I love historical fiction novels, and this one, set just after World War II's end and during the first World War, takes place during two time periods that I enjoy reading about. It also brings to life the Alice Network which was critical to the World War I, a contribution made by female spies.
Synopsis taken from Amazon:
In an enthralling new historical novel from national bestselling author Kate Quinn, two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption.
1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She's also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie's parents banish her to Europe to have her "little problem" taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.
1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she's recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she's trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the "Queen of Spies", who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy's nose.
Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn't heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth...no matter where it leads.
My Thoughts:
Quinn's novel is a pleasure to read. She manages to weave two stories together seamlessly, moving between time periods and allowing the stories to unfold. Eve is a young woman in 1915, ready to make her mark on the world. She joins a ring of female spies, the Alice Network, and operates as a French secret agent.
Years later, Charlie is trying to find a long-lost cousin, Rose, who has not been heard from for three years. Charlie has been banished to Europe by her parents to take care of an "indiscretion" before she returns home. Once she arrives in London, she decides to find Rose, embarking on her search. This leads her to Eve, an older woman who has had a rough go at life.
As the story moves back and forth in time, it is interesting to see how life experiences have changed Eve from the young woman who embraced a life of danger and intrigue to the woman she is now.
I loved learning more about Eve as a young woman and was invested in finding out what happened to Rose as well. There is suspense in this book, but also great character development, and details in history researched by Quinn.
Quinn's novel is a pleasure to read. She manages to weave two stories together seamlessly, moving between time periods and allowing the stories to unfold. Eve is a young woman in 1915, ready to make her mark on the world. She joins a ring of female spies, the Alice Network, and operates as a French secret agent.
Years later, Charlie is trying to find a long-lost cousin, Rose, who has not been heard from for three years. Charlie has been banished to Europe by her parents to take care of an "indiscretion" before she returns home. Once she arrives in London, she decides to find Rose, embarking on her search. This leads her to Eve, an older woman who has had a rough go at life.
As the story moves back and forth in time, it is interesting to see how life experiences have changed Eve from the young woman who embraced a life of danger and intrigue to the woman she is now.
I loved learning more about Eve as a young woman and was invested in finding out what happened to Rose as well. There is suspense in this book, but also great character development, and details in history researched by Quinn.
On Memorial Day Weekend book bloggers who were scheduled to review The Alice Network for TLC Book Tours were able to meet up with author, Kate Quinn, and ask her a question or two. Unfortunately my audio wasn't working, but I did get to type a question anyway, and could hear the conversation everyone else was having.
Thanks to TLC Book Tours for providing a copy of this book for my review. All opinions expressed are, as always, my own.
1 comment:
I've always been so impressed by the women who served as spies in France during WWII - those women had guts!
Thanks for being a part of the tour!
Post a Comment