A Traitor in Whitehall
(Evelyne Redfern #1)
““An exceptional historical murder mystery””
Dubbed “The Parisian Orphan” by the press after her parents’ disastrous marriage spiraled into a vicious divorce and custody battle, young Evelyne Redfern was one of the most notorious children of the 1920s. However, her whole world changed after her beloved mother Genèvieve’s untimely death and her feckless adventurer father Sir Reginald Redfern’s decision to dump her in an English boarding school.
Years later, Evelyne is estranged from Sir Reginald and trying to make her own way in wartime London. However, her job on the line at a munitions factory is hardly challenging, leaving her longing for her stacks of mystery novels that fight for space with her actress roommate Moira’s ever-expanding wardrobe.
When Mr. Fletcher, one of her father’s old friends, spots Evelyne at a night out at the Ritz and offers her a job in the typing pool of Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s cabinet war rooms, she jumps at the opportunity for a change. However, shortly after she arrives at work, one of her fellow typists is murdered and Evelyne must use all of her amateur sleuthing expertise earned from years of reading mysteries to find the killer. Little does she know that her investigation will put her in the path of David Poole, a cagey minister’s aide who seems determined to thwart her efforts. That is, until Evelyne learns David’s real job is rooting out a mole leaking vital government secrets to Germany, and the pair begrudgingly team up.
Can Evelyne find out who's been selling England's secrets and catch a killer all while battling her growing attraction to David and her own scandalous past?
A Traitor in Whitehall is the thrilling start of the Evelyne Redfern series from bestselling author Julia Kelly and is available for purchase now!
Hardcover editions with signed bookplates are available from a selection of independent bookstores!
Praise for A Traitor in Whitehall
“An exceptional historical murder mystery” —Wall Street Journal
"Romance, feminism, and historical detail combine in an exciting new series." —Kirkus
“Action-packed.” —Publisher’s Weekly
“A cross between a Nancy Drew mystery and an Agatha Christie tale…its gentle humor, unexpected twists, clever heroine, and wartime setting make it a pleasurable read.” —Booklist
““A well-plotted start to an entertaining new series” —Shelf Awareness
“A very good historical novel...Interesting characters — including the main character — along with a sound storyline and an interesting setting” —Toronto.com
“In Winston Churchill’s London underground bunker, Kelly spins an Agatha Christie-esque mystery featuring—who else?—one of Mr. Churchill’s whip-smart secretaries, of course! A thoroughly delightful and well-researched novel of London during the Blitz.” —Susan Elia MacNeal, New York Times bestselling and Edgar-nominated author of Mr. Churchill’s Secretary
“Julia Kelly masterfully weaves history into gripping intrigue in this riveting WWII murder mystery. Evelyne Redfern is exactly the kind of intrepid, plucky heroine I love to root for and the details of Churchill’s cabinet war rooms were spot on and fascinating. A Traitor in Whitehall will keep you guessing as to who the killer might be as the pages fly by.” —Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Librarian Spy
“Call the Midwife meets Mr. Churchill's Secretary in this riveting and atmospheric mystery set in wartime London. Readers will love the quick witted "Parisian Orphan" Evelyne Redfern who discovers the body of a deeply disliked colleague and decides to track down her killer. As she investigates, she uncovers the dark secrets of the people keeping the secrets in Whitehall. Sharp, charming, and fast-paced, A Traitor in Whitehall marks a stellar debut for a winning and original heroine.” —Mariah Fredericks, author of The Lindbergh Nanny
Evelyne’s Reading List
The following books all appear in A Traitor in Whitehall (Evelyne Redfern #1)
Please note, all of the above links are affiliate links for Bookshop.org. and Julia Kelly may earn a small amount of money for purchases made using them at no cost to readers.
Interviews and Articles about A Traitor in Whitehall
“Murder in Winston Churchill’s War Rooms,” Bookpage
Additional Resources
Evelyne’s Dispatches