A Blind Goddess
A Billy Boyle World War II Mystery

March, 1944. US Army Lieutenant Billy Boyle, back in England after a dangerous mission in Italy, is due for a little R&Rand a promotion. But the now-Captain Boyle doesnt get to kick back and enjoy his leisure time because two upsetting cases fall into his lap at once. The first is a personal request from an estranged friend: Sergeant Eugene Tree Jackson, who grew up with Billy in Boston, is part of the 617th Tank Destroyers, the battalion poised to make history by being the US Armys first combatant allAfrican American company. But making history isnt easy, and the 617th faces racism at every turn. One of Trees men, a gunner named Angry Smith, has been arrested for a crime he almost certainly didnt commit and faces the gallows if the real killer isnt found. Tree knows US top brass wont care about justice in this instance and asks Billy if hell look into it. But Billy cant use any of his leave to investigate because British intelligence agent Major Cosgrove puts him on a bizarre and delicate case. A British accountant has been murdered in an English village, and he may or may not have had some connection with the US ArmyBilly doesnt know because Cosgrove wont tell him. Billy is supposed to go to the village and investigate the murder, but everything seems fishyhes not allowed to interrogate certain key witnesses, and his friends and helpers keep being whisked away. Billy wonders whether Cosgrove even wants him to solve the murder. The good news is the mysterious murder gives Billy an excuse to spend time in and around the village where Tree and his unit are stationed. If hes lucky, maybe he can get to the bottom of both mysteries and save more than one innocent life.