Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

When Pippa LaTour walked out of the French countryside after the Americans liberated the country, she had been behind enemy lines for months. She spent her time in the country sending coded reports back to London as a wireless operator under cover as a young girl selling her grandparents’ soap. But once she left France, Pippa didn’t speak of her time there again. Under a British order requiring secrecy of all covert affairs during WWII, Pippa kept her vital work secret from even her husband and children until one discovered her truth online a few years ago. With the help of journalist Jude Dobson, Pippa chose to finally set the record straight on her service. This memoir details not only the moments that brought Pippa distinguished awards for her service, but also her challenging childhood that set her up for success in her later life. This is the story of The Last Secret Agent that operated behind enemy lines and the people who helped her send the messages and bring down the enemy.

I give The Last Secret Agent 5 out of 5 stars. So much of this memoir felt like the historical fiction novel – the drama and suspense throughout kept me on the edge of my seat! There were a few moments though where Pippa’s current day thoughts came through and “broke the third wall” so to speak – that detracted from the overall feel of the book. I found the inclusion of both good and bad moments a positive for this book – it could not have been easy to carry these secrets or to retell them after all these years, but they lend an air of authenticity to Pippa’s story.

I have read a few other biographies and historical fiction novels about the female wireless operators who, like Pippa, were dropped behind enemy lines via parachute, many of whom were mentioned by Pippa in this book. If you loved Code Name Madeline by Arthur J Magida or The Heroines of SOE by Beryl E. Escott, you will love this book! With themes of war, gun violence, and Nazi brutality, I would direct this book to more mature audiences over 13. I would also caution this book to readers who may be sensitive to sexual assault and war crimes as this book could be triggering.

I have had a fascination with World War II since I first interviewed my grandfather about his time with the liberation forces in France as a middle schooler. I learned about the women of the SOE only a few years ago though and have been even more fascinated with them directly. When I noticed this book available on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to read this and hear from an SOE agent directly. Pippa LaTour had an incredible life and this memoir is fantastic!

Wow, this was my first book by this author and I would for sure read more of this genre. What a ride! I enjoy the triumphant ride and the pacing throughout.

Another telling of the bravery of women who served their country during the war. Fascinating behind the scenes. Such bravery!

This was an extraordinary story of the SOE during WW II. Pippa Latour was only 23 when she parachuted into Normandy to attempt to gather intelligence before D-Day, primarily through using hidden and frequently relocated wireless radios. For close to 80 years, she didn't tell anyone of her experiences, other than her fellow SOE colleagues.

The book begins by taking readers through Pippa’s childhood life as an orphan in South Africa and explains the circumstances that led her to becoming a secret agent. One of the reasons she joined the SOE was the murder of her godmother's father and her godmother's suicide after being imprisoned by the Nazis. Following her very strenuous and extensive training in 1944, Pippa was dropped behind enemy lines via parachute. Typically, people were flown into the area in pairs, but Pippa was dropped solo. From there she was able to gain access to the enemy’s ranks by posing as a young girl selling soap, as she rode around the area on a bicycle interacting with the soldiers. She also was able to hide one-time use codes on a piece of silk, which she then hid inside a shoelace she used to tie up her hair, to relay critical intelligence back to the Allies via Morse code. Her day-to-day life was definitely filled with great danger. One especially noteworthy close call with the Germans happened when she was in a barn typing out a message and two German soldiers opened the door looking for something to eat. She was able to elude discovery by discretely closing up the wireless radio, and pretending it was a case she was getting ready to travel with because she needed to leave immediately due to having Scarlett fever. The German soldiers were typically terrified of getting sick and left her and the area quickly.

This book was written with the help of journalist Jude Dobson. It is an extremely fascinating story and a well-balanced work combining historical facts with Pippa's memories. I highly recommend it to anyone who has a passion for reading about what women were able to do behind the scenes to help turn the tide in WWII.

The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour and Jude Dobson is a gripping and extraordinary memoir that unveils the real-life, untold story of a British female spy during World War II. Pippa Latour, the last surviving undercover British female operative from the war, finally shares her harrowing and heroic journey of espionage and sabotage in Nazi-occupied France.

The book takes readers through Pippa’s early life as an orphan in South Africa and traces her courageous path to becoming a secret agent. In 1944, Pippa parachuted into France, where she infiltrated the enemy’s ranks, selling soap to German soldiers and cleverly hiding codes on ribbons to relay crucial intelligence back to the Allies in the lead-up to D-Day. Her missions were filled with danger, and her resolve unwavering, all while maintaining her anonymity and secrecy from those around her.

Co-written with journalist Jude Dobson, The Last Secret Agent combines historical fact with Pippa's personal accounts, making for an evocative and gripping narrative. The memoir not only honors Pippa’s incredible bravery and skill, but also reveals her deep commitment to the fight against tyranny—often risking her life for the greater good. Her story is one of defiance, resourcefulness, and unshakable principle in the face of unimaginable challenges.

As a decorated war hero, Pippa Latour received several prestigious honors, including the Member of the Order of the British Empire and the Légion d'Honneur. Despite her extensive contributions during the war, she kept her secret life hidden for many years, even from her family. This posthumously published memoir allows us to finally hear her voice and witness a significant chapter in history through the eyes of an unsung hero.

A must-read for anyone fascinated by World War II espionage, The Last Secret Agent is an unforgettable tale of courage, resilience, and the quiet heroes who shaped the course of history.

As a history major and an avid reader, this is a book that should be in colleges and high schools. It was just so good! I couldn’t get over it! Loved the main character.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

I could totally see this as a movie (based on a real person). The way it is written is well done. It's easy to read and grabs your attention. The life of a spy is not an easy one. Pippa Latour is such an interesting person. She grew up in South Africa, bounced around places at a young age due to the death of her parents, learned to shoot guns as a kid, went to school to Europe, etc. What I really liked about Pippa's storytelling is that she tells it as it is. Nothing fancy, just the truth. As someone who didn't grow up in war, it's so interesting to read about someone who was in the trenches doing spy work and did not tell a single soul until decades later. I kind of wish we got to read about her life after the war (we really only get a couple of chapters about it) because I was curious to know how she was treated, how she dealt with PTSD, how she learned to trust men again, etc.

Overall, a very interesting read for fans of history!

Outstanding account of a women agent. She was one of the few women agents and the stories she shares along with some of those closest to her is remarkable. She swore an oath to never tell, but when one son discovered who she was, she wanted the truth to be told.