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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If you like strong female characters in a historical setting then you must read this book. Two parallel storylines run side-by-side: Eve in WWI and Charlotte (Charlie) in post-WWII (1947). I’m not always a fan of parallel storylines but the technique works well in this book as Eve features in both stories. What drew me in initially was wanting to know why the young Eve in WWI is so different to the older Eve in 1947. Eve is recruited as a spy in WWI and works for the charismatic Lili who heads up the Alice Network – a spy network of women working in Europe during WWI. Lili is Louise de Bettignies who was a real person which makes this book an informative read about spying in WWI. After her WWI adventures, Eve is forced to confront her past years later when young, wealthy American Charlie St Clair enlists her help to find her cousin, Rose, who went missing in France during WWII. I love the historical detail and research in this book and found myself really rooting for Eve and hoping she gets the closure she needs.
I love reading of the brave women that did what ever they could to help save lives in the World Wars, as part of the resistance. The Alice Network is a gripping tale of that bravery of three women spies in 1915 France, working to pass on information on Nazi intelligence and Charlie in 1945, desperately trying to find her Cousin Rose, who disappeared during WWII. As their stories intersect, the bravery, courage and danger create a lasting bond, as they attempt to settle loose ends from the past. Kate Quinn is a brilliant storyteller and I loved and admired the strong characters she shared with us,
A new author to me, and I’m looking forward to what Kate Quinn comes up with next.
In the aftermath of Christmas chaos, I gifted myself the time to read this book. I spent two and half days doing nothing else. Cleverly shifting between two timelines, the multiple storylines are gripping and the writing is superb.
My favorite book of 2017!
Simply outstanding. Kate Quinn’s historical research is to be commended (thank you, Ms. Quinn, for your author notes and PS at the end of the book), and the way she has woven real people and real history into a semi-fictionalized story of two women and the men in their lives creates a page turning experience not to be missed. Truly one of the best books I have read this year.
A good engaging read with a few surprises along the way. Solid WWII fiction that kept me turning the pages.
I almost never give a novel 5 stars but The Alice Network is the best novel I’ve read so far this year (2019). It is a master class for writers in structure, character, and overall design. The two main characters are multi-dimensional and Quinn is masterful at capturing their unique voices in dialogue and thought. A super read!
Loved this book. The characters were great as was the story. It was more than a story about Nazi spies, it was a story about one of those spies and her story along with that of a women who’s struggling to find herself in today’s world. By listening to the former spy’s story she learns to deal with her life in today’s time
The characters were well developed, and the historical details of the setting and times. I particularly enjoyed Quinn’s writing style: vocabulary use, imagery, attention to detail, build up of suspense… and often witty and amusing. Good read!
I didn’t want it to end.
What a beautiful novel. The story flips back and forth between 1915 and 1947, both eras defined by strong women. It was nice to see WWI from a different perspective, that of women spies, something that I knew nothing about (The Alice Network did exist). It’s a story about courage, will, friendships, and unexpected love. It’s one of those books that you can’t put down because you need to know what happens, but once your reach the end, you feel bittersweet because this wonderful story is now over. It’s always hard to say goodbye to a good friend.
Kate Quinn’s talent for a terrific story and her ability for pace and character really shine through in this tremendous read. Spies, two world wars, humor, and desperation all merge together to create a brilliant, unexpected drama.
One of the most fascinating books I’ve read in a long time. One of the characters is not lovable, but as you get to know her story you understand how her life events affected the person she become and you empathize with her. The dual timelines was a wonderful back and forth until the two story lines merged. Great read!
Charlie has found herself in quite a predicament, one that her parents have a perfect solution for, she on the other hand disagrees, so rather than doing what is expected of her, she flees for London, to find her missing cousin. Where she winds up connecting with Eve, a woman who she is sure can help her find Rose, her missing cousin. Eve is a spy and has deep connections, ones that may make it easier to find Rose. From there the story alternates between two time period’s following these brave ladies on their trying journeys, and with each page you turn you will pulled deeper into their worlds, and left completely astounded by all they both endured.
This beautifully crafted story pulled me in from the first page, and took me on a literary escape unlike any other I have ever experienced before. It moved me beyond words, monopolized my every thought, and left me in awe of Ms. Quinn’s literary talents! I have to say this is one of the best books that I have had the pleasure of reading this year, and one that I encourage everyone to pick up and read… it will take you on an unforgettable literary escape!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
As The Alice Network was advertised to be an historical novel, I didn’t know what to expect–women spies from WWI and WWII? But I couldn’t stop reading after the characters were introduced and started talking about their stories and I didn’t want them to stop. At the end, I stunned by the sheer determination of the women spies. Many of the characters were real and the author carried that realism throughout the story. I highly recommend this book for book clubs who like history, young people who like action and adventure and anyone who loves a good story.
In 1915 after a year into the Great War of WWI, Eve Gardiner joins the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets 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.
1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie (Charlotte) 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.
Both Eve and Charlie meet and work for the Alice Network living from day to day. I liked this story very much because it’s about history in Europe and tells the story of women working to free their country of Nazi’s.
I loved The Alice Network! This fascinating story is about an important group of women that were on the front of the war zone in WW2 as spies. Along with the historical lesson, there are twists and turns that kept me captivated. The characters are engaging and likeable, although not standard by any means. This was a page turner for me.
THE ALICE NETWORK by Kate Quinn kept me on tenterhooks through its entirety. And though the story is a work of fiction, it’s based on actual events. My hat is off to the intestinal fortitude, the personal mettle, the courage, the daring, the resilience, of the female spies during World War I. Without their cunning and bravery, that war would have ended quite differently. I highly recommend this book.
I actually listened to this book on Audible, and the narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, was absolutely wonderful. But I will probably go back and read it as well. The story was completely absorbing, full of intrigue and mystery while still delving into the very hearts of the characters. I’ve always loved stories about the years between the great war and WWII and the heroes and heroines of those turbulent times, but this story about British female spies in France during German occupation was by far one of the best I’ve read. Told in two parts, by two different women, connected in their search for people from their past. Two lives intersecting and changing one another’s outlook forever. At times, harrowing, nail-biting, heart-pounding. At other times, blisteringly angry, vengeful, and full of regret. This story will keep you reading or listening to the very end. Sometimes forgetting to do anything else:)
This is my first book by Kate Quinn, but it won’t be the last. She has made me a lifetime fan.
Kate Quinn is one of the best historical writers writing today. This story will suck you in.
A history I knew nothing about, with characters I found interesting. Became even more compelling when I realized it was based very closely on real events during WWII, a women’s spy network inside France set up by the British to gain knowledge from the German occupiers.