The Addlestone Chronicles
ADDLESTONE: THE ADDLESTONE CHRONICLES BOOK 1 October 1st 1934 - July 20th 1935
In the shadow of looming war, as Adolf Hitler’s grasp tightens around Europe with his ascent to power in 1933, the British Secret Intelligence Service springs into action, aware of the dire implications for continental stability. Amidst this backdrop of political upheaval and the whispers of conflict, “Addlestone” weaves a riveting tale of courage, love, and espionage.
Enter James Harcourt-Heath and Louise de la Béré, final year undergraduates at Cambridge University in 1935, bound not just by their academic pursuits but by a deep, intricate love. Unbeknownst to each other, they are ensnared by the Secret Service, drawn into the clandestine world of spies and sabotage. Trained to be Britain’s finest, they embark on a perilous journey across Europe – from the bustling streets of Paris to the eerie silence of Munich, the historical depth of Vienna, and into the heart of Nazi Berlin.
As the drumbeats of war grow louder, James and Louise find themselves on a dangerous mission to thwart the Lebensborn programme on England’s soil, facing a sinister Nazi cell determined to unravel British military secrets. Each step closer to their enemy brings them closer to each other, but also closer to a perilous edge.
“Addlestone” is not just a story of espionage and political intrigue; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of mounting adversity. It is a journey through the rich tapestry of early 20th-century Europe, where each corner turned is a step deeper into the heart of darkness of WWII. Join James and Louise as they navigate a world where trust is a luxury and love a liability, where their next move could change the course of history.
In the second book in the series, Lebensborn, their Secret Service assignments take them to both the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria and the Summer Olympics in Berlin. In Magdalene, the third book, they travel to Ireland where Hitler is attempting to subvert the independence of the country by plotting to get the police and politicians to align with Nazi Germany.
LEBENSBORN: THE ADDLESTONE CHRONICLES BOOK 2 July 20th 1935 – August 19th 1936
As shadows lengthen over Europe, the nefarious blueprint for a “Master Race” heralds the dawn of the Nazi’s vision for a 1000-year Reich. The Lebensborn programme becomes the dark heart of this vision, a chilling scheme to engineer a future dominated by the genetically “pure” Aryans. Against this backdrop of eugenics and ambition, “Lebensborn” unveils the next chapter in the Addlestone Chronicles, where duty and danger collide with the indomitable spirit of two British spies.
James and Louise Harcourt-Heath, now a formidable team in love and war, find themselves once again at the vortex of history’s most sinister plans. Recruited by MI5, England’s elite security service, their journey takes them from the deceptive calm of England to the charged atmospheres of Germany, Italy, and France. Amidst the glittering façade of the 1936 winter and summer Olympic games in Hitler’s Germany, they delve deeper into the heart of darkness, unearthing secrets that could alter the course of humanity.
As they navigate a treacherous path, James and Louise are not just participants in a game of espionage—they are guardians of the light against the encroaching shadow of tyranny. The stakes are higher, the risks greater, and their resolve stronger.
Beyond the thrilling adventures and heart-stopping moments, “Lebensborn” stands as a poignant reminder of history’s lessons. Drawing unsettling parallels between the Europe of the 1930s and contemporary political currents in the US, the UK, and beyond, it echoes the timeless warning against the resurgence of fascist ideologies.
Prepare to be enthralled by this gripping saga of courage, love, and defiance. James and Louise Harcourt-Heath return in an epic tale that not only entertains but implores us to remember and remain vigilant. The battle for the future is not just fought on the fields of war but in the hearts and minds of those who dare to dream of a world free from the shadows of tyranny.
MAGDALENE: ADDLESTONE CHRONICLES BOOK 3 August 23rd 1936 – November 16th 1936
In “Magdalene,” the compelling next chapter of The Addlestone Chronicles, the veil is lifted on a shadow that has lingered over Europe: the harrowing reality of the Irish Magdalene Laundries, and their sinister legacy that endured until the close of the 20th century. This narrative not only delves into the heart of Nazi ambitions but also casts a revealing light on the parallels between the tumult of the 1930s and the unsettling political winds of today.
James and Louise Harcourt-Heath return, their journey as British spies and philanthropists taking them into the darkest corners of history and human cruelty. With Europe on the brink, their quest is twofold: to thwart the Nazis’ designs on Ireland as a strategic ally and to disrupt the appalling Lebensborn programme’s efforts to ensnare Irish girls in its web.
Set against a backdrop of espionage and resilience, “Magdalene” explores the chilling misuse of power—both by the Nazis and within the infamous Magdalene Laundries. These institutions, masquerading as refuges, subjected countless girls and women to unimaginable abuse, all under the guise of penitence.
Through the indomitable spirit of its protagonists, “Magdalene” confronts the evils of the past, drawing stark lines to the echoes of fascism and authoritarianism rising in the early 21st century. From the United States to the heartlands of Europe—UK, France, Italy, Poland—and the iron grip of Putin’s Russia, the novel is a timely reminder of the vigilance required to guard against the resurgence of ideologies that seek to divide and dominate.
“Magdalene” is more than a historical thriller; it is a poignant call to remember and resist, to acknowledge the shadows of history so that they may never be cast again. Join James and Louise in their most personal and challenging mission yet, as they navigate the complexities of morality, justice, and courage in the face of overwhelming darkness.
GUERNIKA: ADDLESTONE CHRONICLES BOOK 4 November 22nd 1936 - May 12th 1937
Spain, 1936. A democracy shattered. Loyalties divided. Chaos reigns.
In the gripping fourth installment of The Addlestone Chronicles, British secret agents James and Louise Harcourt-Heath, along with Donald and Beatrice Hutchinson, venture into the heart of a nation engulfed by civil war. Their mission: to discreetly observe and report on a conflict that threatens not only Spain but the stability of all Europe.
As battles rage between the democratically elected Republicans and General Franco’s insurgent Nationalists, the agents find themselves navigating a landscape of deception, danger, and political intrigue. Britain’s official neutrality masks a deep unease over the potential repercussions: a fascist victory in Spain could tip the entire continent into darkness and threaten critical British territories, including Gibraltar.
Brimming with vivid historical detail and relentless suspense, this novel brings the tense political landscape of 1930s Europe dramatically to life. As echoes of the past resound ominously in our modern political climate, readers will be compelled to ask: Could history be repeating itself?
MADISON: ADDLESTONE CHRONICLES BOOK 5 July 24th 1937 - February 22nd 1939
Surrey, 1937. James and Louise Harcourt-Heath have a country house, two small children, and a secret. So do Donald and Beatrice. All four work for British Intelligence.
When an American industrialist mistakes James for a friend of the fascist cause, London sees an opening and takes it. The two couples leave their children in Surrey and sail for New York to find out how far it has already gone.
Further than anyone at home believes. Fritz Kuhn’s German American Bund. The Ku Klux Klan. Twenty-five thousand Southern Baptist churches. And Father Charles Coughlin, broadcasting from his pulpit in Detroit to thirty million listeners, a quarter of the country, calling the President a Jewish traitor.
Funded by respectable men. Protected by policemen on the payroll.
By February 1939 the four are carrying guns, and the only man in New York they can trust is a mobster.
It ends inside Madison Square Garden, beneath an eighty-foot portrait of George Washington flanked by swastikas, while twenty thousand Americans raise their right arms and shout Sieg Heil.
Almost everyone in this book lived. What they believed is on the record.
It happened here once. The flags were American then too.





