Oslo Spies

Focusing on Norway, a country that isn't often the center of a WWII book, this story is a different flavor of historical fiction from the era. The 'spies' felt more like real people than they do in other stories, but it still works well. You've got a little girl at the center of the mystery, and an aspect of history I knew nothing about (Quislings), both of which kept me reading and enthralled to the very end. The characters are so likable, you want the best for them!

This is a great book set in post WW2 Norway a country held by Nazi Germany for 5 years savaged and broken in most ways possible. There isn't a lot written about Norway so it's good to hear some of their story but saddened for what they went through.
The story is based around Phyllis an American working for their embassy in Oslo transferred there from London as soon as the allied forces had freed Norway, She has a boyfriend working for MI5. The book combines several stories or adventures not that they necessarily felt like that to Phyllis that run alongside each other in a brilliantly crafted novel. Also in this novel you get a glimpse of the start of the cold war as the weapons are replaced by new conflicts. The passion of the Norwegians is seen and like any hurting people their actions will show that as you will she if you haven't before. The characters feel real and genuine. .
I have been given a free copy of this book from NetGalley in return for a honest review, I honestly loved this book and feel all the better for reading it which if you do read it then you can see what I mean

I'm a huge fan of WWII fiction but hadn't read anything at all set in Norway. To be honest, this was a real eye-opener and I'm so glad I found this book.
Phyllis Bowden works for the American Embassy in Oslo, helping in a variety of ways to make Norway strong again after the horrors suffered by the German invasion. From finding clothes and food for many starving and homeless citizens to helping people find relatives who'd been sent to labour camps, Phyllis finds herself knee-deep in some very scary situations.
Her organisational skills enable her to quickly get projects off the ground, supporting local people who are still numb from the devastation wreaked upon their country. But it is when she finds a five-year-old girl cowering in fear in the bathroom of a nearby café that she unknowingly puts herself at most risk.
Little does she know that both the British and the Russians are hot on her heels, and even her fiancé (yes, there's a love story here too) is caught up in the little girl's life.
These missions run seamlessly alongside each other, both informing and entertaining the reader. I learnt so much from this book, and have been able to chat with Norwegian friends about the events - much to their surprise!
An enjoyable read with engaging characters, real relationships and an entralling plot. I shall definitely look up the first book in the series now, and look forward to more from this author.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley, and have reviewed it voluntarily.

It's the end of WWII, and Norway is trying to recover from the atrocities of the past years. Phyllis Bowden is assigned to the Office of the Military Attache in the American Embassy in Oslo. Being a smart and brave woman, she quickly finds herself in situations much more dangerous than what she had expected. When she finds a little girl in need in a toilet room of a restaurant, she will not hesitate to bring her home and hide her from the police. But she will soon find out that more than one government is looking for this child. With her loved one away on a dangerous mission and a child pursued by foreign forces, will she be able to come out of the dangerous situation she has found herself in?

Oslo Spies is a fast-paced, intelligent spy story with brilliant characters. The plot is amusing through and through, and the characters are well constructed. I would personally have preferred a little more action in a spy story, but it was a good book nonetheless.Recommended for fans of spy stories.

Oslo Spies is a great story. It kept me on the edge of my seat and all the character were intriguing. I liked the plot and found myself laughing a few times, but wished there was a little more action, since it was a spy novel. Overall I really enjoyed.

I want to thank the author and netgalley for this partnership.

The story takes place in Norway, which at the end of the Second World War finds itself a destroyed country. It is learned that after five years of German occupation it has lost in import export. We find the young Phyllis who works at the American Embassy in Oslo when a night in a cafe she finds a girl labeled because his mother to marry a German. This little girl has been tortured and abused, she will have to make a choice to save this one or not. As for his fiancé he disappeared on a mission.

A second volume filled with suspense and twists, a story that is well written, captivating and with endearing characters, I recommend this book.

A highly engrossing historical thriller set in Oslo just after WWII. Will young Phyllis Bowden, on staff at the American Embassy, make the moral decision when faced with a decision that could erupt into a political explosion? Highly recommended!

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my true review.

#HistoricalFiction #NetGalley

This is the 2nd offering, of an expected trilogy from this author. This time out we find our heroine in Oslo Norway just after WWII ended. The book does a good job of explaining what happened to Norway during WWII. As with the 1st book, I again learned a lot of history that I hadn't known....& I really enjoyed that learning experience again with Slagle's writing. I think the author does a great job of portraying that time period. Even tho it is part of a series, I think one could read it without reading the 1st in the series.....but I did enjoy the aspect that I already knew the background from the 1st book. I will surely follow up reading the 3rd installment! As with the 1st, I'd continue to classify this as a 'cozy historical mystery'. It was a good read.
I received this e-ARC from NetGalley, in exchange for my own honest review/opinion.

Oslo Spies by SJ Slagle is set in Norway just after the conclusion of WW2 and is about a young girl who has lost both her parents and is an outcast in society.

The book is relatively easy going but does describe post war Norway a country which didn't usually feature in War or Spy novels.

The main characters are likeable and easy to engage with and overall this is a good read.

Recommended

This was the second book in the Phyllis Bowden spy series and was just released on Sept 1. I just finished the first book and found this book better than the first one.

Once again we are in the midst of recovery from World War II, and Phyllis has been transferred along with her boss, Col. Lawrence, to the American Embassy in Oslo Norway. Norway was under Nazi control for 5 years and has been broken in almost every way possible. They are distrustful of anyone who worked with the Germans even the maids who worked for them and the children who were forced to attend Nazi youth meetings. Stumbling into a horrible situation with a young child, Phyllis has to make a hard decision about doing what is morally right versus what is legally right. With the help of her MI5 boyfriend, Phyllis finds herself intwined in dangerous situations and intrigue galore.

This book gave me a in depth insight into how awful things were in Norway after WW2 and how difficult the recovery was. Great historical research that brought this time period in Norway vividly to life. A very good read that I would recommend to those interested in either the spy genre or World War II recovery.

** I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.