Virtual Book Tour & Book Review & #Giveaway: Deadly Ruse: A World War II Mystery (Deadly Series) by Kate Parker

Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Deadly Ruse: A World War II Mystery (Deadly Series) by Kate Parker! Today we are featuring a review of book 14 in this historical mystery series. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews, and more! There is also a Giveaway for a $50 Amazon Gift Card. ENTER HERE! ⬅️

Deadly Ruse: A World War II Mystery (Deadly Series)
Historical Cozy Mystery
14th in Series
Setting – England
Publisher ‏ : ‎ JDP Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 23, 2026
Number of Pages ~300
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8993886442
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GYQCS43C
Paperback will be available on the release date.

About the Book:

As the war’s outcome shifts, deception is an art–and survival depends on who’s painting the picture.

When British spy Olivia Redmond is summoned again by her elusive spymaster, she’s expecting danger–not an invitation to teach drawing to captured German generals at Trent Park House. But beneath the genteel cover of sketches and civility lies a deadly ruse: the lavish POW mansion is wired for sound, every whispered secret a weapon in Britain’s intelligence war.

Among the prisoners is Oberst Bernhard, a conflicted German officer from Livvy’s past. When murder, stolen jewels, and a suspected plot among the prisoners ignite within Trent Park, Livvy must decide whom she can trust–and how far she’ll go to expose a truth wrapped in loyalty and lies.

From the candlelit salons of wartime espionage to the shadows of betrayal, Deadly Ruse is a gripping historical mystery where every stroke of trust could be fatal.

My Review:

Historical mysteries are some of my most favorite to read, and I am excited to have been introduced to a new to me series. Readers can easily jump in here with book 14 and have an enjoyable mystery reading experience. I am happy, though, that I have 13 previous entries to go back and read. While I didn’t need backstory to understand and enjoy this latest novel, I was curious to know more about how the series started. 

The historical details are fascinating  and what a great use for Olivia’s spy skills without putting her (as a mother) in too much danger. It added a lot to the storyline that Olivia could understand German, but the prisoners were not aware. I felt as though I was in the pages with Olivia thanks to the vivid details. 

The mystery is also well paced and the build up of tension climbs and climbs until the page-turning resolution. This was an easy book to fall into and stay in – the pages flew by. 

While this was my first book featuring Olivia, I don’t plan for it to be my last. Looking forward to reading catch up as I await the new entries in the series. 

About the Author:

Kate Parker has long wanted to build a time travel machine. However, after several false starts, she gave up and created time travel by going back in time inside her  books. Since she’s fond of murder mysteries, it is probably best that all of her travel is inside books or police from various ages would be hunting her. When not recreating old time buildings and fashions, she can be found with a modern computer and modern air conditioning in North Carolina with her daughter and a 115 lb. puppy who could just crash through any time barrier.

Author Links: Website – Facebook 

Purchase Links: Amazon – B&N – Kobo 

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Welcome! I started my career as a children’s librarian, later becoming a public library director and now I’m a stay at home mom. While my career might have changed, my love of reading has been a constant since I was in 4th grade, and I read over 200 books a year. I love talking about books and connecting readers of all ages with just the right book. Thanks for reading!

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