Like a female James Bond but with better one-liners, an unflappable British spy works alongside her aristocratic partner to root out homegrown Nazi collaborators in this riveting, action-packed WWII caper for fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Susan Elia Macneal, and Charles Todd.

London, 1941. Britain has endured the relentless bombing campaign of the Blitz and emerged, scarred but unbroken. Caitrin, too, strives to weather each challenge that comes her way, though her ever-ready banter belies deep heartbreak and loss.

But now the war has entered another phase. Instead of indiscriminate bombing, the Luftwaffe is pinpointing historic targets, including cathedrals and ancestral homes, with the help of homing beacons placed by the enemy. It’s as if Germany plans to erase Britain’s very essence and culture, destroying morale as it does so. 

Caitrin is no fan of the landed gentry, even if her fellow operative and friend, Lord Hector Neville-Percy, is one of them. But soon it is not just historical targets under attack, but hospitals and nursing homes too. Tasked with rooting out the saboteurs placing the beacons, she finds that all roads lead to Daniel “Teddy” Baer, a charismatic Whitechapel crook with high aspirations and zero scruples. He will crush anyone who interferes with his dreams—Caitrin included.

As a member of the female-driven 512 counterespionage unit, Caitrin understands how often women are underestimated and overlooked—and how to use it to her advantage. But she is not the only one who knows how to hide in plain sight, how to outwit and effortlessly manipulate. And sometimes, as with a beacon hidden deep within a building, danger only becomes apparent when it flares to life, right before the moment of impact . . .
Praise for A Jewel in the Crown
 
“David Lewis sizzles in this top-notch historical thriller. Impeccable research and a fast-paced storyline makes this a page turner you won’t want to put down. Enjoy the twists and turns as Caitrin Colline battles enemies known and unknown. I can’t wait to read more from Lewis.” —James D. Shipman, author of Before the Storm
 
“The book is an oddity for a World War II novel. It’s funny and filled with witty dialogue….Good for smiles and chuckles until war becomes more real.” –Kirkus Reviews
 
“An exciting, page-turning spy adventure. Meticulously-researched and told in a cinematic-style, Lewis’s novel takes the reader on a colorful, intriguing chase across the English countryside, building to an pulse-pounding, action-filled climax. Caitrin Colline is a heroine you can root for: smart, resourceful and unflappable, she’s part Indiana Jones and part Elizabeth Zott. When she’s teamed with handsome aristocrat, Hector Neville-Percy, it’s the perfect pairing of opposites. Sparks fly and classes clash amid the ever-increasing danger. With his debut, David Lewis delivers first class suspense-filled entertainment.” —Kevin O’Brien, New York Times bestselling author of The Enemy at Home
 
“Brilliantly researched, David Lewis’s A Jewel in the Crown is a thrilling tale of spies and dark secrets. It’s a captivating caper that kept me turning the pages long into the night.” —Alan Hlad, internationally bestselling author of The Long Flight Home and Churchill’s Secret Messenger
David Lewis was born in Wales and moved to Hollywood to become a director of photography. He has shot everything from movies to commercials and music videos, specializing in comedies. For many years, David worked in and traveled around Scotland. He now lives in southern California with Hank, the noisiest cat in the world, and can be found online at davidlewisnovels.com.

About

Like a female James Bond but with better one-liners, an unflappable British spy works alongside her aristocratic partner to root out homegrown Nazi collaborators in this riveting, action-packed WWII caper for fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Susan Elia Macneal, and Charles Todd.

London, 1941. Britain has endured the relentless bombing campaign of the Blitz and emerged, scarred but unbroken. Caitrin, too, strives to weather each challenge that comes her way, though her ever-ready banter belies deep heartbreak and loss.

But now the war has entered another phase. Instead of indiscriminate bombing, the Luftwaffe is pinpointing historic targets, including cathedrals and ancestral homes, with the help of homing beacons placed by the enemy. It’s as if Germany plans to erase Britain’s very essence and culture, destroying morale as it does so. 

Caitrin is no fan of the landed gentry, even if her fellow operative and friend, Lord Hector Neville-Percy, is one of them. But soon it is not just historical targets under attack, but hospitals and nursing homes too. Tasked with rooting out the saboteurs placing the beacons, she finds that all roads lead to Daniel “Teddy” Baer, a charismatic Whitechapel crook with high aspirations and zero scruples. He will crush anyone who interferes with his dreams—Caitrin included.

As a member of the female-driven 512 counterespionage unit, Caitrin understands how often women are underestimated and overlooked—and how to use it to her advantage. But she is not the only one who knows how to hide in plain sight, how to outwit and effortlessly manipulate. And sometimes, as with a beacon hidden deep within a building, danger only becomes apparent when it flares to life, right before the moment of impact . . .

Reviews

Praise for A Jewel in the Crown
 
“David Lewis sizzles in this top-notch historical thriller. Impeccable research and a fast-paced storyline makes this a page turner you won’t want to put down. Enjoy the twists and turns as Caitrin Colline battles enemies known and unknown. I can’t wait to read more from Lewis.” —James D. Shipman, author of Before the Storm
 
“The book is an oddity for a World War II novel. It’s funny and filled with witty dialogue….Good for smiles and chuckles until war becomes more real.” –Kirkus Reviews
 
“An exciting, page-turning spy adventure. Meticulously-researched and told in a cinematic-style, Lewis’s novel takes the reader on a colorful, intriguing chase across the English countryside, building to an pulse-pounding, action-filled climax. Caitrin Colline is a heroine you can root for: smart, resourceful and unflappable, she’s part Indiana Jones and part Elizabeth Zott. When she’s teamed with handsome aristocrat, Hector Neville-Percy, it’s the perfect pairing of opposites. Sparks fly and classes clash amid the ever-increasing danger. With his debut, David Lewis delivers first class suspense-filled entertainment.” —Kevin O’Brien, New York Times bestselling author of The Enemy at Home
 
“Brilliantly researched, David Lewis’s A Jewel in the Crown is a thrilling tale of spies and dark secrets. It’s a captivating caper that kept me turning the pages long into the night.” —Alan Hlad, internationally bestselling author of The Long Flight Home and Churchill’s Secret Messenger

Author

David Lewis was born in Wales and moved to Hollywood to become a director of photography. He has shot everything from movies to commercials and music videos, specializing in comedies. For many years, David worked in and traveled around Scotland. He now lives in southern California with Hank, the noisiest cat in the world, and can be found online at davidlewisnovels.com.
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