Helpful Score: 2
As the title implies, this story is set in the time immediately following World War II and features Edith, an unmarried British teacher who is bored with her life and desires to aid her country in this trying time. She is uniquely qualified to be a spy in Germany to help find Nazi leaders who escaped capture this far.
As the story unfolds, it grows ever more complex. Who in this large cast of characters can be trusted? Whose ulterior motives align with Edith's? What is the truth?
I can't imagine the vast amount of research the author conducted to create this novel. The ways in which food and recipes are key parts of the story are so interesting. There are also many German phrases and place names, some of which are translated while others are not. Be advised: the novel contains vivid descriptions of the horrors of war.
If there was any doubt, this reading experience confirmed that I am not spy material! I was often confused while reading this 490-page novel, but that provided a glimpse into the situations Edith and her colleagues constantly faced.
I really enjoyed this novel although I thought the ending was rushed and a bit unbelievable. Thank you to William Morrow for providing this ARC through a Goodreads giveaway. Celia Rees is an award-winning YA author, and I hope this is the first on many adult novels she writes.
As the story unfolds, it grows ever more complex. Who in this large cast of characters can be trusted? Whose ulterior motives align with Edith's? What is the truth?
I can't imagine the vast amount of research the author conducted to create this novel. The ways in which food and recipes are key parts of the story are so interesting. There are also many German phrases and place names, some of which are translated while others are not. Be advised: the novel contains vivid descriptions of the horrors of war.
If there was any doubt, this reading experience confirmed that I am not spy material! I was often confused while reading this 490-page novel, but that provided a glimpse into the situations Edith and her colleagues constantly faced.
I really enjoyed this novel although I thought the ending was rushed and a bit unbelievable. Thank you to William Morrow for providing this ARC through a Goodreads giveaway. Celia Rees is an award-winning YA author, and I hope this is the first on many adult novels she writes.
