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Mauren Ritter #3
The Secret Soldier
Maureen Ritter’s story draws to a stunning conclusion.
France, 1943
Having left Christophe, her lover and fellow freedom fighter, behind in Marseilles, Maureen travels to England to undergo a grueling training course to join the Special Operations Executive and become a secret soldier to counter the Nazis in her beloved France.
Her first mission is to take control of a ragtag band of outlaws in the forest and mold them into a fighting force worthy of taking on the German invaders. She leads a crack group on a dangerous mission to provoke the Wehrmacht into a conflict they’re not prepared for.
But Christophe’s role as a master forger interrupts her plans, and soon they will both begin a daring race against time to save some of the innocents victimized by the cruel new head of the Gestapo in Lyon, Klaus Barbie.
France, 2006
Amy finds herself trapped in France when after traveling to document the concluding chapters of her grandmother’s story, she discovers a medical condition that could threaten her future. Will the choices she makes during the most important time in her life lead her to a sparkling future or suck her into the mire of the past?
France, 1943
Having left Christophe, her lover and fellow freedom fighter, behind in Marseilles, Maureen travels to England to undergo a grueling training course to join the Special Operations Executive and become a secret soldier to counter the Nazis in her beloved France.
Her first mission is to take control of a ragtag band of outlaws in the forest and mold them into a fighting force worthy of taking on the German invaders. She leads a crack group on a dangerous mission to provoke the Wehrmacht into a conflict they’re not prepared for.
But Christophe’s role as a master forger interrupts her plans, and soon they will both begin a daring race against time to save some of the innocents victimized by the cruel new head of the Gestapo in Lyon, Klaus Barbie.
France, 2006
Amy finds herself trapped in France when after traveling to document the concluding chapters of her grandmother’s story, she discovers a medical condition that could threaten her future. Will the choices she makes during the most important time in her life lead her to a sparkling future or suck her into the mire of the past?
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2023
529 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
Eoin Dempsey
37 books1,046 followersEoin Dempsey was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1977. He grew up in the beautiful Dublin suburb of Dalkey, where he and his friends would jump into the icy waters of the Irish Sea (during summertime) to prove their manliness. Eoin had a fantastic time attending Blackrock College, where he played rugby (poorly) and did his best to coast his way through. Eoin’s first ambition was to play rugby for Ireland. Due to a lack of talent, he soon abandoned that goal for the more reasoned path of the rock star. He played in bands through his teens and well into his twenties before harsh reality came calling, and his dreams of being the next Keith Moon faded.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
September 4, 2023
Book 3 of 3 in Maureen Ritter series. Part of The Lion’s Den Books 1-7 about Hitler’s Rise to power. Eoin Dempsey is a terrific author. Wow. I love this author. He has a gift of using just the right words to take the reader to wherever he wants them to be. Maureen Ritter stayed behind in France to save the Jews that had been employed at her father’s factory. After she got them safely into Spain and Switzerland, it was too late for her to go home to New York. She stayed behind and worked on causing trouble for the Nazi’s. This is a fast paced story wrapping up the events, filling in blanks left, and just telling her story to her grand-daughter. Her grand-daughter Amy comes to visit her in France in 2006 and they begin recording Maureen’s story for a book. Amy is fascinated to hear the heroics of Maureen’s life. In 1942, she wound up being recruited to the UK’s SCE where she was assigned to organized the Free French into a fighting machine whose purpose was to interfere with the Nazi plan to take over the world. Her group of soldiers were to cause chaos for the occupied areas so that the Nazis were too busy looking at what was happening here to take over any more areas. Everyone knew the war was coming to a close and the Nazis had lost BUT that didn’t stop them for rounding up additional Jews and shipping them off to concentration camps. Maureen got caught up in one of the sweeps when she went into the countryside to warn one of her safe houses that an invasion was planned. She was too late and wound up being shipped east. She escaped the train. Enough about the book. Give yourself a nice fall book read and start with THE LION’S DEN Books 1-7, then read the Maureen Ritter Series Books 1-3. I guarantee you will want to read every word written by Eoin Dempsey. These are wonderful Historical Fiction at its best.
September 4, 2023
Survivors who told their stories
I have been fascinated by the history of World War II and read historical fiction almost exclusively. I believe we must study the past to be aware and prepared for the future. My father enlisted at age 17 and served as a marine at Guadalcanal and later in Italy. He would never speak about the war, but I saw how much it hurt him. My husband's father was a gunner in a tank crew and was captured in the Battle of the Bulge. He was in a German prison camp for 9 months. He suffered starvation, and his right arm had been broken and never set properly, so he lost the use of his arm. He had been a performing bluegrass musician before the war. I am often stunned by the indifference, or reluctance to acknowledge the history we share. Thank you for your body of work. You are a gifted writer and I look forward to reading more.
I have been fascinated by the history of World War II and read historical fiction almost exclusively. I believe we must study the past to be aware and prepared for the future. My father enlisted at age 17 and served as a marine at Guadalcanal and later in Italy. He would never speak about the war, but I saw how much it hurt him. My husband's father was a gunner in a tank crew and was captured in the Battle of the Bulge. He was in a German prison camp for 9 months. He suffered starvation, and his right arm had been broken and never set properly, so he lost the use of his arm. He had been a performing bluegrass musician before the war. I am often stunned by the indifference, or reluctance to acknowledge the history we share. Thank you for your body of work. You are a gifted writer and I look forward to reading more.
July 27, 2023
The Story of Maureen Ritter Comes to Fruition!
The Secret Soldier is a multifaceted journey, revealing a woman’s personal strength and determination as well as her influence upon the numerous others whose lives she touches.
This historical fiction nicely balances dual plots, bouncing from life during the horrors of World War 2 as recalled by the grandmother to the life and dilemmas of her granddaughter in 2006.
Book 3 in The Maureen Ritter Series continues the main character’s fight to free Jewish children from the hands of the Nazis. The elderly Maureen Ritter, once a resistance fighter during WW2, relates the remarable details of her secret life. She recalls how the Nazis were busy swallowing towns and their villagers. But outweighing the madness are the interactions of the European inhabitants, who, through their acts of compassion and generosity, continually keep alive the possibility of survival for one another.
Best-selling author, Eoin Dempsey, is a charismatic, natural storyteller. The dialogue is crisp and authentic. Vivid landscapes are painted before the reader, as are whirling chapters of thrilling suspense and horrific danger. The narrative also includes affection and a bit of romance. The reader is continually held in shades of inspired anticipation. There is a cadence to these passages that makes this book a page-turner!
Reading the entire series is highly recommended, as its conclusion is very satisfying.
Thanks is extended to the author and BookFunnnel for this Advance Review Copy.
The Secret Soldier is a multifaceted journey, revealing a woman’s personal strength and determination as well as her influence upon the numerous others whose lives she touches.
This historical fiction nicely balances dual plots, bouncing from life during the horrors of World War 2 as recalled by the grandmother to the life and dilemmas of her granddaughter in 2006.
Book 3 in The Maureen Ritter Series continues the main character’s fight to free Jewish children from the hands of the Nazis. The elderly Maureen Ritter, once a resistance fighter during WW2, relates the remarable details of her secret life. She recalls how the Nazis were busy swallowing towns and their villagers. But outweighing the madness are the interactions of the European inhabitants, who, through their acts of compassion and generosity, continually keep alive the possibility of survival for one another.
Best-selling author, Eoin Dempsey, is a charismatic, natural storyteller. The dialogue is crisp and authentic. Vivid landscapes are painted before the reader, as are whirling chapters of thrilling suspense and horrific danger. The narrative also includes affection and a bit of romance. The reader is continually held in shades of inspired anticipation. There is a cadence to these passages that makes this book a page-turner!
Reading the entire series is highly recommended, as its conclusion is very satisfying.
Thanks is extended to the author and BookFunnnel for this Advance Review Copy.
August 26, 2023
A wonderful story. We’ll done!
This book was the final story in the Maureen Ritter Series. It was just as magnificent as the first two books. It flowed between her and her granddaughter’s journey flawlessly, telling of Maureen’s heroic, and unsung, resistance activities in World War Two. I’m sure she was one of many unsung heroes and Dempsey gave credit to them all by telling us Maureen’s story. It kept me running back to read when I should have been doing other things! Well done!
This book was the final story in the Maureen Ritter Series. It was just as magnificent as the first two books. It flowed between her and her granddaughter’s journey flawlessly, telling of Maureen’s heroic, and unsung, resistance activities in World War Two. I’m sure she was one of many unsung heroes and Dempsey gave credit to them all by telling us Maureen’s story. It kept me running back to read when I should have been doing other things! Well done!
August 31, 2023
One of the BEST!!
Eoin Dempsey's books are always good books but this is possibly his best yet. He was able to put you in the action of the book as if you were living it in real time. He characters are so life like and the story telling brings them to life on the printed page. This was a GREAT ending to his series on Maureen Ritter. The story didn't end until the last page of the book. If you have yet to read the book it won't be a disappointment. I can hardly wait until he releases his next book. He is my favorite author!
Eoin Dempsey's books are always good books but this is possibly his best yet. He was able to put you in the action of the book as if you were living it in real time. He characters are so life like and the story telling brings them to life on the printed page. This was a GREAT ending to his series on Maureen Ritter. The story didn't end until the last page of the book. If you have yet to read the book it won't be a disappointment. I can hardly wait until he releases his next book. He is my favorite author!
August 26, 2023
Maureen Ritter & Eoin Dempsey
This series was incredible. I started with the American Girl not realizing the series started with The Lion’s Den. This series was the best series I’ve ever read and I’ve read a lot of books about WWII and the Holocaust. I HIGHLY recommend this series. It will stay with me for a long time to come. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
This series was incredible. I started with the American Girl not realizing the series started with The Lion’s Den. This series was the best series I’ve ever read and I’ve read a lot of books about WWII and the Holocaust. I HIGHLY recommend this series. It will stay with me for a long time to come. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
October 28, 2023
The Secret Soldier is a phenomenal book and a remarkable conclusion to the Maureen Ritter series. I'm truly saddened to see this fantastic series come to a close!
What I liked about The Secret Soldier:
Eoin Dempsey has a gift for making his characters feel incredibly real and alive. Protagonist Maureen is captivating and wonderfully well-developed. Dempsey skillfully weaves together Maureen and Amy's stories across WWII and the present day, maintaining suspense up until the satisfying conclusion. He provides excellent closure to their journey while keeping me hooked and invested in the fates of both characters.
Dempsey's writing is truly exceptional, with a rare talent for breathing life into history through relatable characters and rich settings. His ability to seamlessly blend historical details with captivating plots is unparalleled, making him one of my favorite authors in the realm of historical fiction.
What I disliked about The Secret Soldier:
Absolutely nothing!
What I think would have made The Secret Soldier better:
There is nothing I would change, the conclusion of Maureen Ritter's journey is masterfully crafted, with the perfect balance of rich detail and suspenseful storytelling.
Would I recommend The Secret Soldier by Eoin Dempsey:
I strongly encourage you to delve into the entire series, for its conclusion is remarkably fulfilling, and is as outstanding as the initial two books.
****
In 1943, Maureen, a freedom fighter, undergoes training in England to become a secret soldier and lead a mission against the Nazis in France. She trains French resistance fighters but her plans are interrupted when her fiancee Christophe, who works as a forger, is in danger. Maureen and Christophe race to save innocents from the cruel new Gestapo head in Lyon.
In 2006, while in France documenting her grandmother's wartime story, Amy receives devastating medical news that threatens her future. Now trapped abroad, Amy faces difficult choices that could either open doors to a hopeful tomorrow or pull her down into the shadows of the past.
What I liked about The Secret Soldier:
Eoin Dempsey has a gift for making his characters feel incredibly real and alive. Protagonist Maureen is captivating and wonderfully well-developed. Dempsey skillfully weaves together Maureen and Amy's stories across WWII and the present day, maintaining suspense up until the satisfying conclusion. He provides excellent closure to their journey while keeping me hooked and invested in the fates of both characters.
Dempsey's writing is truly exceptional, with a rare talent for breathing life into history through relatable characters and rich settings. His ability to seamlessly blend historical details with captivating plots is unparalleled, making him one of my favorite authors in the realm of historical fiction.
What I disliked about The Secret Soldier:
Absolutely nothing!
What I think would have made The Secret Soldier better:
There is nothing I would change, the conclusion of Maureen Ritter's journey is masterfully crafted, with the perfect balance of rich detail and suspenseful storytelling.
Would I recommend The Secret Soldier by Eoin Dempsey:
I strongly encourage you to delve into the entire series, for its conclusion is remarkably fulfilling, and is as outstanding as the initial two books.
****
In 1943, Maureen, a freedom fighter, undergoes training in England to become a secret soldier and lead a mission against the Nazis in France. She trains French resistance fighters but her plans are interrupted when her fiancee Christophe, who works as a forger, is in danger. Maureen and Christophe race to save innocents from the cruel new Gestapo head in Lyon.
In 2006, while in France documenting her grandmother's wartime story, Amy receives devastating medical news that threatens her future. Now trapped abroad, Amy faces difficult choices that could either open doors to a hopeful tomorrow or pull her down into the shadows of the past.
August 20, 2023
The third and final book in The Maureen Ritter Series is a wonderful and exciting read. The title is most appropriate. It is a living experience of the wave of attacks and occupation by the brutal Nazi’s in Europe and particularly in France and the defense by un-uniformed secret soldiers. It is difficult for us Americans to comprehend a brutal army successfully invading our towns, taking control of all activities, and changing our daily lives into frightful, fearful experiences.
I worked in France in the 1980’s and personally observed – even then – the fear in individuals who could picture an army invading them again. They would look out at a field and tell how their parents survived or died through the town-by-town invasion. Nazi soldiers ate first, the people had what was left.
I believe there were many brave individuals who said “no” and were part of what has been named the “Resistance.” They lived in the towns and the woods and were very exposed to being discovered resulting in torture and death.
Eoin Dempsey portrays the environment which I believe is an accurate representation through an exciting read. There are some who say that such a thing could not occur today. I see a very similar scenario occurring in the Ukraine.
Eoin has a unique ability to absorb me in telling a true story through fictional characters – totally more effective than my school history teachers! In telling this story, he carves out one experience and brings it to an absolute conclusion; but you must read it to get that satisfying experience!
Thank you, Eoin, for a great conclusion to this series! I await your next read.
I worked in France in the 1980’s and personally observed – even then – the fear in individuals who could picture an army invading them again. They would look out at a field and tell how their parents survived or died through the town-by-town invasion. Nazi soldiers ate first, the people had what was left.
I believe there were many brave individuals who said “no” and were part of what has been named the “Resistance.” They lived in the towns and the woods and were very exposed to being discovered resulting in torture and death.
Eoin Dempsey portrays the environment which I believe is an accurate representation through an exciting read. There are some who say that such a thing could not occur today. I see a very similar scenario occurring in the Ukraine.
Eoin has a unique ability to absorb me in telling a true story through fictional characters – totally more effective than my school history teachers! In telling this story, he carves out one experience and brings it to an absolute conclusion; but you must read it to get that satisfying experience!
Thank you, Eoin, for a great conclusion to this series! I await your next read.
April 12, 2024
I should have known I would not be able to stay away from the last part of the series for too long.
This dual time line story continues as Maureen tells Amy the next part of her story from the war, while Amy is adjusting to her new life.
’43, France: Maureen finally makes it to England to be trainer as part of the SOE before being sent back to France to train and mobilise the ragtag militia comprising of farmers, butchers and the like. She is happy to be close to her fiancé Christophe, who has become and expert forger.
Unfortunately, they are betrayed not once, but twice and it lands them in the hands of the Germans. They are both deported to Germany as the allies are increasing their actions in the region. Under the most gruelling circumstances, they must find a way to survive the war.
’06, France: Amy is adjusting to her new life and impending motherhood while visiting her grandmother and recording the rest of the story. A medical condition that could endanger her and the baby keep her in France longer than expected. She uses this time to complete work on her novels, but also trying to figure out how to deal with the baby’s father and family and most importantly her own love life.
Will she allows her fears to hold her back or will she take inspiration from Maureen and be stronger.
A lovely series with a good sense of balance. Heartbreaking and yet so inspiring.
PS: I didn’t put the pieces together until this book - that Maureen is Seamus Ritter’s daughter - the main character from Demsey’s The Lion’s Den
This dual time line story continues as Maureen tells Amy the next part of her story from the war, while Amy is adjusting to her new life.
’43, France: Maureen finally makes it to England to be trainer as part of the SOE before being sent back to France to train and mobilise the ragtag militia comprising of farmers, butchers and the like. She is happy to be close to her fiancé Christophe, who has become and expert forger.
Unfortunately, they are betrayed not once, but twice and it lands them in the hands of the Germans. They are both deported to Germany as the allies are increasing their actions in the region. Under the most gruelling circumstances, they must find a way to survive the war.
’06, France: Amy is adjusting to her new life and impending motherhood while visiting her grandmother and recording the rest of the story. A medical condition that could endanger her and the baby keep her in France longer than expected. She uses this time to complete work on her novels, but also trying to figure out how to deal with the baby’s father and family and most importantly her own love life.
Will she allows her fears to hold her back or will she take inspiration from Maureen and be stronger.
A lovely series with a good sense of balance. Heartbreaking and yet so inspiring.
PS: I didn’t put the pieces together until this book - that Maureen is Seamus Ritter’s daughter - the main character from Demsey’s The Lion’s Den
August 19, 2023
The Secret Soldier
Amy, the granddaughter of Maureen, continues to write her grand ma’s story.
At the same time Amy’s own story is evolving in 2004.
Amy has her own life to put in order, after going thru a love affair gone wrong.
Amy again visits Maureen in France to finish her book on Maureen’s life during WW II.
This is the fastest pace book in the series,
I could not stop reading the book.
I wanted to know what happened back during WW II to Maureen and her exploits.
The author’s power to make the lives of these characters come to life is incredible.
I feel like I have met these people and know them.
While it is not book written as a continuance of the series,
it brings closure to the life of Maureen Ritter and opens the life of Amy, her granddaughter.
Eoin has written a great epic series on the Ritter family
This book is beyond A+++ and, hopefully gets made into an Academy Award movie.
Amy, the granddaughter of Maureen, continues to write her grand ma’s story.
At the same time Amy’s own story is evolving in 2004.
Amy has her own life to put in order, after going thru a love affair gone wrong.
Amy again visits Maureen in France to finish her book on Maureen’s life during WW II.
This is the fastest pace book in the series,
I could not stop reading the book.
I wanted to know what happened back during WW II to Maureen and her exploits.
The author’s power to make the lives of these characters come to life is incredible.
I feel like I have met these people and know them.
While it is not book written as a continuance of the series,
it brings closure to the life of Maureen Ritter and opens the life of Amy, her granddaughter.
Eoin has written a great epic series on the Ritter family
This book is beyond A+++ and, hopefully gets made into an Academy Award movie.
October 3, 2023
inconsistent and overreaching
Nothing wrecks good story telling like botchy writing. There are so many inconsistencies in this book and in this series, that it just ruins what should be a great read. I.e., Amy's phone - it can't make international calls. It can make international calls. No, it can't. Yes, it can and does. Back and forth we go and for no good reason. It adds nothing to the story.
Couple that with our heroin, Maureen, being credited with every military exploit on earth and it's just too much. Nobody in history did as much. Our author should've just gone all the way and had her murder Hitler. One thing I can tell you for certain, a swift chop to the neck by anything less weighty than an iron beam, has never once knocked a man out (let alone twice by a woman described as weak, malnourished and gaunt).
It's a shame because all the elements of a great story and great book are there. It just doesn't quite come together well. Hard to recommend this one.
Nothing wrecks good story telling like botchy writing. There are so many inconsistencies in this book and in this series, that it just ruins what should be a great read. I.e., Amy's phone - it can't make international calls. It can make international calls. No, it can't. Yes, it can and does. Back and forth we go and for no good reason. It adds nothing to the story.
Couple that with our heroin, Maureen, being credited with every military exploit on earth and it's just too much. Nobody in history did as much. Our author should've just gone all the way and had her murder Hitler. One thing I can tell you for certain, a swift chop to the neck by anything less weighty than an iron beam, has never once knocked a man out (let alone twice by a woman described as weak, malnourished and gaunt).
It's a shame because all the elements of a great story and great book are there. It just doesn't quite come together well. Hard to recommend this one.
February 11, 2024
I Love His Historical Fiction
As expected, I was excited too teach the happy conclusion of this wonderful series and find the characters all finding happiness and joy in a world filled with regret, loss, pain, and evil.
We can try to corral our circumstances but all we ever really control are our choices. I love that this wonderful woman that was driven by what is right and good did get to experience her heart's desire and help her granddaughter do the same despite the fears of being hurt. Love in its purest form is always worth the risk of being hurt because the joy of love exceeds all.
Thank you for the beautiful ending of this book and this series. I cried while experiencing the pleasure of it.
As expected, I was excited too teach the happy conclusion of this wonderful series and find the characters all finding happiness and joy in a world filled with regret, loss, pain, and evil.
We can try to corral our circumstances but all we ever really control are our choices. I love that this wonderful woman that was driven by what is right and good did get to experience her heart's desire and help her granddaughter do the same despite the fears of being hurt. Love in its purest form is always worth the risk of being hurt because the joy of love exceeds all.
Thank you for the beautiful ending of this book and this series. I cried while experiencing the pleasure of it.
August 19, 2023
This is the conclusion to Maureen’s story and her role in WW II. She goes through training in England so that she can lead a group of resistance fighters who are holed up in the forest in France. She is able to reunite with her fiancé, Christophe for brief periods. Amy has her baby prematurely and has to deal with Ryan and his mother. She decides to let Mike off the hook of raising another man’s child. The story moves smoothly between Maureen’s role in WW II and Amy in 2006 as she listens to Maureen and writes her story. The ending is a very satisfying conclusion to Maureen’s story.
August 23, 2023
What a phenomenal book and a great end to this fabulous series by Dempsey. I am sorry to see it end but he wrapped up the story of Maureen perfectly in this finale. Told both during WWII mostly in France, and In present day, he weaves masterfully the heroic resistance work Maureen performed with her granddaughter in present day writing her story. This book moved me to tears and I can’t recommend it any more highly.
August 26, 2023
The Secret Soldier, my review
I still have tears in my eyes as I write this. A truly wonderful story, actually two stories which span generations, yet blend together perfectly.
World War Two historical fiction at its very best. The reader will.be immersed into the horror, the deprivation, the resilience, and the unselfish courage of people who fought, suffered, often died, then were forgotten. This books is a story of some who were not forgotten.
I still have tears in my eyes as I write this. A truly wonderful story, actually two stories which span generations, yet blend together perfectly.
World War Two historical fiction at its very best. The reader will.be immersed into the horror, the deprivation, the resilience, and the unselfish courage of people who fought, suffered, often died, then were forgotten. This books is a story of some who were not forgotten.
August 27, 2023
riveting series!
I have always enjoyed WWII novels - especially when they are bout the French Resistance. Even better when a strong female hero is involved and this riveting series of three books had me reading late every night. Ot’s so well done! Impeccable characters who you cannot help but feel connected to and plot lines that are seamless and entertaining.
My only problem now? What to read next!
I have always enjoyed WWII novels - especially when they are bout the French Resistance. Even better when a strong female hero is involved and this riveting series of three books had me reading late every night. Ot’s so well done! Impeccable characters who you cannot help but feel connected to and plot lines that are seamless and entertaining.
My only problem now? What to read next!
August 31, 2023
What a fabulous finale to a great series of the Ritter family. I've read many books regarding the tragedies of the WWII era... and the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime. That was in this series, but overshadowing it was the incredible bravery and courage and determination of the Resistance. The author writes so well that you feel these characters are real... and you want to befriend them. The ending was extremely satisfying. Thank you Eoin Dempsey!
September 6, 2023
I’m struggling to review this. I’m sorry to see the Ritter family saga end but this was a great ending to tie everything up.
Amy annoyed the crap out of me through most of her story. If Maureen said “my dear” one more time I was planning to toss my Kindle. These made this almost a four star rating.
But…Eoin Dempsey is a gifted author and I’m a huge fan who loves his work. Can’t wait to read what’s next!
Amy annoyed the crap out of me through most of her story. If Maureen said “my dear” one more time I was planning to toss my Kindle. These made this almost a four star rating.
But…Eoin Dempsey is a gifted author and I’m a huge fan who loves his work. Can’t wait to read what’s next!
May 15, 2024
I have loved following the saga of the Ritter family in Eoin Dempsey’s WW2 historical fiction series from start to finish. Maureen is now in the thick of the war years, having been smuggled to the UK to train as a spy and rebel organizer so she can train French resistance fighters. Christoph, her lover, works as a forger in occupied France, helping Jews to escape to freedom. In the present day timeline, Amy, Maureen’s granddaughter, is in the final months of her pregnancy by a man she had an affair with and has to decide whether she will raise the baby alone or take a chance with a good man who wants to help her raise her child. She’s also writing Maureen’s story. I loved the conclusion to both these timelines. I will dearly miss the Ritter family, and recommend this series anytime I am asked for historical fiction recommendations. I cannot wait to see what Eoin Dempsey has for us next. 5/5 stars.
April 22, 2025
It's 3:07 a.m. and I've just finished "The Secret Soldier".
The book was so captivating and engaging that I found myself completely immersed in its pages, unable to set it down even for a moment. The narrative was so compelling and the storytelling so gripping that I was totally absorbed, reading continuously until I had finished the entire story. in fact, I enjoyed all three of the Maureen Ritter series.
The book was so captivating and engaging that I found myself completely immersed in its pages, unable to set it down even for a moment. The narrative was so compelling and the storytelling so gripping that I was totally absorbed, reading continuously until I had finished the entire story. in fact, I enjoyed all three of the Maureen Ritter series.
December 7, 2025
Love this
This book and the other books in the series have touched me in a way other recent reads have not. Mr. Dempsey characters are complex, believable and heartwrenchingly strong women that are both tough and tender. The character of Maureen portrays what real women of the resistance went through what a hero truly is. This series is the first that I read of Dempsey, it won't be the last.
This book and the other books in the series have touched me in a way other recent reads have not. Mr. Dempsey characters are complex, believable and heartwrenchingly strong women that are both tough and tender. The character of Maureen portrays what real women of the resistance went through what a hero truly is. This series is the first that I read of Dempsey, it won't be the last.
August 26, 2023
An intriguing series
With twists, suspense and revelations you didn't know were coming. By book 2 you're just not sure you care about what's going on in the present, but book 3 shows you how fate can knock at the door and prove that love survival, justice, and second chances are part of quest in living life to the fullest.
With twists, suspense and revelations you didn't know were coming. By book 2 you're just not sure you care about what's going on in the present, but book 3 shows you how fate can knock at the door and prove that love survival, justice, and second chances are part of quest in living life to the fullest.
September 8, 2023
From the very beginning of the series the author has proved he is the master of the build-up! This was a very intense but fun-to-read story of the years before and during WWII and how it has changed the world forever...has changed me forever. I know these are fiction but they are also laced with real history. I am so glad to have found such interesting books to read!
September 26, 2023
My favorite author, never disappoints. Characters are rich, you can imagine their faces. It's a story that needs to be told, over and over again. You can't help but feel their victories but also their losses. Be prepared to grab the tissues for the ending. This is a MUST read... Thank you Doin Dempsey...
January 12, 2024
Well Mr Dempsey you have done it again with another great series. I enjoyed the carry over from the Lions Den and to read what Maureen was up to in France. These are the true heroes in the world. So selfless to do what they did in the war and to carry that burden in their lives. The books themselves are a great read and would recommend.
March 24, 2024
Another great WWII story from Eion Dempsey
So many stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things of their love for their fellow human beings. All three of these books were page turners. This last book concluded the story of Maureen Ritter and it was fantastic and heartwarming.
So many stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things of their love for their fellow human beings. All three of these books were page turners. This last book concluded the story of Maureen Ritter and it was fantastic and heartwarming.
May 21, 2025
Great Series
I am so glad I decided to read the Maureen Ritter series. Once I started reading the first book I couldn’t stop reading. These books are very well written and you just want to keep reading to find out what happens next. If you love WW2 historical fiction like I do I definitely recommend this series
I am so glad I decided to read the Maureen Ritter series. Once I started reading the first book I couldn’t stop reading. These books are very well written and you just want to keep reading to find out what happens next. If you love WW2 historical fiction like I do I definitely recommend this series
June 22, 2025
Maureen Ritter series is tremendous
I have read a lot of WWII books and these books were hands down the very best. History, romance, and action are all twined together with a bit of family drama and a legacy of courageous women.
Thank you Mr. Dempsey for several days and nights of great reading!
I have read a lot of WWII books and these books were hands down the very best. History, romance, and action are all twined together with a bit of family drama and a legacy of courageous women.
Thank you Mr. Dempsey for several days and nights of great reading!
August 19, 2025
An amazing story
This story reflects true heroism. Although
Maureen doesn't exist, many like her did exist. They are the true heroes of an ugly past when the world went crazy. Thank for a story that commemorates the brave souls that fought to do something about a crazy terrranous system and those deluded beings who imposed It on others. Beautifully told.
This story reflects true heroism. Although
Maureen doesn't exist, many like her did exist. They are the true heroes of an ugly past when the world went crazy. Thank for a story that commemorates the brave souls that fought to do something about a crazy terrranous system and those deluded beings who imposed It on others. Beautifully told.
September 2, 2025
History and the past meet current
This book presented its characters simply while diving deeply into the persona of each. The historical events of the past were woven so intricately with the present day, and did so without confusing the reader as a lot of books do that go back and forth from the past to current times. I thoroughly enjoyed this series.
This book presented its characters simply while diving deeply into the persona of each. The historical events of the past were woven so intricately with the present day, and did so without confusing the reader as a lot of books do that go back and forth from the past to current times. I thoroughly enjoyed this series.
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