A Dark and Deadly Journey: An Evelyne Redfern Mystery
The newest installment in the Evelyne Redfern mystery series presents fans of historical mystery novels with a fast-paced trek following British Special Investigation Unit (SIU) agents Evelyne Redfern and partner David Poole to Portugal 1940. Kelly’s vivid details of politically charged Lisbon, bursting with wealthy expats, sparkling jewels, and a throng of spies, is the perfect setting for this book. The disappearance of a British intelligence informant leads Evelyne and David to Princess Petrova’s soirees, the Hotel Metropol, casinos, bars, and jewelry shops as they piece together the giant jigsaw puzzle.
Kelly gets readers up to speed by revisiting Evelyne’s famous childhood as the “Paris Orphan,” leading to the estrangement of her father, Sir Reginald. When he suddenly contacts her with a surprising request, she sees it strangely coincides with her new mission as an SIU agent. Disguised as a wine buyer and his secretary, David and Evelyne work with Phillips, head of the intelligence branch in Lisbon, to track an informant who supposedly has knowledge that could shift Portugal’s neutrality in the war. Sir Reginald, Phillips, Princess Petrova, and many more intriguing characters are involved in unexpected plot twists at every turn in the crowded Lisbon streets. Kelly interjects Evelyne’s smartly induced theories to keep readers analyzing the clues as the search for the missing informant progresses.
With each new installment Kelly adds a touch of romance as Evelyne and David’s growing attraction is coyly revealed in details of private moments and memories of their previous assignments as SIU agents. Be forewarned of an unexpected, jaw-dropping ending. This entry in the series is suspenseful, and I await the next adventure with great anticipation. Highly recommended.
