Reviewed: 30 August 2025

The Blackout Murders

by: Anna Elliott, Charles Veley

Homefront Sleuths - Book 1

Rating: (3/5)

It takes a village ... to solve a murder

Unexpected story. Liked the characters. The time period, WWII, and life in England with rations, etc. A murder or two, and the village that comes together to get to the bottom of it. The police are stretched thin and unused to such serious crime.

A bored retired detective, an American making a new start, a harried mom, an injured ex-soldier turned teacher, and an herb shop owner make an unlikely but effective team. Like that the inspector knew his limits and asked for help.

A good read that touches on a few heavy topics without lecture, extra drama, or unnecessary antagonism.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Happy Reading!

Release Date: 5-January-2025

British, Audiobook, Historical Mystery

Plot Summary

Five unlikely friends. One quaint village. A killer hiding among them.

It’s 1941, and the village of Crofter’s Green has grown quiet since the Cozy Cup tea shop closed its doors. But when Evie Harris—granddaughter of the shop’s late owner—returns to the village, gossip swirls about her exploits as a London air raid warden. Could she reopen the Cozy Cup? Or is she back for good?

Before anyone can find out, the local air raid warden turns up dead, and the village is left reeling. With the police preoccupied by the war, Evie and four eccentric neighbors form an unlikely team to solve the

Alice A sharp-tongued herbalist who sees everything.
Blake A schoolteacher whose wit is as sharp as his mind.
Harry A retired detective called back into the game.
Dotty Baker: A nosy mum with instincts sharper than her sewing needles.

Together, they uncover secrets that could shatter their little village—and reveal a killer hiding in plain sight.