In his own bestselling tradition of Eye of the Needle and The Key to Rebecca, Ken Follett delivers a breathtaking novel of suspense set in the most dangerous days of World War II. D-Day is approaching. They don’t know where or when, but the Germans know it’ll be soon, and for Felicity “Flick” Clariet, the stakes have never been higher. A senior agent in the ranks of the Special Operations … of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) responsible for sabotage, Flick has survived to become one of Britain’s most effective operatives in Northern France. She knows that the Germans’ ability to thwart the Allied attack depends upon their lines of communications, and in the days before the invasion no target is of greater strategic importance than the largest telephone exchange in Europe.
But when Flick and her Resistance-leader husband try a direct, head-on assault that goes horribly wrong, her world turns upside down. Her group destroyed, her husband missing, her superiors unsure of her, her own confidence badly shaken, she has one last chance at the target, but the challenge, once daunting, is now near impossible. The new plan requires an all-woman team, none of them professionals, to be assembled and trained within days. Code-named the Jackdaws, they will attempt to infiltrate the exchange under the noses of the Germans—but the Germans are waiting for them now and have plans of their own. There are secrets Flick does not know—secrets within the German ranks, secrets among her hastily recruited team, secrets among those she trusts the most. And as the hours tick down to the point of no return, most daunting of all, there are secrets within herself. . . .
Filled with the powerful storytelling, unforgettable characters, and authentic detail that have become his hallmarks, Jackdaws is Ken Follett writing at the height of his powers.
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WWII historical backdrop with Many teists and turns between the Brits and Nazi’s.
Very interesting and well-written. Gives a good look into the resistance and the role they played in WWII.
It’s amazing to read about the unsung heroes who sacrifice their lives in times of turmoil, crisis and danger. This is not my favorite Follett book, but is worth the read.
This was great even by Follet’s standards. I am close to having read all of his books. I always learn something, and always get immersed in the story.
Strong, smart female characters. WW II fiction with British SOE undercover agents and French Resistance.
Excellent, as he (Follet) always is!
recommended read
Great read. I love good WWII tales and this one is excellent.
D Day approaches…
A small but brave French Resistance force…
A foiled attack on a German communication exchange…
Only one of the saboteurs escapes…
A second attempt on the exchange would be suicide.
Flick, a fluently French-speaking British spy retreats to English soil to lick her wounds and plan a second attack on the exchange, but the Germans are now waiting and have plans of their own.
A murderess, a safe-cracker and a crossdresser are just some of the unlikely characters thrown together to make up the six-woman team that will parachute behind enemy lines and help Flick finish the deadly job she has started.
Will their cleaning staff disguises be enough to get their explosives past the arrogant German SS guards, or will torture and execution be their fate?
Master storytelling, action and adventure, and unforgettable heroes await you within Ken Follet’s Jackdaws.
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This still remains as one of my favorite WWII reads, of the daring exploits and bravery of female spies in Occupied France.
Another fantastic Ken Follett book!
Based on true events, this book is first-rate writing about the period leading up to the D-Day invasion, and the very brave women who went into France to send back information about German plans. A work of fiction, perhaps, but the real events were surely even far more exciting.
I listened to the abridged audiobook. Great listen!
Author,Author,Author says it all.
An utterly compelling read. I could not put this down!
Good story about the French Resistance.
Excellent development of characters particularly Ruby and Flick!
Another great book by Ken Follett. He is one of my favorite authors. This one keeps you guessing and up to the wee hours…
This early work of a great author is not worth reading.
What can I say. If Follett it will be great!