Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review. (Published 07 Mar 2023)

The moment I laid eyes on the gorgeous cover of “Code Name Edelweiss,” I knew I had to know more about this book!

Based on a true story, Liesl Weiss suddenly loses her job at MGM in Los Angeles during the Great Depression and becomes desperate to find a job to support her young children – even if it means putting herself in danger as a spy. Her parents came to America from Germany, and everything about Liesl from her German accent to her Nazi supporting brother make her the perfect spy to help a Jewish spymaster and his secret agents attempt to stop Adolf Hitler’s plan of taking control of Hollywood.

I loved this book from the first chapter all the way to end! The writing was captivating, the characters were very relatable, and the story was fascinating. I also loved that the POV switched between outsider Liesl and insider Agent Thirteen to help fill in the missing pieces along the way. I was especially thrilled when they figured out they were both working for the same man and began working together as a team.

Liesl is a terrific heroine for this book. I really liked her in the beginning, but I grew to really love her as the story developed. She’s not just a pretty face. Liesl proved herself repeatedly to be clever, courageous, and creative. She wrestled with her relationship with God, as did Agent Thirteen, and it was nice to see how their relationships were mended without being in-your-face or over-the-top.

Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery with a female heroine based on a true story from the 1930s.

Code Name Edelweiss is an engrossing personal story based on fascinating history that works as a cautionary tale for 21st-century Americans. What happens when good people choose comfort and an insular way of life in the face of threats to life and liberty?

Liesel, a 1930s German-American woman with responsibility for her two young children, mother, and brother is forced to confront the evil in her midst when she loses her job at MGM Studios. She reluctantly comes under the employ of a Jewish spymaster and is tasked with infiltrating the Nazi efforts in Los Angeles.

The threads of this novel come together expertly in Stephanie Landsem's capable hands - Liesel's missing husband, her estrangement from her Jewish neighbors, her connection to another undercover agent who isn't what he seems, and a brother who's lost his way.

Highly recommended for pleasure reading, inspiration, and insight into a piece of American history that contemporary Americans would do well to learn from.

"What I am looking for--what I desperately need, Mrs. Weiss--is a spy." When Liesl Weiss meets with Leon Lewis for an interview she desperately needs, Adolf Hitler isn't anything more than a distant rumble on the horizon. Not many in the United States are taking him at all seriously, certainly not as a threat. But, Leon Lewis sees the potential for what he's doing in Germany to spread not just in Europe but all over the world. He sees how many of the German Americans are starting to take Hitler's philosophies to heart and act upon them. He believes that Nazi agents are at work to gain control of Hollywood, the greatest propaganda machine the world has ever known. Liesl is convinced that he's overreacting but she has a family at home to support so she takes the job to spy on the German American Community, along with another agent she only knows as Thirteen. It doesn't take her long to realize just how serious the situation is and is becoming and to realize that she, and her family, may be in very real danger.

Before reading Code Name Edelweiss, I'd never really thought about how Hollywood could be used as a tool for propaganda, for shaping the world and the opinions of people. This was an interesting concept and, since I love history, I began doing a little research as well. Imagine my surprise when I learned that Leon Lewis was a real man, who along with a handful of amateur spies, managed to discover and foil Adolf Hitler's scheme to take over Hollywood. In fact, the Nazis referred to Lewis as "the most dangerous Jew in Los Angeles". This was the first book I've read by Stephanie Landsem and it will not be the last. She managed to write the story in a way that really makes you feel like you're living it, along with her characters. There were so many twists and surprises. Told from the perspective of both Liesl and Thirteen, without revealing his identity until Landsem was good and ready for us to know who he was, she managed to tell the story in a way that engaged and kept you guessing from both perspectives as they work on the same problems from different angels, never guessing who the other was even when they interacted. I love the obvious amount of research that Landsem put into this story. It was engaging and informative. I really enjoyed every moment.

Thank you NetGalley and Stephanie Landsem for a chance to read the ARC for Code Name Edelweiss. This is my honest and unpaid review of the book.
Seems there’s been a lot of books in the past 5 years at least that have been set during WW2. This book was refreshing as it’s from a different aspect and was an enjoyable read! The main character was interesting and I enjoyed learning their story.

A thrilling mystery that kept me on my toes, and taught me about a part of history I didn't know! I adored the characters; Liesl is one of the best female protagonists I've read in awhile - brave and clever and deeply rooted in love for her family. Agent 13 was intriguing from the first, and I'll admit that even I fell a little in love with him by the time the story was done. The plot kept me turning the pages long into the night; I just had to know what happened next!

I don't reach for the spy thriller genre that often, but this is now one of my favorites. Five stars from me!

Code Name Edelweiss is a fascinating historical spy novel that takes place in the years before WWII. I didn't realize before reading the book that it is based on a true story, and that makes it all the more captivating! This band of unlikely spies are thrown together in the midst of a Nazi plot to take over the movie industry. The charming, quirky, and engaging characters will capture your heart, and the fast-paced plot will keep you turning pages late into the night! The growth in the characters, especially Liesel, was evident as they were confronted with the evil in the world and forced to decide what they were willing to do to defeat it. Fans of historical fiction with intrigue and mystery will love this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem

It was a thrilling story that satisfied my interest in historical fiction WW2 ara. I couldn’t put this book down and blame my husband for not waking up and taking it. Code Name: Edelweiss. Stephanie Landsem tells an exciting story that acknowledges a little-known truth that are about all of us at some point. Some of us are on the brink of choices that we will repent of, and it was moving to see the changes in Liesl’s character as she understood what she really had to do, for herself, for her family, and for her country and the world. I enjoyed understanding Wilhelm and seeing his growth. Great characters and as i mentioned, a great read. I’m hoping that Stephanie is called to write a sequel!

Set in 1933 in Los Angeles, this fascinating, fast-paced novel is based on a true story about how a lone Jewish lawyer and a handful of amateur spies discovered and foiled Adolf Hitler’s plan to take over Hollywood. The main character, Liesl, is a secretary at MGM, but loses her job when she complains about sexist treatment from her boss. The sole supporter of her two children, mother and troubled brother, she is desperate to find work but struggles to do so. It is then that she hears of Leon Lewis and approaches him for what she thinks is straightforward secretarial work, but he asks her to become a spy. What follows is the courageous story of one woman and a small team of other spies who, unknown to each other, work hard to uncover Hitler’s plan. Those in authority do not believe there is any threat and so it is down to their individual heroics to blow open the lid on what is secretly being planned. I couldn’t put this down and there were moments when I actually exclaimed out loud. As I was reading a digital copy I hadn’t appreciated, until I had finished, that it was actually based on a true story – quite remarkable!

A wonderful read about an unknown piece of history. I enjoyed this story with a strong woman focused to make change. After reading, we booked an author event with Stephanie Landsem who is local to our bookstore and enjoyed hearing the background to her writing process. We will continue to handsell this title in our store.

If you love historical mysteries and espionage, then look no further. Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem is the book for you. This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I found myself hard-pressed to put it down. The book had heart-in-your-throat danger, family drama and even hints of romance as well. Trust me, you will love this emotional, moving story just as I did!!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

I was pleased to see a new point of view in a WW2 fiction. There was a lot of bigotry and Nazi sympathizers on our continent as well Although it was rarely reported. It was a good story that sheds ligh on this side of the war

The only thing I disliked about Code Name Edelweiss was the pace. It's very hard to have my attention held and I found myself reading other books instead of picking it up again

I have been reluctant to read WW2 historical fiction recently because I've become oversaturated but this book had a unique and interesting premise; the German attempts to infiltrate mass media (Hollywood) in the 1930s leading up to WW2. This book was interesting and I enjoyed the story of Old Hollywood as well as the espionage. The characters were well developed and I wanted to know more! I am talking about this book on our book podcast in an upcoming episode.

Landsem connects the darkness of the rise of the Nazi party on home turf in the USA.

During the summer of 1933, Germany has just named the new chancellor, Adolf Hitler. The Great Depression has been affecting people across the globe and the United States has felt its effects. In the film industry in California, people are losing their jobs, but there is also growing tension between Germany and the film industry due to several of the studio owners being Jews. Liesl Weiss loses her job as a secretary and finds herself begging an unknown stranger, Leon Lewis, for a job. She discovers that he is a Jewish lawyer who has been watching the change of tides as Germany’s new Nazi party has come into power. He asks Liesl to take a job as a spy with the Friends of New Germany group and report to him what she discovers using her new code name, Edelweiss. As she places herself and her family in danger, the information is too dangerous to ignore, and she knows that she must stand for what is right.

This is my first book by Landsem and as someone who loves this era of fiction, it will definitely not be my last. She quickly pulled in my attention with the Liesl’s story and that of some of her counterpart spies with what was happening in the Los Angeles area during the 1930s. I’ve always heard that not much emphasis was put on the war until after Pearl Harbor, but discovering this was based on a true story with sleeper Nazi Germany cells throughout the United States was really unnerving. The character development was great and I would love to see more come out of this story in the future!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

From the moment I saw this stunning cover, I was drawn in. Reading the back cover, I knew it was going to be one I would want to read... after all, historical novels set during this period happen to be among my favorites.

Still, while I love this WWII setting, when we're dealing with the horrors of Nazis, that doesn't exactly make for an easy read... and Stephanie Landsem didn't sugarcoat those horrors. As such, this certainly wasn't the most light-hearted or at points even an enjoyable read. It was a beautifully written story that most certainly needs to be told. It was a bit slower-paced than I often enjoy, though that could have been my state of mind slowing things down. Knowing that this was based on a true story made this all the more intriguing for me, and I certainly appreciated the research that went into bringing this story to life.

If you enjoy historical fiction set around WWII, this is certainly one to check out.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

**4.5/5 Stars**

My biggest complaint about Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem is that it had to end. I fell in love with Landsem's characters, and I did not want to part with them. Code Name Edelweiss was my first Stephanie Landsem book, and I will be pursuing her other novels. Fans of espionage and WWII fiction will enjoy this one just as much as I did. Landsem provides thrill and mystery without a romance…for which I am very thankful.

After losing her job, Liesl must find a new one—and quick—to provide for her family. Her mother, children, and brother all depend on her income. Her brother should help, but he does not, which causes some of the novel’s contentious sentiments. Liesl ends up at the offices of Friends of the New Germany, secretly working for a Jewish lawyer under the code name “Edelweiss.” A German American herself, she does not particularly agree with Leon Lewis’s beliefs about Nazis in America, but she needs the money to survive. With the pressure on her shoulders, Liesl reports back to Leon Lewis. Slowly, she learns the Friends of the New Germany organization is far more dangerous than she could ever realize…and only Leon Lewis’s network—including the unknown Agent Thirteen—can stop it.

Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem puts to paper the dangers of apathy, a concept unfortunately prevalent even today. Hitler came to power in part because no one did anything to stop his rise. Few spoke out against him. When “No Jews” signs popped up in windows, people remained silent. So-called “friends” said nothing when Jewish neighbors were turned away. Silence was compliance and acceptance. In the 1930s, it might as well have been agreement. Code Name Edelweiss made me think of today’s world. Racism and other prejudices are alive and well in 2023. How many of us sit by and let these go unencumbered rather than speaking up? Pride leads us to eschew conflict and arguments we cannot win. How, though, can we combat the world’s biases from the sidelines?

Stephanie Landsem is a talented author; she leaves no doubt about that. She introduces readers to a part of history once unknown. Leon Lewis was a real person. His mission to foil Hitler’s Hollywood ambitions was real. Code Name Edelweiss led this espionage aficionado to research for herself and to request further books on Leon Lewis from her library. I wish more historical fiction books had the same effect on me.

3.5 stars

This historical fiction and spy thriller mashup had some good moments but seemed to take a long time to go nowhere in particular.

The most exciting part of Code Name Edelweiss is finding out that Lewis was a real person, trying to prevent the events of WWII and Hitler’s legacy as a Jewish lawyer in California. That awareness and gumption is incredible; it makes me want to have loved this story more. Maybe if he had been more prominent, I would have felt differently.

Leisl and Wilhelm were interesting but too stiff. They were only allowed to have certain characteristics and rarely strayed. Intensely organised and harshly aloof are challenging personalities to maintain, especially when acting as spies, but they seem to manage.

In the end, it’s a big buildup for a bit of a kerfuffle which doesn’t go anywhere. There are too many inconsistencies to explain away, and it’s hard to drill down to the narrative's point other than the painfully obvious ‘Nazis are bad’. I’m sure you’re supposed to take away this 'stand up for the downtrodden' and 'if not me, then who' stuff, but honestly, Wilhelm and Liesl aren’t convincing bearers of this message. Besides, they may be the worst spies ever. Every one of their plots would have failed immediately in the real world, and the Nazis would have seen right through them.

With simultaneously too much and not enough going on, this was a difficult read at times. In the end, it was probably more good than bad, but I can’t say it’s the most successful WWII fiction I’ve read - though it does claim some respect as a unique angle. With some editing and a more pointed direction, I think Code Name Edelweiss would have been much more successful.

Stephanie Landsem has done an amazing job writing another great novel. I was not able to put the Code Name Edelweiss down. Truth is stranger than fiction. It is absolutely shocking to recognize this is written based on true historical events. Code Name Edelweiss was filled with history, mystery, romance, suspense- it has it all. It was infused with intriguing plots and people. What an amazing amount of research went into writing this book and I know it will be enjoyed by any reader who appreciates historical fiction.
It was impossible to read this book in a passive way. I found myself deeply wrapped up in the characters and plot unfolding in front of my eyes. Code Name Edelweiss was filled with questions that kept my mind on the book even when I wasn’t reading. Some questions were about the book itself. But other questions arose about life in general. Who was Agent 13? Will the agents be able to identify each other? Are they going to stay safe or get caught? How would I have responded had I lived during that time period? Why does God allow such evil to exist and how can it be explained to a child? Could I forgive if treated with the same hatred as shown to the Jewish people? Code Edelweiss provided a lot of topics for a bookclub discussion.
Code Name Edelweiss can be enjoyed by both men and women. I would recommend it for anyone who likes historical fiction. I have appreciated all of Stephanie Landsem’s books. But I think Code Name Edelweiss has quickly become a favorite, second only to her book “the Thief” which is Biblical fiction.

BOOK REVIEW - Code Name Edelweiss - Stephanie Landsem - 5/5 Stars

THE STORY
This story was so easy to give 5 stars to! It's one thing to learn about a new fact or two while reading but when I learn about a whole new part of history I didn't know before, you get an instant tick of approval from me! I had no idea just how hard the Nazis tried to infiltrate other countries with their propaganda and ideologies. Or that there was a whole spy network set up to take them down. I really enjoyed following Liesl's story and watching her go from having weak convictions to a strong faith and belief in what she did. And it was so much fun trying to figure out who Agent Thirteen really was and when I clicked and then Liesl figured it out was such a great moment!

THE ROMANCE
I wouldn't class this as a romance but there was a nice small romantic undercurrent and tension throughout the story that I enjoyed. Only complaint would be no kiss at the end 😢.

THE TRUTHS
"If not us, who? If not now, when?" That line was so convicting and thought provoking. We always talk about how when the time comes we'll stand up and fight for what's right just like the resistance fighters and soldiers during the wars. But evil doesn't just appear all of a sudden with a big bang, it sneaks in slowly and can take over before we realise. We have to be vigilant now for the small evils. We have to stand up now for the things we believe in. We must follow up our words with actions now. "Be strong and courageous [now]. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9b

4.5 Stars!

This was a fascinating story! I love that it was based on actual events. I didn’t know anything about the plot for the German Nazis to take over Hollywood and all the hate towards the Jews. So I was educated. Great writing. And I loved the whole spy aspect. This is not a romance but historical fiction. I thought the story was really good and I loved both main characters. Liesel is a mom of two and has been fired from MGM and gets hired as a spy. I loved how willing both main characters were to make sacrifices for their country. Overall this is a great story and I definitely recommend.

Content: mention of assumed rape, mistreatment of Jews and other people groups

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Code Name Edelweiss shines a spotlight on American anti-semitism in the years prior to WWII and brings attention to some little-known history in the fight against fascism in America.

Summer 1933: Liesl Weiss is the second generation of her family employed by MGM. The huge movie lots and sound stages of the massive studio have always been less a place of wonder to her than a symbol of security until an executive decides to do more than just give her random pats and pinches and tries to steal a kiss. She treats him like she would any thief, with the end result of a pink slip landing on her desk. The sole support of her mother, her two children, and her erstwhile brother, Liesl is desperate for work, but in spite of her stellar reputation and the fact that she was the top student at her secretarial school, there is no job to be found. While in yet another employment office, begging for any position no matter how menial, Leisl’s eyes chance upon a work order looking for a secretary with a strong knowledge of the German language. She is the daughter of immigrants who taught her to be fluent in the language of their homeland. When the recruiter steps away from her desk, Liesl snatches the paper and heads over to the offices of Leon Lewis, Attorney at Law.

Leon has watched Adolf Hitler’s rise to power with concern, has been seemingly one of the few who has listened to what the man says, and reads the propaganda the Nazis so eagerly churn out. He has also been paying close attention to the rising tide of anti-semitism in America; he’s heard the speeches of organized groups like the KKK and the angry whispers of the unemployed men on the streets who feel Jewish business owners aren’t giving them a fair break. Yet all the conversations he has had with the powerful people in public office or major businesses have left him frustrated. None of them see fascism and racism as threats to national security the way he does. Determined not to let this problem go unattended until it is too late to do anything about it, he begins to form his own spy network. And while Liesl might not be the perfect secretary for his law practice, she will be the perfect person to infiltrate The Friends of New Germany. A charity/social club in the heart of Los Angeles’, they, along with the Aryan Bookstore, are the hub for spreading support for Hitler and the National Socialist brand of fascism in the U.S.

Liesl is originally very skeptical about Leon’s proposition because she doubts there are genuine Nazi operatives in her own neighborhood. However, she desperately needs the salary he can provide. She accepts his offer, volunteers her secretarial services to Friends, and is shocked to discover that Leon is right.

Thirteen, a former Pinkerton agent, has infiltrated radical groups before. As a veteran of the Great War, he appreciates the chance Leon has given him to work on the front lines of what is happening and hopes that maybe this time, America can enter the battle ahead more prepared. Or perhaps avoid entering at all. The latter seems unlikely, however, given what he is discovering about The Friends of New Germany. Both he and Leon are concerned at how easy it has been for the Nazis to get a foothold in the U.S., especially since Thirteen regularly meets SS officers and other German officials who are sponsoring/aiding the group.

When Thirteen encounters the beautiful new secretary of the club, he is saddened that such a lovely woman supports such ugly ideals. But as he gets to know her, he begins to wonder if maybe there is more to her than he first suspected.

This book is one of the most richly detailed historical novels I have read. Leon Lewis and his operatives were real and although this is a fictional account, the author has based her story on things they actually did and events that actually happened. The financial concerns of the times are expertly explored, and the very real fears and responses that people living on the edge faced are beautifully depicted.

The characters are also authentic. Liesl, whose husband vanished into thin air one night, struggles with insecurity. Her father had died during the Great War, which left her, her mother and her brother homeless for a period. This history has left her with a very narrow world, her only concerns being whether or not she’s a good mother and making her desperate to keep a roof over her family’s head. Her first experiences with anti-semitism come from authority figures – her daughter’s elementary school teacher complains about the girl’s behaviors and essentially demands that Liesl attends a parenting group in which Liesl hears disparaging comments about Jews. A guest and already intimidated by the teacher’s complaints, Liesl stays silent. When she sees a beloved Jewish neighbor belittled and bullied at the local grocers, she stays silent then too, all too aware of her own store account – which is overdue – and the fact that she needs to stay on the owner’s good side to take home any food that day. It isn’t until she is working for Lewis that she realizes her silence allows bigotry to flourish. Once enlightened, she risks her life to get the lawyer the information he needs and begins to perform other quiet acts of resistance. I loved the character growth we see and also the look at how society was at a turning point in this moment. Most people didn’t understand tribalism or anti-semitism, and it was only through courageous souls working tirelessly to patiently teach them that the national attitude made a slow change.

As a white man, Thirteen also hadn’t been aware of the dark underbelly of racism in the country and just what that meant for the people suffering from it. His admiration for Lewis has him learning about the effects and dangers of anti-semitism and being willing to put his life on the line to challenge it.

The author also does a nice job of capturing how propaganda works on the weak and willing. Liesl’s brother, young and impressionable, is proud to join the police force and doesn’t recognize initially that a strong thread of racism underlies much of what his boss does. He comes to a slow awareness of how wrong that is and why through Liesl.

My only quibble with the book is with some of the language used, such as the term “Indian” to describe an actor dressed to portray a character in a Cowboy/Western film, Thirteen describing the food at a Chinese grocer’s as unappealing (he later tastes it and loves it), and the endless use of the word dirty to describe Jews by the villains. All of this would have been accurate for the time but is jarring for a twenty-first-century reader.

Code Name Edelweiss takes a new look at WWII and highlights problems the U.S. had then which we still struggle with today. I recommend it to readers who like the history of this time period.