Member Review

I’ve enjoyed several books by this author- I always find them well written and researched, containing characters who really come to life.
The French Spymistress was definitely a compelling read containing all the above qualities and as I discovered at the end, the characters seemed real because they were based on actual people, strong women who had given everything for their countries.
Marie Louise is a young woman, separated from her husband, who becomes involved with and ultimately leads a resistance network in France during World War 2. As she begins to supply information to MI6, vital information, the enemy are desperate to catch her.
Despite the danger Marie Louise falls in love with one of her agents and there are many heartbreaking moments as they try to avoid capture, hoping for a life together after the war.
Sarah is married to Miles, a British Major, and she opens her heart and her home to the French agents Miles is escorting back and forth from France, giving them a little taste of normality before their lives of extreme danger resume.
I really liked both of these characters who showed such strength of character and particularly in Marie Louise’s case, bravery.
Marie has to overcome many prejudices to run her network- some men do not react well to a woman in control and sadly this is sometimes the case in the 21st century too!
I was hoping for a happy ending for Marie. Louise and I kept turning the pages to find out if that was what she got. I definitely recommend this as an excellent historical novel and I eagerly await another book by Rachel Hore.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher fo4 my advance copy.