A Dark and Deadly Journey- An Evelyne Redfern Mystery by Julia Kelly

Publication September 23, 2025-St. Martin’s Press-Historical Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers-304pp

Book Summary

Evelyne Redfern returns in A Dark and Deadly Journey, the next book in international bestselling author Julia Kelly’s captivating historical mystery series.

After being sidelined for a pesky gunshot wound, typist-turned-field agent Evelyne Redfern is ready for her next assignment with Britain’s secretive Special Investigations Unit. When a British Intelligence informant in Portugal mysteriously disappears just after hinting that he has vital information about German plans that could tip the balance of World War Two, Evelyne and her dashingly irksome partner, David Poole, are sent headed to Lisbon to find him.

Once they land, Evelyne and David aren’t even able to leave the airport, before she discovers one of their fellow aeroplane passengers murdered and uncovers a diary with a clear link between the victim and their missing informant. With their mission in jeopardy before it can truly begin, Evelyne and David fight to keep their cover intact as they descend deeper into the shadows that surround Lisbon’s glittering collection of wealthy expats and dangerous spies. This case will test Evelyne and David’s training, charm, and wit—and their growing attraction for one another.

Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab First Published in Historical Novels Review Magazine, Nov.1, 2025 Issue

This newest installment in the Evelyn Redfern Mysteries presents fans of historical mystery novels with a fast-paced trek following British Special Investigation Unit agents Evelyn Redfern and partner David Poole to Portugal,1940. Kelly’s vivid details of politically charged Lisbon, filled with wealthy expats, sparkling jewels and a throng of spies, is the perfect setting for A Dark and Deadly Journey. The disappearance of a British intelligence informant leads Evelyn and David to Princes Petrova’s soirees, the Hotel Metropol, casinos, bars, and jewelry shops as they piece together the giant jigsaw puzzle.

Julia Kelly easily connects readers by revisiting Evelyn’s famous childhood as the “Paris Orphan” leading to the estrangement of her father, Sir Reginald. He has suddenly contacted her with a surprising request which strangely coincides with her new mission as an SIU agent. Disguised as a wine buyer and his secretary, David and Evelyn work with Phillips, head of the intelligence branch in Lisbon, tracking 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 Evelyn’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 Evelyn 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. Suspenseful. Highly recommended. Awaiting the next adventure in the Evelyn Redfern Mysteries with great anticipation.

Happy Pub Day! The Last Dance of the Debutante by Julia Kelly

Julia Kelly is the international bestselling author of historical women’s fiction books about the extraordinary stories of the past. Her books have been translated into 13 languages. She has also written historical romance. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and (for one summer) a tea waitress. Julia called Los Angeles, Iowa, and New York City home before settling in London.

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

“This next year will determine the rest of your life,” said Grandmama.

Thus began the pressure filled game that is the Season in London, 1958. This high society swan song of drinks, balls and dining rooms set for thirty-six was taking what many thought would be the last curtsy of those being presented to Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. The society pages were filled with photos and predictions for the coveted “Deb of the Year.”

Author Julia Kelly “presents” readers with three debutantes in various social positions. Vying for the top spot is Miss Leana Hartford; from ‘old money’, entitled, demanding, always with drink in hand, and flaunting a gown by Norman Hartnell, favored designer of the Queen. Second, from “new money” is Miss Katherine Norman, daughter of the newspaper magnate; kind, encouraging, supportive, aiming to surprise her naysayers by accomplishing something unexpected. The third deb whose Grandmama and mother hope she will find a wealthy husband during the Season is Lily Nicholls; sensible, loves literature and wants to study at university. Lily happens to be seated next to Leana in the waiting area lined with gilt chairs and illuminated by teardrop chandeliers known as the Ball Supper Room in Buckingham Palace.

Julia Kelly’s description of debs waiting to curtsy before the Queen simply oozes with nervous anticipation. The absolute thrill of being invited to be presented at Buckingham Palace makes up for the long nights of parties, building pressure and “stultifying” conversations. Just reading about The Season is dizzying, leaving readers longing for an afternoon nap! The delicious details of a deb’s transformation after zipping up a designer ball gown, luxurious table settings, and fern ensconced ball rooms lends an omniscient perspective. Readers will love to hate Leana for her bossy, beastly behavior, love to love Katherine for understanding her parents’ aspirations, and simply adore Lily for her devotion to the “Imperfects!”

With a whiff of L’Air du Temps perfume, the rustling of taffeta, and the melodic tune, The Way You Look Tonight readers will be whisked into the Ritz and the long-ago world of The Last Dance of the Debutante.

Julia’s mom suggested she read this book in February, 2020; that “it might make a good novel.”

Autobiography/Memoir: “Once upon a time the well-bred daughters of Britain’s aristocracy took part in a female rite of passage: curtseying to the Queen. But in 1958 this ritual was coming to an end. Under pressure to shine – not least from their mothers – the girls became the focus for newspaper diarists and society photographers in a party season that stretched for months among the great houses of England, Ireland and Scotland. Fiona MacCarthy traces the stories of the girls who curtseyed that year, and shows how their lives were to open out in often very unexpected ways – as Britain itself changed irreversibly during the 1960s, and the certainties of the old order came to an end.”

The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly

“Discover a garden lost to time and the story of five women whose lives are tied together by one very special place…”

Julia Kelly is the award-winning author of books about ordinary women and their extraordinary stories. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and (for one summer) a tea waitress. Julia called Los Angeles, Iowa, and New York City home before settling in London. Readers can visit JuliaKellyWrites.com to learn more about all of her books and sign up for her newsletter.

The Grateful Reader Review by Dorothy Schwab

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Marcus Tullius Cicero

The Last Garden in England reconstructs an abandoned historic garden, uncovers a mysterious locked gate, and reveals the lives of determined women, separated by generations and war but who grow connected by one famous garden designer.

Julia Kelly presents The Last Garden in England in triple timeline and the voice of five women, including the diary entries of the Edwardian garden designer, Venetia Smith. Readers are introduced to original garden designs through the intricate details drawn and planted by Venetia in 1907, sketched by “land girl,” Beth in 1944, and recreated by Emma and the company crew of Turning Back Thyme in 2021.

Highbury House and its labyrinth of garden “rooms” in Warwickshire, England, becomes the “living” landscape for the nouveau riche Mr. & Mrs. Melcourt in the early 1900’s, Dr. and Mrs. Murry Symonds in 1944 war torn England, and Sydney and Andrew Wilcox in 2021. Each family is grafted into the history of this once breathtaking garden.

Readers’ love for Venetia and her gift of visionary gardens will thrive as Julia Kelly’s tendrils of love and loss are intertwined amongst the thorn encrusted, vine covered locked gates and the seeds of new beginnings.

Return to an early Victorian era and wander the rose petaled pathways in The Last Garden in England.

Julia Kelly has based Venetia Smith on the British horticulturist, Gertrude Jekyll. The information and links below will hopefully add to the readers’ enjoyment of English gardening.

Gertrude Jekyll -British Horticulturist

Gertrude Jekyll VMH was a British horticulturist, garden designer, craftswoman, photographer, writer and artist. She created over 400 gardens in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States, and wrote over 1,000 articles for magazines such as Country Life and William Robinson’s The Garden. November 29, 1843- December 8, 1932

This book explores the life and work of Gertrude Jekyll, probably the most influential garden designer of the early twentieth century. First published in the UK by Sutton Publishing in 1996 (and by Timber Press in the US), this Pimpernel Classic edition has been redesigned and includes new photography. In this book Judith Tankard and Martin Wood explore her life and work at the home she created for herself at Munstead Wood in Surrey, England. Taking as a basis her own photograph albums, scrapbooks and notebooks, and the recollections of contemporaries from Edith Wharton and Vita Sackville-West to William Robinson and Henry Francis du Pont, they describe not only the building and development of the house and garden but also her skills both in the arts and as a businesswoman and her collaborations with architects – pre-eminently Edwin Lutyens, but also Oliver Hill and M.H. Baillie Scott.https://www.amazon.com/Gertrude-Jekyll-Munstead-Pimpernel-Classic/dp/1910258059