The Mysterious Virginia Hall: World War II's Most Dangerous Spy

by Claudia Friddell

How did a young lady from a wealthy family in Maryland end up as the Gestapo’s most wanted spy? This YA biography of Virginia Hall, World War II’s most successful female spy, will inspire reluctant readers and budding history buffs alike.

Virginia Hall, known to her family as “Dindy,” was an athletic, outdoorsy girl who dreamed of joining the foreign service and becoming an ambassador. Despite numerous setbacks, including losing her leg to gangrene after an accident, Virginia never wavered in her determination to serve her country. After the outbreak of World War II, a chance meeting on a train changed her life—George Bellows, an agent of the British Special Operations Executive, recruited her as one of its first women agents. Working for Allied intelligence services in France, Virginia Hall organized French resistance fighters, performed daring rescues, and provided the Allies with intelligence that was key for ousting the Nazis and earned her numerous medals, including the US Army’s Distinguished Service Cross.

With chapters titled for each of the many aliases and nicknames used by Virginia Hall, this book takes readers through her extraordinary life and her evolution as a resistance fighter and intelligence operative. Award-winning author Claudia Friddell brings Virginia Hall’s bravery, intelligence, and determination to life in this thoroughly researched and photo-filled biography endorsed by Hall’s family.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, World War II, Middle Grade, Disability, Audiobook

160 pages, Hardcover

Published June 24, 2025

About the author

For children’s author Claudia Friddell, discovering exciting stories from long ago is a lot like treasure hunting. Claudia's narrative nonfiction books include: Saving Lady Liberty, Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls Answer the Call, George Washington’s Spies, Goliath, Hero of the Great Baltimore Fire, To the Front! Clara Barton Braves the Battle of Antietam, Road Trip! Cool Off and Ride, and her new YA book, The Mysterious Virginia Hall, out now! A former teacher, Claudia loves to share her journeys and joys of bringing history to life through books with students, teachers, and history lovers of all ages. When she’s not visiting schools, digging for treasure in the library, or writing at her home in Baltimore, Claudia is reading, walking, and kayaking on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know that there are a lot of children, middle grade, and young adult books about WWII; however, I truly do appreciate books that explore aspects of the war that go unnoticed. The Mysterious Virginia Hall does just that will it's deep dive into the life and service of Virginia Hall. I knew nothing about her or her contributions to the war effort. Though I wanted this to be a tad bit longer, it serves as a solid biographical read for teen readers who are specifically interested in that time period or the contributions of women to the war effort.

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: The Mysterious Virginia Hall: World War II’s Most Dangerous Spy by Claudia Friddell

Claudia Friddell’s The Mysterious Virginia Hall is a gripping and meticulously researched account of one of history’s most extraordinary yet underrecognized spies. Virginia Hall, an American woman with a prosthetic leg, became one of the most effective and feared operatives in World War II, working for both Britain’s Special Operations Executive (SOE) and later the American Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Friddell’s narrative brings Hall’s daring exploits to life, painting a vivid portrait of her courage, resourcefulness, and relentless determination in the face of Nazi oppression.

The book excels in its balanced approach, blending historical detail with engaging storytelling. Friddell avoids dry recitations of facts, instead crafting a dynamic narrative that captures the tension and danger of Hall’s missions. From her early struggles with disability discrimination to her pivotal role in organizing French Resistance networks, sabotaging Nazi operations, and evading the Gestapo (who dubbed her “the Limping Lady”), Hall’s story is one of resilience and brilliance.

Friddell’s prose is accessible yet sophisticated, making this book suitable for both general readers and history enthusiasts. The inclusion of archival photographs and documents enhances the reading experience, grounding Hall’s extraordinary feats in tangible reality. While the book is aimed at a younger audience (middle grade to YA), its depth and historical rigor ensure broader appeal.

Rating: 4.5/5

Section Scoring Breakdown:
-Research & Accuracy: 5/5 – Friddell’s thorough research is evident, with well-sourced details and historical context.
-Narrative & Style: 4.5/5 – Engaging and fluid, though occasionally simplified for younger readers.
-Character Depth: 4.5/5 – Hall’s personality and motivations are richly explored, though some secondary figures remain underdeveloped.
-Pacing & Structure: 4/5 – Well-organized, though some sections feel slightly rushed.
-Impact & Originality: 5/5 – A fresh, compelling take on an overlooked historical figure.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Claudia Friddell, for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was good and gave good insight into Virginia Hall, who isn’t someone I’d ever heard of and I feel like it gives good insight to a different part of World War II than what we get in our basic history classes. As a children’s book, the writing is simple and easy to understand.

Like I said, this is a children’s book. I would say early reader book, as it reads very much like something I would’ve used for a research paper in 2nd/3rd grade. With that said, I found the layout of the pages/passages weird. Like it looks like it could be free verse poetry style or if it is shaped to go around pictures. And some times there are pictures, so the spacing makes sense, but a lot of times there aren’t.

An ARC was provided from Astra Publishing House and NetGalley.

[Sarah B · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I had never heard of Virginia Hall before I picked up this book. My cousin is very into World War 2 stories so that has made me much more aware of books on that subject. And hence I am reading this.

I have to admit I don't know very much about spies. I think I have only read a few fiction books about spies in the past so it's a subject I am very unfamiliar with... My cousin has always found spies fascinating so I do hope she will like this book when I give it to her later - of course I had to read it first.

The book did give me an idea of how spies operate..they use disguises and meet in various places and use others to carry messages... And during this time period they used special electronics to send messages too... And they hoped they didn't get caught.

The thing that surprised me the most about this book are the things that Virginia did during her life. Like jumping off the roof of her family's barn. There is even a photo of her jumping. And she looks so high up in the air and she's barefoot! I don't understand how she could land without getting hurt. How did she do that? The book didn't explain it. Nor is she jumping into a pile of hay or anything. I only see grass at the bottom... So this tells us she was a tough tomboy since she was young. Riding horses too. Going hunting. And she was traveling to Europe since she was very young. I guess her family was rich. The book didn't specify that but they must have been. She also went to lots of colleges too. I can't say where she got the money for all of those colleges either. The book does leave a lot unexplained. I have always had the impression that farmers were poor but ... ???

And she lost a leg. And she had gotten a fake one. And it was this fake leg that was interfering with her ability to get her dream job. Even if she could dance on it and climb mountains with it. In fact the fact she conquered using it in less than a year is utterly amazing! Virginia should be a role model for anyone in a similar situation.

Obviously the majority of the book is about the war and where she was stationed in parts of France. It gives us an idea of what she did. And some of the difficult problems she faced. And it seemed for awhile she was running the entire thing there in France, which is why she became the number one target of the Germans. Luckily they didn't know who she was. Lots of action in here. And close calls too. The story definitely moves at a good pace. There are even jail escapes. The story is both entertaining and educational. But it did leave me with unanswered questions.

The sentences are short so it's very easy to read. The paragraphs are arranged similar to poetry. That makes it easy to read.

The book also has many photos and copies of documents. There are many photos of Virginia Hall and other people from the time period.

The book uses lots of descriptions so you get clear ideas too. For example it uses phrases like "gray hair and bulky peasant clothes".

One problem I do notice is it doesn't teach you how to say the French words - town names. How do you pronounce Lyon? Is it pronounced as "lion"? I suppose one would have to ask Google but it is a slight flaw in here. Or in the printed version anyway. I guess it wouldn't be an issue on the audiobook.

Anyway I did enjoy this. It is actually amazing that an American woman could become a British spy in France during WW2. As for what job she got after the war (which also greatly surprised me) I will leave that surprise for you to find out. Needless to say it's an exciting biography.

[Casee Ontko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know what compelled me to pick up this book, but I’m glad I did! How cool it is to read about such an incredible woman in history. Not only was she a fascinating woman, but an idol to never be forgotten. To put it plainly, she was such a badass! The things that she accomplished in her time was just extraordinary. What a horrific time for her to live in, and just the idea of everything that she went through was just insane to read about. The courage of this woman is something to be revered. I love stories of the hidden deadliness and cunning of women, especially ones where it emerged during this time period. I absolutely loved the pictures and the different historical pieces from her life. It made me feel slightly closer to her in a more personal way, and that was such a really cool touch. A quick but invigorating read.

[Bruce Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful book, written with a YA audience in mind, was a fascinating and informative read. Although non-fiction, parts of Friddell's book read like fiction. What a truly remarkable woman Virginia Hall was. She gave many years to simply championing good over evil and many lives were saved because of her energy, smarts, and personal gifts. I knew nothing of Hall before reading Friddell's account, and now it makes me want to know more.

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks)) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Virginia Hall and credit her so much for the Allies' victory.
Non-fiction told in verse. A good starter read for those interested in Hall, espionage, or WWII.
and good inspiration for those gearing up for the fight.

"Just as clever at skirting praise
as avoiding capture,
the adult Dindy -
the mysterious Virginia Hall -
shrugged off her extradordinary heroices
in helping to liberate France
with her characteristic humility -

Not bad for a girl from Baltimore"

[Aerykah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a nice, quick read! I love reading about this time in history so this was right up my alley. Definitely recommend it!

[Erin Reedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book about a woman I had never heard of, but everyone should know.

[Hollyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley.com and Astra Publishing House for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Mysterious Virginia Hall is an eye-opening and compelling biography depicting the heroic and underpraised WW2 spy, Virginia Hall. Friddell writes concisely, taking the reader on a swift and engaging tour of Hall's life. Friddell has a keen eye for extracting the heart of a story and funny or thrilling anecdotes are paired well with photographs and documents. The result is an evocative if somewhat surface-level account of a heroic life. While The Mysterious Virginia Hall is a great introduction to a younger reader, with just enough to whet the appetite, Hall's extraordinary life is not difficult to find engaging, which makes the rather passive voice of the biography, and lack of any substantial details, disappointing. A more active voice and more time spent on storytelling rather than praise, would have made this a fuller, richer, and more complete account.

If you are looking for a quick, easy, and enjoyable introduction to the legendary Virginia Hall, Friddell offers just that - nothing more, nothing less . But even young readers may benefit from more advanced and varied accounts of Hall's extraordinary life - something we no doubt owe our scrappy war hero.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I'm beginning to think that books about World War II will never stop being written, since we are now seeing some more of the hidden side of the war. Virginia Hall, who tried to keep her story as quiet as she could, has already gotten two middle grade treatments, in Purnell's 2022 Agent Most Wanted: The Never-Before-Told Story of the Most Dangerous Spy of World War II and Mitchell's 2019 The Lady Is a Spy: Virginia Hall, World War II Hero of the French Resistance, but this book is about half the length of those books, since it is heavily photo illustrated and in a verse format. This makes the book read very quickly, but still offers a good bit of information. (Page count is 160, but that includes some end notes and index.)

Hall's story is an intriguing one. Born in 1906, Hall took advantage of growing opportunities for women, and pushed the boundaries by joining the foreign service. After a hunting accident that caused her to lose a leg, she had difficulty joining the war effort, but eventually was able to operate as a British spy, helping to protect France. The book shows her path to that point, and also gives plenty of pulse pounding details of her war work. The fact that Friddell talked to Hall's family and got more insight to her life sets this one apart.

This is similar in length and format to Borden's 2013 His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg or 2018 Ski Soldier. Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming is probably the best known example of a life story in verse, and I can't think of many biographies or autobiographies in this format, other than Etched in Clay: The Life of Dave, Enslaved Potter and Poet by Andrea Cheng or Engle's Enchanted Air. The Mysterious Virginia Hall didn't seem as poetic as some of these other works, but the shorter lines and lighter text, combined with a lot of good quality photographs, made this an exciting, fast-paced book to pick up.

https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A YA biography about World War II’s most dangerous spy.
🕵️‍♀️
This engaging nonfiction text tells the remarkable true story of Virginia Hall, a determined young woman who defied expectations to become one of World War II’s most successful spies. After losing her leg in an accident and facing repeated career setbacks, Virginia joined Allied intelligence and worked undercover in Nazi-occupied France, organizing resistance fighters and delivering critical information. Through her many disguises and daring missions, her bravery and resilience helped change the course of the war.
🕵️‍♀️
Okay, Virginia! I see you! I had never heard of Virginia Hall before picking this up, but I learned so much from this short yet incredibly powerful biography. Huge thanks to the ASLA Yellowhammer YA list for introducing me to this title at your conference—my TBR grew quite a bit after that session! This was an absolutely fantastic and inspiring read. She was a BOSS!

CW: death, war, gun violence, loss of a limb, medical content, murder, execution, sexism

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did a young lady from a wealthy family in Maryland end up as the Gestapo’s most wanted spy? This YA biography of Virginia Hall tells the reader how it happened and more. With chapters titled for each of the many aliases and nicknames used by Virginia Hall, this book takes readers through her extraordinary life and her evolution as a resistance fighter and intelligence operative.

The author tells the reader about Virginia Hall’s bravery, intelligence, and determination to life in this thoroughly researched biography endorsed by Hall’s family. The biography is written in prose. I normally don’t care for this style but found it enjoyable to read. Virginia Hall was a truly remarkable woman who should not be forgotten.

Disclaimer: I received anarc of this book from the author/publisher from Negalley. I wasn’t obligated write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Xine Segalas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mysterious Virginia Hall is a fascinating and very readable introduction to one of the most remarkable women of World War II. Virginia Hall’s story — a one-legged American spy who helped turn the tide of the war — is told here with just the right balance of detail and accessibility for a YA audience.
Claudia Friddell gives young readers enough historical depth to make the story feel real and inspiring, but not so much that it bogs down the pacing. The photos, documents, and storytelling style make Hall’s bravery and ingenuity come alive on the page.
I especially appreciated how this book could spark deeper curiosity — it’s the kind of biography that might send readers off to learn more about Hall later in life. Who knows how many future historians or intelligence buffs will get their start here?

Thank you to NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t remember where I heard of Virginia Hall, but felt I needed to know more about her. I looked for books, but the only one I could find was this one for young adults. It was a perfect little read. I have since heard that there is a movie- A Call to Spy.
Virginia Hall was an amazing,courageous woman, who never gave up. Being a woman was more difficult in the mid 1900’s, and she was rejected for her coveted job, as a diplomat, but she persisted. Then she lost her leg, in a shooting accident. Ever confident and optimistic, she named her prosthetic leg Cuthbert, and pressed on, fighting in the resistance against fascism. She became a spy in the Second World War, and was known as the most dangerous of all allied spies to the gestapo.
Fascinating book about such a brave, important woman.

[Meneka Repka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I was still a teacher so I could use this book in my classroom! There are so many entry points here to engage kids who may struggle with nonfiction books- suspense, hardship, mystery, and danger…This book would be a wonderful contribution to a mystery or WWII unit.

I didn’t know much about Virginia Hall before this, but the book was highly accessible, and provided a good depth of information without being convoluted. One can only imagine the amount of research and work required to condense and present the story in a way that keeps the reader constantly at the edge of their seat. Virginia Hall was an absolutely fascinating person, but my favourite parts were the times in her life where she demonstrated great perseverance, diligence, and courage through difficult circumstances.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS A STORY YOUNG READERS NEED TO KNOW! Readers will be amazed and thrilled by this woman who is the definition of courageous. As an American abroad, Virginia Hall was witness to the rise of Nazism in Europe, and compelled to fight against it in whatever way she could, even before America was involved in the war. This included setting up spy networks, information gathering, and organizing prison escapes, all the while disguised and being hunted by the Gestapo. Nothing seemed to stop her, even the fact that she had a wooden leg! Virginia Hall avoided accolades in life, but she is someone we should all know about. Claudia Friddell’s text is accessible and concise and will engage even those reluctant to pick up a history book.

[Della Ferreri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating and engaging account of the persistent and fearless Virginia Hall. Undeterred by the challenges she faced in her dream of becoming a U.S. ambassador, Virginia Hall instead carved out a remarkable role as a daring and heroic World War 2 spy. And 'heroic' doesn't begin to cover it. Her bold risks, strategic and smart decisions, and the lives she saved converge into a story that is nothing short of breathtaking, riveting and inspiring. Enhanced by generous white space, photographs, maps, and authentic documents, this book offers a captivating and fast-paced reading experience. Like others said - this would make an awesome movie!.

[Desirae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Very short, but very informative. Claudia does a great job giving an accurate representation of Virginia Hall. She deep dives into detail and this book gives the right amount of info to keep you wanting to learn more. As a big fan of Virginia Hall, I’ve read a good chuck of the books and literature out there and this is SO accurate. I even learned a few more things. Most of these pictures can’t be found anywhere else and the photo descriptions were so exciting to read. I learned so much and this was a fun read for all ages!

[Ember Air · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I grow up, I want to be like Virginia Hall.

Virginia Hall is a children’s biography that is engaging, full of real-life images, and such an amazing story that readers are sure to want to experience it again and again.

An inspiring woman who wanted to see the world and do her part to help better intercountry relations, ends up being an amazing hunter, master of multiple languages, skilled in the art of disguise, and a wooden-legged spy who helped save numerous lives. Just to round out Virginia Hall’s amazingness, she retired to run a farm!

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Virginia Hall lived an extraordinary life. Born into privilege, she could have spent her life swanning her way through society; instead, she insisted on a life of adventure and service, breaking into work that was considered the province of men only. As a spy, she served countries not her own until the United States entered World War II. She played many roles and endured many dangers and hardships. Although clearly meticulously researched, nfortunately, the scope of this book does not do justice to the life Hall lived and the service she offered the free world.

[Beth Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claudia Friddell has created an accessible, engaging, and fascinating read for MG and YA readers about the incredible life of Virginia Hall. The text is enhanced with a multitude of photographs that invite today's readers into the past and Hall's life. This essential book on World War II widens the scope of understanding and deepens the humanity. Such an amazing and inspiring story, extremely well told!

[Claire Bobrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this astonishing real-life tale of gumption, bravery, and cool-headed efficiency in the face of great personal danger. The author's concise, fast-paced telling of the Virginia Hall story is perfect for YA readers, and the photo illustrations bring it all vividly to life. It's staggering to comprehend the level of heroics on display here. They don't make 'em like they used to! What a remarkable woman!!

[Suzy Levinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the inspirational and absolutely breathtaking story of American hero, Virginia Hall, a World War II spy! At every turn, Virginia (known by numerous nicknames and aliases) overcame countless obstacles with extraordinary persistence, ability to adapt, and integrity. Claudia Friddell's storytelling style is riveting, enhanced by clever white space, along with amazing photographs and documentation. I love this book (it should be made into a movie)!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a remarkable story of a woman who wanted [and failed] to join the Foreign Service only to become the most respected—and hunted—SOE spy in World War II in France. Virginia Hall was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Growing up she was unstoppable and adventurous… Now in this historical memoir, we learn of her biggest adventure. The chapters and sentences are short including some black & white photos and copies of Virginia Hall’s documents. Well worth the read. 4.5 stars

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Virginia Hall was an absolutely amazing person and her story is one every one should know. This a version aimed at teens so it's a bit short and sweet, I feel like it really glazed over a lot when it didn't need too. The formatting really through me off too. Either way, a good intro into this hero and hopefully will encourage people to look into her story.

[Bonni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an engaging and informative biography. I like the structure of the book with events and descriptions intermingled with photographs. The text itself seems to run in modified free verse (I'm not sure if that's intentional or if I just like where the line breaks were in reference to the content). The content is accessible without being overly simple. Very enjoyable.

[Debbie Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a super quick read, yet very informative and filled with photos that gave you a little deeper insight into the time period. I knew of Virginia Hall from another book titled “A Woman of No Importance “; much more in depth. I would recommend that after reading this brief yet extremely informative and interesting narrative.

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is amazing what Virginia Hall accomplished as a spy for the allies during WWII in France, and even more amazing that she accomplished it all with an artificial leg! I really enjoyed the format of this book, similar to a novel in verse (but not really), making it easy to read. I would've like a little more details into her escapades, but a great book abourt a woman I'd never heard of.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

probably intended for a ya audience. the spy no one has ever heard of is explored and explained in a clear and interesting manner. virginia hall is a wealthy. educated young woman who is determined to work for the government in some important capacity. it takes a while and a circuitous route, but she accomplishes her goal in the most spectacular way.