‘Secret Meetings by J.G. Harlond

Published by Home Front Mystery,
12 February 2023.
ISBN: 979-837706201-1 (PB)

Cornwall in 1944 is on the edge of the area from which any allied invasion of German-held territory will take place, with thousands of troops billeted in large camps. The allies are running an operation to feed the Germans misinformation about proposed invasion targets. As part of this, DS Robbins, based at Cready Police Station, is asked to impersonate the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, for a couple of days. He is to stay at River Lodge, a country house which already has some guests.

River Lodge has already been brought to the attention of the local police force, when a stranger was spotted staying in a hut in the area and this has interested Bob’s partner, PC Lauri Oliver. Lauri has recently returned from a training course in London and Bob discovers that he has acquired some unusual new skills. A sudden death occurs at the Lodge, and it’s not clear if it was intentional or a tragic accident. The big worry is that it might be related to the invasion plans. As dangers multiply, Bob tries to work out what is happening and whom he can trust.

The characters are helpfully listed at the beginning. Bob himself is a strong central character.  The guests and the servants at the Lodge are dealing with personal issues and, even among Bob’s colleagues, there seem to be hidden agenda.  The historical details are used well and add extra substance to the plot. The story has humour, tension and holds the interest. It will be a welcome addition to this already-popular series.
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Reviewer: Jo Hesslewood
Other books by this author:  Bob Robbins Home Front Mysteries: Local Resistance, Private Lives, Courting Danger; The Chosen Man Trilogy:  The Chosen Man. A Turning Wind, By Force of Circumstance; The Empress Emerald.
 

J.G. Harlond (Jane) writes page-turning historical crime novels that weave fictional characters into real events. Jane's books have achieved recognition as Discovered Diamonds (x5), Book of the Month, Readers' Favourite 5* (x3), Wishing Shelf, Author Shout (2) and Chill With a Book awards. After travelling widely (she has visited or lived in most of the locations in her novels), Jane is now settled in southern Spain.

https://jgharlond.com  

Jo Hesslewood.  Crime fiction has been my favourite reading material since as a teenager I first spotted Agatha Christie on the library bookshelves.  For twenty-five years the commute to and from London provided plenty of reading time.  I am fortunate to live in Cambridge, where my local crime fiction book club, Crimecrackers, meets at Heffers Bookshop .  I enjoy attending crime fiction events and currently organise events for the Margery Allingham Society.