Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Deadly Ruse: A World War II Mystery (Deadly Series) by Kate Parker. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
Deadly Ruse: A World War II Mystery (Deadly Series) by Kate Parker
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
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 of Deadly Ruse
5 stars
The Deadly series by Kate Parker is one of my favorite historical cozy mystery series, and Deadly Ruse just makes it even better! Olivia (Livvy) Redmond takes on (at Sir Malcolm’s demand) a position as an art teacher of captured German generals in Trent Park House, a luxurious “prison” that’s wired to capture any German intelligence discussions the generals may have. Livvy hates leaving her baby in the country with her friend, but it’s only one day a week. And as Sir Malcolm likes to remind her, she is a spy, and it’s her duty!
I’m always happy to jump back into Livvy’s world! I love the WWII era and the different setting that the author takes us to throughout the books. It is the fourteenth book in the series, but you can enjoy it for its own intriguing mystery. I discovered the series at book 5, and I do enjoy being familiar with the characters; however, you will quickly discover who they are, and the roles they play. I was happy to see Oberst Bernhard join the series again. Though he’s a German general now, and a captured one at that, he is not a Nazi and doesn’t agree with Hitler’s views. He has helped Olivia in past books and does so in this one as well.
Deadly Ruse has a layered and well-plotted mystery where clues are meticulously revealed throughout. Since the prisoners are all war criminals, almost any of them could be the killer. I enjoyed guessing, gathering intelligence, and solving the crime with Olivia. I’m looking forward to seeing what assignment Sir Malcolm thrusts upon Olivia next time!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About Kate Parker
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 –
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Deadly Ruse TOUR PARTICIPANTS
June 23 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
June 24 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
June 24 – Book Hookup – REVIEW
June 25 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
June 25 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
June 26 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
June 26 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 27 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR GUEST POST
June 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
June 29 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
June 30 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
June 30 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – SPOTLIGHT
July 1 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author– SPOTLIGHT
July 1 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
July 2 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT
July 2 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST
July 3 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST
July 3 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR GUEST POST
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