Though for me it seemed slow pace, it was still a very interesting story. I enjoyed the take on this story and the mystery that pulls you into the story. This story has a little bit of everything suspense, love, family, friendship, betrayal. It does feel like a roller coaster with everything going on and I liked that about the book. I look forward to more books from this author.

This book had so much promise but overall I felt let down in the end. Like most books, it started off a little slow but I was hooked and intrigued about 30% in. I could tell all the events were leading up to one major confrontation but was not impressed by the story line overall. There was almost too much mystery and we never learned exactly what her father was doing! I would have loved to have his POV in a few chapters. The cliffhanger was unexpected and I may pick up the second one to see if I can get some answers. Overall, I enjoyed the time period and characters but felt it was lacking in plot and was void of any real shock or twist.

Thank you NetGalley and Severn River for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It has been a minute since I’ve read historical fiction, but it’s always been one of my favorite genres. This one was a good one to come back to. It started a little slow for me, but it has a lot of elements I like and I was drawn in once Hattie got to Brazil. There’s romance, WW2 connections, spies, and a mystery. There is also a serial killer I have read about in the past whose M.O. lives rent-free in my head, and the author must also have read about him as his preferred methods are incorporated into the plot as well. I didn’t realize when I started that this would be the beginning of a series, but the plot of this book is wrapped up nicely by the end, while still clearly leaving the option for additional adventures for these characters. If you enjoy WW2 fiction or historical fiction with a bit of a murder mystery too, then you’ll like this book.


**I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book, but all opinions are my own**

Thank you Severn River Publishing and The Author for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

The story follows Hattie James, a famous singer from New York in 1940. When Hattie's father -a respected american diplomat- is accused of aiding the Nazi and manages to escape the FBI, her life takes a drastic turn. Her agent drops her, she loses her job as a singer at the Copacabana club and her entire reputation because the case made headlines. After the FBI blackmails her into helping them find her father she travels to Rio with her loyal pianist and friend David.

The first 20% were a little slow but after that I was hooked. There were so many secrets to uncover and the twists and turns kept my attention. Just when I thought I figured everything out a new discovery made my jaw drop!
The complicated family dynamic added an interesting touch to the story. But I think the relationship and friendship aspects were a little too forced and stole the spotlight of the mystery sometimes.

All in all a well written suspense novel with an interesting plot.

First book read by this author. Found the story believable, intriguing, well written, spellbinding. Hattie, the main character is a young, talented, up and coming singer finally reaching notoriety, has a beautiful voice, in 1941. All that comes to a haunt when her father, Karl, is accused of being a German spy for the Nazi’s. The FBI is on his trail and Hattie is basically being blackmailed into helping them find her father. The story moves to Rio, where her estranged mother(, Eva,(divorced from her father)is living. Eva is also a famous singer who now teaches vocal lesson The progression of the storytelling holds the suspense of the plot, murder, kidnapping, doubt of everything you’ve always known and believed to be true, love, and danger. Well worth the read.

In "The Songbird," Stacy Lynn Miller presents a gripping tale of espionage during WWII, featuring a strong female lead navigating danger in Brazil. While the story is compelling and highlights the bravery of women in wartime, some readers might find the darker elements a bit overwhelming. Overall, it's an ambitious and thought-provoking read for those who appreciate a mix of history and suspense.

I've given a star review because it's required but I feel that some readers might enjoy this book even more than I did because they might not mind the violent parts - a trigger warning for others.

Wow! Easily 5 stars! From the very first chapter, The Songbird had me captivated. The historical setting, the glamor, the secrets and intrigue- everything made the story flow well and kept the pages turning.

I loved Hattie, our main character, and seeing what she goes through. I loved the journey, and watching her discover new truths along the way. I loved her friends and her loyalty to her father. I’ll definitely be picking up book 2 when it’s released. Excellent! Thank you Netgalley and Severn River Publishing for this arc copy!

This historical thriller is jaw-droppingly good. I lost myself in the chase, in the atmospheric setting, and in Hattie’s love and loyalty to her father.

When Hattie’s beloved father is arrested for espionage and accused of aiding Nazi Germany, Hattie loses her job as a singer at the Copacabana Club, along with her reputation. The FBI blackmails her to help them track down her own father and she must move to Rio to uncover the truth of his downfall and to save her family. There is no risk she is unwilling to take to right her world.

I hope there’s a second installment of this book because it did leave plenty of low-hanging fruit. If so, I definitely need to get my hands on that. Oh, how I loved this book! Thank you, NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for the advanced reader copy of this 5-star book.

This book had so many twists and turns, and gripped me right from the start. I knew that many Nazis escaped to Argentina after the war, but I had no idea that it was such a stronghold for them during the war - so it was fascinating to learn more about that side of it through the pages of this book! I can’t wait to read the second instalment.
4 stars out of 5 ⭐️

This had everything that I wanted in a opening chapter for this World War 2 world. Stacy Lynn Miller was able to create a unique concept and was everything that I was looking for in the description. The characters were realistic and I was invested in what was going on with them. I’m excited to read more in this series and from Stacy Lynn Miller.

The Songbird
By: Stacy Lynn Miller
Pub date: January 7, 2025
Publisher: Severn River Publishing
This was my first novel by this author, but not my last. I was so intrigued in the story about Hattie James and her father. She is a singer at the Copacabana Club in the 1940’s in New York. Her father is a long-time respected diplomat.
She gets a call no daughter would want to get. Her father is arrested for espionage, and to make matters worse it is to help Nazi Germany.
Soon her father has escaped and the FBI is all over Hattie and feel she MUST help them find her father.
I DO NOT want to spoil any of this novel, BECAUSE its is so harrowing, descripting, shocking and a fresh TWIST in Historical fiction, deserving all the stars!

I just finished reading The Songbird and really loved this book. Fairly early on in the book the book became intense. You didn’t need to wait until you were half way through the book for the book to get interesting. It was interesting from the get-o.
I loved all of the characters in the book and grew to hate Baumann and his sick hunting game. Hattie is willing to take big risks throughout the story. It was a book that I couldn’t put down.
I would like to thank Seven River Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review of this book.

Tags: historical fiction, LGBTQIA, suspense, mystery

This book has an exciting premise and setting. The complicated family and friendship dynamics added an interesting layer to the main plot. Yet as much as I love WWII spy suspense, this book ended up not being my cup of tea.

It was too dark and disturbing for my taste. It is remarked that “[t]he enjoyment [character] took in the kill was the mark of a twisted [person]”- yet Miller goes into unnecessary detail describing really twisted murders, which struck me as rather ironic. (Obviously, I know enjoying writing a murder isn’t the same as enjoying committing a murder - but still.)

Furthermore, I thought the story was too focused on sex at inappropriate times. Two characters have missing loved ones who are feared dead, but one is more concerned about whether a woman is attracted to her. There are also multiple comments about a dad thinking his daughter is sexy and a daughter thinking her mom is sexy, which felt weird to me. don’t have any problem with sex, but I was more interested in the spy plot and would have liked the story better without what I felt to be the hyper-focus on sex.

That said, my rating is based on the quality of the writing rather than my personal preferences. Even though this book wasn’t for me, I’m sure others will enjoy it. It was still well-written overall (despite a few distracting anachronistic phrases). While I skimmed or skipped some parts that made me uncomfortable, I made myself keep reading for the engaging plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for the free eARC.

In the glamorous world of 1940s New York, Hattie James is a rising star, enchanting audiences at the iconic Copacabana Club. However, her glittering life takes a dramatic turn when she receives a shocking phone call informing her that her father, a respected diplomat, has been arrested for espionage and accused of aiding Nazi Germany. This revelation shatters her world and plunges Hattie into a whirlwind of danger and deceit.

Perfect for fans of historical fiction authors like Kate Quinn and Kristin Hannah, The Songbird offers readers a mesmerizing journey through a world where love may be the most dangerous weapon amidst espionage and betrayal during World War II.

So, this one was totally a wild ride—like, so much going on, but in a way that keeps you hooked. You’ve got glamorous settings, shady secrets, and all these hidden agendas happening in the background. Our girl finds herself in the middle of this dangerous situation, and things get messy. There’s undercover action, some really tense moments, and you’re never really sure who’s on whose side.

Honestly, it had me guessing the whole time, but just when you think things are clearing up, something even more intense drops. It’s all very mysterious and a little bit dramatic in the best way. I will say, though, there were a few threads I wish had tied up a bit more, but still, super enjoyable.

If you're into a little suspense and intrigue with a dash of glamour, this one’s for you.

I'd like to thank Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.