From the Shadows: A Billy Boyle World War II Mystery

At the start of Benn’s thrilling 17th WWII mystery featuring U.S. Army investigator Billy Boyle (after 2021’s Road of Bones), Billy is dispatched to German-occupied Crete in October 1944 to locate Capt. Richard “Dickie” Thorne, who’s been helping the Greek partisans there but has been out of radio contact. The head of a Special Operations Executive team in Algiers wants Dickie to serve as his security officer for his trip to southern France to meet Resistance groups, collect information on turncoats who betrayed their comrades to the enemy, and assist the French government in identifying those who escaped with retreating Germans. But blood feuds, subterfuge, and long-held vendettas shadow the SOE mission, beginning with the death of Billy’s guide in Crete. Subsequent murder attempts directed at SOE operatives put Boyle and his friends, including his lover, Lady Diana Seaton, who’s engaged in a humanitarian mission, in the firing line as they race to thwart an assassination. This richly detailed wartime adventure spotlights acts of barbarity and heroism, bungled leadership, and valiant last charges. Benn reliably entertains. Agent: Paula Munier, Talcott Notch Literary Services. (Sept.)