I had never heard of Virginia Hall before, but wow...she was an incredible woman and such a force for freedom while behind the lines in France during WW2. I highly recommend this detailed history of all the incredible things she endured and accomplished and how many great things she did to defeat the Nazis in their own territories, and without backup.

Content: while the story is very matter of fact, there’s no denying that the Nazis are guilty of incredible atrocities, and even just a sentence about something they did can have an incredible impact.

Thanks to the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

In 1942, the Gestapo sent out a transmission saying that Virginia Hall is the most dangerous of all Allied Spies. She established spy networks all over France for the Resistance. She also saved many lives. A story of heroism, spy’s and resistance.

It is becoming apparent that women had a greater impact on the outcome of World War II than just keeping the jobs left by men filled, and keeping the homefront safe. More women were spies, and effected the flow of information from the war zones than has been previous been recognized. In clear, concise prose Sonia Purnell tells the amazing story of the American socialite, Virginia Hall whose bravery and tenacity have been unexamined to this point. This is a riveting, moving portrayal of a woman who deserves to be known.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
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A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell documents the almost too crazy to believe journey of super spy Virginia Hall through WWII and beyond.
Hall was very much a free spirited woman, coming in an age of woman being allowed to finally vote and starting to flaunt and bend the rules more. Fierce, independent and smart she tried desperately to find work that matched her spirit. She struggled though to find work beyond being a secretary, it chafed her to be stuck behind a desk when she was positive she was worth more. Through a series of incidents, strength of will, stubbornness and possible luck Hall finally got her wish. Despite push back due to her disability (being down a leg and relying on a wooden replacement) and being a woman Hall persevered to show that she was just as good (in many cases better) than her mail counterparts.
The book reads almost like a thriller as you follow her sneaking around, avoiding the gestapo, breaking resistance members out of jail, arranging drops from airplanes to supply goods to groups, making alliances, breaking alliances, and just being a bad ass in general,
A lot of the missions Hall conducted are scarce in detail and not very in depth but it was interesting reading what affects her actions had and just learning over all more of what was going on during WWII. The book is primarily set in France because that is were she was stationed for the longest but I learned more in this book than I ever did in any of my history classes in school about the war.
Virginia Hall is an interesting woman and I’m so glad I read this and took the time to learn about her history.

Virginia Hall was next level, ahead of her time. She was a true hero, and I so happy that this book was written. This year I've noticed a plethora of historical fiction novels touting the role of women in WWII resistance efforts, but it's refreshing to read about a real woman thwarting Nazis with subterfuge, obfuscation, and general bad-assery. I'm both in awe of and indebted to Virginia Hall for her tireless, fearless, and committed bravery. She probably wouldn't want this book to exist because she was a humble spy, but it's stories like this that give me the courage to continue to fight the patriarchy. So thank you to Sonia Purnell for telling her story and to NetGalley for providing me a copy.

Much research went into this very realistic historical novel. Virginia Hall was a very dedicated and brave woman that had an amazing part as a spy during WWII. Readers who enjoy the historical fiction of this era will love this one. Recommended!

During WWII, Virginia Hall risked her life over and over, as a spy in occupied France. During the beginning of the war, she created a vast organization of contacts, busted fellow spies out of jail, and relayed on-the-ground intelligence about German troop movements, numbers, and the day-to-day condition. After her cover was blown, she escaped over the mountains in the dead of winter with a prosthetic leg. Once back in England, she demanded to be sent back to France. Upon her return, she coordinated guerilla fighters, blowing up bridges, arranging equipment drops, and reporting back vital information.

Virginia Hall was a fascinating person. I can't imagine her strength and determination. Although the book was slow at times, it was well written and engaging. Overall, well worth picking up.