Featuring an exclusive excerpt from Kate Quinn’s next incredible historical novel, THE HUNTRESS
NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY BESTSELLER
#1 GLOBE AND MAIL HISTORICAL FICTION BESTSELLER
One of NPR’s Best Books of the Year!
One of Bookbub’s Biggest Historical Fiction Books of the Year!
Reese Witherspoon Book Club Summer Reading Pick!
The Girly Book Club Book of the Year!
A Summer Book … Fiction Books of the Year!
Reese Witherspoon Book Club Summer Reading Pick!
The Girly Book Club Book of the Year!
A Summer Book Pick from Good Housekeeping, Parade, Library Journal, Goodreads, Liz and Lisa, and BookBub
In an enthralling new historical novel from national bestselling author Kate Quinn, two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption.
1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She’s also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie’s parents banish her to Europe to have her “little problem” taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.
1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she’s recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she’s trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the “Queen of Spies”, who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy’s nose.
Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn’t heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth…no matter where it leads.
“Both funny and heartbreaking, this epic journey of two courageous women is an unforgettable tale of little-known wartime glory and sacrifice. Quinn knocks it out of the park with this spectacular book!”—Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of America’s First Daughter
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I can’t stop thinking about this book. It brought WWI alive for me. Although I’m a history geek and have even visited many WWI battle sites (including Verdun which is vital battle ground in Eve’s story), I’m less interested in the Great War than what came after. Quinn definitely changed my mind especially when I read the author’s note at the back of the book and realized how much of the book is based on actual people and events.
I loved how this novel featured two female protagonists. I especially enjoyed wartime events being told from a woman’s standpoint, and not just any woman – a woman who had been on the front lines, as it were, and not as a nurse. Eve is a great character. With each chapter, the reader slowly peels back the different layers of her personality until her truth is revealed – and what a truth! Although she was probably the grumpiest protagonist I’ve read, I’d love to sit down and have a drink with Eve. Oh, the stories she could tell.
Charlie’s character, on the other hand, started a bit flat. She was a messed up girl who, instead of facing her future, went off on a fool’s mission to find her cousin Rose, who despite all evidence to the contrary Charlie is convinced is still alive. Charlie did grow on me as she developed into her own person. Her history is more messed up than finding herself pregnant and unmarried.
I loved the juxtaposition between the two stories. Slowly but surely we learn how the two stories are interconnected and how the past of Eve and the present of Charlie weave together. I didn’t like one story better than another. I felt the two stories together were necessary to complete the overarching story. Although fictional (even if roughly based on true characters), I felt these characters and their stories were believable, which made them powerful.
This is a book to be read time and time again. If you haven’t read The Alice Network yet, what are you waiting for?
Marveled at Kate Quinn’s skill as a writer: the character development, the tension, the satisfying conclusion. Not my typical choice for a historical thriller but perhaps that’s why I enjoyed it all the more.
This is one of my favorite books. The plot and twists and turns keep me guessing what is going to happen next.
I finished reading The Alice Network in Sept 2017. Here is the review that I completed: https://readingapageturner.com/2017/09/13/book-review-the-alice-network-by-kate-quinn/
Awful, just awful. Poor writing, repetitive, and just plain awful. I can’t believe anyone who writes this badly could get published. I have to say that this is the worst book I have ever read.
I love clever books. This one just pulled me right in and didn’t stop until we reached rock bottom, then spurted me out right back up for a breath of fresh air. What a ride!!
One of the best historical accounts of the parts women played in both world wars.
Well developed unique characters and a twist and turn plot.
I was really impressed with the author. I had no idea that there were woman spies helping with the war. They were courageous and sometimes fearless. You have to admire these ladies because they never thought of themselves and some of them paid the ultimate price. I really enjoyed this book and I have it recommended to numerous of my friends. Once you start to read it it was hard to put down.
This book has been an exceptional read. The characters are complicated and heroic women some of whom were spies in the First World War. They are all determined women who are loyal to their friendship. And their countries. I couldn’t stop cheering for them all.
This books brings two women characters together and weaves their stories together. One woman’s story is mostly during WWI and the other woman’s story is during 1947. It uses both history and fiction to keep the story going. I couldn’t wait to see how everything turned out in the end. I also liked the author’s added touch at the end of detailing some of the historical information and the facts that she changed.
Liked the book and the age/time difference of the 2 main characters…
Reminded me how little time passed between the two world wars.
I loved this book which is based on a true story. However, hang in there until at least page 100 when all the characters that are introduced. Once I got past page 100 ir so, I could not put the book down!! It so troublesome to read about what 16-18 year olds did to help collect evidence during the war.
Page turner; inspiring female heroes
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Very good.
Another sobering book about strong women in WWII.
4.5
This story is told between two different women. From Eve’s perspective it is in the past during WW1, and she is one of the spies forming the group only known as The Alice Network.
A few decades later (current times for the book) you meet the whining and obnoxious Charlie. I honestly found myself skimming through her narrative because I found her annoying.
Charlie sets out in search of her missing cousin and hopes Eve will be the missing link. They become unlikely friends in their quest and seek for revenge.
I love reading stories about female spies during the wars. I find it very interesting, and this book was no exception. This is one of the best books I’ve read this year and will read more from the author.
TRIGGER ALERT: There is raping and sexual/physical abuse, and attempted suicide.
There is also violence, non-detailed sex, and just overall horrible war happenings.
I recommend the book “Code Name: Lise” if you like the unfamiliar stories of female spies.
Terrific story of female spies during WWII. Realistic page turner and a reminder of the sacrifices made to keep the freedoms we take for granted.
Amazing story about women during WWI and WWII. Loved how the author wove the two different stories together.
Wow! This was an inspiring portrayal of the Resistance movement in World War I as well as World War II, and the network of female spies that supported the resistance. Utterly Fascinating!