A Bitter Wind

Billy Boyle World War II Mystery, Book 20

By: James R. Benn

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

To solve a murder at an English airbase, US Army Captain Billy Boyle must immerse himself in the fascinating and secretive world of WWII radio espionage.

Christmas Day 1944: After his last mission put him in the tailspin of the Battle of the Bulge, Captain Billy Boyle travels to southeast England to visit his girlfriend, Diana Seaton, for a brief holiday respite. Diana is engaged in classified work at RAF Hawkinge, including Operation Corona, which recruits German-speaking Women’s Auxiliary Air Force members—many of them Jewish refugees from the Kindertransport rescue—to countermand German orders and direct night fighters away from Allied bombers.

It’s fascinating and critical espionage work, but it’s laced with peril, as Billy finds out. On a scenic Christmas walk along the White Cliffs of Dover, Billy and Diana stumble upon the dead body of a US Air Force officer. In the dead man’s pocket are papers with highly confidential information about radio interception operations. Information worth killing over.

As Billy digs into the secret world of codebreakers and radio jammers stationed at Hawkinge, another body turns up. Now Billy must find out what connects these two men—and who was so hell-bent on silencing them. Enlisting the help of his long-time associates, Billy undertakes another thrilling investigation that brings him to war-torn Yugoslavia, where he must rescue an escaped POW who may be the only person who knows the truth.

©2025 James R. Benn (P)2025 Recorded Books

Another 100% all in Billy Boyle story

How the author keeps coming up with stories that intertwine GREAT mystery elements and Real historical events, is beyond me. This book is well written, as always, with absolutely no gaffes, eye rollers, or contrived solutions. it was captivating from the start and returns all the best characters from previous installments.

Another Excellent Installment

The story was hard to put down. Fast paced as Billy is trying to solve a murder during Christmas’s 1944. Finding himself behind enemy lines dodging the SS and other bad guys to bring back a key witness. Lots of fast paced action all brought together with excellent narration. If you like the series you will like this installment.

The Best WWII Mysteries

A BITTER WIND is an exciting addition to Author James Benn's Billy Boyle Mysteries. It begins with Billy retrieving a body dangling over a crumbling. chalk cliff overlooking the English Channel. Once again the author reveals unfamiliar aspects of WWII, including the British use of German speaking Jewish refugees to spoof and confuse German radio orders and the use of new radar technology to misdirect German tanks and ground troops. When Billy and Big Mike are sent on a harrowing mission behind enemy lines to rescue a downed crew member who has information crucial to their investigation, we visit another country torn apart by war. Amid tribalism and shifting loyalties, the brutality and horror of what they see is shocking to consider. For mystery, action and adventure, I highly recommend this terrific book.

Moving on

The Second World War rolls on with our favorite characters in tow. Billy Diana Caz and the rest once again entertain us educate us and reinforce the pride we have in our Greatest American Generation.