The Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris is a can’t put down, read until 2:00 in the morning book! Masterful, poignant, riveting, heartbreaking and thrilling, this is a must read WWII historical novel. How illusions and magic were instrumental in saving many lives is truly fascinating. A troubled childhood, painful memories, unfathomable disasters and the strength that comes from love. Fenna is a woman you have to admire. This is a must read for lovers of WWII Historical Fiction!
I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review. This is a book I want to add to my collection!

Fenna Vos, the brains behind the illusions. A coordinator, a very bright and determined woman who seems to be able to turn and pivot as each situation changes and morphs from the normal to the absurd and obscene. A tragedy in her youth serves as a tether throughout much of the book and pops up at the most unlikely times. She can create and enact the most extraordinary distractions, but is often paralyzed by situations of her own making. She can invent and talk her way around a room full of men but allows herself to be used and manipulated by them. She is convinced into doing her bit for the war effort never guessing that she may labeled expendable.

This is another interesting story about World War II and the people who accepted the task to fight Hitler and his atrocities. There was just a little too much going on and too many “could this really be true and happening” moments. The constant intrigue of who could be believed and who was playing whom was trying and tiring but hey it supposedly happened so maybe it was me not being in the mood to be exhausted.

Appreciating the attention to detail, expression of love and loss I am rounding up. Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for a copy.

Wonderful book about WWII! If you like historical fiction…this is a great book. The main character is a magician/illusionist who works for British intelligence. Thought provoking novel. Thank you to net galley and the publisher for an ARC

Fenna is an associate of a stage magician. World War II finds her working in a clandestine group called MI9. Their objective is to provide ways to help allied prisoners escape Nazi prisoner of war camps. The trick is to make games transparent which are then allowed into prison camps.

Fenna has a second asset to offer. In addition to her escape artist’s abilities; she can speak Dutch, as this was her mother’s native tongue. She is inserted into Nazi controlled Holland to assist the underground. She finds the family of a very good friend. The friend has a child but the mother is killed in a Gestapo raid and her child is adopted by a childless German family. This situation is untenable to Fenna and the group in Holland. They work to help extract the young girl and spirit her to England.

This book is based upon some facts recently made public. Ms. McMorris has pulled together information regarding female operatives during World War II in a most engaging novel. The success of this lady in a male-dominated world is nothing short of spectacular. The resultant book is a great tribute to the millions of women who worked unheralded and unrecognized during the second world war. 5 stars – CE Williams

This book was very interesting in the fact that the main character Fenna Vos was a magician and an escape artist. She had a hard life from the time she was little and lost her mother. There was a traumatic epsiode when she was 7 at a Christmas eve event and that is where she met Arie, the love of her life, who protected her and got her to safety. They became fast friends and lived in the same apartment building. After the death of her father she was sent to an orphanage. She did not do well there and was always bullied by the girls who were jealous of her magic abilities. When she escaped from there she remembered where Arie's family moved to and by her cleverness ended up on their doorstep seeking help. They allowed her to live with them and they became her new family. Because of her traumatic childhood she felt she would never be a good mother and decided to leave the love of her life. She ended up doing magic/escape artist shows with Charles at various venues. She was then approached by the government to help figure ways to hide things to pass to shoulders. And the story continues during WWII. Fenna was such a beloved character who overcame her childhood trauma. She helped the shoulders and also a very special little person.
I found the book a little long in the middle but I stuck with it and am so glad I did because it was a beautiful story.
Remember to read the author's note about how she got the ideas for this book and the historical part of the story. It brought it all together.
Thanks to #netgalley, #sourcebooklandmark and @kristina.mcmorris for an ARC of this book

This is such a "big" story. So much is involved that I couldn't put it down. Childhood tragedy, childhood best friends, family drama, illusionists, magic acts, suspense, war. No idea that an illusionist could be involved in war, but it makes sense. Like I said so much going on and so much to learn from this very special historical fiction story.

I read a lot of WWII fiction and am always amazed when I read a book that looks at the war from a different perspective and is full of new things for me to learn. The author did considerable research and it shows on every page. This is a dual time line book that looks at Fenna's life at 10 years old in Upper Michigan copper country and the other time line is about her life throughout WWII.

1942 - When the novel begins, Fenna is presenting her magic act in front of a crowd. From a young age, she was intrigued with Houdini and his magic act where he was able to defy reality and escape from restraints. Fenna has a knack for creating new magic tricks and she and her helper, Charles, have intrigued the audience. After the show, she is approached by a gentleman who asks her if she'd be interested in going to London to work with British intelligence to create items to help prisoners of war in Germany. Together they create things like a razor that is really a compass and a board game with a map hidden in it. She becomes known as the 'gadget girl' while she's working for M19 outside of London. When a test of her loyalty draws her into occupied Europe, she has to decide what is really important in her life and if she can overcome her past.

1928 - Fenna's mother died several years earlier so her family is just her and her father. He is a cooper miner who is on strike for better working conditions. While they are at a Christmas gathering with several hundred people, someone yells FIRE and she becomes trapped in the stairwell with a mob trying to get out of the building. This part of the story is based on the Italian Hall Disaster of 1913 where 73 people - mostly children - were killed trying to escape a building. Fenna is almost suffocated but manages to escape with the help of a young boy, Arie who lives in her apartment building. The fire and the young boy both become important parts of the rest of her life. Because of the fire, she has panic attacks if she is in a confined area and feels as if she's suffocating. Arie tries to help her and takes her to a Houdini film to watch the escape artist perform magic tricks. After that film, she becomes enamored with magic tricks and develops some of her own.

This story about two traumatized children who grow up to be troubled adults and the ways that they hide their hurt and their love from each other and from the world around them. It's a story of family, love, bravery and forgiveness as these two people - Fenna and Arie - grow up and become part of the war effort and have to decide what is really important in their lives.

Be sure to read the Author's Notes at the end of the book. She shares a lot of information on what was true in her novel as well as the real people she based some of her characters on.

If you enjoy World War II fiction, you don't want to miss this book. It's always interesting to get a different look at the war and the ways that British intelligence worked to help their troops. Plus I always enjoy a book with a strong female character who commits acts of bravery to help others.

What a fast-paced, engrossing historical fiction thriller! It has everything a reader could want: factual events, some characters based on real people, magic, WWII gadgets, and a romance that will tug at your heart strings.

This is a heroine who survives the loss of first her mother then father at a young age, an unruly orphanage, a horrible accident where dozens died, then the bombing of London in WWII, a parachuting incident, encounters with the German SS, and a daring sea escape. Truly enjoyed the entire story!

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC to read and review.

Stop what you are doing and go immediately and get this book/audiobook. I was a fan of Kristina McMorris work with the release of Sold on a Monday. But with the release of The Ways We Hide, I will now immediately read all that McMorris releases.

When I first read the synopsis of The Ways We Hide, I was not sure that I would really enjoy this book. I am so very glad that I ignored that idea and went ahead and dove in to this book.

Based on true life events, Fenna Vos grew up in Michigan which was known for its copper. Fenna's mother had died in childbirth and it was just Fenna and her dad to survive on their own. Fenna always feeling left out and alone, finally found a friend in Arie Jansen, a boy, with whom Fenna experiences a horrific tragedy that will haunt her the rest of her life. Arie and Fenna's friendship will span many years.

Fenna's journey has many twists and turns that I don't want to discuss for fear that I will ruin the reader's experience. I was doubtful that McMorris could draw the twists and turns and constructs a story that has so many layers and nuances that all work so seamlessly together.

I did not want to stop this story. I devoured this story in four days and it would have been less if life had not gotten in the way. Fenna and Arie will tunnel a path in to your heart and you will not soon forget this story. The Ways We Had is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.

I received an ARC of this book from the NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

This is the second book I have read by this author, and it did not disappoint! I like the fact that they have made me think. Fenna, the main character is traumatized by the memory of an incident in her childhood. After the death of her father, she moves in with the family of her best friend, Arie. She has always been fascinated by Houdini and learns how to do some of his magic tricks. After an incident that forces her to leave their home, she gains a partner and sets up their magic act. As things begin to go downhill with her partner, she is approached by a British military officer who recruits her to London to use her expertise to create gadgets to help soldiers in the field. She then volunteers for a dangerous secret mission in Nazi territory. Because of her Dutch background, she is confident that she will be successful. Things do not work out as expected on her arrival and she is forced to confront her past while fighting to stay alive. This book is difficult to put down as I found the story fascinating. After finishing in, I was interested to check into things that happened in the book in order to see if some things that interested me were inspired by fact. I highly recommend this book!

Also reviewed on B&N under 1IrishEyes430 and Kobo under IrishEyes430

I have to admit when I first started reading Ways We Hide, I wasn’t sure I was going to finish it. The beginning was a bit hard to understand for me and I wasn’t sure about it. But, I’m so glad I finished reading this book! Fenna Vos is the daughter of Dutch immigrants. Finding herself orphaned after a terrible tragedy and illness, Fenna is on her own in the world. Drawing on her obsession of Harry Houdini, Fenna begins to make a name for herself performing “magic” tricks and escapes. This eventually leads her to London to create items for soldiers to carry during World War II to help them escape and find their way back to safety. If you like historical fiction, this is a must read. Fabulously written with rescues, romance, and narrow escapes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

The first few chapters had me questioning if this book would be a good fit for me, but as soon as the backstory started I was hooked. I had my heart broken a bit, but I really did enjoy it and would recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction with a pop of romance. I know a few people who avoid WWII era books due to the heaviness of the Holocaust and while Hitler was frequently mentioned, his atrocities were not mentioned in great detail. The story has heavy inspirational girl power notes and I loved it. I know the book is fiction, but we know that female accomplishments during war were (and are) largely ignored.

I have another book by the author on my Kindle and I will now prioritize reading it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing the advanced readers' copy for my honest review!

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the advanced reader's copy.
This book is such a wonderful walk thru another story of WWII. This time a magician's tale and adventure.
Well written and easy to read. I highly recommend this tale.

The Ways We Hide is a gripping historical fiction that begins with Fenna Vos apparently assisting master magician Charles at their show in Brooklyn. But appearances can be deceiving as Fenna, or Fen, is the expert who has crafted this show and taught Charles all he knows. The future holds so much for them, and the world as it’s now 1942 and the beginning of the United States’ entry into the War. There are changes on the way for this pair.

Before moving forward, the author returns to Fenna’s childhood in copper country, in Michigan, and important events that formed who she would be. These include a terrible Christmas Eve disaster that scarred her for life, a childhood friend that grew to be much more, her early love of magic that helped her deal with tragedy.

And beyond the magic shows, back to 1942, not in her wildest dreams would she have expected to be approached by a representative of British military intelligence. This man has seen her shows, recognized her skills and presents her with an offer to assist the war effort in England designing devices to help allied soldiers evade capture or escape prison.

There are many more layers to this novel, especially interpersonal ones which I prefer to leave to readers to uncover. And there is action aplenty once Fenna reaches England but I am not going to spoil any of that. This is a great novel that keeps you reading to find out what is coming next.

Perhaps my only concern was that at times I felt it seemed a bit much happening, but the afterword reveals the true history behind the details. Still a lot to have happened to one person though such things so occur in some peoples’ lives.

Recommended. This a well written historical novel that covers aspects of history not well known and does it in exciting ways.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Wow! This book was a real tear jerker for me!!! I really enjoyed this book - it was a first read for me by this author. I will be reading more of her work!

It took me a bit to warm up to this book but once we went back to 1928, I started to change my mind! I do feel like the book seems to be slow going in a few places but overall, I loved it, even if it left me just as heartbroken as Fenna!

I love how Fenna persevered through all of the obstacles that came her way. She was a strong, brilliant, creative woman - I love how it was presented especially in the WWII time period!

I absolutely loved the relationship between Fenna and Arie...they just completed and understood each other so well. I was rooting for them from the moment Fenna left for England! They always found each other no matter where they were in
life. They were truly soul mates!

This book was well written and I really appreciated the female view and success during a time when women really weren't heard or as successful as Fenna was. She was such an inspiration! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good historical romance! I am still feeling this book…and that to me is a sign of a great book!

The author's note at the end of the book was brilliant! I love how everything was explained. I am from Michigan and it was very interesting learning about the childhood incident. I will be going back to research more about it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kristina McMorris for sharing the advanced readers' copy for my
honest review!

It’s an incredible WW II story based around true facts, the main character Fenna has to face things that have haunted her since she was a child, to undertake a hazardous, and treacherous journey into Holland. A gripping and extremely well written narrative by Ms. McMorris about, war, loss, espionage, courage, coping with the unexpected challenges, finding the inner strength to overcome the obstacles, and surviving in a war-torn country.
Fenna Vos is raised by her widowed father in Michigan, her mother died in childbirth, he’s a Dutch immigrant, and a copper miner. As the main character Fenna raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan experiences a life changing event of the Italian Hall tragedy where many people including children were trampled to death when someone yelled fire. This impacted her life tremendously bringing her close to Arie. This is an entertaining, well-written, fast paced, historical fiction novel set during WWII, which is based on true events. It is tragic and heart-breaking, and has suspense, perseverance, a heart-warming romance, heroism, and hope. The female protagonist is likable, caring, courageous, intelligent, confident and resilient.
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Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Sourcebook Landmark.

I liked how the author magically whisks readers to the theater, giving them a front row seat and an exclusive view of what’s happening backstage. I was hooked from the start as Fenna Voss, an illusionist watches her assistant do a Houdini trick, Fenna thinks, “Deep within me, a sense of dread buzzes and crackles, an electrical wire threatening to short. I’m trapped by the stage lights, the performance well in motion.”

A recruiter from the war office in London is in the audience the night, Feena and her co-worker have a loud dispute. The intelligence officer finds her and says, “Your unique skills should be utilized for a grander purpose than amusement on a stage.”

This is a heart-wrenching, emotional, and intriguing journey through Fenna’s life as an orphan, a magician, an inventor, and a loyal friend. She wants to do her part in the war effort but, hesitates until she learns she might have a chance at saving a dear childhood friend.

It was fun to learn that Miss Voss’s job was like the character Q in the 007 movies. Her devices were developed to aid prisoners in their escape and/or evasion of the Germans in WWII.

I liked the author’s note to readers that include a plethora of fascinating information about true events, plus a list of – articles, notes and books referenced for you to dig deeper into these events.

I was excited to see the bonus pictures from Feena’s travels, (this character was fictional, but the events the author talked about were real). There are photos of card tricks, monopoly games and Gibraltar Farms mentioned in the story, along with some gadgets used in war.

I found Fenna’s recipes fun. First up is a dish called Boterkock – it’s a childhood dessert of Fenna’s it’s a classic Dutch “butter cake”, Then Hutspot loosely translated as mash pot, winter vegetable dish. Finally, there is a Non-Food recipe, Invisible Ink & Reagent. Used for writing secret messages.

If you like WWII novels with a twist, you’ll love Fenna’s adventure as she is thrust into a world of espionage, danger, and heartache. This story will stay with you long after you close the book. This is a fascinating read and one that would be perfect for your next book club pick.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher/NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

In this historical fiction book, we meet Fenna Vos, an illusionist who utilizes her special skills in knowing things aren't as they always seem to aid in WW2. In the book we learn about her past, including a horrific event at a Christmas celebration which changed her life forever, partly because she met Arie who would become an essential part of her future.

I enjoyed the book, however it just felt like it went on forever and ever. It seemed almost like the first half of the book was so much backstory to get to the present, which I appreciated, but certainly felt like it could be a novel itself. I am probably in the minority here, but the story didn't grab me as much as I had hoped. I do appreciate Fenna as a character, but at times I found it difficult to focus on the story and where it was going because I was caught up in minute details. I almost wish we got to learn more about Fenna in the present with her illusionist routine, that was the most entrancing part of the book for me. I'm not a huge historical fiction fan, though, so if you are, it might be more your speed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing this ARC. The opinions above are all my own.

A touching work of historical fiction. Set in WWII we meet Fenna, an illusionist who helps the British Army and Intelligence to invent escape aids for the military. This read is slow moving at first but then becomes a page turner. This book is a must read who enjoys historical fiction.

I have been a fan of Kristina McMorris ever since I read Sold on a Monday. She has a way of immersing the reader into the lives of the characters she writes about. Ways We Hide was no exception. Although Ways We Hide started out a little slow for me, it wasn’t long before I was completely hooked and absorbed in the story. I felt such compassion and admiration for the two primary characters of Fenn and Arie. It was hard not to like them and root for them. Kristina McMorris not only transported me back in time in her newest historical fiction saga but allowed me to learn new things due to her impeccable research. She placed Fenn and Arie at the Italian Hall Disaster in Eden Springs in 1928. The disaster actually occurred in Calumet, Michigan in 1913. The date and place were altered to fit the story. Finn and Arie were living in Eden Springs with their families and were not only present during this tragedy but they were victims of it as well. The families that settled in Copper County were a mishmash of different nationalities, Dutch and German being the most abundant and common. At that Christmas Eve party, organized for the striking miners and their families, 73 deaths occurred. When someone falsely made a claim of a fire, everyone rushed to the stairs to escape the building. That stampede resulted in tragedy and death. More children than anyone else died that night. As Finn was being crushed under the bodies on top of her, it was Arie’s reassuring gestures and words that saved both of their lives that night. That avoidable tragedy haunted Fenn for her whole life but helped to forge the beautiful friendship between Fenn and Arie. Fenn had also started developing an interest and talent for magic and illusion. She was most influenced by the talent of Harry Houdini.

Things in Michigan’s copper mining district grew harder and harder. When Arie’s father was offered a new and more promising position, Arie and his family moved to Amesboro, Michigan. Arie came to tell Fenn his news. She knew she would miss him. Arie was Fenn’s only and best friend. Shortly after Arie’s departure, the unthinkable happened. Fenn’s father died leaving her an orphan. Her mother had died several years before and Fenn had no other family. She was placed in an orphanage. Fenn was bullied there and wanted to escape in the worst way. She devised an ingenious plan and managed to escape. Fenn made her way by bus to Amesboro and Arie. Arie’s family took Fenn in and they became her family. Fenn continued practicing magic. When Fenn and Arie discovered that they truly had feelings for each other that went beyond the friendship they had built they acted on it. Somehow, without Fenn and Arie realizing it, they had fallen in love with each other. Arie wanted Fenn to marry him but that old tragedy would once again come back to haunt Fenn and influence Fenn’s actions. Fenn would leave Arie and the only family she knew. She would begin her career in illusion in earnest.

During the early 1940’s, Fenn’s career as an illusionist prospered and she gained the recognition that she had always desired. One night in New York, as Fenn was making her way home after a performance, she was presented with an opportunity that she had a hard time passing up. Fenn was recruited by British intelligence to use her unique skills to make gadgets to aid captured soldiers. Fenn needed to make sure that the person who had tried to recruit her was legitimate so she reached out to Arie. He was now employed by the army as an engineer. She had had no contact with Arie since her untimely and sudden departure. Arie was surprised but not too pleased that Fenn had called him. He had not heard from her since she vanished from his life. After Arie told Fenn he knew of her recruiter, Fenn readily accepted the challenge and found herself in London. During that time, Arie came to see her one time and then vanished somewhere in Holland. Arie’s reputation and safety were on the line. Fenn’s feelings for him had never dissipated. She volunteered to go to Holland to try and find Arie, clear his name and bring him home safely. What would Fenn find when she was dropped into Nazi controlled Holland? Would her gadgets and knowledge of illusions help save her and Arie? What secrets was Arie hiding? Would Fenn’s efforts and resourcefulness help her to locate Arie and bring him home safely?

Kristina McMorris was able to weave historical details, real people, actual events and facts with some fiction to create Ways We Hide. It brought with it intrigue, dangers, temptations, cruelties, hope, struggles, family, love, loyalty and ingenuity. I instantly connected with the characters in Ways We Hide. Kristina McMorris once again proved to be a masterful storyteller. In the author’s note, Kristina McMorris, noted that the “grim fallout at Bethnal Green station” in London actually occurred. Many of the gadgets Fenn was given credit for designing were actually developed by Hutton, the man who recruited Fenn. Most of the gadgets mentioned were actually used by the soldiers. I really enjoyed reading Ways We Hide and highly recommended it.

Thank you to Sourcebook Landmark for allowing me to read Ways We Hide by Kristina McMorris through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Publication was September 6, 2022.