Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears

by Jack Ford

From award-winning journalist Jack Ford, a riveting and colorful dual timeline novel of Lee Carson, the heroic yet elusive female journalist who defied convention and danger to report from the front lines of WWII, combining breathtaking wartime narrative with a compelling Cold War espionage tale for fans of Christine Mangan, Pam Jenoff, Erika Robuck, and Kate Quinn.

Washington, DC, April 1954: Lee Carson, former war correspondent, is frustrated that her journalism career has been relegated to society events and fashion stories. But when she receives a tip about a Russian spy in a high-ranking government position at the height of the Cold War, she feels the thrill of a story that she hasn’t felt since she was on the front lines of the European theater . . .

London, December 1943: As war rages on across Europe, twenty-two-year-old Lee Carson is waging a private battle of her own. An American-born correspondent for the International News Service, Lee is determined to cover the war from the field. But no woman, certainly not an attractive young woman with no military experience, will be allowed near the front lines.

Lee is not easily dissuaded. And as the Allied forces prepare to take the fight to the enemy, her gift for boosting public morale is seen as a valuable weapon. Assigned to cover the build-up to the invasion of Nazi-held Europe, she constantly wrangles with authorities to get to the heart of the action. From talking herself onto a bomber and flying over the beaches of Normandy at the start of D-Day to other feats of daring, she witnesses and reports on the war’s most pivotal moments.

Told in dual timelines, Beyond this Place of Wrath and Tears is inspired by the story of an incredible woman who has largely been forgotten by history, and who, like many women in WWII, broke barriers in wartime only to find that upon the return home, she had to continue to fight for relevance in an entirely different way . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II

352 pages, Hardcover

Published May 27, 2025

About the author

Jack Ford is a novelist and is the author of six gritty British crime novels published under a pseudonym. Having studied global political Islam and American politics Jack went on to take a Master of Science degree in counter-terrorism, and will further those studies next year by tackling a PHD focusing on radicalisation and extremism.

Jack lives in a quiet part of England and has three children along with lots of dogs and horses.

Reviews

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of American journalist Lee Carson is fascinating from both the perspective of the Allied invasion in Europe as well as women breaking gender norms and paving the way for future generations of women. This is a unique perspective on WWII in that so many different aspects of what was happening are included in her travels. She was young, talented, beautiful, and fearless. Her aim was to inform Americans on the reality and horrors of the war and wanted to be treated the same as her male counterparts.

Lee was tenacious and assertive in her coverage of different events such as the Battle of the Bulge and Utah Beach in Normandy. I enjoyed learning about her adventures in 1954 as well and wish she would have been able to be an anchor on national news.

The WWII coverage of Lee's journey was very engaging. I also enjoyed the 1954 Russian spy portion and would have enjoyed more of that part of her life in Washington DC. That said, I highly recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction and those who want to learn more about multiple events such as invasion battles, the soldiers, and the protection of art and national artifacts from the Nazis. Kudos to Jack Ford for enlightening us and paying tribute to a female pioneer of journalism. This book would make for a lively book club discussion.

The book title is taken from the poem "Invictus" by William Ernst Henley, which is perfect as it explores themes of resilience, strength, and inner fortitude in the face of adversity which were emulated by Lee Carson throughout her remarkable life.

Many thanks to NetGalley, UpLit Reads, Kensington Books, and Jack Ford for an advance reader's copy in exchange for my honest review.

[haslerroberson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised that this story centered around a female heroine, Lee Carson (aka the D-Day Dane or the Rhine Maiden), given our male author and the foreword honoring his late father-in-law. I appreciated Lee’s intentions as a journalist to both boost the morale of her audience and provide them with the truth about the events of the war in Europe, but to also prove to her higher-ups that women are just as deserving as their male counterparts to serve in this role. The majority of the book is various flashbacks and related articles written by Lee, which she relays over drinks with a hot CIA spy. The proportion of flashbacks to present-day story was a bit disorienting, but informative nonetheless. This story reads more like a collection of (fictional) letters than a wartime novel, but was an enjoyable work of historical fiction (with sprinkles of mystery and romance, too) that I’d recommend to fans of the genre!

[Glenn Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears is the incredible true story of Lee Carson. An amazing US female journalist from WWII. She was a pioneer similar to Nancy Wake in that she showed outstanding strength and leadership. But mostly because she did it in a time and place where women were not expected to be, and in fact where they were largely not welcome. She had no fear and was constantly putting herself in harms way. She seemed to be driven to bring real news from the front lines into all the homes back in America. I found it sad that despite all the barriers she broke and her achievements during the war, she was not rewarded or recognised when returning home after. Reading between the lines I get the feeling that she was also hurt by this and kind of lost her way. The author weaves a fully fictional plot line into the book which happens around ten years after the war. It involves Russian spies and the Cold War and Lee is fully involved doing what she does best. I wonder if the author is not suggesting that this is what she should have in fact been doing. If so, I agree 100%. It was like she was put out to pasture when she was in her prime. As a reader I enjoyed the fictional espionage part of the book the most which I hate to admit. Her war efforts whilst impressive, are told as a kind of collection of events supported be her actual articles from the front lines. It has a non-fiction feel to it and doesn’t flow as a novel as such. But in saying that I enjoyed hearing and learning about her feats during such terrifying and difficult times. It is important that her story is told and remembered and I congratulate the author for doing just that.

[Sabrina Flanagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

Dual Timeline, Third Person POV, Based on True Events, Historical Fiction, Inspirational

In 1943, at the young age of twenty-two, Lee Carson was a news correspondent for the International News Service during World War 2. Nicknamed The Rhine Maiden, she became one of the first and only women to report at the frontlines of the war. Fast-forward to 1954, Lee Carson is working in Washington D.C. when she is approached by a Russian spy who needs her help to break a story as the Cold War rages on.

Lee Carson was an ambitious journalist who was not so easily deterred. She was an empowering main character and person to read about. The way Jack Ford arranged the timeline was very efficient and did well for the story. The majority of the book takes place in the past timeline during World War 2. I loved the excerpts of Lee Carson’s writings and correspondence throughout. That being said, this book was well-researched! From the names of the tanks to the aircrafts, I could visualize what was happening. I felt like I was Lee Carson walking through some of the most important parts of the war and her career. On the other hand, it was very interesting to read about a Russian spy infiltrating the government. The epilogue was bittersweet, and I believe it wrapped things up perfectly. The present-day spy timeline was shorter than I’d have liked, but after reading the Acknowledgments, I can understand why. I loved reading about Lee Carson, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story based on true events as well as powerful, begotten women in history. Lee Carson shattered glass ceilings and pursued her dreams valiantly. Upon completing this book, I also highly recommend you read the Acknowledgements to learn more about her.

Thank you NetGalley and Jack Ford for the opportunity to read this inspiring novel. I will carry Lee Carson’s story with me and hope to encourage others to read about her as well.

[Sherry Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting, exciting, scary, and definitely worth reading!
Lee Carson’s life was not boring or without danger. Amazing story!

[Laura Willyard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the advanced copy of "Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears" by Jack Ford. As a fan of good historical fiction, the book had all the aspects that I look for in a good novel. The book has good research, strong woman main character, interesting plot/story line, true historical facts that are well blended into the story and more. Kudos to the author! I highly recommend this book, you will not be disappointed!

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed BEYOND THIS PLACE OF WRATH AND TEARS by Jack Ford! This dual timeline novel follows trailblazing journalist Lee Carson, whose determination to report from the front lines during WWII makes for a fascinating, vivid story inspired by real events. The Cold War thread adds intrigue and depth, capturing the ongoing challenges women like Lee faced even after the war. A compelling and thoughtful read, perfect for fans of historical fiction and strong female characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Kelly - readinginthe419 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears is a fictionalized account of Lee Carson, a smart and fearless female journalist who shattered gender norms and tradition as she braved the front lines of WWII from the Allied invasion at Normandy to its slow march to Berlin and the downfall of Hitler's regime. Author Jack Ford brought Carson's story to life with a dual timeline story relating details and actual published news stories from her time in Europe, bookended by an imaginative story of working to identify a Russian spy within the State Department in the 1950s. This second storyline is bit cumbersome and perhaps unnecessary as it supposes what life may have been like for Carson in post-war America.

By all accounts, Lee was a vibrant, charismatic and yes, beautiful. But she was also tenacious and assertive in her coverage of different events ranging from an unauthorized flight over the landing site at Normandy, the only reporter to do so, and the liberation of Paris, to the Battle of the Bulge, the crossing of the Rhine River into Germany where soldiers dubbed her the "Rhine Maiden," the freeing of Allied POWs from Colditz Castle, and the meeting of Allied and Russian troops as they entered Berlin.

The writing was brilliant but concise, with details that brought the fear and horrors of war to life, while soldiers and reporters alike strove to maintain their humanity. I loved the insights into Carson's life during this period, her friendships with other reporters - primarily men who by and large respected her and her work. After the war and a brief stint doing fashion and society reporting back in the States, Carson faded into obscurity and died at the young age of 51. As always, the author's notes provide great background into how this story emerged and the research put into it.

The book's title is from the poem "Invictus" by William Ernst Henley, a reflection on resilience and the indomitable human spirit:
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

Many thanks to Kensington Books and Uplit Reads for a complimentary advanced reader copy of this excellent story.

[Peter Baran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely readable fiction telling of the wartime exploits of Lee Carson, one of the trailblazing female war correspondents in World War 2. Though whilst reading it I wasn't aware that it was based on a real person and kept wondering how on earth Jack Ford thought he was going to get away with this thinly veiled version of Lee Miller's wartime adventures. Which goes to prove his point that no one knows about Lee Carson, and proves my point that a gender-neutral first name goes a long way in getting your foot in the door in sexist situations.

It's an odd set-up, particularly if you take it as fiction. Set in the mid-fifties, Lee is frustrated writing puff pieces when she is approached with a story about a Russian spy in the State Department (the bona fides of her informant being another Russian spy). As she chases the story down, she crosses paths with a CIA agent who wants to help, but also wants to know who she is. At which point we flashback to London during the war, and stay in that time period for most of the rest of the book. What I took to be the plot turned out to be a framing device (and the fictional part of the book). What follows is Carson following the American army into Europe and across Europe, and again ticking off a list of encounters which would seem too clichéd if it were actually fiction: Colditz, The Monument Men, even Ernest Hemingway. On the other hand for a generation with a less in-depth knowledge of WW2, this is a pretty good primer on how the attack went and the human cost. Much of this is told in Carson's articles in the text (it is unclear if these are her actual articles, I would imagine not exactly). Then we get back to the spy hunt, a simple enough job for any half-awake reader to solve.

Beyond This Place Of Wrath And Tears is a good fictionalised biography, in as much as it told me about someone who deserves to be more prominent in history. I am not sure the title - a quote from the poem Invictus - is necessarily all that inviting, and the Lee Miller crossover may mean that her recent spotlight and movie puts this in the shade. But I enjoyed it, and its a good whistlestop tour through the Allies invasion of Europe, and ways to dodge everyday sexism.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears was a historical fiction novel based on the extraordinary life of American journalist Lee Carson.

Female journalist Lee Carson served as a war correspondent during WWII. Carson was reporting from the frontlines at a time when female journalists were restricted from being near combat.

The story started out many years after the end of WWII. Carson is back in America in Washington. When she is approached by a Russian spy wishing to provide evidence against a high-level America in the government, who has also been turned as a Russian spy.

As the wheels are set in motion to try and figure out who this person is and capture them, Carson meets CIA agent Jay Reeves and begins to recount to him her time during the war.

The story went back and forth between the mid 1950's and Carson's time during the war. Carson's story during the war is based on her real life, but the Russian spy aspect of the story is fiction.

So, here was the thing, I thought that the Russian spy aspect of this story was so interesting and thought this is what the book would mostly be about. Carson's life during the war was absolutely incredible. But, I found that I had become very excited about the possibility of a cold war story and hadn't expected it to be mostly about her life during the war. I think I would have preferred if it had taken us through her war years and then perhaps brought in the spy story after the war was done. The spy story ended up being rushed and obviously not really necessary to the overall story. It just lessoned my enthusiasm for the entire story.

But, overall, it was still a solid story based on the life of an incredibly fascinating woman in our history.

I received an advanced copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Carson is a young and determined female news reporter striving to make it to the front lines of WWII in 1943. She uses her writing skills, creativity, tenacity, and dogged personality to push back against the "delicate female" perception of the time and finally gains permission to report from alongside a military unit as the nation goes to war. Over the next few years, she makes a name for herself through bravery and stellar in-theater reporting. In the book's second timeline, the war is over and, like most women of the era, she finds herself sidelined to fashion and society stories once again. At the height of the Cold War, Lee receives a tip from a woman that a Soviet spy is imbedded high in the US government, and she jumps at the chance to discover the truth behind this terrible possibility.

Jack Ford is an award winning journalist, and those celebrated research and writing chops are clearly on display here. These characters are well developed and facts are sprinkled throughout the story to add depth to the scenes and situations. This tale is a unique spin on war history in the US as it focuses on one strong, brave female journalist, but includes some very well known historical figures as she interacts with them along the way. This well written historical fiction book had me turning to my keyboard to learn more as Carson's story unfolded. What a trailblazer!!

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing, for the digital review copy of this book provided in exchange for this honest review.

[Jonas Wipf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears by Jack Ford is an exceptional read that deserves a full five stars. The novel masterfully intertwines two compelling timelines, following the courageous journalist Lee Carson as she navigates the front lines of WWII and the tense atmosphere of the Cold War. Ford's portrayal of Lee is both inspiring and poignant; she is a character who defies convention and faces danger head-on, making her journey incredibly captivating. The historical depth of the novel is impressive, with vivid descriptions that bring the wartime and post-war settings to life. The dual timelines are seamlessly woven together, creating a narrative that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant. The suspense and intrigue are maintained throughout, with each chapter revealing new layers of the story. What truly sets this book apart is its exploration of the challenges faced by women in journalism during these tumultuous periods. Lee's determination to report from the front lines, despite the obstacles she faces, is a powerful testament to her resilience and courage. The book also delves into the personal sacrifices and moral dilemmas that come with such a demanding career, adding depth to the character and the story. Overall, Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears is a beautifully written, gripping novel that combines historical accuracy with a compelling narrative. It's a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction, journalism, or stories of extraordinary women who have made their mark on history.

[GroveLifeLit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears by Jack Ford tells of the perils faced by news correspondents who were on the ground during WWII, with a specific focus on Lee Carson, a female reporter who broke barriers to tell the stories of war.

Just as the news reports by Lee Carson captivated the readers of her time, the fictional telling of her life by Jack Ford captured my attention in a way that touched many emotions and provoked feelings of admiration and familiarity, a familiarity similar to what the troops may have felt while being interviewed by Lee Carson. As Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears concluded, I found myself filled with emotion and couldn’t fight back the tears conjured by delving into Carson’s life, a life devoted to getting the true story and making those she interviewed feel like they mattered greatly. She helped them to have hope that their story would be told and their bravery would have an impact during a time when many lives were being lost each day and the difficulties they faced were more than many could ever imagine.
Ford’s story is an absolute must read work and is so important to gaining a better understanding of the courage of women during WWII and the difficulties women faced just to do their job.

Thank you so much to Uplit Reads, Kensington Books, and Jack Ford for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears.

[dianas_books_cars_coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

"Beyond this Place of Wrath and Tears,
Looms but the horror of the Shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me unafraid" - William Ernest Henley

In 1943, Lee Carson served as a correspondent for International News Service. While war raged, she was in London, awaiting assignment to the front lines for firsthand reporting; however, she faced challenges as a woman. She persuaded her way onto the Normandy beaches during D-Day, attaching herself to an army unit. She was committed to producing morale-boosting reports. Her fearless nature led her to the heart of the action to obtain her stories.
In 1954, Lee is back in Washington DC trying to get away from the fluff pieces they want her to write. After being a war correspondent writing about fashion and society events just won't do. But when she receives a tip about a Russian spy in high ranking government position she begins to feel the thrill again.

Told in dual timelines, this book was SO good! It was incredibly interesting, engaging, and emotional. I was captivated by Lee Carson and deeply invested in her story. I really learned so much! Reading about WWII from the perspective of a female journalist on the front lines was quite intriguing and the author did an excellent job of transporting me there. She was a pioneer in her day and I'm so glad I was able to read about her. I think her story is an important one to know and I highly recommend this book🩷

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where was this book when I was studying World War Two? I learned more in 356 pages of historical fiction then I did in numerous textbooks. I was able to take this well written story and let it guide me to learn more, to feel more.

I am in awe of the brilliance exhibited by the author. The author uses the adventures of Lee Carson, an American journalist for the International News Service, to tell just a little bit of the story about the Allied invasion.

Through the eyes of Lee Carson, I witnessed battles, bombings, invasions and so much more. She did not take no for an answer. She didn't let being female stop her. She slid into foxholes. She followed different squadrons, risking her life, sharing what she learned. Danger didn't stop her from reporting on the war and letting those back home know about their sons, their fathers, their husbands.

This story transported me to a time we must not forget. It was if I was witnessing what Lee Carson saw. I was looking through her eyes. I experienced the horrors. I cried for those that were lost. I cheered their successes. I sat in quiet distress over the cruelties they discovered. I am so grateful for Jack Ford's words. He took me a jourey I will not forget.

[Dee Furey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the arc, Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears by Jack Ford. This is historical fiction told in two time lines. The book opens in the 1950s during the Cold War. Our FMC is a real life American journalist Lee Carson. She is bored in this time after the war and excited to learn of a possible Soviet spy high up in the state department. The second timeline is during WWII and Lee is attempting to be a female reporter on the front lines of the War. The U.S. military is not in favor of this idea, but Lee persists and eventually breaks the mold of female reporters and helps pave the way forward for future generations of women reporters. All Lee wanted was to be treated the same as her male reporter counterparts.

I really liked this story I found both timelines fascinating. That being said, I do not think there is enough focus in the 1950s timeline. Not that I want there to be less of the WWII story line, but there definitely could have been more time spent on the spy during the Cold War story.

All told, I liked the writing and the stories in both timelines. The story moves at a good pace throughout. I gave this book 4 stars. I need to thank Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for my advanced reader copy. This book is out today, May 27, 2025.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel introduced me to real life World War II journalist Lee Carson, the sassy and brave female war correspondent who broke all barriers, asked for forgiveness rather than permission and put herself at the front line to report the stories of the men and women braving the war. As I was reading, I was googling information, and although, fiction, much of this story is true. It read as a memoir and a fascinating one at that. The fiction part comes in for the later part of the dual timeline, and the Acknowledgements at the end explains the important relevance of why he had to go that route. Carson, just as many women, in post WWII era, was expected to step back and relinquish her career to the men who were returning home.
Real-life Lee Carson was eye witness of some of the most pivotal moments in WWII history and her take and reports were so well described in this book. As was the personal touch she brought to her news stories which meant so much to the families back at home.
I highly recommend this inspirational read and let yourself be introduced to this trail blazing journalist hero.

[Mary Farnham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m glad to learn of Lee Carson, a “legendary” female WW II journalist, who was “news” to me! Jack Ford has written a novel that gives us a good idea of her reporting and WW II adventures and that taught me about some WW II events of which I was unaware. The book has also given me greater depth of knowledge about other more well-known events. Ford brackets the WW II storyline with a 1950’s Soviet-mole -in- the- government side story. Maybe because I’m fairly familiar with WW II history, I was more interested in the spy plot line and was disappointed he didn’t do more with it. I wanted this to be a page turner, but it wasn’t for me. Still glad I read it.
Another note: Interesting take on not just those who committed Nazi atrocities but on all German warriors (and citizens?) , including children conscripted to fight. Dated language, everyone painted with the same broad brush, uniformly described as despicable, evil, unhinged. Not sure if author is reflecting Carson’s view during the war or speaking in his own voice. I would expect the author to have more nuanced understanding and broader perspective of the various players. Not everyone was a psychopath.

[Reeca Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Washington, DC, April 1954: Lee Carson, former war correspondent, is frustrated that her journalism career has been relegated to society events and fashion stories. But when she receives a tip about a Russian spy in a high-ranking government position at the height of the Cold War, she feels the thrill of a story that she hasn’t felt since she was on the front lines of the European theater . . .

This story does seem to get bogged down with army troop movements and such. This slowed to pace of the story, in my opinion.

However, I had never heard of Lee Carson, and I have read tons of WWII books. To say I found her fascinating is an understatement. This lady was an inspiration. She truly broke the glass ceiling with her bravery and her daring.

This is told in two different timelines and they are melded very well together. And both timelines display Lee’s intelligence and strength.

Need a tale about a true life, courageous, female journalist…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to @uplitreads & @kensingtonbooks for sharing 𝑩𝑬𝒀𝑶𝑵𝑫 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑺 𝑷𝑳𝑨𝑪𝑬 𝑶𝑭 𝑾𝑹𝑨𝑻𝑯 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑻𝑬𝑨𝑹𝑺 𝒃𝒚 𝑱𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒅, out May 27th!

This is a historical fiction that fills in the gaps of a real woman, Lee Carson, who was a war correspondent during WWII.

This tale weaves a bit cold war espionage into the relaying of memories of Carson's impressive resumé. I was caught up in the stories of how she may have pushed her way into the places that history has proven she went! I was impressed at how brilliant she must have been, especially using the physical attributes she had which made many discount her.

This did have a lot of historical details, which was fascinating but did slow the story a bit for me in her journalism articles. It felt just a bit long after several of these, but it was cool to imagine people getting such vital information from a strong woman in the field. This was certainly a story that was worth telling.

For history buffs who are interested in lost stories that need to bring a real person to life, this is a great option!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this historical fiction book about Lee Carson, a trailblazing journalist and war correspondent. I knew nothing about Lee Carson and her accomplishments reporting in World War II are astonishing. The bulk of the book relies on the known details of her escapades during World War II and included many of the articles written by her. The details pulls readers into the danger and horror that she experienced.The rest of the book is fiction and it imagines Lee Carson’s life after World War II and what would occur if she was approached by a Soviet spy. I think Lee Carson is remarkable and her name and firsts as she reported on World War II should be known and this book will do that. I recommend this book to readers of historical fiction and to readers of stories about women accomplishing amazing things.

Thanks to UpLit and the publisher for the gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @jack_ford27 @uplitreads and @kensingtonbooks for the #gifted book.

One of the things I love about historical fiction is learning about the untold stories of women who do not appear in history books. Lee Carson is one such person. There is so little documented about Lee that this is a story of fiction based on facts. Told in dual timelines, this story is riveting and suspenseful.

Lee was a World War II Correspondent breaking the boundaries of what was then considered a "mans" job. She was smart, fearless and a force of nature. She was there reporting at Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge, and the crossing of the Rhine. She earned the nicknames "D-Day Dame" and "the Rhine Maiden". When the war was over she was back at reporting on fashion and society events until she received a tip about a Russian Spy in a high ranking government position. If you like historical fiction with strong female characters, then I highly recommend this book.

[Myranda Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, thank you to Uplit reads for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I love discovering stories of women who broke the stereotypes and pursued something out of the ordinary for their time. Lee Carson, a courageous and illusive woman, braved covering WWII up close and personal as a journalist. Going against the grain, this book is told in two timelines. It was a beautiful read about someone nearly forgotten from history. It’s important that these stories get told and I’m glad I was able to read about Lee Carson’s story.
The title of the book is also a line from a poem by William Ernest Henry. While the poem is about resilience in the face of adversity, this particular line hints at things beyond the current situation or hardship, or rather death after the time of living. There couldn’t have been a better title chosen for this story than that message. Truly a beautiful story, well written and beautifully executed.

[Teresa Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who’s drawn to stories inspired by real people and historical events, Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears was a standout for me. Jack Ford brings to life the incredible story of Lee Carson—a trailblazing female war correspondent based on a real journalist—who risked everything to report from the front lines of WWII and later dives into Cold War espionage.

The dual timeline was compelling, seamlessly moving between the chaos of D-Day and the political tension of 1950s Washington, D.C. I especially loved how the book combined rich historical detail with the pace of a spy thriller. But what stayed with me most was the tribute it pays to women whose stories are too often left out of the history books.

If you love historical fiction rooted in truth, with a fearless female lead and a plot that keeps you turning pages, this one’s a must-read.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich, descriptive, and intriguing!

Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears is an insightful, fascinating tale that takes us into Lee Carson’s personal and professional successes, frustrations, experiences, sacrifices, and accomplishments as a female reporter on the ground in Europe during WWII.

The writing is clear and precise. The characters are resilient, determined, and endearing. And the plot is a compelling, absorbing tale of one woman’s dedication and passion, under extremely dangerous circumstances, to help record and publish important stories that needed to be told and heard.

Overall, Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears is a vivid, captivating, emotive story by Ford that highlights his considerable knowledge and impressive research into this renowned historical figure whose life and contribution during the war and after is often unknown or unfortunately long forgotten.

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lee Carson, groundbreaking US female journalist forgotten by history finds a voice in “Beyond this Place of Wrath and Tears” a version of her life reporting from the frontlines in WW2 and then 10 or so years later, an imaginary version of her life untangling a spy scandal at the start of the cold war.

An enjoyable historical fiction, with dual timelines of Lee’s life. At times the writing flowed beautifully, at other times a little disjointed and almost inauthentic. Overall an enjoyable solid 3.5 star read.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Kensington Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Dawn McGill Dalrymple · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fictionized story of real life person Lee Carson. It was so interesting to know she was a real person and did all the things in the book. She was a female journalist during WWII.some of her accomplishments include: starting college at the age of 14, the 1st war correspondent to fly over the invasion sites at the start of D Day, the 1st female reporter to enter liberated Paris, she survived the Battle of the Bulge, the first ti cross the Rhine river into Germany, and first to discover remnants of Nazi war camp at Erla. To say that she led an amazing adventurous life is an understatement. Thank you to Kensington Publishing and Uplit Reads for the book to read and review!

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those enveloping reads that could have gone on for a few more hundred pages!
I love when authors flesh out people who have been rendered obscure.
Getting to know Lee Carson was fabulous because as an intrepid female reporter in WWII she was right there as the action unfolded.
I also loved her integrity and her faithfulness to get the story correct, something that is not only lacking but absent in journalism today.
Ford does an excellent job writing a compelling homage to Carson.
Thanks Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author event June 9, 2025 but was not able to attend. Got a signed book. This is book club pick for August. (August 20, 2025). The premise of the book was good but it was written more like a history book, and not a novel. If the articles by Lee Carson that were in the book were really from her, I thought they were poorly written for a journalist. Too down-homey. The fiction part of her trying to catch a spy after she was done reporting for the war was a bit hokey and far fetched, and not really sure it added much to the story.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I listen to the audiobook. A historical fiction based on the life of WWII combat war correspondent Lee Carson. I hadn’t heard of her but love to read stories of women pushing against boundaries put on them. I think it will be worth your time.PS at the end of the book the author tells which parts were fictional- mostly the part after the war where she had been doing important work and what it might have been like coming back from the war and being put on s desk about women’s fashion