Churchill's Secret Messenger

Churchill’s Secret Messenger by Alan Hlad is an excellent WWII era historical fiction novel that kept me enthralled from beginning to end.

This is the second book I have read by Mr. Hlad, hello The Long Flight Home was awesome!!!), and this new book has cemented my star-struck opinion and admiration for this author.

From London to France and Europe, this book covers so much within its narrative.

I loved the concept of two people, their lives intersecting, both in France on secret missions, trying to right the wrongs done to not only their own people and nations by the Nazis, but also the wrongs done to their own respective families. Now, Rose and Lazare are together with a purpose (Rose from London working with the SOE and Lazare with the French Resistance) and are fighting for justice in whatever ways they can and are more alike then their pasts that brought them to this present would suggest.

The story from that point on is nothing but sheer bravery, fortitude, selflessness, and heroics. The reader is placed literally within the thick of it. It is an excellent and gripping read, and I will leave the rest for the readers to discover for themselves.

A wonderful novel and historical fiction at its finest.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

I thoroughly enjoyed this plausible and exciting story of Rose Teasdale, a young woman in WWII Britain who takes a chance to fight the war as a SOE agent in occupied France. A counterpoint story is developed around a young French Jew, Lazare Aron, who decides to join the resistance over his naïve parents' objections. His story collides with Rose's as they work together in a Paris network that becomes compromised. The graphic depictions of Gestapo torture and killings, the complicity of French officials, as well as the horrific concentration camps, may be difficult for some readers. However, the poignancy and authenticity of Rose's situation - her solider brother killed by enemy fire and parents killed in the London bombings - and Lazare's family - parents sent to their death at camps - compels such a depiction. In addition, the author notes that much of the story was based on true events and people. This novel will appeal to fans of WWII history, particularly espionage, French resistance networks, and SOE work.

Alan Hlad has been added to my list of ‘go to’ historical fiction authors!

Hlad has written a spectacular WWII-era story of a woman who is recruited from Winston Churchill’s typing pool to become an undercover spy in German-occupied France. “Churchill’s Secret Messenger,” will tick all the boxes for fans of historical fiction and is a must-read come April 27, 2021.

Rose Teasdale has lost everything that matters; her parents, her family home and her only sibling, Charles. Throwing herself into her work, Rose works double shifts typing up confidential documents in Room 60, a cramped bunker in Winston Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms underneath the treasury building. Rose’s hatred of the enemy fuels her desire to defeat the Germans and her dedication catches the attention of Churchill. After filling in as an interpreter during a meeting with General Charles de Gaulle and Commandant Martel, Rose is offered a rare and dangerous opportunity; a position in Churchill’s secret army. Rose is trained by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) to be one of the 470 agents in German-occupied France. As one of only 39 women dropped into France, she’s got nothing to lose. Codenamed Dragonfly, she poses as a cosmetics saleswoman while helping the resistance. When her path crosses a Jewish French resistance fighter, Lazare Anon, her hardened heart softens and, while it doesn’t change her direction and focus, the chance at love gives her something to look forward to after the war. Rose’s determination mixed with Hlad’s expert skills, makes this book an unputdownable read!

I learned about the Vel d’Hiv roundup, The Ravensbruck Concentration Camp, Operation Jericho and the Special Operations Executive, none of which I had any prior knowledge. Hlad found a way to impart knowledge from his meticulous research without making it sound like he was lecturing. Furthermore, his deeply layered and lovable characters (based on real people) showed, not told, the emotional toll involved in carrying out undercover ops. I loved Rose and her dedication, determination, and willingness to sacrifice in order to justify Winston Churchill’s faith in her ability.

Please tell us there’s another ‘Hlad historical fiction’ in the works!

Thank you to Alan Hlad, Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this phenomenal advance copy in exchange for an honest review.