SHE’S A NOVICE IN A WORLD WHERE EXPERTS DIE QUICKLY.
Normandy, 1943: Ginny Drake, tasked with evacuating Nazi collaborator Claude Duvall from France, is murdered during a London briefing. British Intelligence needs a quick replacement, someone identical in appearance and fluent in French. Janelle Wilson, a war widow born in France, accepts the assignment, sparing her identical twin. She must convince Duvall that she is Ginny Drake—or he’ll refuse to cooperate.
While Inspector Charley Abbott investigates Ginny Drake’s murder, Janelle Wilson arrives in Normandy. She partners with radio operator Adrien Picard, who not only helps her elude the Germans but proves she can love again—even after losing her husband.
After a second British operative is murdered, Inspector Abbott suspects a double agent buried in the bowels of British Intelligence. Others fear a traitor in France—prepared to betray Janelle Wilson.
Janelle forges forward. Stumbling from one disaster to the next, she’s a novice in a world where experts die quickly. But she never gives up. She only tries harder.
Adrien is the only one she can trust—until the double agent is named.
Review
As the Nazi's moved further into France, everyone was tense. With one of their best operatives killed before she could tell anyone of her concerns, British Intelligence and Charley are looking for answers. More importantly, there's a package that only Ginny could deliver, and she's the second operative to be killed and previous cell dismantled. Charley spots a picture of Janelle Wilson, now a widow, and her twin sister - he's sure Janelle can pass for Ginny. Maybe Duvall never really met her. Then there's the fear that what Ginny was going to reveal was the name of a double agent. His assistant, Rita, warns him that Janelle could get killed. Still, after 5 days of intense training, Janelle parachutes into France and is almost caught by the Germans.
The story is well-written, switching frequently between what's happening in Britain and what's happening with Janelle, the "package," and Germans preparing to take Normandy. The characters are portrayed with very human emotions, though not all on the up-and-up. The pace is good and kept me engaged and I never guessed the double agent. I'm a fan of WWII fiction and this one didn't disappoint.
About the Author
John Anthony Miller writes all things historical—thrillers, mysteries, and romance. He sets his novels in exotic locations spanning all eras of space and time, with complex characters forced to face inner conflicts—fighting demons both real and imagined.
Each of his novels is unique: a Medieval epic, five historical mysteries, two Cold-War thrillers, two 1970’s cozy mysteries, a Revolutionary War spy novel, six WWII thrillers, and A Widow at War. He lives in southern New Jersey.
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Love the review!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I highly recommend the book
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