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PamG's Reviews > The Book Spy
The Book Spy
by
by
PamG's review
bookshelves: historical-fiction, historical-mystery, historical-romance, publisher-sent, read-2023
May 27, 2023
bookshelves: historical-fiction, historical-mystery, historical-romance, publisher-sent, read-2023
The Book Spy
by Alan Hlad is a captivating and fascinating historical thriller. President Roosevelt sends librarians and microfilm specialists to neutral cities in Europe. Their task is to acquire and microfilm newspapers, books, technical manuals, and periodicals. The microfilmed information will be analyzed for troop locations, weaponry, and military plans. Maria Alves is dispatched to Lisbon and begins working with Tiago Soares, a Portuguese bookstore owner with his own mission. However, as Maria and Tiago grow closer, Maria is asked to take on an additional role that is more dangerous.
Readers get a great feeling for Maria and Tiago. Their outlooks and attitudes change over the course of the story. However, they seemed to have very few flaws.
The book takes place between December 1941 and September 1944. There’s a feeling of deep anxiety as Maria tries to make sense of her circumstances. The story is well written, with a stunning plot that was twisty and absorbing as well as heartrending at times. The author does a great job of weaving action and romance into a wonderful story.
Before reading this book, I had never heard of what some librarians and microfilm specialists did during the war. The author has done an amazing amount of research. Hlad’s note at the end of the book has a wealth of information in it about actual events and historical figures who show up in the novel. He explains that Maria’s two roles were inspired by two people rather than just one. There’s also a list of discussion questions for book clubs.
Overall, this story is intriguing, thought-provoking, suspenseful, and exciting. The author delivers a heartfelt story of love, loss, sacrifice, and duty. I’m looking forward to reading more novels by this author.
Kensington Books, A John Scognamiglio Book provided a complimentary physical copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was January 24, 2023.
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My 4.46 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Readers get a great feeling for Maria and Tiago. Their outlooks and attitudes change over the course of the story. However, they seemed to have very few flaws.
The book takes place between December 1941 and September 1944. There’s a feeling of deep anxiety as Maria tries to make sense of her circumstances. The story is well written, with a stunning plot that was twisty and absorbing as well as heartrending at times. The author does a great job of weaving action and romance into a wonderful story.
Before reading this book, I had never heard of what some librarians and microfilm specialists did during the war. The author has done an amazing amount of research. Hlad’s note at the end of the book has a wealth of information in it about actual events and historical figures who show up in the novel. He explains that Maria’s two roles were inspired by two people rather than just one. There’s also a list of discussion questions for book clubs.
Overall, this story is intriguing, thought-provoking, suspenseful, and exciting. The author delivers a heartfelt story of love, loss, sacrifice, and duty. I’m looking forward to reading more novels by this author.
Kensington Books, A John Scognamiglio Book provided a complimentary physical copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date was January 24, 2023.
----------------------------------------
My 4.46 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
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Reading Progress
October 31, 2022
– Shelved
October 31, 2022
– Shelved as:
to-read
May 21, 2023
–
Started Reading
May 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
historical-mystery
May 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
May 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
historical-romance
May 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
publisher-sent
May 27, 2023
– Shelved as:
read-2023
May 27, 2023
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-20 of 20 (20 new)
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by
Jim
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Dec 01, 2022 12:40PM
Read it. You will enjoy the book.
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Glad you enjoyed it. I did as well.
Marilyn wrote: "Glad you enjoyed it. I did as well."It was almost a 5 star read for me. I plan to write my review today or tomorrow.
Sandysbookaday is (reluctantly) on hiatus wrote: "Great review, Pam.❤📚"Thanks, Sandy! I always want to learn something new in historical fiction and I did with this one.
Happy to hear you enjoyed The Book Spy. Great review. Thanks Pam.
Great review - adding to my list for sure :)
Bonnie wrote: "This sounds great, Pam!"It was good. I definitely recommend it.
Jim wrote: "Happy to hear you enjoyed The Book Spy. Great review. Thanks Pam."Thanks! This was a great book. I believe your review was one of the ones that moved it up in my reading schedule.
Greta wrote: "Great review - adding to my list for sure :)"Thanks, Greta! I hope you enjoy it.
Tracy wrote: "Phenomenal review, Pam! ♥︎"Thanks, Tracy!
Lovely review of what sounds like a lovely book.
Liz wrote: "Lovely review of what sounds like a lovely book."Thanks, Liz!
Excellent review Pam!
Melissa (Catch Up Mode) wrote: "Excellent review Pam!"Thanks, Melissa!
Great review, Pam, thank you! Looking forward to reading it!
Kalyani wrote: "Great review, Pam, thank you! Looking forward to reading it!"Thanks, Kalyani! Happy Reading!
Carol wrote: "Fantastic review, Pam ♥️!!!!"Thanks, Carol!
