In the midst of war, can they find a reason to celebrate?
1915. Patrolling is the last thing on the minds of Women’s Police Service recruits Annie, Maggie and Poppy right now, because Annie and her fiancé Richard are about to get married. She’s been waiting for this day her whole life, but when it finally comes it brings only heartache and Annie doesn’t know if she can go on.
The influx of soldiers to the capital means that the WPS’s work is more important than ever, though, and Annie’s country needs her. She and the girls are posted to the bustling heart of the city and she hopes the new job will distract her from her sorrow.
It certainly does that. Soon the biggest bombing raid of the war causes chaos on their patch. On top of that, Annie suspects that a group of men are forcing European refugees into prostitution and resolves to stop them by Christmas.
But by the time she realises just how high up the scandal goes, she might be in too deep to get out . . .
The Bobby Girls series
Book 1 – The Bobby Girls
Book 2 – The Bobby Girls’ Secrets
Book 3 – Christmas with the Bobby Girls
Book 4 – The Bobby Girls’ War – coming October 2021
A Gripping Read, Skilfully Crafted! 
Another fine read in this wonderful series and perfect reading for these strange times.
Our three Bobby Girls are very excited as the day of Annie’s wedding to Richard draws nearer, but during war time things don’t always work out as expected. Work is busier than ever; with the influx of soldiers and poverty at home biting more than ever, they find themselves re-assigned to the heart of the city where their special skills are more in demand. It doesn’t take long for them to realise that there is more need than ever for them to be aware of what goes on in their new patch.
This is a series which introduced me to the beginning of women’s police service in the UK, something I knew nothing about. The details are a revelation and, I suspect, the product of a great amount of diligent research. I’m very fond of the characters and enjoy how they continue to evolve; the story this time round is riveting and one to get your teeth into which left me in awe of the bravery shown for an unpaid post! Not only do I enjoy these books, but I also feel I learn so much from them and I’m delighted there is another to come – even if I do have to wait a while, I know I’ll be reading it. Skilfully crafted with excellent characterisation and a gripping storyline, this is definitely one I recommend and is easily worth all five sparkling stars!
My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is – as always – my honest, original and unbiased review.
Tags: women’s historical fiction
- Format: ebook, paperback, audiobook
- Size: 336 pages
- Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
- Publication Date: 26 November 2020
- Links: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51322312
- https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Johanna_Bell_Christmas_with_the_Bobby_Girls?id=3qnIDwAAQBAJ
- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-with-the-bobby-girls-johanna-bell/1136645146
- https://uk.bookshop.org/books/christmas-with-the-bobby-girls-book-three-in-a-gritty-uplifting-ww1-series-about-the-first-ever-female-police-officers/9781529334227
- https://www.foyles.co.uk/witem/fiction-poetry/christmas-with-the-bobby-girls-book-thr,johanna-bell-9781529334227
- https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/christmas-with-the-bobby-girls
- https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/christmas-with-the-bobby-girls-book-three-in-a-gritty-uplifting-ww1-series-about-the-first-ever-fema/johanna-bell/paperback/9781529334227.html
- https://www.waterstones.com/book/christmas-with-the-bobby-girls/johanna-bell/9781529334227
- https://wordery.com/christmas-with-the-bobby-girls-johanna-bell-9781529334227
- https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B083Q1BYHV
Author Bio
Johanna Bell was born in London and grew up in Surrey. Her first job was as a children’s party organiser and lifeguard at a local leisure centre. She made the switch to journalism after leaving school and training for her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. Johanna worked as a local and national journalist for more than 15 years before making the move to books following her daughter’s birth. Her passion for history, and in particular the world wars, comes from listening to her Grandad’s stories of life on the frontline during World War Two and her love for her cousin who died serving for the Royal Marines in Northern Ireland.
Johanna lives in Surrey with her husband, their daughter and their scruffy dog Boris. Her debut The Bobby Girls is due for release in October 2019. She is currently working on the second book in the series; The Bobby Girls’ Secrets – set to be published in May 2020.
Social Media
Twitter: @JoBellAuthor
Facebook: @JohannaJournalist
Grace J Reviewerlady 