollow has a really easy style and the pages turn very quickly. All in all, a very enjoyable and entertaining story. I thought that this was a touch better than the first 4.5/5 and look forward to carrying on with this captivating series.

[margaret chalmers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A can of delight.

This series is like a comfortable winter coat. Warm and cosy. History for the young, life as it was remembered by the old. And a reminder that human nature does not change. In a time of great stress such as war,old rivalries, old resentments, old habits continue to be felt. We have a young woman found dead on a heap of rubble. The Luftwaffe did not kill her. Who did? Along the way we meet jealous sisters, leopard thieves (who can't change their spots), young things hungry for silk stockings, a maybe Fifth Column, .com artists, grieving parents and, oh, goodie, our Inspector's tentative romance is progressing nicely. A marvellous window into wartime London. Love it. Read and enjoy.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second outing for the Blitz detective. After a night of bombing an ARP clean-up crew find a woman's body amongst the wreckage, the only trouble was ... the body wasn't there when they cleared the site earlier that evening.

Detective Inspector John Jago and Detective Constable Cradock are called in to investigate. The woman is Mary Watkins, an HR administrator for a local factory which, among other things, is manufacturing transistors for secret government work.

Jago's investigation encompasses Fifth Columnists, black marketeering, blackmail, bigamy, and just plain greed.

This series is growing on me nicely, some personal development between Jago and the American journalist and good historical detail.

Apologies for the brief review, I've returned from holiday with half a dozen books to review!

Read on my Kindle Unlimited subscription.

[Kerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this series has me hooked and I'll be reading more. The setting is well researched and authentic, and the characters are likeable.

In this case a female body is found on top of the ruins of a bomb site but it hadn't been there two hours earlier. The woman is identified as working in local premises that deal with the some sensitive projects. The pathologist confirms that she has been murdered.

Inspector Jago finds other things are going on and he is not sure that everyone is acting honestly, nor that everyone is just who they say they are.

Interesting plot.

[Catsalive · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting, intelligent tale of murder set during the Blitz. I enjoy Jago's sifting of information to : separate the wheat from the chaff: war, shifty blackout activities, fifth columnists, & facts directly related to the murder. I always appreciated that about "Foyle's War", too, as everyone keeps referring to in review. I wonder how much skulduggery went on during the enforced darkness, not everyone was pulling together, it seems. Those V1s & V2s sound, or soundless, terrifying.

I would like to read more of this series. 3.5★ rounded up.

[Megan Kelosiwang · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was quite an enjoyable read, it just didn't blow me away. Normally I love the minute of an historical story but this one was maybe not enough detail, or lacking the atmosphere I was looking for. Yes, there was a lot of accurate descriptions of day-to-day life in the blitz but none of the tension and stress I would expect. I think as a reader I thrive on visual descriptions but this is not that type of writing.

[Agnesxnitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, so very similar to the great Maureen Jennings story arc about a Shropshire detective on the Home Front during WW2 but none the worse for that!
I am sure I have read this book before but I can't think where or how - possibly a library lend? Anyway, found for £1 in our local Mencap charity shop and read in two sittings.
I shall keep any eye out for the rest!

[Susan Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read following Di Jago around East London solving murders against the backdrop of the Blitz. I feel the atmosphere of the time is well created. Although each book is a standalone murder Jago does have a love interest story running through, so you may want to consider reading these books in order. I’m not and feel this is OK for me as it’s a very minor part.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Builds convincingly on the first in the series. The characters are rounded, empathetic, with motivations that resonate. Details about London in the Blitz are well integrated, adding a strong sense of what it was like living through it. I like the way fears, assumptions, prejudices and expectations are made real.

As well as being an enthralling who-dun-it, this is a great evocation of a time and place - and the circumstances that allowed the unscrupulous to take advantage,

[Christine Dillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love old-fashioned detective stories from the greats of the UK and Commonwealth (Ngaio Marsh, PD James ...) - then this is for you.
I loved the historical details of what it was like to live in the Blitz. Will look forward to the other books in the series.

[Victoria Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good solid standard WW2 thriller/ spy novel. Protagonist Jago is a solid detective with WW1 history which is frequently referred to to reinforce his character. Enjoyed the over all story but, missing suspense.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

World War II historical fiction is interesting, especially when places and people are accurately placed within the story. Interesting fictional characters and a solid plot help. I will continue with this series.

[Mr Derek Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story.

Again this second book did not disappoint . A fast paced plot full of interesting detail from the time, and great characters.

[Caren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The London blitz, east end factory workers trying to do one over the boss. Throw in murder, alleged espionage, bigamy and some romance and there’s a hugely enjoyable read.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars

[Miss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit slow in the middle where I worked out a clue 5 chapters before the detective had cottoned on but other than that i enjoyed it