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 loved loved loved this. Great writing and loosely, I believe, based on a true story. I would high recommend.
5 Stars. As a lover of literature, I developed my philosophy of what makes a novel worth reading during my college years. The expected items are on the list—sharp writing, a story where each complication advances the plot, meaningful, universal themes, characters who fight for noble goals, a tale where good is rewarded and evil, punished—but also that sometimes we read books with bad philosophy objectionable elements, etc., because they contain elements of the cautionary tale or show us the hearts of the real-life people who populate our world or because the darkness makes the sacrifices shine. So the overall tone of the book may make the story worth reading in spite of the objectionable elements. This is the standard I apply to classics which contain disturbing elements. And this is the standard I apply when reading books like Schindler’s List or The Nightingale or The Alice Network.
The Alice Network is not a “clean read” & won’t find its way to my classroom library. From page one, it involves hard, broken people who use strong language (yes, the worst) and who turn to sinful, damaging practices as they search for healing, meaning, and redemption. It is not a story for those who cannot see past the grittiness to the beauty of the outcomes. But if you are a reader who sees a divine reflection in all sacrifice, who marvels at the transformation of the hardest hearts & who sees the reflection of people you know & love (or maybe of yourself) in sharp-tongued, irreverent characters, you may appreciate this riveting, moving, unforgettable story.
Fantastic book. All of our book club enjoyed it.
This is a great book and one that stays with you. I highly recommend this historical fiction story!
One of the best books I’ve read. There was an easy flow between time periods and the characters were well-developed and distinctly different from one another. Intriguing plot made it hard to put down, and when I arrived at the end, with its satisfactory conclusion, I would have happily read more about the lives of the main characters.
The story of two strong women, unlikely companions, an elderly retired spy and a young scandalized math whiz, a s they pursue a missing relative through war torn Europe in1047. Unforgettable and original.
Another Kate Quinn hit. She’s a master of historical fiction. And I love books featuring strong female characters.
I loved it , written well. Keeps you on edge. Great characters. Wonderful story.
Engaging book spanning the two World Wars in a very different way. This is a great novel that gives insight into the intelligence gathered and sacrifices many made, especially women, in the two wars.
This tale of two women, one in 1947, the other in WWI, is a compelling read. I must admit toward the end I wanted more of Eve’s story than Charlie’s. But I appreciated Charlie as well. I thought there would be more info on the Alice Network, which did exist during the first war. When I looked up the Network, I found Ms. Quinn followed the actual history of this espionage group closely, inserting her two fictional women into the facts.
The one problem I had was the change in Eve over the decades; it seemed too harsh and ugly, even after all she’d suffered.
This book made me aware of the brave women who risked their lives during WW2 in the name of freedom. They sacrificed everything for their cause, becoming unsung heroes.
One of the best female spy/heroine book I have ever read! Inspiring!
I always enjoy WWII Resistance books.. a tough group of individuals who could do this work.
Based on real life accounts and actual events. Once I started, I didn’t want to put it down.
Great read about women spies in WW 2. Women make the world go round!
If you enjoy historical fiction based on solid research, you will really like this book. We underestimated the role that brave women played during world wars.
I really liked this book. Found it very entertaining.
I often think “I don’t ever want to read another WW2 novel. So glad I read this one and fascinating to learn the history behind it.
I loved this book- the characters, the setting, and the suspense . I could not put the book down!
This is a fine piece of work. The point of view approach was well done, if unusual. We get an excellent use of real history mixed with a little melodrama.