Member Reviews
Her Secret War #3
A double agent: As WWII rages, MI5 agent Sarah Gillespie is faced with her toughest challenge yet: handling Addine Vernier, a mysterious double agent from Paris.
A dangerous mission: Addine's coded letters could help the Allies defeat the Germand - nut, in return, she demands that her boyfriend is rescued from Nazi-occupied France, Addine is not above threatening to double-cross MI5 to get what she wants, leaving Sarah fearful for the millions of lives at stake.
This is more a tale of romance than a war story. Sarah Gillespie is a strong character. She has to face some crucial missions in her workplace and some hard challenges in her relationship with an American Navy Officer. The story is based on true events. This isn't a book that's easy to guess what's going to happen next. This is a well written and twist filled story.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AvonBooksUK and the author #PamLecky for my ARC of #TheLastLetterFromLondon in exchange for an honest revoew.
Book 3 in the Her Secret War historical mystery series featuring Sarah Gillespie and whilst it’s always good to read the books in order for context this can easily be read as a standalone. It is the period shortly before the Normandy landings and the Allies are desperate to fool the German Army as to the actual date and location. Sarah’s relationship with Tony is still on but very volatile and quite a lot of the book is handed over to their romance.
Briefly, Sarah is working for MI5 in London and is asked to handle a French woman Aveline Vernier who has told them she is a German agent but wants to work as a double agent. Aveline becomes an important cog in the military deception, however, she wants something in return. Is she genuine or bluffing? It is up to Sarah to work out the truth.
As always with this author the research is clearly detailed and spot on and the book seamlessly integrates fact with fiction. The intrigue was good, it was hard to tell if Adeline was trustworthy and this helped maintain the suspense. I love how this series brings WWII history to people who may never have taken an interest in this period. A great read.
4.5⭐️
Wow, this book made an impact for sure. Im really glad I decided to branch out… historical isn’t usually my thing but I really liked this one!
This is a great book. A lovely story about a French female spy and her reluctant British handler. Highly reccomend.
The Last Letter from London is a highly intense story concentrating on the SOE and issues that surrounded the agents. There were times that the story was nerve-racking. If I had nails I would have bitten them off. The sneak peek I was given into the spy world had me speechless.
Sarah works for the SOE doing menial tasks. That is until she is been put in charge of a double agent. The responsibilities were high. The danger was even higher. I wasn't sure what would happen in the future. I have to wonder was it like this for those during the war. Research says yes. I am so grateful to Pam Lucky for getting me excited to discover more about the SOE.
Sarah's duties take her to Portugal, traveling with Adeline, the double agent. Holy Moly, I can't believe how many spies from different countries were populating Lisbon. Adeline had to meet up with a SS officer in order to keep her cover. Her fears radiated off the pages. It was if I was there experiencing what they did. I am left speechless after discovering what they all went through. The SOE operatives are my heroes.
Sarah didn't just have the responsibility of Adeline. Sarah helped trick the Germans with a fake Montgomery. What a brilliant idea and it really happened. The name was changes but was a brilliance. The Last Letter from London is playing the long game to win the war against the Nazis.
What a dangerous game it is that they all must play. At the same time life goes on. Love is found. Hearts are broken. The daily struggles kept the story flowing. The friendships helped me deal with some of horrors of war. The friendships, the romantic relationships were a reminder of what they all fought for. Bombs remind us that life can be gone in a second and just how much the people of London suffered.
Books like The Last Letter from London are important for many reasons. As a historical fiction, it tells a story not just facts in a textbook. Embellishments give the reader a reason to research and learn more about out past. The survivors deserve respect. Those that made it all happen should be remembered with honor.
Another excellent read from Lecky, my go to writer for WW2 thriller fiction. Sarah Gillespie’s character is carefully crafted, her relationship with Tony a running thread that binds. Not too slushy, just adding an extra piquancy to the tale of double agents and decoding secret letters. An author heading only one way-up!
Her Secret War book #3
As the war rages MI5 agent Sarah Gillespie is tasked with handling Adeline Vermier, a double agent from Paris. Adeline’s mission is to code letter that would help the Allies defeat the Germans, in return she wants her boyfriend be rescued from Nazi occupied France. Adeline is a very volatile woman and with no reason she could double-cross MI5 leaving Sarah in a bind....When a secret mission brings them to Lisbon, they must tread carefully.....what happens next? A very captivating journey through uncertainty...
The story is filled with intrigue, deception and sadness all said in a romantic tone. The plot has a strong emphasis on Sarah’s romance and her tumultuous relationship with Tony. The pacing is steady and moves back and forth between the mission and Sarah’s romantic indecisions. As for Adeline her credibility is questionable for most part. MI5 never knew if she would turn on them and destroy all they were hoping to achieve. But her action made for good intrigue and suspense from her first appearance till we reach the conclusion. Sarah took back stage and was not the strong character I would have hoped to see. Her part a bit too subdued for my taste. Tony needed a boot to open up with his feelings but Sarah manages to give it to him by the end...haha.
I love the plot it is gripping and thrilling. It kept me on edge since it was hard to see what the outcome would be. Will the mission fall apart and thousands would die or will it succeed. In a few words: not a bad book if you are a spy lover in a ww11 setting.
Sarah Gillespie, an Irish woman working as an MI5 agent in London during World War II, is tasked with being the handler for a volunteer double agent, Adeline, who is from Paris. Adeline is impulsive, stubborn, and unpredictable. Sarah is never really sure if she can be trusted….either with the espionage task or with Sarah’s boyfriend, Tony. Adeline’s only demand is that MI5 rescue her Russian boyfriend who is hiding in Paris. If they do not do that, she threatens to betray them to the Nazis.
I started this book not realizing it was the third in a series. That was a real disadvantage as there were references to people and past experiences that lacked background details. It worked OK as a standalone, but I really missed knowing more about Sarah and her friends’ histories.
This was very different form most of the historical fiction I usually read as there was more emphasis on Sarah’s romance than on the espionage. I found her continual ruminations about Tony and their relationship a bit tedious. In the chapters that focused on the spy story, my interest picked up.
There's a double agent that one woman must work with to help during WW2. Is she really ready to come over to the right side.
The book is set in London during. WWII. Sarah works for MI5 in London. She is tasked with managing a French double agent. Sarah isn’t sure she can completely trust her, the woman is very volatile emotionally. This book kept me turning the pages. It is full of intrigue, espionage and romance. Up until the very last couple of pages it was a 5*. I didn’t like the ending. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
THE LAST LETTER FROM LONDON by PAM LECKY is an exciting and well written WW11 novel that takes place mainly in London in 1944 and 1945. I am glad to have read the first two books in the series, but each novel can easily stand alone.
Sarah Gillespie, who now works for M15 in London, is given an important secret assignment which could have a huge effect on the outcome of the war. We see her courage and commitment to the cause in the way she deals with the difficult French double agent, Adeline Vernier, who she does not really trust. She becomes her handler, which leads, not only to danger, but also to problems with her boyfriend, Tony Anderson.
There is betrayal, deception, and huge risk as Adeline communicates with the enemy under Sarah’s and her boss’s supervision……
I am not going to tell you any more for fear of spoiling your read.
I highly recommend The Last Letter From London to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Avon Books UK. The opinions in this review are completely my own.
My personality and career choice demand that I’m organized and know potential pitfalls and how to deal with them. I don’t like unscheduled surprises! However, when it comes to reading, I actually prefer being in the dark and trying to second-guess characters and their motives. Go figure! Why am I telling you this? Because by all signs, I shouldn’t like books like this, but for some reason, I crave them. If you are like me, check out this series.
Lecky’s third installment in Her Secret War series, The Last Letter From London fed my desire to feel ‘lost’ and ‘uncertain.’ It’s about a Parisienne double agent, Adeline Vernier, and her handler, MI5 agent, Sarah Gillespie. I loved the coded letters, the dangerous mission, the threat of being double-crossed, and the ever-present enemy. I liked not knowing who to trust, not knowing who they were working for, and not knowing if they’d get caught.
However, I will mention that once the narrative took on a more romantic focus, I lost interest. I’m more of a historical fiction reader than a romance reader. That being said, I’m still eager to read the next installment.
A slow burner on the uptake, yet stuffed with intrigue, espionage, romance, deception, and red herrings, the narrative propels readers towards the cliffhanger ending! Perhaps not the strongest of the three, this one contains a necessary ingredient for the series.
I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This is the story of Sarah Gillespie. A double agent, a dangerous mission and coded letter. This is the making of a great read. And that it was. The story of secret operations and letters, coded and sent to save a country. But there are demands and Sarah is a strong willed and courageous woman.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish and found it very easy to read. Although the story could be heavy it was written in a manner that made it not quite as dark as it could have been. For some this is good and for others I can see that it might detract from the story but I found it made the story more enjoyable to read.
A great read for any lover of historical fiction.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for providing me for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sarah Gillespie finds herself stuck with a double agent who isn’t everything she appears to be. She must make sure she definitely wishes to work for the British and not for the Germans as she was arrested for. But how much can Sarah ensure the double agent is who she says she is? The immediate premise drew me into the book. I loved the idea of a double agent and trying to work out exactly what they’re doing. I have read the two previous books in this collection and, so far, this is one of my least favourites. This book focused more on the love story rather than the action. While I’m normally all for the romances, I didn’t expect it from this one due to my experiences with the previous books. However, this didn’t deter me from loving this book as much as the others!
This book continually kept me on edge and kept me guessing at every turn. Lecky made sure I could never guess anyone’s next move, regardless of which side they appeared to be on or which character they were. This is what I love most about these books. I truly hope there is another in this collection. Lecky’s Sarah Gillespie stories are some of my favourite World War Two historical fiction books, especially with the Irish connection which differentiates them from other World War Two books on the bookshelves.
This is a fantastic series which you must read if you love World War Two historical fiction and are looking for something a little different within that sub genre.
This is a great WWII read. If you like spy and suspense stories, this book is for you!
How can Sarah handle her charge and stay alive?
Can Sarah have her romantic ending or is she bound to mourn the people taken away from her because of war.
This book was so good. I have been really trying to get back into historical fiction and this was the perfect book. It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger which was sad but it was a very sweet ending. I would absolutely recommend this book to all of my friends.
The next step in the story or Sarah and Tony which we read about in Her Last Betrayal. It is a good easy read telling particularly how Sarah copes with handling a turned German spy. It includes all the drama mixed in with the problems of relationships during World War 2 when both parties are doing jobs that they cannot tell the other about. Included within this is jealous, fear and a few other elements including Srah being tailed but by whom? I would strongly recommend reading this book, it is well written and easy to absorb and enjoy.
The latest and third book in the series about Irish born Sarah Gillespie. Sarah is now working with the MI5 and has taken on more challenging ‘spy’ work. She is assigned to be a handler for a French woman Adeline who has turned to MI5 as a double agent. It is dangerous work but Sarah is determined to prove her capabilities. Sarah must oversee the letters Adeline writes back to Germany with ‘fake news’ of activities of the British army which can help stop the Germans invading and shorten the war. This is a spy thriller with just a little romance. I have enjoyed the previous two books so was glad to see there was a new part to Sarah’s life. I do hope there is a fourth book that finishes with the war ending. An entertaining light weekend read
Tense, exciting and believable, I couldn't wait to read the book when I had time each day. The characters were well developed and I cared what was going to happen to each of them. I want to read more books written by this author.
Sarah's war-time adventures continue. Sarah Gillespie works for MI5. It's towards the end of WW2 and she has a suspicious double agent look after, not to mention Monty's double! Her romance is in floundering and she feels as though her life is falling apart. Another great read from Pam Lecky.