Billy Boyle World War II Mysteries Books In Order

Billy Boyle

‘This book has got it all an instant classic.’ Lee Child, author of The Hard Way

‘A tale as tight as a drum. Doesn’t get any better than this.’ Mary Ann Tirone Smith, author of the Poppy Rice mysteries

‘It is a pleasure marching off to war with spirited Billy Boyle. He is a charmer, richly imagined and vividly rendered. And he tells a finely suspenseful yarn.’ Dan Fesperman, author of The Prisoner of Guant namo

‘Rich with atmosphere…
. A treat from start to finish.’ Owen Parry, author of the Abel Jones mysteries

What’s a twenty two year old Irish cop from Boston doing at Beardsley Hall having lunch with Haakon, King of Norway, and the rest of the Norwegian government in exile? Billy Boyle himself wonders. Back home, he’d just made detective with a little help from family and friends when war was declared. Unwilling to fight and perhaps die for England, he was relieved when his mother wangled a job for him on the staff of a general married to her distant cousin, Mamie. But the general turns out to be Dwight D. Eisenhower; his headquarters are in London, which is undergoing the Blitz; and Uncle Ike has a special assignment for Billy: He wants Billy to be his personal investigator.

Operation Jupiter, the impending invasion of Norway, is being planned. Billy is to catch a spy amongst the Norwegians. He doubts his own abilities, and a theft and two murders test his investigative powers. But to his own surprise, Billy proves to be a better detective than anyone suspected.

The First Wave

Praise for the Billy Boyle series:

A meaty, old fashioned and thoroughly enjoyable tale of WWII era murder and espionage. The Seattle Times

The World War II atmosphere and history are expertly handled. Denver Post

Great fun. Benn knows his war history…
. The novel introduces a batch of intriguing characters who seem destined to make another appearance. The Globe and Mail Toronto

A memorable debut. BookPage

A must for history buffs and mystery fans. Connecticut Post

If you enjoy World War II mysteries…
you ll love this book…
. One of the best books I ve read this year. Mystery Scene

Benn crafts a crackling good adventure, with much flavorsome period color. Kirkus Reviews

I ll look for another book about Billy Boyle, with pleasure. Deadly Pleasures

Lieutenant Billy Boyle reluctantly accompanies Major Samuel Harding, his boss, in the first boat to land on the shores of Algeria during the Allied invasion. Their task is to arrange the surrender of the Vichy French forces. But there is dissension between the regular army, the local militia, and De Gaulle’s Free French. American black marketeers in league with the enemy divert medical supplies to the Casbah, leading to multiple murders that Billy must solve while trying to rescue the girl he loves, a captured British spy.

Blood Alone

Praise for the Billy Boyle series:

‘The brash kid from Southie is still open, direct and fearless in his manner and in his wonderfully loose jointed use of the English language and in no danger of losing his cover as a ‘happy go lucky Yank.’ But even amid the excitement of the spirited wartime storytelling, Benn allows Boyle’s experiences to change him in ways both subtle and dramatic.’ Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review

‘Thoroughly enjoyable.’ The Seattle Times

‘This series brings WWII alive.’ Deadly Pleasures

‘Great fun. Benn knows his war history.’ The Globe and Mail

‘Kudos to author Benn…
and here’s hoping that Billy will continue to make his way through his Uncle Ike’s world for many titles to come.’ Booksl*ut. com

Billy Boyle awakens in a field hospital in Sicily with amnesia. In his pocket is a yellow silk handkerchief embroidered with the initial L. Gradually he remembers: he has been sent ashore in advance of the troops with this token from Lucky Luciano to contact the head of the Sicilian Mafia. But he must also thwart a murderous band of counterfeiters of Army scrip led by Vito Genovese.

James R. Benn is the author of Billy Boyle: A World War II Mystery, selected by Book Sense as one of the top five mysteries of 2006 and nominated for a Dilys Award. The First Wave was a Book Sense Notable title. Benn is a librarian and lives in Hadlyme, Connecticut.

Evil for Evil

Praise for the Billy Boyle series:

‘Benn continues to create fascinating behind the scenes mysteries from little known facets of World War II history…
. A fast paced mix of action, adventure, and crime solving…
. A solid series that keeps getting better.’ Booklist

‘The Billy Boyle novels have quickly established themselves as best in class…
historical mysteries that seamlessly blend fact with fiction, are replete with period details, and incorporate an engaging, intricate and suspenseful story.’ Mysterious Reviews

‘A triple dose of excitement with a murder mystery within a spy thriller within a World War Two adventure story…
. A ‘rattling good read.” Rhys Bowen

‘A solid follow up to Benn’s first novel…
. I look forward to his next.’ Robert B. Parker

‘What a great read, full of action, humor and heart…
. Equal parts spy thriller, war story and murder mystery, with a dollop of romance that’s never sweet, this is just a terrific book. More please!’ Louise Penny

Fifty Browning Automatic Rifles have been stolen from a US Army base in Northern Ireland. His ‘uncle’ Ike Eisenhower sends Billy to recover the weapons, which might be used in a German sponsored IRA uprising. Bodies begin to accumulate as Billy finds unexpected challenges to his Boston Irish upbringing and IRA sympathies. There are rogues on both sides, he learns.

James R. Benn is the author of three previous books in the Billy Boyle series: Billy Boyle, The First Wave, and Blood Alone. He is a librarian and lives in Hadlyme, Connecticut.

Rag and Bone

Praise for the Billy Boyle series:’Spirited wartime storytelling.’ The New York Times Book Review’Blood Alone is an intriguing blend of history and fiction, superbly crafted and paced, easily the best period mystery I’ve read.’ Bookpage, Mystery of the Month’The Billy Boyle novels have quickly established themselves as best in class…
historical mysteries that seamlessly blend fact with fiction, are replete with period details, and incorporate an engaging, intricate and suspenseful story.’ Mysterious Reviews’An entertaining series based on fascinating historical premises.’ BooklistBilly is sent to London in the midst of a Luftwaffe bombing offensive to investigate the murder of a Soviet official. There’s reason to believe that the crime could be connected to the recent discovery of mass graves in the Katyn Forest, where thousands of Polish officers were executed. Is a killer is out there, targeting Soviet officials in revenge for the Katyn Massacre? If so, the diplomatic stakes couldn’t be higher as the uneasy relationship between the Soviets and the other allied powers hangs in the balance. Further complicating matters, Scotland Yard names Billy’s friend Kaz, now working for the Polish government in exile, as the prime suspect. Billy must track the killer through London’s criminal underworld and save his friend.