Member Reviews
Not just a WWII story. So much more going on in this mystery that takes place with he background of WWII.
A WW2 crime murder mystery. A gripping read from start to finish. Detective Jamie Barton investigating a murder during the blitz on London . The plot had me guessing who did what and why. The added tension throughout of wartime London made this a compelling read
Having read some of Pam Lecky's books and enjoyed them I was looking forward to reading this one and I wasn't disappointed. Another great book by this author. London under attack, a war of great proportions and a killer on the loose. This is a very intriguing and interesting, an edge of your seat book and a gripping and thrilling mystery.
I could picture the setting, the places and the scenes that the author describes so well. I love the way the story flows and was told as it made it real and believable. With plenty of twists and turns throughout you won't be able to put this book. down. I highly recommend it.
Thank you NetGallery and Avon Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank you to the team at AVON for sending over a copy of this title ahead of its release this summer. This is my third read by Pam and I enjoyed it just as much as the others. The mixture of historical fiction with crime was a winner for me as it combined my two favourite genres. I really loved the low-key flirting between Penny and Detective Jamie Barton, the family loyalty of the Fairfax family and just the mystery of the whole story overall. Whilst this was a work of fiction, it really does make you wonder about how often crimes of murder was able to be covered up amongst the horrendous bombing of London during the war. This book is full of twists and turns and I loved it.
I did enjoy reading this book - the characters, especially DI Jamie and Penny were really enjoyable and you got into them quickly enough. Storyline wise, it was enjoyable and nothing complicated as you read on to see who did it! Although I've given it a 3, its probably more like a 3.5 book.
Princess Fuzzypants here: Between the Germans bombing London to bit in the Blitz and serious crime on the upswing, widower Jamie does not expect his life will be turned on its ear when he attends a jewellery robbery in Hatton Gardens. There is something highly suspicious about the job so his first interactions with Penny are testy at best. However, it is when he must return and bring more grief to the Miller family that he and Penny see each other in a different light. Penny’s sister Madeline’s death is not as straightforward as another bombing victim. As Jamie unravels the dark secrets of her life, it takes him to the bowels of the Soho underworld and face to face with many unsavoury characters. But both he and Penny want to learn the truth, no matter how painful it is.
Both Jamie and Penny are heroic characters. They fight the war the best way they can and in each other they find the qualities they doubted they would ever discover. This is a great historical fiction that puts the reader smack dab in the middle of the devastated London on 1940. As more is revealed about their pasts, it would be impossible not to admire and pull for them to salvage happiness out of despair. I could not stop until I knew how it ended. Five purrs and two paws up.
In this World War II historical mystery, readers travel to a quiet street in London during the Blitz, which covers up many crimes like the murder of Madeline Fairfax. Trapped in her house during a bombing raid, Madeline thinks that her savior is there to help her when they are in fact there to kill her. A local detective named Jamie Barton takes on her case once he discovers that foul play is involved, and he asks Penny Fairfax, her younger sister and a volunteer firefighter to help. Penny’s family, now tied up in two different crimes, has a lot on the line and must set their grief aside to solve Madeline’s murder. Penny must consider everyone to be a suspect as she helps Jamie find her sister’s killer. A fascinating mystery with a complex historical backdrop, Lecky’s latest book has brought a single London street, its inhabitants, and a killer to life. Penny and Jamie are a clever duo, with a nice and realistic dynamic which is reminiscent of other detective duos where the two are equals. The family relationships in this book as well as the secondary mystery plot are also particularly interesting, immersive, and compelling, making Lecky’s latest book a must-read for fans of historical mysteries and World War II historical fiction.
Pam Lecky is one of my favourite writers, her books are always great with interesting plots, a few twists here and there and a great variety of characters that bring the whole story together
The WW2 London Blitz provides an evocative setting for this historical crime fiction. Whilst the people are ordinary, what happens to Madeline is chilling, and the following complex investigation has many false leads and suspects. Jamie Barton is a clever and driven detective still grieving a personal loss, which makes him uniquely qualified to empathise with crime victims. Penny is a courageous voluntary firefighter; she is a staunch defender of her family and keen to solve the mystery of her sister's death. I like the characters, atmospheric setting, historical details, and immersive investigation.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
A crime mystery set during the London blitz. Well researched and atmospheric, I did not engage with the slow narrative and failed to finish.
An intriguing mix of a romance and mystery set during WW2 in London. The story really held my attention, so I had to finish it in the same day. The story is a quick read with well-developed characters. A definite worthwhile read!
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
A good historical mystery set in a well researched and vivid London in WWI and featuring well plotted characters.
It kept me hooked, guessing and reading.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This book really surprised me. I knew I was going to be reading a book placed in World War II and I knew it would be focused on the German bombings in London at that time. But what I did not realize, for whatever reason on my part, was that this was going to be such a riveting and engaging story about people and a murder investigation.
Pam really hones in on a set of characters that are intertwined with one another and showcases the human element of betrayal and how sometimes you're too close to someone to realize how deceptive they really are. A woman barely survives a bombing after her home has been hit right in the back, but as she's pleading for help out of the rubble, a mysterious figure arrives and ends her life.
The rest of the book lays out for you the daily comings and goings of this family and slowly unfolds the deception and eventual murder of Madeline. I was rather impressed with the detailed storytelling and engaging characters. Truly, I devoured this book quickly and loved it. Pam Lecky is a new to me author and she has lots of books out that now I need to seek out!
WW2 historical mystery
This is a well-written WW2 historical mystery/romance, very readable, with interesting characters, a twisty plot all set in London during the Blitz. It is perfect for your summer escape reading!
Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.
This is about the people that helped in WW2 to help others. Madeline is trapped in her house after bombings in London,she is still alive but a familiar face strangles her.They are using the blitz to cover their tracks.It is a great story of WW2 but with a different twist of murder.Thank you to Netgalley and Avon books UK
Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It’s set during the London Blitz, but also different.
We read about the fire wardens and how hard lives were for people as the bombings destroyed properties and loved ones died.
The story was also about murder and crime, how different gangs who didn’t enrol to help out during the war, but instead robbed and stole to line their pockets.
We also meet Madeline, who isn’t having a good life and whether her sister Peggy will realise this and help her.
I recommend this book.
This is a great WWII Historical Fiction with a difference. It’s set during the London Blitz. We learn about the fire wardens, & how dangerous & catastrophic the German bombing was for many with the loss of homes & loved ones. It’s also a crime drama & murder mystery. We learn of rival gangs who’ve evaded call-up & are profiteering. It’s a fascinating look at London life in 1940. Then there’s Madeline. What a tangled web her life is! Can her sister Penny find out the truth? There’s also Historical Romance. Totally riveting. This story captivated me immediately. Highly recommend
"Under a Lightning Sky" by Pam Lecky is a twisty and suspenseful story set in London during the Blitz. This World War II-era murder mystery is a gripping and addictive page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The story follows Madeline Fairfax, who is caught in a bombing raid while cooking for her family. When she regains consciousness, she finds herself trapped in the rear of her house, but it's too late - she's been strangled to death. As the police investigate, they discover that Madeline's death may not have been an accident, and it's up to Detective Jamie Barton to unravel the mystery.
I loved how Lecky wove together the threads of Madeline's life, her family, and her relationships to create a complex and intriguing puzzle. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, with even the secondary characters feeling fleshed out. Penny, Madeline's younger sister, is a particularly compelling character - her struggles to cope with her grief and her determination to uncover the truth are relatable and inspiring.
The setting is also expertly handled, with Lecky capturing the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty that pervaded London during the Blitz. The use of real-life events and historical details adds authenticity to the story, making it feel like a true account of life during wartime.
The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. I loved trying to piece together the clues alongside Detective Barton, and I was completely surprised by the reveal.
Overall "Under a Lightning Sky" is for fans of historical fiction, murder mysteries, or anyone looking for a gripping and suspenseful read. It's a truly unique and captivating tale that will keep you hooked until the very end.
This is a murder mystery. Who is killing in the midst of death and destruction of the blitz.?
London is literally feeling the heat and wrath of Hitler.
So many are putting their lives at risk to put out the fires, find and save the wounded, and provide food and protection.
The detective in this story is hard at work trying to untangle a murder. There are many suspects.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
Another great read from Pam and although it's a wartime story it's slightly different as it deals with crime and murder. I enjoyed this one. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.