"Crooked Adam" by D.E. Stevenson (re-read)

My D.E. Stevenson fan group recently concluded its group readalong/discussion of  "Crooked Adam," one of several DES novels written and set during the years of World War II in Britain. I read this book through myself back in early November before we started it as a group (my review here). 

"Crooked Adam" is Adam Southey -- "crooked" because he's lame and walks with a limp. His disability has kept him out of military service, and he's stuck teaching school at his alma mater (and frustrated about it).  

The school's headmaster, Sam Cooke, has developed a secret weapon that will help the war effort, and possibly even end the war -- and he enlists Adam's help to transport his work to a remote corner of the Scottish Highlands during the school's break, where a working model of the weapon will be constructed and tested. 

But enemy agents are after the plans -- and Adam and Dr. Cooke are in danger.  

A spy thriller/adventure novel is a bit of a departure for Stevenson from her usual cozy family dramas and romances. It's mildly entertaining (particularly the final section of the book, as the plot to steal the plans comes into clearer focus), with a cinematic quality to it (I could clearly picture some of the scenes -- in black & white, like a 1940s movie!). My enjoyment of the book was somewhat marred by a number of weaknesses, including meandering tangents and gaping plot holes (most of which I detailed in my original review). Chatting about the book with my fellow group members did help me to appreciate its merits more!  

I originally rated this book 3 stars on both Goodreads and StoryGraph, and that rating still stands. 

This was Book #2 read to date in 2026 (and Book #1 finished in February), bringing me to 5% of  my 2026 Goodreads Reading Challenge goal of 40 books. I am (for the moment, anyway...!) 1 book behind schedule to meet my goal.  :)  You can find reviews of all my books read to date in 2026 tagged as "2026 books."