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One Woman's War

A Novel of the Real Miss Moneypenny

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

ONE OF BOOKBUB'S BEST HISTORICAL FICTION BOOKS OF THE FALL

From the author of Sisters of the Resistance comes the story of WWII British Naval Intelligence officer Victoire Bennett, the real-life inspiration for the James Bond character Miss Moneypenny, whose international covert operation is put in jeopardy when a volatile socialite and Austrian double agent threatens to expose the mission to German High Command.

World War II London: When Victoire "Paddy" Bennett first walks into the Admiralty's Room 39, home to the Intelligence Division, all the bright and lively young woman expects is a secretarial position to the charismatic Commander Ian Fleming. But soon her job is so much more, and when Fleming proposes a daring plot to deceive the Germans about Allied invasion plans he requests the newlywed Paddy's help. She jumps at the chance to work as an agent in the field, even after the operation begins to affect her marriage. But could doing her duty for King and country come at too great a cost?

Socialite Friedl Stöttinger is a beautiful Austrian double agent determined to survive in wartime England, which means working for MI-5, investigating fifth column activity among the British elite at parties and nightclubs. But Friedl has a secret—some years before, she agreed to work for German Intelligence and spy on the British.

When her handler at MI-5 proposes that she work with Serbian agent, Duško Popov, Friedl falls hopelessly in love with the dashing spy. And when her intelligence work becomes fraught with danger, she must choose whether to remain loyal to the British and risk torture and execution by the Nazis, or betray thousands of men to their deaths.

Soon, the lives of these two extraordinarily brave women will collide, as each travels down a road of deception and danger leading to one of the greatest battles of World War II.

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    • Library Journal

      March 1, 2023

      Wells's (Sisters of the Resistance) taut novel of World War II historical fiction features Victoire "Paddy" Bennett, the real inspiration for the fictional Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond movies, and Friedl Stottinger, an Austrian double agent. Wells develops the backstories and complex personalities of these women, setting them against the backdrop of war-torn Europe on the verge of D-Day. Bennett, who worked with Bond creator Ian Fleming, works her way up the ranks, eventually ending up as an agent in the field, while Stottinger does whatever she can to survive. Amid the excitement of Operation Mincemeat, a dashing Serbian spy, glamorous parties, divided loyalties, love, romances, famous poets, betrayals, and espionage, the women's paths cross repeatedly until the exciting conclusion. Saskia Maarleveld's narration, particularly her work with accents, is fantastic. Maarleveld brings a thriller-like energy to her telling of this larger-than-life tale, capturing the headiness of the times. VERDICT Wells's well-written and enthusiastically narrated novel is a winner. Share with fans of Jennifer Chiaverini and Beatriz Williams.--Scott DiMarco

      Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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