From the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling novel, THE ALICE NETWORK, comes another fascinating historical novel about a battle-haunted English journalist and a Russian female bomber pilot who join forces to track the Huntress, a Nazi war criminal gone to ground in America.
In the aftermath of war, the hunter becomes the hunted…
Bold and fearless, Nina Markova always dreamed of flying. When the Nazis attack the Soviet Union, she risks everything to join the legendary Night Witches, an all-female night bomber regiment wreaking havoc on the invading Germans. When she is stranded behind enemy lines, Nina becomes the prey of a lethal Nazi murderess known as the Huntress, and only Nina’s bravery and cunning will keep her alive.
Transformed by the horrors he witnessed from Omaha Beach to the Nuremberg Trials, British war correspondent Ian Graham has become a Nazi hunter. Yet one target eludes him: a vicious predator known as the Huntress. To find her, the fierce, disciplined investigator joins forces with the only witness to escape the Huntress alive: the brazen, cocksure Nina. But a shared secret could derail their mission unless Ian and Nina force themselves to confront it.
Growing up in post-war Boston, seventeen-year-old Jordan McBride is determined to become a photographer. When her long-widowed father unexpectedly comes homes with a new fiancée, Jordan is thrilled. But there is something disconcerting about the soft-spoken German widow. Certain that danger is lurking, Jordan begins to delve into her new stepmother’s past—only to discover that there are mysteries buried deep in her family . . . secrets that may threaten all Jordan holds dear.
In this immersive, heart-wrenching story, Kate Quinn illuminates the consequences of war on individual lives, and the price we pay to seek justice and truth.
This audiobook includes an episode of the Book Club Girl Podcast, featuring an interview with Kate Quinn about The Huntress.
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From Kate Quinn–author of one of my all-time favorite historical fiction novels, The Alice Network–comes The Huntress, another riveting WWII-era story that had me glued to the page.
Once again, Quinn delivers a unique perspective on a familiar subject, injecting her fast-paced historical fiction with interesting characters and an element of women’s fiction that successfully combines two of my favorite genres.
As a pilot, I enjoyed reading about the groundbreaking efforts of Nina and her Russian compatriots, the Night Witches, as they bravely paved the way for women in aviation. And, as a journalist–albeit never, thankfully, from a war zone–I can relate to Ian’s passion for uncovering the truth and forming connections through the power of words. But its Jordan’s keen eye and intuition, and her ahead-of-her-time drive that quite possibly makes her my favorite among this trio of main characters.
Compelling and original, I highly recommend The Huntress by Kate Quinn
THE HUNTRESS by Kate Quinn is a historical romance set post World War II when Ian Graham, a war correspondent turned Nazi hunter, and his partner, Tony Rodomovsky, are on the trail of the Huntress, a cold-blooded Nazi murderer of children and Ian’s brother.
The chase begins in Vienna then moves to Boston where the Huntress has started a new life by marrying Jordan McBride’s father. Jordan is a wannabe photographer who becomes suspicious of her father’s new bride after her father dies in a hunting accident.
Ian’s wife, Nina, who was a Russian pilot during the war, joins Ian and Tony on the hunt. She was with Ian’s brother when he was murdered, and she’s the only person to have seen the Huntress and lived.
There are four love stories, two told in the past and two in the present. The love stories between Ian and Nina and Tony and Jordan give a satisfying happily ever after. A sweeping story of love, romance and intrigue. A real page turner that I couldn’t put down!
Recommended Read
I did not think Kate Quinn could rise up to her story-telling in The Alice Network, but somehow she manages. Whoa, this is a talented writer. Told from the point of view of three remarkable characters – young Jordan, concerned about the new bride of her widowed father in post-war Boston; Nina, the fearless Russian Night Witch bomber pilot caught up in the horrors of WWII; and Ian, the haunted war correspondent searching for the murderer of his brother. One person connects all of these complex characters – the Nazi war criminal known only as The Huntress. One again, Quinn sweeps us into a story of breathless suspense, romance, humor, courage, and heart-wrenching emotion, all illuminated by the consequences of a life-changing war.
Enjoy historical fiction and this was great read with well developed characters.
What a story. Loved reading about the Night Witches of World War II!
I read a lot of World War II books and this is one of the best.
We read this in book club and had a wonderful discussion as the storyline leant to so many thoughtful questions. Who knew that Russia had a squadron of female bombers in WWII?? The icy lakes and Siberian atmosphere didn’t disappoint! I love novels set in Russia and this one is a real standout for me. Nina and her tenacity is an example for all. Stunning characters. It will stay with me for a long while.
5 Stars. This book contains adult themes & language, which means it will not be everyone’s cup of tea. But—Wow—what a story from author Kate Quinn! A riveting plot. Characters that come to life & walk off the page.
Except for one character—Nina—who leaps off the page & grabs you by the throat! Nina is an almost feral, Vodka-drinking Russian waterwitch, who flew bombers in WWII, carries a razor she is not afraid to use, reads Georgette Heyer Victorian romances to improve her English, and has a soft spot for dreamers who try to make the world a better place.
She is joined by Ian, a Harrow-educated Englishman who fights to keep his own moral standards while bringing monsters to justice (her romantic match), Tony who learned about life from the melting pot of the Bronx, where he was every babushka’s favorite grandson, and all-American golden-girl Jordan. (They are paired up as well.)
I’d love to see this team of Nazi-hunters take on other adventures!
I listened to this as an audiobook, performed by the talented Saskia Maarleveld. Great entertainment!
***I was taught (at my Christian college!) that I can judge a book as valuable—even if it has objectionable elements—if the power of the story overshadows the objectionable elements. I value stories that show heroes fighting evil & that’s what this story is . . . As a Christian reader, my gray areas may be different from yours. But that’s okay. Let’s give grace to authors & other reading friends!
Having said that, this book does contain a storyline/love relationship I did not especially appreciate & wish had gone another way. (I do see how it served the story & character.)
Kate Quinn just keeps getting better, if that’s possible!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book about a group of incredibly brave and fearless female Russian pilots I had known nothing about before reading this book. Kate Quinn immerses her readers into not only the cockpits of these fighter pilots but also into their very lives outside their planes. It’s a captivating book you’ll be enthralled by from its beginning.
If you like historical fiction, especially centered around WWII, this is a great read. I found the story engaging and informative., and it’s well paced. It’s told through multiple POVs, and I loved Nina.
I loved the Russian night bomber, Nina, who reminded me of Ziva of TV’s NCIS fame. She’s smart and edgy and the perfect fit for the Night Witches. When she links with the Nazi hunters, the story takes off. Great drama all the way to the end. Quinn’s amazing female characters take this story to the brink. I listened to this on Audible and always extended my workout. Don’t miss this one if you’re a WWII fan and love to root for interesting heroines.
The Huntress is amazing! I listened to the audio and I think that is the way to go. Saskia Maarleveld is my favorite narrator and her intonation, pacing, and ability to do accents and differentiating voices for each character is perfection. She’s the biggest reason I chose this book to read.
Three individuals from vastly different backgrounds come together and unite under one mission: to hunt down the elusive “huntress”. Her war crimes during the second world war left me feeling squeamish.
Kate does a fanastic job at humanizing the huntress through the eyes of Jordan, an American girl on the cusp of womanhood. So much so that I questioned her identity for a good portion of the book.
All I can say is I’m so glad I read it. It’s definitely one that will stick with me!
I could not put this book down. A great WWII and post WWII thriller, the characters are unforgettable, and the pacing has great velocity. I’m rather picky about historical fiction, since I’ve published five of these books myself, but I highly recommend this one for its historical veracity and unique storyline.
Kate Quinn delivers her usual excellence, as you follow Jordan, a typical American teenager, and one of the Soviet Union’s Night Witches into a maze of Nazi intrigue. Compelling reading.
Loved this book!
Amazing, Wonderfully Written , Great Characters , loved the history of the Night Witches , Great story!
Thrilling and unique. Loved it.
Great story with characters whom you need to know. They also need each other to find and destroy an evil which has survived WWII.
Five stars says it all