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The Limping Lady: Based on the True Story of America's Most Decorated Female Spy
In the heart of occupied France, the Gestapo is hunting a ghost. They only know one thing about their most dangerous her limp.
Sent to Lyon, a city built for conspiracy, an American spy with a wooden leg codenamed "Cuthbert" begins a one-woman war against the Third Reich. Under the guise of a naïve journalist, Virginia Hall orchestrates sabotage and builds escape lines, her every move shadowed by the threat of discovery. Her limp is her signature, the one flaw in her performance that could betray her to the ever-watchful Gestapo.
When the enemy’s top spy hunter is brought in to eliminate the mysterious “Limping Lady,” Virginia must escalate her mission from espionage to open warfare. Tasked with forging a unified army from the feuding tribes of the Maquis, she must command bitter rivals in a series of audacious heists and devastating attacks. From the rooftops of Lyon to the treacherous peaks of the Pyrenees, Virginia wages a war of wits and wills against a relentless enemy who is determined to unmask her.
An epic and thrilling novel based on the true story of Virginia Hall, the spy who became a myth.
Sent to Lyon, a city built for conspiracy, an American spy with a wooden leg codenamed "Cuthbert" begins a one-woman war against the Third Reich. Under the guise of a naïve journalist, Virginia Hall orchestrates sabotage and builds escape lines, her every move shadowed by the threat of discovery. Her limp is her signature, the one flaw in her performance that could betray her to the ever-watchful Gestapo.
When the enemy’s top spy hunter is brought in to eliminate the mysterious “Limping Lady,” Virginia must escalate her mission from espionage to open warfare. Tasked with forging a unified army from the feuding tribes of the Maquis, she must command bitter rivals in a series of audacious heists and devastating attacks. From the rooftops of Lyon to the treacherous peaks of the Pyrenees, Virginia wages a war of wits and wills against a relentless enemy who is determined to unmask her.
An epic and thrilling novel based on the true story of Virginia Hall, the spy who became a myth.
- GenresHistory
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 23, 2025
Based on a true story, this is a truly remarkable story of great courage!
November 5, 2025
As a history lover I found this book hard to put down. The author captured the fear, pain, and self doubt of Virginia overcome by her courage, loyalty and brilliant strategic mind. Highly recommend.
November 22, 2025
Wonderful
I am an old man and I read a lot. But out of the thousands of books I've read this one ranks right at the top of the pile with the best of them!
I am an old man and I read a lot. But out of the thousands of books I've read this one ranks right at the top of the pile with the best of them!
April 8, 2026
This book was a page turner. It kept me engaged and wanting to know what would happen next. But it could have been so much better.
This novella could tell a much more compelling story if it were expanded to novel-length. I’d love to see the three leaders’ characters developed into more than just the mere caricatures they were depicted as.
One thing that bothered me was that the author continually talked about the searing pain in her leg, the dull ache in her leg, the insistent stabbing pains, etc. But everything I’ve seen and read about amputees wearing protheses (and this would especially apply to these early crude ones) is that the constant rubbing creates open, sores, ulcers, bleeding and oozing sores that have to be carefully treated and cared for. There was no discussion of this; she just carried on. While I understand that was part of Virginia’s character – she always just carried on – it would’ve been a reality that she must deal with, and the author didn’t address this.
I was also bothered by the numerous loose ends that weren’t tied up at the end. What was the significance of the single silk glove? What about the locket that was mysteriously mentioned at the end? And what happened to Anouk’s father?
This novella could tell a much more compelling story if it were expanded to novel-length. I’d love to see the three leaders’ characters developed into more than just the mere caricatures they were depicted as.
One thing that bothered me was that the author continually talked about the searing pain in her leg, the dull ache in her leg, the insistent stabbing pains, etc. But everything I’ve seen and read about amputees wearing protheses (and this would especially apply to these early crude ones) is that the constant rubbing creates open, sores, ulcers, bleeding and oozing sores that have to be carefully treated and cared for. There was no discussion of this; she just carried on. While I understand that was part of Virginia’s character – she always just carried on – it would’ve been a reality that she must deal with, and the author didn’t address this.
I was also bothered by the numerous loose ends that weren’t tied up at the end. What was the significance of the single silk glove? What about the locket that was mysteriously mentioned at the end? And what happened to Anouk’s father?
December 20, 2025
Intrigue Abounds
Having just visited Lyon, this novel mixed past and present for me. Written with a wonderful pace of excitement and allowing the reader to anticipate the next steps, yet finding the story escalates in a new direction. Marvelous writing! The Resistance should never be forgotten. Real people bravely gave their lives. My next step will be to research "Diane.". I stayed on Rue Rene Leynaud and learned he was part of the Resistance and they met on that very street before he was killed by the Gestapo. Thank you for a wonderful read!
Having just visited Lyon, this novel mixed past and present for me. Written with a wonderful pace of excitement and allowing the reader to anticipate the next steps, yet finding the story escalates in a new direction. Marvelous writing! The Resistance should never be forgotten. Real people bravely gave their lives. My next step will be to research "Diane.". I stayed on Rue Rene Leynaud and learned he was part of the Resistance and they met on that very street before he was killed by the Gestapo. Thank you for a wonderful read!
May 13, 2026
Very interesting story, about a female amputee, and how she outsmarted the Germans, in order to liberate Lyon, France in WWII. Just further proof of what I've always believed. Women are smarter than men, better at planning, and can work through pain better than men.
October 20, 2025
Inspiring
Beautifully written, hard to stop reading. Very real, real life scenarios. A great strategic mind that kept a promise to a young orphan girl. Amazing description of the final that liberated Lyon, France. Conrad Samayoa.
Beautifully written, hard to stop reading. Very real, real life scenarios. A great strategic mind that kept a promise to a young orphan girl. Amazing description of the final that liberated Lyon, France. Conrad Samayoa.
December 14, 2025
Amazing!!!
You have heard that truth is stranger than fiction. This woman's life was more amazing, intense, and incredible than fiction.
You have heard that truth is stranger than fiction. This woman's life was more amazing, intense, and incredible than fiction.
April 17, 2026
Excellent read
Honor, courage, commitment, strategist, genius of the human condition. She was all of that and much more. My thank you to the author.
Honor, courage, commitment, strategist, genius of the human condition. She was all of that and much more. My thank you to the author.
October 31, 2025
Living Breathtaking History
A fascinating story, well told and gripping. Makes the reader feel and respect the sacrifice of a daring woman who became a legend.
A fascinating story, well told and gripping. Makes the reader feel and respect the sacrifice of a daring woman who became a legend.
May 7, 2026
This book is a fantastic storytelling of a real life American Female Spy. Worth the read.
November 28, 2025
Fantastic story with historical context that will keep you on your toes and ultimately have you cheering for the “Limping “Lady”
March 25, 2026
Riveting
From start to finish this book was one that could not be put down. The pages couldn't be turned fast enough! How one woman could understand the thought processes of such vastly different men and how to get them to work together for one purpose time after time when defeat seemed imminent was amazing.
From start to finish this book was one that could not be put down. The pages couldn't be turned fast enough! How one woman could understand the thought processes of such vastly different men and how to get them to work together for one purpose time after time when defeat seemed imminent was amazing.
December 10, 2025
Cold Cruel Violence
I have read many WWII genre books. This was one of the most cold, cruel and violent ones I have read.
The writing was mediocre. Many phrases were repeated over and over again. The word "surgical" was over used.
I read it to the end hoping for something redeeming, but alas, I was disappointed.
I have read many WWII genre books. This was one of the most cold, cruel and violent ones I have read.
The writing was mediocre. Many phrases were repeated over and over again. The word "surgical" was over used.
I read it to the end hoping for something redeeming, but alas, I was disappointed.
March 13, 2026
The General
Virginia Hall assisted the French during World War Two in resisting German occupation of Lyons, France. She brought rebel fractions together and formed a cohesive group of fighters. Through her contacts in England, she organized drops of munitions, gold, and supplies to the resistant forces. An unassuming old woman in disguise who ruled over her fighters with calculated nerves and exquisite planning.
Another story by Livia Huntingdon-Jones while classified as fiction, it is deeply rooted in nonfiction. Names have changed, except Virginia, who remained the central driving force of the story.
Read it like I did, googling the past and learning about this extraordinary woman. Wonderful writing as always, and a deep, quick read.
Virginia Hall assisted the French during World War Two in resisting German occupation of Lyons, France. She brought rebel fractions together and formed a cohesive group of fighters. Through her contacts in England, she organized drops of munitions, gold, and supplies to the resistant forces. An unassuming old woman in disguise who ruled over her fighters with calculated nerves and exquisite planning.
Another story by Livia Huntingdon-Jones while classified as fiction, it is deeply rooted in nonfiction. Names have changed, except Virginia, who remained the central driving force of the story.
Read it like I did, googling the past and learning about this extraordinary woman. Wonderful writing as always, and a deep, quick read.
March 3, 2026
Awe inspiring
I learned a lot about the fight of OSS in france in WWII. One womans bravery and endurance. A true inspiration. My bad was in OSS during the war. I wish I could talk to him about this story. A must read!
I learned a lot about the fight of OSS in france in WWII. One womans bravery and endurance. A true inspiration. My bad was in OSS during the war. I wish I could talk to him about this story. A must read!
March 20, 2026
"The Limping Lady" is a tribute to an unsung hero of World War 2. It follows a brilliant, physically challenged American strategist who weaves an army from war-torn France and empowers the resistance movement. Watching her outmaneuver the Nazi machine through cunning and resolve is incredibly satisfying. She helps to dismantle the chokehold of "The Butcher of Lyon." Her battle of wills against Klaus Barbie is a powerful, gritty reminder that true strength isn't always physical—it's tactical. She was the only civilian woman to receive the Distinguished Service Cross for her heroism in WWII.
October 7, 2025
A phenomenal story!
December 28, 2025
This was a good story of WWII. I enjoyed it and hated to see it end. People need to read it. I would recommend this book to young and old readers.
January 5, 2026
Brenda
I greatly enjoyed this book. Amazing story of the life of a true soldier and the army she created to help end the war.
I greatly enjoyed this book. Amazing story of the life of a true soldier and the army she created to help end the war.
January 14, 2026
Beautiful
This is a book of beauty and bravery written about the cruelty of war.
A true masterpiece that will resonate for a long time.
e masterpiece.
This is a book of beauty and bravery written about the cruelty of war.
A true masterpiece that will resonate for a long time.
e masterpiece.
January 26, 2026
Revenge
Great story, well written, and kept me in suspense. This is a book that you can't put down because of the mind-blowing schemes that make you want to keep reading.
Great story, well written, and kept me in suspense. This is a book that you can't put down because of the mind-blowing schemes that make you want to keep reading.
January 27, 2026
Great Story of A Hero
This story held my interest throughout the book. I now want to research more about this woman or should I say hero. Until now, I never knew she existed.
This story held my interest throughout the book. I now want to research more about this woman or should I say hero. Until now, I never knew she existed.
January 30, 2026
Kept me wanting to read more
I loved this book. It kept me on my toes and wanting to read more. The story is truly amazing
I loved this book. It kept me on my toes and wanting to read more. The story is truly amazing
February 4, 2026
A must read
An amazing true story of an amazing woman. The author has great style and way of putting together Virginia's story. I hope to read more of her books.
Ruth Muckle
An amazing true story of an amazing woman. The author has great style and way of putting together Virginia's story. I hope to read more of her books.
Ruth Muckle
February 8, 2026
I like the suspense of the entire book and the courage of all the characters
February 11, 2026
Excellent Story
An amazing story of unbelievable bravery and sacrifice during World War II written from the perspective of the main character. A must read.
An amazing story of unbelievable bravery and sacrifice during World War II written from the perspective of the main character. A must read.
February 22, 2026
Heroine Extraordinaire
An amazing story of the fight for France in WW2 by the underground resistance led by a single woman, a mastermind of strategy and disguise.
A page turner!
An amazing story of the fight for France in WW2 by the underground resistance led by a single woman, a mastermind of strategy and disguise.
A page turner!
January 4, 2026
I typically enjoy historical fiction and especially stories where the protagonist is female, but… there are a few things I really didn’t enjoy about this book.
To be fair, I thought the writing was pretty good and the plot had great potential. The story itself is not bad, but is only loosely based on Virginia Hall. Much of the story and the characters are totally fictitious.
What I didn’t like:
There are no real descriptions of what anyone looks like other than “stern” or “weary”, etc. Sometimes there’s a mention of graying hair or wrinkles, beady or stern eyes, etc. but I have no idea what the main character, Virginia, looks like, other than walking with a limp, until I Googled her. There are a few references to the men’s appearance but no one is ever given a true description.
The characters were not developed well at all. A Dr. and his daughter somehow grow attached to Virginia, but they’ve spent very little time together and other than pulling over a stool for Virginia to sit on, there is little interaction between them. The relationship with the daughter and what it signifies, is what Virginia claims to be fighting for, yet there is no developed relationship.
There are flaws in the story that could easily be fixed as well. For instance, Virginia is handed a loaf of bread that feels heavier than it should be which she knows from years of training, has a hard object inside, that turns out to be a small piece of folded paper. I’m assuming that the small piece of paper was inside the object inside, but no connection was made.
Page 211 – a makeup artist works for weeks with Virginia and shows her how to apply liquid latex to her skin to create the fine, crepe-paper texture of an old woman’s wrinkles. He creates what they call a “mask”. She goes on to live in the forest, in a cave and in the tunnels under Lyon with no mention of her “make-up” having to be redone to maintain the illusion that she’s an old woman. How would she have maintained her died gray hair, and makeup, etc.?
While in France in the beginning of the book, how is Virginia able to change her identity? Who forges her papers? Where does she get money to move into different flats? The omission of this information was distracting.
Some phrases or ideas were repeated enough to be a little annoying. Example: several different people being “a spider caught in a web”.
There is very little mention of her eating. Crossing the Pyrenees, how did they eat or did they? Sometimes they had to travel lightly, what did they survive on?
I'm glad that I read the book, just wish there were not so many flaws.
To be fair, I thought the writing was pretty good and the plot had great potential. The story itself is not bad, but is only loosely based on Virginia Hall. Much of the story and the characters are totally fictitious.
What I didn’t like:
There are no real descriptions of what anyone looks like other than “stern” or “weary”, etc. Sometimes there’s a mention of graying hair or wrinkles, beady or stern eyes, etc. but I have no idea what the main character, Virginia, looks like, other than walking with a limp, until I Googled her. There are a few references to the men’s appearance but no one is ever given a true description.
The characters were not developed well at all. A Dr. and his daughter somehow grow attached to Virginia, but they’ve spent very little time together and other than pulling over a stool for Virginia to sit on, there is little interaction between them. The relationship with the daughter and what it signifies, is what Virginia claims to be fighting for, yet there is no developed relationship.
There are flaws in the story that could easily be fixed as well. For instance, Virginia is handed a loaf of bread that feels heavier than it should be which she knows from years of training, has a hard object inside, that turns out to be a small piece of folded paper. I’m assuming that the small piece of paper was inside the object inside, but no connection was made.
Page 211 – a makeup artist works for weeks with Virginia and shows her how to apply liquid latex to her skin to create the fine, crepe-paper texture of an old woman’s wrinkles. He creates what they call a “mask”. She goes on to live in the forest, in a cave and in the tunnels under Lyon with no mention of her “make-up” having to be redone to maintain the illusion that she’s an old woman. How would she have maintained her died gray hair, and makeup, etc.?
While in France in the beginning of the book, how is Virginia able to change her identity? Who forges her papers? Where does she get money to move into different flats? The omission of this information was distracting.
Some phrases or ideas were repeated enough to be a little annoying. Example: several different people being “a spider caught in a web”.
There is very little mention of her eating. Crossing the Pyrenees, how did they eat or did they? Sometimes they had to travel lightly, what did they survive on?
I'm glad that I read the book, just wish there were not so many flaws.
March 7, 2026
We read this book for book club and there were a mix of responses but the one most interesting was the suggestion that it was written at least partially by AI. The evidence was the repetitive phrasing, flat characters and the rather meaningless flowery descriptions of the landscape while the details of the story meandered through. We all enjoyed the important story the book told (though one group member who was raised in Lyon had never heard of her but was aware of a famous french man who was instrumental) but it was like reading an unedited first draft. The author seems successful in her writing and her career in law, paying an editor would have given this book a better start. I would recommend trying another of the books about this true historical person as this one disappointed. And there was no referencing at all saying what the sources were which was unusual for a historical novel and disappointing for the readers wanting to know more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews