Book Review: Doris Flies Solo by M W Arnold

I’m excited to be welcoming M W Arnold back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for his novel, Doris Flies Solo – the latest book in the Broken Wings series. 

Air Transport Auxiliary pilot Doris Johnson is sent on a solo trip, escorting a British General on a secret mission to Scotland, vital to the success of D-Day, the forthcoming invasion of Nazi occupied France.

Her natural inquisitiveness means her life is in put in great danger and she’ll need more than her superb flying skills to survive.

Doris has to trust her own instincts, and those of the new friends she makes, so that everyone comes through their adventures in one piece. Not everything is as it seems, sometimes by design, as she faces whatever is thrown at her with a determined smile and the spirit to stand fast for what is good and right.

*****

We are back at RAF Hamble with the ladies from the Air Transport Auxiliary. This time, Doris ventures out on her own when she is tasked with a top secret mission; to accompany an important General. However, where there is any member of the ATA Mystery Club, intrigue and danger is soon to follow and it isn’t long until it finds Doris.

Right, I am going to try and talk about this novel without giving away spoilers. It’s going to be hard but, deep breath… here we go. Haha.

It is so brilliant to be back with these characters. Having read all the books prior to this one, I have grown so incredible fond of every single one of these ladies. If this is your introduction to the Broken Wings series however, don’t worry, I feel it can be read as a standalone. Be sure to put the whole series on the TBR pile though.

Now I know you could argue, with Mick being a friend of this blog, that I am a little biased and maybe I am BUT, that doesn’t stop this series and this latest novel being a really fun adventure and even if I’d never met Mick, I am sure I would love it just as much.

Doris is one of my favourites and it’s great that she got her own novel. I wish I had half of her confidence but I do share her love of a chip shop. She’s strong, independent, straightforward and fiercely loyal to her loved ones. From page one, I was pulled into this story and wondered what she would get herself into.

The supporting characters, for the most part, are also fantastic. There were a couple I didn’t like for reasons you’ll find out when you read. There’s one for sure that is a little misunderstood but the more I got to know them, the more I began to like them. I did miss the other ladies but the kitten was a VERY CUTE replacement. I don’t even want to mention the name of the kitten. All I know is I want to adopt it.

The plot was compelling and mysterious with a great amount of danger thrown in. As with the stories prior to this one, I couldn’t put the book down. It’s also obvious that Mick is knowledgeable when it comes to the history and the transport related to WW2.

Doris Flies Solo is a fun tale with twist, turns, and surprises thrown in. It’s a perfect escape for fans of historical fiction and mystery with themes of friendship, bravery and resiliance. It was so wonderful to spend some time with Doris again as well as meet some new characters. I hope it’s not long before I am back with the ATA…. cough, just saying, Mick. Haha.

About M W Arnold –

Mick is a hopeless romantic who was born in England and spent fifteen years roaming around the world in the pay of the late HM Queen Elisabeth II in the Royal Air Force, before putting down roots and realising how much he missed the travel. This, he’s replaced somewhat with his writing, including reviewing books and supporting fellow saga and romance authors in promoting their novels.

He’s the proud keeper of two Romanian Were-Cats bent on world domination, is mad on the music of the Beach Boys, and enjoys the theatre and humouring his Manchester United-supporting wife. (Please don’t mention this last to her!)

Say hello to Mick on Facebook, X, Instagram, Amazon and You Tube. Mick has also written posts for Novel Kicks. Click to read past Mick’s Musings columns.

Doris Flies Solo is book six in the Broken Wings series and was released by The Wild Rose Press on 23rd September 2024. Click here to buy on Amazon, Apple, Nook and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.