R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 8/23/2012 + 1453 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

Winston Churchill makes short abbreviated appearances in this novel which are so much like his filmed appearances that I smiled. His described walk, his quotes, and his personality seem to come through the words on the pages. And, the secretary, Maggie Hope, is a lively intelligent heroine who has a knack for unraveling code to aid the British.

Maggie had English parents who were killed in an auto accident so she was raised by an aunt in America. However, she knows little more about her parents. She loves mathematics and is set to attend MIT when she learns that her grandmother in England has died. A grandmother she didn't know she had! In addition, she has inherited grandmother's home but needs to go there to sell it. Meanwhile, the Nazis are rampaging over Europe. Is England next?

Off to England to sell her inheritance, she discovers that the house doesn't sell. While she waits, she moves into it and finds roommates to share expenses and looks for looks for work. The prime minister's secretary is murdered and Maggie is hired as a typist through the influence of a young English friend. Eventually she becomes his secretary. Maggie falls in love with England and wants to do her part to save this wonderful country from the Nazis.

As the Nazis bomb London she becomes involved in decoding a message in a newspaper and realizes that the prime minister is at risk in some way. The rest of the message is difficult to understand but has a far reaching impact as well. The adventure begins and Maggie skirts death herself. In addition, she manages to visit her mother's grave but cannot find where her father is buried. Where is he? As she investigates the past it becomes tangled with the present. Check out this one for yourself to answer Maggie's questions and enjoy a good, good read.

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