Air Raid

Toby Whitby #1

by Eileen Enwright Hodgetts

A contested fortune. A missing baby. A dead lawyer who knew too much. Can his replacement avoid the same dark fate?

England, 1952. Lawyer Toby Whitby’s poor eyesight stole his chance to serve his country. When the lawyer’s boss is murdered, Toby inherits the case of a lifetime. But his opportunity to reunite an Earl’s daughter with her kidnapped child is anything but ordinary…

After his search for the child reaches America, the people connected with the case start turning up dead. As the body count rises, Toby realizes there’s far more to his client’s story than she’s willing to share…

Can Toby reunite a family or will his pursuit of the truth get him killed?
Air Raid is an enthralling World War II mystery. If you like aristocratic scheming, dark family secrets, and postwar settings, then you’ll love Eileen Enwright Hodgetts’ captivating tale.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Ebooks, Fiction

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 26, 2019

About the author

Eileen Enwright Hodgetts is a much traveled writer. Brought up in England and Wales, she has also lived and worked in South Africa and Uganda. Eileen and her husband, Graham, now make their home in Baden, PA. Eileen’s life experiences allow her to use exotic backgrounds for her novels and to understand how an adventure can begin with just one small incident. For ten years she directed a humanitarian mission in East Africa as an employee of Christ Church at Grove Farm in Sewickley, PA. and her whole family continues to be involved in Uganda through the Ugandan Gold Coffee project bringing coffee to the United States and returning the profits to Uganda to be used for drilling water wells. She writes historical fiction from Arthurian sagas to World War Two murder mysteries. The major movie "Unsinkable", currently in production, is based on her national award-winning stage play "Titanic to all Ships". Her latest work "The Girl on the Carpathia - A novel of the Titanic" reflects over twenty years of research into both the US senate hearings and the British inquiry into the sinking.

Reviews

[Jennifer Bourque (ButterflyReader77) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of "Air Raid" from Veracious Readers in exchange for an honest review and it was a wonderful book that cleverly combines the terror of World War Two and a murder mystery, with a kidnapping to boot.

The book takes readers back and fourth between the war of London's air bombs and the present day of the storyline set in 1952. Solicitor Toby Whitby is hired by Lady Sylvia (the Earl's daughter) to find her kidnapped daughter believed to be in America. As Toby begins his investigation he quickly discovers that everyone is lying and someone is murdering those connected to the case to keep the lies from being exposed. As Toby investigates we delve deeper into the lies and betrayals of those surrounded around discovering the truth.

Readers will most definitely be treated to a twisty book that keeps you guessing who is who in relation to the overall story. Not only does the book offer a great murder mystery and kidnapping plotline, but also takes us back to the heartbreaking actions the war brought upon those residents of England. 

"Air Raid" is also beautifully written and I felt it offered a poetic justice to the writing style with description and detail perfectly without overpowering the entire story.  

The Author Eileen Enwright Hodgetts was raised in England and Wales and she has also lived and worked in South Africa and Uganda. She presently lives Baden, Pennsylvania.

[Linda McCutcheon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Air Raid checks off all the boxes that I look for in a good old-fashioned murder mystery. It has a relatable protagonist in Toby Whitby, a young new lawyer with ambitions beyond the small law office employing him. It takes place during my favorite historical fiction era from World War II until1952 in England. As a bonus it has British royals caught up in all the mayhem.

Toby Whitby, unbeknownst to his employers, has been accepted to a five year term as a crown court prosecutor for the colonial government of Rhodesia. Sharing this news has to be put on hold when one of Toby's bosses is found murdered in his office. The police have no clue who killed him.

Toby inherits the dead partner's, and the firm's richest, and therefore, most important client, Dennis Blanchard, Earl of Southwold and his daughter, Lady Sylvia Blanchard. When Toby pays them a visit Lady Sylvia quickly let's him know she needs his discretion and willingness to skirt around the law just a little bit in a matter of most importance to the lineage of the Blanchards.

From this point on Toby learns about a stolen child, a deceased American father, and the desperation of keeping an inheritance. Toby's investigation to help his clients leads to more questions than answers at first and then to murder. There are surprises, twists, and turns as Toby starts to uncover the truth, not just about the Blanchards issues, but about the murder of his boss.

Air Raid is the first book in the Toby Whitby series. It can definitely be read as a stand alone book but I'm betting as you read the last pages of Air Raid you will be ordering the second book, Imposter, which is out now. There is also a short prequel, Alibi, that takes place about a decade earlier than Air Raid. I'm really looking forward to a rainy weekend and a cuppa (cup of tea) as the English say to continue this ride with barrister Toby Whitby.

I received a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Anne Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Right from the first few pages the whole tone of the excellently written style conjured up the era of Post War Britain which remained consistent throughout. A novel full of plot, suspicions, and well formed characters. Even with the minor characters that only appeared briefly, I was left with a full image of them, familiar to mystery readers, and anyone living in a village, but in no way stereotypical.
I love the amount of hints and clues that made me think, yes, but then twists to surprise and keep me enthralled and guessing right up until the classic reveal. Throw in a little romance and daring do and you have the perfect cocktail mix for a pretty near perfect mystery thriller.
I was lucky to be granted a free copy from the author though Veracious Readers Only and I am so pleased. I have ordered the next in the series already and looking at Eileen Enwright Hodgetts catalogue I am very pleased to discover the many more evenings of enjoyment I have in store for me.
I can not recommend this novel enough. It truly left me with a smile on my face and a sense of a couple of evenings spent very contentedly.
I must mention the moment I laughed out loud. My name is Anne Evans, I am of a certain age and I too have a cat. For a moment I thought it was me. lol

[Kimberly Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Air Raid is the first in a WWII mystery series featuring near-sighted young lawyer Toby Whitby. Young Toby is handed an important case when a senior firm member is murdered. He is now responsible for helping an Earl and his daughter find and reunite with a child lost in the chaos of the bombing of Britain. Was it a tragic mistake or a kidnapping? Everyone has secrets and motivations to lie, but who is willing to murder? The body count rises but it does so without gore.
I don't want to give too much away, so suffice it to say, the plot is fast-paced with plenty of twists. The author does a wonderful job painting the setting of England in 1952, when people were still struggling to recover physically, economically and emotionally from the war. It is written in the voices of several characters, but readers will not be confused by the changes in the point of view. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review and I can honestly say I was delighted.

[Laura Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Air Raid is brilliant. So many twists and turns and secrets and lies and a young man who is unwittingly unrevalling it all. I loved this book. It had so much going on and only gave small hints, randomly, about the finale. The characters were each so alive and individual and the story was well thought out and well laid out. Though a lot of sad things happened it did not become morose. The story held true and I was fascinated to see it unfold. I look forward to reading more of Eileen Enwright Hodgetts work.

Please note that this review is given in exchange for a free copy of the book through Voracious Readers Only.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story! I read a lot so it’s hard to find stories that are interesting anymore and this kept my interest from page one. A great historical fiction book. Highly recommend it. Loved the setting in a post-World War II. The small town in England was charming. The characters in the story were amazing and what a mystery! It was a mystery of a mystery of a mystery. The ending was exciting and I can’t wait to read book two.

[Ann]

After receiving a complimentary copy of "Air Raid" by Eileen Erwright Hodgetts via Voracious Readers, I found this to be a great read. This story, set in post-war Britain, will be enjoyed by the followers of Agatha Christie.

Set in a sleepy village, of post-war Britaian, the story does a great job of moving between past and present. The local girls during the war who were looking for love amidst black-outs, bombs, American soldiers and German P.O.Ws.

Carol, Vera, and Lady Sylvia's lives are intertwined by lies and deceptions, ones of their own makings and ones that were made out of fear and necessity. Carol, who fell for the enemy, Vera, who would do anything to leave the sleepy village, and Lady Sylvia who would do anything to continue as Lady of the manor.

At the crux is a little girl - who is the real mother? Who is the person that needs to kill when the lies start falling apart?

If you enjoy historical fiction that includes a "who-dunnit" then "Air Raid" is a good read.

[Lorraine Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just finished Air Raid by E Hodgetts. I was concerned that the author twice mentioned cancer and smoking as book was set after the war just after the kings death. When the connection wasnt though of till the 70s. However when I let that go I really enjoyed the book and particularly the characterisation of the villagers. The hero Toby was well drawn and there are plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. I would recommend the book and thank you to Vocarious Readers who recommended the book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. A World War Two mystery about a young lawyer, Toby Whitby, who is given an assignment after one of his bosses is murdered. As Toby tries to figure out what all the secrets are, and who is responsible for the murder, another body is found. Eileen Hodgetts has mastered the feelings of the time and has wound a mystery that will keep you guessing.A perfect book for anyone who enjoys war novels with a mystery.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of "Air Raid" from Voracious Readers in exchange for an honest review. I found the first few pages hard going because of the writing style, but once I was used to it I was completely gripped. Murders, stolen babies, a bit of romance, set mainly in a little village in Sussex a few years after the end of WW2, it was a great read and I am looking forward to getting the next book in the series.

[Barbara Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read. She leads you to think you know who is connected and then there is a twist. The ending was a bit abrupt for my liking but I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Couldn't put it down towards the end.

[Katy White · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story , a murder mystery set in post war Britain with memory flash backs to the war , mystery , money and intrigue . A great read . I received this book free from voracious readers only in return for a review .

[Stephanie Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story with lots of twists and turns

[Mary Standard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Air Raid:

A great world war two historical mystery! The author writes with knowledge and imagination with skill. S is an accomplished author who needs to be sampled.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! It checks off everything that is needed in a good old fashioned murder mystery.

[Kris Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book!!!

[linda jenkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book hope there's more in this series

[Cora Pelletier]

Great book and so worth the time. Believable characters. It captured my interest from the first page.

[Diane Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of Air Raid: A World War Two Mystery by Eileen Enwright Hodgetts via Voracious Readers Only, in return for an honest review.

The main character, Toby Whitby, is a young lawyer in post–World War II England who has his first job in a small firm. He is self-conscious about his thick glasses and how his eyesight kept him out of the war, so people’s first impressions are that he’s too meek, even weak, to do a decent solicitor’s job. When one of the partners in the law firm is murdered, Toby is the only one able to take over his cases, as the other partner is elderly.

The first case: finding a wealthy woman’s daughter, who the woman says was kidnapped by a village girl, and providing the paperwork to make sure the woman’s daughter is listed as an heir. The murdered partner had done much of the work, but that work appears to be missing. The daughter has been found in the United States, and her American grandfather is bringing her to England. Toby feels something isn’t right, though he can’t put his finger on it. And so he tries to slow the process to find the truth.

While he’s doing that, Toby falls in love, the wealthy woman says she’s a widow (but all the paperwork was burned, as was the church she was married in, as was the clerks office, etc.), another person dies (possibly murdered), someone is attacked and left for dead, a wayward village girl returns home, old papers hiding family secrets are found, there’s a mother and daughter reunion, and THEN—a mine is seen floating in the ocean, heading for shore and for the mansion where most of the people involved in the story have congregated.

I won’t say any more about the plot and subplots, as I don’t want to ruin anyone’s reading pleasure. I will say that I loved this book. The characters were well developed—I never had to look back to see who was who—and the plot twists realistic considering the time period. The main character is very likeable, and he indeed finds his courage before the book is done. The story goes back in time once in a while for backstory, but the author does this well—no distractions.

The author has written two more books with Toby as the main character. I will gladly be adding those titles to my TBR list.

[Sandra Vdplaats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jolly good read!!

Oh my, what a delightful book ! - it ticked all the boxes for me!

This period ‘mystery’ is a perfect mix between Agatha Christie’s novels and Downtown Abbey and transports the reader back to post-war Britain during which the aristocracy and ‘the old ways of yesteryears' and life on large country estates was on the decline.

A solicitor is found dead, and the file for the settlement of the succession of Southwold Hall is missing from the office.
Solicitor Toby Whitby is sent to the Hall as a replacement and soon finds himself in trouble in all possible ways.

Part mystery and part war story that deals with the terrible consequences of war and the heartbreaking effects of those who survived and still suffer the effects, this story grabbed from the beginning.

I learned about the war early on through the stories of my nan and my parents, and love to read historical war novels.
(my mother's parents were active in the resistance and my father's parents had people in hiding under the wooding flooring for years.)

Protagonist Toby Whitby feels guilty because he was ‘only’ given a administrative job during the war. He no longer feels at home in post-war England and plans to move to Rhodesia where he has been offered a job as a Crown Court Prosecutor.

The story switches between Southwold Hall and the mystery of a lost baby and the war years in England. Part mystery, part war story, it has the necessary fluffiness as well when the insecure, yet very sympathetic Toby falls head over heels in love. Will he stay in England or follow his plan to settle in Africa?

Well-written, engaging story, with spirited dialogues, plus a setting similar to St. Mary Mead, with references to Dickens’, - ‘justice for the masses’ (knitting in bomb shelter), I think you must be daft to skip this one. Highly recommended!!

5+ stars

[Ruth Coulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Air Raid: A World War Two Mystery is the first book in the Toby Whitby series, and I hope there will be plenty of others to follow. I already have the second in the series on my list of wants as I believe it is already available. I did so enjoy the book.

The protagonist, Toby Whitby, is a newly qualified solicitor who has to take on a case involving a stolen baby following the murder of the more senior solicitor in the firm. The aristocratic client's story seems to be at odds with good sense and with what others tell him. The truth unravels eventually in a very satisfying conclusion.

It is in the great tradition of British mystery writing without being obviously dependent upon anything I have read. It gets its effects by good writing, clear characterisation and tight plotting. Delightfully for me, in this kind of book, there is no evidence of car chases, gun battles or the like. And yet it is not slow paced; not is it in any way boring.

I am always impressed with a book which, like this one, has few incidents that cannot be true in the face of history as we know it. For history plays some part in the plot. The key happening, the "stealing" of the baby is said to have happened during the Second World War. Now, in 1952 the supposed real mother says she wants her baby back. And so the story swings between war time and peace time.

The ending is suitably surprising, and just left me wanting another book - soon as I can!

I received the book via Voracious Readers, and am really grateful for the opportunity to read it.

[Lenora Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great fun. The author went back and forth between the backstory of World War II England and the present of 1952. I was pretty sure I'd figured out who done it by the end, but not the why. The fun with mysteries is, you don't know for sure until the end. And I was pleasantly surprised.

Toby Whitby is a solicitor (lawyer) who, when one of his bosses is killed, inherits the case he was working on. It is anything but a slam-dunk.

The Earl's daughter was secretly married to an American during the war and had a baby girl, Celeste after the husband was killed. Celeste was kidnapped and taken to America by one of the village girls who also married an American.

Mom never remarried and is about to become the sole heir to the Earl's estate. She must find her child, or when she dies, the estate goes to someone in Australia who will probably sell it to a land developer. Of course, she can't provide original documents, as those were lost in one of the bombing raids.

Toby goes to the estate and discusses the case with the Earl, and his daughter, and goes into town to talk to others. People involved with the case, no matter how peripherally, start showing up dead.

Can our near-blind lawyer figure it out in time? Can he get the right family reunited? Will he find the child before he gets offed? Will the red-headed woman in the post office love him as he loves her?

I have just ordered book two, Imposter.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting. It starts with a murder as most mysteries do. But that isn't what the story is about. A countess in post-war England claims that her daughter was stolen by a woman from her small town and taken to America 6 years ago. As Toby Whitby, a lawyer, investigates her story he learns that there's more than meets the eye. All the while, a 6-year-old girl is in the middle of these claims. The alleged grandparents pay the family she's been living with to take her to England. The family she's been with clearly doesn't care about her but it's the only place she's ever known. Even the women who both claim to be her mother, clearly don't care about her at all. For some reason, an old German mine from WWII had broken free from its underwater tether. I still don't fully understand why this was part of the story. I didn't enjoy how the mystery was barely solved. There was no grand moment where Toby could reveal all that he had discovered and see the multiple murders dealt with properly. As well as kidnapping, buying a child, and taking her from the only family she's ever known.

While I did enjoy the writing style, how the flashbacks were handled, and how it focused on the difference between post-WWII England and America, the story felt lacking to me. Being an American, I really liked the glimpse into England. I've never thought about how England would have needed to repair following the war.

[Kathy Watts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of Air Raid: A World War II mystery by Eileen Enwright Hodgetts via Voracious Readers for a fair and honest review and I thank you for the opportunity to read it.
Toby Whitby, a young lawyer working for Champion and Company, Solicitors at law, finds himself keeping an appointment with the Earl of Southwold.
Given a seemingly straightforward matter to administer by the Earl’s daughter, Lady Sylvia, Toby quickly realises that all is not as it appears.
Murder, stolen babies, lies, lies and more lies with a little romance thrown in the mix to add to the confusion gives Toby plenty to sort through.
I would call this a Cozi mystery as it was very easy read. The way the author juggled between the present 1952 and the various elements of the events during the Second World War was interesting. The characters were quite well developed. If other historical fiction.
It may seem harsh that I’ve only given this a rating of 3. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and writing style of the author, it did not have the complexity found in other historical fiction novels.
I also felt that the ending was rather abrupt.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

air raid
#1 in the new solicitor Toby Whitby, 30 years old, mystery series. This is his first case and he sort of bumbles along while being steadfast in pursuit of the truth.

Toby's first case involves a contested fortune, a missing baby, the law firm's dead lawyer who knew too much and lies, lies and more lies! England, 1952. Solicitor Toby Whitby is the junior member of a small 2 person law firm and takes on the case for an Earl when the partner handling the case is murdered. The Earl's daughter and heir, Lady Sylvia, wants Toby to find her kidnapped daughter believed to be in America. The purpose is to secure the estate's line of inheritance. As Toby investigates he quickly discovers that everyone is lying and someone is murdering those connected to the case to keep the lies from being exposed. As Toby investigates he delves deeper into the lies and betrayals of those surrounded around discovering the truth.

In telling the story, the narrative jumps back and forth between the present and 1944 when the events around the birthday of baby occurred.

[Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a thoroughly enjoyable read Air Raid was. As a fan of who-dun-its, this ticked all the boxes for me. A vivid post-war English setting, with call backs to events during the war, complete with a mouldering manor house; a cast of wary rustics; perfidious aristocrats and, apparently, steadfast retainers; a valiant, virtuous but diffident hero; and a tangled mystery snaking back into the past.

It was not only the great narrative that propelled me through to the end, but also Eileen Enwright Hodgetts delightful way with prose. The descriptions were evocative and the reader is not pulled out of the experience by any jarringly modern language, or phrases.

Although it did all end rather abruptly, I was enthralled by this novel and am certainly eager to follow the further adventures of Toby Whitby.

I was supplied a free review copy of Air Raid via Voracious Readers Only.

[Gail Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author.

When I first began to read this book I thought that it was strange that it was set in 1952. Having the title Air Raid I had expected it all to be set in WW2. However the story is set in the 50’s and has flashbacks to the second world war.

As I read through the book the title made sense (as is often the way with clever titles). It tells of the repercussions of some wartime relationships.

This is a story of family, greed, lust, loyalty and love.

Eileen Enwright Hodgetts pulls the reader in to the story by telling it from the different characters perspective.

As a reader you feel that you can understand what the characters are thinking. Some you wish would change for the better, some you would like to speak up for themselves and some to get over their wartime experiences.

I would recommend this book to those who like a little bit of social history mixed in with murder and mystery.

[Joan Strater · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book I received for free through Voracious Readers. The story appears to be about a very young solicitor, Toby Whitby, who is given a surprising assignment in a small village along the British coast. He meets Lady Slyvia of Southwold Hall, and is asked if he can be "flexible" handling her affairs and there the adventure starts. Most of the characters in this novel are not quite who they portray themselves to be. The joy of the novel is trying to figure out who is lying and why.

The characters were very well developed and I found I cared about the story and seeing it progress to its end. This was neither a fast or slow read. If something called you away, you could certainly put it down. But It managed very well calling you back. There were no spies, no blood and gore, no shoot 'em ups, just good story telling. Would highly recommend!

[Aya · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was well written and I was grabbed from the first page. I didn't expect the twists or the ending.

From the start we knew that there were loop holes in Lady Sylvia's story. But we didn't know how far fetched the lies were. Just like what Toby had said they were caught in webs of lies. I just loved Toby, he may be shy but he was determined to solve the mystery. There were other great characters too, the author did a great with the development of the characters. This is a great book for readers who love a good mystery without all the blood. It's the first book of a series but it could be read as a standalone. I would love to read the rest of the books as this was such a lovely start of a series.

I've received a complimentary book from the author via VoraciousReadersOnly.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this book by Voracious readers.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. So many twists and turns, not to mention lots of intense moments.

Eileen Enwright Hodgetts executed this story remarkably well. Air raid flowed seemingly in and out of different periods of time and showing in depth each characters version of events.

I am very sad to finish this book as I was instantly drawn into the beautifully written novel.
I highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed.
If I could give it more stars I would.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10

Thank you Voracious readers for giving me this opportunity to read Air Raid and to Eileen Enwright Hodgetts for your amazing novel.