The Shadow Network

WW2 Secret Agent #2

by Deborah Swift

One woman must sacrifice everything to uncover the truth in this enthralling historical novel, inspired by the true World War Two campaign Radio Aspidistra…

England, 1942: Having fled Germany after her father was captured by the Nazis, Lilli Bergen is desperate to do something pro-active for the Allies. So when she’s approached by the Political Warfare Executive, Lilli jumps at the chance. She’s recruited as a singer for a radio station broadcasting propaganda to German soldiers – a shadow network.

But Lilli’s world is flipped upside down when her ex-boyfriend, Bren Murphy, appears at her workplace; the very man she thinks betrayed her father to the Nazis. Lilli always thought Bren was a Nazi sympathiser – so what is he doing in England supposedly working against the Germans?

Lilli knows Bren is up to something, and must put aside a blossoming new relationship in order to discover the truth. Can Lilli expose him, before it’s too late?

Set in the fascinating world of wartime radio, don’t miss Book 2 in the WW2 Secret Agent Series, a heart-stopping novel of betrayal, treachery, and courage against the odds.

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Mystery

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2024

About the author

I am a novelist living in the Lake District in England. I write historical fiction but read widely - contemporary and classic fiction. I choose my books carefully, so I don't read many duds. If I do, they are not reviewed here, as a gesture of respect to other writers.

I blog at my website
www.deborahswift.com

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this World War Two offering and found it very well written with developed characters. However, I did struggle to get into the story and think I was a good way into the novel before I felt truly invested in the narrative.

The story opens with the terrible Night of Glass in Berlin where Lilli Bergen is separated from her father, knowing that the chances of seeing him again are incredibly small. She is traumatised by the thought of her father’s fate, encouraging her to flee Germany and move to London. Despite being a working refugee, she is arrested late at night, considered an “alien” to the country and sent to the settlement camps on the Isle of Man. Miserable and alone, events turn to Lilli’s favour as she is given an opportunity to use her background to transmit propaganda and fake news to the enemy.

Shifting the story to Woburn, this is near to the famous Bletchley Park, although it is never referenced in the story. Lilli works on a team of POWs and engineers, broadcasting fake radio programs and interviews that the Germans will pick up on, hoping to reduce morale and trust in Hitler. It’s the long game with little evidence of their broadcasts having an impact, but it makes Lilli feel she is doing something for the war effort… and hopes her father might be out there, somewhere, hearing her voice.

When a figure from her past joins the radio team, this is when I thought the story became more interested. I was fascinated by Bren’s actions and how he would fit in with Lilli’s team, as well as his constant conflict with Neil. Bren’s behaviours had my heart in my mouth and I wanted him to be discovered for his true intentions. But, as true to history, it takes a lot of investigating before any concrete evidence confirms fears about Bren’s true intentions.

I liked this spy element and found I was learning about other ways that the war effort worked to try and sabotage German operations. I could understand character frustrations because they do not see how much of an impact their work is having, coupled with having to work alongside the enemy because of the prisoners’ language skills. It was a tough time but Lilli, for the most part, remains positive and determined. This made her more likable as a character. Furthermore, the fact that this is a story about Germans on British soil made the narrative more refreshing, as most stories have been about surviving in occupied France.

Although this is part of a series, I certainly did not notice. This was a relief, as this is the first book I have read by this author! I enjoyed learning about another element of history, despite this being fiction, and thought it was evident that Swift has researched this period in depth. I liked seeing Lilli survive from being uprooted from her German home to becoming respected in England, showing grit and determination along the way.

With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[E.A. Briginshaw · Rating 1 out of 5]

I abandoned this book about half-way through because the actions of the protagonist were unbelievably stupid.

[Teri Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75, the heroes of WW2 never cease to amaze me. There are so many individuals we've never heard of until these books came out. each one had a hand in saving the world. so grateful to read their stories.

This book doesn't touch Nightingale though. that book is hard to top.

[Linda Power · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting WWII story. Well developed characters, good plot.

[Rosie Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadow Network is historical fiction set during World War Two.

This is the second book in the WW2 Secret Agent series, but it can easily be enjoyed as a stand-alone story.

Lilli Bergen is a refugee from Berlin. Her mother was Jewish, and Lilli escaped after her father was attacked and taken by the Brown Shirt Youth. She came to London, but was later rounded up with other women of German descent and sent to the Isle Of Man.

Lilli loved singing, and a previous short stint singing in a London club was noted on her records. Luckily, both her German heritage and her singing voice brought her to the attention of the Political Warfare Executives who were creating a radio station that would transmit false information to the German armies.

It is here that she reconnects with her student sweetheart, Irishman Bren. However, he now insists on being called Johnny and Lilli is very suspicious of the stories that he tells.

I really enjoyed the role of the radio network and the part it played in the war espionage campaign. Although this is a work of fiction, it is based on real events and was quite believable. I also liked the parts about Johnny; I often read war stories showing how British secret agents survived in Europe under the eyes of the enemy, so it was good to see the roles reversed on British soil.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadow Network is a gripping WW2 thriller packed with ingenious plot twists, tension, and nonstop action. The heroine, Lilli Bergen, is a German woman with Jewish heritage who flees Nazi Germany for safe refuge in England. Once the war is underway, however, Lilli finds her welcome in England short-lived. Thanks to her skills as a singer, though, she begins work for a radio station broadcasting propaganda to German soldiers. Complications quickly ensue: a new romance is sidelined when her old flame appears and insinuates himself back into her life, but is he a Nazi sympathizer? Deborah Swift’s masterful world building and talented pacing keeps the action galloping along at breakneck pace. There are enough twists to satisfy any thriller aficionado, and, as always, Swift’s writing is superb. I loved the first book in this series — The Silk Code — and this new installment is every bit as captivating. Highly recommended.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the second in this fascinating series, although this can be read as a standalone book. It read like an espionage film and I raced through it.

[Grace Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started ok, but then it turned a little repetitive and soapy for my taste. Some of the actions of the protagonists were rather childish. It's not a bad book, just not what I was expecting.

[Rowena Kinread · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Riveting Dive into WWII Intrigue: "The Shadow Network" by Deborah Swift
"The Shadow Network," the second instalment in Deborah Swift's standalone series, catapults readers back into the tumultuous era of World War II, this time delving into the clandestine world of broadcasting propaganda. Having opted for the Audible version, narrated by Kristin Atherton, I was swept away by the immersive tale of courage, moral quandaries, and historical revelations.
Swift masterfully crafts a narrative that sheds light on the lesser-known aspect of propaganda radio stations during WWII, offering readers a glimpse into the covert operations and ethical dilemmas faced by those working behind the scenes. As someone with limited knowledge of this facet of history, I found myself engrossed in the intricate workings of these shadowy networks, drawing intriguing parallels to contemporary issues surrounding misinformation and fake news.
At the heart of the story is Lilli, a resilient and determined protagonist thrust into a moral conundrum when she discovers her former lover among her colleagues—a staunch Nazi supporter. Swift expertly navigates Lilli's inner turmoil as she grapples with questions of loyalty, trust, and the possibility of redemption. The tension is palpable as Lilli wrestles with the decision to expose her former flame or to believe in the possibility of change and reconciliation.
What sets "The Shadow Network" apart is Swift's meticulous attention to historical detail and her ability to seamlessly weave it into a gripping narrative. Through vivid descriptions and rich characterization, she brings to life the complexities of wartime England, immersing readers in a world teeming with danger, intrigue, and moral ambiguity.
While the storytelling is undeniably compelling, I must address my reservations regarding the narrator, Kristin Atherton. While her performance is adequate, I found her impersonations of different voices to be lacking in authenticity, detracting slightly from the overall experience. However, this is a minor quibble in comparison to the book's strengths, and it certainly does not diminish its impact.
In conclusion, "The Shadow Network" is a captivating and thought-provoking read that offers a fresh perspective on WWII history. Deborah Swift's impeccable research combined with a riveting storyline make it a must-read for fans of historical fiction. Despite my minor qualms with the narration, I wholeheartedly give it five stars and highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in WWII historical novels.

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. It covers some interesting aspects of World War II such as British propaganda efforts and the treatment of German refugees in Britain. It’s quite exciting and there are lots of twists and turns to keep things interesting, and it has a nice little romance on the side which was quite sweet. It was also very easy to read; the style is a little bit clipped and occasionally a bit dry, but on the whole is very readable and I managed to finish it in just a day.

I wasn’t quite sure about some of the way the plot was constructed; some things were overexplained, for me, and plot points were hammered home with virtually no subtlety. I felt sometimes that the author veered off into giving a bit of a history lesson, which sometimes came across a bit forced.

I also struggled with parts of the plot – I really didn’t understand why Lilli didn’t tell anyone about knowing Bren; I do appreciate she felt she needed proof, however, I feel like in reality if she’d said something immediately upon first seeing him – even just casually, referring to him by his actual name, it probably would have been enough for people to investigate further. As the book went on the plot felt a bit stretched in parts due to this because I really felt this aspect of the plot was quite forced.

I did enjoy reading it though – it was a pacy and fun read and I’d definitely reach for this author again if I wanted something quick and entertaining to read.

Content Notes:

Warnings: Violence, gun violence, knife violence, murder, death, Nazism, antisemitism, scenes of persecution and bullying, scenes depicting people being rounded up to be sent to concentration camps, references to concentration camps, references to war crimes, references to gas chambers, references to mass murder, blood, xenophobia, hanging / suicide, blackmail, traffic collision, mild injuries, controlling behaviour, gaslighting..

[MarcNYC · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only thing to recommend about this book are the historical notes at the end, all the important facts described in the narrative are there. Otherwise, it is a poorly written romance-thriller devoid of mystery because the author goes to great pains to explain everything. It makes for boring reading, and tedious - best to scan each page as fast as you can if you want to finish the book. Otherwise don't bother.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good!!! Even though, I found Lilli not always realistic, I had to read on and on... A lot of action, tension and suspense! An easy read (though historically interesting as to the research involved!), keeping up a good pace all through the novel! A good read!

[Wmeakin459 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book, but I found myself getting annoyed with the main 2 characters.

[Cathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first heard about this novel, I was intrigued by the subject matter: underground radio stations set up to send false messages to the enemy. Now that I've read the book, I know what it all means. It's intriguing!

These radio stations were often staffed by German refugees, and even POWs (although those had to be closely observed as not to send out any illicit warnings). But it appears even German refugees of any creed remained under suspicion throughout WWII. One of those, in this novel, is Lilli.

The story opens in Berlin, where young student Lilli lives with her father, a former radio engineer and now sacked employee of Blaupunkt, as Lilli's late mother was Jewish. The opening scenes in this chapter are harrowing, but Ms Swift manages to maintain a personal view of everything through Lilli's eyes. Yet at the same time, the horrors of Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass) as it affected individuals are vividly shown. I thought this was cleverly done. We don't see the carnage done across the country, but just from Lilli's block of flats. This adds a realistic, close point of view.

When Lilli's father is taken away by the Brownshirts, a neighbour holds her back from running to be with him, then urges her to flee the country. Confused, angry, and worried, Lilli eventually complies, and leaves her home, and her captured father, behind.

Fast forward to the UK two years later, where Lilli works in London as a cleaner and a singer in a small bar. However, as she is an alien refugee, she – and many other refugees as well as prisoners of war – is taken to the Isle of Man, to an internment camp. She settles into a daily routine, keeping away from a group of fellow German women who still hold views she finds abhorrent. One day, she receives an offer that sounds too good to be true: to help with the war effort.

So Lilli's role as a singer and newsreader with an underground radio station begins. With her interest in radio technology, she's keen to get involved on that side too, but her pleas fall on deaf ears. A woman and technology? A German woman? Nope! So she makes the most of her work. She also gets closer to Neil Callahan, a Scot with a leg injury, who manages the daily output. But Neil, shifting between self-pity and anger at his disability, is reluctant to get involved. Until...

A blast from Lilli's past appears: Bren Murphy, calling himself Johnny, much to her curiosity. Her first love, an Irishman who'd studied in Berlin; who dumped her for a ditzy blonde, and who may have betrayed her father to his Brownshirt friends. Yet now, it appears he's on the side of the English, whom he used to hate. Yet if so, why change the name, and his background? Who does he work for?

Curiosity takes over, and Lilli subtly tarts to look into Bren's background story, and she soon finds nothing adds up. Had English security failed in their due diligence? Or had Bren changed, keen for a new start?

And just how will the arrival of her first love affect her growing affection for Neil? Well, read the book!

The Shadow Network is a fast-paced thriller with romantic elements. Extremely well-researched, the author shows us the harsh reality of life during WWII. First, Lilli's neighbour, who prevents her from rushing to her father's side – and with it the risk of being taken away. Where to? The woman's character was realistic, I thought.

The rough treatment of German refugees in England seems callous, but then, who could you trust? Some would have been spies, and the risk was too great.

The slowly budding love story between Lilli and Neil added a soft side to the otherwise terrifying background of war and danger, and Bren's appearance is certainly intriguing. Lilli's reactions to him don't always make sense to me, though we do see her emotional confusion, as all the warning signs are there.

Bren's point of view adds to the dark side of the story, bringing political motivations to the plot. He is involved with some shady characters, and Ms Swift does well to show them not just as ruthless robots, but also flawed individuals. It's cleverly done.

However, there are one or two points unresolved, so I wonder if there's going to be a sequel. We shall see.

From the beginning, I was drawn into this riveting plot, with a formidable cast of characters and a realistic background, including some technical details about transmitters, and the whole, clever setup of underground radio stations.

The Shadow Network is a fascinating novel about 20th-century technological warfare that I found quite revealing. But it also depicts the human side – the good, the bad, and the ugly. It makes for satisfying reading, and I can highly recommend it.

[Tom Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadow Network takes us back to the world of WW2 espionage that she introduced in The Silk Code. This story features Neil Callaghan from the earlier book but it is a separate story about a different aspect of Britain’s secret war against Germany. It centres on the work of the Political Warfare Executive which pumped out black propaganda to the Reich. It was a significant part of the British war effort, pioneering tactics that we see used in conflicts nowadays. It’s fascinating stuff and deserves to be better known. Swift, as ever, writes with authority and I loved those parts of the book.

The social background to the story also gives vivid insights into the world of the time. The heroine, Lilli Bergen, is a half-Jewish German, who we first meet living in Berlin. Swift gives some idea of the reality of life for Jews at the time. Lilli’s (non-Jewish) father disappears into the camps – her mother is already dead – and Lilli flees to Britain. There, she thinks she is safe until she is caught up in the anti-German hysteria that saw Jewish refugees rounded up alongside Nazi sympathisers and interned on the Isle of Man. Swift catches the terror of Jews who had lived under a police state being suddenly ordered from their homes to live, without family or friends, behind barbed wire.

Fortunately for Lilli, the Political Warfare Executive needs a German singer to entertain on a radio show designed to appeal to German soldiers. The songs are interspersed with propaganda designed to undermine morale.

In her new job she meets an old boyfriend from Germany – somebody she believes to be a Nazi collaborator. Instead of denouncing him to the police, she decides to investigate on her own. It’s a trope of this sort of fiction (one I’ve been accused of myself) that your hero will find themselves in a situation where they have to undertake a risky job without any kind of backup, although they are surrounded by people who could easily help them. Swift does a good job of explaining why Lilli insists on becoming a (frankly unconvincing) Mata Hari even when she has clear evidence that her ex-boyfriend is a wrong ’un, but I did struggle to suspend my disbelief. I had particular problems when she gets engaged to the villain and moves in with him. I know it was wartime and that people let things slip a little, but I was surprised that nobody seems to have thought this was odd. What, to me, was even odder was that, though the man is a cad and a bounder, he accepts that they will share a bedroom without actually having sex. That’s a necessary plot device, as there is a romantic subplot in which Lilli is saving herself for her true love.

Will Lilli save the day and will her apparent philandering be forgiven? No plot spoilers here, but no great surprises in the book either.

Like all Deborah Swift’s books, this is a joy to read and the story bowls along fast enough to skim over the more implausible elements – and you learn a lot about the war years on the way.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
6th December 2023
TITLE: The Shadow Network
AUTHOR: Deborah Swift


Star Rating: 5

‘A superbly plotted, historical drama offering readers an insight into WW2 propaganda in a twisting tale of mystery and betrayal. Highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf

REVIEW
When I’m asked to review a book, I always try to check out the blurb first, just to get a feel for it. And, I must say, the blurb for The Shadow Network (along with the cover and title) instantly grabbed me. It’s the story of Lilli, a Jewish woman who, having fled Germany, is asked to do her bit for the English war effort – sing! So, she begins working for a ‘shadow network’ broadcasting propaganda to German troops. But when Bren Murphy, a man from her past; a man who she suspects is working for the Nazis, shows up, Lilli finds herself in a race to uncover the truth.
There were a (LARGE!) number of elements to this story which I loved. Firstly, Lilli is simply FAB! I liked her from the very beginning when she attempted to stand up to the young Nazi thugs. She’s the sort of character you just want to root for. Secondly, the pacing of this story is strong. I often find with historical novels, the plot can be slow, swamped by endless descriptive prose as the author shows of his or her knowledge of that particular time and place. Thankfully, Deborah Swift had not made that mistake; yes, the setting is important, but it’s in the background where it should be. And thirdly, the author’s skilled at developing suspense; so much so, you can’t help but turn the page to see what happens next.
So, if you happen to be on the hunt for a suspense-filled thriller set during WW2, this book is for you. I think most readers will find Lilli a compelling character, and the mystery surrounding Bren will undoubtedly hook readers in. All in all, a super read!

A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk

[Martin Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine follow-up to The Silk code.

"The Shadow Network" opens in pre-war Germany, where Hitler's Nazi party has begun its purge of undesirables. Lilliana Bergen, a half-Jewish college student, is forced to flee the country after her father is taken by the Brownshirts. She arrives in England but after a short interlude there, is interred at a camp on the Isle of Man. Soon fate steps in when it is discovered she can sing, and she is recruited to work for a particular radio network which broadcasts false information and propaganda to the Germans troops.

The story then beings to pick up pace, as Lilli finds her place in the team, and is soon working hard to undermine the Nazi war effort. Complications with her feelings for a colleague, her desire to use her skills as a radio expert to further the work, and her discovery of a possible Nazi conspiracy all add up to a racy tale.

The book reads very much like to previous one - characters are sufficiently fleshed out, the era is expertly drawn, and the research is impeccable. The mood of Britain and how many people viewed the German refugees is harrowing, plus the Political Warfare Executive and the work they carried out are all real. Some of the characters in the book actually worked there. Both topics are starkly hard-hitting in current times.

There are several sub-plots woven into the story which work well to explain the motives and exploits of various factions at play during WW2, both in Europe and Britain. Lili has some hard choices to make as she picks apart the mystery she has uncovered.

This is Deborah Swift's second book in her WW2 spy series, but can be read on its own. Heartily recommended for fans of espionage, wartime thriller and spy books.

[Elizabeth Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second of Deborah Swift’s well researched WW2 Secret Agent series features Lilli Bergen, a half-Jewish German who has escaped to Britain after her father was taken away by Nazis. Soon she is interned on the Isle of Man where she finds some of her new companions are loyal to Hitler. She is given the opportunity for a better life, when the British authorities discover she is a talented singer, to join a secret radio station broadcasting propaganda to ordinary German soldiers and sailors. There she works with a mixture of British technical staff, German prisoners of war and English men with fluent German. One of these is Neil Callaghan, whom I remember from The Silk Code but here he is much more empathetic as we learn about his background and the reasons for his character traits.

Lilli is shocked when Bren Murphy, the Irishman who betrayed her father in Berlin, turns up with a new name, apparently helping the Allies by broadcasting untrue news to the Germans on the radio station. Unsure of her judgement about him she tells no-one about his past and allows him to reignite their previous relationship. At the same time, she finds herself growing closer to Neil and is tempted to pass on her doubts about Bren. We are able to see inside Bren’s mind as he becomes a narrator, so we discover his IRA loyalties cause him to hate the British more than the Germans. Tension builds up as Lilli tries to juggle her loyalty and affection for Neil and her other colleagues with worries about whether they will believe her, as an enemy alien, or if she is wrong.

After rather unlikely behaviour by Lilli the plot moves towards a perilous conclusion which is thrilling and satisfying. A story which would make a chilling action film.

[Amy Leigh Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eArc in exchange for an honest review*

Deborah Swift has crafted compelling and well - rounded characters set to a backdrop of danger and secrecy that keeps readers wanting more. The Shadow Network is the second in the ww2 series and does not disappoint with her ability to blend the richness of historical context with a gripping plot. Swift presents the tragic character of Neil who became caught up in pro-fascist sabotage in Britain in The Silk Code and creates a heroic and redeeming arc in this novel as he proves his allegiance to Britain and the fight against Nazi Germany.

I enjoyed the idea of having a radio station that broadcasts fake news to the Nazis and their allies and this presents a different side to the war effort. Swift sensitively explores the difficult position that many Germans felt when fleeing the Nazi regime and becoming refugees in countries like Britain. The novel's female protagonist, Lilli Bergen is Jewish and German and perfectly articulates the precarious situation of wanting to fight against Germany, but still seen as a threat after fleeing Berlin in fear.

The element of romance added a layer of depth to the idea that in times of war and crisis many people change and are not always who they used to be before. This idea was emphasised through the love triangle of Neil, Lilli and her ex-boyfriend and IRA / Nazi sympathiser that created intrigue and tension.

Overall, this is a captivating sequel that explores a side of British ww2 history that played a vital part in the war effort and is coupled with exciting and emotive characters.

[Bookmarked · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lilli Bergen has to flee her own country because she’s a Jew. She finds safe haven in England but only briefly. When the war arrives on British shores, she suddenly becomes the enemy and is interned alongside other Germans and Nazi-sympathisers. Many of us – “snowflakes” of the 21st century – would have given up hope and lay low until the end of the war, but Lilli is made of sturdier stuff. She is recruited for the “fake-news” propaganda radio broadcasting directly to German soldiers, undermining their morale. She fights in this war like any other soldier.

But that isn’t the end of Lilli’s story. In her trademark fashion, Swift never lets up, never slows down, never pauses for breath. For soon the radio station is joined by Bren, Lilli’s old boyfriend who betrayed her and her father to the Brown Shirts. If he is a German spy, Lilli has a duty to unmask him before innocent lives are lost. But what if she’s wrong?

The Shadow Network is the second instalment in Deborah Swift’s WW2 Secret Agents series. A character or two from book 1 make a welcome appearance here, especially so because Swift gives them a second chance to redeem themselves. However, this book stands in its own right and you don’t have to have read the first one to follow the story.

As with all of Swift’s books, the characterisation is complex and dynamic. She builds suspense brick by hard brick and cracks it all open only in the final chapters. There is action, mystery and romantic entanglements stirred into the story for a fantastically entertaining read. And I won’t even mention the research and revelations about the rationale behind Bren’s actions, because that would be telling.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deborah Swift never disappoints and The Shadow Network is another winner. Although there are a couple of character connections to the first book in the series, The Silk Code, this one can definitely be read as a standalone. As always, this author enlightened me about an aspect of World War II, the use of black propaganda by the British in the form of fake radio broadcasts. It was fascinating and quite a production, transmitted to Germany and run by the Political Warfare Executive. The heroine, Lilli Bergen, is a German Jewish refugee in England and a woman of many unusual talents. The villain, Brendan Murphy, her ex-boyfriend in Berlin is an IRA/Abwehr agent who shows up to work the radio broadcasts. The result is a pulse-pounding game of cat & mouse in a tautly written plot that kept me turning the pages faster and faster. I love how Deborah Swift writes historical figures and events into her story, intermingling them seamlessly with the fictional characters and plot.

Fake news and and the threat of fascism are back with us and parts of this book read eerily like today's headline news. The following quote hit home for me. "They have a loyalty to a warped dictator and will stop at nothing to see him succeed. It's not about what's really best for the people, it's about them. Them having the right to dictate what's best for all of us." This latest book is excellent and I hope there will be another one to follow soon!

Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.

[Vicky-Leigh Sayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lilli Bergen's life is turned upside down when her Father is captured by the Nazi's.

His crime?

Having been married to Lill's Mother, who was a Jew. Lilli herself being half Jewish is told to flee and hide by her Father before he is captured.

She doesn't want to leave him, but eventually see common sense, and flees to a neighbouring apartment. She soon learns that it was her Irish ex-boyfriend who has betrayed the family, and see vows to steer well clear of him.

Lilli soon finds herself in England, working as a singer in nightclub, before she is made to flee again, this time to the Isle of Man. It is here that she is recruited (for her voice) by the Political War Executive as part of a secretive mission to foil the Nazi's.

Lilli may be German, but she has no loyalty to the country or political party that cost her her Father. She wants to help in anyway that she can. If that means she has to pose as a singer for a fictional radio station, then so be it.

Lilli's new world is shattered when a new 'recruit' appears at the station. Her ex-boyfriend, Bren.

She doesn't understand what he is doing there, as she is certain that he would never betray the Nazi's, as he holds so many of their views himself. She pretends not to know who he is, so she can find out what he is doing, and who for.

She doesn't realise until it is too late that she has put herself in grave danger.

Can she save herself, and those around her before it's too late?

The Shadow Network is another brilliant WW2 novel from Deborah Swift, and I can't wait for the next.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always with any novel written by Deborah Swift, a reader can trust the factual research that is necessary to create a plausible work of fiction. Ms Swift has this down to a fine art - not too much detail to overload the story, not too little to leave the reader mystified. Combined with intriguing characters (some you like, some you don't), a cracking good plot and superb writing... what more do you want for an absorbing and entertaining read?

I connected with Lilli from the opening page, it was obvious (with our knowledge of hindsight) what was about to happen because this was Nazi Germany, and there was obviously a Jewish connection of some sort, but even having this inkling by no means marred the story, in truth, it heightened the need to read on because of that immediate empathic connection with the 'heroine'.

No spoilers, but my thoughts were, What would I have done in that situation? I'd like to think I was as brave and resourceful as Lilli, but I'm not sure I would have been. Which made her all the more likeable, and this reader even more engrossed in the unfolding story.

An excellent read, if somewhat difficult in places because of the historical context.

Highly recommended

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadow Network was a fun way to learn about what might have happened in WW2. There was enough truth within the story that I knew I would be digging deeper into the Shadow Network. I use historical fiction books to guide me in researching and this story is my new best friend.

I use historical fiction to picture what it might have been like for my relatives in England during WW2. I use historical fiction to learn of some of the struggles. Stories like this one humanize the War.

The Shadow Network is full of action and suspense. The story centers around a radio station that sends false information to Germany. Total brilliance. They used German POWs and enemy aliens to broadcast and entertain.

When a spy works his way into the Shadow Network things get very interesting. There is a man he was supposed to kill. There is a woman he has a past with. He is an IRA member answering the Nazi sympathizers. The question is will he get caught and how?

So many twists. So much unexpected. So many Oh Wow moments. All of this made for a very interesting read.

[Katrina Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping tale of wartime subterfuge, spies, saboteurs and black propaganda, The Shadow Network certainly does not disappoint!
Well-written, rounded characters tell the story of British propaganda during WW2 detailing the use of subterfuge German radio stations purportedly reporting from Occupied France, but actually run by the British Political Warfare Executive. This story shines a light on a little known part of our WW2 history and the author's detailed research really shines through in the writing.
I loved the way in which the characters come to life, their frailties, hopes and dreams all bringing depth and believability to their story. And this is a story both fascinating and thrilling, detailing just some of the hidden antics which actually took place during this time period. I found myself willing them to take action and win through! A thoroughly enjoyable and engaging read especially for anyone interested in this time period. I especially enjoyed the author's notes at the end of the book detailing the real historic facts.

[Annie Leadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This follows on from her first Book `The Silk Code' this one brings to life the Radio Aspidistra campaign which used a Sussex-based, high-powered, mainly underground transmitter (nicknamed Aspidistra after a popular song by Gracie Fields) to send out ‘fake news’ radio station broadcasts to unsuspecting Germans. It's as gripping as the first book & brings lots of un-taught history from WW11 to life as our Hero's & Heroine battle the Bad people . It keeps you gripped from start to finish #NetGalley, #GoodReads, #FB, #Instagram,# Amazon.co.uk, #, #, #.

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadow Network is an amazing story. Who do you trust when others don't trust you or have concerns about you? How do you deal with a former boyfriend who now shows up unexpectedly, and purports to be friendly to you, and a friend of the English when previously he had been linked to Nazi brownshirts? A brave woman becomes part of a propaganda machine to feed false information to the Nazis and finds herself becoming involved with an ex-boyfriend as well as an injured work partner, as she tries to sort out the truth about the ex and serve her country.
This is a really good story, and the historical references make the story all the more real and meaningful. Additionally, one learns about the uses of propaganda to sway people, and the different kinds of propaganda that exist. The story was thrilling for me to read and was hard to put down; I wanted to know what was going to happen next. It is well-written, and the author provides great historical details and references at the end of the book. I recommend The Shadow Network!

[Terry Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The next in the series of Deborah Swift's excellent and oh-so-British tales of espionage and undercover networks during World War II. The Shadow Network is particularly interesting because Lilli, the main character, is a part-Jewish refugee from Berlin, who falls prey to circumstances that lead her to take a major part in a 'black' propaganda outfit, targeting the German people and armed forces.

This book has a particularly thrilling start, set as it is in Germany, when life was precarious for so many. The pace continues throughout, culminating in gripping ending that made me wish it was a TV mini-series. Ms Swift has painted a wonderfully nasty antagonist in the form of Brendan Murphy, member of the IRA.

As ever, the research is detailed and fascinating; Deborah Swift outlines the real story behind the fiction in the back of the book, and, once more, I wished I'd read it first. I've no doubt that this novel will be as successful as The Silk Code - and I look forward to Operation Tulip!

[Adriana Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eight decades after the World War Two era, we continue to discover more and more about the colossal efforts of the Allied spy network and subversive efforts that collectively, ultimately, brought Hitler down.
In The Shadow Network, Author Deborah Swift has plunged us into a richly detailed and thrilling encounter with one of these operations: The clandestine broadcasts masquerading as Echt Deutsch (True German) that delivered false and disheartening information to the Reich troops, beginning in 1942.
I especially appreciated the author’s choice of a part-Jewish German refugee as her heroine. Lilli’s personal story kept me as a reader immersed in the horror of the Nazi regime and the absolute necessity of winning the war. The fear that held Lilli back from exposing what she knew was real, and it nearly cost her – and their broadcasting team – everything.
Five stars, highly recommend.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the book summary as I have great respect for those women, in wartime , who did their bit – really their best, not only to keep the home fires burning, but to do all the jobs that needed to be done, many of them dangerous roles that they had never trained for, or thought they would ever need to do. In this novel a German born woman, who managed to get to the UK as a refugee, takes on a role for the Allies that is really something that most of us would believe was made up as fiction, for books or movies, but wasn’t. There were people wh0 actually did these things in WW II. Was the novel as well written as I would have liked? No, but it was an intriguing look at people who actually did their best to change the course of the war for the Allies. Some of the plot points could have been eliminated or better handled, but this novel is a good read, and seems like a thank you to those who couldn’t be in combat but could still do their part to change the course of the war.