The First Wave: A Billy Boyle World War II Mystery

(Paperback)

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Description

Billy's task is to help arrange the surrender of the Vichy French forces. But there is dissension between the regular army, the 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 - who also happens to be a British spy.

Reviews

Praise for The First Wave

"Another rousing adventure . . . Once again the period details are spot-on and Billy, who doesn't pretend to be anything but what he is, continues to make a thoroughly engaging detective."
The Denver Post

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

A rattling good read.
Rhys Bowen

A solid follow up to Benns first novel . . . [I] look forward to his next.
Robert B. Parker

Benn follows up his first World War II mystery (Billy Boyle) with another danger-filled episode and delivers a cross-genre tale that is at once spy story, soldier story, and hard-Boyled detective.
Library Journal, Starred Review

Certain to appeal to WWII fiction fans.
Booklist

Part Indiana Jones derring-do and part grown-up adventure novel with spies, black marketers, loyal and dastardly French, and the reliably evil Nazis. If you like World War II historical crime novels, youll love this one.
Mystery Scene

Author Bio

James R. Benn is the author of the Billy Boyle World War II mysteries. The debut, Billy Boyle, was named one of five top mysteries of 2006 by Book Sense and was a Dilys Award nominee. A Blind Goddess was longlisted for the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and The Rest Is Silence was a Barry Award nominee. A librarian for many years, Benn lives in Connecticut with his wife, Deborah Mandel.