The Librarian Spy

A librarian who is a spy set in World War II? I was sold from the beginning. In The Librarian Spy Ava exchanges her job at the Library of Congress where she is an expert at microfilming for a U.S military post in Portugal using the same skills. While microfilming newspapers and other documents from throughout Europe, Ava not only becomes familiar with the plight of many Jewish people trying desperately to leave Europe but also stumbles upon a coded plea for help in a French Resistance newspaper.

Author Madeline Martin does a wonderful job of intertwining two unique stories. The two stories unfold simultaneously involving two entirely different sets of characters and seem completely unrelated. Alternating between the two story lines causes the story to be a bit slow at the beginning, When the two stories intersect, the characters work together to accomplish their mission over different countries and in some cases without meeting in person. Their clandestine work using top of the line World War II era technology combined with their persistence and strong female characters provides a wonderfully, entertaining yet poignant work.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complementary copy of this book via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

World War II, French Resistance, Woman Spy!

Code Name Helene is the most recent addition to World War II books that focus on the important work of women in the war effort. Not only is Code Name Helene a delightful peak into the French resistance, but it is based on the true story of "la souris blanche." I won't go into this true story much as I don't want to spoil the plot but know that author Ariel Lawhon did her research!

Code Name Helene tells the exciting story of Nancy Wake from her first interactions with Nazis in the mid-1903s to her first innocent involvement in the Reistance to becoming a full-fledged British SOE working with the French Resistance and helping to end the war. Nancy, who goes by several different code names throughout the book, is a truly enjoyable and likeable character. She has definite flaws but is also a "girl next door" type who does whatever it takes to get the job done. Lawhon does a wonderful job of creating several contrasting characters who act as foils to Nancy. Lawhon also employs flashbacks to gradually unfold the back story of how Nancy became part of the Resistance and what happens to her beloved husband while simultaneously telling the story of her work with the French Resistance during the last year of World War II.

There is so much to enjoy about this book! As it is set in the middle of the war and in France, there is certainly a good deal of cursing (Merdre!) and drinking, but it's war. Reading about the deprivations and hardships of Resistance fighters and everyday people during the war made our minor quarantine issues seem minute in comparison. Code Name Helene definitely deserves to be added to your to read pile.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Code Name Helene from Doubleday via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Newest Maggie Hope Mystery!

I have previously read and enjoyed books in the Maggie Hope Mystery Series, so when the newest release in the series The King's Justice by Susan Elia MacNeal became available I knew I wanted to read it right away and am glad I did.

The King's Justice find Maggie in London where a previous criminal whom she had helped to capture has just been sentenced to death. Maggie has officially stepped away from her previous spy roles and is instead employed to detonate bombs in London. Doing so, she becomes acquainted with a number of individuals called "Britalians" who are British citizens of Italian descent and a number of individuals who are conscientious objectors. I had not previously realized that the Britalians were treated poorly and many put in "camps" similar to how the British treated Germans who were living in Great Britian during the War and how the U.S. treated Japanese and German Americans. While not working as a spy, Maggie still had many contacts in the spy and police world and becomes pulled into a new investigation involving a new serial killer. MacNeal does a marvelous job of drawing several different threads together into one coherent story and drawing in background information from the previous books in the series. She also leaves a cliffhanger so that you know book 10 is coming!

While previous books in the series benefited from being read in order, but if you hopped it you could follow along, I would not recommend reading The King's Justice if you have not read the other books. There are many allusions and references to previous experiences Maggie had and not being familiar with those would diminish enjoyment of this book. I even found that enough time had passed since reading the previous books that a refresher of the most recent books would have been helpful. I would encourage individuals who have read previous Maggie Hope books to read this one as soon as possible. If you have not you become acquainted with Maggie Hope, I hope you will read these exciting and well-written spy novels as soon as possible.

I received a complementary copy of The King's Justice from NetGalley. I was not required to provide a positive option and all opinions are my own.

The Spy You Never Knew

When you think of the French Resistance movement in World War II, images of spies, individuals blowing up bridges, and committing other subversive acts to help defeat Nazi Germany come to mind. The woman who was the head of the Alliance, the most famous French resistance organization, probably does not come to mind. Madame Fourcade's Secret War: The Daring Young Woman Who Led France's Largest Spy Network Against Hitler will definitely change that!

This marvelous book chronicles Madame Fourcade's involvement in the Alliance from the beginning of the war until its end and beyond. Author Lynne Olson does provide some background information at the beginning of the book which helps to answer the important questions of why and how Madame Fourcade, also know as Marie-Madeleine, was asked to take on this important role. Throughout the pages, the reader is introduced to many individuals with whom Marie Madeleine interacted with during the course of the war. The large number of individuals mentioned throughout the book demonstrate the vastness of the Alliance and how involved the French citizens were in the war. While reading of the numerous spies, readers will rejoice at their victories and weep for those who were caught. While reading I had to frequently remind myself that the events portrayed were true and not fiction. Marie-Madeleine's life, and those of the other spies you meet in these pages, is a wonderful reminder that people are much stronger than we think and will rise to the challenge set before them.

Madame Fourcade's Secret War is recommended for a variety of readers. Anyone who enjoys reading and studying World War II will want to add to their shelf. Anyone who enjoy spy stories will want to read this as well. If you are seeking the story of a remarkable but little know woman, Madame Fourcade's Secret War fits the description. I had not encountered author Lynne Olson's works previously but will be seeking out her other works which primarily focus on World War II.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book Madame Fourcade's Secret War via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Maggie Hope WWII Spy Series

Last month while at our local library perusing the new books, the title The Paris Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal caught my attention. As I looked through it, I noted it was the most recent book in the Maggie Hope series and seemed to recall that I had read at least one of the books in the series previously. As I dislke hopping into a series part way through, I proceeded to check out every copy of this series available in the library. I was delighted to find that the copies not available in print were available as ebooks for check out as well. As this was just before Christmas, I anticipated plenty of time to read through this series.

As I revisited the first book in the series, Mr. Churchill's Secretary, I quickly found myself caught up in the adventures of American raised but British born main character Maggie Hope who finds herself in London during World War II. Life finds her working at #10 Downing Street and soon she is in the midst of a variety of intriguing situations. As the series continues, Maggie and her friends find themselves interacting with numerous famous individuals and participating in spy and espionage activities. Over the course of the novels, Maggie interacts with not only the Prime Minister but also the royal family, the President and First Lady, and famous generals. I was most disappointed to reach the end of The Paris Spy only to be presented with a huge cliff-hanger and discover the next book The Prisoner in the Castle doesn't come out until August. I'm waiting on pins and needles to find out what happens!

I highly recommend this excellent and award winning series. It is an adult series with some minor adult language (it is set in war time) and veiled references to the characters sexual activity. Even so, I do not hesitate to encourage my teenage daughter to read these books.