Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

At first, the Sherlock Holmes-like aspects are obvious (the pipe, the sidekick, the Baker Street address, etc), but really Sexton Blake is more reminiscent of the Saint, that old-school righter of wrongs and rescuer of damsels in distress. These stories have treacherous villains and ladies in need of rescue, along with plenty of adventurous escapes, undercover work, and derring-do befitting a comic book hero. The comic book analogy went a little too far early in the first story—you expect a little Blam! Pow! Oof! in this type of tale, but every page was so liberally strewn with needless exclamation points (almost at the level of “the sun was shining! The sky was blue!”) that it was rough going for a few chapters. Fortunately, things calmed down considerably as the book progressed and the real drama began. The two stories in this book are different in that one is a wartime drama and the other more of a family struggle, but in each instance Sexton Blake comes to the rescue of the desperate, guilty-seeming people who seek help proving their innocence. Good old-fashioned fun.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital advance review copy.

Sexton Blake on the Home Front is the 4th collection in the Sexton Blake Library Series. Due out 16th Feb 2021 from Rebellion, it's 250 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats.

These are what I would call "ripping yarns" and they're full of action and espionage. The stories are simply written and plotted and they rush along at a gallop. The bad guy are unrepentantly bad - the good guys are brave, lucky, and always on the side of the angels. The stories are easy to read and easy to like.

The writing quality is generally pretty high, especially considering that the author is channeling the style of stories which were banged out as public entertainment and, let's face it, propaganda for morale boosting on a very tight schedule.

I definitely would recommend the updated versions to anyone looking for light and entertaining action books, especially fans of series characters. For all my friends and acquaintances who enjoy the old John Creasey series like The Toff and The Baron, these (though set somewhat earlier in time) will fill the bill nicely.

Four stars (warning, product of its time and reflects many of the social mores and attitudes of same).

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I have read a few Sexton Blake books, mostly set after the war. This is the first one I have read which on which focused on spies, secret plans and a romance. Book is divided into 2 part the first being the spy story, whilst the shorter second story is about a hidden body and ........Both full of twists and turns. These two really reminded me very much of the old "Boys Own" books I used to read in the 50's.
For a touch of nostalgia this is a fun book and entertaining.

I really enjoyed this collection of two novellas. The first one is called The Man from Occupied France and was written by Anthony Parsons in 1941. At the beginning Isobel Ensor is convicted of espionage and is given a ten year jail sentence. She's shocked rigid. Her fiance is determined to clear her name but he ends up being arrested too. There's never a dull moment with plenty of action as a gang of German spies discover that they've taken on more than they can handle when Sexton Blake gets involved.
The second novella The House on the Hill by John Drummond was first published in 1945. Jane Wray is engaged to Jim Drake, they both work in the same place, a mill. The elderly owner has just died and his son has inherited the business. There's a murder and Jane is worried that Jim might have been involved, Jim is also worried as he can't remember what happened. Sexton Blake and his side-kick Tinker sort it all out. These books make me think it's just as well that we don't have capital punishment!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Rebellion for an advance copy of Sexton Blake on the Home Front, the fourth anthology of detective Sexton Blake’s stories. It contains two longer tales set in the Second World War.

The Man from Occupied France, written by Anthony Parsons and first published in 1941.
This is a tale of wartime espionage and German skullduggery. It opens with Isobel Ensor being sentenced to 10 years for espionage and then moves to fighter pilot Percy Allen being lured to a remote house and shot at. Fortunately Sexton Blake is on the case and after a couple of false starts manages to solve it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this caper. It is an old fashioned tale of derring do and a strong response to a cunning group of enemies. I wasn’t too sure at first because I didn’t see the link between the first two events, but that is quickly resolved and the action starts. This is a clever story with plenty of twists and a complex series of relationships between the gang of German spies and while it is fairly ludicrous to modern eyes full of technology it neatly sums up the threat at the time and the determination to thwart it. It’s a fun read.

The House on the Hill, written by John Drummond and first published in 1945.
This is a more traditional detective story in the golden age style. A man is murdered and Jim Drake is framed. He turns to Sexton Blake for help.
I must admit that I didn’t find this one as stirring or compulsive. There is a good mystery in it and the solution is convoluted without being difficult to follow. I even managed to suspect the perpetrator, although nothing was a given but rather a game of smoke and mirrors. I found the references to the effects of drugs rather innocent in light of the better understanding we now have.

The introduction to each of these novellas is a fictional conversation between Sexton Blake and the editor. I find them very enlightening, giving context to the narrative.

Sexton Blake on the Home Front is a good read that I can recommend.

Fans of Sexton Blake claim he’s a mix of “Bond. James Bond” and of the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. They will adore this latest in his adventures, SEXTON BLAKE ON THE HOME FRONT, #4 in the fun historical thriller series.

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It seemed veddy old-school to me in language and tone, which I found off-putting at first. But once I was in, I was all the way in, engaged by the two enticing stories set during WWII. There are spies, intrigues, murders, traitors, and a deadly secret that Blake MUST uncover.

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My lord, will he succeed? I’m quite sorry, you see, but no spoilers here. I’m afraid, my dear Watson, that you will need to read the book yourself. Now, get cracking on that tome while I pack my pipe and practice my violin. The game is afoot!

4 of 5 Stars

Pub Date 16 Feb 2021
#SextonBlakeontheHomeFrontSextonBlakeLibraryBook4 #NetGalley

Thanks to Rebellion and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

This two-book anthology is gripping, delightfully cozy on this -32C night. The very first...sentence in the prologue of the first book is riveting. Isobel sits quietly, resigned, listening but not really present, as "ten years" echoes through the courtroom. Her fiance, John, is horrified and is absolutely convinced of her innocence. He knows there is no better than Sexton Blake who, upon hearing more, is compelled in discovering the truth in this political mystery set in WWII and uses disguises, wit and cleverness to solve it. One of the characters speaks with a very humorous accent which is enjoyable. We see the lengths people go to. Murder. Or is it murder(s)?

The second part is even more compelling in my opinion. An odd young man blows in with a bewildering proposal to Jane and murder ensues (and not just one, either), amongst other things. Blake and Tinker dig up clues in this fascinating murder story. Where there is a will, there is a way. But in the midst of the atmosphere you can almost taste the heaviness of secrets. Blake himself is left guessing until the very end. I really like the solution!

These are fun mild mysteries with a lot of entertainment value and ingenuity as well. So, if you crave murder and mayhem, pick up this anthology! If you know Sexton Blake, you need this collection.

I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation to the author and have provided my honest review. My sincere thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion. Much appreciated.