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Josephine Fox #2

Treachery at Hursley Park House

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From the winner of the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition comes another tantalising Golden Age wartime mystery, perfect for fans of Sunday night drama.

DECEMBER 1942. As the war rages on, the accidental death of a young man is almost unremarkable. Except this young man was patrolling the grounds of Hursley Park House, where teams are designing crucial modifications to the Spitfire - and he was found clutching part of a blueprint.
JANUARY 1943. Josephine Fox is given a code name and a mission as she is seconded to Hursley: uncover the network responsible for information leaks to the enemy. And when the dead man's father visits Bram Nash convinced that his son was innocent of espionage and the victim of murder, her friend is also drawn into the investigation.
But as Jo and Bram circle closer to the truth, danger is closing in around them...

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2021

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179 people want to read

About the author

Claire Gradidge

4 books69 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Liz Barnsley.
3,773 reviews1,075 followers
November 24, 2021
The follow up to the most excellent Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox, Treachery at Hursley Park House takes us back to Jo and partner in crime Nash, throwing them into another mystery featuring murder, espionage and cover ups.

It is an addictive, pacy read once more- the wartime setting is beautifully described and the mystery element really well done and compelling.

I love the writing and the immersive, atmospheric sense of it , a classic page turner with a great supporting cast - more to come in this series I hope.

Highly Recommended for fans of historical crime fiction.
25 reviews
March 15, 2022
To be honest I read this book solely because I worked at Hursley Park for 20 years. And, rather to my surprise, I thought it was a very good read. It captures the WW2 period well, there are interesting and engaging characters, and a satisfying denouement. I’m not sure that a novel based on my time as an IBM employee there would have quite the same potential for excitement and intrigue.
Profile Image for Susan Kumar-Merino.
48 reviews
December 5, 2024
Love the time setting in this series and the raw characters with their flaws and imperfections , these stories are more about the inter- play of the main characters than the story of the investigation . Keep writing more , can’t wait for the next one
Profile Image for Alison.
3,697 reviews145 followers
July 19, 2022
It's two years since the first book and things have been a bit slow in Romney. Jo has been recruited (unwillingly) by some kind of government types to work undercover at a local stately home which is doing top secret war work. A young man has been found dead, apparently drowned in a pond whilst intoxicated, grasping a corner of what look to be plans. The government is keen to establish whether he was working alone and who wanted the plans.

Back in Romney, Bram is visited by an old war friend, in fact the man who saved his life in the trenches (much as Bram wished he hadn't). His son was the young man found dead but he believes it was murder, his son wasn't a traitor and nor did he drink to excess, especially not when he was supposed to be working.

Told by the shady government men to keep her distance from Romney in general and Bram in particular, Jo can't help but discover that their investigations have a commonality and it will need both their brains to get to the bottom of it all.

Another intricately plotted and enthralling mystery.
73 reviews1 follower
October 9, 2021
Thanks to Bonnier Books for a review copy.
I was very pleased to see that Claire Gradidge had written a sequel to her excellent mystery ‘The Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox’ so that we could join Jo and Bram on further adventures. Like its predecessor this novel reads like an episode of Foyle’s War with Jo and Bram having to contend with murder and murky secrets in wartime Britain.
Jo is sent by some mysterious government officials to investigate a possible leak of secrets from Hursley Park House which has been commandeered for work on upgrades to the Spitfire. She is told in no uncertain terms not to contact Bram during the course of her investigation (like that’s going to happen!) and, with her flaming red hair died black she embarks on her quest. Meanwhile back in Romsey Bram is contacted by an old friend whose son has died under questionable circumstances with a torn piece of spitfire plans in his hand whilst on duty at the very same Hursley Park House.
As their investigations continue Jo and Bram have to work together to untangle the mystery as well as the tragedies which it throws up in its wake.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story which is certainly as gripping as its predecessor. There are numerous references to the events of the previous book so, whilst this novel could certainly be read without having read the first instalment, the reader will have a much better handle on the inhabitants and relationships which form the backdrop to Jo and Bram’s lives if the stories are read in order.
The book is written in the present tense; personally I don’t think this really adds to the impact of the narrative and, given that the story is set during World War II, I don’t entirely see the point of using the present tense to add immediacy to the text. Jo’s part of the tale is written in the first person whilst Bram’s is in the third person. Occasionally other characters actions are described, also in the third person, giving us information that Bram or Jo could not possibly know. I find this a rather odd choice as I think that the story would work better with both characters written either in the first person or the third. Given the author’s decision to allow us to see some events of which the main characters cannot be aware then I would think that the third person would work better. Of course these are my own views and I am sure many readers will disagree with me.
Having said that the characters are all well written and come to life off the page. It is easy to visualise them as the story progresses. It romps along at a rapid pace, much more so than in the previous book, and there are one or two plot points which are left unresolved. It is hard to give an example without spoilers but I don’t think I am giving anything away by saying that I wonder why the car driver hates Bram so much? Whether these little things are to provide a hook into the next book or just because in reality there are never no loose ends I am not sure. I look forward to finding out in future instalments.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery and certainly those who loved the first book will enjoy this one. At least one more story is planned as there are a few tantalising paragraphs included at the end of this book so we have more adventures to enjoy with Jo and Bram. Oh and a huge thank you to Claire Gradidge for allowing Jo to successfully intercede for the Billy goat kid. I hope he returns in the next book – maybe as Jo’s pet!
1,243 reviews6 followers
February 18, 2022
I absolutely loved this book! Never heard of the author or the series but it held my attention well. It's set during world war 2 and Bram is a damaged veteran of world war 1 and working as a solicitor in Winchester, and Josy Fox, is a young woman whose husband has been missing during action and is working with Bram Nash as his assistant. A father of someone who Nash fought the war with comes to him for help as he believes his son was murdered. David Hine was working at a secret war institution at Hursley Park House, well not so secret if everyone knew what it was, and he was found drowned in a fountain there very drunk on the evening of a ball.

When Nash looks at his body he finds it very battered and his father said he didn't drink. However the authorities are prepared to write it off that he was a traitor and fell into the fountain whilst intoxicated, despite of the bad beating. Nash is superstitious and Josy is recruited by two shady men who work for some secret institution to find out who the traitor at Hursley Park is. Then David's father is killed during a house fire. It all sounds a bit dry but it isn't.

Josy helps an elderly farmer who is attacked by a thug whom Josy thinks is the traitor, and the man can't look after his goat farm when he's in hospital. I have to say belief is suspended a bit here, that a young woman can get up something like 3am, milk goats, prepare the milk for the bottles, load it onto a cart on the back of her bicycle, ride round delivering milk, come back and wash out all the equipment and floors and then ride to Hursley Park for work (no modern mechanisation here yet). Then back home again after work to the farm to feed and clean out the goats shed etc before doing everything else in the cottage and going to bed.

I have no idea how she can do 2 such a demanding jobs with so few hours sleep! Not to mention trying to catch a traitor, and the fascists who live up at the big white house who are believed to be involved. Mind you Nash also has skills, his metal plate which he wears to cover up his badly injured face is ruined when he is deliberately knocked off his bike, and he sets about making another one fitted to his face. I think if he fails at being a solicitor he could become a welder.

It moves along at a steady pace and I do like Nash and Fox and they make a very good couple.
Profile Image for JJ.
411 reviews7 followers
April 17, 2022
I loved this book and was heartbroken at the end (and heartbroken at ending it).
A great follow on from book one.
Bram Nash and Jo Lester knew each other in their childhood and even then they were close. In adult life they slowly come to realise how close they are again.
Jo is recruited to do some wartime spying where she must take on a new name and job (and dye her hair) to find out who is passing secrets from Supermarine at Hurley House, where they work on updates for the Spitfire.
Bram is asked by the man who saved his life in the first war, to look into the death of his son who was accused of passing on secret documents. You can see how the two cases dovetail.
Apart from that Jo finds herself in charge of a small holding, feeding and milking goats and delivering the milk round the village. Game soul that she is.
The only person she trusts and can talk to is Bram but due to her job she can’t say much. However, as their cases are linked Bram can tell her what he finds and can divine, from hints, what she is up to.
We have food rationing, horrible January weather, devious teenagers, shadowy men from some ministry, a violent bully and a manipulative Nazi sympathiser.
I couldn’t put this book down and just love how Jo is so liberated and quite prepared to get very angry and how Bram (who knows he’s Watson to her Sherlock) is slowly opening his heart to her.
Bring on book three.
Profile Image for loopyloulaura.
1,542 reviews21 followers
October 19, 2022
Josy Fox is undercover at Hursley House trying to investigate the death and possibly traitorous behaviour of a young man. Bram Nash, her childhood friend, lover and employer is also called upon to investigate the case by the young man's father. Could both of them be in damger...?
Treachery at Hursley Park House is the sequel to The Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox.
Time has skipped forward a couple of years and Jo has been seconded to a secret mission while Bram is approached by an old friend. They are both looking into a suspicious death which directly relates to potential espionage. Important papers are at risk of being given to the enemy and there could even be a Nazi presence in leafy Hampshire (perhaps not that leafy as it is winter!)
Jo feels out of her depth and very isolated as she is separated from Bram and her other friends. She is almost grateful when Bram turns up to look into the death as well. Of course this leads to their personal relationship coming to the fore again. Both lead characters have a lot of emotional baggage but are unable to deny their feelings completely.
I liked the historical detail, and the descriptions of the weather and location bring the secens to life. The narrative is once again from Jo's first person perspective and Bram's third person but our empathy is with both equally.
Treachery at Hursley Park House is an entertaining historical murder mystery and there is a great personal cliffhanger ready for the next book!
Profile Image for Janet.
5,201 reviews66 followers
October 14, 2021
It’s December 1942 & as the war rages on, the accidental death of a young man is almost unremarkable. Except this young man was patrolling the grounds of Hursley Park House, where teams are designing crucial modifications to the Spitfire - and he was found clutching part of a blueprint. January 1943. Josephine Fox is given a code name and seconded to Hursley where her mission is to uncover the network responsible for information leaks to the enemy. And when the dead man's father visits Bram Nash convinced that his son was innocent of espionage and the victim of murder, her friend is also drawn into the investigation.
This is the second outing for Jo & Bram, I did enjoy the book but found the mix of first person for Jo & third person for Bram a bit off putting. A well written book, which held my interest all the way through, the characters were well portrayed & had depth. The pace is good & I read it in two sittings. I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Author 1 book9 followers
May 3, 2022
Josephine Fox has been approached to go to Hursley Park House and find out if secrets are getting out, but her mission becomes intertwined with a murder, which is being investigated by Bram Nash. The two must work together again to solve mysteries while also not getting hurt in the process.

I can happily say this novel does not disappoint, full of spies, espionage, mysterious men in suits, and a touch of romance.
This novel is split between the point of view of the two main characters, Josephine Fox and Bram Nash. However, while Fox's chapters are in the first person, Nash's are in the third. I found this irritating, as this was within the chapters, not a new chapter, but you do get used to it and it does not take away from the characters of the narrative.

I was so excited to see the next installment within this series and I cannot wait for the next. If you haven't read the first novel, I would recommend reading it first, as a few things are mentioned, so I don't feel this can be a stand-alone; however, the first novel is still my favourite and I would highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Jan Edwards.
Author 41 books42 followers
February 11, 2024
Second in a Fox and Nash series. This sat in my TBR shelves partially read for some time mainly because the choppy style in the initial 30%, flitting abruptly between Fox (in first person) and Nash (third person), took some getting used to and there is always something more accessible to be getting on with. Once it had settled, however, Treachery at Hursley Park House is a good yarn. Fox is an engaging character and good research gives it an authentic feel. Though the characters are imagined the end notes tell us that Hursley Park House was indeed requisitioned by the Ministry on behalf of Supermarine (manufacturers of the Spitfire) as one of several ‘shadow’ facilities after the Southampton factory was destroyed. Likewise the Cyc-auto that Fox uses - the fore-runner of today’s electric bikes. A good read.stroyed. Likewise the Cyc-auto that Fox uses - the fore-runner of today’s electric bikes. A good read.
Profile Image for Sara.
292 reviews2 followers
September 25, 2025
This installment continues the journey of familiar characters while introducing new faces that add fresh intrigue to the story. Returning to their world felt comforting, and the evolving relationships between the established cast gave the mystery more emotional depth. The addition of new characters brought tension and uncertainty, keeping me guessing about their motives and connections.

The historical setting of Hursley Park is once again brought to life with vivid detail, adding richness to the unfolding drama. While the pacing dipped in places, the gradual build-up led to a rewarding conclusion, weaving together old storylines with new threads in a satisfying way.

A strong continuation that balances familiarity with fresh twists, this book left me curious to see where the series will go next.
Profile Image for Elisa.
71 reviews
May 15, 2022
The way Claire Gradidge writes makes her books UNPUTDOWNABLE. (Most books have been a tedious slog for me lately, which makes it doubly important for me to say this, and THANK her for all the blood, tears, and hours she has put into crafting her stories.)

The characters feel real. They touch me. I worry about them. But never enough to completely outshine the story. The story is brilliant, the whole thing with the goats is gold. The details, some expressions, the balance between dialogue/setting/plot/characters/backstory/etc is perfect. I know I'm raving. But she really deserves the praise.

A must-read.
960 reviews1 follower
August 22, 2025
Jo is required to go under cover st Hursley Park House. It is now the base for Supermarine and the body of a young boy was found in the grounds. The father speaks with Bram, asking him to investigate as the police aren't. Jo gets involved with looking after a herd of goats when the owner has a fall but finds there is a huge amount of support. Can she combine her good deeds with finding out who is leaking secrets from the Hall? Can she overcome the surise from the past?
Really enjoyed it. Tension is maintained to the end and the twist. The characters are developing nicely but the love between between Jo and Bran is very low key and realistic for the times.
Profile Image for Lucy  Dunphy.
437 reviews8 followers
November 21, 2021
I was so excited when I found out that there was a followup to The Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox as I really enjoyed that book. This book didn't have nearly as good a storyline though. I did enjoy it but I'm left a bit disappointed. It did keep me guessing and with a bit of a surprise towards the end made it a decent read. I do love the relationship between Josephine and Bram though. I hope the following book will be better.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Books for the opportunity to read this Advance Reader's Copy.
Profile Image for Annarella.
14.2k reviews167 followers
October 17, 2021
This was the first book I read in this series and won't surely be the last as I thoroughly enjoyed.
It's a gripping and fast paced story, full of twists and turns.
I appreciated the fleshed out and interesting characters, the well researched and vivid historical background, and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read another story in this series.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Profile Image for Vivienne.
Author 2 books112 followers
November 14, 2021
Having enjoyed the first in this series of historical mysteries I was delighted to find this audiobook listed in our county online library.

I was immediately drawn into the story of Josephine going undercover at the stately home in order to identify who might be revealing plans for the Spitfire planes.

It was very absorbing and I ended up listening to it in a single day. I was very pleased to read that there will be another in the series.
Profile Image for Rosemary Orme.
160 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2022
This strangely compelling tale of war time espionage surprised me with the extent that it gripped me. I opened it expecting it to be cliched and dull. It was compelling and hard to put down. I truly lost myself in its credible world of petty war time deprivations and unfairness. I really felt for the two protagonists who alternated their point of view.
It was understated, well written and achieved suspension of disbelief in me. I enjoyed it.
144 reviews
June 21, 2024
Enjoyed this but not gripped by it. Set in WW2 Jo is sent on a mission, Bram left behind investigating a death. But their paths cross cross again and they find they are working on the same case.
There were some good characters but I'm not sure how believable I found the story.
Saying that I will probably read the 3rd one in the series to find out what happens to the Jo and Bram relationship.
Profile Image for Maya Kumar-Merino.
94 reviews1 follower
November 18, 2024
Really really enjoyed this sequel second book in the series, just wish the characters were together more in the book, the ending was very suspenseful however and makes me want to read the next book to find out what happens. I really liked the storyline and how the people in the villages all club together to help Josy Fox
Profile Image for Louise.
3,210 reviews68 followers
October 2, 2021
I really enjoyed the first in the series,and also enjoyed the characters moving forward in this one.
However I found the story to be less memorable,and will probably remember it as the one with the goats.
Bram and Jo are a great duo,I hope we see more of them
Profile Image for Yorky Caz.
706 reviews19 followers
September 10, 2022
Absoloutely brilliant read, murders set during war time always have that added atmosphere and intrigue! Delighted to learn there was another book in the series though maybe should of read them in the right order! Unexpected Return of Josephine Fox is now next on my list!
334 reviews2 followers
August 1, 2023
Really enjoying this series. Well written characters who are fleshed out with a series of flashbacks. I learn a something new about the history of WW II in England with each book I think it’s a trilogy though so I only have one more to read.
Profile Image for Sandra Worrall-Hart.
39 reviews1 follower
November 30, 2023
This is my favourite of the three books. I think the move to Sam's was a creative sub plot and a chance to vary the settings. The detail of the settings, and the action within the settings, made me feel I was there. The action was not over-done. Love the romance.
117 reviews2 followers
December 28, 2021
Just Brilliant

The story of Bram and Jo intertwines with the war years. Very well written. It held me completely. A real page Turner.
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