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Ann's War Mystery #1
Betrayal
With her husband away on a top secret mission, Ann Morgan prepares for another secretarial day at Trevor Bowman's detective agency. However, this day will be unlike any other. Over twenty-four hours, Ann will find her life turned upside-down as she discovers a murder, meets a handsome widower, Detective Inspector Max Deveraux, and confronts the murderer in a tale of temptation and duplicity.
98 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 3, 2018
I loved the character of Ann and her love for her secret agent husband in Wartime Britain.
Ann was as secretary for a private investigator but this relationship isn’t explored as almost before the book has started he is the victim of a crime.
There then appears no motive or background for Ann’s behaviour as she takes it upon herself to investigate things in her boss’s absence.
The police are also on the case, and in the process Ann meets Detective Inspector Deveraux.
I really liked the character of Ann and that of Max the plain clothes policeman. Ann is happily married but her husband goes away quite a lot with his war work.
In addition as a female living through these times Ann is a strong independent woman although romantically still in love with husband, Emrys. He is a boffin and maybe Ann is overwhelmed by his intelligence and world of secret missions. Therefore, although newly weds Ann’s journey into the world of PI’s can only foster more independence.
Max was a proper gentleman but it is clear he found Ann attractive and although nothing happened Ann seems pleased by the whole encounter and her detective work.
What was the disappointing aspect of this book was the plot and the motivations of the criminal elements revealed here. If Hannah Howe can find the right story for her characters then she’ll be onto another real winner and a cracking new series.
Ann was as secretary for a private investigator but this relationship isn’t explored as almost before the book has started he is the victim of a crime.
There then appears no motive or background for Ann’s behaviour as she takes it upon herself to investigate things in her boss’s absence.
The police are also on the case, and in the process Ann meets Detective Inspector Deveraux.
I really liked the character of Ann and that of Max the plain clothes policeman. Ann is happily married but her husband goes away quite a lot with his war work.
In addition as a female living through these times Ann is a strong independent woman although romantically still in love with husband, Emrys. He is a boffin and maybe Ann is overwhelmed by his intelligence and world of secret missions. Therefore, although newly weds Ann’s journey into the world of PI’s can only foster more independence.
Max was a proper gentleman but it is clear he found Ann attractive and although nothing happened Ann seems pleased by the whole encounter and her detective work.
What was the disappointing aspect of this book was the plot and the motivations of the criminal elements revealed here. If Hannah Howe can find the right story for her characters then she’ll be onto another real winner and a cracking new series.
March 6, 2018
Having read several of the author’s “Sam Smith Mysteries,” I decided to give her new series a try. I enjoyed this short novella, which nicely wraps up the first mystery while setting up Ann Morgan as a spunky central character for several sequels.
Ann, the young wife of a WWII British air force pilot, sees her husband off on another secret mission and reports to her job as a secretary, only to discover her boss has been murdered. She decides to do a little sleuthing of her own.
The mystery is well done. And the set-up leaves me wondering how Ann’s life pans out.
Ann, the young wife of a WWII British air force pilot, sees her husband off on another secret mission and reports to her job as a secretary, only to discover her boss has been murdered. She decides to do a little sleuthing of her own.
The mystery is well done. And the set-up leaves me wondering how Ann’s life pans out.
October 31, 2017
Loved, loved, loved this story! Well, of course, I did, it’s set in times of the war so I can’t really be objective here as I’m a huge WW2 history lover! The first thing that I would like to mention is the thorough, meticulous research that Ms. Howe has put into her story: every little detail rang true, every word sounded authentic and true to times and such authenticity always makes it a pleasure to read an HF novel. What I also appreciated was the thriller/mystery aspect that dominated the plot, making it impossible to put the book down. Ann is a wonderful central heroine - a wife of an RAF pilot who refuses to follow the stereotypical woman’s role when a certain crime occurs and proceeds with a dangerous investigation despite the dangers it could bring. Without revealing more details so you can enjoy this wonderful story yourselves, let me just tell you, it was a true pleasure to read. Loved it, and I already can’t wait for the following books in the series!
October 4, 2024
A strange story that takes place in one day. It's only a short book and easy enough to read but I couldn't really see the point of it. It is kind of a non story! Not worth the effort.
******************
With her husband away on a top secret mission, Ann Morgan prepares for another secretarial day at Trevor Bowman's detective agency. However, this day will be unlike any other. Over twenty-four hours, Ann will find her life turned upside-down as she discovers a murder, meets a handsome widower, Detective Inspector Max Deveraux, and confronts the murderer in a tale of temptation and duplicity.
******************
With her husband away on a top secret mission, Ann Morgan prepares for another secretarial day at Trevor Bowman's detective agency. However, this day will be unlike any other. Over twenty-four hours, Ann will find her life turned upside-down as she discovers a murder, meets a handsome widower, Detective Inspector Max Deveraux, and confronts the murderer in a tale of temptation and duplicity.
June 7, 2019
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My first read with this author and well pleased with what I discovered. I believe I have the complete series in my library so the coming days and weeks will be well taken care of. Thanks to the author Hannah Howe and don’t stop now. We the people need more!
My first read with this author and well pleased with what I discovered. I believe I have the complete series in my library so the coming days and weeks will be well taken care of. Thanks to the author Hannah Howe and don’t stop now. We the people need more!
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December 27, 2019No way. Continuo a fare le scelte sbagliate... diabolica nella mia perseveranza! XD
June 29, 2019
I downloaded the free eBook because the bio sounded interesting. I love history and I thought I would enjoy it. While I did like it and the fast moving plot, I thought it moved too fast at times. The mystery itself kept me on the edge of my seat, but I think it was too easy to solve. One thing that I didn't care for was how close the detective and Ann seemed to be. Overall, it was a quick read (10 chapters) and it made for a good mystery.
July 4, 2018
Ann Morgan, the heroine of Betrayal, is a young woman in WWII Britain who is a secretary to a private detective. She’s married to a soldier engaged in top secret work, and the story begins with his leaving for another mission. Not long after he leaves, she finds her boss murdered and meets an attractive police detective. She feels she owes it to her boss to try to solve his murder, plus she believes the police are overworked and won’t be able to devote themselves to the case like she can.
I’m a huge fan of Foyle’s War, the BBC crime series set in WWII England, and this book reminded me of that series. It’s not that the mystery is as layered as Foyle’s often are (although there is a nice twist), but then this is a short book (part of a series of five), so there isn’t the time to make solving the mystery too complicated. It’s more the atmosphere created by the author that reminds me of the BBC series. The author does a great job of pulling the reader back in time with her descriptions of clothing, manners, and day-to-day living, and she does a great job of introducing the character of Ann who stars in the remaining four books.
I probably would have given the book a five-star rating except for the punctuation issues, especially semi-colons. They’re used excessively and incorrectly. I was able to ignore them and still enjoy the story, but they do distract, I think. Otherwise, the book is well done and I have bought the second in the series and expect to enjoy it as well.
I’m a huge fan of Foyle’s War, the BBC crime series set in WWII England, and this book reminded me of that series. It’s not that the mystery is as layered as Foyle’s often are (although there is a nice twist), but then this is a short book (part of a series of five), so there isn’t the time to make solving the mystery too complicated. It’s more the atmosphere created by the author that reminds me of the BBC series. The author does a great job of pulling the reader back in time with her descriptions of clothing, manners, and day-to-day living, and she does a great job of introducing the character of Ann who stars in the remaining four books.
I probably would have given the book a five-star rating except for the punctuation issues, especially semi-colons. They’re used excessively and incorrectly. I was able to ignore them and still enjoy the story, but they do distract, I think. Otherwise, the book is well done and I have bought the second in the series and expect to enjoy it as well.
July 15, 2022
Recently married, Ann Morgan says farewell to her husband as he undertakes a mission for the war effort. He should only be gone a couple of days, and Ann determines to carry on as normally as she can until his return. In his absence, she has the use of the car and takes to the quiet streets, passing a horse and cart on her way to work for Trevor Bowman, a private detective. No sooner has she arrived than her boss sends her to deliver a report. When she finally gets back to the office, a shadowy figure almost knocks her down and she enters the office to find her boss shot dead.
Had she just passed the killer? The thought runs through her mind when she tells Detective Inspector Max Deveraux what had happened.
Now, she is not only without her husband but also a job. With time on her hands, she wonders who would have wanted to kill Bowman, and can she possibly help to catch the killer?
With a pace and vibe reminiscent of the TV series Foyles War, Betrayal features a polite, softly-spoken detective in Max Deveraux and a young woman, modern in her actions and ambition in Ann. After deciding to question her boss's last known client, Ann has unwittingly stumbled upon a scene of treachery, and the culprit does not wish her to be free to share her discovery with the police.
A short story, delicious in detail. Clearly well-researched, this first book in the series is engaging and invites me to want to read more ... which, of course, I will. ;)
Had she just passed the killer? The thought runs through her mind when she tells Detective Inspector Max Deveraux what had happened.
Now, she is not only without her husband but also a job. With time on her hands, she wonders who would have wanted to kill Bowman, and can she possibly help to catch the killer?
With a pace and vibe reminiscent of the TV series Foyles War, Betrayal features a polite, softly-spoken detective in Max Deveraux and a young woman, modern in her actions and ambition in Ann. After deciding to question her boss's last known client, Ann has unwittingly stumbled upon a scene of treachery, and the culprit does not wish her to be free to share her discovery with the police.
A short story, delicious in detail. Clearly well-researched, this first book in the series is engaging and invites me to want to read more ... which, of course, I will. ;)
May 21, 2021
I wanted to love this novella, set in WWII-era Wales. At the end of the day, though, it was just okay.
Ann Morgan works for a private detective; her husband is in the RAF and goes on lots of classified missions. He's away during the primary action of the story. Ann takes some paperwork to a lawyer's office for her boss, and when she gets back to the office he's been murdered. Enter Detective Inspector Deveraux, who is, of course, handsome and troubled.
Anyway, Ann decides she has to help the police investigate and goes haring off on her own ... despite Deveraux asking her not to. In the end, she's the one who figures it all out. Of course. And just in time for Deveraux to make an arrest.
It was a fair play puzzle; everything was laid out for the reader to see ... and the whodunnit blared away for miles, albeit with a tiny twist on "why."
Honestly, I think this would have been a better book if it were longer. A novella doesn't leave a lot of room for character development.
Ann Morgan works for a private detective; her husband is in the RAF and goes on lots of classified missions. He's away during the primary action of the story. Ann takes some paperwork to a lawyer's office for her boss, and when she gets back to the office he's been murdered. Enter Detective Inspector Deveraux, who is, of course, handsome and troubled.
Anyway, Ann decides she has to help the police investigate and goes haring off on her own ... despite Deveraux asking her not to. In the end, she's the one who figures it all out. Of course. And just in time for Deveraux to make an arrest.
It was a fair play puzzle; everything was laid out for the reader to see ... and the whodunnit blared away for miles, albeit with a tiny twist on "why."
Honestly, I think this would have been a better book if it were longer. A novella doesn't leave a lot of room for character development.
March 19, 2018
I've been a fan of Hannah Howe's work for several years, and have read nearly all of her Sam Smith mystery series. So imagine my excitement when I discovered she'd written another mystery series, Ann's War! One of the things I love about Hannah Howe's writing is how beautifully she sets the stage for her memorable characters. In a matter of a few pages, WWII Wales came to life for me--the sights, sounds and smells as real as if I'd witnessed them myself. As newlywed Ann says goodbye to her husband as he leaves on a mission, we see a glimmer of her courage and pluck. We see much more of it when Ann's private investigator employer is murdered, and she launches an investigation of her own that leads her into trouble she couldn't have anticipated. What a wonderful start to what I'm sure will be another fantastic series!
May 6, 2020
The Ann's War Mystery Series is a series of five novellas set in 1944-5. Each story contains approximately 15,000 words and a complete mystery. The stories are: BETRAYAL, INVASION, BLACKMAIL, ESCAPE and VICTORY. The stories are set four months apart and will each mystery is resolved within one story.
About BETRAYAL
With her husband away on a top secret mission, Ann Morgan prepares for another secretarial day at Trevor Bowman's detective agency. However, this day will be unlike any other. Over twenty-four hours, Ann will find her life turned upside-down as she discovers a murder, meets a handsome widower, Detective Inspector Max Deveraux, and confronts the murderer in a tale of temptation and duplicity.
About BETRAYAL
With her husband away on a top secret mission, Ann Morgan prepares for another secretarial day at Trevor Bowman's detective agency. However, this day will be unlike any other. Over twenty-four hours, Ann will find her life turned upside-down as she discovers a murder, meets a handsome widower, Detective Inspector Max Deveraux, and confronts the murderer in a tale of temptation and duplicity.
November 17, 2018
Wonderful Short Read, But Want More
As a short read, this book does deserve five stars. It is well-written and ultimately checks all the boxes that a good mystery should check. However, I do wish it was a little longer. The characters deserve to be fleshed out more, and I would have loved a chance for more interaction between the main character and her boss, the detective, and the suspects in the murder case. On top of that, I would have loved more red herrings. The case, as short as the story is, just seemed too open and shut. I love this version, though, and will happily read any and all others in this series.
As a short read, this book does deserve five stars. It is well-written and ultimately checks all the boxes that a good mystery should check. However, I do wish it was a little longer. The characters deserve to be fleshed out more, and I would have loved a chance for more interaction between the main character and her boss, the detective, and the suspects in the murder case. On top of that, I would have loved more red herrings. The case, as short as the story is, just seemed too open and shut. I love this version, though, and will happily read any and all others in this series.
January 30, 2019
Betrayal is a story that can be read in one or two sittings and clipped along with a brisk pace. While the murder was intriguing and kept my interest with a 'who-done-it' aspect, I was puzzled about why Ann was so insistent about helping out with finding who murdered her boss, since the author didn't give us much of a picture of the relationship between them, with the exception of her boss being "ex-military and a strict disciplinarian." If that would have been explored a little bit more, it would have been a more passionate read. This won't deter me from picking up several more books by author Howe, though, because I enjoy her writing style.
February 27, 2019
Mystery amid the war
I couldn’t put this story, a murder mystery set in WWII, down. I had to keep reading until I’d reached the end, and now I just want more!
Ann is doing her part for the war effort in 1944 England. Her husband has departed on a secret mission. On her first day alone, her boss, a private investigator, is murdered in broad daylight. To honour him, Ann is determined to find out who murdered him. Ann is fearless and honourable. I liked the research that went into what it meant to live in that era. It felt authentic and added greatly to the atmosphere of the mystery. I highly recommend anything written by Hannah Howe. I can’t wait to dive into the next book!
I couldn’t put this story, a murder mystery set in WWII, down. I had to keep reading until I’d reached the end, and now I just want more!
Ann is doing her part for the war effort in 1944 England. Her husband has departed on a secret mission. On her first day alone, her boss, a private investigator, is murdered in broad daylight. To honour him, Ann is determined to find out who murdered him. Ann is fearless and honourable. I liked the research that went into what it meant to live in that era. It felt authentic and added greatly to the atmosphere of the mystery. I highly recommend anything written by Hannah Howe. I can’t wait to dive into the next book!
November 6, 2017
This quick little murder mystery was a fun read. Enough clues to give you suspects, without reveling the identity of the murderer until the end. Set during the WWII era, people have their roles and beliefs of that time, where women were meant to "take care of their husbands." However, the women in this novelette think otherwise. It's complete within itself, but also has aspects of Ann's life that will continue as the story unfolds. A good book for when you want something quick to read, but still something to engage your mind.
April 29, 2019
This is an enjoyable novella by one of my favourite authors - I am a fan of the Sam Smith series and this had a familiar touch.
Set in WW2, Ann is left at home while her husband flies into war...
Ann is a likeable character and fits well into this historical tale. The sense of place and time is great and the plot has serious overtones though deceptively simple.
Easy to read and worth a look.
Set in WW2, Ann is left at home while her husband flies into war...
Ann is a likeable character and fits well into this historical tale. The sense of place and time is great and the plot has serious overtones though deceptively simple.
Easy to read and worth a look.
April 16, 2019
I didn't realize before getting this read that it was a "Novelette" . I felt that I should read another book or something before starting as I felt like I was thrown into the middle of something. The characters weren't rounded or engaging and at times what they did seemed unreal. And the setting didn't actually give me any clues.
May 11, 2020
I very much enjoyed this short story. It was a great introduction to the series and I’m looking forward to the next book. I thought Ann was an interesting intelligent character. The main case wrapped up neat and tidy but with some hints of dangling pieces into a broader mystery, leaving the reader to long for the next book.
July 22, 2021
A short story, yet interesting, with many unanswered questions. Because the author planned to finish the story in one volume, the plot was not fully developed, no depth into the characters' personnality to create the tension in typical mystery books. More to come in the future volumes. I'd rather have the full story in a single volume.
April 2, 2018
I loved the period flavor of the story and the way in which Ann felt compelled to help, no small thing for a woman in those times. And there are subtle hints of the change in the times along with a good story. Excellent read.
November 29, 2018
When Ann's boss is murdered, she finds herself trying to solve the mystery. A dangerous thing for anyone, but especially a woman during world war two. The author takes readers on a great ride in this quick read that looks to be part of a bigger series. Good writing and an intriguing mystery.
July 22, 2019
Nice short beginning to a War at Home type series. It helps us to get to know the ongoing characters while solving a murder mystery. Much too short for spoilers, so just enjoy! I did!
Suzan Lynn Lorraine is an excellent choice for narrator.
Suzan Lynn Lorraine is an excellent choice for narrator.
June 7, 2023
A new bride sends her husband off to war. His job is secret. This is a short story that is to be continued in the next book. I prefer the story to be in one big book instead of several smaller ones.
February 18, 2018
Quick moving, to the point
I like a fast moving story. Just enough personnel information to know the characters and become involved in the story. Will read more Hanna Howe.
I like a fast moving story. Just enough personnel information to know the characters and become involved in the story. Will read more Hanna Howe.
August 21, 2018
I just didn't find any reason for any of the actions taken by the characters.
March 6, 2019
3.5 stars
June 23, 2019
Very short book - free on my kobo. Could be a good book if it were fleshed out a bit more. The premise of the story is good.
July 10, 2019
I really enjoyed this short story.
August 20, 2019
A Good Story
Very good storyline with a touch of mystery. Looking forward to rest of series. I do recommend this book for anyone who likes W W 2 stories.
Very good storyline with a touch of mystery. Looking forward to rest of series. I do recommend this book for anyone who likes W W 2 stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews