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 usually read either historical fiction set in the old west or Christian fiction, so this book was a little bit of the box for me, but I was swayed by all of the book club recommendations. I’m glad I took the chance on The Alice Network! Very captivating, a page turner that kept me thinking about the characters in between times I could read. Even as interesting as the book was, I really enjoyed the footnotes where the author goes in to more detail about what is straight history and how she weaved her characters into the actual past. I had no idea The Alice Network existed or that WWI and WWII had so many female spies! This was an exciting piece of history for me. I highly recommend this book for both its historical and fictional nature. **Warning** if you are sensitive too or opposed to foul language, there is some character appropriate use in this novel.
A good story, many historical facts I didn’t know.
Excellent story. It had me looking up more about women spies from World War 1 & 2 on the internet
Excellent novel that kept me turning the page, eager to discover what would happen next.
Great historical fiction read.
It was a a bit gory but that’s what happens in times of war
Interesting story, well written, based on real people and events.
An excellent book, based loosely on real life. Was not aware of the female spy role in WW1. Kept my attention completely. Best book I’ve read in a long time.
I loved this historical fiction book!!!
I don’t have adequate words to describe how much I loved The Alice Network. Every time I read a book by Kate Quinn I am in awe of her talent, her exquisite writing, and the fascinating characters she creates. She has an amazing ability to weave real events and people with fictional characters to create the most unforgettable stories.
I was so engrossed in the book, I couldn’t put it down. I was racing through the pages to discover if Eve and Charlie found the truth they were searching for and had the closure they needed. On the other hand I didn’t want this book to end because I didn’t want to say goodbye to Charlie, Eve and, of course, Finn. I can’t get enough of this trio and want more books with them!
The Alice Network is without a doubt one of the best books I’ve read this year and it is going straight on my “favorites” shelf. I cannot recommend this book enough. Run, don’t walk to a bookstore to get this gem!
Excellent book – everyone in my book club enjoyed this book
I really enjoyed this book. It’s hard to believe it’s based on a True story ( one main character, the rest if fiction). The story is a compelling telling of the intersecting lives of two women with nothing in common. One is looking for her beloved cousin who went missing in the war, the other has a burning desire to finish decades old unfinished business. Its a story of personal growth and strength for both characters. You grow to love the unlikable through the telling of their journey and through the shared adventure.
The Alice Network really existed, read this book to learn a little more about this time in history. I’m sure you will want to learn more when you’re done!
This novel relies upon two parallel stories and incorporates the story of WWI heroines and spies Louise de Bettignies and Leonie Van Houtte. While some parts were most difficult to stomach, I liked the plots and the adventures. I liked Finn Kilgore; I sympathized with Eve; but, I really had a difficult time liking Charlie St. Claire. I wanted to like her, but I just did not until the end. I understood her; I felt crushed when Charlie learned the truths she set out to discover; I was glad she became her own person, but I just did not care for her much.
I liked the dual stories of Eve’s past from WWI, Eve’s present from 1947, and how Finn and Charlie fit into Eve’s present-day story. I also liked Charlie’s story for why she sought Eve, but I also found Charlie’s current story a bothersome nuisance. It gives purpose to Eve, Finn, and does help tell Eve’s story, but at times, I just wanted Charlie to go away. I think this is the first time I have disliked a character so, but found the story so compelling, especially Quinn’s interweaving of de Bettignies and Van Houtte into the plot so effortlessly, that I would rate this highly, but I did. My justification: the plot is good; some of the characters likable, others, not so much; the history is great, and now more well-known because of this novel. I do not know if I will read any more Kate Quinn stories, but I will think about this one for awhile.
Excellent read.
Interesting tale, well told. Great female characters. Interesting flashbacks and intertwining of both characters lives past and present (of the book.)
I hope there are more on the way from this author. Great story.
Great book. Strong female characters.
Women in war, the role of female spies and the tragedies endured by the French people. A new view of WWI that also spoke to WWII.
This book was filled with fascinating characters who were fully developed. The writing flowed and conveyed the emotions of the era and characters. I hurt with their pain and cheered with their successes and courage. Congratulations to Ms. Quinn for a job well done! I will look for more bu this author.
Interesting story of women spys in WWI. Weaves an interesting story and was outside what I normally read which are light romance and fiction books.