The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin is the type of historical fiction novel that grabs the reader with an interesting premise, hooks them with compelling characters, and finished them off with a dose of reality.
In other words, it is everything a historical fiction novel should be.
I absolutely loved The Last Bookshop in London, so I was very excited to see her new release. I’m happy to say that this one is just as good!
The story unfolds in two parallel narratives: Ava’s in Lisbon, Portugal, and Elaine’s in Lyon, France. It is a unique approach, because, unlike other historical fiction novels, both women are in the same year, 1943.
Usually, there are contemporary and historical timelines that have a connection. That’s not the case here, and it adds a bit of mystery to the story.
What is the significance of each woman’s story and how do they relate to each other? The author takes great care to build the plot lines independently but with enough action in each to further draw in the reader.
I was never disappointed when the chapters switched from one to the other; it felt natural to want to know what was going on at the same time.
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I don’t want to give away the major plot point, but the two stories do eventually intertwine, even if it is relatively briefly in the overarching story. It’s enough to be a satisfactory connection.
Because really, it is a story about two women, each doing their part to fight against fascism during WWII. Ava’s is more intriguing due to her eventual position and duties. But Elaine’s is more compelling due to the urgency of her work.
As with any novel set during WWII, there is loss – some of it quite heartbreaking – but there is also a good dash of hope and resilience. The importance of never giving up and believing in a cause is vital for both women.
It is always difficult to say that I enjoy a historical fiction novel. Especially one set during one of the darkest periods of history. But The Librarian Spy kept me up most of the night to find out the fates of Ava and Elaine.
I highly recommend this book.
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AUTHOR BIO
Madeline Martin is a New York Times and international bestselling author of historical fiction novels and historical romance. She lives in sunny Florida with her two daughters, two incredibly spoiled cats, and a wonderful husband. She is a die-hard history lover who will happily lose herself in research any day. When she’s not writing, researching or ‘moming’, you can find her spending time with her family at Disney or sneaking a couple spoonfuls of Nutella while laughing over cat videos.
