I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters, the story, the writing style. Pick this one up on publication day. You’ll be sorry if you skip it.

Historical fiction is supposed to make a reader want to know about the history. I wanted to l ow everything about Alice Marble after reading about her life and her rise to glory. This was heartbreaking, refreshing, well researched. I could have read more!

In ACE, MARVEL, SPY, JENNI L WALSH tells the life story of Alice Marble, a young girl from humble beginnings who became one of the best tennis players there has ever been. With the support of her brother Dan who gave her her first tennis racquet, her mother who let her go to follow her dream and her coach “Teach” Tennant, she took the tennis world by storm, even making a comeback after a period of ill health. She felt that the only way to repay them was by being the best at tennis. Her eidetic memory not only helped her in her tennis game but also in the undercover work she did for the government during the war.
She was fascinated with film stars and knew many of them, Carole Lombard being a good friend and supporter. She joined “Teach” in coaching many of the rich and famous.
There is a lot more to her story, but I do not want to give too much away.
I highly recommend this interesting and inspirational read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Harper Muse. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

I devoured this historical fiction about multi-layered female athlete, Alice Marble. Being from a tennis playing family, I was delighted to read about someone very little known, and to also see such accurate depictions of the sport I love. Kudos, Jenni Walsh! You've done it again!

What a fascinating story! I enjoyed cheering Alice on with her successes and mourning with her during her struggles. She overcame so much in her life and it was so interesting to learn more about her. I look forward to teaching my daughters about her



Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

This captivating story of Alice Marble, once the world's top female tennis player, is truly inspiring! I absolutely loved this book. Alice was a true heroine, showcasing incredible strength and determination that we can all admire. Jenni L. Walsh's writing shines in this beautifully crafted tale of Marble’s life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical women's fiction!

Jenni Walsh just doesn't miss - she's unmatched at spinning the stories of great women that time has forgotten. Ace, Marvel, Spy features all of the hallmarks of Walsh's work; beautiful prose, a heroine unlike any other, and a story that keeps the pages turning. A joy to read!

Ironically, I started reading Ace, Marvel, Spy the weekend of the US Open Finals and I’m still in disbelief that without the work of Jenni L. Walsh, I may never have known the remarkable story of Alice Marble.

While I sometimes have a hard time appreciating historical fiction, this had me hooked from the first few pages and weaved some of my favorite interests (tennis, fashion, spy craft) so perfectly that it has earned this 5-star review. Game, Set, Match Jenni!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this advanced copy of Ace, Marvel, Spy.

I love a historical fiction WWII era story. This story was captivating and far exceeded my expectations. I loved reading about Alice Marble. She was an incredible woman and her story deserved to be told.I loved the weaving of fiction into a real story. I loved all the inclusion of the letters/telegrams etc that were included in and helped tell the story. Overall an amazing book and a nice change from the historical fiction I typically read.

This is a great biographical novel that introduces readers to the fascinating character or Alice Marble. The author has clearly done her research, and she has crafted a wonderful story to bring Alice to life. You don't need to have previous familiarity with Alice to be brought into this captivating novel. You do need to sort of pay attention to the dual timelines but it's not confusing at all. More of the focus is on tennis whereas some readers might expect more focus on espionage. I'm sure Walsh was trying to stick to the real history. Regardless, Alice was a very interesting and brave person, and Walsh gets the historical details right to immerse the reader in the time period. A thoroughly enjoyable read perfect for fans of historical fiction based on the lives of real people.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance e-galley; all opinions in my review are 100% my own.

Alice is an up and coming tennis star in the US in the 1930s. She has some health issues and works hard to improve back to her top rank. She meets a handsome man in the Army and they eventually marry. When her husband is killed in action, Alice is understandably heartbroken. The army reaches out with a special opportunity to help the US as a spy while at a Swiss tennis tournament. After what happened with her husband, Alice swears to avenge his death.

As a huge tennis fan, I absolutely loved this book. Especially the historical side of tennis, where women used to wear long skirts to play and even had “ladylike” skills. It’s so funny to think of a strong net volley game as manly! Alice was a true inspiration for overcoming injury and illness. I also loved her relationship to Teach, her coach. They had such a strong bond, but still butted heads like sisters.

Thank you @harpermusebooks and @jennilwalsh for my gifted ebook. This is definitely my favorite Jenni book yet.

As a long time player and fan of tennis, I recognized the name of Alice Marble, but I never realized the amazing life she experienced. The book focuses mostly on her tennis career and the physically disabling conditions and accidents she overcame with strength and determination. Alice's life long coach, Eleanor "Teach" Tennant, saw the champion in her in the early 1930s and devoted her life to making Alice a world #1 champion by 1939. (I think there could be a book just about Tennant!) Alice also was an assistant editor for the Wonder Woman comics in the mid-1940s crafting stories of woman such as Clara Barton and Florence Nightengale. There is a small part of her life where she worked with the intelligence community at the end of WW2 that was fascinating. She had to learn how to be a spy to try to avenge her husband's death at the hands of the Germans. Needless to say Alice was a formidable woman in whatever she chose to achieve.

I was astonished that Alice had at one point been told that she couldn't play tennis anymore due to her (mis)diagnosis of tuberculosis. She had to physically recover from several automobile accidents as well. With the medical knowledge at the time, her recoveries are even more unbelievable. "Teach" was an intriguing character in that she spent her life working with and helping Alice become the tennis player that she was. She also went above and beyond giving her experiences and connections with the necessary people. The author does explain that she used Alice's memoir for the bulk of the research and some points may, or may not, be true and reminds the reader that this is a novel after all.

If you enjoy stories about strong, less known women from history, I highly recommend this book!
#AceMarvelSpy #NetGalley #historicalfiction
Thank you Harper Muse and Net Galley. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a historical fiction novel based on Alice Marble who came from humble beginnings to be the number one tennis player in the world. She also played a part in helping the US during WWII on a spy mission.

The book gives the reader Alice’s tennis rise in the 1930s as well as what brought her to complete a spy mission.

Alice was such an interesting character. She had a photographic memory, wore shorts in her matches, and created content for the comic Wonder Women in History.

It is a great read for all sports lovers and for those who enjoy strong women’s stories.

Book Tour and Review. Confession: I’ve never really watched tennis nor have I played, however that didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying this novel. I was fully immersed from the start, completely caught up in all things tennis from training to matches, finishing in just a few evenings. Based on the life of Alice Marble, top ranked tennis champ of the 1930s and 40s who also wanted to help the war effort and eventually became a spy. This is the story of Alice: the underdog in the tennis world who came from a modest upbringing who first picked up a racket and played competitively at 17 exhibiting personal and physical strength and sheer determination. A strong young woman, Alice persevered when the chips were down, as well as overcoming injury and heartache. I found myself both admiring and frustrated with Alice’s relationship with her coach, mentor, and fierce protector Teach, who kept Alice on a tight schedule at all times. Walsh’s writing skillfully transports readers back in time to relive moments of triumph, frustration, fear, anger, loss, and love in a time when the world was at odds in WWII.

#acemarvelspy by the venerable #jennilwalsh will be out on January 14, 2025! You can preorder at jennilwalsh.com/preorder. Thank you so very much @jennilwalsh and @harpermusebooks for sending me an advance digital review copy and having me on your book tour.

#youshouldreadthis #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookgeek #alicemarble #historicalfiction #fyp #Tennis #tennisbooks

I loved this history in this story! Jenni Walsh does a fabulous job of bringing history and the unique events to life.

Thank you to Net Galley and HarperCollinsFocus, HarperMuse for this eARC. Until I read this book, I had absolutely no idea about Alice Marble or her tennis career.
This book is based on her memoir, but is a historical women's fiction. The narrative follows Alice's rise as a popular tennis star, her personal life, the changes that happen in her life owing to circumstantial elements. Jenni L Walsh has beautifully woven all these elements into a binding, powerful, and beautiful story.

The relation between Alice and her coach, Teach is written very nicely and needs a special mention.

The book is like a time capsule- and feels like everything is happening right now, only the timeframes and setups are different. We get to know, through Alice, role of brilliant women during chaos in the country, and learn how capable women have proven themselves- in multiple fields, at times simultaneously. For me this is a 5 star read. I didn't know Alice was also a Wonder Woman Comics editor.

Seeing the story through Jenni's perspective was very engaging, and kept me hooked. After a long time I read something related to sports, and in my view, it is a good title to look forward to for readers in 2025.

This book is exactly why I love historical fiction.
Ace, Marvel, Spy brings to life the story of a name lost to history.
This book has informed me and educated me about the story of an individual who made a difference in the world and who made a significant contribution in so many ways - both on and off the tennis courts.

You don’t need to be a tennis fan to enjoy this wonderful re-telling of the life of Alice Marble - who rose from a family of no financial means to become the world number one in tennis in 1939; who overcame a huge amount of illness, injury, loss and grief; and who aided US Army Intelligence as an undercover spy during the Second World War.

Jenni L. Walsh’s writing had me utterly absorbed in Alice’s life. This book is highly deserving of praise and attention, and has my full recommendation.

Be inspired by the life and accomplishments of Alice Marble; Ace, Marvel, Spy.

I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the publisher, HarperCollins Focus. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank You NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for a complimentary copy of this novel! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This novel is based off the real life of a lesser-known tennis champion from the 1930’s – 1940’s, Alice Marble.
I love how Jenni L. Walsh bases her books on real life people that are not as well known. I loved reading this novel and being introduced to an amazing and courageous woman, Alice Marble! She overcame much in her life, including sickness and personal sacrifices to get to where she did as a tennis champion in 1939. During WW2, she served as a spy for the Allies. Alice Marble was a very accomplished woman, including editing the Wonder Woman comics!
Jenni L. Walsh brought Alice Marble to life in this novel! I enjoyed learning about her life, what she endured, what she sacrificed and what she accomplished!
AVAILABLE January 14, 2025

I did not know who Alice Marble was before I started reading this absorbing historical fiction by Jenni Walsh. Now I know that I won’t forget who this talented athlete and woman was.

Alice was growing up poor. Her father had died and older brothers had left school to help support the family. One of these brothers sparked Alice’s interest in tennis, even though it was because he wanted to channel her away from what he perceived to be the less ladylike sport of playing ball.

Alice had raw talent, drive, ambition, spirit but not the resources of some of the well heeled players against whom she was matched. She got a lucky break when “Teach” noticed her. She went on to work so hard at her game. Readers will find themselves rooting for Alice and hoping for her success in both tennis and life.

However, as can be gleaned from the title of this book, Marble did more than play tennis. What was her work during WWII? How much of a difference did she make? What was the rest of her life like? Read this one to find out.

Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will, I think, enjoy getting to know Alice Marble. Tennis fans, too, are in for a real treat. I very much liked this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Focus for this title. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed learning about the amazing Alice Marble who I had never heard of before this book. This woman overcame much adversity to become a tennis champion. She needed that determination as her life took many twists and turns, leading her to become an American spy during WWII. I appreciated Jenni’s author’s note to let the reader know what was real and what was embellished. This book is perfect for historical fiction fans, especially those with an interest in tennis.

** “It’s funny, in tennis, love means nothing. But in life, love is everything.” **

Jenni L. Walsh offers a deeply revealing telling of the life of Alice Marble, a real-life tennis phenom, in “Ace, Marvel, Spy.”

Told over two time periods — during Alice’s younger years as a rising tennis star, and during World War II and its impact it had on her life and choices — the book gives an interesting take on a woman most people have never heard of. But she was at the top of her game, hobnobbing with celebrities like William Randolph Hearst and Carole Lombard and invited to be on a presidential fitness task force by FDR himself.

She overcame many insurmountable circumstances, and eventually devoted herself to help her country end the evil of Hitler’s reign.

Walsh does a great job of fictionalizing a true marvel’s life, while giving a glimpse into the reasoning behind her choices. She also fills the story with several great themes, like overcoming incredible obstacles; finding hope in every situation; the implication of benefitting from the loss of others; and dealing with “illness, inequality, and comeback.” The theme that repeats throughout the novel is love and its power.

At times the pace was a little slow, but overall “Ace, Marvel, Spy” was a fascinating read into an inspirational woman. There is a bit of mild language and moments of inferred intimacy.

Fans of authors like Katherine Reay, Kristy Cambron, Kate Quinn and Rachel McMillan will love “Ace, Marvel, Spy,” which is due out Jan. 14.

Five stars out of five.

Harper Muse provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

With a flair for mining out remarkable women from obscurity in history, Jenny L. Walsh has once again unearthed the extraordinary in her latest novel Ace, Marvel, Spy. Alice Marble was a trailblazer, tennis champion, spy, and overall American icon. I’ll be the first to admit that I had never heard of Alice Marble before, but she quickly had me wanting to pick up a racquet and start swinging.

Fun fact: I am the only person in my family that doesn’t play tennis. My brother even played D1 tennis. Spies on the other I know a lot about. I had to read this novel about Alice Marble, a real-life tennis ace and spy during WWII. Alive delt with health issues, a miscarriage, and her husband a pilot fighting in Europe.

Ace, Marvel, Spy was a great read the follows Alice’s early tennis career and then later in life. I recommend this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse! You know Jenni L Walsh is always a must-read author for me! #AceMarvelSpy #NetGalley

When was the last time a book about tennis kept you so engrossed you couldn’t put it down? I am willing to bet never or almost never (I know there are some great players with memoirs or biographies). Well, hang on to your racquet! Jenni L. Walsh’s ACE, MARVEL, SPY is a work of historical fiction based on the life of Alice Marble whose determination to reach the top of women’s tennis would not be denied (and she had severe hurdles!). Once she reached the top, WWII put tennis on the back burner but gave her other goals to conquer, including finding a way to do her part for the War effort.
I enjoyed the way Wals approached the story, with a dual timeline moving us from the 1940s and ack to the 1930s to highlight Marble’s journey to succeed in tennis. Her story is truly amazing and how she handled adversity is admirable. I must admit, I played a little tennis when I was younger but have never watched much, so I had no clue about Alice Marble or professional tennis. If this is you, don’t let it stop you from putting this on the top of your TBR. I stayed up way past my bedtime and finished it within two days (yep, I was sneaking it at work, too!). Historical fiction? Strong female? Based on a real person? Spy? It’s all that and more!
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.

Book Review: Ace, Marvel, Spy: A Novel of Alice Marble by Jenni L Walsh

The exciting life of Alice Marble

Not many people may have heard of Alice Marble, which is a shame. Before Venus Williams, before Bille Jean King, there was Alice. A tennis prodigy in the 1930’s Alice’s entire life was tennis. After being taken under the wing of her coach she moved away from her family to completely devote her time to the game. But even with an undeniable talent and drive, Alice’s rise was not easy. Being a poor child in a sport typically dominated by the rich elite, Marble often had to prove herself several times over to be allowed to compete. With every new obstacle or challenge, she rose to the occasion with grit and determination which led to a decorated career including 18 Grand Slam Championships. But Alice’s contributions did not stop at tennis. During the war, Alice was tapped to be part of a Presidential program to highlight the importance of exercise. Later she also wrote articles featuring real “Wonder Women” – those who, like her, accomplished great things in a so-called “man’s world” and this amazing woman even did a stint as a spy on assignment in Switzerland.

Ace, Marvel, Spy is the newest novel by author Jenni L. Walsh. Based mainly on the life of tennis dynamo Alice Marble, Walsh takes the reader through her life from early childhood, through the ups and downs of her decorated tennis career, her romantic encounters and eventual spy activities. Written more in the form of a novel than biography, Walsh has woven in a narrative story that brings Marble’s history, accomplishments and exploits alive to the enjoyment of all readers. Not being a huge fan of tennis, I was a bit nervous going into this book that there would be technical jargon that would make the story difficult to understand. This was not the case as Walsh’s vivid descriptions of the tennis matches were engaging and easy to follow to the point where the words melted away and my imagination took over placing me courtside for the action. It’s not just the tennis piece however, Walsh also vividly captures Marble’s escapades as a spy and her time as a journalist writing the “Wonder Women” articles with lively scenes and intriguing narratives that further educate the reader regarding contributions of women in history.

I was first introduced to Jenni L. Walsh with last year’s release of Unsinkable which chronicles the life of Violet Jessop in a very similar manner. Imagine my surprise when Jessop cameos as a ship steward during one of Marble’s transatlantic passages. Whether this event occurred or was just artistic license taken by Walsh still served as a pleasant surprise that warmed my “all things Titanic” heart. Jessop in her own right was a strong female who did not bend to opposition. Walsh’s inclusion of having these two ladies meet, even in passing was a nice addition to a story that is already chock full of strong, influential females carving their legacy in a male dominated society.

If you like historically based novels featuring real persons, love books with strong female characters, or are a tennis fan looking to learn about one of the legends of the sport Ace, Marvel, Spy will pull you I and have you rooting for Alice Marble through all stages of her life.

Full disclosure - I was provided an advanced reader’s copy of this book by the author or their representative but have voluntarily provided a review. All opinions are my own. Ace, Marvel, Spy is set for a January 14, 2025 release

“‘𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙.’
…It’s funny, in tennis, love means nothing. But in life, love is everything. And Alice has loved fiercely – people, moments, and a game.”

📣 Attention Hollywood!! Right here is the next book that you will definitely want to adapt into a screenplay. You’re welcome. ☺️

Jenni L. Walsh’s Ace, Marvel, Spy brilliantly showcases the life of Alice Marble, a real-life tennis sensation known for her extraordinary talent and indomitable spirit. This is a fast-paced and action-packed historical novel spanning multiple international settings.

This book, taking place in the 1930’s-1940’s, was phenomenal! I was sucked right into Alice’s world from the very first chapter. As a headstrong woman myself I related so much to Alice. Her grit and determination to persevere on that elite level is a trait we don’t see as much of these days. What a hero! Gahhh she was just such a great character. The book was fast paced and utterly addictive. I highly, highly recommend it! The audiobook, which I listened to in conjunction with the physical book, is superb. I honestly could listen to it again.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Muse Books, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. Thank you also to @libro.fm and @harpercollinsfocus for the complimentary audiobook.

When I started reading this story, I thought it might be pure fiction, similar to Taylor Jenkins Reid's marvellous 'Carrie Soto is Back' which I loved. Billie Jean King's endorsement made me question my assumption but I was happily enthralled by Alice Marble's story thinking how much it reminded me of 'Carrie Soto'.

At some point during the read I googled Alice Marble to discover she was in fact a champion tennis player being No 1 in the world when WW2 broke out having just won Wimbledon and the US Open in the same year. Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. But it didn't really bother me as one of the things I love about Historical fiction is not knowing what is real and what is fiction. This is one of those stories except for the tennis titles of course, where a quick glance on Wikipedia will provide that factual information.

I'd read Walsh's 'Call of the Wrens' and loved it. This is too is very easy to love. Because of Alice Marble. She grew up in poverty after her father died when she was young. She picked up her first racquet at fifteen having been good at baseball. She was a natural and started winning junior competitions in California without having any formal training or a coach. She was beating all the girls who possessed both of those critical elements.

Alice never forgets her beginnings in life and is committed to her family. I suspect some of her winnings went back to her family even though they always seemed to live in the same house and neighbourhood. Alice is a ballsy character. She speaks her mind, and has no hesitation in fighting for equal rights for women when it comes to playing tennis. Her coach, 'Teach' is a wonderful example of the over-involved sports coach which has come under increasing scrutiny these past years. Alice and Teach share the same house, in the early years the same hotel room (2 beds) and Teach indoctrinates Alice in how to make tennis her absolute and only focus. There really isn't much time for anything else including romance.

I enjoyed discovering a new sports person, a champion, and going behind the scenes to understand what drove her, and the sacrifices she made to get to the top. The last 20 percent of the story features the 'spy assignment' the US Government commandeered her for. I have no idea how much of this is true but it also makes sense in terms of Alice's commitment to those she loved she would agree to engage in something so dangerous.

The story is told across two time periods (the 1930s and then the last years of the war) using different tenses in the POV. As many others have mentioned, at times, this was a little distracting taking you out of the story in some respects, but I was okay with it.

Jenni L.Walsh is fast becoming a 'must read' author for me so I will happily recommend this story and look forward to her next one. Thank you to HarperMuse and NetGalley providing me with access to an early access copy of it, however, this has no bearing on my review. I read it using the NetGalley app which is usually a better experience than the PDF on the Kindle.