I was enthralled reading this book and was forced to neglect some important tasks as I could not put it down. There were great rewards for sticking wiI was enthralled reading this book and was forced to neglect some important tasks as I could not put it down. There were great rewards for sticking with this one to the end. It is quite different from any other WWII book I have read due to the number of dimensions included within the storyline. Dorset Coast features as the springboard for a very unique character, a female with strong intellect, beliefs and ambitions. Craziness is included in the many feats she manages to pull off and the stage is set when she becomes "ruler" of a beached whale on her home's beach. She does sign up to serve in the military, parachute jumps into German territory included among other brave acts. She has a brother she is very close to that she finally catches up with in Paris during the occupation, and that relationship is one of the important keystones in the tale. There is joy and sadness, bravery and strife and a large dollop of joyful entertainment.
WW2 France resistance work as noted in book's title, but I did not care for the writing style and structure of the story. It was a book to read througWW2 France resistance work as noted in book's title, but I did not care for the writing style and structure of the story. It was a book to read through a sleepless night, but I did not care for it. If you love the history of Dior try it.
I classified this book as WWII, but it covers WWI as well. This is most likely going to be the very best book I have read in year 2023. Yes, I have beeI classified this book as WWII, but it covers WWI as well. This is most likely going to be the very best book I have read in year 2023. Yes, I have been a fan of this author's Maisie Dobbs series, but this book is truly remarkable. It does move between time periods, building the foundation of a young woman who faces challenging times and then grows to need every skill honed in youth as she is utilized by British intelligence. Using the word grit in describing a female character is somewhat rare, but this characteristic is most definitely needed in all she faces. It is somewhat sorrowful to come to the end of the book as one wishes to spend more time with this very strong character. Brilliant job!
Inspector Henri Lefort again performs wonderfully as he walks the tightrope of being a French policeman in Nazi occupied Paris. He uncovers the ugly tInspector Henri Lefort again performs wonderfully as he walks the tightrope of being a French policeman in Nazi occupied Paris. He uncovers the ugly truths about evil program rooting out "defective" children and must devise a strategy to bring this practice to a halt. The characters and action are both colorful and interesting, and even though the topics are grim there is a light thread of humour based in Henri's character that keeps the grim reality bearable. We learn more about Henri's history in this second book of the series. Expected publication summer 2023.
Thanks to NetGalley for advanced reader copy....more
Library Loan The story of a Russian sniper, how she became a sniper, how she became acquainted with the Roosevelts, how she continued to serve Russia dLibrary Loan The story of a Russian sniper, how she became a sniper, how she became acquainted with the Roosevelts, how she continued to serve Russia during WWII is unlike any other book I have read covering this period. I really appreciate the study that went into the creation of this historical novel. It was really fascinating....more
This 17th book featuring Maisie Dobbs might be the very best of the series. She is a mature mother and wife successfully juggling her work as psycholoThis 17th book featuring Maisie Dobbs might be the very best of the series. She is a mature mother and wife successfully juggling her work as psychologist/investigator during challenging times of war and succeeding on all fronts. The female pilots of WWII are featured; a visit from Eleanor Roosevelt causes challenges but also a special privilege for Maisie's daughter; Maisie's challenging case is successfully concluded and the family learns to live with wartime restrictions. It is good to visit all these endearing characters.
Spitfire Fans should put this on their reading list....more
This emotionally rich novel that may bring one or two tears to your eyes is a fine diary of London Blitz experiences. The author chose a young woman tThis emotionally rich novel that may bring one or two tears to your eyes is a fine diary of London Blitz experiences. The author chose a young woman to be at the center of this historical novel and has given the reader a rewarding tale of maturation that carves character in the worst of circumstances and times. ...more
Just one reviewer here on GR mentioned that this is written in simplistic language and viewpoint, and I don't see it classified as Young Adult. This bJust one reviewer here on GR mentioned that this is written in simplistic language and viewpoint, and I don't see it classified as Young Adult. This book did not appeal to me for this reason. If you intend to purchase book somewhere like Amazon, I advise that you download sample of book first to see for yourself. Thus armed, better able to make informed decision. Of course I do not mean this as a criticism of other reviewers and am happy they enjoyed the book far more than I did....more
Life in Norway WW2 is described movingly with a couple central figures as focal points in demonstrating the difficult, really impossible challenges ofLife in Norway WW2 is described movingly with a couple central figures as focal points in demonstrating the difficult, really impossible challenges of surviving the Nazi reign. Harrowing escape attempts and struggles of daily life are difficult to contemplate.
Wonderful intergenerational story of love and loss centered in Venice through the decades. The story delivers art, the charms of Venice for a young EnWonderful intergenerational story of love and loss centered in Venice through the decades. The story delivers art, the charms of Venice for a young English art teacher on stipend for the year, her delivery of a surprising and special inheritance for a younger niece revealed after death slowly, the buildup of Germany's war efforts and how it impacted those in Italy and how history can leave its mark and make way for a new future.
I am on a roll. This represents the latest book of a series I have read from the beginning and must again proclaim (for the third time in recent histoI am on a roll. This represents the latest book of a series I have read from the beginning and must again proclaim (for the third time in recent history) that this book is the very best of the series. To capsulize, Maisie is in a good place in her personal life, and her work life has transitioned into war work helping the cause using her gifts of assessing candidates for clandestine war efforts. I don't want to spoil this book for others by detailing key events. The time period of WWII has not yet progressed into US participation; Maisie is concerned about reports from a young boy the service uses as a runner to deliver messages when he witnesses a murder and no one believes him. This book is really packed with important events, winding up with a couple of really big ones. A very good read!...more
I found this second book in the Wesley Peterson series to be uneven in delivery of the plot, but of interest to me for the introduction of events in SI found this second book in the Wesley Peterson series to be uneven in delivery of the plot, but of interest to me for the introduction of events in South Devon I was unaware of. Exercise Tiger, a practice for the D-day landings held in April 1944 had a rather devastating impact on the population of that area. We learn of it bit by bit due to the visit by American GIs to the area as a sort of memorial trip, but one of their number is killed. The police investigation is somewhat clumsy and does have fatal results. Also, the unhappiness of the female in the CID team, Rachel, is going to need to be addressed in the next book, or we're in for trouble. Wesley has a number of domestic challenges but does find himself as a new father of a baby boy in the end. The archeological dig that usually accompanies the plot in this series is given a small spotlight. The archaeologist Neil Watson is a friend of Wesley's from college days, and he is the one who finds a body in the middle of his dig, a site of a chantry. Old secrets of area families are uncovered during the investigation.
Hmm. I lost my review when switching editions. Read this book if you are at all interested in Bletchley Park codebreaking. It is a superior book, exceHmm. I lost my review when switching editions. Read this book if you are at all interested in Bletchley Park codebreaking. It is a superior book, exceeding all expectations with regard to thorough research. It is long, but holds the attention with fictional accounts of real personages I shall not name....more
One would not expect to be laughing heartily whilst reading a WW2 book centered in London during the Blitz, but that was my response to the blusteringOne would not expect to be laughing heartily whilst reading a WW2 book centered in London during the Blitz, but that was my response to the blusterings of a mother who comes to London looking for her daughter (an MI5 agent unknown to her). Mrs. Braithwaite is a memorable, complex and eventually redeemable character. This is a warm and lively book filled with harrowing adventures forcing a hard look inward for this formerly blustering, bossy woman who takes a turn toward compassion and love.
Just my second book by this author, the other also featuring WWII, but I enjoyed this book far more. The simplicity and sincerity fit the poignant storJust my second book by this author, the other also featuring WWII, but I enjoyed this book far more. The simplicity and sincerity fit the poignant story of a family from Scotland's Highlands and their lives as lived in the area near Loch Ewe. This was a location important during the war as a muster point for convoys of warships. The narrative alternates between the modern day (1970's) and the war period (1940's) with one thread featuring mother and the other her daughter. I don't usually enjoy sentimental love stories, but this one was well thought out and well constructed to strum the heart strings in a good way making for a strong female-centered tale.
ARC provided by Amazon Publishing UK through NetGalley...more
Wonderfully moving World War II survival tale featuring the love between mother and daughter in Poland escaping the Nazis. The two must separate at a Wonderfully moving World War II survival tale featuring the love between mother and daughter in Poland escaping the Nazis. The two must separate at a critical time if the daughter is to be protected. A violin is a key element that links the two.
The challenge many had to face in Hitler's Germany was how to protect their innocent children, and this story tells of the fate of some who were sent The challenge many had to face in Hitler's Germany was how to protect their innocent children, and this story tells of the fate of some who were sent away on Kindertransport, an effort that saved 10,000 children. In this case two children are featured who were sent to Ireland. It is framed romantically with emotion and manages to tell a simple story of finding love and redemption under the worst of conditions.
I have read several books about Churchill, but I am no expert. The manner in which Larson unfolds the dramatic events of May 1940 through May 1941 is I have read several books about Churchill, but I am no expert. The manner in which Larson unfolds the dramatic events of May 1940 through May 1941 is engaging, sometimes distressing but always informative and meaningful. He introduces a cast of characters that touched on the life of Churchill and his family during that critical time allowing for a rich tapestry of human experience throughout the Blitz. There are gems too numerous to mention and I have no wish to spoil book for others. It is a must read.
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