The Whisperers War almost felt like two books, with the first half focussed on espionage and the second half on relationships. It was set in rural England and later Australia which gave WW2 perspectives I haven't explored before.

Although it's fiction, it was written on the fringes of truth which led me to some 'post reading research', which I love doing!

Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Lady Deanna has been looking after her sick grandfather the current Duke of Claverton and when he passes away and she moves into nearby Eagles Rest and the castle is being used as a hospital. Dee’s busy growing vegetables, spends her days getting her hands dirty and shovelling manure and at night she attends dinner parties gathering information about German sympathisers hidden amongst the British aristocracy and passes it on to her contact.

Deanne takes in three orphans, Magda, Rosa and Anna, and they refuse to tell her their last name, and she meets Australian pilot Sam Murray and along with Dusty the dog and Mrs. Thripps and her husband Arnold and they form a family and when they needed one the most.

The new Duke of Claverton and Dee’s second cousin Donald returns from being missing in action in France and around the same time she gets caught up in a German plot to restore the Duke of Windsor to the throne of England and establish an alliance with Hitler, Dee goes along with the crazy idea and risks her life for the sake of her country.

I received a copy of The Whisperer's War by Jackie French from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for an unbiased review. The narrative explores so many things, including how women couldn’t inherit titles, unbeknown to Dee the things her grandfather did to make sure she was looked after and prepared for the war, how hard she worked on the farm and enjoyed taking care of the three girls and people banded together, recycling and remaking her ancestors clothing, her relationship with Sam Murray, why she felt he was keeping something from her?

I really liked how Jackie French weaved the story around things such as duty and expectations, and how Lady Deanna felt about where she lived, the land, animals and links to the golden eagle, the facts about the hardships of the war and sharing recipes from England and Australia throughout the book. A well written historical saga and it includes espionage and double agents, secrets and adventure, Lady Dee wasn't a snob and I loved her character and five stars from me.

Another wonderful read by Jackie French.
Lady Deanna Claverton, grand daughter of the Duke of Claverton is not what you would expect from a Lady. She is so much more!
When her grandfather dies and the new Duke is yet to take over Claverton Castle Lady Dee is gifted Eagle’s Rest, a cottage on the grounds of the estate. Her beloved grandfather has made sure Lady Dee would be looked after. There is even a secret cave and hidden larder within the Cottage.
WWII is looming and although Claverton is a long way from London the tentacles of war stretch to the village when young refugees and orphans are sent to be looked after in the country. Lady Dee takes charge of three orphans who soon become her family.
There is a magnificent cast of characters from Mrs Thripps, the housekeeper; Sam, an Australian lieutenant who works at the nearby airfield and who becomes a part of the Eagles Nest household; Uncle Jasper, who seeks out Lady Dee as a clandestine spy and the former King Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson make an appearance.
This is a story in 2 parts - life during the war and how Lady Dee copes with a new family, spies and mysteries and life after the war which becomes a romance story.
Family, loyalty, love, the class system, racism are all dealt with in an engaging well researched book..
Jackie French certainly has a way of weaving history into an unforgettable story.
I loved how each chapter began with a recipe (useful in war time rationing) WWII jokes and anecdotes.

Having read many of Jackie’s children’s books, I only recently discovered that she did ones for grown-ups too and have been eagerly working my way through them. The Whisperer’s War is a different sort of WWII novel. The first half is jam packed with action and spies, the second a more slower romance novel. Complete with Fraser’s trademark engaging characters, beautiful research and setting and interesting stories, I found it hard to put down! I enjoyed the recipes for using up your rations, tips on how to make your shoes last, the beautiful village and estate (complete with secret caves for your rations) and many the many eagles that were dotted throughout the novel.

I admit I was a bit worried when all the excitement seems to wrap up half way through. But the second half whilst a bit slower in pace was definitely still engaging. I enjoyed the way Jackie explored how different classes and races were treated at the time. I liked how she gave a few hints to want was coming and I certainly did pick how it all played out but it’s hard to say much more without giving spoilers. I definitely recommend you take the time to meet Lady Dee and her found family.