A Traitor in Whitehall
A Traitor in Whitehall is the first book in Julia Kelly’s Parisian Orphan Series. Evelyne Redfern is known in the press as the Parisian Orphan after a scandalous divorce and child custody battle between her famous father, Sir Reginald Redfern, and his French wife. Now in 1940, Evelyne adores detective fiction, preferring to stay in to read mysteries. Her boring job at a munitions factory is mysteriously ended when Sir Reginald’s friend recommends her for the typing pool in Prime Minister Churchill’s underground cabinet war rooms, CWR. Sent for a sunlamp treatment, Evelyne finds herself locked in a dark room with the dead body of Jean, from the typing pool. Thus begins the search for answers to who killed Jean and why. The investigation leads to a complex puzzle with many intricate pieces.
Julia Kelly introduces readers to the host of characters in the typing pool, as Evelyne assists a minister’s aide, David Poole, in the investigation of the suspects. Evelyne is putting all her intelligence, discernment, and “book experience” to excellent use.
Kelly creates anticipation with wailing sirens, suspense in situations where sensitive information is leaked, and suspicion of characters through revealing body language and actions. From the Royal Marine guards to the gossip in the canteen, Kelly connects the dots as Evelyne and David attempt to find a murderer and a mole in Churchill’s CWR. Through thoughtful, endearing asides Evelyne’s personality and determination are revealed. A bomb shelter scene, in which David and Evelyne sit shoulder to shoulder, reading from her book, sinks readers into reality for wartime London citizens. From the murder to the investigation to the realization of how the many pieces fit together, A Traitor in Whitehall is a stellar start to a new series.
