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Billy Boyle World War II #1
Billy Boyle
Billy Boyle, a young Irish-American cop from Boston has just made detective - with a little help from his cop relatives and friends - when World War II breaks out.
His rabidly anti-English family calls on his mother's distant cousin, Mamie, married to a general, to wangle a staff job for him far from the fighting. But instead of a "safe, cushy" stateside assignment, he is ordered to London, still undergoing the Blitz.
His "Uncle Ike" is Dwight D. Eisenhower, plucked from obscurity to command Army forces in Europe, and he wants Billy to be his personal investigator.
Billy, who had never left Boston before he enlisted and was sent to Officer Candidate School, is not sure how good a detective he really is. But when Eisenhower asks Billy to undertake this task, he dutifully sets off for Beardsley Hall, where the Norwegian government in exile, led by King Haakon, is in residence.
Accompanied by an aristocratic Polish officer in exile and a beautiful British WREN, his mission is to catch a spy who may have been planted there.
A theft and two murders test Billy's investigative powers, as he comes to grips with the deadly demands of a war he never wanted any part of. To his own surprise - and that of others - Billy proves to be a better detective than any one expected.
His rabidly anti-English family calls on his mother's distant cousin, Mamie, married to a general, to wangle a staff job for him far from the fighting. But instead of a "safe, cushy" stateside assignment, he is ordered to London, still undergoing the Blitz.
His "Uncle Ike" is Dwight D. Eisenhower, plucked from obscurity to command Army forces in Europe, and he wants Billy to be his personal investigator.
Billy, who had never left Boston before he enlisted and was sent to Officer Candidate School, is not sure how good a detective he really is. But when Eisenhower asks Billy to undertake this task, he dutifully sets off for Beardsley Hall, where the Norwegian government in exile, led by King Haakon, is in residence.
Accompanied by an aristocratic Polish officer in exile and a beautiful British WREN, his mission is to catch a spy who may have been planted there.
A theft and two murders test Billy's investigative powers, as he comes to grips with the deadly demands of a war he never wanted any part of. To his own surprise - and that of others - Billy proves to be a better detective than any one expected.
294 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2006
651 people are currently reading
7385 people want to read
About the author
James R. Benn
34 books403 followersJames R. Benn is the author of Billy Boyle: A World War II Mystery, selected by Book Sense as one of the top five mysteries of 2006 and nominated for a Dilys Award. The First Wave was a Book Sense Notable title.
Benn is a librarian and lives in Hadlyme, Connecticut.
Benn is a librarian and lives in Hadlyme, Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 593 reviews
June 3, 2018
I liked the book. But why only three stars? The book was like a song sung off-key. The character voice wavered from hard-boiled to Hardy Boys. Inconsistencies in logic and internal context. The romantic angle was love at first sight by both parties. Some other quibbles like that. At times I thought the author was striving for a YA novel, which is fine, though I was hoping for more Raymond Chandler than Franklin Dixon.
But hey. Clean (very little coarse language, one mild scene of light petting) and a decent mystery, Billy Boyle is a nice read.
But hey. Clean (very little coarse language, one mild scene of light petting) and a decent mystery, Billy Boyle is a nice read.
June 19, 2020
Summer of 1942 finds Billy Boyle traveling to England to begin working for his distant uncle, Dwight Eisenhower, as a investigator during World War II. Billy had just become a detective for the Boston PD before the war hit American shores, and Billy isn’t sure he is up to the task. However, he has to jump in immediate when he is asked to help find a spy that might impede Operation Jupiter, the plans to invade Norway and drive out the Germans. His investigation is only hampered when a Norwegian official dies under mysterious circumstances. Is Billy now looking for a killer and a spy?
I’ve heard about this series several times over the years, but it was a friend recommending it to me recently that pushed me to finally start the series. I’m glad I did. I’ve always loved World War II, and I already learned something I didn’t know about it thanks to this book. The author has obviously done his research; unfortunately, sometimes that slows down the story. I’m torn on that because I did love the characters, and I loved seeing how everything from this time was impacting them. Most of the characters are fictional, but they feel like they could be real. Billy was especially wonderful, and I hope we see more of several of the characters as the series progresses. While not a cozy, the book does keep the language and violence to a minimum, which I appreciated. I also loved Billy’s restraint with the women he met – I found that very refreshing. The tone mixes some humor with more serious themes for a richer book. Now that I’ve met Billy, I have a long way to go to catch up, and I’m looking forward to the journey.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I’ve heard about this series several times over the years, but it was a friend recommending it to me recently that pushed me to finally start the series. I’m glad I did. I’ve always loved World War II, and I already learned something I didn’t know about it thanks to this book. The author has obviously done his research; unfortunately, sometimes that slows down the story. I’m torn on that because I did love the characters, and I loved seeing how everything from this time was impacting them. Most of the characters are fictional, but they feel like they could be real. Billy was especially wonderful, and I hope we see more of several of the characters as the series progresses. While not a cozy, the book does keep the language and violence to a minimum, which I appreciated. I also loved Billy’s restraint with the women he met – I found that very refreshing. The tone mixes some humor with more serious themes for a richer book. Now that I’ve met Billy, I have a long way to go to catch up, and I’m looking forward to the journey.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
May 7, 2011
Publishers Weekly and Booklist gave this book so so reviews. I thought it was great. A very different and original look at WWII. Billy Boyle is a rough Boston cop who will take whatever nepotism dishes out to him: a job as a cop in Boston, a promotion to detective, and later a plum posting to Uncle Ike's staff in London so he can hide out the war in a safe place. Initially he reminded me of George McDonald Fraser's Flashman character, but he's not such a cad and shirker. Billy is a tough character who despite some deprecating views on his life so far proves he is a real officer and gentleman. He's not a lamb but a lion who quickly gets involved in a murder investigation that seems to also involve a spy in the Norwegian exile forces. Benn does a good job of describing: the countryside, the period,and the awkwardness of a newly commissioned lieutenant adjusting to constantly changing circumstances. I kept turning the pages and could not have forseen the ending. I'm looking forward to reading the next one in this series.
April 13, 2013
First Sentence: I typed the date under my name: Lieutenant William Boyle, August 6, 1942.
Former Boston Irish Cop, from a family of Boston Irish Cops, Billy Boyle was a newly-made detective and is now a Lieutenant in the US Army. In spite of thinking he wouldn’t be assigned to Europe, his distant cousin manages to get him a staff job—in England assigned to the staff of General Dwight D. Eisenhower as his personal investigator. His first assignment is to catch a spy who may have been planted at Beardsley Hall, English home for the exiled Norwegian government.
The book has an excellent opening with a style that addresses the reader in a let-me-tell-you-a-story style. His voice is engaging and humor, natural. There is also an honesty in the way he writes emotion.
Benn establishes a solid sense of place. Admittedly, the descriptions of London and Boston may have resonated more strongly with me than they may for others as I know both places. However, even when he moved the story away from those locations, there was always a clear feeling for the location.
The characters are fully drawn. Billy is the focus and the voice, but even with Kas, the Polish baron, and Daphne, proper English daughter of a knight, you know their backgrounds and who they are.
One of the most interesting aspects is Billy’s perspective on the war, as an American amongst the English and Norwegians. I particularly appreciated the way in which Benn intertwined the events of Billy’s present with memories from his past, as well as his understanding of people and level of caring.
There is a lot of fascinating historical detail embedded within the plot, much of which I had never known. Still, it is a mystery and I enjoyed Billy taking control of his first crime scene which also provided interesting information on forensics.
“Billy Boyle” was an absolutely treat to read for men and women. Although I wonder why I hadn’t discovered him sooner, I’m delighted to know there is a whole series ahead of me.
BILLY BOYLE (Hist Mys-Lt. Billy Boyle-England-WWII/1942) – VG+
Benn, James R – 1st in series
Soho, 2006
Former Boston Irish Cop, from a family of Boston Irish Cops, Billy Boyle was a newly-made detective and is now a Lieutenant in the US Army. In spite of thinking he wouldn’t be assigned to Europe, his distant cousin manages to get him a staff job—in England assigned to the staff of General Dwight D. Eisenhower as his personal investigator. His first assignment is to catch a spy who may have been planted at Beardsley Hall, English home for the exiled Norwegian government.
The book has an excellent opening with a style that addresses the reader in a let-me-tell-you-a-story style. His voice is engaging and humor, natural. There is also an honesty in the way he writes emotion.
Benn establishes a solid sense of place. Admittedly, the descriptions of London and Boston may have resonated more strongly with me than they may for others as I know both places. However, even when he moved the story away from those locations, there was always a clear feeling for the location.
The characters are fully drawn. Billy is the focus and the voice, but even with Kas, the Polish baron, and Daphne, proper English daughter of a knight, you know their backgrounds and who they are.
One of the most interesting aspects is Billy’s perspective on the war, as an American amongst the English and Norwegians. I particularly appreciated the way in which Benn intertwined the events of Billy’s present with memories from his past, as well as his understanding of people and level of caring.
There is a lot of fascinating historical detail embedded within the plot, much of which I had never known. Still, it is a mystery and I enjoyed Billy taking control of his first crime scene which also provided interesting information on forensics.
“Billy Boyle” was an absolutely treat to read for men and women. Although I wonder why I hadn’t discovered him sooner, I’m delighted to know there is a whole series ahead of me.
BILLY BOYLE (Hist Mys-Lt. Billy Boyle-England-WWII/1942) – VG+
Benn, James R – 1st in series
Soho, 2006
April 1, 2022
This is the first of James R. Benn's Billy Boyle's World War Two Mystery Novel. It's June 1942, Boston Police Detective Billy Boyle has entered the Army as a Lt. He is distantly related to Dwight Eisenhower. Ike has requested that Billy be assigned to his headquarters in London . Ike needs his cousin to investigate a spy who could well impede the Allied invasion of Norway. But a murder, meanwhile, has been committed. Are the two related; that is Billy's task to determine. The Novel is complete with historical background concerning "Operation Jupiter." That is code name Ike has given for the "invasion." Except there is no invasion of Norway planned. It is a ruse to fool the Germans. This mystery was replete with intrigue, romance and murder.
January 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
This is the first novel in Benn's series of WWII mysteries featuring Billy Boyle. I have had this book on my shelves along with a few others in the series for a few years and finally decided to give the series a try. Billy Boyle is a detective on the Boston PD when WWII hits America after Pearl Harbor in 1941. Billy is the nephew of General Dwight Eisenhower who is commanding the U.S. forces in Europe. So when Billy enlists, he is able to become a lieutenant and gets to serve under Ike as his personal investigator. As soon as he gets to England, Billy is thrown into an investigation to help find a spy who may divulge Allied plans to invade Norway (Operation Jupiter) and drive out the Nazis. The Norwegian King and his government have fled Norway along with millions in gold and are quartered in England. Then one of the Norwegian officials dies of apparent suicide or is it murder? Now Billy is looking for both a spy and a murderer.
I enjoyed this one for the most part. I thought Benn did a good job in developing the characters in the book. It was very well researched and used actual events as its background. The overall tone of the novel was somewhat mild with very little harsh language or graphic violence and with some humor thrown in. As others have pointed out, this may have been intended as a YA novel. But overall, I liked this enough to read more in this series at some point.
This is the first novel in Benn's series of WWII mysteries featuring Billy Boyle. I have had this book on my shelves along with a few others in the series for a few years and finally decided to give the series a try. Billy Boyle is a detective on the Boston PD when WWII hits America after Pearl Harbor in 1941. Billy is the nephew of General Dwight Eisenhower who is commanding the U.S. forces in Europe. So when Billy enlists, he is able to become a lieutenant and gets to serve under Ike as his personal investigator. As soon as he gets to England, Billy is thrown into an investigation to help find a spy who may divulge Allied plans to invade Norway (Operation Jupiter) and drive out the Nazis. The Norwegian King and his government have fled Norway along with millions in gold and are quartered in England. Then one of the Norwegian officials dies of apparent suicide or is it murder? Now Billy is looking for both a spy and a murderer.
I enjoyed this one for the most part. I thought Benn did a good job in developing the characters in the book. It was very well researched and used actual events as its background. The overall tone of the novel was somewhat mild with very little harsh language or graphic violence and with some humor thrown in. As others have pointed out, this may have been intended as a YA novel. But overall, I liked this enough to read more in this series at some point.
March 23, 2021
A Boston Cop is drafted into the army in WWII. He's slightly related to General Eisenhower, and is put on his staff as an officer.
Arriving in London, he's put on the case of a spy trying to get information about an invasion of Norway. While poking around, a Norwegian official commits suicide... or does he?
Pretty decent. I can see why it caught on.
Arriving in London, he's put on the case of a spy trying to get information about an invasion of Norway. While poking around, a Norwegian official commits suicide... or does he?
Pretty decent. I can see why it caught on.
September 21, 2022
3.5 stars. Billy Boyle is a rookie detective in Boston's police force when he is send to assist his uncle who happens to command the US forces in Europe in WWII. Billy is asked to identify a potential spy in the Norwegian king-in-exile's party, but soon finds himself investigating a murder. Enjoyed the pace and setting and Billy is a lovely character. I'll be reading more of the series.
March 8, 2022
I initially plucked this off the library shelf because I liked the cover and the WWII setting. Unfortunately, there were too many things that annoyed me here for me to rate this any higher. First of all, I never really liked Billy, the main character. He's where he is not because he earned it but because of cheating and nepotism. Secondly, his character swings back and forth between a wet-behind-the-ears military/detective newbie who hasn't ever worked a homicide case to a hard-shelled Sam Spade type who yells at his superior officer because he won't let him have his way. Then there is the, albeit, small romance sub-plot. It's of the entirely love-at-first-sight variety and is too eyeroll inducing to warrant any further comment. The mystery itself was interesting and deserved to be wrapped in a better package. I may or may not give the second book a chance but given how many other books are currently on my TBR list, it's highly doubtful.
February 3, 2019
Interesting concept but just couldn’t get into it. A few enjoyable moments but overall couldn’t wait for it to be over.
April 11, 2022
Billy Boyle: A World War II Mystery is the first book in the, yes you guessed it, the Billy Boyle WWII spy / mystery series by American author James R. Benn. Since 2006, Benn has written 17 books in the series, with the 17th out in 2022. So I think I have a bit of catching up to do on the series.
Lt. Billy Boyle, new of the US Army, was a Boston cop who was drafted into the US Army. His family being worried about his being sent into action asks their cousin, who happens to be one Gen Eisenhower, if he can take him onto his staff. (Of course they don't realize that Dwight has just taken command of the European front.
Boyle finds himself working in Eisenhowers office, immediately tasked with finding a spy in the Norwegian military. The Allies are planning Operation Jupiter, a commando invasion of Norwegians, British and American commandos of Norway. Boyle is sent off to their training encampment in Eastern England, along with a Polish officer, Kaz, and a British officer, Daphne to try to find the spy. While there a Norwegian is found dead, at first a presumed suicide, but later believed to be a murder.
So the story begins and the investigation progresses, with Boyle, Kaz and Daphne interrogating, searching and trying to find out who murdered the Norwegian officer and who might be the spy. Ultimately the investigation will take Boyle to Norway itself under great danger.
The story is enjoyable and moves along very nicely. Boyle and his team are all very likable people and they draw you in very successfully. I found the first half of the story reminded me in some ways of Rennie Airth's John Madden wartime mystery series, although I thought it was a bit light-weight. But Benn is surprising. Suddenly at one point he turns into George R.R. Martin (you figure out what I mean) and grabs you by the shoulders and slaps you in the face, laughing all the time. The tone of the second half is quite different from the first and the ending, while a bit twisty / turny is very satisfying. It leaves you wanting to continue on with the series. Which is a good thing, right? Satisfying, entertaining intro to what I hope will continue to be an excellent series. (3.5 stars)
Lt. Billy Boyle, new of the US Army, was a Boston cop who was drafted into the US Army. His family being worried about his being sent into action asks their cousin, who happens to be one Gen Eisenhower, if he can take him onto his staff. (Of course they don't realize that Dwight has just taken command of the European front.
Boyle finds himself working in Eisenhowers office, immediately tasked with finding a spy in the Norwegian military. The Allies are planning Operation Jupiter, a commando invasion of Norwegians, British and American commandos of Norway. Boyle is sent off to their training encampment in Eastern England, along with a Polish officer, Kaz, and a British officer, Daphne to try to find the spy. While there a Norwegian is found dead, at first a presumed suicide, but later believed to be a murder.
So the story begins and the investigation progresses, with Boyle, Kaz and Daphne interrogating, searching and trying to find out who murdered the Norwegian officer and who might be the spy. Ultimately the investigation will take Boyle to Norway itself under great danger.
The story is enjoyable and moves along very nicely. Boyle and his team are all very likable people and they draw you in very successfully. I found the first half of the story reminded me in some ways of Rennie Airth's John Madden wartime mystery series, although I thought it was a bit light-weight. But Benn is surprising. Suddenly at one point he turns into George R.R. Martin (you figure out what I mean) and grabs you by the shoulders and slaps you in the face, laughing all the time. The tone of the second half is quite different from the first and the ending, while a bit twisty / turny is very satisfying. It leaves you wanting to continue on with the series. Which is a good thing, right? Satisfying, entertaining intro to what I hope will continue to be an excellent series. (3.5 stars)
August 14, 2024
3.5 stars
It took me awhile to get into this one. I'd been in a reading funk for awhile now, and this book started off pretty slow. I even contemplated DNFing a couple of times, but it was interesting enough to keep me plugging away through my malaise. And then the mystery kicked in and the story picked up, and the ending wasn't what I was expecting at all, although I probably should have, considering that this is war, after all.
Billy's an interesting character. He's an Irish-American cop from Boston with an uncle with ties to the IRA and a dad who's a police detective. About as stereotypical as you can get, lol. Billy wasn't the brightest student and just barely did any actual detective work before his other uncle issues orders to bring him to London to help with the war effort hunting down a German spy. Then a Norwegian delegate gets killed, and Billy's job get a lot more complicated.
Billy's a pretty no-nonsense guy who doesn't deal with formalities well. He has to learn to trust his instincts and rely on the lessons his father had taught him over the years. He has to find his footing in a foreign country, surrounded by people much more concerned with the larger picture of the war than in the single murder of one man, and still somehow find a spy in between it all.
I liked that this focused on aspects of the war other than D-Day, and that we got to see other Allies than just the Americans and Brits. I was constantly double-guessing the motives of some of the officers Billy was working under, and I was really upset when
This ended up stronger than it started, so I'll check out the next one at some point as see how it goes from there.
It took me awhile to get into this one. I'd been in a reading funk for awhile now, and this book started off pretty slow. I even contemplated DNFing a couple of times, but it was interesting enough to keep me plugging away through my malaise. And then the mystery kicked in and the story picked up, and the ending wasn't what I was expecting at all, although I probably should have, considering that this is war, after all.
Billy's an interesting character. He's an Irish-American cop from Boston with an uncle with ties to the IRA and a dad who's a police detective. About as stereotypical as you can get, lol. Billy wasn't the brightest student and just barely did any actual detective work before his other uncle issues orders to bring him to London to help with the war effort hunting down a German spy. Then a Norwegian delegate gets killed, and Billy's job get a lot more complicated.
Billy's a pretty no-nonsense guy who doesn't deal with formalities well. He has to learn to trust his instincts and rely on the lessons his father had taught him over the years. He has to find his footing in a foreign country, surrounded by people much more concerned with the larger picture of the war than in the single murder of one man, and still somehow find a spy in between it all.
I liked that this focused on aspects of the war other than D-Day, and that we got to see other Allies than just the Americans and Brits. I was constantly double-guessing the motives of some of the officers Billy was working under, and I was really upset when
This ended up stronger than it started, so I'll check out the next one at some point as see how it goes from there.
December 13, 2010
I've never been a mystery reader, and only started exploring the genre this year, when I began working as a librarian and inherited the helm of a mystery book club. I decided to give this one a try, since I've always liked stories with WWII settings. I expected a somewhat pulpy noir book, considering the setting. That's largely what I got, but I ended up being surprised; I loved this book a lot more than I thought I would.
This book introduces Billy Boyle, a cop from South Boston that has heretofore made do on the largess of his family and community connections. We learn early on that he is the nephew of a famous general, and thus he finds himself on his way to what he believes is a cushy desk job in the military. Instead, he is shipped off to England, and told that he is to put his detective skills to work under the personal supervision of the English and American military brass. A German spy threatens to reveal the secret plans being hatched to liberate Norway from the Nazis, and Boyle has been enlisted to ferret him out. As the investigation gets underway, though, a prominent Norwegian minister (and a possible suspect) commits suicide, and Boyle has reason to believe that foul play was involved. Along the way, Boyle unexpectedly earns two new companions who treat him like a bonafide detective instead of a jumped-up beat cop who knows the right people: an English Second Officer named Daphne Seaton, and Piotr Augustus Kazimierz, a mousy Polish baron that goes by "Kaz." As Boyle works to prove himself up to the task given to him, he realizes how entwined the various crosses and double-crosses really are, and how dangerous his new job really is, to both himself and to those involved with him.
The cover art and plot synopsis lead me to believe that I would find a lightweight, setting-focused read. I was fine with that, because that's exactly what I was in the mood for. Benn handles the premise just right; the first few pages transported me back to the 40s pretty effortlessly. The history is well-researched, but never dry or self-important, offering just the right balance of authenticity and readability. And the slang made me happy. I keep trying to bring back phrases like "say, Mac, what's the big idea" with varying levels of success, so I was wholeheartedly content with Boyle's "gee whiz" vernacular (although, the running joke of Kaz and Daphne trying to decode it got old pretty quickly).
So, I didn't expect the Great American Novel, and I didn't get it. But I finished this book a much bigger fan than I thought I'd be. The story's execution was somewhat predictable, and the pace gets muddied by various adventures that only serve to give Boyle cool, sexy stuff to do. But this book is just so damned readable. Boyle fits the archetype of the charming, serendipitous detective, but he is also full of self-doubt, and morally ambiguous enough to make him unpredictable. The supporting characters, while somewhat inconsistent in their development (for example, Kaz is layered and interesting, while Daphne is... not), are all uniformly likeable. Benn improbably creates an intimate "Scooby Gang," including the mucky-mucks at the top, in the middle of a vast and dehumanizing wartime setting.
The only reason I didn't give this five stars is because of the afore-mentioned Gumpish pace breaks. Also, the ending stretches credibility just a little bit more than the rest of the already improbable story, and I can't let go of the fact that Boyle solves the mystery based on a time-tested medical cliche that is flat-out incorrect. Honestly, though? I still liked the book.
I guess I am revealing myself to be a bit of a biased reviewer; I am willing to forgive a lot in books like this simply because I enjoyed reading them, whereas you get less leeway if I don't get my bread and circuses. There's a lot here at which to turn up your nose if you are a bonafide literati. And by that, I mean the smug, wispy buttholes in horn-rimmed glasses and ill-fitting sweaters, hanging around used bookstores in the hope of finding a Pynchon first edition. If you don't like WWII stories or light mysteries with plenty of noir homage, this one might not do it for you. However, I found this book to be a lot of fun. While it wasn't perfect, it has a lot of potential. I am definitely checking out the next in the series.
This book introduces Billy Boyle, a cop from South Boston that has heretofore made do on the largess of his family and community connections. We learn early on that he is the nephew of a famous general, and thus he finds himself on his way to what he believes is a cushy desk job in the military. Instead, he is shipped off to England, and told that he is to put his detective skills to work under the personal supervision of the English and American military brass. A German spy threatens to reveal the secret plans being hatched to liberate Norway from the Nazis, and Boyle has been enlisted to ferret him out. As the investigation gets underway, though, a prominent Norwegian minister (and a possible suspect) commits suicide, and Boyle has reason to believe that foul play was involved. Along the way, Boyle unexpectedly earns two new companions who treat him like a bonafide detective instead of a jumped-up beat cop who knows the right people: an English Second Officer named Daphne Seaton, and Piotr Augustus Kazimierz, a mousy Polish baron that goes by "Kaz." As Boyle works to prove himself up to the task given to him, he realizes how entwined the various crosses and double-crosses really are, and how dangerous his new job really is, to both himself and to those involved with him.
The cover art and plot synopsis lead me to believe that I would find a lightweight, setting-focused read. I was fine with that, because that's exactly what I was in the mood for. Benn handles the premise just right; the first few pages transported me back to the 40s pretty effortlessly. The history is well-researched, but never dry or self-important, offering just the right balance of authenticity and readability. And the slang made me happy. I keep trying to bring back phrases like "say, Mac, what's the big idea" with varying levels of success, so I was wholeheartedly content with Boyle's "gee whiz" vernacular (although, the running joke of Kaz and Daphne trying to decode it got old pretty quickly).
So, I didn't expect the Great American Novel, and I didn't get it. But I finished this book a much bigger fan than I thought I'd be. The story's execution was somewhat predictable, and the pace gets muddied by various adventures that only serve to give Boyle cool, sexy stuff to do. But this book is just so damned readable. Boyle fits the archetype of the charming, serendipitous detective, but he is also full of self-doubt, and morally ambiguous enough to make him unpredictable. The supporting characters, while somewhat inconsistent in their development (for example, Kaz is layered and interesting, while Daphne is... not), are all uniformly likeable. Benn improbably creates an intimate "Scooby Gang," including the mucky-mucks at the top, in the middle of a vast and dehumanizing wartime setting.
The only reason I didn't give this five stars is because of the afore-mentioned Gumpish pace breaks. Also, the ending stretches credibility just a little bit more than the rest of the already improbable story, and I can't let go of the fact that Boyle solves the mystery based on a time-tested medical cliche that is flat-out incorrect. Honestly, though? I still liked the book.
I guess I am revealing myself to be a bit of a biased reviewer; I am willing to forgive a lot in books like this simply because I enjoyed reading them, whereas you get less leeway if I don't get my bread and circuses. There's a lot here at which to turn up your nose if you are a bonafide literati. And by that, I mean the smug, wispy buttholes in horn-rimmed glasses and ill-fitting sweaters, hanging around used bookstores in the hope of finding a Pynchon first edition. If you don't like WWII stories or light mysteries with plenty of noir homage, this one might not do it for you. However, I found this book to be a lot of fun. While it wasn't perfect, it has a lot of potential. I am definitely checking out the next in the series.
June 4, 2010
I liked this different take on WWII from the view of a young American soldier newly arrived in England and assigned to Eisenhower's staff. As a setting for a mystery it's very different and I found it well written and a satisfying read. This was recommended by Kate of the much-missed Kate's Mystery Books, Cambridge, MA.
July 26, 2020
I love how simply the story was told. Billy was very funny at times and I loved his narration.
I really liked Daphne and Kaz. Kaz was kind of adorable, and the three made a great team. The way it ended was horribly sad.
The mystery was pretty good, I was really surprised with how everything turned out.
Basically, it was a fun and nice read.
I really liked Daphne and Kaz. Kaz was kind of adorable, and the three made a great team. The way it ended was horribly sad.
The mystery was pretty good, I was really surprised with how everything turned out.
Basically, it was a fun and nice read.
September 5, 2018
This historical mystery series set in the World War II era has been recommended to me on several occasions over the years. It seemed churlish not to give it a try, starting of course with the first in the series, the eponymous Billy Boyle.
William "Billy" Boyle was a 22 year old Irish-American policeman in Boston when the United States entered World War II in 1941. He had just made detective and was looking forward to a long career along the lines of his father and uncle who were also Boston cops.
His family was naturally concerned about the thought of Billy being swept into the war and they pulled all the strings they could lay their hands on to get him into Officers Candidate School. The family, on his mother's side, had a connection to Gen. Eisenhower through Ike's wife Mamie, and they were hoping that Billy could be assigned as an aide to Ike in some cushy office in Washington. It didn't quite work out that way. Billy was assigned to the general but, after he graduated from OCS, he was on his way to London where Ike had taken over as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe.
Billy was to serve as Ike's own discreet investigator and his first assignment is to root out a spy. He is sent to Beardsley Hall, the seat of the Norwegian government in exile, where it is believed there is a German spy operating. Operation Jupiter, supposedly the Allied invasion of Norway, is being planned so the spy must be found and stopped.
The inexperienced Boston cop is out of his element and has little faith in his own abilities. His confidence in himself and others' confidence in him is tested further as he soon finds himself looking not only for a spy but for a murderer. First, one of the Norwegians, a confidante of the king, is murdered. Then a young woman who had been assigned as a driver and assistant to Billy is killed and a Polish officer who was also helping is critically injured. Had they learned something about the first murder that put them in jeopardy? Are there two murderers or only one? Billy must find out before more deaths occur.
Benn did a very good job of describing the English countryside and the atmosphere of fear in London under the Blitz, as well as the stiff upper lip, keep calm and carry on attitude of the average resident. He also conveyed the awkwardness of a young man who had never been out of Massachusetts and now found himself thrust upon a much larger stage and feeling very unprepared. Billy Boyle, though, proved to be a tough and resilient character and a better detective than anyone had a right to expect.
This was a highly entertaining read and it's good to know that there are at least twelve more in the series. I'm looking forward to spending more time in Billy's company.
William "Billy" Boyle was a 22 year old Irish-American policeman in Boston when the United States entered World War II in 1941. He had just made detective and was looking forward to a long career along the lines of his father and uncle who were also Boston cops.
His family was naturally concerned about the thought of Billy being swept into the war and they pulled all the strings they could lay their hands on to get him into Officers Candidate School. The family, on his mother's side, had a connection to Gen. Eisenhower through Ike's wife Mamie, and they were hoping that Billy could be assigned as an aide to Ike in some cushy office in Washington. It didn't quite work out that way. Billy was assigned to the general but, after he graduated from OCS, he was on his way to London where Ike had taken over as the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe.
Billy was to serve as Ike's own discreet investigator and his first assignment is to root out a spy. He is sent to Beardsley Hall, the seat of the Norwegian government in exile, where it is believed there is a German spy operating. Operation Jupiter, supposedly the Allied invasion of Norway, is being planned so the spy must be found and stopped.
The inexperienced Boston cop is out of his element and has little faith in his own abilities. His confidence in himself and others' confidence in him is tested further as he soon finds himself looking not only for a spy but for a murderer. First, one of the Norwegians, a confidante of the king, is murdered. Then a young woman who had been assigned as a driver and assistant to Billy is killed and a Polish officer who was also helping is critically injured. Had they learned something about the first murder that put them in jeopardy? Are there two murderers or only one? Billy must find out before more deaths occur.
Benn did a very good job of describing the English countryside and the atmosphere of fear in London under the Blitz, as well as the stiff upper lip, keep calm and carry on attitude of the average resident. He also conveyed the awkwardness of a young man who had never been out of Massachusetts and now found himself thrust upon a much larger stage and feeling very unprepared. Billy Boyle, though, proved to be a tough and resilient character and a better detective than anyone had a right to expect.
This was a highly entertaining read and it's good to know that there are at least twelve more in the series. I'm looking forward to spending more time in Billy's company.
November 10, 2013
The Boyle family of Boston is used to relying on family to help out. The Boyle men are cops and young Billy Boyle has just made detective on December 5, 1941. He didn't do very well in school, being too interested in hanging out with his friends in South Boston, so when it was time to take the detective exam Billy wasn't sure he was going to pass. Until some pages of the exam showed up unexpectedly in his locker, complete with answers. There are real benefits from having a father, uncle, and older cousins already on the force.
After Pearl Harbor Billy realizes he is going to have to join up and his mother begins figuring out who in the family can help get him a stateside desk job. There's her second cousin, Mamie, who is married to a general. Maybe she can help.
Indeed she can, and his uncle requests that Billy be sent to officer candidate school and then be posted to his (the general's) office, The War Plans Division in DC. OCS is tough for Billy because there's no family there to slip him the answers but he makes it through without embarrassment and gets his orders. To US Army Headquarters, Grovener Square, London. Uncle Ike has been promoted to commander of the US Army European Theater of Operations.
General Eisenhower's staff doesn't know what to do with him. The brass finally decide to assign him to use his detective skills to find a spy at Beardsley Hall where the Norwegian government in exile is stationed. He is to work with a British WREN, Second Officer Daphne Seaton, and Lieutenant Piotr Augustus Kazimierz. Kaz, whom Billy describes as looking like Ronald Colman in a tux, has a serious heart problem but as he is Polish nobility he has been given a commission. But like the Americans with Billy, the Poles don't know what to do with him, so he is sent to assist the Yank in his spy quest.
Unlikely detective duos interest me, Holmes and Watson and Lord Peter and Bunter being obvious favorites. I read a mystery recently, Ruin Value, where the two were an American and a German officer, distrustful of one another but forced to work together in post-war Nuremberg. Here we have a bumptious Yank and a suave European attempting to cope with American, British, and Norwegian obstruction as they poke around looking for clues to their mystery.
And then someone is murdered and Billy is on firmer ground. He knows how to conduct a murder investigation. But what is he to do when one of his witnesses is King Haakon, another has been transferred to another base, and a third has shipped out for a secret operation in Norway?
And how should he react when he finds out the real reason he was assigned to this case?
After Pearl Harbor Billy realizes he is going to have to join up and his mother begins figuring out who in the family can help get him a stateside desk job. There's her second cousin, Mamie, who is married to a general. Maybe she can help.
Indeed she can, and his uncle requests that Billy be sent to officer candidate school and then be posted to his (the general's) office, The War Plans Division in DC. OCS is tough for Billy because there's no family there to slip him the answers but he makes it through without embarrassment and gets his orders. To US Army Headquarters, Grovener Square, London. Uncle Ike has been promoted to commander of the US Army European Theater of Operations.
General Eisenhower's staff doesn't know what to do with him. The brass finally decide to assign him to use his detective skills to find a spy at Beardsley Hall where the Norwegian government in exile is stationed. He is to work with a British WREN, Second Officer Daphne Seaton, and Lieutenant Piotr Augustus Kazimierz. Kaz, whom Billy describes as looking like Ronald Colman in a tux, has a serious heart problem but as he is Polish nobility he has been given a commission. But like the Americans with Billy, the Poles don't know what to do with him, so he is sent to assist the Yank in his spy quest.
Unlikely detective duos interest me, Holmes and Watson and Lord Peter and Bunter being obvious favorites. I read a mystery recently, Ruin Value, where the two were an American and a German officer, distrustful of one another but forced to work together in post-war Nuremberg. Here we have a bumptious Yank and a suave European attempting to cope with American, British, and Norwegian obstruction as they poke around looking for clues to their mystery.
And then someone is murdered and Billy is on firmer ground. He knows how to conduct a murder investigation. But what is he to do when one of his witnesses is King Haakon, another has been transferred to another base, and a third has shipped out for a secret operation in Norway?
And how should he react when he finds out the real reason he was assigned to this case?
September 12, 2019
First sentence: I typed the date under my name: Lieutenant William Boyle, August 6, 1942.
Premise/plot: Billy Boyle is the lovable, oh-so-human, cop turned soldier starring in James R. Benn’s historical mystery series. Billy is an Irish cop/detective from Boston. After Pearl Harbor, his mom pulls some strings and gets her son an “easy” or “safe” posting. He goes to officer school, becomes a lieutenant, and gets assigned to General Eisenhower’s headquarters in London, England. “Uncle” Ike is pleased to give Boyle a task or two that will utilize his detective skills. His first assignment concerns the Norwegians. He’s told that there is likely a spy among them. He’s also told (by the Norwegians) that a crate or two of gold was stolen during transport—as the government was fleeing for their lives, the treasury was also being transported to safety. But the real investigation is a murder. This will be his first case as lead detective. It is tricky because it’s a delicate political situation. One of the top Norwegians has been murdered. Boyle wants free access to everyone there—regardless to nationality, rank, class, etc. But many answers would be top secret and classified. Can Boyle solve the case? Will justice be done?
My thoughts: I love, love, love this one. I can’t believe this series has been around over a decade and I’m just now hearing about it?! Why did no one tell me?! I love historical fiction. I love books set during the Second World War. I love books set in England. I especially am interested in books about American soldiers serving in England during the war. (My grandfather did.) I love mysteries. This book just screamed out that it was written just for me. Indeed I found it a magical read. I absolutely loved the narrative. Boyle’s voice is unique and charming. I loved the characters—Daphne and Kaz especially. Whether the characters were featured a little or a lot—they felt human and real. The mystery was great. The murder didn’t occur until halfway through which could have proven problematic if the writing wasn’t so wonderful. I “need” all the books in the series.
Premise/plot: Billy Boyle is the lovable, oh-so-human, cop turned soldier starring in James R. Benn’s historical mystery series. Billy is an Irish cop/detective from Boston. After Pearl Harbor, his mom pulls some strings and gets her son an “easy” or “safe” posting. He goes to officer school, becomes a lieutenant, and gets assigned to General Eisenhower’s headquarters in London, England. “Uncle” Ike is pleased to give Boyle a task or two that will utilize his detective skills. His first assignment concerns the Norwegians. He’s told that there is likely a spy among them. He’s also told (by the Norwegians) that a crate or two of gold was stolen during transport—as the government was fleeing for their lives, the treasury was also being transported to safety. But the real investigation is a murder. This will be his first case as lead detective. It is tricky because it’s a delicate political situation. One of the top Norwegians has been murdered. Boyle wants free access to everyone there—regardless to nationality, rank, class, etc. But many answers would be top secret and classified. Can Boyle solve the case? Will justice be done?
My thoughts: I love, love, love this one. I can’t believe this series has been around over a decade and I’m just now hearing about it?! Why did no one tell me?! I love historical fiction. I love books set during the Second World War. I love books set in England. I especially am interested in books about American soldiers serving in England during the war. (My grandfather did.) I love mysteries. This book just screamed out that it was written just for me. Indeed I found it a magical read. I absolutely loved the narrative. Boyle’s voice is unique and charming. I loved the characters—Daphne and Kaz especially. Whether the characters were featured a little or a lot—they felt human and real. The mystery was great. The murder didn’t occur until halfway through which could have proven problematic if the writing wasn’t so wonderful. I “need” all the books in the series.
dnf
March 1, 2021DNF @ 15%
2013; Soho Crime/Soho Press
Billy Boye is an Irish American cop from Boston in 1942. He does not want to fight on Britain's behalf and so his mother finds him a way to stay out of the battles. He is to work on his Uncle's staff at his bidding. Billy's uncle is General Eisenhower, and he wants Billy in London as his private investigator. And surprise, Billy is actually a better detective than anyone thought, including himself.
I originally wanted to read this novel, and hopefully continue with the series, when I read the synopsis. It reminded me of a male version of Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series but set during World War II. I tried so hard with this novel, picking it up several times to give it a bit more. I could not get into the story or like Billy. I just didn't feel invested in what would happen to him, and just wanted the book to end. I decided to DNF and move on to reads that were calling my name.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
2013; Soho Crime/Soho Press
Billy Boye is an Irish American cop from Boston in 1942. He does not want to fight on Britain's behalf and so his mother finds him a way to stay out of the battles. He is to work on his Uncle's staff at his bidding. Billy's uncle is General Eisenhower, and he wants Billy in London as his private investigator. And surprise, Billy is actually a better detective than anyone thought, including himself.
I originally wanted to read this novel, and hopefully continue with the series, when I read the synopsis. It reminded me of a male version of Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series but set during World War II. I tried so hard with this novel, picking it up several times to give it a bit more. I could not get into the story or like Billy. I just didn't feel invested in what would happen to him, and just wanted the book to end. I decided to DNF and move on to reads that were calling my name.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
February 2, 2020
Operation Jupiter, the impending invasion of Norway is the background to this World War Two thriller and Irish-American Billy Boyle is landed right in the middle of the plans by being assigned to General Eisenhower's task force in England.
But things don't go as planned; there is seemingly a spy in the camp and then comes a murder. But by whom? And are the two incidents connected?
Boyle, an ex-Boston cop, has the task of getting to the bottom of it all and with a little investigation on his own behalf, rather than acting from official instructions, he eventually solves the murder as well as revealing the spy.
But has he compromised the Jupiter plans …?
But things don't go as planned; there is seemingly a spy in the camp and then comes a murder. But by whom? And are the two incidents connected?
Boyle, an ex-Boston cop, has the task of getting to the bottom of it all and with a little investigation on his own behalf, rather than acting from official instructions, he eventually solves the murder as well as revealing the spy.
But has he compromised the Jupiter plans …?
June 1, 2012
This book was a joy to read. My parents and our family lived through WWII in London and some of the descriptions of the conditions, albeit most in the rural areas, brought back a lot of conversations that happened over the years. The story is also captivating - I can understand the frustration of being convinced that even your family are not telling you everything. I look forward to reading the other books.
Update - sadly my bookstore of choice stocks very few of Mr.Benn's works on their shelves :( Yesterday I managed to find a copy of book #5 and ordered book #2 - when I pick that one up I shall have to order book #3 unless things change.
Update - sadly my bookstore of choice stocks very few of Mr.Benn's works on their shelves :( Yesterday I managed to find a copy of book #5 and ordered book #2 - when I pick that one up I shall have to order book #3 unless things change.
August 30, 2019
I am late to this author & series & have thoroughly enjoyed Book 1!! I love that Billy Boyle is an Irish cop from Boston. I laughed out loud with some of his responses to British questions! I love that James Benn has taken a slightly different approach to telling this WWII tale with incredible detail establishing time & place. I look forward to the next one!!
The reviews written by Chris & LJ are excellent!!
The reviews written by Chris & LJ are excellent!!
March 25, 2024
The surname, Boyle, made me think of Christopher Foyle and similarity between this novel and "Foyle's War", a TV series I greatly enjoyed. Both happen in the UK during WWII and focus on police matters. Both men are policemen. I can't remember Foyle describing it as his war but Boyle indeed regards it as his war. He is American, in Britain because his country has joined the war - hence his amusement at the English words and standards. In this connection I was hoping for some observations about pronunciation but strangely there weren't any.
The writing style of the novel is not exciting but the author compensates for it with action. Some 50 pages towards the end were quite heavy going for me - action, action, action - but the final few pages were quieter. I liked the ending.
I chose the first book in the Boyle series on the recommendation of a GR friend, but this is as far as I go, I'm afraid. Not for me.
The writing style of the novel is not exciting but the author compensates for it with action. Some 50 pages towards the end were quite heavy going for me - action, action, action - but the final few pages were quieter. I liked the ending.
I chose the first book in the Boyle series on the recommendation of a GR friend, but this is as far as I go, I'm afraid. Not for me.
November 3, 2008
Jason and I did a trade: I really wanted him to read The Host by Stephenie Meyer because I thought he would enjoy it, so I told him I would read any book he chose if he would read that one for me. He agreed and Billy Boyle was his offering.
The first 20-30 pages, I wasn't so sure I was going to enjoy the book. The titular character is a pretty immature guy who essentially joins the Army to get a desk job in order to avoid direct combat in WWII. Luckily, he matures pretty quickly and his character, along with many others in the book, was well-written and well-developed.
There were two main things I liked about this book: I learned new things about WWII and it made me think about tough choices - in war and in life.
It may not say great things about my academic skills, but my favorite way to "learn" about history is through historical novels. I am about as much of a pacifist as a non-Amish person can be, so I tried to really skim through accounts of the world wars in high school and college. (But I can tell you how each of them effected art created during that time!) This skimming left me without knowledge about details like the Nazis invading Norway to take over fisheries and the Norwegian government ruling in exile from England.
One reason I skimmed through these large blocks of history is that they are just so painful to think about. Eisenhower, who is a character in this book, is faced with unpleasant equations like how many lives are worth a cause and why one life is worth sacrificing while another is not. Even with a bit more age and hopefully wisdom, I don't find these things any easier to think about. I also don't particularly like thinking about how life is one big equation where we try to balance the good in our decisions with the bad in our decisions. Few decisions that we face are clear-cut and many of them do involve sacrifice, large and small, so while it's not fun for me to think about, I think it's worth a bit of introspection now and then.
The first 20-30 pages, I wasn't so sure I was going to enjoy the book. The titular character is a pretty immature guy who essentially joins the Army to get a desk job in order to avoid direct combat in WWII. Luckily, he matures pretty quickly and his character, along with many others in the book, was well-written and well-developed.
There were two main things I liked about this book: I learned new things about WWII and it made me think about tough choices - in war and in life.
It may not say great things about my academic skills, but my favorite way to "learn" about history is through historical novels. I am about as much of a pacifist as a non-Amish person can be, so I tried to really skim through accounts of the world wars in high school and college. (But I can tell you how each of them effected art created during that time!) This skimming left me without knowledge about details like the Nazis invading Norway to take over fisheries and the Norwegian government ruling in exile from England.
One reason I skimmed through these large blocks of history is that they are just so painful to think about. Eisenhower, who is a character in this book, is faced with unpleasant equations like how many lives are worth a cause and why one life is worth sacrificing while another is not. Even with a bit more age and hopefully wisdom, I don't find these things any easier to think about. I also don't particularly like thinking about how life is one big equation where we try to balance the good in our decisions with the bad in our decisions. Few decisions that we face are clear-cut and many of them do involve sacrifice, large and small, so while it's not fun for me to think about, I think it's worth a bit of introspection now and then.
October 3, 2020
(3 1/2 stars) A World War II mystery seemed right up my alley, and I enjoyed this one, though like a couple of other Goodreads reviewers, I flet there was something missing. Billy is a young Boston cop who, when America enters the war, winds up getting what he assumes will be a cushy job on Eisenhower's staff. But his first assignment, to track down a spy in the Norwegian government-in-exile, gets complicated when one of the Norwegians winds up dead. Murder or suicide? Billy now has two things to investigate, and of course we know they will wind up connected.
The book is a fast read and I liked a couple of the supporting characters, especially Kaz and Daphne, but Billy himself felt a little hollow. He's too much of a stereotype of the Catholic/Irish/Boston son/cop. We get little flashback glimpses into his past life which don't add anything to the narrative. It took me a while to warm up to him, and throughout the character felt a little inconsistent. Near the end, the author throws in some wartime action that felt totally out of place. Will I read more of the Billy Boyle books? (There are 15 of them now.) If I felt, yes, absolutely, I would have given this 4 stars, but I'm not sure. I might, I might not, so just 3-1/2.
The book is a fast read and I liked a couple of the supporting characters, especially Kaz and Daphne, but Billy himself felt a little hollow. He's too much of a stereotype of the Catholic/Irish/Boston son/cop. We get little flashback glimpses into his past life which don't add anything to the narrative. It took me a while to warm up to him, and throughout the character felt a little inconsistent. Near the end, the author throws in some wartime action that felt totally out of place. Will I read more of the Billy Boyle books? (There are 15 of them now.) If I felt, yes, absolutely, I would have given this 4 stars, but I'm not sure. I might, I might not, so just 3-1/2.
September 7, 2019
Billy is a Boston Irish cop when America enters the war. One of his uncles is in England, working for the American's entry into the war. But there is a spy in the midst of the all the planning. Billy's job is to find this spy. Compound that with a murder and Billy is tasked with uncovering that as well.
This is sent in England and is before America has actually landed troupes on the shores of France. I really enjoyed the characters in this book and Billy is a good MC. To me, the author captures the spirit of what it must have been like to get to the UK during the blitz and the attitude of the people living through that nightmare with a healthy dose of mystery mixed in. Well done - looking forward to the next in the series.
This is sent in England and is before America has actually landed troupes on the shores of France. I really enjoyed the characters in this book and Billy is a good MC. To me, the author captures the spirit of what it must have been like to get to the UK during the blitz and the attitude of the people living through that nightmare with a healthy dose of mystery mixed in. Well done - looking forward to the next in the series.
June 29, 2021
A very young Boston cop joins the army in WWII, using the pull of family and friends to stay out of battle. He gets attached to General Eisenhower's command in England, where he is assigned to root out a spy. A murder takes place that appears to have some connection to whoever the spy is. Billy solves his case, but has to learn the lesson of calculation: some lives have to be lost to save a greater number of lives. That could never sit easy on anyone. The plot was well-done, and based around the war's very real Operation Jupiter. This is the first of many in a series, and I'll read more of them.
August 23, 2019
Billy Boyle is stationed in England during WWII. He got the assignment because his uncle is also stationed there. Having spent his life with his cop father in Boston and being a detective before the Army, he is asked to investigate a spy that is in the British ranks where he is stationed.
He must also find out who has killed a man he suspected of being the spy with the help of his two new friends, Daphne and Kaz.
Lots of good characters in this one and some big twists and turns in England during the Blitz and before the Normandy invasion. This was surprisingly good.
He must also find out who has killed a man he suspected of being the spy with the help of his two new friends, Daphne and Kaz.
Lots of good characters in this one and some big twists and turns in England during the Blitz and before the Normandy invasion. This was surprisingly good.
November 20, 2019
I would not have picked this book on my own to read, based on the cover and the description; just didn't sound like my thing. But it was this month's Murder Around the World book club read so read I did. And very glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. On one hand it was a fun read, main characters are likeable, and also got a feel for a small part of history. Hmmmm, probably should have given it 5 stars cause I plan on reading more (all?) of the series.
December 10, 2017
I couldn't get enough of the story. It may be worth noting that I read with music, classical, playing, since I read while commuting, and it adds a lot of suspense to the book. I mention this because I think the suspense is crucial to a mystery novel and without music I cannot attest to the level of suspense.
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