The French Spymistress

by Rachel Hore

1939: when World War Two breaks out, the courage of two women will be tested to the limit…

In Occupied France

Marie-Louise, a headstrong, single woman with two young children, is recruited into a secret intelligence network. She must collect privileged information about German military activities to help the Allies liberate her country. Her skill and daring will propel her to the top of the organization - and along a path of hidden passion and extreme danger.

Deep in the English countryside

Sarah, a Sussex wife and mother, looks after evacuees and keeps the home fires burning while her husband is away on secret war work. When she’s suddenly plucked from this life of humdrum duty to run a safe house for foreign agents, she is forced to make sacrifices that threaten her health, her family and her personal happiness.

As Marie-Louise and Sarah’s lives collide, the danger mounts in this exciting and moving story about the resilience of the human spirit.

PRAISE FOR THE FRENCH

'A moving, timely and original take on what some women did, and sacrificed, in wartime.' DAILY MAIL

'Meticulously researched and rich with detail, as well as being a page-turner which I couldn’t put down. A new classic of WW2 fiction.' MAGGIE BROOKES, author of The Prisoner's Wife

‘Moving and gripping . . . The French Spymistress is now one of my favourites’ NORTH NORFOLK LIVING

'Wonderful…moving, thrilling and original’ WENDY HOLDEN, author of The Queen’s Painter

Genres: Historical

448 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2026

About the author

Rachel Hore worked in London publishing for many years before moving with her family to Norwich, Norfolk and turning to writing fiction.

Rachel is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Dream House (2006), The Memory Garden (2007), The Glass Painter's Daughter (2009), which was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Novel of the Year 2010, A Place of Secrets (2010), which was a Richard and Judy Bookclub pick, and A Gathering Storm (2011), which was shortlisted for the RNA Historical Novel of the year, 2012. The Silent Tide was published in 2013, A Week in Paris in 2014 and The House on Bellevue Gardens in 2015.

Her new novel, Last Letter Home, will be published on 22nd March 2018.

Reviews

[Jane Watson · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

This was quite a slow book and for me, never really got off the ground. It was interesting in that it was about the start of the resistance movement in France during the war and how people in England also played their part in helping them, but that was it really. Although it covered all the war years and was based on fact, it read more like a factual account than a novel somehow.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed several books by this author- I always find them well written and researched, containing characters who really come to life.
The French Spymistress was definitely a compelling read containing all the above qualities and as I discovered at the end, the characters seemed real because they were based on actual people, strong women who had given everything for their countries.
Marie Louise is a young woman, separated from her husband, who becomes involved with and ultimately leads a resistance network in France during World War 2. As she begins to supply information to MI6, vital information, the enemy are desperate to catch her.
Despite the danger Marie Louise falls in love with one of her agents and there are many heartbreaking moments as they try to avoid capture, hoping for a life together after the war.
Sarah is married to Miles, a British Major, and she opens her heart and her home to the French agents Miles is escorting back and forth from France, giving them a little taste of normality before their lives of extreme danger resume.
I really liked both of these characters who showed such strength of character and particularly in Marie Louise’s case, bravery.
Marie has to overcome many prejudices to run her network- some men do not react well to a woman in control and sadly this is sometimes the case in the 21st century too!
I was hoping for a happy ending for Marie. Louise and I kept turning the pages to find out if that was what she got. I definitely recommend this as an excellent historical novel and I eagerly await another book by Rachel Hore.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher fo4 my advance copy.

[Kate Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on two real-life stories, the novel covers the alliance of French and British resistance workers during World War II. Marie-France is the French spymistress of the title, and the novel shows her gradually becoming the leader of the resistance movement, supplying intelligence on German military movements in France to MI6 in London. She had so much to overcome - the men in the Alliance who refused to do what she asked, some of MI6 not believing the evidence, and having to leave her children with family far away so she could put her country first.

In England, Sarah runs a safe house for foreign agents, helping to make sure they wouldn't give themselves away with the little details (eg clothes labels).

The two do actually meet (and that was one of my favourite parts of the book).

Beautifully written and well researched.

[Joanne B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read many WW2 historical fiction books over the years and maybe that’s why I’m quite critical of this genre as my standards are high!
This started off very slow and at one point I was ready to give up. However I persevered and it did get better after the first quarter.
Set in France and London during WW2 we follow the lives of Marie-Louise and Sarah who are making great sacrifices to help their countries in their fight against the Nazis.
Marie-Louise finds herself the leader of ‘Alliance’, gathering intelligence for MI6, whilst Sarah’s home is turned into a safe house for the resistance. Towards the end of the book, their paths finally cross.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Rachel Hores books and was super pleased when I was asked to review this novel

So well researched and I have read a great deal around World War 2.

The story is set in London and France following Marie-Louise and Sarah. These women made huge sacrifices to ensure that the Nazis were not going to win the war.
Marie-Louise is a leader of Alliance who essentially was gathering intelligence for MI6. Sarah on the other hand turned her house into a safe home for the resistence.

The story is harrowing at times as readers will understand but the author balances this with compassion and excellent research.

Well worth reading and will make a great summer read as published just in time for the fab long summer holidays

[Lorraine · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

The French Spymistress is a well-researched WWII historical drama that beautifully honours the real-life women of the French Resistance, highlighting their immense personal sacrifices and bravery. The historical detail is excellent, and Marie-Louise’s undercover network operations are genuinely compelling.

I have read a lot of books based on the same subject and because the story sticks so closely to historical facts, the plot reads more like a biographical drama than a high-stakes espionage thriller. I think it will still appeal to readers who enjoy this genre, especially knowing it was closely adapted from the real-life experiences of Alliance Resistance network leader Marie-Madeleine Fourcade.

3.5 stars

[Heather Howarth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book slow to get into but once I was half way through I became invested and wanted to know what would happen to the Alliance spy network in France, its agents and leaders.

The story focuses on two women - Marie-Louise, leader of the Alliance network and Sarah, who supporting her husband’s war work, provides a refuge for the agents.

Both have to balance their loyalties to their country, families and themselves in order serve their cause. Both show great strength of character against huge odds - in Marie-Louise’s case she has to face prejudice as a female leader and make hard decisions as a mother.

A story of courage and self sacrifice.

[Michelle Wileman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the true stories of two unbelievable brave women in the Second World War. One in France and one in England. I was only vaguely aware of the Alliance movement in Europe so it was fascinating to learn more and how it connected to MI6 in uk.

The story itself is harrowing in places but told with warmth and compassion. It makes you realise how easy our lives are these days!

A great read and to be recommended

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories of two different women during the Second World War and their experiences in helping their country and their allies while working for the resistance movement in England and France.
A story about courage and self sacrifice.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[J. Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The French intelligence system in Vichy France and the occupied zone during the Second World War is brilliantly described in this narrative based on the lives of 2 women who both worked extremely hard in their own countries for victory. This book is a riveting, tense and emotional journey through their eyes.

[Angela Vick · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story based on real events in WW2. I had nit heard of the French intelligence gathering network headed by a woman so the story was surprising. However the narrative felt a little thin and flat and the characters seemed a bit one dimensional

[Tractor Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

[Laura Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read lots of Rachel Hore’s novels and she always delivers on great historical fiction you can tell she has spent lots of time reading and researching around before she starts.

This novel tells the parallel story of Marie-Louise a senior resistance leader in France and a stay at home wife Sarah in Sussex and how they both contribute to the events that lead to the liberation of France. The details are really enjoyable but I found the plot moved a little slowly at times.

This is actually inspired by real life stories and accounts of WW2 so for me it’s 4/5. Many thanks to the publishers and net galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenna Grant (The Prickly Pages)]

Not enough of the parts of historical fiction that I enjoy. Felt like it was skipping over how she accomplished things as a spy. It wasn’t holding my attention so I stopped.

[Vivienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found it very slow at the beginning

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book was amazing another aspect of the I knew nothing war that I knew nothing about it was so interesting and emotional as well what people did during those times was incredible. I have read other books by this, and this was author just as good.
Well worth reading
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schusher publishers for my arc copy

[Emma-Louise Wykes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC for review.

Absolutely brilliant book, based on two women who each gave themselves in different ways to fighting the German occupation of France during WW2. Even in the face of danger, and at personal cost to themselves, their efforts ensured that the Allies had the intelligence they needed to bring about the end of the war.

I didn't realise until the author's note at the end that this was based on two real-life stories, which made the book even better. Their courage, bravery and strength shown by them is inspiring.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyedthis