I love WWII history especially from the perspective of average people who stepped up and did extraordinary things. This book is a very interesting fictional story based on true historical people and events. I couldn’t put it down. The spread of Nazis in Hollywood is a part of history I knew literally nothing about. It is amazing, scary and sad how easily hatred for a group of people can be bred and spread. The similarities between this story and current times leap off the page. Both the main and secondary characters in the book are rich and deep and the story full of page turning intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging, thought provoking novel and will look to read more by Stephanie Landsem.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale Publishing for the opportunity to read for honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Tyndale House Publishers for access to this arc.


Wow, this book was all that I hoped for and more. It’s not only a well crafted undercover spy novel but also uses religion to actually further the change in the two main characters but not in a preachy way. Instead, Liesl and Agent Thirteen have to come face to face with their fears, their doubts, their prejudices, and their questions about how a loving God could allow certain things to happen and then wrestle with their own consciences for answers.

When lawyer Leon Lewis tells Liesl why he wants her to pose as a secretary for the Friends of New Germany organization in Los Angeles, she thinks he’s nuts. Sure, things are happening in Germany and being done by fanatics but that couldn’t happen here, right? Some people might not like or associate with Jews but that doesn’t mean they’d do violence, would they? And her family have been loyal Americans since her parents immigrated. Why, her father insisted on signing up during the Great War to prove his patriotism and died. She, her mother and her younger brother had been called anti-German slurs. In the end, what gets her to accept the assignment isn’t any burning desire to for a cause – it’s the promise of $30 a week.

And so she starts working for people who seem to be ordinary, nice, and only trying to support the German-American heritage Liesl loves and is proud of. Yes, Mr. Schwinn eventually gets handsy but most male bosses do and Liesl knows how to duck and dodge. Thekla Schwinn on the other hand is delighted at Liesl’s competence. Liesl isn’t quite as thrilled about some of the other people there but the money she’s earning is helping to pay down the family bills that grew after her husband disappeared and because her brother shrugs off stepping up and being the man of the family.

When the light finally begins to dawn for Liesl, it’s not a bombshell but rather a slow and gradual, though spending a horrified night reading "Mein Kampf" might have speeded it up a little, realization. Along with this comes the knowledge that her own brother, a cadet policeman, is getting mixed up in it, too. Now Liesl is having to act better than a Hollywood actress to hide her true sympathies from the people at work, her own family, and sadly her neighbors who were formerly her friends. Liesl also faces the cowardly choices she’s made in the past to not stand up for someone when she knows she should have. Brava for this as it gives Liesl depth, forces her to deal with personal responsibility, and illustrates part of the old poem, “but I did not speak out.”

There is another undercover agent working with her but as their boss has decided to keep almost everyone’s identity secret from the others for reasons of safety, neither knows the true feelings of the other. This part is well done with viable reasons to continue for them to misjudge each other. They have both come from places of complacence and need to examine what they are willing to accept and where their line in the sand is. The other agent, already on board against the Nazis, is someone who manages to hold out hope for some of the young teens who have been caught up with this group as they merely look for a place to fit in, for father figures to replace those lost, as was Liesl’s and Fritz’s father, in the war. The agent, as I said earlier, doesn’t get preachy but talks to them, urges them to think about the men their fathers would have wanted them to be. It’s actually Liesl he eventually has to talk into giving Fritz another chance.

I think the real events of Leon Lewis and his spy ring’s efforts to counteract the attempt of Nazis to wreak havoc and to raise awareness of the rise of fascism are well woven into the plot. As I read the book, the similarity to current world divisions and events struck me. The end is a touch open so I’m holding out hope that this won’t be the last we’ll see of Liesl, her family, Agent Thirteen, and Leon Lewis. B+

A spy novel set in the 1930s?? Not something I normally would read, but I really did enjoy it. But if I’m honest, that cover really drew me in. It’s absolutely beautiful.

This is the story of Liesl Weiss and how she and some other amateur spies brought down Hitler’s attempt at taking over Hollywood in hopes of spreading anti-semitism propaganda.

The best part? This is based off of a true story, and I didn’t even know that before starting.

The beginning of this story was a bit slow for me, but the ending made me not want to put this book down. If you’re in need of a historical fiction, this is definitely a win for me (This one is not a historical romance).

This book was incredible. It was so distinct from any other novel I've ever read. I am so grateful for the chance to read it. I adored the characters; I adored how real and imperfect they were. I also liked how they were unlikely protagonists. I loved the plot and how clever it was. The growth of the characters (particularly Liesl) was really enjoyable to read. The setting of the novel was excellent as well.
This book has an impactful and important message, and the author does such a great job in sharing this message. I loved it so much!

Code Name Edelweiss brought events happening in Germany under Adolf Hitler close to home as the Nazis worked in America to try to eliminate the Jewish people.

I was a little familiar with Leon Lewis and his work to try to stop what was happening via people working undercover to provide him with information he could then take to the authorities. As more is known about his work, it is interesting to read it incorporated into a story.

Liesl and Agent 13, unknowingly at first, working together only added to the intrigue of this story. Working at great risk to themselves and for Liesl, also her family, they were determined to do what they could to thwart this evil. As they get to know each other, the work they were able to do only increased. It was captivating to watch unfold and left me filled with admiration for the work done to stop what was trying to take root in the United States.

I look forward to reading more of Stephanie Landsem’s work. Her research is thorough and her ability to weave a tale incorporating real events is so very well done I couldn’t help but be engrossed from the first page.

Thank you to Tyndale for the copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem is based on a true story, unknown until recent years. How a lone Jewish lawyer and a handful of amateur spies discovered and foiled Adolf Hitler’s plan to take over Hollywood. The story focuses on two of the amateur spies, Liesl who is a single mom with two kids and a mother to support. She takes on Leon’s request for a spy. She volunteers for an organization and collects information for Leon, the Jewish lawyer.

Another spy, Wilhelm, Agent 13 was an interesting character. You knew he was going to have a background which the author slowly revealed to keep your attention.

There were several secondary characters that added another dimension to the story. Her brother, Fritz who is a police officer and has gotten himself mixed up in the wrong group of people. Her Jewish friend, Miriam really helped you see the dilemma Liesl found herself in both before and after she became a spy.

If now me, then who? If not now, then when? - both of these quotes helped you understand why someone would be willing to risk so much to support human rights.

This is a historical fiction that kept my attention and had me telling my friends about it. I would highly recommend it. This is my first book by Stephanie but will not be my last. Her author notes in the back were an extra treat.

Sexual content – none
Violence – women are sexually harassed. Riots and beating people up

Leading up to WWII, California movie studios begin to lay off non-Jewish employees. When Liesl loses her job at MGM, she is desperate for work to feed her family. When an attorney offers her a job spying on the German American community, she reluctantly takes it. She slowly realizes that anti-Semitism is a real threat to American values and dedicates herself to the cause.

Although this book was well paced, the characters were a bit stereotypical. The characters lacked dimension and behaved exactly as expected. I was fascinated to find out that this story was based on real life events. I found myself googling the real actors late into the night. Not a bad book, but not one I would re-read.

Liesl Weiss has been around the holiday studio's her entire life. We start the story with Liesl losing her job, and having no way to support her two young children in the wake of her husband leaving. Desperate she ends up taking a job spying for a lawyer. Meanwhile 13, another spy, is imbedded in a local nazi organization trying his best to get people out before they do something they regret.

Liesl's journey in this story was very well written, her struggles with her faith due to her husband leaving, her struggles learning how to stand up for people who she cares about, and her parenting struggles. I honestly enjoyed Liesl learning to stand up for the people that she cares for and having her eyes opened to the under current of anti-Semitism in her community. I liked 13, even though he did come across flat at point, and his mission to try and help vunerable young people get out before they do something they will regret.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Story Enjoyment Rating: 9/10 Christian Faith Rating: 3/3

Review:
I really enjoyed Code Name Edelweiss. It is a Christian, historical, mystery and suspense book.

I requested this book from NetGalley, and Tyndale House was kind enough to let me have a free ebook to read and review. I was excited to read this book because it is set in Los Angeles just before the Second World War – a time and place I knew nothing about. I believe the book releases on the 7th of March 2023.

The book follows Liesl, who is a German American working in Hollywood. She is offered a job by a Jewish lawyer to spy on the people in her community who are sympathetic to the Nazis. The story is told from her perspective (in the first person) and from the perspective of a mysterious Agent Thirteen (in the third person).

I really enjoyed the fast-paced chapters, which made the story feel like a contemporary mystery and suspense novel. The book contains spies, mysteries, hidden identities, as well as complicated family dynamics. It deals with the topic of antisemitism and the difficult choices people have to make to do the right thing. I learned a lot about the culture at that time.

The faith content stayed prominent throughout the book. Several characters were either Christian or Jewish. Faith played a large part in the way that they acted, and the events that happened had an impact on their faith.

I would definitely read more books by this author in the future. I enjoyed the writing style and the complex character relationships.

Content: contains some violence and deals with antisemitism

An immersive spy story of a woman going undercover to spy on Nazis in Hollywood, California… and it is based on true events! So much history that I’d never heard about!

My favorite quote from the book, “…if good people did nothing, the evil around us would continue to grow and flourish” and “A story doesn’t have to be true to tell the truth” (the last one is in the authors note). This book provides a compelling reason to be the one to stand up for truth. “If not us, who? If not now, when?”

I highly recommend checking out the audiobook!

Thank you NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for a complimentary copy of this book! This novel takes place in the early 1930’s in the Los Angeles/Hollywood area, a few years before the start of WW2. It is based on a true story. Leon Lewis, a Jewish Lawyer, sets about to establish a spy ring to stem the rise of the Nazis and anti- Semitic retaliation in America. He recruits Agent Thirteen and Liesl to infiltrate the German Nazi Group to help him put a stop to the attacks and plans of Hitler to take over the city. But the problem is, it’s hard to know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are. The secret agents aren’t allowed to reveal themselves to other fellow agents. Only Leon Lewis knows the identity of them. Will they be able to foil the plans of the Nazi takeover of the city and possibly the entire US?
I loved reading this novel! It pulled me in from the start! It will be available on March 7, 2023!

1933 Los Angeles

Liesl Weiss loses her job at MGM, when she does not take well to unwanted advances. She and several others are let go. She goes to get a secretarial job with Leon Lewis, but finds out the job is not what she thought. He tell hers “What I am looking for…what I desperately need, Mrs. Weiss-is a spy.” She is a single mother of two children trying to support her family. Her husband vanished.

Soon she is working with Agent Thirteen and is told to spy on her neighbors and friends in her community. She works under the code name of Edelweiss, which is based on a true story. I really was invested in this story of courage. Well done Landsem.

4.5⭐Early 1930s. During the great depression. A highly engaging fictional story based on historical events. A true story of a group of amateur spies who discovered Hitler’s plans to take over Hollywood. How fascism-the evil of Europe ran rampant in Los Angeles, pre-WW2. There is a lot to like about this story, the setting, the characters, the twists and turns, intrigue and suspense, the light on the romance, the mystery, and the detailed research that went into creating this story. The plot of the story is full of action. A little slow to start but is worth it keep reading until the end. Did you know German-American spies planned to take over Hollywood in the 1930s?.... I question whether History is repeating itself --right before our eyes.


Thank you, NetGalley and Tyndale House for the advance eARC. all opinions are my own.

Fantastic! I thoroughly enjoyed this engaging historical fiction about a little known time in our history where a lone Jewish lawyer and his group of amateur spies work to stop Nazi infiltration in Los Angeles. Author Stephanie Landsem weaves a brilliant story, and challenges the readers to to not be silent in the face of evil around us. And "to move past fear with courage and love", love for our families and friends, love for those different from us, and love for our enemies. I highly recommend this excellent historical fiction.

"What I am looking for-what I desperately need, Mrs. Weiss-is a spy." "Believe me, Mrs. Weiss, this hatred has come into Los Angeles. And Adolf Hitler will not stop there."

"We're on the right side of this, have faith in that."

"If not me, who? If not now, when?"

"Adolf Hitler and his religion of anti-Semitism was not a Jewish problem. It was my problem. And if good people did nothing, the evil around us would continue to grow and flourish."

So many similarities between current times and Nazi Germany. Misguided purpose makes something sound good that's really evil.

Another important takeaway for me was to really love those that are on a wrong path instead of getting angry.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. I'm looking forward to my pre-ordered copy to arrive from Baker Book House.

Hollywood infiltrated by Nazis? Liesl Wiess, a single mother of two, loses her job as secretary for MGM and with no other options ends up working for Jewish lawyer Leon Lewis. The trick? Leon has put together a network of spies to infiltrate the growing fascist groups in Hollywood and stop them from spreading Nazi propaganda. Now Liesl is part of that network; helping uncover Nazi affiliations in her German community.

Based on a true story of a network of amateur spies from different backgrounds who discovered Hitler’s plan to take over Hollywood to spread anti-semitism propaganda, this fictional retelling gives you an in depth view of some of its spies. I loved the portrayal of Liesl’s courage to do what’s right and help Leon’s despite her fears and reservations. Despite being German herself, attaches herself to the cause to help her own neighbors.

The book is not heavy on action but it portrayed well the rising tensions of the time. The neighbor against neighbor. The stress that the Great Depression brought along with the consequences. This was a well written, fictionalized account of real events. It was a very intense read from beginning to end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tyndale for an e-copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

A great piece of historical fiction set in old Hollywood. It’s a grand time in Hollywood as the world is on the brink of war. Hollywood is run by the Jews, but Nazi sympathizers want that to end. Enter Edelweiss, a woman that never dreamt that she would become a spy under the most dangerous of circumstances. Now, she must determine which side she can truly trust. A well done piece that I was grateful to read from NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this book! It is based on true events. WWI had just ended. Hitler was not a dictator yet, but was gaining popularity in Germany. Code Name Edelweiss is about a young mother whose husband has left her to support two children, mother and a brother. After she is let go by MGM in Hollywood, she shows up at a lawyer's office.The lawyer offers her a job she cannot refuse. Money is good and sounds easy. The more she learns about what she is asked to do become complicated and at time scary. If you enjoy history and mystery you will love this!

Having never known about the Nazi attempt to overcome Hollywood, this was an interesting tale. Based on history, this novel will give readers an inside view of the spy network ran by Jewish Lawyer Leon Lewis in the 1930s. Liesl Weiss was a courageous young woman caught up in a deadly plot. Recommended.

Wow! I was surprised by this book, but in such a good way. I was expecting the typical European intrigue of a WWII novel, but was happily surprised to find a book about a little known US history time period right before the war.

I read the book in about 24 hours and had a hard time leaving it mentally even when I set it down. There were parts that were hard to read because of the evil of humanity, but it was truly challenging to be the one that stands up for those without a voice… “if not me, then who?”

My one complaint with this book is that the protagonist seemed perhaps to be over-sexualized. I got weary of hearing about how much skin she was showing, etc. I do understand that she worked in a time when sexual harassment was overlooked and even accepted by the males at work, but it felt like more than was needed as far as frequently talking about her legs, etc.

Why I chose this book: Honestly, the back cover copy and the cover got me at first. I enjoy WWII historical novels and taking a look at how it was playing out on American soil appealed to me.

Type of Book: While the publisher says it's mystery/thriller, I'm not sure I would place it there. If I was expecting a mystery/thriller, I think I would have been disappointed. It's just a really, really good Historical Fiction. So many historical fiction writers include a bit of romance but sometimes it's nice to just dive into a solid historical without the romantic undertones.

Overall: I would highly recommend this book by Stephanie Landsem. It is my first book of hers that I've read and I look forward to backtracking and reading her other works. I do believe authors get better over time and I suspect she is on a path to create quite a following of loyal readers. The book has great tension, smooth pacing, dynamic characters, great plot. There isn't anything that stood out to me as lacking. Great job Stephanie and Tyndale team!

Favorite Quotes/Characters: "But is was the way in which he spoke...as if there was another meaning, a dangerous meaning underneath his words, as a river hides currents under the smooth surface."

Bookshelf worthy? Yes! Five stars. I truly enjoyed the characters in this story and looking at a portion of US and World history through this lens.

Teenability: Totally readable for teens. Clean. There are a couple suggestive scenes where a man is trying to take advantage of the heroine but I feel it is written well and delivered well. Especially when she goes back and stands up to him.