Synopsis: “A strong woman. A dangerous city. A fight for freedom…

Eighteen-year-old Marie-Madeleine is not the kind of woman who goes through life sitting down, something her new husband can attest. Her unconventionalities – rally car driving, flying planes and dabbling in intelligence work for the French government – earn her a reputation, but she knows who she is at heart: an adventurer.

Ten years later, as Europe teeters on the brink of war, a chance encounter with a mysterious man codenamed Navarre turns Marie-Madeleine’s life upside down. Recruited to help build a resistance network known only as Alliance, she conceals her identity – and gender – as she navigates a perilous double-life away from her children and the man she loves. Capture and death are only ever a heartbeat away.

But when the resistance finds themselves without a leader, Marie-Madeleine steps into the role, heedless of the many men who doubt her abilities. Will she, a young mother from Paris, help turn the tide of war?

Internationally bestselling author Natasha Lester passionately brings to life the true story of one of history’s unsung heroes: Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, the only woman to lead a resistance network in WWII France. Her story is one of epic love, tragic loss and magnificent leadership.”

My Review

This book by a new-to-me author, has left me with a huge book hangover! It’s a factionalised story of Marie-Madeleine, who became the leader of the Alliance Network, the largest French Resistance network during WW2.

It’s start before the war and follows Marie Madeleine as she lives life to the full, as a journalist in Paris, who also takes part in car rallies in Morocco, and helps her first husband Edouard Meric, gather intelligence for the French government.

The writing instantly transported to France and Morocco as I followed this remarkable woman on her journey from wife and mother, to spy and resistance leader!

It was such a tense book, that I had to keep putting it down to catch my breath. I think it’s the first book that I’ve read that really captured the whole nightmarish situation of the French Resistance, during WW2. The fear of getting caught, the stress of having to constantly move headquarters before they were raided, the fear of traitors within the network, getting arrested by the Nazis and the fear of torture.

Marie-Madeleine was an amazing woman, not without faults, but so incredibly brave and cunning, and she had the loyalty of 3,000 members. The author’s note at the end of the book was brilliant, as it answered quite a few questions I had about what did and didn’t happen throughout the book.

This was my first book by Natasha Lester, and I’m eager to read her back catalogue!

Highly recommended if you enjoy historical fiction based on real people.