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The Codebreaker's Daughter
A heartbreaking betrayal. A secret to uncover at any cost.
Bletchley Park, 1942. When teacher Hana Phillips is unexpectedly recruited to Bletchley Park she's determined to do her bit for the war effort. A talented linguist, she's soon put to work cracking Japanese naval codes and her newfound talents make her confidence soar, even as her work puts pressure on her already fracturing marriage.
Then Hana is tasked with a secret mission. There is a mole in her team, sharing secrets with the enemy, and Hana must search them out. There's no one she can trust, and she knows others - including her own father - have already been targeted for their attempts to find the spy. With the clock ticking, Hana must get to the truth - no matter the personal cost...
A moving, sweeping and utterly gripping World War Two historical novel of love, courage, secrets and betrayal. Inspired by the incredible wartime work that took place at Bletchley Park, The Codebreaker's Daughter will appeal to fans of Anna Stuart, Mandy Robotham and Kathleen McGurl.
Bletchley Park, 1942. When teacher Hana Phillips is unexpectedly recruited to Bletchley Park she's determined to do her bit for the war effort. A talented linguist, she's soon put to work cracking Japanese naval codes and her newfound talents make her confidence soar, even as her work puts pressure on her already fracturing marriage.
Then Hana is tasked with a secret mission. There is a mole in her team, sharing secrets with the enemy, and Hana must search them out. There's no one she can trust, and she knows others - including her own father - have already been targeted for their attempts to find the spy. With the clock ticking, Hana must get to the truth - no matter the personal cost...
A moving, sweeping and utterly gripping World War Two historical novel of love, courage, secrets and betrayal. Inspired by the incredible wartime work that took place at Bletchley Park, The Codebreaker's Daughter will appeal to fans of Anna Stuart, Mandy Robotham and Kathleen McGurl.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2025
262 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
July 3, 2025
Bletchley Park, 1942. Teacher Hana Phillips is married to Gregory and is fluent in Japanese and keen to help the war effort so she accepts an unexpected job offer at Bletchley Park. Hana lived in Japan as a child, she and her father Alfred Castle do crosswords together and both are very intelligent and she fills in for him when he was injured.
Hana is to assist cracking the Japanese naval codes, she’s also given a secret mission they have a spy in hut seven and they want her to find out who it is. Hana can’t tell anyone what’s she doing, she has no idea who she can trust and including her co-workers, her marriage is in trouble and she discovers her husband is also at Bletchley Park and he’s not happy and things are tense at home.
I received a copy of The Codebreaker’s Daughter by Suzanne Fortin from NetGalley and Embla Book in exchange for an honest review. I have read so many books set in Bletchley Park, to be honest I wasn’t sure if I wanted to scrutinize another and wondered if I would discover any new information or facts and I was wrong.
This well narrative looks what happened during the Second World War from a different angle and perspective. It’s about a group of codebreakers trying to figure out what the Japanese were doing in the Pacific, at the time very few English people would have been fluent in the language, and had knowledge of country and culture.
A faced paced story full of intrigue, danger, secrets, a spy network and they would do anything not be exposed and caught and including murder.
Five stars from me, a thrilling historical fiction novel and it keeps you guessing who the traitors are until the end and the have enjoyed Ms Fortin’s previous books including; All That We Have Lost, The Forgotten Life of Arthur Pettinger and The Dance Teacher of Paris and I highly recommend them all.
Hana is to assist cracking the Japanese naval codes, she’s also given a secret mission they have a spy in hut seven and they want her to find out who it is. Hana can’t tell anyone what’s she doing, she has no idea who she can trust and including her co-workers, her marriage is in trouble and she discovers her husband is also at Bletchley Park and he’s not happy and things are tense at home.
I received a copy of The Codebreaker’s Daughter by Suzanne Fortin from NetGalley and Embla Book in exchange for an honest review. I have read so many books set in Bletchley Park, to be honest I wasn’t sure if I wanted to scrutinize another and wondered if I would discover any new information or facts and I was wrong.
This well narrative looks what happened during the Second World War from a different angle and perspective. It’s about a group of codebreakers trying to figure out what the Japanese were doing in the Pacific, at the time very few English people would have been fluent in the language, and had knowledge of country and culture.
A faced paced story full of intrigue, danger, secrets, a spy network and they would do anything not be exposed and caught and including murder.
Five stars from me, a thrilling historical fiction novel and it keeps you guessing who the traitors are until the end and the have enjoyed Ms Fortin’s previous books including; All That We Have Lost, The Forgotten Life of Arthur Pettinger and The Dance Teacher of Paris and I highly recommend them all.
May 12, 2025
🔐 Secrets. Betrayal. A race against time. At Bletchley Park, trust is the most dangerous gamble of all...
Gripping from the first page, The Codebreaker’s Daughter plunges readers into the high-stakes world of wartime espionage—this time from a rarely explored angle: decoding Japanese military and diplomatic communications. This unique perspective offers a fresh, fascinating take on Bletchley Park that fans of WWII fiction won’t want to miss.
Hana Phillips is a village teacher with a gift for languages, suddenly recruited into Britain’s most secretive operation. Fluent in Japanese and equipped with a sharp mind, she’s assigned to track down a mole leaking critical intelligence. But as her personal life unravels—her father in a coma, her marriage strained, her brother missing in action—Hana must stay focused as lives hang in the balance. With danger lurking even among her closest colleagues, who can she trust?
The suspense kicks in immediately and doesn’t let up, and I found it genuinely hard to put down. Hana is a compelling heroine, and the focus on the Pacific war front brought a new depth to the Bletchley narrative. This is not just another WWII historical novel—it’s a smart, sharp, and emotionally charged story of courage, resilience, and hidden heroes.
If you enjoy wartime fiction that blends real historical detail with twisty espionage and strong female leads, you'll be hooked. The Codebreaker’s Daughter brings a new dimension to WWII historical fiction, and I highly recommend picking it up.
Gripping from the first page, The Codebreaker’s Daughter plunges readers into the high-stakes world of wartime espionage—this time from a rarely explored angle: decoding Japanese military and diplomatic communications. This unique perspective offers a fresh, fascinating take on Bletchley Park that fans of WWII fiction won’t want to miss.
Hana Phillips is a village teacher with a gift for languages, suddenly recruited into Britain’s most secretive operation. Fluent in Japanese and equipped with a sharp mind, she’s assigned to track down a mole leaking critical intelligence. But as her personal life unravels—her father in a coma, her marriage strained, her brother missing in action—Hana must stay focused as lives hang in the balance. With danger lurking even among her closest colleagues, who can she trust?
The suspense kicks in immediately and doesn’t let up, and I found it genuinely hard to put down. Hana is a compelling heroine, and the focus on the Pacific war front brought a new depth to the Bletchley narrative. This is not just another WWII historical novel—it’s a smart, sharp, and emotionally charged story of courage, resilience, and hidden heroes.
If you enjoy wartime fiction that blends real historical detail with twisty espionage and strong female leads, you'll be hooked. The Codebreaker’s Daughter brings a new dimension to WWII historical fiction, and I highly recommend picking it up.
July 19, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Embla Books for an advanced digital copy of this book.
From the onset, this story appealed to me as it checks all of the boxes for books I like to immerse myself in… World War II historical fiction, strong female protagonist, and mystery and suspense. Unfortunately for me, this book was the equivalent of picking up a beautiful piece of fruit, and biting into it only to discover it’s spoiled. While I truly wanted to love this book, it missed the mark for me in so many places.
To be fair, I’ll start with what I did like. I have read a great deal of WWII fiction, and have never read a book focused on Bletchley Park, so I found it interesting to learn about Britain’s counterintelligence hub for the war. The storyline, while somewhat predictable, was intriguing enough that it kept me engaged and reading along to see how it all played out.
While the plot was engaging, the main character, Hana, was not. I had a hard time growing to like her, and often found her words and actions to be somewhat childish. Because of this, I found her hard to relate to, but even more so, it was not believable for me that she would be recruited or succeed as a master codebreaker/translator.
My other major issue with this book was in the prose. There was a distinct lack of descriptive passages which typically spark the reader’s senses and let them feel that they are part of what is happening. In The Codebreaker’s Daughter, there was much more tell than show, so it read less like a novel and more like an article. Additionally, the dialogue often felt overly modern for the time period, causing a disconnect for me that kept pulling my focus away from the story.
Reading is entirely subjective, and for the right person, I’m sure this book would be highly entertaining. For me, however, it fell short of my expectations, and ultimately will not be on my list of favorites.
From the onset, this story appealed to me as it checks all of the boxes for books I like to immerse myself in… World War II historical fiction, strong female protagonist, and mystery and suspense. Unfortunately for me, this book was the equivalent of picking up a beautiful piece of fruit, and biting into it only to discover it’s spoiled. While I truly wanted to love this book, it missed the mark for me in so many places.
To be fair, I’ll start with what I did like. I have read a great deal of WWII fiction, and have never read a book focused on Bletchley Park, so I found it interesting to learn about Britain’s counterintelligence hub for the war. The storyline, while somewhat predictable, was intriguing enough that it kept me engaged and reading along to see how it all played out.
While the plot was engaging, the main character, Hana, was not. I had a hard time growing to like her, and often found her words and actions to be somewhat childish. Because of this, I found her hard to relate to, but even more so, it was not believable for me that she would be recruited or succeed as a master codebreaker/translator.
My other major issue with this book was in the prose. There was a distinct lack of descriptive passages which typically spark the reader’s senses and let them feel that they are part of what is happening. In The Codebreaker’s Daughter, there was much more tell than show, so it read less like a novel and more like an article. Additionally, the dialogue often felt overly modern for the time period, causing a disconnect for me that kept pulling my focus away from the story.
Reading is entirely subjective, and for the right person, I’m sure this book would be highly entertaining. For me, however, it fell short of my expectations, and ultimately will not be on my list of favorites.
October 5, 2025
Read this relatively quickly but can’t say I particularly enjoyed it. The setting was promising but I felt that this didn’t deliver. The prose was a bit off and very basic in places. I couldn’t muster any sympathy for Hanna as a main character.
July 6, 2025
This eARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Set in 1942 in the middle of World War II, this story focuses on the secretive world of Bletchley Park and the work that was done there to support the war effort. After her father is severely injured because of his job at Bletchley Park, Hana Phillips must take up his role decrypting Japanese naval codes while trying to find the spy that her father was about to reveal before they tried to silence him.
When this novel starts, Hana is extremely unhappy in her life. While she enjoys being a school teacher, she is angry when she is reprimanded for teaching the students about the Japanese culture since she spent much of her life in Japan. She is also in a cold marriage since her husband, Gregory, was injured during the war while he was a pilot 2 years prior. He has pushed her so far away and has come to pity himself so much that they barely communicate anymore let alone show any kind of affection for each other. He is cruel, not so much in how he treats her, but more so in how much he ignores her. She feels very alone and leans heavily on her family for comfort so she is devastated when her father is injured.
Once Hana is recruited to Bletchley Park to continue her father’s work and figure out who the spy is it becomes exceedingly hard to trust most of the characters. Any of the people Hana works with could be the spy and even the people she is supposed to report to seem to have their own agenda. Without being able to communicate with her father, Hana becomes more isolated and anxious trying to figure everything out. At the same time, she becomes more confident in herself as she thrives in her job of decrypting the Japanese naval codes.
Once she meets Robert, an American sent to Bletchley Park to also find the spy, she starts to really look at her marriage and question whether she wants to stay since it makes her feel so miserable. Robert dotes on her and makes her feel so special but Gregory sees this and starts to make changes to fight for Hana, worrying he is too late. However, the paranoia that Bletchley Park seems to cause sets in and she starts to wonder if she can trust either Robert or Gregory.
This book is full of twists and turns with red herrings put in place to make you question everything. It was interesting to see this mystery unfold from Hana’s eyes especially as her thoughts and feelings for each character evolved as things are revealed. Since we saw everything from Hana’s perspective, I felt not only her anxiety and fear grow as she learned new things but also her confidence in herself and her abilities. She grew into a strong, independent person that didn’t need anyone in her life to support her, but was able to decide who she actually wanted in her life to make her happy.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down once the story got going. I’ve noticed that I have a hard time relating to Fortin’s main character at the beginning of her novels but they grow so much throughout her books I always come to love them by the end. Definitely recommend!
Set in 1942 in the middle of World War II, this story focuses on the secretive world of Bletchley Park and the work that was done there to support the war effort. After her father is severely injured because of his job at Bletchley Park, Hana Phillips must take up his role decrypting Japanese naval codes while trying to find the spy that her father was about to reveal before they tried to silence him.
When this novel starts, Hana is extremely unhappy in her life. While she enjoys being a school teacher, she is angry when she is reprimanded for teaching the students about the Japanese culture since she spent much of her life in Japan. She is also in a cold marriage since her husband, Gregory, was injured during the war while he was a pilot 2 years prior. He has pushed her so far away and has come to pity himself so much that they barely communicate anymore let alone show any kind of affection for each other. He is cruel, not so much in how he treats her, but more so in how much he ignores her. She feels very alone and leans heavily on her family for comfort so she is devastated when her father is injured.
Once Hana is recruited to Bletchley Park to continue her father’s work and figure out who the spy is it becomes exceedingly hard to trust most of the characters. Any of the people Hana works with could be the spy and even the people she is supposed to report to seem to have their own agenda. Without being able to communicate with her father, Hana becomes more isolated and anxious trying to figure everything out. At the same time, she becomes more confident in herself as she thrives in her job of decrypting the Japanese naval codes.
Once she meets Robert, an American sent to Bletchley Park to also find the spy, she starts to really look at her marriage and question whether she wants to stay since it makes her feel so miserable. Robert dotes on her and makes her feel so special but Gregory sees this and starts to make changes to fight for Hana, worrying he is too late. However, the paranoia that Bletchley Park seems to cause sets in and she starts to wonder if she can trust either Robert or Gregory.
This book is full of twists and turns with red herrings put in place to make you question everything. It was interesting to see this mystery unfold from Hana’s eyes especially as her thoughts and feelings for each character evolved as things are revealed. Since we saw everything from Hana’s perspective, I felt not only her anxiety and fear grow as she learned new things but also her confidence in herself and her abilities. She grew into a strong, independent person that didn’t need anyone in her life to support her, but was able to decide who she actually wanted in her life to make her happy.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down once the story got going. I’ve noticed that I have a hard time relating to Fortin’s main character at the beginning of her novels but they grow so much throughout her books I always come to love them by the end. Definitely recommend!
July 15, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
After a targeted accident involving her father, Hana is given a job at Bletchley Park as a code breaker because of her Japanese language skills, but she is also tasked with rooting out the mole in the department. In a story filled with page turning intrigue, Hana must find the spy before she becomes the next target.
I enjoyed the pace of this book. With the intrigue of trying to figure out who the spy was, I constantly found myself wanting to read more. As each new clue came to light, I couldn’t wait to see how everything would come together in the end.
I love WWII historical fiction and this book felt like it gave a different perspective than many others that I have read recently. The focus on Bletchley Park, rooting out a mole, and code breaking was very fascinating and added a thriller element to this book.
I did have a bit of a hard time with the female main character though, which made it hard to truly connect with her. Hana and her husband, Gregory, have had a strained relationship ever since he was in an accident a couple years before. What bothered me was the way that Hana seemed to not try to make the relationship any better (and due to some questionable actions, even made it worse for a time) but wallowed in her unhappiness and then tried to make seeking her own happiness the priority even when it was against better judgment. While Hana’s character bothered me, I did really enjoy many of the supporting characters including her mom, Pamela, and her sister-in-law, Gwen.
Overall the book kept my interest and kept me turning pages in order to get to the end to see how it would turn out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Embla books for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
After a targeted accident involving her father, Hana is given a job at Bletchley Park as a code breaker because of her Japanese language skills, but she is also tasked with rooting out the mole in the department. In a story filled with page turning intrigue, Hana must find the spy before she becomes the next target.
I enjoyed the pace of this book. With the intrigue of trying to figure out who the spy was, I constantly found myself wanting to read more. As each new clue came to light, I couldn’t wait to see how everything would come together in the end.
I love WWII historical fiction and this book felt like it gave a different perspective than many others that I have read recently. The focus on Bletchley Park, rooting out a mole, and code breaking was very fascinating and added a thriller element to this book.
I did have a bit of a hard time with the female main character though, which made it hard to truly connect with her. Hana and her husband, Gregory, have had a strained relationship ever since he was in an accident a couple years before. What bothered me was the way that Hana seemed to not try to make the relationship any better (and due to some questionable actions, even made it worse for a time) but wallowed in her unhappiness and then tried to make seeking her own happiness the priority even when it was against better judgment. While Hana’s character bothered me, I did really enjoy many of the supporting characters including her mom, Pamela, and her sister-in-law, Gwen.
Overall the book kept my interest and kept me turning pages in order to get to the end to see how it would turn out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Embla books for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2026
3.5 stars - Strong historical thriller undermined by unnecessary romantic subplot
Thank you to Embla Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Codebreaker's Daughter delivers where it counts most - in its vivid portrayal of Bletchley Park and the tense, compelling spy-hunting mission at its core. Fortin clearly did her research, and the codebreaking elements and wartime atmosphere are engaging and well-realized.
However, the book stumbles with its romantic subplot. While I appreciated Gregory as a character - he's genuinely decent and didn't deserve the treatment he received - I found Hana frustratingly selfish and at times childish in her behavior. The will-she-won't-she affair storyline with Robert felt unnecessary and detracted from the stronger espionage plot. It was also fairly obvious that Robert was manipulating her, which made these sections harder to invest in.
I also noticed some anachronistic touches, particularly around discussions of bigotry, that felt more 2020s than 1940s and pulled me out of the period setting.
That said, if you can look past the love triangle, there's a solid historical thriller here. The mole-hunting mission is suspenseful, and the Bletchley Park setting is fascinating. It may not be as strong as some other WWII fiction I've read, but it's still an enjoyable read for fans of the genre - just be prepared for some eye-rolling moments amid the codebreaking intrigue.
Thank you to Embla Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Codebreaker's Daughter delivers where it counts most - in its vivid portrayal of Bletchley Park and the tense, compelling spy-hunting mission at its core. Fortin clearly did her research, and the codebreaking elements and wartime atmosphere are engaging and well-realized.
However, the book stumbles with its romantic subplot. While I appreciated Gregory as a character - he's genuinely decent and didn't deserve the treatment he received - I found Hana frustratingly selfish and at times childish in her behavior. The will-she-won't-she affair storyline with Robert felt unnecessary and detracted from the stronger espionage plot. It was also fairly obvious that Robert was manipulating her, which made these sections harder to invest in.
I also noticed some anachronistic touches, particularly around discussions of bigotry, that felt more 2020s than 1940s and pulled me out of the period setting.
That said, if you can look past the love triangle, there's a solid historical thriller here. The mole-hunting mission is suspenseful, and the Bletchley Park setting is fascinating. It may not be as strong as some other WWII fiction I've read, but it's still an enjoyable read for fans of the genre - just be prepared for some eye-rolling moments amid the codebreaking intrigue.
July 15, 2025
Betrayal, secrecy, spy network, danger, mystery, broken promises, and renewed love are just some of the words that come to mind when thinking about this book.
It is set during WWII at takes place at the famous Bletchley Park.
After Hana’s father was struck by a car she is asked to take over his work at the printer. However, she quickly discovers he doesn’t work at the printer but is a codebreaker at Bletchley Park. He had been tasked with finding a mole in his group. Now it was up to Hana to find his notes, decipher his code, and find the mole.
There is nothing the mole won’t do to keep from being caught and exposed, including murder.
The book is full of twists and turns keeping you guessing with every page turn who the mole could be. There are red herrings throughout the book making you second guess every time you think you’ve solved the mystery.
I felt there was enough mystery and intrigue to keep me interested. It wasn’t too predictable either and it didn’t feel unrealistic. It was well written and the only negetive of the book for me was the fact that Hana did have an affair. It was an emotional affair and was contained to hand holding and kissing. Without giving away too much of the plot I will say in the end she reconciled with her husband and forgiveness was granted.
Content warning, other than the affair: there are some mild swear words throughout the book, there is attempted murder, and murder.
Thank you to Netgalley and Embla Books for the advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
It is set during WWII at takes place at the famous Bletchley Park.
After Hana’s father was struck by a car she is asked to take over his work at the printer. However, she quickly discovers he doesn’t work at the printer but is a codebreaker at Bletchley Park. He had been tasked with finding a mole in his group. Now it was up to Hana to find his notes, decipher his code, and find the mole.
There is nothing the mole won’t do to keep from being caught and exposed, including murder.
The book is full of twists and turns keeping you guessing with every page turn who the mole could be. There are red herrings throughout the book making you second guess every time you think you’ve solved the mystery.
I felt there was enough mystery and intrigue to keep me interested. It wasn’t too predictable either and it didn’t feel unrealistic. It was well written and the only negetive of the book for me was the fact that Hana did have an affair. It was an emotional affair and was contained to hand holding and kissing. Without giving away too much of the plot I will say in the end she reconciled with her husband and forgiveness was granted.
Content warning, other than the affair: there are some mild swear words throughout the book, there is attempted murder, and murder.
Thank you to Netgalley and Embla Books for the advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 3, 2025
The Codebreaker’s Daughter is a compelling story that I found completely absorbing. Hana is a strong lead female character; she is focused, intelligent, compassionate and very likeable.
Communication is at the heart of this story, both verbal conversations and via coded messages. What took place at Bletchley Park is fascinating and this novel offers an authentic insight into that; the way employees were so strictly bound by the Official Secrets Act, the hours they worked long into the night and the immense pressure they were under to decipher the codes.
A brilliant novel full of secrets and suspense. Highly recommended.
Communication is at the heart of this story, both verbal conversations and via coded messages. What took place at Bletchley Park is fascinating and this novel offers an authentic insight into that; the way employees were so strictly bound by the Official Secrets Act, the hours they worked long into the night and the immense pressure they were under to decipher the codes.
A brilliant novel full of secrets and suspense. Highly recommended.
August 11, 2025
This was a brilliant story so interesting. Set around Bletchley Park during the second World War it deals with spies and attempted murder and solving codes. I loved it. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
December 11, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. I would like to visit Bletchley Park now.
July 3, 2025
The Codebreaker's Daughter is a WWII novel with a twist.
Hana's father, Alfred, is a codebreaker at Bletchley Park, decrypting Japanese communications while searching for a mole in the Park. After an accident leaves him unable to do his job, Hana is recruited to take up his position. Decoding the Japanese messages proves to be complicated, but finding the spy proves to be difficult and dangerous.
This book started off fast-paced and kept it up through the entire novel. Hana and Gregory were very likable characters. I enjoyed learning all about the codebreakers and the tactics they used to decipher messages during the war. However, the book was extremely predictable and followed a very cliched pattern - a girl is swept off her feet by the handsome officer, she begins to doubt his motives, it turns out he's not who he says he is, there's a dangerous confrontation, and she's rescued by her actual true love. Midway through the novel, it is pretty obvious who the bad guys are. By the end of the book, I was pretty apathetic about the whole thing.
3 ⭐s.
Thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for an advanced copy. The book is scheduled to be published on July 15, 2025.
Hana's father, Alfred, is a codebreaker at Bletchley Park, decrypting Japanese communications while searching for a mole in the Park. After an accident leaves him unable to do his job, Hana is recruited to take up his position. Decoding the Japanese messages proves to be complicated, but finding the spy proves to be difficult and dangerous.
This book started off fast-paced and kept it up through the entire novel. Hana and Gregory were very likable characters. I enjoyed learning all about the codebreakers and the tactics they used to decipher messages during the war. However, the book was extremely predictable and followed a very cliched pattern - a girl is swept off her feet by the handsome officer, she begins to doubt his motives, it turns out he's not who he says he is, there's a dangerous confrontation, and she's rescued by her actual true love. Midway through the novel, it is pretty obvious who the bad guys are. By the end of the book, I was pretty apathetic about the whole thing.
3 ⭐s.
Thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for an advanced copy. The book is scheduled to be published on July 15, 2025.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2025
I was intrigued by the promise of a Bletchley Park mystery, but the main character spent so much time decoding her emotions that there wasn't much actual coding to be had. The puzzle Hana was solving from the start ended up being an afterthought, as the spy plot was essentially wrapped up off-page.
That being said, I can't say there was a dull moment throughout. Characters were always in danger, searching for clues and questioning each other's motives, and I appreciated that for those who were hurt in the process there were lasting consequences that Hana carried with her. Apart from where her brother Tom was concerned, as his fate remained unknown at the end, which kind of dampened the happy ending for me...
The writing was digestible but I felt it lacked detail, while also being repetitive and over-explanatory at times. For example, Gregory's accident and burn scars were described a few times within the first chapters, but somehow I only found out he was blond like halfway through the book?! The characters were mostly one-note and the women mainly bonded over this or that man being dishy - a bit more depth and emotional connection between the players would have made certain events carry more weight. The love triangle had intrigue, as the too-good-to-be-true Robert slowly became suspect, while cold, unsupportive Gregory gradually warmed up. Some of the scenes where Hana and Gregory discussed their relationship were heartfelt and made me feel sympathy for them (even though it was hard when Hana kept trying to justify and minimise her affair!). However, I felt the romance aspect dominated the mystery, particularly in the middle of the story, and it could be frustrating how slow the protagonist was to pick up on the men's true motives and feelings.
Regardless, I sped through this book and found myself keen to listen. I enjoyed it as if it were a crazy story from Grandma about what she got up to back in the day. She might leave out details, and you've heard some of it before, but you still find yourself sat there with a biscuit poised over your brew asking, "and then what?"
That being said, I can't say there was a dull moment throughout. Characters were always in danger, searching for clues and questioning each other's motives, and I appreciated that for those who were hurt in the process there were lasting consequences that Hana carried with her. Apart from where her brother Tom was concerned, as his fate remained unknown at the end, which kind of dampened the happy ending for me...
The writing was digestible but I felt it lacked detail, while also being repetitive and over-explanatory at times. For example, Gregory's accident and burn scars were described a few times within the first chapters, but somehow I only found out he was blond like halfway through the book?! The characters were mostly one-note and the women mainly bonded over this or that man being dishy - a bit more depth and emotional connection between the players would have made certain events carry more weight. The love triangle had intrigue, as the too-good-to-be-true Robert slowly became suspect, while cold, unsupportive Gregory gradually warmed up. Some of the scenes where Hana and Gregory discussed their relationship were heartfelt and made me feel sympathy for them (even though it was hard when Hana kept trying to justify and minimise her affair!). However, I felt the romance aspect dominated the mystery, particularly in the middle of the story, and it could be frustrating how slow the protagonist was to pick up on the men's true motives and feelings.
Regardless, I sped through this book and found myself keen to listen. I enjoyed it as if it were a crazy story from Grandma about what she got up to back in the day. She might leave out details, and you've heard some of it before, but you still find yourself sat there with a biscuit poised over your brew asking, "and then what?"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2025
It's October 1942 in Buckinghamshire, England and Hana is teaching a class of eight and nine year old children, she can speak Japanese fluently and every day speaks to the children in Japanese to say good morning and goodbye, something that doesn't go down well with the parents and she is told to stop. After her father is knocked down in a hit and run accident you can't help but wonder if it was an accident or somehow connected, and when she is requested to take over from her father at the print works she starts to wonder what exactly he father did for his job. Then more secrets occur when she is requested to join the top secret world of Bletchley Park!
Hana is certainly kept busy at work, and when she is asked to do some undercover snooping, she agrees, but all the time, she doesn't know who she can trust.
When an American serviceman stays with them as well as working alongside Hana, things get a little bit more difficult at times, making sure nobody will let out important information and yet still Hana doesn't know who to trust. But when her own safety and that of her closest family are put at risk, she doesn't know who to turn to and, more importantly, who to trust!
A story of secrets, espionage, and family life set around Bletchley Park and the surrounding countryside. Full of friendships, but also doubts and secrets, as no one knows who to trust. It certainly keeps your attention from the first few pages till the very end, keeping you guessing along the way. I personally think that it would make a great TV drama.
A gorgeous story that fans of WW2 saga fiction will adore, I really enjoyed it. A five-star read from me.
#netgalley
#SuzanneFortin
#emblabooks
##BonnierbooksUk
Hana is certainly kept busy at work, and when she is asked to do some undercover snooping, she agrees, but all the time, she doesn't know who she can trust.
When an American serviceman stays with them as well as working alongside Hana, things get a little bit more difficult at times, making sure nobody will let out important information and yet still Hana doesn't know who to trust. But when her own safety and that of her closest family are put at risk, she doesn't know who to turn to and, more importantly, who to trust!
A story of secrets, espionage, and family life set around Bletchley Park and the surrounding countryside. Full of friendships, but also doubts and secrets, as no one knows who to trust. It certainly keeps your attention from the first few pages till the very end, keeping you guessing along the way. I personally think that it would make a great TV drama.
A gorgeous story that fans of WW2 saga fiction will adore, I really enjoyed it. A five-star read from me.
#netgalley
#SuzanneFortin
#emblabooks
##BonnierbooksUk
July 8, 2025
There is nothing better than a book that grabs my attention from the very beginning. I was hooked in chapter one. The thrills and chills just kept coming. There is a spy at Bletchley Park. Someone is sharing secrets with the enemy. MI5 enlisted a codebreaker to help. Of course, with the Secrets Act no one will know what is going on.
Alfred Has told is family that he works at a Printer's. His family has suspicions but there was no way of knowing until the unthinkable happens. He leaves for work like any other day. As he crosses the road he is hit by a speeding car that doesn't stop. Alfred was targeted and the target was hit.
Alfred is not doing well in the hospital. He can't do his job. The spy still has access messages that have been broken. His daughter, Hana, will have to step in to decode messages and find the spy or spies.
I have never misguessed so many times when reading a book. I thought I had figured things out so many times only to start second guessing myself. The edge of my seat suspense had me reading chapter after chapter needing to know. The secrets, the treasonous acts were mindblowing. Attempted murder and murder adds a wonderful who-done-it vibe to the story.
The characters add even more to the story. I learned of the struggles of those that are part of Bletchley Park. I was reminded that even in war; life goes on. Romances come and go. I was reminded of the strength of family. The unexpected hero had my heart pounding and hoping that a happily ever after would be in his future.
Alfred Has told is family that he works at a Printer's. His family has suspicions but there was no way of knowing until the unthinkable happens. He leaves for work like any other day. As he crosses the road he is hit by a speeding car that doesn't stop. Alfred was targeted and the target was hit.
Alfred is not doing well in the hospital. He can't do his job. The spy still has access messages that have been broken. His daughter, Hana, will have to step in to decode messages and find the spy or spies.
I have never misguessed so many times when reading a book. I thought I had figured things out so many times only to start second guessing myself. The edge of my seat suspense had me reading chapter after chapter needing to know. The secrets, the treasonous acts were mindblowing. Attempted murder and murder adds a wonderful who-done-it vibe to the story.
The characters add even more to the story. I learned of the struggles of those that are part of Bletchley Park. I was reminded that even in war; life goes on. Romances come and go. I was reminded of the strength of family. The unexpected hero had my heart pounding and hoping that a happily ever after would be in his future.
July 17, 2025
As someone fascinated by the stories of translators working at Bletchley Park during the war, I was immediately drawn to this novel, especially as it focuses on the less known Japanese division of the Park in Hut 7. The lead is a talented female linguist and lover of puzzles who steps in for her father. The story was quickly high in suspense and it kept me turning the pages late into the night.
What readers should know is that romance plays a significant role in the narrative. While the backdrop of Bletchley Park and the codebreaking work is certainly present, it often serves more as a lens through which the main character’s personal relationships are explored. These dynamics felt authentic and well-developed, adding emotional depth to the story.
However, I did find myself wishing for a bit more from the wartime intelligence side of the plot. The codebreaking aspect was fun but took a backseat to the romantic and interpersonal storylines, and certain elements felt unresolved. Because of that, I likely knocked a star off my rating.
That said, this was still a thoroughly enjoyable read. Fans of suspenseful historical fiction with emotional depth and a strong heroine will love it.
Thank you very much to Embla Books and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest opinion of the book.
What readers should know is that romance plays a significant role in the narrative. While the backdrop of Bletchley Park and the codebreaking work is certainly present, it often serves more as a lens through which the main character’s personal relationships are explored. These dynamics felt authentic and well-developed, adding emotional depth to the story.
However, I did find myself wishing for a bit more from the wartime intelligence side of the plot. The codebreaking aspect was fun but took a backseat to the romantic and interpersonal storylines, and certain elements felt unresolved. Because of that, I likely knocked a star off my rating.
That said, this was still a thoroughly enjoyable read. Fans of suspenseful historical fiction with emotional depth and a strong heroine will love it.
Thank you very much to Embla Books and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest opinion of the book.
June 17, 2025
The Codebreaker's Daughter tells the story of Hana, a British teacher in the UK during the WWII time period whose father works as a printer and is hit by a car on the way to work. Hana and her family had lived in Japan and both Hana and her dad speak fluent Japanese. Hana and her husband have hit a rough patch after he was shot down and injured. She is approached by her father's employers and told that he was not a printer but a codebreaker working at Bletchley Park and that the Government wanted her to take up her father's work. The signing of the Official Secrets Act meant that her father could not tell his family what he was doing - nor could her husband tell her that he, too, works at Bletchley Park. There is so much going on here - Hana is tasked with codebreaking as well as trying to find out who is the spy/mole in the workroom while she starts a dalliance with their border, a visiting American. This book has it all - a fascinating look into the work done at Bletchley Park, interesting, likeable, and sympathetic characters, a mystery, and a murder. I couldn't put it down! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2025
I love good historical fiction, and this book's description drew me in. It was interesting to learn a bit about the work of the codebreakers, and gain greater understanding of the importance of their role.
The book is well written and easy to read. Characters are introduced at a pace that enables the reader to easily keep track of who is who, and how they relate to one another. The author spends a good deal of time to explore the relationships among the characters. In fact, this is far more a story of relationships than one of the historical perspective of the codebreakers.
I wasn't a fan of the protagonist, and that undoubtedly colors my view of the book. From the outset, she struck me as one who is more concerned about herself than others. Her husband has undergone tremendous trauma, and her marriage is failing, but she does not examine how she might be contributing to the situation. She is also wildly naive, illustrated through several other relationships that she has (not wanting to create any spoilers here...).
Overall, this was a good but not great book. Since it is a relatively quick read, and does have a bit of historical perspective, I would recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction, especially stories that emphasis relationships more than history or culture.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #TheCodebreakersDaughter. This review reflects my unbiased opinion of the book.
The book is well written and easy to read. Characters are introduced at a pace that enables the reader to easily keep track of who is who, and how they relate to one another. The author spends a good deal of time to explore the relationships among the characters. In fact, this is far more a story of relationships than one of the historical perspective of the codebreakers.
I wasn't a fan of the protagonist, and that undoubtedly colors my view of the book. From the outset, she struck me as one who is more concerned about herself than others. Her husband has undergone tremendous trauma, and her marriage is failing, but she does not examine how she might be contributing to the situation. She is also wildly naive, illustrated through several other relationships that she has (not wanting to create any spoilers here...).
Overall, this was a good but not great book. Since it is a relatively quick read, and does have a bit of historical perspective, I would recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction, especially stories that emphasis relationships more than history or culture.
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #TheCodebreakersDaughter. This review reflects my unbiased opinion of the book.
August 24, 2025
In this brilliant new World War II historical fiction novel, readers meet teacher and linguist Hana Phillips in 1942 England right before she is recruited to the nearby Bletchley Park as a codebreaker working on Japanese naval codes. Confident in her skills, Hana rises to the occasion even as the pressure at work begins to affect her struggling marriage and home life. However, Hana’s recruitment has a dual purpose: leadership has identified a mole on her team sharing British secrets with the enemy, and Hana must discover who the mole is even though other members of the team -- including her father -- have been targeted because they tried to find the spy. With high stakes and a detailed historical setting, readers will love the intensity of this new novel and its insights into the secret work of Bletchley Park for the British war effort. The characters are well-written and complex, and Hana’s relationships with other characters, particularly her father and estranged husband, really add a lot of depth to her character. The amount of drama and intensity is absolutely fantastic, and the emotional storylines are particularly detailed and well-written in ways which fans of World War II historical fiction will enjoy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for the advance copy.
June 1, 2025
Suzanne Fortin delivers a compelling and suspenseful read in The Codebreaker's Daughter. From the opening pages, the story grips the reader with a mysterious “accident” that immediately sets a tone of intrigue and unease. Fortin masterfully builds on this tension over the course of the novel, weaving together secrets, lies, and shifting loyalties in a way that keeps you turning the pages.
The characters are well-drawn and believable, grounded in emotional realism that makes their journeys engaging. While some twists—like Robert’s true nature—may be obvious early on to the savvy reader, Fortin doesn’t rely solely on shock value. Instead, she sows seeds of suspicion across multiple characters, maintaining a strong sense of uncertainty right up until the surprising conclusion. The ending ties together the various threads in a satisfying and unexpected way.
Although the novel doesn’t quite reach the emotional heights of being truly epic or heartbreaking, it’s undeniably a solid, enjoyable read. With its smart pacing, layered mystery, and believable cast, The Codebreaker's Daughter is a great pick for fans of historical fiction with a twist of suspense.
The characters are well-drawn and believable, grounded in emotional realism that makes their journeys engaging. While some twists—like Robert’s true nature—may be obvious early on to the savvy reader, Fortin doesn’t rely solely on shock value. Instead, she sows seeds of suspicion across multiple characters, maintaining a strong sense of uncertainty right up until the surprising conclusion. The ending ties together the various threads in a satisfying and unexpected way.
Although the novel doesn’t quite reach the emotional heights of being truly epic or heartbreaking, it’s undeniably a solid, enjoyable read. With its smart pacing, layered mystery, and believable cast, The Codebreaker's Daughter is a great pick for fans of historical fiction with a twist of suspense.
July 10, 2025
As a fan of The Rose Code and all things Bletchley Park, this book hooked me from the start. The Codebreaker’s Daughter is a gripping, twist-filled historical mystery that kept me turning pages late into the night.
Hana, a schoolteacher turned codebreaker, navigates the secretive world of wartime intelligence, family tragedy, and growing suspicion within the walls of Bletchley. The tension builds steadily as Hana investigates a suspected spy, cracks secret codes (including one left by her father), and uncovers betrayals close to home. With layered characters, especially the mysterious Robert and her complex relationship with her husband Gregory, the story keeps you guessing until the final reveal — and I loved the payoff.
Fortin blends suspense, emotion, and historical intrigue beautifully. Highly recommend for fans of WWII fiction with a strong female lead.
Thank you to NetGalley and Embla Books for the ARC!
Hana, a schoolteacher turned codebreaker, navigates the secretive world of wartime intelligence, family tragedy, and growing suspicion within the walls of Bletchley. The tension builds steadily as Hana investigates a suspected spy, cracks secret codes (including one left by her father), and uncovers betrayals close to home. With layered characters, especially the mysterious Robert and her complex relationship with her husband Gregory, the story keeps you guessing until the final reveal — and I loved the payoff.
Fortin blends suspense, emotion, and historical intrigue beautifully. Highly recommend for fans of WWII fiction with a strong female lead.
Thank you to NetGalley and Embla Books for the ARC!
July 26, 2025
I loved this book. I read it in one day! I literally couldn't put it down. It was fast-paced thrilling spy novel. It takes place at Bletchley Park during WWII. I've read hundreds of WWII books and several set at Bletchley Park, but this one covered new ground to me. It's about a Father and a daughter trying to find out who is the mole within a small yet critical team tasked with codebreaking Japanese interceptions.
Hana Fletcher is a teacher who is married. She is totally unprepared to be suddenly thrown into working with this group. Her ability to speak and read Japanese almost fluently is what qualified her for this role. But it comes with much more danger and intrigue than she anticipated. She gets tied up in the mystery and works hard to stay safe, and help save the British from the Japanese.
If you like suspense and high drama, you will love this historical fiction book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Embla Books for this advance copy in return for my honest review.
Hana Fletcher is a teacher who is married. She is totally unprepared to be suddenly thrown into working with this group. Her ability to speak and read Japanese almost fluently is what qualified her for this role. But it comes with much more danger and intrigue than she anticipated. She gets tied up in the mystery and works hard to stay safe, and help save the British from the Japanese.
If you like suspense and high drama, you will love this historical fiction book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Embla Books for this advance copy in return for my honest review.
August 10, 2025
This book was so good! Set during World War Two and based specifically at Bletchley Park, we all know what went on there now, but at the time there was so much more than met the eye.
Dealing with themes that were rife at the time, betrayal, espionage, secrecy and heartbreak, this book kept you guessing with clues, characters who weren't themselves and how it would all resolve.
This book was beautifully researched and written well with characters that you felt for. I don't know if there will be another but the characters already established would make a great team to back another love story.
I was certainly on the edge of my seat with the 'don't trust him, he's lying!' element one minute and the whole 'That's suspicious! Tell someone!' the next.
Loving Suzanne Fortin as a history and romance writer and will be looking out for more of her books. Thanks to Netgalley, and Embla Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this title.
Dealing with themes that were rife at the time, betrayal, espionage, secrecy and heartbreak, this book kept you guessing with clues, characters who weren't themselves and how it would all resolve.
This book was beautifully researched and written well with characters that you felt for. I don't know if there will be another but the characters already established would make a great team to back another love story.
I was certainly on the edge of my seat with the 'don't trust him, he's lying!' element one minute and the whole 'That's suspicious! Tell someone!' the next.
Loving Suzanne Fortin as a history and romance writer and will be looking out for more of her books. Thanks to Netgalley, and Embla Books for allowing me to read an ARC of this title.
August 27, 2025
📆 single, linear timeline
👀 single POV. 3rd person
🐢 -🐇 medium-paced
I have just spent an entire afternoon fully immersed in a wartime Bletchley Park, and it's so good being able to do so as I wouldn't have had a look in for real, absolutely no way would I have been smart enough. Unlike Hana, who was a thoroughly likeable main character, even if she did have her head turned a little too easily by a handsome American.
Despite this being called 'The Codebreaker's Daughter', and despite the fact it's set at Bletchley Park, the book isn't so much about breaking a code, although that is the work they are doing, but is more about catching a mole and solving a crime closet to home.
It was also, in a smaller way, about love and taking it for granted. A story about 2 people realising what real love is. The quiet day to day, rather than the excitement of the unknown.
I've read some of Fortin's previous work, so I already knew I would love this one. Definitely worth a read.
👀 single POV. 3rd person
🐢 -🐇 medium-paced
I have just spent an entire afternoon fully immersed in a wartime Bletchley Park, and it's so good being able to do so as I wouldn't have had a look in for real, absolutely no way would I have been smart enough. Unlike Hana, who was a thoroughly likeable main character, even if she did have her head turned a little too easily by a handsome American.
Despite this being called 'The Codebreaker's Daughter', and despite the fact it's set at Bletchley Park, the book isn't so much about breaking a code, although that is the work they are doing, but is more about catching a mole and solving a crime closet to home.
It was also, in a smaller way, about love and taking it for granted. A story about 2 people realising what real love is. The quiet day to day, rather than the excitement of the unknown.
I've read some of Fortin's previous work, so I already knew I would love this one. Definitely worth a read.
January 9, 2026
This should been a book I loved- a world war mystery focused on codebreaking with a female protagonist. However, the book has a predictable plot with minimal emphasis on the historical aspects. I forced myself to finish it purely to see if I was right about my early guesses. (I was.)
Much of the narrative is devoted to the main character lamenting her situation and describing how she doesn’t know what to do. Another significant portion of the story focuses on descriptions of the main character’s physical relationship with another character. Finally my frustration with the book was exacerbated by its inconsistently written characters whose personalities seem to shift at convenient moments. There were some big plot holes as well.
In summary, this book is much more a book about a weak woman’s relationship problems set during wartime than it was about espionage or codebreaking.
I want to give it 1 star but since I was interested enough to finish it I gave it 2.
Much of the narrative is devoted to the main character lamenting her situation and describing how she doesn’t know what to do. Another significant portion of the story focuses on descriptions of the main character’s physical relationship with another character. Finally my frustration with the book was exacerbated by its inconsistently written characters whose personalities seem to shift at convenient moments. There were some big plot holes as well.
In summary, this book is much more a book about a weak woman’s relationship problems set during wartime than it was about espionage or codebreaking.
I want to give it 1 star but since I was interested enough to finish it I gave it 2.
May 30, 2025
Wow! I took a break from my usual thriller reads and this blew me away. My first book by Suzanne Fortin and I will definitely be reading more by her.
Hana Philips is going about her daily life when she is suddenly recruited to Bletchley Park to codebreak and spy hunt. Hana is a strong, intelligent young woman who is so easy to like. You can't help but be drawn into her story, her personal and professional life.
The story is gripping from he off, suspenseful, with the right balance of history, drama and emotion. The book is clearly very well researched, and the characters have had lots of thought and detail go into them. All too often the forgotten heroes and heroines of war are overlooked, here the are shone a light on.
If you enjoy historical fiction and mystery then this is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley, Suzanne Fortin and Embla books for the ARC.
Hana Philips is going about her daily life when she is suddenly recruited to Bletchley Park to codebreak and spy hunt. Hana is a strong, intelligent young woman who is so easy to like. You can't help but be drawn into her story, her personal and professional life.
The story is gripping from he off, suspenseful, with the right balance of history, drama and emotion. The book is clearly very well researched, and the characters have had lots of thought and detail go into them. All too often the forgotten heroes and heroines of war are overlooked, here the are shone a light on.
If you enjoy historical fiction and mystery then this is for you.
Thank you to NetGalley, Suzanne Fortin and Embla books for the ARC.
July 8, 2025
"Bletchley Park? Codebreaking? WW2? "The Codebreaker's Daughter" by Suzanne Fortin is a fascinating Historical Fiction Mystery. There is also a Japanese component to this story that is very interesting. Teacher Hana Philips is recruited to work at Bletchley Park the day after her father is mysteriously involved in a hit and run accident on the way to work. She is struggling in her marriage, and has just been told by her husband that a soldier will be billeted in their home. This story grabs you and pulls you in. So much is happening in the world at this time, and daily challenges are the norm. Hana wants to do her part for the war effort, but at what cost? Who can she trust?
"The Codebreaker's Daughter is a highly readable book that I could not put down. 5 Stars
Thank you to netGalley, and Embla Books UK for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
"The Codebreaker's Daughter is a highly readable book that I could not put down. 5 Stars
Thank you to netGalley, and Embla Books UK for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
July 16, 2025
Oh my word what a great book
I love to read about Bletchley Park and those deemed intelligent enough to be of use there. I had little idea that there had been Japanese decoders as well.
This book leaps in with mystery, intrigue, espionage and a touch of old-fashioned romance. It keeps going even after the events of the first few chapters.
The story revolves around Hana and Gregory and Hana’s family. There is also a house guest who inveigles his way into Hana’s home and to some extent her heart.
The book is obviously well researched and is very well written At one point towards the end it brought me to tears.
The end was perhaps a little rushed but the events needed to be brought together and to a satisfactory fruition. I would have liked to know what happened to a few characters - maybe imagination will have to be enough.
A great read - I am slightly sad it’s come to an end
I love to read about Bletchley Park and those deemed intelligent enough to be of use there. I had little idea that there had been Japanese decoders as well.
This book leaps in with mystery, intrigue, espionage and a touch of old-fashioned romance. It keeps going even after the events of the first few chapters.
The story revolves around Hana and Gregory and Hana’s family. There is also a house guest who inveigles his way into Hana’s home and to some extent her heart.
The book is obviously well researched and is very well written At one point towards the end it brought me to tears.
The end was perhaps a little rushed but the events needed to be brought together and to a satisfactory fruition. I would have liked to know what happened to a few characters - maybe imagination will have to be enough.
A great read - I am slightly sad it’s come to an end
June 12, 2025
A fascinating story of a young woman, Hana Phillips, in Blitz era England (1942) who finds herself at Bletchley Hall decoding Japanese naval codes. Her marriage is a mess, her husband, injured during the war opposes the work she is doing, and it appears there may be a mole in the group. Hana’s husband is also in intelligence work which adds another layer of complexity, as they can’t talk about what they are doing and there is a possibility that he could be the mole. Well researched, well written, with a skosh of romantic tension thrown in, the story takes us in many directions as we try to solve the mystery, along with Hana. Who can she trust? Who is the spy? Can her marriage be saved? A really great read!
July 5, 2025
This was an interesting delve into working life in Bletchley Park in WW2. It focuses on Hana whose father was seriously injured in a car collision. she was asked to take his place in decoding Japanese messages owing to her background in linguistics and having spent a few years living in Japan prior to the outbreak of WW2. She then faces several challenges, finding a mole in her department and then trying to revive a stale marriage to a man severely injured in a plan crash. The two storylines are interwoven well although I would have like more focus on espionage rather than romance. I liked the ending where she and her husband were able to reconnect and rekindle their marriage offering forgiveness to each other, something that our society could possibly learn a great deal from.
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