Evelyne Redfern returns in Julia Kelly’s A Dark and Deadly Journey, a smart, stylish mystery set amid Lisbon’s glittering wartime underworld. Fresh off recovery from a gunshot wound, typist-turned-spy Evelyne is eager to rejoin Britain’s Special Investigations Unit. When a British informant vanishes in Portugal after hinting at intelligence that could alter the course of the war, Evelyne and her infuriatingly charming partner, David Poole, are sent to track him down. But before they even leave the airport, a fellow passenger turns up dead and Evelyne stumbles upon a diary linking the murder to their missing contact.
Kelly layers her plot with hidden identities, stolen jewels, and coded messages while keeping the tone light with Evelyne’s wry humor and quick wit. The nonstop banter between Evelyne and David gives the novel its spark, even when the espionage twists verge on implausible. Lisbon’s cafés, nightclubs, and embassies create an atmospheric backdrop for the pair’s dangerous game.
Marisa Calin’s narration adds energy and nuance, perfectly matching the novel’s quick pacing and emotional undercurrents. It’s less about decoding Nazi plots than about enjoying two clever agents verbally spar their way through danger. I’ll be reading more of Kelly’s novels. A brisk, entertaining romp perfect for fans of The Rose Code and The Mitford Murders.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advance listener copy. This is my honest opinion.