Death in a Blackout
Billie Harkness, Book 1
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $22.26
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Elizabeth Sastre
-
Written by:
-
Jessica Ellicott
About this listen
The first in a planned historical series for fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Susan Elia MacNeal, and our very own Rhys Bowen. Through research and tireless attention to detail, the author dramatizes the hard truths of war for an industrial town on the cutting edge between victory and death, all told through the lens of a woman ahead of her time—one of the first female officers in the Women’s Police Constabulary (WPC), who during WW2, challenged stereotypes and risked their lives to protect the home front.
The year 1940: Her mother just killed in a blackout accident, and her rector father and brother MIA in France, Wilhelmina Harkness finds herself homeless, penniless, and the recipient of an unwanted marriage proposal for “propriety’s sake”. Instead of being married off, she leaves small village life behind, reinvents herself as “Billie”, and accepts her aunt’s invitation to live with her in Kingston-Upon-Hull...a coastal industrial town about to be bombed relentlessly by the Germans. Billie crawls from beneath the rubble of her first air raid to find the body of the enigmatic stranger she had encountered earlier that day. A passing policeman whisks Billie from the collapsing building, hastily reporting the woman’s death a result of bombings. An astute observer with a resolute conscience, Billie challenges the ruling. The victim’s body was unharmed, despite the fallen debris, information that inflames the wrong people but earns Billie an invitation to the newly formed Women’s Police Constabulary (WPC) and a partner—the officer whose findings she challenged.
Death in a Blackout opens with the outbreak of war on British soil and features a police officer whose work protects Britain from German bombs—as well as from criminals intent on taking advantage of wartime chaos.
©2022 Jessica Ellicott (P)2022 Recorded BooksYou may also enjoy...
-
Murder in an English Village
- Written by: Jessica Ellicott
- Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The year is 1920: Flying in the face of convention, legendary American adventuress Beryl Helliwell never fails to surprise and shock. The last thing her adoring public would expect is that she craves some peace and quiet. The humdrum hamlet of Walmsley Parva in the English countryside seems just the ticket. And, honestly, until America comes to its senses and repeals Prohibition, Beryl has no intention of returning stateside and subjecting herself to bathtub gin.
-
-
Pleasantly impressed
- By T-in-a-dash on 2019-07-29
Written by: Jessica Ellicott
-
Bad Neighbours
- Cherringham 45
- Written by: Matthew Costello, Neil Richards
- Narrated by: Neil Dudgeon
- Length: 3 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Brian Foley is charged with the murder of his next-door neighbour, the fastidious Arthur Cranham, it seems the case against the blustering showman is cut and dried: prints, DNA, CCTV footage - there can't be any doubt. After all - Brian and Arthur have famously been at war for years. But Jack and Sarah are convinced that the police have it wrong. With time running out, can they prove Brian's innocence and find the real killer? Set in the sleepy English village of Cherringham, the detective series brings together an unlikely sleuthing duo: English web designer Sarah and American ex-cop Jack.
-
-
Pretty Good
- By Amazon_Addict on 2024-01-26
Written by: Matthew Costello, and others
-
Mydworth Mysteries 1-3
- A Cosy Historical Mystery Compilation 1
- Written by: Matthew Costello, Neil Richards
- Narrated by: Nathaniel Parker
- Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the authors of the best-selling series "Cherringham". This compilation contains episodes 1-3. "A shot in the dark": Sussex, England, 1929. Mydworth is a sleepy English market town just 50 miles from London. But things are about to liven up there considerably, when young Sir Harry Mortimer returns home from his government posting in Cairo, with his unconventional American wife - Kat Reilly. "A little Night murder": A young poacher is found shot dead in the woods of a grand estate near Mydworth. A sad accident it would seem.
Written by: Matthew Costello, and others
-
Bunburry 1-3
- A Cosy Mystery Compilation
- Written by: Helena Marchmont
- Narrated by: Nathaniel Parker
- Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In "Murder at the Mousetrap," the first Bunburry book, fudge-making and quaffing real ale in the local pub are matched by an undercurrent of passion, jealousy, hatred and murder - laced with a welcome dose of humour. Alfie McAlister has retreated from London to the peace and quiet of the country to recover from a personal tragedy. But an accidental death - which may have been no accident - reveals that the heart of England is far from the tranquil backwater he imagined.
-
-
Wonderful!
- By Green Isis on 2021-01-24
Written by: Helena Marchmont
-
Cleopatra Fox Mysteries Boxed Set, Books 1-3
- Written by: C.J. Archer
- Narrated by: Marian Hussey
- Length: 23 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
December 1899. After the death of her beloved grandmother, Cleopatra Fox moves into the luxury hotel owned by her estranged uncle in the hopes of putting hardship and loneliness behind her. But the poisoning of a guest on Christmas eve throws her new life, and the hotel, into chaos. Cleo quickly realizes no one can be trusted, not Scotland Yard and especially not the hotel’s charming assistant manager.
-
-
Fox is certainly smarter than given credit for.
- By Sew Mad on 2024-02-09
Written by: C.J. Archer
-
A Very English Murder
- A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery, Book 1
- Written by: Verity Bright
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
England, 1920. Eleanor Swift has spent the last few years travelling the world: taking tea in China, tasting alligators in Peru, escaping bandits in Persia and she has just arrived in England after a chaotic 45-day flight from South Africa. Chipstone is about the sleepiest town you could have the misfortune to meet. But then, from the edge of a quarry, through the driving rain, Eleanor is shocked to see a man shot and killed in the distance. Before she can climb down to the spot, the villain is gone and the body has vanished.
-
-
So disappointing I couldn’t finish it!
- By Pixel’s mum on 2023-01-03
Written by: Verity Bright
-
Murder in an English Village
- Written by: Jessica Ellicott
- Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The year is 1920: Flying in the face of convention, legendary American adventuress Beryl Helliwell never fails to surprise and shock. The last thing her adoring public would expect is that she craves some peace and quiet. The humdrum hamlet of Walmsley Parva in the English countryside seems just the ticket. And, honestly, until America comes to its senses and repeals Prohibition, Beryl has no intention of returning stateside and subjecting herself to bathtub gin.
-
-
Pleasantly impressed
- By T-in-a-dash on 2019-07-29
Written by: Jessica Ellicott
-
Bad Neighbours
- Cherringham 45
- Written by: Matthew Costello, Neil Richards
- Narrated by: Neil Dudgeon
- Length: 3 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Brian Foley is charged with the murder of his next-door neighbour, the fastidious Arthur Cranham, it seems the case against the blustering showman is cut and dried: prints, DNA, CCTV footage - there can't be any doubt. After all - Brian and Arthur have famously been at war for years. But Jack and Sarah are convinced that the police have it wrong. With time running out, can they prove Brian's innocence and find the real killer? Set in the sleepy English village of Cherringham, the detective series brings together an unlikely sleuthing duo: English web designer Sarah and American ex-cop Jack.
-
-
Pretty Good
- By Amazon_Addict on 2024-01-26
Written by: Matthew Costello, and others
-
Mydworth Mysteries 1-3
- A Cosy Historical Mystery Compilation 1
- Written by: Matthew Costello, Neil Richards
- Narrated by: Nathaniel Parker
- Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the authors of the best-selling series "Cherringham". This compilation contains episodes 1-3. "A shot in the dark": Sussex, England, 1929. Mydworth is a sleepy English market town just 50 miles from London. But things are about to liven up there considerably, when young Sir Harry Mortimer returns home from his government posting in Cairo, with his unconventional American wife - Kat Reilly. "A little Night murder": A young poacher is found shot dead in the woods of a grand estate near Mydworth. A sad accident it would seem.
Written by: Matthew Costello, and others
-
Bunburry 1-3
- A Cosy Mystery Compilation
- Written by: Helena Marchmont
- Narrated by: Nathaniel Parker
- Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In "Murder at the Mousetrap," the first Bunburry book, fudge-making and quaffing real ale in the local pub are matched by an undercurrent of passion, jealousy, hatred and murder - laced with a welcome dose of humour. Alfie McAlister has retreated from London to the peace and quiet of the country to recover from a personal tragedy. But an accidental death - which may have been no accident - reveals that the heart of England is far from the tranquil backwater he imagined.
-
-
Wonderful!
- By Green Isis on 2021-01-24
Written by: Helena Marchmont
-
Cleopatra Fox Mysteries Boxed Set, Books 1-3
- Written by: C.J. Archer
- Narrated by: Marian Hussey
- Length: 23 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
December 1899. After the death of her beloved grandmother, Cleopatra Fox moves into the luxury hotel owned by her estranged uncle in the hopes of putting hardship and loneliness behind her. But the poisoning of a guest on Christmas eve throws her new life, and the hotel, into chaos. Cleo quickly realizes no one can be trusted, not Scotland Yard and especially not the hotel’s charming assistant manager.
-
-
Fox is certainly smarter than given credit for.
- By Sew Mad on 2024-02-09
Written by: C.J. Archer
-
A Very English Murder
- A Lady Eleanor Swift Mystery, Book 1
- Written by: Verity Bright
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
England, 1920. Eleanor Swift has spent the last few years travelling the world: taking tea in China, tasting alligators in Peru, escaping bandits in Persia and she has just arrived in England after a chaotic 45-day flight from South Africa. Chipstone is about the sleepiest town you could have the misfortune to meet. But then, from the edge of a quarry, through the driving rain, Eleanor is shocked to see a man shot and killed in the distance. Before she can climb down to the spot, the villain is gone and the body has vanished.
-
-
So disappointing I couldn’t finish it!
- By Pixel’s mum on 2023-01-03
Written by: Verity Bright
What listeners say about Death in a Blackout
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jody Raabe
- 2025-01-19
Solid Start to a new Series
I LOVE the Beryl and Edwina Mysteries, and I am looking forward to learning more about Billie Harkness, Peter Upton, and Hull during WWII. The book has a more serious tone than the Beryl and Edwina series, but it fits the setting well. This first book is obviously a set-up for all the books that will follow, and I enjoyed the back story and the description of Hull during the war. It is based on the country mouse in the city trope, but has enough twists and a grounding in history that makes it worth the while in the cozy mystery genre.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Linda T
- 2022-05-10
Loved it!
A very well written period mystery! Billie, the main character is likeable and I was drawn into the story from the very start. There are lots of twists and turns to the mystery that made me want to keep reading long past when I should have put it down!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Book Lover 100%
- 2023-05-23
looking forward to continuing this series
I am an addict of the Edwina/Beryl series, so I had no hesitation in picking up this book by Jessica Ellicott. I found it interesting hearing about the historical details of daily life in WW2, the character growth and I thought the narrator did a good job overall. I have already recommended 'Death in a Blackout' to my friends and am looking forward to reading book 2 in this series!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful