Veronica Grace and her mother, Violet, move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in the early 1940s after recent college graduate Veronica loses a big opportunity at Mademoiselle magazine after her affair with a married man is discovered. Through a series of accidents, they stumble upon an American Nazi cell and end up getting connected through a contact of Vi's late husband, who is in Naval intelligence, with a local spymaster who has people placed in various cells in the area. I was really intrigued by this premise, especially to learn that most of the characters were based on real people (I'm a librarian, so of course I love a well-researched novel). I definitely felt nervous for Veronica and Vi as they navigated their undercover operations but I appreciated that it wasn't paced in a way that was too stressful. Definitely an enjoyable historical novel for anyone with an interest in WWII history, spycraft, or the history of American extremist groups.

Victoria Grace just graduated with the journalism degrade from Foster University it’s 1940 and her mother V, couldn’t be prouder. Her uncle Wally flew in from LA just for the occasion. She supposed to move in to an apartment block with other junior journalist because she won in the ward and will be working for the mademoiselle magazine or at least that was her plan. Unfortunately for Victoria her boyfriend‘s wife didn’t take kindly to her sleeping with her husband and had them followed and showed the main publicist at Madame Mozelle the evidence she is tall good luck with your journalism career but it’s not going to happen in New York because she’s been blackballed. When she tells her mom and uncle Wally he has a solution he wants them to move to LA and live in his Santa Monica home rent free and she could be a journalist there. when they arrive her and her mom love Santa Monica and although they’re a little homesick before the head if that means Victoria is looking for a job but all journalism jobs seem to be pegged only from men because as they said they don’t want her to get married and leave them and of course when she starts having babies she won’t have time to do her job. While eating at a German restaurant Victoria is telling her mom V, all her troubles about getting a job when a lady at the next table hands her a piece of paper and says here call my brother-in-law and tell him I sent you he’ll definitely hire you you look exactly the right type! How to Victoria is baffled by the last statement she goes home and calls in the soul to show up and given an address. When she showed up she is experiencing shock and all at the crazy things this man is saying about the Aryan nation… About how violence is necessary Roosevelt gets nominated for president again… In the craziness just grows and when she leaves he even gives her a newspaper they put out with all kinds of racist rhetoric. Victoria and her mom or incensed and a gross indignant when uncle Wally contacts his friend at the police station and they do nothing, then the ladies go to the FBI and they do nothing and finally V, call her deceased husband former coworker who is the Navy intelligence and he is completely interested in what they have to say so much so he goes the next day to talk to them in person. This will not only lead to Victoria becoming a spy, but when her mom goes to a luncheon to try to get orders for her sewing and embroidery skills she almost loses her cool when she finds out these ladies are obsessed with Charles Lindberg the biggest American racist and would rather fight for Germany then Britain or America in anymore. She doesn’t lose her cool though instead she calls her husband‘s friend again that is HAL her and her daughter become spies for America. I won’t say anymore what I will say is this is one of those books you’re going to be telling your friends about. It is so so freaking good! I didn’t even realize how long it was until my husband walked in and I knew I hadn’t cook dinner yet and I was saying I had to stop reading the book. It is so so good! There is so much more that happens but I don’t want to give any spoilers away just know you will be glued to the pages. If you love historical fiction or women’s fiction you need to read this book it is so good even if you just like fiction or thrillers this book is so good! I’m going to stop saying that what I will say is I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Inspired by two women, Grace and Sylvia Comfort, who infiltrated Nazi organizations in Los Angeles in 1940, Violet & Veronica Grace are the fictional mother-daughter duo at the heart of the story. Veronica's ambition is to become a journalist, but her early career is thwarted by the discovery of an affair she had with a married man and she loses her internship at Mademoiselle Magazine. (Having recently read the Barbizon Hotel I could easily imagine her there spending time with Sylvia Plath and the other luminaries who resided there while doing their internships.) So Violet and Veronica relocate to Los Angeles for a fresh start,

Veronica gets a job typing for a Nazi sympathizer, and is immediately repelled by the association. Meanwhile, her mother is invited to an event at a far right isolationist club. They report their discoveries to the FBI who seemingly brush them off, but soon they meet an anti-Nazi spymaster who recruits them to go undercover and expose the groups' plans.

This is quite interesting page turner historical fiction.In the afterward the author describes the real life events and people upon which she based the story. I was rather shocked at how many people were involved and how far reaching their plans were to keep the US out of WWII along with the extent of so many people's sympathies toward Hitler. One can see definite parallels today to the current far right movement.

Thank you #NetGalley and #RandomHouse for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. I have had most of author Susan Elia MacNeal's Maggie Hope series books on my TBR. Will move them up in priority!

Another WWII Historical Fiction...so you think you know what you're getting, right? Wrong. This was a refreshingly different perspective and a compelling, easy to read story. It's based on true events that happened in Los Angeles leading up to the USA's involvement in WWII; specifically the American Nazi movement. A mother/daughter team find themselves in a position where they can spy and aid the investigation of a growing American Nazi stronghold in LA. Pretty much every character is based on a real person, and author Susan Elia MacNeal breaks down her sources and historical notes at the back of the book.

In early 1940, Veronica Grace has just graduated from college and is about to begin her journalistic career with a prestigious magazine in NY when she and her widowed mother Violet are forced to move to California, due to a poor choice of Veronica's. When Veronica lands a job typing for who appears to be a "nice" couple, she is shocked to learn they are part of the underground Nazi groups. Going to the police and FBI proves fruitless, as they are more concerned about rooting out the Communists in LA than any of the Nazi and hate groups that are building. Through an old connection, they make connections with LA's Nazi spymasters. As they infiltrate the Nazi camps, they enter the dangerous game of espionage. I was fascinated by this story - I honestly had no idea that Nazi groups even existed here. It was a fresh take on WWII that I really enjoyed - and was surprised to learn this was based on a real mother-daughter duo that acted in this capacity. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for a digital ARC of this novel; all opinions expressed above are my own.

Mother Daughter Traitor Spy by Susan Elia MacBeal tells the story of Violet and Veronica (mother and daughter) who go under cover in 1940 Los Angelos to get intel on American Nazis. Wow what a book and amazing story! I didn’t realize the support against going into the war and Americans for Hitler. I liked that the author put their thoughts in italics next to what the character was saying. I will definitely recommend this book. Thank you for allowing me to review this book.

I love reading historical fiction about World War 2. I have read quite a few books from all different angles, but this is the first from the perspective of the US and their war efforts. It was captivating and interesting to see a different point of view on the war. Had some suspense to it and keep my attention the whole time.

As an historical fiction novel Mother Daughter Traitor Spy was excellent. It was a very readable story, characters easy to keep track of, and events during World War II that were a surprise to me. Although I have read quite a few WWII novels, this one covered the rise of Nazism in the United Stares, specifically on the west coast. Veronica and Violet Grace, mother and daughter became undercover spies in Nazi organizations. Many of the characters in the book were based upon actual people. The story itself is chilling and frankly has many parallels and red flag warnings to American society today.
I highly recommend this book and would like to thank Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn't put this book down, it had me on the edge of my chair!

Veronica Grace wants to be a journalist but finds it hard to get a job. She finally lands one as a typist but soon finds out that not only are her employer and his wife Nazi's, but they are part of a virulent plot to help Hitler and overthrow the American government. Veronica wants to quit, but is convinced that she can do more to fight for her country by staying in place and reporting back to an anti-Nazi spymaster. Blond, beautiful and intelligent, Veronica acts the part of the desired Nazi woman, and becomes a trusted worker and very capable spy.

Violet Grace, Veronica's mom, is a skilled needlewoman. She gains entry to the wives of leading pro-Nazi's and soon joins her daughter as a spy against the local Nazi's. It's terrifying work, especially when several intimates of the local Nazi's die or are killed. Were they spies? Are Grace and Veronica next?

Based on real people, Mother Daughter Traitor Spy is an intimate portrait of Los Angeles' and the US"s Nazi movement and the very real threat that they posed. It's a riveting and cautionary tale of what can happen when extremism isn't faced and fought.

I was surprised to learn that the author was taking a departure from Maggie Hope to write this standalone novel, and I’m so glad that she did because I loved it! I’m a sucker for WWII spy novels, especially ones about women, and I liked that this one was set in Los Angeles. It’s not often that I get to read a WWII story set in California.

While some of the “twists” were predictable, I found that to be enjoyable. Both Vi and Veronica are relatable characters, two women at crossroads in their life who are trying to figure out what to do against the backdrop of war.

I think MacNeal also does a commendable job weaving in undertones of “that could never happen here” while juxtaposing recent events against the racial intolerance and bigotry of 1940s America. She shows that many of these things can and did happen here, and perhaps it’s not so surprising that they continue to happen in modern times. There is the low hum of a theme throughout this novel that made me feel as a reader, if we as a society are not careful, we could end up repeating history more times than we care to.

Definitely give this a read if you’re a fan of historical fiction, spies, wartime novels, or are just looking for something fun and easy to read.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, about a mother and daughter who infiltrated the Nazi groups in California during the run up to World War II. It was exciting and it moved quickly and I really didn't want to put it down!

There are numerous WWII books out there, and I've read plenty of them. What made this one so different is that it focused on the activity in the US by the Nazi sympathizers and tools, and the people who hated Jews, blacks, Asians, and anyone who didn't fit the blue eyed blonde Aryan stereotype. Most of what I've read about WWII and its impact in the US has mainly focused on the persecution of Asians, so this was a different story altogether.

Also, don't miss reading the introductory and end material, in which Ms. MacNeal explains how and to what extent the book is based on real people and real events. That makes the whole story even better!

When I originally read the synopsis of this book I wasn't sure I wanted to read another book about the Holocaust but decided to take the leap. I am so glad I did as this book was not about it but about the Nazi movement in the US, specifically California. The story gripped my interest from page one and the realization that it was based on what occurred in California made this a book that should be read by everyone.

“We’re in a brutal, no-holds-barred battle for the soul of our nation” No truer words were spoken, then or now! From the start this novel impressed me as this is based on true events and real people. The Nazi Americans in the USA in WWII were spreading their hate and were able to ..”become a tribe who love and protect you-based on who you hate.” Veronica and her mother infiltrated a large Nazi American group in LA, and this novel pieces it together as they were able to tear the organization apart.
MacNeal does a nice job of relating relationships and events of the characters, yet it reads as a YA novel. It’s informative while also a bit ‘campy’ but it held my interest as I knew it was based on actual people and events. I would recommend this if you’re a WWII fan, but I can’t say it was one of my favorites.

Review copy (eARC) provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a standalone historical fiction, but based in fact, novel, based in Southern California. The realistic prose and descriptions really made me feel like I was back in that time period. A "The Great Gatsby"-like vibe. The author clearly put a lot of effort into historical researching and basing the book in realism.

Upon reflecting on this book, I enjoyed this novel, and it's an easy read, but I'm not sure it's something I would need to read again and again. That being said, any book that has bad things happen to Nazis...count me in. The main reason I did not give it a higher rating is because I was disappointed by the ending. Not so much that it was a bad ending, but the focus was more on someone I viewed as an ancillary character than on the main characters (in my view...trying to be vague to avoid spoilers).

As a fan of author, Susan Elia MacNeal, her latest novel, Mother Daughter Traitor Spy, did not disappoint! This is a standalone work that could be considered a “distant cousin” to The Hollywood Spy featuring Maggie Hope due to the common Nazi & KKK storyline. Warning: this period of U.S. history might come as a disturbing surprise for some readers.

Set in the summer of 1940, Veronica Grace graduates from college and manages to lose her magazine job before she starts it. Veronica & her mother, Vi, move to Los Angeles to start life anew. Unwittingly, Veronica discovers a darker political side to the glamour of Los Angeles. Nazi propagandists are conspiring to spread their anti-Semitic views.

Inspired by the newly discovered suffragist side of her mother, Veronica finds the courage to go undercover in hopes of subverting the Nazi plans for the U.S. Her mother, Vi, eagerly joins in on the spying. I won’t go into more detail so as not to spoil the rest of the story!

The characters are well developed with well researched backgrounds. At the end of the book MacNeal discloses that the main characters were based on real people and gives the reader a snippet on them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced story and recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley for the eBook copy of Mother Daughter Traitor Spy. This voluntary review is my honest opinion.

I was really looking forward to Mother Daughter Traitor Spy and was anxious to learn about the Nazi movement in the US. But from the beginning, this story came across as simplistic. While reading the story, I felt MacNeal had taken too much artistic license (read that as it felt unbelievable) until I read in her notes that the events were I spired by actual ones.
MacNeal peppers in enough facts to give the reader a sense of time and place. One intriguing idea was that the NRA would supply the American Nazi movement with guns when the time for a takeover came. MacNeal comments in her notes that it was a real part of the plan. While all of the characters are loosely based on real people, MacNeal made enough variations that all names but one were changed.
The book’s ending felt rushed and not detailed enough to be easily envisioned and this part of the story was made up.
The most interesting part of the book was the parallels between then and now, especially the beliefs of certain individuals that democracy is no longer valid and fascism is required. She tries to bring a “balanced approach” to the characters. By that I mean that Veronica sees the majority of the American Nazis mostly as misguided, not evil. As Jonah says at one point in the book “nice isn’t good.” But overall, her characters felt less than fully fleshed out.
At the end of the day, while I found the story interesting, I was less than impressed with the writing.
My thanks to Netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.

Set in California during WWII when Nazi groups were trying to destroy west coast military operations and plants to support Hitler. Veronica and her mom, Vi, work as spies to stop this group’s missions. Different WWII setting and very informative. Based on real characters but written as fiction. Very good. Enough details but not too much, good length of book.

A Jam Packed, Must Read for World War 2 fiction enthusiasts! Mother Daughter Traitor Spy will keep you on the edge of your from cover to cover!

When recent college graduate Veronica Grace gets blackballed from the New York publishing world, she and her mother pack things up and head to Los Angeles to start over. They soon meet a kind woman who points Veronica in the direction of clerical work just to get the feel of their new home. What she doesn’t expect is that job is with a member of the American Socialist Party…in easy terms, an American Nazi. Fearing the worst, she reports her findings to the FBI but their focus is on the communists, not the Nazis. Cue an old friend of her deceased naval officer father, the ladies meet Ari and Jonah and with their help, infiltrate the party and report back their findings…stopping several devastating plans to overthrow the government and employ the ways of the Reich.

Based on an actual mother/daughter team that go undercover as spies in the early days of WWII this is an historical novel full of suspense and history as many of the plans, places and people are based on actual events and people. Be on the lookout for this exciting novel in late September!

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group and Susan Elia MacNeal for an early copy of this stunning book! I can’t wait for others to be able to read it too!!

A riveting work of historical fiction, Mother Daughter Traitor Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal, grabbed my attention and kept me turning pages through the end. It was fascinating to read about the dark period of history surrounding World War II. If you enjoy realistic stories involving espionage, evil plots, bravery and loyalty, you will like this book.

I absolutely loved this thrilling mother-daughter spy duo. This was my first venture into historical fiction, and II loved how MacNeal brought great research tot he table to create a fairly accurate fictionalization of 1940. I don't want to spoil much, but when Veronica gets a job where she realizes Nazis are communicating, she and her mother know they must do something. The Grace women go undercover to try to sabotage what they can in this sector of Nazis. You don't want to know anything else - just enjoy the twists and turns!