“A perfect summer read; gripping, original, well-drawn and compassionate”–Joanne Harris
“Celia Rees is a superb writer, and this novel has one of the most irresistible and unique story hooks I’ve ever come across. This book deserves to be huge!”–Sophie Hannah
A striking historical novel about an ordinary young British woman sent to uncover a network of spies and war criminals in … novel about an ordinary young British woman sent to uncover a network of spies and war criminals in post-war Germany that will appeal to fans of The Huntress and Transcription.
World War II has just ended, and Britain has established the Control Commission for Germany, which oversees their zone of occupation. The Control Commission hires British civilians to work in Germany, rebuild the shattered nation and prosecute war crimes. Somewhat aimless, bored with her job as a provincial schoolteacher, and unwilling to live with her overbearing mother any longer, thirtysomething Edith Graham applies for a job with the Commission—but she is also recruited by her cousin, Leo, who is in the Secret Service. To them, Edith is perfect spy material…single, ordinary-looking, with a college degree in German. Cousin Leo went to Oxford with one of their most hunted war criminals, Count Kurt von Stavenow, who Edith remembers all too well from before the war. He wants her to find him.
Intrigued by the challenge, Edith heads to Germany armed with a convincing cover story: she’s an unassuming Education Officer sent to help resurrect German schools. To send information back to her Secret Service handlers in London, Edith has crafted the perfect alter ego, cookbook author Stella Snelling, who writes a popular magazine cookery column. She embeds crucial intelligence within the recipes she collects. But occupied Germany is awash with other spies, collaborators, and opportunists, and as she’s pulled into their world, Edith soon discovers that no one is what they seem to be. The closer she gets to uncovering von Stavenow’s whereabouts–and the network of German civilians who still support him–the greater the danger.
With a unique, compelling premise, Miss Graham’s Cold War Cookbook is a beautifully crafted and gripping novel about daring, betrayal, and female friendship.
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I would have given this 4 stars -however, I did feel some of the story was fragmented -There were gaps in the plotline that just did not hold together for me-The characters were well defined and had strong personalities-as one would expect from intelligence officers . The horrors of life living in post war Germany was captured succinctly -especially the contrast in lifestyles from the view of the Officers mess dining room-looking out on starvation in bombed out ruins. Edith as the main character came through as somewhat vapid-. There was a shallowness there that I couldn’t quite grasp. Even her romances seemed empty -it was also mirrored by Elizabeth the wife of her former (SS officer) lover. Both seemed to glide through scenes -untouched -encased in a frozen façade.(asexual) There was a hint of sexual tension between the two women?? Elizabeth allowing her husband to terminate the life of their autistic son then taking in a baby girl from who knows where -didn’t gel -Why would she??? The powers that were playing to grab whatever leftover talent from Nazis networks came across well. Though it got very confusing as to who was where and why and who was doing what to whom . Divvying up the spoils as quickly as possible to protect against the new threat coming from the East – seemed to be the gist of it, disregarding ethics morals and justice for their victims. The suggestion was made that the Nuremberg trials were held to give the public something -the low rungs of the hierarchy of Nazis-whilst the elite were allowed to sail off to new full lives elsewhere. It was an ambitious novel for the author to tackle -so many tangled webs to unravel -just not well glued –
This was an interesting book however some of the characters in situations did not hold together. I was disappointed and how the end it worked out
A really nuanced and thoughtful novel about post-war Germany that is also packed with plot and strong characters. Edith is fleeing her predictable life in England by taking a post helping rebuild Germany’s shattered education system. She’s also sending reports back to England and looking for an old flame, a German man who, she learns, played a prominent role in the SS. Edith’s charming character is a shining light in a world of darkness and manipulation. Perfect for fans of The Alice Network (like me!)
Miss Graham’s Cold War Cookbook by Celia Rees an excellent historical fiction novel that takes place post WWII London/Germany.
Edith Graham enters the world of espionage, intelligence, reconnaissance, deception as an undercover woman from London through the OSS to the complicated and harrowing post-war Germany to sift out and find her marks/persons of interest. One of the methods of passing on her findings is covertly through recipes. This aspect I think is totally ingenious. Edith (Stella Snelling as her new persona is named) is thrust into a world of conspiracies, shadiness, deception, knowing not who or what to trust. Past relationships that Edith was a part of before/during the war are again brought to the surface during her undercover plans while she is in Germany.
This book has it all: suspense, espionage, mystery, double-handed doings, love and loyalties lost. Grey areas abound. There are twists and turns throughout and the ending is just stunning. I enjoyed the character of Edith and also enjoyed the pace, plot, and ending. I love that this took place in post-war Germany. Not a time that has been used much lately.
This book is unique and was very enjoyable and will most definitely be memorable.
Very impressive 5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I enjoyed this book, and probably would have given it 4 stars, except for the fact that there was a lot more sexual content than I care for.
The story concept was intriguing, the characters interesting and well-developed, and there was a twist part way through that left me in such shock it took several chapters to make me believe what appeared to have happened had actually happened! lol. I was very impressed with a lot of the book. I just wish the sexual content had been toned down a few notches. It wasn’t explicit enough to make me put the book down, but it was a lot more than I thought necessary. And it didn’t really add anything to the story, in my opinion. Is it simply not done anymore to have romance without sex scenes? Even if they are “mild” sex scenes? Why is this necessary? Wish novels were rated like movies so we at least knew what we were getting into before be started reading one.
But if you are willing to tolerate some mild sex scenes (or skim over them) the story really is a fun and interesting read. Though the ending made me ponder where justice crosses into vengeance, and when that should or should not be taken into the hands of ordinary citizens.
I liked the idea of how they spyed. It took me a few chapters to get into it. I personally didn’t need the language or adult scenes. Just adding for those who may want to know before picking it upt.
This was a very difficult book to review. Some of the scenes, though historically accurate I’m sure, we’re very hard to read. In the beginning, I recommended the book to a friend. When I was partway through the book, I told her not to read it. The images were just too upsetting especially if you know a disabled or autistic child. The story was so very well told that I needed to finish. But some of the scenes will stay in my memory forever.
I never thought about what life was like after the war. I was born in 1942 and wasn’t really aware of those times. But this book really got to me and I want everyone to know about life then.
This book tended to drag a little,
I loved the main character’s bravery and humanity. She was hard on herself and trying to do her job and save lives.
Excellent. Original.
Miss Graham’s Cold War Cookbook by Celia Rees is a marvellous historical suspense that captivated me from the start.
World War II is over but the hunt for Nazi war criminals in just beginning. Ordinary men and women were recruited in Britain to do ordinary jobs in Germany but were to seek out the worst perpetrators to bring them to justice. There was a conflict between those wanting to see justice served and those wanting to use the brains of the scientists for progress. Each agent had to decide to which department they were reporting. It was a time of concealment of truth, mistrust, deceit and the twisting of facts. Each person could only be responsible for their own choices. Each person had to live with the consequences of their actions.
The reader witnesses the war criminals trying to justify what they had done. “I saw what I wanted to see … The acceptable version of things.” Too many people turned a blind eye to the persecution of others. There were many with blood on their hands. They were guilty of doing nothing.
The war criminals used cunning and lies to blend in. Even those trained in espionage and deception would be taken in by a front of innocence.
In 1946 there were still those in Germany who believed Hitler was alive and a 4th Reich was a possibility. These were dangerous people.
Much of the novel is set in Germany. The reader sees the destruction of Berlin and Hamburg. We are reminded that cities in Britain suffered a similar fate, in particular Coventry in November 1940.
The novel was extremely well written and captured my attention from the start. Celia Rees drew me in and I ‘journeyed’ through the novel as the lead character. Comprehensive descriptions enabled me to ‘see’ the various locations.
Miss Graham’s Cold War Cookbook was a compelling read that entertained and also horrified me. I did gasp out loud at times as horrendous situations struck at my heart. I cannot wait to read more by Celia Rees.
I received a free copy from Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book though I never figured out the coded messages in the recipes. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about the Second World war and espionage.
War from women’s perspectives
I never had a glimpse of post World War II day-to-day life in Germany before this book. It was very enlightening.
I really liked the book and the author’s writing throughout. Very educational on this particular period of time in our history. The recipes were quite unique and I wanted to try some. My only mark against the book was that I would have liked a better understanding of how the codes worked, to try to figure out the coded messages. This really wasn’t possible.
It was a book about codes….I truly enjoyed it!
It was not what I expected.
Unique!
Very good story about after WW2. Hard to put down