Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly
This book tells the story of the “golden doves,” two members of French Resistance living in Paris. In 1943, Josie is the Jewish daughter of an American diplomat and Arlette has escaped from an unwed mother’s home with her baby boy. Together they do whatever they can to thwart the Nazis and are eventually captured and sent to the infamous Ravensbruck camp.
In 1952, Arlene and Josie are each searching for parts of their past that have been stolen from them. Will they find the answers they are looking for and be able to start living again?
#netgalley

The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly is a well-researched and thought-provoking portrayal of two women whose paths crossed as members of the Resistance Movement in France during WWII. Seven years later, these women are still searching for answers and retribution for the crimes committed against them and their families. Kelly has written a truly thrilling and haunting novel that takes the reader on a journey through France, Germany, Italy, and French Guianea as these ladies look for their survivors and Gestapo fugitives who've fled Ravensbruck. While The Golden Doves is historical fiction, Kelly's portrayal of the events makes you feel as though you are there. She includes a degree of mystery so that the book is a page-turner to the end.
#thankyouNETGALLEYforthisARC. #LOVEDIT

Beautifully written with compelling characters! As always with this author, she weaves heartwarming and heartbreaking events in an intricate way. The characters were strong, unique, and complex. I enjoyed the plot and found the writing to be exquisite. The plot moves along a bit slow in paces and I struggled to stay invested. Overall, a wonderful read that was deeply researched by the author and it shows.

I had heard of the author before, but I had not read her other bestseller "Lilac Girls". I am now excited to read it as I really enjoyed "The Golden Doves" and apparently (from the endnotes) there are a few side crossover characters.

The main characters, Arlette and Josie, are trying to piece together two mysteries left over from the war.

Set in 1952, with flashbacks to the 1940s, you know the outcome from the war at the outset, which is actually nice. You see what Arlette and Josie are doing during the war, but you aren't left wondering constantly if they will be found out. The author pieces together true characters of the Nazi regime who conducted medical experiments on prisoners, and she also shows a side of the eugenics program "Lebensborn". None of the explanations are very graphic.

We also see a bit of romance for each of the main characters with various other side characters.

Overall a nice historical drama with a touch of romance that shows a bit of dark Nazi history that isn't shown often.

*TOP Book club pick 2023

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel. I would spend my own money on this book. #sponsored

I knew I was a fan of the current day espionage/spy novel, but I love historical fiction ones too! Who knew I could get through and love an over 500 page book in just a few days? An intricately woven plot about the recruiting of German scientists after WWII. I didn’t even know this was a thing before starting the book and then could not put it down.

Two strong women in dual timelines make for a compelling story. While I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, this was a nice twist on the war novel dealing with the after effects of the war and the start of the cold war. It questions justice for those responsible for such much strife and what happened to those that survived.

The amount of research the author put into this is evident. I grew to really like Arlette and Josie and wouldn’t mind reading about them further.

I both read and listened to this one depending upon my mood and availability and thought Jeremy Carlisle Parker and Saskia Maarleveld did a fantastic job narrating the story and bringing it to life.

I don’t think you need to love historical fiction to enjoy this complex story.

Thanks to Net Galley for the early preview, the author and publisher. I didn’t want to miss a word in the tremendously unforgettable part of history. What Josie and Parisian Arlette want through and their remarkable journey as spies through France and then being taken to Ravensbruck concentration camp. Unthinkable times , nothing like we live through now. Bless Martha for reminding us with this stupendous novel!

For fans of women spy heroins, this gripping novel is a historical thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. For readers who loved Lilac Girls, this novel takes place 7 years after WWII and focuses on a new set of characters that were in the Ravensbrück concentration camp. If you have read Kelly’s first novel, you may notice an overlap of some characters.

We follow two main POVs: Josie, an American Jew living in Paris and Arlette, a French woman with a half-German child. The story flips back and forth from 1945 and 1952 for readers to uncover how Joise and Arlette get involved in the French resistance and what leads to their capture, landed themselves in Ravensbrück, the only exclusive women-only concentration camp. For their present day (1952) we follow Josie’s pursuit as a member of the United States Army Intelligence tracking down ex-Nazi’s for Operation Paperclip and Arlette’s pursuit of finding her son she lost during her time at Ravensbrück. One day, Arlette is contacted by a man who runs a camp for orphans in French Guinea who says they have her long-lost son, Willie. She finds herself taking the leap to travel to French Guinea and discover if her son is truly alive at this camp, but things are not as they seem. Page by page, we see Arlette and Josie’s stories intersecting once again to uncover a deeper secret.

I really enjoyed this spy historical thriller! It’s extremely well researched and I learned so much I didn’t know prior about post WWII. It dove into real events that are not widely written about within historical fiction novels and I really appreciated this unique perspective. Specifically surrounding Operation Paperclip and the United States involvement racing other countries to hire German scientists, engineers, and technicians for government employment. The ending — really hoping there is a sequel to this book, I’d love to see Josie and Arlette’s story continue!

“Always remember… and make sure someone else remembers, too.” Irene Zisblatt, Holocaust survivor and inspiration in part for The Golden Doves

Did you know American citizens were imprisoned in concentration camps? Just when I thought I had read all the WWII stories, comes more enlightenment. Martha Hall Kelly, beloved historical fiction author of Lilac Girls, revisits the Ravensbrück Camp and takes a deeper dive into the atrocities, the villains, the heroes and the unrelenting human hope.

Resistance fighters in France Josie Anderson and Arlette LaRue are an unlikely American/French pairing and forge an unbreakable bond as they provide critical intelligence to the Allied forces. Told in alternating points of view during two time periods (1943 and 1952) the plot details how the Nazis’ nefarious activities and experiments on humans continued and expanded long after the war. Jaw dropping details about Nazi doctors and scientists who escaped justice using routes (ratlines) and assistance from some very unexpected sources, provide a framework for the inspiring albeit shocking narrative. From Fort Bliss Texas to French Guiana, this latest work by Ms. Kelly reads like a Netflix thriller with heart pumping scenes in every chapter. Untold stories based on real life events bring context to the choices people made and how we can all apply the lessons from the past to honor those lost.

On a more personal note, during an in person author talk seven years ago, Martha Hall Kelly talked about salty, unhelpful reviews on platforms such as Goodreads. Her comments from a writer’s perspective has stayed with me, inspiring my “positive only” review pledge in all of my posts.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and the author for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

A gripping and poignant delight! This story follows the Golden Doves - first a resistance fighters during World War II and then again as heroes trying to reclaim their lives by seeking to capture the rogue scientists that have escaped prosecution at the end of the war. This is a story filled with loss, hope, determination, and truth. How do you keep going when all hope is lost? Ask for toast and marmalade. So thrilled to have received this ARC from NetGalley and the publishers. It’s a sure fire hit and one so worth reading!

The Golden Doves
by Martha Hall Kelly (Goodreads Author)
9286778
Linda Zagon's review Apr 09, 2023 · edit
it was amazing




Wow! Kudos to Martha Hall Kelly, the author of “The Golden Doves” for writing such a powerful, captivating, inspirational and absorbing Historical Fiction Novel. I have read all of Martha Hall Kelly’s novels, and “The Golden Doves” again proves what a master writer and storyteller she is. This novel is quite a masterpiece, providing important relevant and educational material about a tragic time and evil people in history. I appreciate the amount of historical research that the author included in this book. The timeline for this novel is during World War Two, and about a decade that follows the war. This novel is based on true facts, and yet at times reads like a fictional thriller. It is terrifying to realize that many incidents took place. The locations for this story take place in France, Germany, and other areas of Europe, the United States and South America. There are descriptions in German Concentration camps, and specific places within the camp.

The author vividly describes the dramatic characters as complex, complicated, and shows contrasts of “good vs. evil”. World War Two was one of the most devastating and destructive wars in history. The medical experiments and torture of the prisoners shouldn’t be forgotten. Two of the protagonists, know as “The Golden Doves” were spies that worked in the French Resistance during the war, and hunted by the German Gestapo. Josie Anderson, was an American, whose mother was Jewish. Arlette LaRue, has a baby with her German boyfriend, that is fighting for his country. Both are young women that have everything to lose if they are captured.

There are twists and turns, espionage, betrayals, greed, power-plays, political commitments, gaslighting, danger and murder. Characters are not who you think they are. There are highs and lows, and unpredictable events. I don’t know how many times, I would say, “OMG!!” I was so mesmerized that I couldn’t put this book down.

The two “Golden Doves” join together a decade later to hunt down a German doctor that caused Josie’s mother horrific death, and the disappearance of Arlette’s son. The characters they meet along the way are suspicious and dangerous. There are deep dark secrets. Josie is working for the United States intelligence community, and Arlette has been working in a bakery in France, with other survivors of Ravensbruck. Other governments are also searching for this doctor. These two brave and courageous women want justice, and have no idea how history is repeating itself. They are in for a rude awakening to see who is protecting the evil and corrupt criminal.

I am a big fan of Martha Hall Kelly, and I highly recommend this memorable, and educational book that provides information and shines a light on events that seemed to be tucked away in history.

The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly is a tearjerker. Many times historical fiction is. The story is very well written. So many horror stories told during WW II.

I've absolutely loved Martha Hall Kelly since I first read Lilac Girls in 2017 and have eagerly anticipated each of her books. I love her writing, the depth of historical research and for bringing such amazing women and stories to life.

Her newest book The Golden Doves which comes out on April 18th is amazing. She goes back to World War II in this book with Josie and Arlette who both worked in the French Resistance in 1944 when they were arrested and taken to Ravensbrück and then in 1952 as they hunt down a former Nazi Doctor.

Once I got into this book I didn't want to put it down! I loved the dual perspective and going from 1944 to 1952. I liked seeing the aftermath of the war and the impact of this such as Operation Paperclip and the Ratline of escaping Nazis. Like all of her books, the level of research was phenomenal and her author's note are some of the best.

I know this is a daunting book at over 500 pages but if you're at all a World War II historical fiction fan I highly recommend reading The Golden Doves. Martha Hall Kelly is one of my always-recommended historical fiction authors!

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of this novel. I loved The Lilac Girls & was glad that elements of that book were brought into this one.The story kept me wanting to get back to it, & isn't that the best kind of book? This was also a great book.I occasionally had to suspend disbelief, but not enough to make my eyes roll back in my head. I definitely recommend this.

FANTASTIC!!! This is another EXCELLENT + incredibly well-researched book by Martha Hall Kelly. If like me.. you’ve never heard of Operation Paperclip.. you too will be just as appalled to learn that our US government brought over German scientists from WWll who performed atrocious experiments on people. All so the Russians wouldn’t use them for the same. Why weren’t they indicted for their crimes??? And the Catholic Church’s involvement in hiding/resettling Nazi’s in South America is truly unspeakable.

Told in two timelines, this follows two World War ll French resistance women aka “the golden doves”.. American Josie + Arlette from France. Both along with Arlette’s infant son Willie are captured by the Nazi’s and taken to Ravensbruck where Willie is stolen.

After surviving the concentration camp, 10-years later Josie works for the US government hunting a Nazi scientist who performed surgeries on her mother and Arlette is searching for her son. The Golden Doves do eventually reunite bringing about espionage, double agents, and so much more.

The Golden Doves is 500 pages of pure excellence. Hall’s research is impeccable offering a fascinating insiders view of this war’s aftermath. I learned of so many interesting things—insight into Operation Paperclip AND how so many Nazis were able to escape (with passports in hand, if you can believe that!) A fascinating book. I highly recommend this to all World War ll historical fiction readers. 5 stars — Pub. 4/18/23

Absolutely loved and now one of my top favorite WWII reads!

During WWII, two female French spies, Josie and Arlette, became known as The Golden Doves. However, their work for the resistance came to an end when they were taken to Ravensbruck concentration camp, but it didn’t stop their friendship. A little under a decade later, in 1952, the two are brought back together when Josie, now living in Texas, is sent on a mission to find a Nazi doctor while Arlene is in search of her lost son.

This was an impactful and eye opening story about life after the war from those imprisoned in the camps, to the Nazi scientists brought to the US as part of Operation Paperclip, and those who continued to commit and get away with even more inhuman acts. I loved how Kelly integrated in characters from her previous books despite this being a stand-alone. There was also a mystery woven in throughout, and it kept me guessing until the very end! If you love WWII HF don’t shy away from this because of the length. It’s extensively researched, compelling, well-written and an important read.

Thank you Random House for the ARC! Pub date 4/18

Although I had sworn I wouldn’t read another WWII spy novel, yesterday evening I finished Martha Hall Kelly’s The Golden Doves, a title taken from her pair of fictional spies. In seventy-three short, non-chronological chapters alternating between 1944 and 1952 and between Arlette and Josie, one French and one American, Kelly grabs the reader’s attention and gradually ramps up the suspense until the reader cannot set the book down.

Chapters 1 and 2 open in 1952, seven years after the war ended. Lieutenant Josie Anderson is stationed at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, processing newly arrived German scientists brought in to aid the U.S. government. On this day, she takes a welcome basket to the Krupp family. According to her intelligence, Herr Krupp played an indirect but nonetheless deadly role in the Holocaust. Arlette, one of three waitresses at a small Paris café, is headed to work where the staff will host a fundraiser for an organization aiding Ravensbrück survivors, a concentration camp Arlette and the other two waitresses know all too well. However, news Arlette receives that day in a letter from Berlin and in person from Luc Menau, a lawyer who visits the café, will play the most important roles in the second chapter.

Lieutenant Anderson is dispatched to track down and bring back the notorious Nazi Dr. Snow and quickly finds herself in Paris, Vienna, and Rome as suspense begins to build. In the company of Luc Menau, Arlette finds herself headed to French Guiana, where Menau’s grandmother runs an organization dedicated to locating the mothers of German boys separated from their mothers in the Nazi efforts to breed a pure Aryan race, for as a teen, Arlette had given birth at the only Lebensborn home in France, with the assigned father a young German soon to vanish into the military.

As Josie attempts to find Dr. Snow and Arlette seeks the son who would now be nine, both face adventures and misadventures, unable to know if they can trust anyone.

Following Kelly’s Epilogue set at 1953 Fort Bliss, her detailed Author’s Note adds much to the book. She recounts meeting the woman who inspired The Golden Doves, describes reusing several Ravensbrück characters readers might recall from Lilac Girls, explains many connections between history and this latest historical novel, and acknowledges some of her most useful sources.

Although I caught myself groaning every time Josie or Arlette noticed a man’s eyes or muscular back or hid in the bushes to ogle a man showering outdoors, I couldn’t help noticing that Josie and Arlette generally criticized their own responses, making me think Kelly was having a bit of fun with her characters. Despite her likely intention and the infrequency of such passages, I can’t help feeling she would have done better to omit them.
That minor issue aside, if you enjoy suspenseful historical novels, pick up a copy today. Don’t forget the toast and marmalade!

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine/Random House for an advance reader copy.

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I am burned out on WWII novels and wasn't feeling enthusiastic about reading this. However, I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn't put this well written, emotional page turner down. I learned so much from this book that I was shocked to have never heard about before. Great historical fiction brings the past alive so future generations never forget. The Golden Doves achieves this spectacularly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for access to this arc.

Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly is a wonderful historical fiction novel. I fell in love with this author when I read her first book “Lilac Girls”. I knew then she had a gift for writing and after reading “Golden Doves” my opinion has not changed.

I would consider this a dual time line story. It starts in 1952 and flashes back to World War II between 1940 to 1945. There are two main characters who the story revolves around. Josie Anderson an American and Arlette LaRue an Alsatian. Josie is the daughter of an American Diplomat. The two women meet in Paris during the German occupation. These two women were picked by the French Resistance to gather information from the German’s and pass it along to the British. They were so adept at their resistance activities that they were dubbed the Golden Doves.

Unfortunately their resistance work lands them at Ravensbrück Women's Concentration Camp. Move forward to 1952, Arlette receives notice that her son, who was taken from her at Ravensbrück, may be alive and living at an orphanage in French Guiana. On the other side of the ocean U.S. Army Lieutenant Josie Anderson, is on staff to identify and find German Scientists and Doctors. Her job is to bring these assets to America so they will to work for the U.S. Government. The reason for this was the US wanted to obtain these assets before the Soviets did.

This story is extremely well written. The characters are extremely well-developed and memorable. The setting is so well done that you can see the magnificent sites of Paris, as well as, and the horrid conditions at Ravensbrück.

The first half of the story lays the ground work for the building intensity in the second half of the story. The tension remains right through to the end. It could be wishful thinking but I think there were enough loose threads at the end that I can only hope for sequel. Martha Hall Kelly has become one of my favorite authors, and she has once again delivered another wonderful historical fiction book. The author’s notes at the end made me appreciate the book even more.

I would like to thank Ms. Kelly, Ballantine Books and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: The Golden Doves is about two former female spies, American Josie Anderson and Parisian Arlette LaRue. Told through past and present timelines, as well as from their respective POVs, the reader learn of this dynamic duo's work as the "Golden Doves," who stole Nazi secrets during the war. Upon being arrested, they were sent to the Ravensbrück concentration camp where they endured unimaginable torture, including Arlette's son being stolen from her. A decade later, Josie is working for US Army intelligence in pursuit of an infamous Nazi doctor, while Arlette receives news from a mysterious man that he may have found her son. Their personal journeys span across Europe and to French Guiana, where they are finally reunited only to discover harrowing secrets and must take great risks in order to achieve the justice they have long searched for.

Thoughts: I was (and still am) a massive fan of Lilac Girls, so when I saw that Martha Hall Kelly was releasing a new book, I had to grab it. Although certainly a long read, this book is action packed and will have you deeply immersed in the story to the point that the length won't be cumbersome. I was equally invested in Josie's and Arlette's stories, and I really appreciated the nod to Lilac Girls. Due to this connection, I would advise readers check out Lilac Girls prior to reading the Golden Doves, not only because you'll appreciate the overlap, but because it is a darn good book. It is also abundantly clear that MHK was thorough in her research-- she brings to light some lesser known WWII-related matters. I first learned of Operation Paperclip through Kelly Rimmer's The Paris Wife, and I was absolutely fascinated and horrified. In her Author's Note, MKH talks about how her research unfolded, and it is definitely worth reading. WWII continue to be important and relevant-- this is a powerful read and should absolutely be moved to the top of your TBR list.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for my ARC.

I read and really enjoyed Martha Hall Kelly’s Lilac Girls series, so I jumped at the chance to read another book by the author.

This was an incredibly researched tale of two women in the French resistance during and after WWII. The story is told alternately by both women in two timelines: one in 1945 and the other in 1952. While compelling, all the jumping back and forth was distracting to me.

I believe that this was an important story to tell about Ravensbruck and the medical experiments done there, about Operation Paperclip (the intelligence program that brought Nazi scientists to the US), and about the ratlines (gateways for fugitive Nazis to escape to South America). The author’s note at the end of the book was wonderful! I just felt like it tried to tackle too much.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.