The Night Raids (Nighthawk): A Cambridge Wartime Mystery: 3 Paperback – 20 Aug. 2020

1940. Germany prepares to invade Britain from the East. Before the full scale attack, all key communication routes are earmarked for destruction. They include Cambridge's Bridge 1505....Welcome here a superbly detailed recreation of the times, both in the air and on the ground. The German aircrew are portrayed as not THE ENEMY, but as men conscientiously on a mission, keen to get back to their families. Main focus, though, is on DI Eden Brooke. Whatever the threat from above, there are problems to sort out down below. Evidence of callous looting from bombed homes (a dead old lady minus the fingers that bore rings), not to mention black marketeers needing to be tracked to their source.Much is on offer. An intriguing murder mystery (identity of the culprit likely to surprise); sundry villains overdue for being caught in the act; all the while suspense mounting before the anticipated bombing onslaught.Strong characterization, a wide range of believable individuals with (sometimes quirky) lives of their own. Eden himself is no exception - his vision affected by previous war experiences, bright lights a problem. Much of his best thinking occurs at night as he swims along various local waterways - an image to linger long in the memory.So much atmosphere. So many distinctive touches.All in all, a most satisfying and absorbing read.

A very engaging and suitably complex story set in a gloomy war-torn Cambridge in the tense pre-invasion days of the 'Phoney War' which illustrates the era very well. A particular treat for readers who know Cambridge intimately as the author clearly does, although whilst there are less demanding ways of getting to the road from Byron's Pool than via the Blue Ball the most wince-inducing thing is that nobody from Cambridge would ever call Marshall's airfield 'Marshall airfield', never ever. It's Marshall's. Not Marshall. Named after a bloke called Marshall whose company owns it, not a place name or something. It's sufficiently irritating for me (as a self-elected representative of the people of our lovely city) to have noticed it is only called Marshall's twice, and that is in dialogue with locals speaking. I blame the editors. It may be a trivial picadillo to them but to Cambridge folk it's a dead giveaway! Never mind, it's a very good and highly recommended read if you like well-written and nicely composed twists and turns, and I will definitely read more of Jim Kelly.

Started reading the Nighthawk series when I noticed what I thought was a book about the mathematical bridge in Cambridge. Bought the first two and enjoyed them so much that I bought this one before it was published. I also bought an A to Z of Cambridge and the surrounding area so I could look up the places where the book is set. I am really enjoying this series; great characters, great stories, beautifully written. I will be going to Cambridge soon to have a wander around and imagine the city in the war.

Anybody who hasn’t read books by Jim Kelly is missing a literary treat-this third in the Nighthawk series is no exception. Kelly doesn’t resort to gratuitous violence, sexual exploitation, cruelty etc. His books are absorbing, slow-burners with a huge amount of local knowledge and in the case of this series- historical facts that add atmosphere.The Night Raids has murder, bombings etc, with the focus on looting following air raids.Detective Inspector Eden Brook and his trusted constables are tasked with unraveling the murders of women from the same household after a German air raid. Clues lead everywhere and nowhere.Definitely recommended- the type of book you sit, relax and get swallowed up in the plot.

The author is now well into his stride with the Eden Brooke series and they provide first class entertainment. War-time Cambridge is vividly brough to life and in The Night Raids one gets a real sense of what it must have been like to face the threat of imminent invasion.One thing I particularly like about the series is how the network of characters around Inspector Brookes are gradually establishing themselves, not just his family but everyone from senior university staff to Rose running the all-night tea hut on Market Hill. The series surely merits a tv adaptation?Recommended.

The best in the series so far. intensely atmospheric and as usual with this author the geography/topography becomes an additional character. the story is complex and involves characters caught up in events they do not control in any way. Highly recommended

prompt deliver , Jim Kelly writes well and I am sue this will be up to his usual high standard

Love Jim Kelly’s books. Have read them all. Can’t wait for his next novel. He is so talented. Thanks Mr. Kelly.

Jim Kelly delivers another great whodunit. You might guess who the culprit is but you won't believe the ending. Excellent!