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A Girl's Guide to Spying
Not yet published
Expected 14 Apr 26Did you know that the Girl Guides worked undercover for MI5 during the First World War?
Phyllis and her younger sister, Annie, join the Guides hoping for adventure, despite their parents’ fears that the Guides are unladylike. Starting soon after the start of the First World War, the sisters are swept up in a bigger adventure than they’d bargained for when Phyllis is recruited as a messenger for MI5. Annie, meanwhile, embarks on an investigation of her own, suspecting the family who run the local haberdashery shop of being German spies. When one of the officers at M15, the stern Captain Warren, goes missing, the sisters find themselves joining forces. Could he be the real spy? And who is behind his mysterious disappearance?
Phyllis and her younger sister, Annie, join the Guides hoping for adventure, despite their parents’ fears that the Guides are unladylike. Starting soon after the start of the First World War, the sisters are swept up in a bigger adventure than they’d bargained for when Phyllis is recruited as a messenger for MI5. Annie, meanwhile, embarks on an investigation of her own, suspecting the family who run the local haberdashery shop of being German spies. When one of the officers at M15, the stern Captain Warren, goes missing, the sisters find themselves joining forces. Could he be the real spy? And who is behind his mysterious disappearance?
- GenresHistorical
304 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 14, 2026
32 people want to read
About the author
Holly Webb
301 books408 followersHolly Webb is one of Britain's best-loved children's writers. She has written over a hundred books for children, and her work has been translated into over thirty languages. Holly lives in Tilehurst, just outside of Reading, Berkshire, with her husband, three children and several cats.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 3, 2026
This really was a thrilling book. I really enjoyed the plot and the snippets of old handbooks, and other material linked to girl guiding was interesting and added something different to the book. The characters were well written and likeable. I particularly liked Annie and her free spirit. Phyl was a wonder example of the strength and cleverness of girls who may not be overly loud and outgoing. I liked the representation of different girls and how they can all be wonderful. Perfect for fans of Murder Most Unladylike. I really do hope that there are more to come as this would be a wonderful series.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
thoroughly enjoyed this. WWI home front with a good smattering of suffragettes. fascinated at the war work done by Girl Guides that I had no idea about.
October 27, 2025
Excellent middle grade spy adventure built around the recruitment of girl guides by the spy service during WWI
You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
November 20, 2025
I don’t think I could have enjoyed this book more than I did! I absolutely loved it.
We follow our plucky little Girl Scouts as they not only navigate through the war but their missions to get badges, do war work oh, and solve a murder and a mystery or two along the way.
You could tell how much research and love has gone into this book and it made for such enjoyable reading. I genuinely loved all the characters, the writing itself was great and the plot was super compelling (both for young readers and *cough* older readers like me). The author really got the tone of the times right too and it was all just balanced so well.
I hope there will be more to come because it’s set itself up to be a great series and one I’ll definitely be on the lookout for in the future.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
We follow our plucky little Girl Scouts as they not only navigate through the war but their missions to get badges, do war work oh, and solve a murder and a mystery or two along the way.
You could tell how much research and love has gone into this book and it made for such enjoyable reading. I genuinely loved all the characters, the writing itself was great and the plot was super compelling (both for young readers and *cough* older readers like me). The author really got the tone of the times right too and it was all just balanced so well.
I hope there will be more to come because it’s set itself up to be a great series and one I’ll definitely be on the lookout for in the future.
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A wonderful piece of historical fiction set during World War 1. A Girl’s Guide to Spying provides a fascinating insight into the role of the Girl Guides from the point of view of thirteen-year-old Phyl. Descriptions of the activities undertaken in the Guides’ weekly meetings stirred a sense of anticipation about the tremendous social change afoot, while highlighting the contradictory nature of the role that girls were expected to fulfil. For example, some weeks the Guides might perfect their ironing and starching skills in pursuit of the Laundry badge and in preparation for a life in the home. Other weeks, they worked towards their Ambulance badge or learnt Morse code, semaphore and how to tie knots.
Phyl’s involvement with the Guides gives her the unique opportunity to undertake confidential, paid work delivering messages for MO5. This role is both exciting and bracing for young Phyl, especially when set against the backdrop of ‘spy fever’ in World War 1 Britain. She takes her responsibilities seriously while learning how to deal with the patriarchal, sexist attitude of a colleague who strongly believes that women should not be undertaking ‘men’s work’.
One of this book’s strengths lies in how it acknowledges broader aspects of the War to the extent that they impinge upon Phyl’s life. For example, we see how the sinking of the Lusitania fuelled anti-German sentiment in Phyl’s neighbourhood and we learn about Edith Cavell’s nursing of Allied troops which was undertaken at great personal risk. This context grounded the novel in the time period, while maintaining the focus on Phyl’s journey.
Each chapter of the novel starts with an extract from a primary source, such as the ‘Girl Guides’ Gazette’ or Agnes Baden-Powell’s ‘The Handbook for Girl Guides’. I felt that this hugely enhanced the power of the narrative and increased my overall engagement with the story. The quotes selected reflected attitudes of the time which were influential in shaping girls’ formative experiences, for better or worse.
Above all, this novel showed how the Girl Guides movement helped to bridge the social divide and how it provided an alternative worldview through the involvement of Guide captains and lieutenants who were involved in the suffragette movement. It was a profound reminder that girls have always been just as capable as boys, are deserving of the same opportunities as boys and should be treated with respect and dignity in society and in the workplace.
Thank you so much to Rock the Boat and NetGalley for sharing an eARC with me in exchange for an honest review.
Phyl’s involvement with the Guides gives her the unique opportunity to undertake confidential, paid work delivering messages for MO5. This role is both exciting and bracing for young Phyl, especially when set against the backdrop of ‘spy fever’ in World War 1 Britain. She takes her responsibilities seriously while learning how to deal with the patriarchal, sexist attitude of a colleague who strongly believes that women should not be undertaking ‘men’s work’.
One of this book’s strengths lies in how it acknowledges broader aspects of the War to the extent that they impinge upon Phyl’s life. For example, we see how the sinking of the Lusitania fuelled anti-German sentiment in Phyl’s neighbourhood and we learn about Edith Cavell’s nursing of Allied troops which was undertaken at great personal risk. This context grounded the novel in the time period, while maintaining the focus on Phyl’s journey.
Each chapter of the novel starts with an extract from a primary source, such as the ‘Girl Guides’ Gazette’ or Agnes Baden-Powell’s ‘The Handbook for Girl Guides’. I felt that this hugely enhanced the power of the narrative and increased my overall engagement with the story. The quotes selected reflected attitudes of the time which were influential in shaping girls’ formative experiences, for better or worse.
Above all, this novel showed how the Girl Guides movement helped to bridge the social divide and how it provided an alternative worldview through the involvement of Guide captains and lieutenants who were involved in the suffragette movement. It was a profound reminder that girls have always been just as capable as boys, are deserving of the same opportunities as boys and should be treated with respect and dignity in society and in the workplace.
Thank you so much to Rock the Boat and NetGalley for sharing an eARC with me in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2025
When sisters Phyl and Annie join the girl guides, they have no idea what an adventure is waiting for them!This story explores a little known aspect of history where the guides played a part in the war efforts during World War One.
With plenty of intrigue and a missing Major to locate (even if he doesn't think much of her), Phyl is kept fully occupied in investigating her new terrain, peopled by spies and their dangerous secret missions.
This is great fun, and will be a hit with the target group. It earns 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
With plenty of intrigue and a missing Major to locate (even if he doesn't think much of her), Phyl is kept fully occupied in investigating her new terrain, peopled by spies and their dangerous secret missions.
This is great fun, and will be a hit with the target group. It earns 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was everything I hoped it would be - what a joy to get to know Rose Patrol as they help out with the war effort. A timely reminder of how even the smallest among us can make a difference. I loved them all although Hector the dog also captured my heart!
Holly Webb encapsulates all that is and has always been brilliant about Girlguiding - that it is for all girls and that persistence and skills of all sorts can bring about change. I hope this continues through the movement going forwards.
Holly Webb encapsulates all that is and has always been brilliant about Girlguiding - that it is for all girls and that persistence and skills of all sorts can bring about change. I hope this continues through the movement going forwards.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews