The Traitor’s Wife

by Sarah Steele

Naples 1943Luisa Giordano has faced many her mother to a deadly illness, the man she loved to the Nazis when war came to Italy, and her unborn child at the hands of her own husband. All Luisa has left is her voice, and when she learns her husband is colluding with the enemy, she knows she must use it to fuel the women of Naples with fire.
Los Angeles 1962Hollywood starlet Lola Hart has come a long way from the backstreets of Naples, the glamorous parties a way to dull the pain of the past. When she is offered the role of a lifetime portraying a heroine of the Italian resistance, she knows returning home means confronting old ghosts. But as she seeks out the story behind the film, she realises there are many in Naples with secrets, and that the woman she is to play held the greatest one of all...
Inspired by the stories of the heroines of the Italian Resistance, this is a heart-wrenching dual-time frame story which is a portrait of war and a powerful exploration of how far we will go to protect our families, set between World War II Naples and the glamorous Golden Age of Hollywood.

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Historical, Fiction, Wwii Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

Published July 30, 2024

About the author

Hello and thank you for visiting my author page.

I am the author of THE MISSING PIECES OF NANCY MOON and THE SCHOOLTEACHER OF SAINT-MICHEL.

NANCY MOON was inspired by my own love of vintage fashion and dressmaking, with some vicarious travel thrown in, and takes the reader on a tour of the glamorous hotspots of Europe in 1962.

THE SCHOOLTEACHER OF SAINT-MICHEL in set in occupied rural France in 1942, and the story of Lucie Laval and her pupils is one of hope and courage in time of war.

Although I originally trained as a classical musician, writing has always been my passion, and I am never found without a notebook on my person, in case of that unexpected moment of inspiration. I am usually found in the cafés of Stroud, my home town in beautiful Gloucestershire, or walking the local hills with my dog.

For lots of photographs charting my love of vintage fashion and all things home made, as well as the stories behind my stories, do follow my Instagram and Facebook pages @sarahsteeleauthor, or catch me procrastinating on Twitter at @sarah_l_steele.

Head to my website to find images of the originals patterns made by Nancy.

Reviews

[Sabrina Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - Enthralling read!

I just finished this novel, my head is spinning with all the thoughts & possibilities that this book opened to me, & others I am sure.
I've read another novel where a wife was working against the government while her husband was an unwilling member of the SS. But the thought that spouses were actively working for opposite sides just boggles my mind. Unfortunately, I am sure it did happen, depending on their personalities, upbringing, beliefs, etc.
There are so many untold stories of everyday people who never saw themselves as heroes - so I welcome the chance to read about them when I can.
This story in particular is well written (& well edited), & the characters are well drawn so you really feel their stories. There is a bit of an unexpected twist that you don't see coming, but that adds to the depth of characters & story.
I am not a good reviewer, I love reading but am not good with words - so I only write on the ones that really stay with me, & I know that this story will stay with me a long time.

I highly recommend this book.

[Foxy Vixen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting historical read. You are taken back to Naples Italy during the 1940’s and to Hollywood during the 1960’s.
Lots of interesting history to learn here in a way that is easy to read!

[Kirby Vanwalleghem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute aanrader. Wat een prachtig boek!

[Miruna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Marjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wouw wat een geweldig boeiend boek !
Dubbele tijdlijn
Vlot geschreven
Zeer lastig weg te leggen
Absolute aanrader wat mij betreft

[Robin Rashcovsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book idea but difficult to follow going back and forth in 3 time periods.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dual timeline WWII hf set in Italy focusing on Italian resistance, especially the Four Days of Naples. The timeline set during WWII was interesting and informative. I don’t know if I was distracted or what, but I was not interested in the drama of the later timeline story.

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW - I just loved this book. The story kept my interest and I had trouble putting it down. Highly recommend it

[Kim Coenen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ik las al eerder De vergeten spionne van Sarah Steele, een historische roman die een enorme indruk op me maakte. Hierdoor heb ik erg hoge verwachtingen van dit nieuwe boek van haar. De cover is ook veelbelovend. We zien een foto van een duister steegje in een verloop van donkerblauw naar oranje in de achtergrond. In het steegje loopt een jonge vrouw in een rode jurk achterom kijkend. Ik verwacht en hoop weer een meeslepend, indrukwekkend en mooi verhaal.

We volgen in dit boek twee verhaallijnen. Het ene verhaal speelt zich af in 1943 en lezen we over Napels in de Tweede Wereldoorlog, het andere verhaal speelt zich af in de jaren 60 en lezen we over het glamoureuze Hollywood.1942. Luisa Giodano heeft haar moeder verloren aan een dodelijk ziekte, haar man pleegt verraad aan de nazi's en zorgt ervoor dat Luisa haar ongeboren kind verliest. Het enige wat Luisa staande houdt is haar stem. Ze gebruikt haar stem om de vrouwen van Napels aan te sporen tot verzet tegen de nazi's.

192. Actrice Lola heeft ook een onstuimig leven achter de rug. Van de schimmige straten van Napels waar ze opgroeide behoort ze inmiddels tot het blinkende Hollywood. Ze krijgt een bijzondere rol aangeboden. Ze krijgt een filmrol aangeboden als heldin van het Italiaanse verzet. Hiervoor moet ze alleen terugkeren naar huis en wordt ze opnieuw geconfronteerd met haar pijnlijke verleden. Als Lola op zoek gaat naar het verhaal achter de film, al snel ontdekt Lola dat er in Napels veel mensen met geheimen rondlopen, maar dat de vrouw die mag spelen het grootste geheim van allemaal bezit.

Sarah Steele heeft een hele vlotte, levendige en meeslepende schrijfstijl die bijna filmisch is. Het verhaal leest zo vlot en fijn dat je helemaal meegaat in de twee totaal verschillende verhaallijnen. Beide verhaallijnen bevatten veel details van de tijd, omgeving en gebeurtenissen, waardoor je het verhaal voor je ogen ziet afspelen. Met haar krachtige en realistische dialogen maakt Sarah Steele het verhaal helemaal compleet.

Het verhaal volgt twee verhaallijnen, van twee krachtige, bijzondere en intrigerende vrouwen. Lola en Luisa. Beide vrouwen zijn met finesse en aandacht neergezet, waardoor je als lezer met beide personages in het intrigerende en meeslepende verhaal mee kan gaan. Ook de andere personages in het verhaal zijn uiteenlopend en goed neergezet. Daarbij vind ik het erg intrigerend dat Sarah Steele in beide verhaallijnen erg sterke en krachtige vrouwen neerzet en in beide verhaallijnen een ontrouwe man.

Beide verhaallijnen weten me direct te pakken. De verhaallijnen wisselden elkaar af, maar bij iedere wisseling, wilde ik weten hoe het af zou lopen. Hierdoor wilde ik het boek gewoonweg niet wegleggen omdat ik wilde weten hoe het verder ging. De verhaallijn van Luisa maakt het meeste indruk op me. De manier hoe dat Luisa na alles blijft strijden voor verzet tegen de nazi's is indrukwekkend. Het verhaal bevat heftige gebeurtenissen en wendingen en zeker als je weet dat Sarah Steele veel dingen heeft gebaseerd op feitelijke gebeurtenissen. Zo ook de vrouw met de stem van Napels. Aan het einde komt het verhaal op bijzondere en verrassende wijze samen, waarna het mooi wordt afgesloten.

De stem van Napels is een indrukwekkend, meeslepend, heftig maar ook mooi verhaal. Het is bijna filmisch geschreven, waarbij je opgaat in twee intrigerende verhaallijnen, de ene in 1942 en de andere in 1962. De twee hoofdpersonages zijn realistisch en met veel aandacht en finesse neergezet. Het verhaal heeft indruk op me gemaakt, daarbij wetend dat veel gebaseerd is op feitelijke gebeurtenissen. Echt een aanrader!

[Cathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story of life under German rule in the 40's in Naples, Italy. A Hollywood producer, a writer and an actress, Lola, have decided to make a movie in Italy. This story is to be based on a book by Max Vitale, who presents himself as a hero. As Lola is originally from Naples, she feels the need to investigate further into Max's life. She meets Rosa, who shares parts of the actual story. Rosa, her brother, Franco and their friend, Luisa are inseparable as teens. They are appalled to see the horror of the Germans occupying their beloved city. They must do something to stop this.....

[Jessica McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enthralling, empowering, gasp inducing!
As someone who hasn’t written a review before… I felt this one deserved it. This was a ‘can’t put down’ book that I wish I could go back and start again for the first time. Loved it!!

[Linda Hogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Kept me on the edge of my seat

[Shreedevi Gurumurty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Four Days of Naples is a 1962 Italian film, directed by Nanni Loy and set during the uprising which gives its name.It stars Regina Bianchi, Aldo Giuffrè, Lea Massari, Jean Sorel, Franco Sportelli, Charles Belmont, Gian Maria Volonté and Frank Wolff.The film won many accolades.The film was based on the real The Four Days of Naples (Italian: Quattro giornate di Napoli) uprising in Naples, Italy, against Nazi German occupation forces from September 27 to September 30, 1943, immediately prior to the arrival of Allied forces in Naples on October 1 during WWII.The spontaneous uprising of Neapolitan and Italian Resistance against German occupying forces, despite limited armament, organisation or planning, nevertheless successfully disrupted German plans to deport Neapolitans en masse, destroy the city and prevent Allied forces from gaining a strategic foothold.The city was subsequently awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor. From 1940 to 1943, Naples suffered heavy Allied bombing raids causing severe damage and heavy civilian population loss.Maddalena Cerasuolo, aka Lenuccia (2 February 1920–23 October 1999),was an Italian patriot and antifascist partisan.She actively participated with a significant role in The Four Days of Naples.Her alias was Maria Esposito,from 23 Oct 1943 to 8 Feb 1944, in the SOE.
With the Allied advance in southern Italy, antifascists in the Naples area began establishing closer contacts with the Allied commanders and requested the liberation of Naples.The situation in Naples soon devolved into chaos, with many higher officials, either unable to take the initiative or even directly collaborating with the Nazis, deserting the city, followed by the Italian troops.Together, the war's indiscriminate executions, looting, control of the civilian population, increasing poverty and destruction, spurred a rebellion in the city.The US Fifth Army experienced some of the toughest fighting on the Italian Front.The Fifth Army first saw action during the Salerno landings (Operation Avalanche),part of the Allied invasion of Italy, in September 1943.

[annasbook nookk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Throughout the novel, two strong women, Luisa Giordano and Lola Hart, come together to tell their stories.

In addition to losing her mother to a fatal illness, Luisa Giordano lost the man she loved to the Nazis during the war, as well as her unborn child to her own husband.

After discovering her husband's collaboration with the enemy, Luisa realizes she must use her voice to ignite the women of Naples with a fiery determination.

In 1962, Hollywood starlet Lola Hart rises from the backstreets of Naples to the glamorous world of Hollywood parties.

Although fame and fortune can numb the pain of the past, they can only do so for so long.

In accepting the role of a lifetime, Lola realizes that returning to Naples means confronting the ghosts of her past.

Lola finds out that the woman she will be portraying holds the greatest secret of all as she uncovers the story behind the film.

This story was written beautifully. Packed with emotion and heartache.

[Tripfiction · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical novel set in HOLLYWOOD and NAPLES



The Traitor’s Wife by Sarah Steele, is an intriguing historical novel that seamlessly weaves together two timelines, one set in the glittering world of 1960s Hollywood and the other in the devastated city of Naples during World War II. This dual narrative is an engaging blend of love, betrayal and the haunting after-effects of war, all tied together by one woman’s search for the truth about what really happened during the Four Days of Naples battle and the role played by the elusive Maddelena.

The story alternates between the stories of Hollywood star Lola Hart and Neapolitan local Luisa Giodarno. Twenty years after the end of WW2, Lola, who herself has come a long way from the backstreets of Naples, is offered a role in a new movie – playing Luisa.

Lola is at first apprehensive about the role as it means returning to her home in Naples and confronting the ghosts of the past, including her first love and the baby she was forced to give up. But as she delves into Luisa’s past, and the many other heroines of the Italian Resistance, she realises she is not the only one with secrets.

The Naples setting is particularly vivid, with Steele skilfully capturing the city’s wartime turmoil alongside its enduring beauty. The author brings to life the city’s narrow streets, decaying palazzos and its resilient people who survive through the toughest of times. In many ways, the city itself is as much a character in the novel as the people who inhabit it.

Hollywood in the 1960s serves as a compelling backdrop for the secondary narrative, where Lola seeks to make a serious name for herself in the film industry. Steele portrays the film industry as glamorous but also rife with its own set of challenges for women, particularly during the ‘60s.

The characters are well developed, particularly Luisa, whose inner struggles and complex relationships drive the plot. Her love affair with a resistance fighter, and her involvement in dangerous espionage activities, add a sense of suspense and drama to the narrative. Lola brings her own vulnerability to the story as she pieces together the puzzle of Luisa’s life, uncovering her husband’s betrayal as he tries to profit from her bravery.

While the novel is richly detailed and atmospheric, there are times where the pace slows, particularly in Lola’s chapters. The role of her fiancé, the narcissistic Johnny, also seems almost irrelevant to the overall story. However, the two narratives come together in a satisfying and emotional conclusion, tying the storylines together in a way that feels both surprising but also inevitable.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction based on historical fact, about the people of Naples liberating themselves from the Nazis, inspired by the newsletter from a female partisan.
The book centers around a fictitious actress named Lola Hart, who had come from Naples and was working at a pizza joint and taking English lessons when she was "discovered" by a director and is now looking to make a serious movie after several lighthearted films where she played apparent fluff pieces. She finds herself in contact with a woman who lived through the 4 Days and who sets the record straight: the man who claims her heroics was actually double dealing with the Nazis, aiding them and not his own people. As she learns more, her secret becomes common knowledge, a secret that, in the 1960s, meant scandal and the end of a career. Her boyfriend, who had been her best friend at first, had been considered, at her request, to play the hero until it turned out the hero was not a hero but a villain. He of course blames Lola for his losing the role, not the truth that has come out about the male who wrote the book anonymously at first. The alleged author is no happier with Lola than her boyfriend is, since he is exposed now as a fraud. Both men are potentially violent, and so Lola becomes a target of both at different times.
As the tale is told to Lola about the true heroine of the story of the 4 Days, we see opening up for us the start of women regaining their power, equalling and even exceeding their men in strength of will, and, coupled with the revelation of Lola's secret and her condemnation of the differences of attitude towards men - who do the same thing but suffer little, if any, condemnation - I believe we see the beginnings of Stage 2 feminism (stage 1 having been the suffragette era in my mind), the early to mid 60s movement towards women finding ways to forge new places for themselves, with less regard for age and looks and more for actual merit, the ability to do the job.
The book seems deceptively simple at first, but, like an onion, it has many layers and the complexity builds from this simple start. Well worth reading, it will leave you wanting to see if the rest of the quthor's offerings are as delectable as this one.

[sheila_hjv_inbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

De stem van moed

Als Lola de rol van haar leven krijgt aangeboden, moet ze terug naar het land waarvan ze heeft gezworen nooit meer terug te zullen keren. Als ze Luisa Giordiano wil spelen, is een confrontatie met Lola’s pijnlijke verleden echter onvermijdelijk.

Luisa is voor en tijdens de oorlog een hoop kwijtgeraakt. Ze verloor haar moeder, kon niet trouwen met de man van wie ze echt hield en belandde in een gevaarlijk en liefdeloos huwelijk. Wat haar rest is haar stem en haar moed om vrouwen te verenigen in verzet.

“Soms is het grootste geschenk dat we aan onze geliefden kunnen geven hun vrijheid.” Sarah Steele

De stem van Napels van Sarah Steel is een prachtige roman die zich voor een groot deel afspeelt in Italië tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog.

Sarah Steele neemt je op meeslepende wijze mee in de levens van Lola en Luisa die beiden in Italië geboren zijn, maar in verschillende tijden en met al even verschillende levens. De auteur zet twee sterke en moedige vrouwen neer, die allebei strijd hebben moeten leveren, alhoewel die op geen enkele manier te vergelijken is. Sarah Steel maakt het makkelijk om om de personages te gaan geven. Ze zorgt dat je wil ontdekken hoe alles in elkaar steekt, en of de karakters zullen overleven en overwinnen.

Het verhaal is mooi geschreven en weet de aandacht echt naar zich toe te trekken. Wat ik erg goed vond is het feit dat het heden en het verleden zich jaren geleden afspelen. Hierdoor moeten zowel Lola als Luisa zich ontworstelen aan de positie die in die tijd voor vrouwen was weggelegd. Voor mijn gevoel bracht dit de verhalen nog meer samen. Maar De stem van Napels is, zowel terugkijkend als belevend, in beide tijden vooral een verhaal over de vreselijke gevolgen van oorlog.

De stem van Napels vertelt hoe Lola te weten komt wie en wat Luisa was tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Samen met Lola ontdek je hoe daadkracht, gevoel voor rechtvaardigheid, liefde en een enorme dosis moed bergen kan verzetten en mensen kan verenigen. Luisa en Lola laten op hun eigen manier zien dat oorlog nooit de juiste weg kan zijn.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Instagram: sheila_hjv_inbooks

[Roelia (Roelia Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rating, paperback edition

In the genre of historical fiction, Sarah Steele presents The Traitor’s Wife as a compelling story that entertains and enlightens. The novel is set during the Four Days of Naples, offering a unique Italian viewpoint on World War II, shedding light on a perspective often overshadowed by mainstream narratives of the war.

Steele’s prose is elegant and vivid, crafting a narrative that explores the resilience of humanity amidst the brutal truths of wartime. The book delves into the Italian resistance, showcasing acts of bravery and resolve, highlighting the unsung heroes who stood against the grip of fascism.

A notable aspect of the novel is its strong female characters, who are not passive observers but active participants in the fight for freedom. These women are intricately developed, portraying the varied roles they undertook during the war. Through their perspectives, readers see the fear, hope, and unwavering dedication to a greater cause.

The appeal of The Traitor’s Wife lies in its ability to transport readers to a different era while keeping a sense of relatability. The resistance’s struggle is not just a historical account but a testament to the enduring human spirit of resistance in the face of adversity.

The pacing of the narrative is skillfully executed, balancing character progression with historical events seamlessly. Each page unfolds effortlessly, driven by the desire to uncover the outcomes of these deeply engaging characters.

In essence, The Traitor’s Wife transcends the bounds of a typical historical novel, offering a journey through the lesser-explored realms of World War II history. It celebrates the power of resistance and the unyielding spirit of women. Steele’s work stands as a testament to the genre, proving that historical fiction can be both informative and captivating. A truly gripping read, this book is essential for those intrigued by history, human resilience, and the art of storytelling.

With thanks to Exclusive Books for the chance to read this book.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het boek ‘De stem van Napels’ wordt verteld vanuit twee verhaallijnen.

In de eerste verhaallijn volgen we het verhaal van Luisa Giordano. Het verhaal van Luisa speelt zich af tijdens WOII in het jaar 1943. Centraal in dit verhaal staan de gebeurtenissen die tijdens de oorlog in Napels hebben plaatsgevonden. Vrouwen hadden destijds veel minder rechten dan ze nu hebben, waardoor het enige wat Luisa kon inzetten tijdens de oorlog haar eigen stem was.

‘Geloof je dat mensen ten strijde kunnen trekken met woorden?’

De tweede verhaallijn speelt zich af in Hollywood in de jaren 60. Actrice Lola komt oorspronkelijk uit een achterstandswijk uit het Italiaanse Napels. Ze heeft een lange weg afgelegd om uiteindelijk een goedbetaalde actrice te worden. Lola leidt een luxeleven vol met glamour, maar is alles wel zo rooskleurig als het lijkt? Als ze een rol aangeboden krijgt voor een film die zich afspeelt in Napels, is zich ervan bewust dat ze geconfronteerd zal worden met haar verleden. Wanneer Lola op onderzoek uitgaat over het verhaal achter de film, komt ze erachter dat er veel meer achter het verhaal schuilt dan ze had kunnen bedenken. Ze ontdekt dat zij niet de enige is die zo haar geheimen heeft.

Uiteindelijk komen de verhaallijnen op het einde van het verhaal samen en zorgen voor een verrassend mooi einde.

'Soms is het grootste geschenk dat we aan onze geliefden kunnen geven hun vrijheid.’



De Stem van Napels is het eerste boek dat ik van auteur Sarah Steele gelezen heb. Deze auteur heeft mij met haar prachtige gedetailleerde filmische schrijfstijl en krachtige personages aangenaam weten te verrassen.

‘De stem van Napels’ is een indrukwekkend meeslepend verhaal waarin krachtige vrouwen de hoofdrol spelen. Het verhaal belicht een andere kant van de oorlog en laat zien welke rol vrouwen daarin gespeeld hebben. Een aantal gebeurtenissen uit het verhaal zijn gebaseerd op de werkelijkheid. Dat maakt het verhaal nog indrukwekkender.


De stem van Napels is een absolute must-read is voor liefhebbers van oorlogsverhalen!

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in wartorn Naples, this novel tells the story of Luisa Giordana, a woman who finds herself at the centre of the city's resistance movement. Interspersed with the chapters about Luisa is the story of Lola Hart, also a native of Naples, who has become an A-list Hollywood actress in 1964.

Lola becomes involved in a film based on a book written by a man, who claims to have almost single-handedly saved Naples from the German occupiers. As the story unravels, his claims begin to look increasingly shaky.

I read this book quickly, with the short chapters helping it to clip along at pace. However, I did find some of the characters and the relationships less than compelling. Max Vitale and Johnny Jones in particular are quite two-dimensional, both misogynists, both entitled beyond belief without any evidence to suggest why. Max is weak and cowardly. I couldn't help thinking that as the villain of the piece in many ways, he should have been more formidable, but he crumbles in the face of the slightest resistance.

Other things were less than surprising too. (The relationship between Lola and Joe, the twists in Lola's back story, and the identity of Rosa.) But the descriptions of Naples, a city fighting to survive in a dark period of its history, were good, setting the scene well. And the dual timeline did work, even if I might have preferred it as a single wartime story.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would pick up another novel by this author.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

📕📕BOOK REVIEW📕📕
The Traitor’s Wife By Sarah Steele

A fictional historical novel based on fact and set in two timelines. 1962 and actress Lola Hart is invited to play the role of Luisa Giordano who was the wife of Resistance fighter Max Vitale. Vitale has written a book about his heroic exploits in Naples in 1944 when resisting the German Occupiers. Lola has been offered the part of his wife Luisa. Lola herself is originally from Naples but she has been careful to hide her own background. This is a well researched and beautifully executed novel centred around the city of Naples during WWII, a city I’ve visited a number of times and I’m seeing it in a different light now.

Briefly, arriving in Italy to review the sites for the film Lola is drawn into the real history of the city during such terrible times and discovers a totally different story to that told in the book. The woman she is to play Luisa Giordano was in an abusive marriage and her husband a collaborator but Luisa decided to fight back and became a key resistance leader.

This book highlights some astonishing deeds of heroism and some terrible acts of vengeance and deceit. Luisa was an incredible character, brave, strong and dedicated but Lola too has a story to tell. An incredibly moving, gripping story this is utterly captivating. Love, horror and humour brilliantly put together.

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Traitor's Wife is one great book to read! And this coming from someone who doesn't care for dual-timeline stories. I became engrossed in the story and felt almost like a part of it because of how touching, inspiring, and gripping the story is.
For me, the book started slow and I was not feeling the greatest about it, especially the dual timelines; but as I got further into the novel, I became gripped by the story and I must say that this is one of the best World War II stories I have read. There is so much in it - and you will get to know Luisa, Franco, Rosa, and Enzo very deeply and personally, and the battles they had to fight, both internally and against the Nazis. Coping with the past, and trying to be a part of the resistance, are all battles they had to fight. An abusive marriage and a husband working with the enemy, lead Luisa to become a leader in working with the resistance.
This is a hard novel to describe - you have to read it, feel it, and understand what life was like for the Italian people during the war. I recommend this book to the reader. The author does a remarkable job of providing a very penetrating view of life in Italy during the war and has done a great job of research for the novel.

[Hannah Symonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is set in two different two eras and in two different countries. Luisa lives in Naples and feels like giving up, the people that she loved have died and she sees no way out of this terrible time. The war is on and she feels like the only way to come to terms with everything is do something for all the women that live in Naples to make herself be heard. In the other part of the story we see Lola who lives and breathes Hollywood and is an actress, she cannot believe when she is given a part that involves a women from Naples and what this women went through. It was a cleverly put together story about two women and how their lives intertwine. Lola is playing the part of Luisa and it was a really interesting concept seeing Luisa’s story from another pair of eyes. It was emotional but engaging story.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Traitor's Wife by Sarah Steele

A fast moving novel of Italy under fascist Germany's brutal invasion during WWII, and some painful fallout that was years in the making. As the story pulled together it became worthy of a five-star rating.

EXCERPTS:

Luisa’s father was a quiet but ardent anti-Fascist. He believed in strong women – he’d married one, after all. Luisa was clever at a time when women were expected to be housewives and mothers.’ Rosa let out a long breath. ‘Life under Mussolini was difficult for women.


Citizens held themselves a little straighter and prouder when they recalled the Four Days of Naples: the people’s insurrection had proved to the world that the Nazis could be defeated.


‘We had lived under the Fascists for twenty years before war broke out. They were terrible, dangerous times, especially for women, and people were angry. Women were angry.’



‘I heard what happened to that woman in the street yesterday – shot down in front of her child. Franco said you were there?’ Luisa nodded. ‘I’ll never forget the sound of that child’s screaming.’


You think the Germans are bad? Stalin is a whole lot worse.’ ‘Have you seen what the Germans are doing out there, or are you too busy making deals with them?’

[Sleepless · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A long and winding story of two women who rose to prominence in Naples, 20 years apart! The courageous Luisa is at the center of the story! The horrific retelling of the Nazi occupation, and her leadership in rousing the women of Naples to fight back!
Lola is a famous American actress who returns to her native Italy to make a movie about the resistance of partisans in Naples during WW2!
The two stories are interconnected in this thrilling novel! A Traitor's Wife is a compelling, emotional, sad and heroic homage to the brave people of Naples! It is also a triumphant novel!

[Historywoman1994 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het boek gaat over actrice Lola die na haar jeugd in de sloppenwijken in Napels te hebben doorgebracht een leven opbouwt in Los Angeles. Ze krijgt een rol aangeboden die anders is dan de rollen die zij tot nu toe heeft gespeeld. Ze denkt een kleine rol te spelen als vrouw van een verzetsheld. Echter blijkt dit niet waar te zijn en blijkt dat de rol van deze vrouw groter te zijn dan gedacht. Het brengt Lola onverwachts terug naar Napels, de plek van haar jeugd.

Dat Steel met veel hartstocht kan schrijven wist ik al. Ook kan ik volmondig zeggen dit boek is zeker een must-read is voor liefhebbers van oorlogsverhalen. Het boek vertelt in grote lijn de oorlogsvoering zoals deze in Napels werd gevoerd. En dat is zeker bijzonder te noemen. Tijdens het lezen kwam ik al snel tot de conclusie hoe complex deze oorlog in Napels eigenlijk was En dat hier ook een tweedeling plaatsvond wat we eigenlijk ook wel kennen uit de situatie in Frankrijk toendertijd.
Steel heeft ervoor gekozen om de personages losjes te baseren op personen die echt hebben bestaan op deze tijd. In bijzonder kiest er weer voor om vrouwelijk verzetsheldinnen onder de aandacht te brengen.

Dit boek is zeker een page-turner en dat maakt het boek moeilijk om weg te leggen. Het is goed merkbaar dat Steel graag wilt dat de lezer ook iets mee kreeg van Italië zelf. De omgeving bespreekt ze tot in detail. Zelfs de hoofdstukken die zich afspelen in de WW2 waant je als lezer zo. Dit was wellicht eenvoudig als je bedenkt dat het heel wat jaren heeft geduurd en zelfs nu nog niet volledig alles hersteld is in Napels. Steel heeft dan ook regelmatig tripjes naar Italië gemaakt tijdens het schrijven van dit boek om deze sfeer te proeven.
Toch moet ik ook kritisch blijven richting het einde werd het boek iets wat voorspelbaar. Maar dat gun je de personages ook wel na alle gruwelijkheden die zij hebben overleefd.

Het boek krijgt ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ sterren. Dit boek laat maar weer zien dat vrouwen ook hun steentje bijdroegen aan deze oorlog. En is ideaal voor de lezer die iets meer wilt weten over de Italiaanse oorlogsvoering.

[Brenda Cosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story should be a movie!

Very well told story about the resilience and bravery women possess but are not usually given credit for. As you read the story it’s as though you are watching a movie. Great characters, lovely and horrific descriptions of Naples during the Nazi occupation and after. Sarah Steele is very good at expressing the complex lives women live as daughters, sisters, lovers, wives, mothers and patriots. I love her stories. She doesn’t do sappy romance novels, she writes thoughtful stories that entertain and educate. Really great. TY

[Kathy Averbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dual time period novel, set in the 1940's in Naples, Italy, and the 1960's also in Naples. I've read many WWII era novels but this is the first I've read that was set in Italy. The story was at times confusing for me because not only did the narrative jump between time periods, but the story from the war years was not told in chronological order. The more modern day story was about a Hollywood actress who was born in Italy but returned to her home to work on a movie about the war years. All in all, I enjoyed this book.

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow burn, character driven and emotionally charged story, that builds to an epic conclusion.

The character development was sublime and the rapport between Hollywood starlet, Lola, researching her latest film role, and Rosa, the best friend of Luisa Giordano, the character Lola was to play, was a joy to read.

I was delighted to see the truth come out and the bad guys get their comeuppance.

Easily guessed twists, but enjoyable, nevertheless.

3.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Sarah Steele and for an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Natalie "Curling up with a Coffee and a Kindle" Laird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book, my first from this author but one I will recommend to everyone.
I've read my fair share of WWII historical fiction books, and also several books about the Resistance, but this one stands out in the haystack!
I love dual timeline stories, even more so when I enjoy both timelines equally. Both stories fascinated me and I couldn't read fast enough, loving every page. This was a fascinating read, educating me on the Resistance in Naples, which I knew little about.
I am in love with Sarah Steele now, her books are very popular and I'm so excited to have found her!