The most fascinating part about this book is that it's about real people. Obviously, some of the details are made up or exaggerated or changed to fit the novel, but most of these characters really existed. Due to the nature of working as a clandestine agent, it would have been impossible to know every detail and I think the author did a great job of working with what she had and adapting it to a novel format.

Virginia is being dropped into France with the intention of working as a wireless operator (a pianist) and coordinating supply drops with the Allies in order to help the French Resistance, the Maquis. She has an American accent and a limp, which might give away her identity. This is not her first mission. This story is impossible to put down. Will she survive the expected 6 weeks (the average life expectancy for pianists in France)?

I definitely recommend this one to anyone that's interested in WWII historical fiction or a good adventure/spy story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eAR C of this book.
Incredible piece of historical fiction about Virginia Hill, a resistance fighter at the end of WWII.
A story of an amazing woman. Lots of characters who are well developed, presented in a way that was never confusing.. Loved the book. Watch for it in February 2021.

“It is better to light just One Little Candle than to stumble in the dark.” *

The opening line to one of my favorite Christmas carols kept playing in my head as I read this inspiring book. Occupied France was in dire need of hope and in the midst of terrible darkness and oppression, some tiny points of light did shine through. This book is a fictionalized, but accurate account of Virginia Hall and the people she worked with in 1944.

American Virginia Hall was a well-educated young woman who began her career with the American Consulate service. During WWII she became an Allied spy, working with the British in France. Her basic mission as a wireless operator was to get supplies to the resistance fighters in France, organize them in acts of sabotage and train them to overthrow the Germans after D-Day. In the midst of evil, could she bring forth the hope of a brighter world?

The typical wireless operator survived in Nazi France for six weeks. Virginia was not typical. In spite of a physical handicap, she persevered. Her story is one of fear, loneliness, hardship and danger, but also moments of friendship, love and opportunity to witness acts of great mercy and bravery.

Readers will find the actual “spying” details fascinating. In an evil and constantly life-threatening world- a world without computers and high-tech??- how did Virginia accomplish her mission? Spies communicated through coded messages. Also, the BBC broadcast coded messages each evening. Even crossword puzzles could convey a secret message. It’s thrilling to be crowded in a dark room with Virginia and her cohorts, breathlessly listening to the radio for the words that would signal a delivery of supplies, or the start of the D-Day invasion. Through Virginia, we get to know many amazing and unsung people with true hearts for good.

A section of the story that deserves a whole book of its own, is Virginia’s time in Le Chambon-sur-Ligne. Saving the “Old Testaments” will have you weeping. Virginia was deeply affected too, but the love and valor she observed also helped to thaw her icy heart of emotional self-protection.

Well-paced, with wonderful historic details that enhance rather than slow-down the story, you will be awestruck by Virginia and thankful that people such as her rose up during a dark period of history. This is a must read! Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.

*Sung by Perry Como
Music by George Mysels
With Lyrics by Joseph Maloy Roach, Published 1952

Virginia Hall was an American debutante and a most unlikely candidate to be a spy during WWII in occupied France. Reading her story was both totally engrossing and difficult to read, as we learn of her underground network and her work with the marquis, the French Resistance fighters. She worked for the British SOE as a wireless operator during the second half of the war. She was told by her “handler” to expect only to survive six weeks in the field, and the fact that she lasted to the end of the war is truly remarkable. You won’t be sorry to pick this one up.

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for a review.
When you think there are no more stories to tell on the subject of WWII, a novel such as this explodes forth. Erika Robuck introduces us to Virginia Hall, an American debutante turned spy for the Allies. The book exposes her methods, her networks, and her struggles in brilliant succession, so the reader can immerse themselves in the challenges and fears of war torn France.
If you enjoy historical fiction, this is a fine example of how it should be written. Characters and situations are combined, as the author admits in her notes, but the book is clearly well researched with thoughtful consideration to flow and execution of characters and place.
5*

American Virginia Hall was an Allied spy during WWII. This book fictionalized her second mission to France where she was only expected to survive six weeks. Her strengths and weaknesses are on display fairly equally, however, there is no doubt that this woman was a true hero. This mighty woman is and was an inspiration. Erika Robuch did her research thoroughly which is evident in her details. In the back matter she explains the changes she made for storytelling purposes. And this is an excellent story! Readers should be prepared to stay up late and experience for heart pounding suspense as well as heart rending emotion. This will be a hit with fans of WWII historical fiction with a true heroine at its heart.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review. I can’t wait to share this title!

Prior to D-Day, Virginia Hall is dropped into occupied France with these admonitions: "Don't put yourself in unnecessary danger. Change safe houses frequently. Don't get attached."

Virginia easily adapts to the many situations that confront her. How would you dress if you wanted to be invisible? Who notices a dowdy, hunched, plump, shuffling old woman? How about a slinky bright red form fitting dress? If someone asked you about this woman, you probably couldn't say anything about her face? Her hair? Her height? Only the dress.

Based on the true story of Virginia Hall, who, in addition to being a top-notch Allied spy, has a prosthesis replacing the bottom half of her leg. Working undercover in France, she refuses to let this hamper her. She works through the pain, the hunger, the sleeplessness, considers all options, and her choices work beautifully.

You'll love watching her weave herself in and out of situations in the most intriguing way, always staying one step -- or two -- ahead of the Nazis.

I read this EARC courtesy of Berkley Publications and Net Galley. Pub date 02/09/21

Erika Robuck's The Invisible Woman is extraordinary. The book focuses on real-life SOE spy Virginia Hall, an American who was stationed in France during the darkest days of World War II. Robuck's talent for research is clear--every scenario feels authentic, every location is effortlessly described, and every character (and there are many) is depicted carefully in great detail. While Robuck is clear that her book is not a biography, it is a moving and effective tribute to one of the few women operatives who survived the war. I think that even the notoriously hard-edged Hall would be pleased with how she is depicted. This book will be tremendously popular--and rightly so.