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DI Ted Stratton #1
Stratton's War
London, June 1940. When the body of silent screen star Mabel Morgan is found impaled on a wrought-iron fence, the coroner rules her death as suicide. Detective Ted Stratton is not convinced and suspects that Morgan’s fatal fall may have been the work of one of Soho’s most notorious gangsters.
Meanwhile, MI5 agent Diana Calthrop is leading a covert operation when she discovers that her boss is involved in espionage. Only when Stratton’s path crosses Diana’s does the pair start to uncover the truth. And soon they also begin to realize they like each other a little too much. . . .
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
17 people are currently reading
747 people want to read
About the author
Laura Wilson
158 books77 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Laura Wilson is an English crime-writer based in London, where she was born and raised. She has degrees in English Literature form Somerville College, Oxford, and University College London, and has worked as a teacher and editor of non-fiction.
Many of her novels have either a historical setting or a distinct historical connection, and often have split or dual narratives. Her first novel, A Little Death was shortlsited for a CWA Dagger award, and her fifth, The Lover was short listed for both the CWA Gold Dagger and the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger.
Laura Wilson is an English crime-writer based in London, where she was born and raised. She has degrees in English Literature form Somerville College, Oxford, and University College London, and has worked as a teacher and editor of non-fiction.
Many of her novels have either a historical setting or a distinct historical connection, and often have split or dual narratives. Her first novel, A Little Death was shortlsited for a CWA Dagger award, and her fifth, The Lover was short listed for both the CWA Gold Dagger and the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
July 3, 2012
This book probably would have played out much better if Wilson had stuck with the murder (or is it?) mystery with Stratton as its central character. Unfortunately, there's also the story of Diane (Diana? I don't really care, though I was just reading this yesterday), a married socialite-turned-sort-of-spy, who's trying to get information on I don't care what.
I don't know how these stories are supposed to intersect, because 150-plus pages in, the two main characters haven't met and their plots seem to have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Stratton is asking questions about the apparent suicide of an aging silent screen beauty, while the trapped-in-a-loveless-marriage Diane or Diana or whatever is going to parties, where she meets - you guessed it - a fabulously, ridiculously handsome man and the story gets incredibly stupid.
This ridiculously handsome man won't take no for an answer. Their exchanges consist of the following:
"Have dinner with me." "No, I don't want to." (man lists menu items) "Have dinner with me." "No." "You know you want to." "No." (they have dinner).
They go to dinner again. There's an air raid; she gets a cut on her ankle. He takes her to his apartment, where he dresses her ankle then pins her down on the couch and shoves his hand up her skirt.
"Stop it!" "You know you want it." "You're hurting me - let me go!" "Come on, you know you want it." "I said you're hurting me! I'm married! Stop!" "I'll take care of you, you know you want it." "Let me go!" "You want me." "I do want you." Blessedly off-screen consensual sex, followed by I love yous on both sides.
WTF????????? I'm supposed to believe this s***?
Yes, folks, we're still in the age of "no" means "I really want you and I love you even though you're a philandering, demanding prick and I'm bored and spineless."
I don't even care how the story plays out. The only remotely sympathetic characters are Stratton and his wife, and Joe Vincent - the rest are just...whatever.
Ranting, I know, but I just....hate this book....so.....much!
For WWII British murder mysteries, I think I'm gonna stick with the excellent BBC series "Foyle's War." This is just stupid.
I don't know how these stories are supposed to intersect, because 150-plus pages in, the two main characters haven't met and their plots seem to have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Stratton is asking questions about the apparent suicide of an aging silent screen beauty, while the trapped-in-a-loveless-marriage Diane or Diana or whatever is going to parties, where she meets - you guessed it - a fabulously, ridiculously handsome man and the story gets incredibly stupid.
This ridiculously handsome man won't take no for an answer. Their exchanges consist of the following:
"Have dinner with me." "No, I don't want to." (man lists menu items) "Have dinner with me." "No." "You know you want to." "No." (they have dinner).
They go to dinner again. There's an air raid; she gets a cut on her ankle. He takes her to his apartment, where he dresses her ankle then pins her down on the couch and shoves his hand up her skirt.
"Stop it!" "You know you want it." "You're hurting me - let me go!" "Come on, you know you want it." "I said you're hurting me! I'm married! Stop!" "I'll take care of you, you know you want it." "Let me go!" "You want me." "I do want you." Blessedly off-screen consensual sex, followed by I love yous on both sides.
WTF????????? I'm supposed to believe this s***?
Yes, folks, we're still in the age of "no" means "I really want you and I love you even though you're a philandering, demanding prick and I'm bored and spineless."
I don't even care how the story plays out. The only remotely sympathetic characters are Stratton and his wife, and Joe Vincent - the rest are just...whatever.
Ranting, I know, but I just....hate this book....so.....much!
For WWII British murder mysteries, I think I'm gonna stick with the excellent BBC series "Foyle's War." This is just stupid.
May 12, 2012
Stratton’s War is part of the burgeoning number of crime novels using the Second World War as its backdrop. The intersection here of MI5, police and London underworld makes for an interesting story, and the double, intersecting plot lines of Ted Stratton and Diana Calthrop is for the most part well constructed. Wilson has managed to capture the class divisions and social order of London, and the sensibilities and lives of those working and living in the city. The book recreates the tense, claustrophobic atmosphere of the time and portrays a strong sense of place. However, for all its positive attributes, there were a few things about the novel that undermined my reading experience a little. First, the character and role of Ted Stratton felt somewhat dislocated from his status, especially in the first half of the book where the way he acts and the role he plays seem incongruous. He effectively acts as a sergeant – out and about making enquiries, working for the most part as a lone detective. There is little to indicate he is a Detective Inspector in CID, where he would be running a large team, directing several others to do the kind of basic work he’s doing. This status is also missing in his dealings with his brother in law – he lays out the law to hardened criminals, but is a meek as a mouse to his bullying family member. Second, the workings of the police are extremely simplified in terms of station organisation and dynamics. Several dozen people would be working out of a London city centre police station, but the impression given is just a handful do so. Third, there is a significant subplot that ultimately goes nowhere at all and is left hanging, and the coincidence with respect to a family member was unneeded and unlikely. Finally, the book is too long. Certainly a good fifty or more pages could be cut out, which would serve to increase the pace and dramatic tension. Overall, an entertaining read, but a little undermined by some flaws in the realism of character and context, and unnecessary length.
February 2, 2016
"The Innocent Spy" by Laura Wilson takes place in London, England in the early part of WWII (while America is still trying to decide if they will join the Allies). The stories of Ted Stratton, police detective, and Diana Calthrop, upper class socialite who decides to join the war effort as a spy alternate throughout the opening chapters without seeming to overlap at all. Meanwhile, Wilson sets a convincing atmosphere of terrifying nightly bomb raids while the citizens huddle in shelters and hope their flat isn't hit, rations, propaganda, and lives uprooted (such as the majority of children being sent out to the English countryside).
Pros: As mentioned previously, Wilson does a great job with the time period, and brushing on my "English" words (such as boot, torch, knickers, etc) was fun.
The relationship between Ted and his wife Jenny is very well done, and their bond is a refreshing change from some of the other dysfunctional couples in the book.
Some sections of the book made me actually laugh out loud, for instance the following passage, which takes place when Ted and Jenny spend a weekend in the countryside with their two children who are staying on an estate with a well off family--
"Oh Ted, that was awful."
"You turned bright red."
"I didn't, did I?"
"Scarlet"
Jenny gave him a little shove. "Oh, stop it."
"All right." Stratton took hold of her hand and started to nibble her fingers.
"Ted we can't. Not here."
"Why not? They do it too, you know."
"Ted!"
"Well, they do. Upper class people don't lay eggs, you know."
Cons: Like some other reviewers, I felt Diana's character was fairly unbelievable, and I had a hard time understanding some of the choices she made.
Most of Diana's ... intimate... moments with either her husband or Claude are pretty much nonconsensual, and were difficult to read. I had a hard time reconciling her submissive posture in the bedroom with her willingness to be a spy.
Again, as a few others have said, while I can certainly believe that 1940's London had its share of closet homosexuals, the sheer number of "powers that be" who ended up having skeletons in their closets was a bit unbelievable, and added to the unreality of the sex scenes mentioned above. All in all, both points I felt took the focus away from the tension of a spy and/or police procedural novel.
All in all I felt this book deserved 3 stars or a "good" rating.
Pros: As mentioned previously, Wilson does a great job with the time period, and brushing on my "English" words (such as boot, torch, knickers, etc) was fun.
The relationship between Ted and his wife Jenny is very well done, and their bond is a refreshing change from some of the other dysfunctional couples in the book.
Some sections of the book made me actually laugh out loud, for instance the following passage, which takes place when Ted and Jenny spend a weekend in the countryside with their two children who are staying on an estate with a well off family--
"Oh Ted, that was awful."
"You turned bright red."
"I didn't, did I?"
"Scarlet"
Jenny gave him a little shove. "Oh, stop it."
"All right." Stratton took hold of her hand and started to nibble her fingers.
"Ted we can't. Not here."
"Why not? They do it too, you know."
"Ted!"
"Well, they do. Upper class people don't lay eggs, you know."
Cons: Like some other reviewers, I felt Diana's character was fairly unbelievable, and I had a hard time understanding some of the choices she made.
Most of Diana's ... intimate... moments with either her husband or Claude are pretty much nonconsensual, and were difficult to read. I had a hard time reconciling her submissive posture in the bedroom with her willingness to be a spy.
Again, as a few others have said, while I can certainly believe that 1940's London had its share of closet homosexuals, the sheer number of "powers that be" who ended up having skeletons in their closets was a bit unbelievable, and added to the unreality of the sex scenes mentioned above. All in all, both points I felt took the focus away from the tension of a spy and/or police procedural novel.
All in all I felt this book deserved 3 stars or a "good" rating.
August 23, 2013
This is a good complicated read. Two life plots intertwine and its more than half the novel beforethe two key characters Diana Calthrop and Ted Stratton come together. Diana, terribly unhappily married and very young, goes to work for the War Dept during WWII and ends up in MI5--hence the title of the novel. DI Ted Stratton,the key character and core of the series, is suspicious of the suicide of a former silent screen star beauty. The plot combines the spy novel of LeCarre and the psychological mysteries of Barbara Vine. Who to trust becomes a key question for both Diana and Ted. Both are essentially good people trying to be that in an essentially impossible situation. Diana's love life and Ted's domestic tranquility create a counter point but ultimately part of the whole puzzle. A plot too complicated to summerize. The handling of gay men seems crude and unkind and can distress the reader but reflect the closeted life of gays and the attitude of straights in the 1940s and the role that played in espionage and counter espionage. Diana and her boss F-J are based on real characters. Not all titles in this series are available in the US. Have ordered four of the existing 6 from the UK through Amazon. Just a heads up. This is a page flipper.
November 21, 2023
More like never even started on this one as couldn’t get past the gruesome opening scene of a young boy in 1940s London discovering the corpse of a woman in black impaled on the spiked railings of a nearby residence. It didn’t get any better when Detective Inspector Ted Stratton is introduced. He leaves a fruitless and frustrating conversation in the morgue.
“He’d met Dr. Byrne a couple of times, and the man’s manner was as chilly as the corpses he filleted. He even looked dead - not cadaverous, but there was something odd and doughy about his pale skin that suggested a freshly washed corpse.”
And later…
“Stratton wondered if Dr Byrne was married, and then, firmly surprising an image of him fumbling in coitus atop an equally corpse-like wife, went out into the street.”
Writing is NOT for me, no thanks!
“He’d met Dr. Byrne a couple of times, and the man’s manner was as chilly as the corpses he filleted. He even looked dead - not cadaverous, but there was something odd and doughy about his pale skin that suggested a freshly washed corpse.”
And later…
“Stratton wondered if Dr Byrne was married, and then, firmly surprising an image of him fumbling in coitus atop an equally corpse-like wife, went out into the street.”
Writing is NOT for me, no thanks!
March 15, 2015
This is a fat book that would've been much better as a thin one. The novel is called "Stratton's War", and I wish the author had told the whole story from Stratton's point of view, uncovering everything in the course of his investigations. However she chose to tell Diana's story in parallel and that spoiled the book for me - because I simply didn't find Diana believable.
Diana is working at MI5 and meets a devastatingly handsome charmer, Claude. She's warned that he's a womanizer and probably a double agent, but when he walks her home, kisses her goodnight and grabs her nipple, she falls helplessly in love. Hmmm.
The next charming love scene comes when she gashes her ankle, he takes her back to his place to bandage it - and he starts molesting her, she repeatedly says no, so he holds her down (saying "you know you want it" or words to that effect) - and next we see them lying in bed, with Diana amazed at how good sex can be.
Next "love" scene - she's warned that Claude was also involved with her boss's previous married assistant, and probably murdered her. So she decides to avoid him - but he follows her and grabs her outside her house. She tries to beat him off but he's too strong and he drags her to her front door - where she can no longer deny her feelings(?), gets out her key, opens it and they go to bed.
I'm surprised that a woman can write a "love" affair like this in 2008 - unless of course, Claude is going to turn out to be a baddie (I haven't finished the book yet). OK, I know it happens, but Diana's motivation/excuses/reasons for submitting to this rapist behaviour are simply not convincing.
The thing is, Diana and Claude are only a small part of the story but it annoys me so much, it has started to overshadow the whole story for me. I'm two-thirds of the way through and have started skimming, because I want to find out whether Claude gets his come-uppance. Skimming is making me realise how little of substance is happening from page to page!
Diana is working at MI5 and meets a devastatingly handsome charmer, Claude. She's warned that he's a womanizer and probably a double agent, but when he walks her home, kisses her goodnight and grabs her nipple, she falls helplessly in love. Hmmm.
The next charming love scene comes when she gashes her ankle, he takes her back to his place to bandage it - and he starts molesting her, she repeatedly says no, so he holds her down (saying "you know you want it" or words to that effect) - and next we see them lying in bed, with Diana amazed at how good sex can be.
Next "love" scene - she's warned that Claude was also involved with her boss's previous married assistant, and probably murdered her. So she decides to avoid him - but he follows her and grabs her outside her house. She tries to beat him off but he's too strong and he drags her to her front door - where she can no longer deny her feelings(?), gets out her key, opens it and they go to bed.
I'm surprised that a woman can write a "love" affair like this in 2008 - unless of course, Claude is going to turn out to be a baddie (I haven't finished the book yet). OK, I know it happens, but Diana's motivation/excuses/reasons for submitting to this rapist behaviour are simply not convincing.
The thing is, Diana and Claude are only a small part of the story but it annoys me so much, it has started to overshadow the whole story for me. I'm two-thirds of the way through and have started skimming, because I want to find out whether Claude gets his come-uppance. Skimming is making me realise how little of substance is happening from page to page!
August 10, 2009
An engrossing spy and mystery novel set in World War II Britain combines the investigation of Ted Stratton a 35ish detective who is investigating the presume suicide of Mabel Morgan, a beautiful silent screen star, with the domestic spy investigation by Diane Calthrop and Forbes-James, with MI5 of the Right Club, a pro fascist British group with designs to keep America out of the war.
The two plots alternate by chapter, with Stratton investigating the Morgan death on his own time because of elements of the case that trouble him and Calthrop infiltrating the Right Club in her chapters. Stratton's home life is explored and his young nephew Johnny soon becomes an element of his investigation. Meanwhile, Calthrop's affair with a double agent becomes a hinderance to her life.
At about 250 pages in the two plots come together as do the investigations.
A good mystery and espionage novel.
The two plots alternate by chapter, with Stratton investigating the Morgan death on his own time because of elements of the case that trouble him and Calthrop infiltrating the Right Club in her chapters. Stratton's home life is explored and his young nephew Johnny soon becomes an element of his investigation. Meanwhile, Calthrop's affair with a double agent becomes a hinderance to her life.
At about 250 pages in the two plots come together as do the investigations.
A good mystery and espionage novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2010
title read by me was Stratton's War. this would have been a much better read at 300 rather than 450 pages. way too wordy though the description of London during WWII is well-done.
October 10, 2023
I've got mixed feelings about this book. There's a lot to unpack here.
There's an awful lot of sexual assault trying to be passed off as romance, for one. The argument that it takes place in a different time can only gloss that over so much. (That's the kind of defense that would work slightly better if the book was published in the 1940s, not so much for a book set in the 40s but written in 2008.)
On the one hand, I've got to applaud the author's choice to address topics made difficult by the time period in which the book takes place. Homosexuality, in particular, and how people were treated in regards to it is something a lot of historical fiction likes to erase from its narrative entirely. On the other hand... I'm not sure her portrayal was necessarily the best either. (Just something about the fact that the piece of evidence most damning for FJ being suspected of being gay is a painting of a mostly naked male child in his office... Like, they never explicitly come out and SAY they believe there's a connection between homosexuality and pedophilia, but what else can they possibly be implying, right? There are just dozens of other hints that could have been the linchpin for that particular mystery, you know?)
And the way the mysteries wrap up in general aren't entirely satisfying, but I think that's just to do with the nature of spy stories. It's the kind of book where you're left feeling like a lot of the real villains are never properly held accountable because of politics. A lot of things get excused/swept under the rug during war time in favor of trying to prosecute the greatest evil in any given circumstance. That much I can accept. It was really the wishy-washy 'ending' with Diana's character specifically that left me itching for a better conclusion.
All that said, I didn't hate this book. It really made me realize that most murder mysteries I read are of the somewhat-trashy paperback variety. (Whereas this is written more like a proper novel.) It's not quite as fast-paced and thrilling, but in return, you get a lot more detail. I'm not really sure whether I prefer one style over the other, but I didn't dislike reading one written this way. I'll leave it at that.
(I do have to say... The author's note at the end, detailing which real-life events and people she played with/used to influence her story was kind of laughable. This book is so much more about the fictional dramas between her fictional characters than any of the real-life spy shit that was going on in London at the time of WWII. Even if that was the part readers cared about, it's just not what the writing primarily focused on.)
There's an awful lot of sexual assault trying to be passed off as romance, for one. The argument that it takes place in a different time can only gloss that over so much. (That's the kind of defense that would work slightly better if the book was published in the 1940s, not so much for a book set in the 40s but written in 2008.)
On the one hand, I've got to applaud the author's choice to address topics made difficult by the time period in which the book takes place. Homosexuality, in particular, and how people were treated in regards to it is something a lot of historical fiction likes to erase from its narrative entirely. On the other hand... I'm not sure her portrayal was necessarily the best either. (Just something about the fact that the piece of evidence most damning for FJ being suspected of being gay is a painting of a mostly naked male child in his office... Like, they never explicitly come out and SAY they believe there's a connection between homosexuality and pedophilia, but what else can they possibly be implying, right? There are just dozens of other hints that could have been the linchpin for that particular mystery, you know?)
And the way the mysteries wrap up in general aren't entirely satisfying, but I think that's just to do with the nature of spy stories. It's the kind of book where you're left feeling like a lot of the real villains are never properly held accountable because of politics. A lot of things get excused/swept under the rug during war time in favor of trying to prosecute the greatest evil in any given circumstance. That much I can accept. It was really the wishy-washy 'ending' with Diana's character specifically that left me itching for a better conclusion.
All that said, I didn't hate this book. It really made me realize that most murder mysteries I read are of the somewhat-trashy paperback variety. (Whereas this is written more like a proper novel.) It's not quite as fast-paced and thrilling, but in return, you get a lot more detail. I'm not really sure whether I prefer one style over the other, but I didn't dislike reading one written this way. I'll leave it at that.
(I do have to say... The author's note at the end, detailing which real-life events and people she played with/used to influence her story was kind of laughable. This book is so much more about the fictional dramas between her fictional characters than any of the real-life spy shit that was going on in London at the time of WWII. Even if that was the part readers cared about, it's just not what the writing primarily focused on.)
February 6, 2025
London, June 1940. When the body of silent screen star Mabel Morgan is found impaled on railings in Fitzrovia, the coroner rules her death as suicide, but DI Ted Stratton of the CID is not convinced. Despite opposition from his superiors, he starts asking questions, and it becomes clear that Morgan's fatal fall from a high window may have been the work of one of Soho's most notorious gangsters. MI5 agent Diana Calthrop, working with senior official Sir Neville Apse, is leading a covert operation when she discovers that her boss is involved in espionage. She must tread carefully - Apse is a powerful man, and she can't risk threatening the reputation of the Secret Service. Only when Stratton's path crosses Diana's do they start to uncover the truth. But as they discover Morgan's connection with Apse and their mutual links to a criminal network and a secretive pro-fascist organisation, they begin to realise that the intrigues of the Secret Service are alarmingly similar to the machinations of war-torn London's underworld.
My Thoughts:
This is the firstt book in a series with the characters DI Ted Stratton and Diana Calthrop.
DI Ted Stratton is unlike detectives that we meet in other crime fiction. He isn’t a chain smoking, hard drinking, womanisng, got issues type of character, he is just a regular married guy. Diana you would think would become a love interest, like some of the female characters in crime fiction, but up to yet that hasn’t happened.
Having two separate main characters the book has two stories that do merge together to bring Ted and Diana together. This story is set in the war and LW is very good with her descriptions to authenticate the story. I did feel that the story was a little slow at times but there was enough interest to keep me going until the end.
I do have books two and three on shelf TBR so will look forward to seeing how things will progress with characters and there is enough room for them to be fleshed out some more. I just hope that the next books will have a little bit more pace.
My Thoughts:
This is the firstt book in a series with the characters DI Ted Stratton and Diana Calthrop.
DI Ted Stratton is unlike detectives that we meet in other crime fiction. He isn’t a chain smoking, hard drinking, womanisng, got issues type of character, he is just a regular married guy. Diana you would think would become a love interest, like some of the female characters in crime fiction, but up to yet that hasn’t happened.
Having two separate main characters the book has two stories that do merge together to bring Ted and Diana together. This story is set in the war and LW is very good with her descriptions to authenticate the story. I did feel that the story was a little slow at times but there was enough interest to keep me going until the end.
I do have books two and three on shelf TBR so will look forward to seeing how things will progress with characters and there is enough room for them to be fleshed out some more. I just hope that the next books will have a little bit more pace.
July 2, 2021
Set in WWII London during the Blitz, Ted Stratton is a Detective Inspector for the London police with a loving wife and family. Diana Calthrop is a posh, elite woman looking for adventure, who leaves the country estate where she lives with her beastly MIL while her husband is away fighting in the war. She ends up in London working for MI5 and works infiltrating a fascist organization and discovering where it leads (always the people with money and power). Meanwhile Stratton is investigating the suicide? murder? of a has-been movie actress. The two cases come together and mostly the novel shows how the "high-born" think themselves above the law and will do anything necessary (stage a suicide) to protect their "old-boy" network. This book was not good for my issues with class-ism.
August 16, 2023
This was a new author me. What an interesting novel — a detective novel set during the Blitz in London in WW II. Detective Stratton, the protagonist detective, is a complicated, well developed character. The mysteries involve murder, spies, class distinctions, local police concerns versus national security — and all with the backdrop of looming world war.
There is a rather messy subplot involving Diana Calthrop, a woman working for the government and doing some low-level spying on the side. She was naive and weak and used shamelessly by the government. Of course, the two story lines intersect. I’m hoping this character is not in future novels in the series.
I will certainly be reading the next book in the series.
There is a rather messy subplot involving Diana Calthrop, a woman working for the government and doing some low-level spying on the side. She was naive and weak and used shamelessly by the government. Of course, the two story lines intersect. I’m hoping this character is not in future novels in the series.
I will certainly be reading the next book in the series.
July 31, 2019
I picked this up as a used book at a new independent (yes!) bookstore near me. Hardcover exlib for 25 cents. Then to make it even better, it is a really good book, mashing WWII England, police procedural, romance and despair, MI5, class differences, family drama—well, that makes it sound messy but it isn’t at all. It’s just thick in a very pleasing way. Of course, this means now I have another author to follow up on. This is an old book—1964–and she has four more listed so I hope to find a trove. Perfect summer reading.
July 18, 2017
very twisty - but compelling read
May 16, 2021
Loved loved loved this book and the whole series which I have now read. Full of believable characters beautifully drawn. A good plot with a satisfying ending what more could you want ?
June 28, 2021
It has been long since I've read something like this (maybe never) and I really had fun reading this one!
Read
September 22, 2022Evocative.
February 26, 2025
Terrible. All of it. Characters plain silly, "mystery" - I think not.
September 12, 2025
kinda disappointing, Diana's story is not interesting and it's best when she and Stratton interact, which is seldom. Too long and too slow
December 7, 2025
a good detective stor in 1940 london
September 12, 2016
PROTAGONIST: DI Ted Stratton
SETTING: London in 1940
SERIES: 1 of 2
RATING: 3.0
London in 1940 is a city under siege. Every night, the residents must seek protection from the bombing raids of the enemy. Although the average person's life is very much centered around surviving the Blitz, there is one area that has not changed. In spite of the war, crime has not taken a vacation. And Detective Inspector Ted Stratton is very convinced that a crime has taken place when he investigates the death of silent screen star Mabel Morgan, despite his superior's declaration that the death was a suicide. Certainly, Mabel's young roommate and friend, Joe Vincent, doesn't believe that ruling. Stratton is directed to work on other cases; however, he continues to investigate Mabel's death on his own time, believing that it was the work of one of the notorious gangsters of the area.
Another result of the war was that many citizens were recruited to become spies. Diana Calthrop is an MI5 agent working undercover to learn more about the workings of a group known as the "Right Club". As she is drawn into their inner circle, she finds herself falling in love with a possible double agent, Claude Ventriss. Diana is unhappily married to a man who is in the military; although she suffers pangs of guilt at her own behavior, she is obsessed with Claude. There comes a point in the narrative where Diana and Ted's paths cross, and they experience a great attraction as well. Unlike Diana, Ted is happily married, although his wife is going through a difficult time as a result of their having to send their children away from the city to protect them from the nightly bombings.
The narrative is rich in period detail. Wilson presented the time in a vivid way that focused strongly on the impact of the war on the individuals in the city. In a way, the war is a character in the book, an ominous and unpredictable presence that guides the actions of everyone that it touches. DI Stratton is also an interesting character. He is not an exceptional man, but he does have common sense and the drive to search for truth even when it is inconvenient. Diana was a less appealing character. She succumbed to her own weaknesses and engaged in some very stupid behavior. Her husband was presented as an unlikable lug, his actions directed by his overbearing mother.
In spite of these strengths, the book didn't quite work for me. For one thing, there was a preponderance of gay characters who were willing to do almost anything to hide their sexual preferences. If this had been confined to a character or two, that wouldn't have been an issue; however, it becomes almost a theme and that just didn't feel very credible. Overall, the biggest problem for me was that the book had no resolution. Many major plot points had not been resolved by the conclusion of the book. It felt like Wilson reached her word count goal and ended the book. I felt cheated as a reader to not learn how some of the main threads of the narrative were resolved.
The Innocent Spy is the first in a series, with the second book, An Empty Death, released in July of this year. Prior to The Innocent Spy, Laura Wilson was acclaimed for her psychological crime fiction. It appears that her new direction will work for most readers, as she was recently awarded the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award for Innocent.
SETTING: London in 1940
SERIES: 1 of 2
RATING: 3.0
London in 1940 is a city under siege. Every night, the residents must seek protection from the bombing raids of the enemy. Although the average person's life is very much centered around surviving the Blitz, there is one area that has not changed. In spite of the war, crime has not taken a vacation. And Detective Inspector Ted Stratton is very convinced that a crime has taken place when he investigates the death of silent screen star Mabel Morgan, despite his superior's declaration that the death was a suicide. Certainly, Mabel's young roommate and friend, Joe Vincent, doesn't believe that ruling. Stratton is directed to work on other cases; however, he continues to investigate Mabel's death on his own time, believing that it was the work of one of the notorious gangsters of the area.
Another result of the war was that many citizens were recruited to become spies. Diana Calthrop is an MI5 agent working undercover to learn more about the workings of a group known as the "Right Club". As she is drawn into their inner circle, she finds herself falling in love with a possible double agent, Claude Ventriss. Diana is unhappily married to a man who is in the military; although she suffers pangs of guilt at her own behavior, she is obsessed with Claude. There comes a point in the narrative where Diana and Ted's paths cross, and they experience a great attraction as well. Unlike Diana, Ted is happily married, although his wife is going through a difficult time as a result of their having to send their children away from the city to protect them from the nightly bombings.
The narrative is rich in period detail. Wilson presented the time in a vivid way that focused strongly on the impact of the war on the individuals in the city. In a way, the war is a character in the book, an ominous and unpredictable presence that guides the actions of everyone that it touches. DI Stratton is also an interesting character. He is not an exceptional man, but he does have common sense and the drive to search for truth even when it is inconvenient. Diana was a less appealing character. She succumbed to her own weaknesses and engaged in some very stupid behavior. Her husband was presented as an unlikable lug, his actions directed by his overbearing mother.
In spite of these strengths, the book didn't quite work for me. For one thing, there was a preponderance of gay characters who were willing to do almost anything to hide their sexual preferences. If this had been confined to a character or two, that wouldn't have been an issue; however, it becomes almost a theme and that just didn't feel very credible. Overall, the biggest problem for me was that the book had no resolution. Many major plot points had not been resolved by the conclusion of the book. It felt like Wilson reached her word count goal and ended the book. I felt cheated as a reader to not learn how some of the main threads of the narrative were resolved.
The Innocent Spy is the first in a series, with the second book, An Empty Death, released in July of this year. Prior to The Innocent Spy, Laura Wilson was acclaimed for her psychological crime fiction. It appears that her new direction will work for most readers, as she was recently awarded the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award for Innocent.
November 6, 2008
STRATTON'S WAR is the first in an new planned series of crime novels featuring Ted Stratton, a Detective Inspector in the London police during the Second World War. This book includes a second protagonist - Diana Calthorp, young, socialite, not long and unhappily married and unexpected MI5 agent, involved in a covert operation against sympathisers and spies in the local community.
It's a very elaborate, multi-layered story. The death of a silent film star who hasn't worked for many years is the starting point. It's an investigation that Ted cannot put aside, despite a verdict of suicide. Diana starts work as a clerical assistant in MI5 but soon finds herself infiltrated into a group of well-to-do and well-known people, suspected of being Fascist sympathisers or spies. There's Ted's own family situation - a loving relationship with his wife, made tense by the evacuation of their two young children. There's the brother-in-law that Ted really struggles to deal with, and a problem nephew. Diana has gotten herself into a very unhappy marriage, with an overbearing and controlling mother-in-law, her husband is now serving in the Armed Forces. Diana's romantic liaison with another MI5 operative - a known womaniser - despite all the warnings that he's not to be trusted, despite threats from her mother-in-law, makes her realise she doesn't want to be married to her husband anymore.
The book weaves its way through all of the various threads of investigation and private life as it slowly draws a complicated web of crimes, espionage and the personal, slowly to the point where Diana and Ted's paths cross and the realisation that the Underworld and the Secret Service operate in very similar ways.
The thing that made STRATTON'S WAR really work for me was the way that there were multiple threads and a strong dose of the personal throughout the book. Some readers may find that less satisfactory, but for this reader, it created an atmosphere - a world if you want, that the characters inhabit. Some readers might find Diana's affair and the concentration on her personal feelings annoying (and I will agree she was a bit dangerously close to being whiny in places), but she's a young woman, in a weird time in the world, and it illustrated that she was a very young, inexperienced woman - one of the least likely people called upon to perform the most unlikely duty in the middle of war. The crime investigation, conducted within the background of a war, with nights spent in air-raid shelters, police stations being bombed into oblivion, and an old body being revealed in the bombed out remains of a church starkly revealed that even in extraordinary times, in the middle of a war, local criminals continue operations and family relationships remain complicated.
STRATTON'S WAR won the 2008 CWA Ellis Peters Historical Award. The award is given to the best historical crime novel (set in any period up to 35 years prior to the year in which the award will be made) by an author of any nationality.
It's a very elaborate, multi-layered story. The death of a silent film star who hasn't worked for many years is the starting point. It's an investigation that Ted cannot put aside, despite a verdict of suicide. Diana starts work as a clerical assistant in MI5 but soon finds herself infiltrated into a group of well-to-do and well-known people, suspected of being Fascist sympathisers or spies. There's Ted's own family situation - a loving relationship with his wife, made tense by the evacuation of their two young children. There's the brother-in-law that Ted really struggles to deal with, and a problem nephew. Diana has gotten herself into a very unhappy marriage, with an overbearing and controlling mother-in-law, her husband is now serving in the Armed Forces. Diana's romantic liaison with another MI5 operative - a known womaniser - despite all the warnings that he's not to be trusted, despite threats from her mother-in-law, makes her realise she doesn't want to be married to her husband anymore.
The book weaves its way through all of the various threads of investigation and private life as it slowly draws a complicated web of crimes, espionage and the personal, slowly to the point where Diana and Ted's paths cross and the realisation that the Underworld and the Secret Service operate in very similar ways.
The thing that made STRATTON'S WAR really work for me was the way that there were multiple threads and a strong dose of the personal throughout the book. Some readers may find that less satisfactory, but for this reader, it created an atmosphere - a world if you want, that the characters inhabit. Some readers might find Diana's affair and the concentration on her personal feelings annoying (and I will agree she was a bit dangerously close to being whiny in places), but she's a young woman, in a weird time in the world, and it illustrated that she was a very young, inexperienced woman - one of the least likely people called upon to perform the most unlikely duty in the middle of war. The crime investigation, conducted within the background of a war, with nights spent in air-raid shelters, police stations being bombed into oblivion, and an old body being revealed in the bombed out remains of a church starkly revealed that even in extraordinary times, in the middle of a war, local criminals continue operations and family relationships remain complicated.
STRATTON'S WAR won the 2008 CWA Ellis Peters Historical Award. The award is given to the best historical crime novel (set in any period up to 35 years prior to the year in which the award will be made) by an author of any nationality.
September 1, 2012
‘Stratton’s War’ by Laura Wilson
Published by Orion. February 2008.
ISBN 978-0-7528 7623-8 (Hardback) 978-0-7528-7624-5 (Trade Paperback)
DI Ted Stratton is a policeman working in central London in 1940. He is married to Jenny and their two children who have been sent out of London for safety. His home life is happy, apart from the constant entreaties from his wife, which he is beginning to dread, to bring back the children from the country as she misses them. His extended family leave something to be desired, but we all have the same problems in this area.
He is called to investigate the death of silent screen star Mable Morgan who has been found dead impaled on railing outside her flat. The verdict is suicide, but Ted is not so sure, and against his superiors advice he starts asking questions.
On the other side of the tracks we meet Diana Calthrop, a tall elegant blonde who is recruited into MI5 working with senior official Sir Neville Apse. Diana meets handsome Claude Ventriss and against her better judgement and her colleagues advice, is attracted by Claude. Diana is on sticky ground all round, she is married to Guy, who is serving abroad, but unlike Ted Stratton her marriage is not happy, and with her home life scrutinised by her mother-in-law, and a job that is by its very nature secretive, she really has no one she can trust.
As Ted delves further into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mable Morgan he finds links to the criminal underworld that in turn lead him to Diana’s secret world, and thus their paths cross.
A brilliant story following two different walks of life set across the backdrop of war-torn London.
------
Lizzie Hayes
Other books are: A Little Death, Hello Bunny Alice, Dying Voices, My Best Friend, A Thousand Lies and The lover
Published by Orion. February 2008.
ISBN 978-0-7528 7623-8 (Hardback) 978-0-7528-7624-5 (Trade Paperback)
DI Ted Stratton is a policeman working in central London in 1940. He is married to Jenny and their two children who have been sent out of London for safety. His home life is happy, apart from the constant entreaties from his wife, which he is beginning to dread, to bring back the children from the country as she misses them. His extended family leave something to be desired, but we all have the same problems in this area.
He is called to investigate the death of silent screen star Mable Morgan who has been found dead impaled on railing outside her flat. The verdict is suicide, but Ted is not so sure, and against his superiors advice he starts asking questions.
On the other side of the tracks we meet Diana Calthrop, a tall elegant blonde who is recruited into MI5 working with senior official Sir Neville Apse. Diana meets handsome Claude Ventriss and against her better judgement and her colleagues advice, is attracted by Claude. Diana is on sticky ground all round, she is married to Guy, who is serving abroad, but unlike Ted Stratton her marriage is not happy, and with her home life scrutinised by her mother-in-law, and a job that is by its very nature secretive, she really has no one she can trust.
As Ted delves further into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mable Morgan he finds links to the criminal underworld that in turn lead him to Diana’s secret world, and thus their paths cross.
A brilliant story following two different walks of life set across the backdrop of war-torn London.
------
Lizzie Hayes
Other books are: A Little Death, Hello Bunny Alice, Dying Voices, My Best Friend, A Thousand Lies and The lover
May 31, 2016
I liked this one and got sucked into it but not without a few issues. In the beginning I looked several times to check to see when this had originally been published (2008) and for an author bio (fruitless--it isn't in the book and why not?) This reads like it was written in the 40s or 50s which is a testament to Wilson's writing and style--strong. She is so good at setting the scene. But this is where my issues come in.
And I say this realizing that I am reading this a person who lives in 2016 and the book is set in the early years of WWII. There is uncomfortable making non-consensual sex. In one instance it is called rape and in one she says no but the male pursuer knows she really means yes.... I continued on but that stuck with me.
The other issue is that one of the main storylines is about homosexuality, which (and I realize I am reading this in 2016) is treated as vulgar and even vomit-inducing for one character. Yes, homosexuality was illegal at that point but the reactions felt really over-the-top. Were they? I don't know. I didn't live in London in the 1940s.
With historical fiction, I love the authors' notes at the end to find out what was real in the story and what wasn't.
So, I recommend this one with reservations. I'll read more from Wilson (she's a book reviewer for the Guardian for chrissake--why isn't Felony & Mayhem shouting that from the rooftops?) but I may not continue on if other Stratton books go down similar paths.
(Also, it dawns on me that I'm not entirely sure *who* the Innocent Spy was. Diana? Someone else? Dunno.)
And I say this realizing that I am reading this a person who lives in 2016 and the book is set in the early years of WWII. There is uncomfortable making non-consensual sex. In one instance it is called rape and in one she says no but the male pursuer knows she really means yes.... I continued on but that stuck with me.
The other issue is that one of the main storylines is about homosexuality, which (and I realize I am reading this in 2016) is treated as vulgar and even vomit-inducing for one character. Yes, homosexuality was illegal at that point but the reactions felt really over-the-top. Were they? I don't know. I didn't live in London in the 1940s.
With historical fiction, I love the authors' notes at the end to find out what was real in the story and what wasn't.
So, I recommend this one with reservations. I'll read more from Wilson (she's a book reviewer for the Guardian for chrissake--why isn't Felony & Mayhem shouting that from the rooftops?) but I may not continue on if other Stratton books go down similar paths.
(Also, it dawns on me that I'm not entirely sure *who* the Innocent Spy was. Diana? Someone else? Dunno.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2016
A body of an old silent movie star down on her luck is found impaled on an iron railing beneath her lodgings. The general consensus is suicide but London lad - DI Stratton - is not convinced, and despite being told to close the case starts to dig for the facts. The well-bred Diana Calthrop is working for MI5 and has infiltrated an upper class group of nazis sympathisers. When the rocks she is kicking over lead back to her own boss she finds herself in more danger than she ever anticipated. Eventually these two investigations cross and these two find themselves joining forces to track down the killer.
The research is excellent and the atmosphere well drawn. WW2 crime drama which had its good points, but for me at least, the split between Diana Calthrop and DI Stratton for much of the book did not quite come off.
Stratton comes over as an interesting character with a very real backstory and domestic situation and I could not help feeling the investigation seen from his perspective had far more potential for tension and drama.
Diana Calthrop, though based on a real character according to the notes, always felt oddly unformed. She came across as a tad insipid (dim) for a spy entrusted with such a dangerous mission, and would have been better served by having a book of her own.
All of that said I read Stratton's War at a sitting and it thought it was not a bad read for the first in a series. I shall be interested to see how the duo shape up.
The research is excellent and the atmosphere well drawn. WW2 crime drama which had its good points, but for me at least, the split between Diana Calthrop and DI Stratton for much of the book did not quite come off.
Stratton comes over as an interesting character with a very real backstory and domestic situation and I could not help feeling the investigation seen from his perspective had far more potential for tension and drama.
Diana Calthrop, though based on a real character according to the notes, always felt oddly unformed. She came across as a tad insipid (dim) for a spy entrusted with such a dangerous mission, and would have been better served by having a book of her own.
All of that said I read Stratton's War at a sitting and it thought it was not a bad read for the first in a series. I shall be interested to see how the duo shape up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2010
Or should it be called Calthorpe's war.
Interesting tale, with a good sense of place and time and nice characterisation. Let down by an outrageous piece of co-incidence.
Sratton is a central london detective in the 1940 london. A land of the blitz, moral posters, black marketing and cockney geezers.
A silent movie actress is found on the railings outside her fizgrovia flat and it peaks his interest.
In alternating chapters, we are introduced to Diana Calthorpe. She works for the secret service and is a nicely ambiguous character - having an affair with the david niven inspired Claude, even though her husband is away in the war. She is investigating a right wing pro fascist organisation and slowly the two investigation join - with shady jewish gangsters, heavies and lots of gay sex.
The co-incidence is when Strattons nephew is involved in the investigation. A little unbelievable and unnecessary.
Lots to admire and I believe its part of a series, so I will probably read the next - An Empty Death.
Interesting tale, with a good sense of place and time and nice characterisation. Let down by an outrageous piece of co-incidence.
Sratton is a central london detective in the 1940 london. A land of the blitz, moral posters, black marketing and cockney geezers.
A silent movie actress is found on the railings outside her fizgrovia flat and it peaks his interest.
In alternating chapters, we are introduced to Diana Calthorpe. She works for the secret service and is a nicely ambiguous character - having an affair with the david niven inspired Claude, even though her husband is away in the war. She is investigating a right wing pro fascist organisation and slowly the two investigation join - with shady jewish gangsters, heavies and lots of gay sex.
The co-incidence is when Strattons nephew is involved in the investigation. A little unbelievable and unnecessary.
Lots to admire and I believe its part of a series, so I will probably read the next - An Empty Death.
November 12, 2011
Set during the London Blitz, DI Ted Stratton is investing the death of silent film star Mabel Morgan. On the surface an obvious suicide, Stratton can't shake the gut feeling that there is more to her death than it initially seems.
At the same time, upperclass Diana Calthrop finds herself digging deeper into the intrigue of wartime MI5 as she retreats from her unhappy marriage.
Although they don't know each other, their cases are intricately intertwined in a tangle of espionage, multiple murder, high society, the monotonous terror of war.
I picked this book up on a recommendation, and was immediately drawn in. The story starts immediately and well. The characters are well written and complete. The twists and turns are believable and yet still surprising, and the backdrop of WWII London is expertly painted. All these things together create an engrossing story that is unique to the setting and genre.
The only real complaint I have is that I would have liked to see more completion with the character of Diana Calthrop, and was left unsatisfied with the way her story ended.
At the same time, upperclass Diana Calthrop finds herself digging deeper into the intrigue of wartime MI5 as she retreats from her unhappy marriage.
Although they don't know each other, their cases are intricately intertwined in a tangle of espionage, multiple murder, high society, the monotonous terror of war.
I picked this book up on a recommendation, and was immediately drawn in. The story starts immediately and well. The characters are well written and complete. The twists and turns are believable and yet still surprising, and the backdrop of WWII London is expertly painted. All these things together create an engrossing story that is unique to the setting and genre.
The only real complaint I have is that I would have liked to see more completion with the character of Diana Calthrop, and was left unsatisfied with the way her story ended.
January 13, 2010
I'm glad I got this one in during 2009. It has moved directly to the top of my best reads. I will have to track down the rest of Laura Wilson's books.
DI Ted Stratton is in charge of the investigation into the death of Mabel Morgan, former silent screen star. The coroner quickly rules it a suicide even though Stratton is not certain about the veracity of the ruling. Meanwhile, Diana Calthrop, high society lady, begins a job in MI5 that quickly turns deadly. The path between these two disparate people grows into a major conflagration. These book is a great look at London at the beginning of WWII and the blitz and its impact on the citizens of England. Stratton and his wife have sent their children into the country and miss them terribly. Diana is fighting to understand the true impact of facism on the British uppper class. An entralling read and highly recommended.
DI Ted Stratton is in charge of the investigation into the death of Mabel Morgan, former silent screen star. The coroner quickly rules it a suicide even though Stratton is not certain about the veracity of the ruling. Meanwhile, Diana Calthrop, high society lady, begins a job in MI5 that quickly turns deadly. The path between these two disparate people grows into a major conflagration. These book is a great look at London at the beginning of WWII and the blitz and its impact on the citizens of England. Stratton and his wife have sent their children into the country and miss them terribly. Diana is fighting to understand the true impact of facism on the British uppper class. An entralling read and highly recommended.
February 12, 2013
Laura Wilson in a foreword talks about how she didn't want to get stuck with a main character that she eventually gets to hate. She says some authors say I wish I knew he/she were going to stay around because I wouldn't have made him so tall, short, annoying etc. With Ted Stratton she doesn't have to worry about annoying characteristics because he's so nice and normal he's bland. I did like him and I'll carry on with the Ted Stratton books to see what happens but there's no burning need to turn the page and find out what he's doing. As for the World War II spy, class warfare, story, it was ok but in almost an inverse of what I said before about Ted Stratton's normality it was the everyday living in London in the beginnings of the War that was the most interesting and real part of the book.
July 25, 2013
Very disappointed in this book. It was 200 pages too long. I thought from the awards it received and the synopsis of the book that it would be a great read. Way too detailed about things that had no bearing on the case. The ending left u guessing and never wrapped the mystery up. Diana's affair is pathetic and her reappearing husband is not relevant to anything. Stratton is happily married, but author yoyo's back and forth on that relationship for no reason. As this murder combined a local police department with an MI5 secret operation, the reader is suppose to believe (I guess) that one is on a need to know basis, hence, the wrapping up of everything at the end is not necessary? I feel as tho I wasted many hours reading this book in the hopes that it would get better with every passing page. It didn't.
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