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Massawa: A Tale of Espionage, Love, and Illusion
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26For fans of novels featuring strong, smart female protagonists, the first in a series about the novice female American spies in North Africa and the Mediterranean that changed the tide of World War II.
In 1942, during the height of World War II, Wild Bill Donovan, the director of the United States’ first spy agency, believes women are the key to winning the intelligence battle with the Nazis. To that end, he partners fledgling agent Kit Thomas with British MI6 agent Mark Williams and sends them to one of the most perilous places in the world—Massawa, Eritrea—to investigate the theft of millions of military payroll dollars.
In Massawa, Kit and Mark discover a conspiracy by Nazi sympathizers, known as the Vichy, to shut down the only Allied naval base on the Red Sea—which is an essential resource in stopping the Nazi invasion of North Africa. As they work to reveal the conspirators, Kit and Mark engage in a dangerous and tempestuous dance of trust versus mistrust.
In 1942, during the height of World War II, Wild Bill Donovan, the director of the United States’ first spy agency, believes women are the key to winning the intelligence battle with the Nazis. To that end, he partners fledgling agent Kit Thomas with British MI6 agent Mark Williams and sends them to one of the most perilous places in the world—Massawa, Eritrea—to investigate the theft of millions of military payroll dollars.
In Massawa, Kit and Mark discover a conspiracy by Nazi sympathizers, known as the Vichy, to shut down the only Allied naval base on the Red Sea—which is an essential resource in stopping the Nazi invasion of North Africa. As they work to reveal the conspirators, Kit and Mark engage in a dangerous and tempestuous dance of trust versus mistrust.
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 23, 2026
4 people want to read
About the author
Pam Webber
6 books169 followersPam Webber is the bestselling author of three historical novels—The Wiregrass, Moon Water, and Life Dust. The Historical Novel Society, Southern Literary Review, and Readersfavorite.com among others highly recommend her work because of the memorable characters, engaging stories, and immersive settings.
As a second career novelist, Pam is a popular speaker for book clubs, writing circles and civic organizations. She was honored to be a panelist at Virginia Festival of the Book, the Library of Virginia, and James River Writers.
Pam is also an internal medicine nurse practitioner and former nursing educator. She and her husband, Jeff, are avid travelers and especially love visiting the national parks and world heritage sites. They live in the beautiful Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
For updates on Pam’s next novel, visit her at www.pamwebber.com
As a second career novelist, Pam is a popular speaker for book clubs, writing circles and civic organizations. She was honored to be a panelist at Virginia Festival of the Book, the Library of Virginia, and James River Writers.
Pam is also an internal medicine nurse practitioner and former nursing educator. She and her husband, Jeff, are avid travelers and especially love visiting the national parks and world heritage sites. They live in the beautiful Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
For updates on Pam’s next novel, visit her at www.pamwebber.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you are thinking that all WW II novels are woven along the same plot lines and usual sets of characters, think again! In Pam Webber’s newest novel, MASSAWA, you will find yourself immersed in an entirely different warfront than you usually encounter. In this “Tale of Illusion, Espionage, and Love” (as the book’s byline calls it) readers don’t just learn about a little-known true story, they experience it with every turn of the page.
One of Webber’s greatest gifts as a writer is her ability to create word-paintings that bring to life the people and places in her stories. She evokes emotion and tension that is palpable for her readers. To read a novel by Pam Webber is to suspend all preconceived notions and live in the moments and places right along with the characters she so deftly creates.
In 1942, after the United States has entered WW II, OSS agent Kit Thomas and British M16 agent Mark Williams are sent to North Africa to investigate millions of missing military payroll dollars. Nazi sympathizers, Vichy cell members, members of the resistance movement, unskilled Eritreans and skilled Italian POW laborers as well as military and civilian members of the Allied forces are all an integral part of the little-known story that unfolds within MASSAWA.
Come away to places whose names you may never have learned when studying WW II history in school – but whose names you’ll likely never forget once you’ve read this intoxicating story of intrigue, conspiracy, theft, betrayal, and illusion. Here, almost nothing is as it seems – a mirage. Here also, some things appear to be mirages at first glance but are far from it upon further inspection. Kit Thomas must sort out what is and is not a mirage – both for her own survival and for the completion of her mission to find who is behind the missing payroll dollars.
MASSAWA is scheduled for publication in June 2026. Be sure to add it to your “Want to Read” list. You won’t regret it!
One of Webber’s greatest gifts as a writer is her ability to create word-paintings that bring to life the people and places in her stories. She evokes emotion and tension that is palpable for her readers. To read a novel by Pam Webber is to suspend all preconceived notions and live in the moments and places right along with the characters she so deftly creates.
In 1942, after the United States has entered WW II, OSS agent Kit Thomas and British M16 agent Mark Williams are sent to North Africa to investigate millions of missing military payroll dollars. Nazi sympathizers, Vichy cell members, members of the resistance movement, unskilled Eritreans and skilled Italian POW laborers as well as military and civilian members of the Allied forces are all an integral part of the little-known story that unfolds within MASSAWA.
Come away to places whose names you may never have learned when studying WW II history in school – but whose names you’ll likely never forget once you’ve read this intoxicating story of intrigue, conspiracy, theft, betrayal, and illusion. Here, almost nothing is as it seems – a mirage. Here also, some things appear to be mirages at first glance but are far from it upon further inspection. Kit Thomas must sort out what is and is not a mirage – both for her own survival and for the completion of her mission to find who is behind the missing payroll dollars.
MASSAWA is scheduled for publication in June 2026. Be sure to add it to your “Want to Read” list. You won’t regret it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
“I feel like such a fool.” “Welcome to the world of espionage.”
Kit Thomas thinks she is ready. Ready to go undercover in 1942 for the fledgling Office of Strategic Services. Ready to deploy to North Africa where neither Allies nor Axis are prevailing. Ready to detect and either help or thwart friendly and enemy agents embedded in newly-liberated Eritrea on the Red Sea. Ready for love. Is she?
“Two of the hardest things in life is to say hello for the first time and good-bye for the last.”
Bright hot days near the sea alternate with cool dark nights in the mountains, as Kit navigates a maze of mirages. Hostility among supposed allies and hints of betrayal add confusion to Kit’s already dangerous mission. Separating allies from enemies requires insight she lacks. Everyone hides some issue or motive. Increasingly alone in a conflict-filled night, Kit risks her life to complete her mission.
“Damn the Nazis for starting this. Damn them to hell. I’ll fight them to my last breath.”
4.5 stars. Sensitive readers are warned of graphic violence in a few scenes.
“Truth protected by a lifeguard of illusion. That principle is going to help us win the war.”
Kit Thomas thinks she is ready. Ready to go undercover in 1942 for the fledgling Office of Strategic Services. Ready to deploy to North Africa where neither Allies nor Axis are prevailing. Ready to detect and either help or thwart friendly and enemy agents embedded in newly-liberated Eritrea on the Red Sea. Ready for love. Is she?
“Two of the hardest things in life is to say hello for the first time and good-bye for the last.”
Bright hot days near the sea alternate with cool dark nights in the mountains, as Kit navigates a maze of mirages. Hostility among supposed allies and hints of betrayal add confusion to Kit’s already dangerous mission. Separating allies from enemies requires insight she lacks. Everyone hides some issue or motive. Increasingly alone in a conflict-filled night, Kit risks her life to complete her mission.
“Damn the Nazis for starting this. Damn them to hell. I’ll fight them to my last breath.”
4.5 stars. Sensitive readers are warned of graphic violence in a few scenes.
“Truth protected by a lifeguard of illusion. That principle is going to help us win the war.”
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews