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I Spy Bletchley Park: A Page-Turning Thriller that Asks: What if the Nazis Did Discover the Secret of Bletchley Park?
When two young women from vastly different backgrounds make life-changing choices, it creates the setting for what could be the greatest imaginable disaster for the Allies during WWII.
Deeply embittered by the government's seizure of her financially ruined father's Buckinghamshire estate, Lady Margaret Pugh is recruited as a spy by Luftwaffe chief Hermann Goering during the 1936 Olympic Games. Four years later, Betty Hall, a working-class girl with a prodigious musical talent, temporarily turns her back on a glorious career opportunity in America and is simply 'doing her bit' with the RAF.
But once Margaret begins to unravel the secrets of Bletchley Park, Betty finds herself thrust untrained into the deadly world of counter-espionage. And as the pair begin a critical game of cat and mouse with each other, the situation rapidly becomes ever more desperate.
With a highly dangerous newcomer suddenly arriving on the scene, the fate of Britain's most vital war secret hangs entirely on the outcome of the two women’s deeply personal conflict. But which one of them has really been the cat, and which one the mouse?
A WOMAN’S PLACE
Of the ten thousand or so people who worked at Bletchley Park during WWII, nearly eight thousand of them were women. As both service personnel and civilians they played an indispensable role in every level of activity, right up to making vitally important cryptological breakthroughs of their own that were certainly on a par with those achieved by their more fabled male counterparts.
But little is ever written about all those young women who fulfilled slightly less glamorous but still essential roles at the women such as the Wren helping to operate huge cryptographic machinery, and the WAAF wireless or teleprinter operator working around the clock to send and receive encoded vital intelligence. There were also the translators and traffic analysts, usually working under intense pressure in dimly lit and poorly heated huts. These tasks, and many more besides, were all undertaken by women.
Far from being just a small clique of intellects, Bletchley Park was a team of thousands. And eighty-percent of them were female. Just for a change, I thought it would be rather nice if one of these less spoken about heroines were to take centre stage in a novel based around BP’s secretive existence in the dark days of WWII. I hope you agree.
George Stratford
Deeply embittered by the government's seizure of her financially ruined father's Buckinghamshire estate, Lady Margaret Pugh is recruited as a spy by Luftwaffe chief Hermann Goering during the 1936 Olympic Games. Four years later, Betty Hall, a working-class girl with a prodigious musical talent, temporarily turns her back on a glorious career opportunity in America and is simply 'doing her bit' with the RAF.
But once Margaret begins to unravel the secrets of Bletchley Park, Betty finds herself thrust untrained into the deadly world of counter-espionage. And as the pair begin a critical game of cat and mouse with each other, the situation rapidly becomes ever more desperate.
With a highly dangerous newcomer suddenly arriving on the scene, the fate of Britain's most vital war secret hangs entirely on the outcome of the two women’s deeply personal conflict. But which one of them has really been the cat, and which one the mouse?
A WOMAN’S PLACE
Of the ten thousand or so people who worked at Bletchley Park during WWII, nearly eight thousand of them were women. As both service personnel and civilians they played an indispensable role in every level of activity, right up to making vitally important cryptological breakthroughs of their own that were certainly on a par with those achieved by their more fabled male counterparts.
But little is ever written about all those young women who fulfilled slightly less glamorous but still essential roles at the women such as the Wren helping to operate huge cryptographic machinery, and the WAAF wireless or teleprinter operator working around the clock to send and receive encoded vital intelligence. There were also the translators and traffic analysts, usually working under intense pressure in dimly lit and poorly heated huts. These tasks, and many more besides, were all undertaken by women.
Far from being just a small clique of intellects, Bletchley Park was a team of thousands. And eighty-percent of them were female. Just for a change, I thought it would be rather nice if one of these less spoken about heroines were to take centre stage in a novel based around BP’s secretive existence in the dark days of WWII. I hope you agree.
George Stratford
- GenresWorld War II
391 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2018
68 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
George Stratford
7 books17 followersI was born in South London in 1944, just 4 days before Hitler's V1 flying bombs began falling down all over our neighbourhood. Our house was lucky and survived.
Dad was a Canadian bomber pilot with the RAF. He was killed while on his 28th mission when I was 6 weeks old. Mum was also did her bit working for two years at top-secret Bletchley Park where the German Enigma code was broken.
My first novel, IN THE LONG RUN, has a backdrop of South Africa's real life Comrades Marathon - 55 miles of torture run over massive hills, most years in big heat and humidity. This was selling really well for a first novel until my publishers went bust almost overnight, so no royalties for George.
I later re-published the title with Create Space. The book has a foreword written by TV broadcaster and Olympic athlete, Steve Cram. Steve, whose world record for the mile stood for over 8 years, was also guest of honour at the original launch party in March 2000. This was held at the London HQ of advertising giants Saatchi & Saatchi, where I was working at the time as a copywriter.
How the heck did I ever manage to get myself such a job in Don Draper land when only three years before I’d been a long-term unemployed bum with no educational qualifications? That's another story, one I've just finished writing in a bio called AIN'T FINISHED YET. Sure I can identify with much of the fabulous TV series Mad Men, although sadly from a personal point of view, with very little of the gratuitous sex and huge salaries involved.
BURIED PASTS, now available in Kindle format, is a tribute to my Dad. It's not by chance that the central character Mike Stafford's surname is so similar, nor that he has the same hometown in Canada. Even the fictional RAF 79 Squadron is as close as possible to real life. In fact, I pictured Stafford as being Dad throughout the writing. I liked to imagine that this was how Dad would have responded to the same difficulties and dangers that Stafford finds himself confronting.
UPDATE:
I have now completed writing my latest novel, I SPY BLETCHLEY PARK, which of course is a balancing tribute to my mother and her wartime contribution. For more details of the story behind the story, please do visit my author website.
Dad was a Canadian bomber pilot with the RAF. He was killed while on his 28th mission when I was 6 weeks old. Mum was also did her bit working for two years at top-secret Bletchley Park where the German Enigma code was broken.
My first novel, IN THE LONG RUN, has a backdrop of South Africa's real life Comrades Marathon - 55 miles of torture run over massive hills, most years in big heat and humidity. This was selling really well for a first novel until my publishers went bust almost overnight, so no royalties for George.
I later re-published the title with Create Space. The book has a foreword written by TV broadcaster and Olympic athlete, Steve Cram. Steve, whose world record for the mile stood for over 8 years, was also guest of honour at the original launch party in March 2000. This was held at the London HQ of advertising giants Saatchi & Saatchi, where I was working at the time as a copywriter.
How the heck did I ever manage to get myself such a job in Don Draper land when only three years before I’d been a long-term unemployed bum with no educational qualifications? That's another story, one I've just finished writing in a bio called AIN'T FINISHED YET. Sure I can identify with much of the fabulous TV series Mad Men, although sadly from a personal point of view, with very little of the gratuitous sex and huge salaries involved.
BURIED PASTS, now available in Kindle format, is a tribute to my Dad. It's not by chance that the central character Mike Stafford's surname is so similar, nor that he has the same hometown in Canada. Even the fictional RAF 79 Squadron is as close as possible to real life. In fact, I pictured Stafford as being Dad throughout the writing. I liked to imagine that this was how Dad would have responded to the same difficulties and dangers that Stafford finds himself confronting.
UPDATE:
I have now completed writing my latest novel, I SPY BLETCHLEY PARK, which of course is a balancing tribute to my mother and her wartime contribution. For more details of the story behind the story, please do visit my author website.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 28, 2019
A few years before the Second World War, Lady Margaret and her father Earl Pugh live in their large manor house, close to Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire. Her mother sadly died a few years ago, so it is the two of them living in this house with extensive grounds that has been in the family for generations. The two of them are well regarded members of the aristocracy and have established many connections in their local community over the years.
When her father invests a lot of money in what turns about to a fictitious gold mine, the family are forced to move out of their beloved home into a cottage in the grounds. Margaret is devastated, but even more so by the stroke that her father suffers as a result of the stress. Margaret is determined to do whatever she can to get the family home back, but with the start of the war fast approaching, what is she prepared to do get the family back their home?
This book had a gripping storyline, which kept me reading chapter after chapter in quick succession, especially closer to the end. Although there were quite a lot of characters, they were really developed and defined, so at no point did it get confusing.
If you have an interest in the Second World War or have ever visited Bletchley Park, I would really recommend this book; there are so many twists and turns along the way that you’ll devour it in no time.
When her father invests a lot of money in what turns about to a fictitious gold mine, the family are forced to move out of their beloved home into a cottage in the grounds. Margaret is devastated, but even more so by the stroke that her father suffers as a result of the stress. Margaret is determined to do whatever she can to get the family home back, but with the start of the war fast approaching, what is she prepared to do get the family back their home?
This book had a gripping storyline, which kept me reading chapter after chapter in quick succession, especially closer to the end. Although there were quite a lot of characters, they were really developed and defined, so at no point did it get confusing.
If you have an interest in the Second World War or have ever visited Bletchley Park, I would really recommend this book; there are so many twists and turns along the way that you’ll devour it in no time.
September 9, 2022
An interesting read centred around Bletchley Park. As probably happened a number of individuals who had grievances against the UK Govt, with false tales that took them into the realms of spying. A relatively simple tale, but connecting spies and sleuths, and military operations and espionage.
Also a bit of boy fancies girl changes to man gets ( different) woman.
It makes the useful point that not all allegiances were politically motivated, often just self interest.
I enjoyed it.
Also a bit of boy fancies girl changes to man gets ( different) woman.
It makes the useful point that not all allegiances were politically motivated, often just self interest.
I enjoyed it.
July 27, 2020
My friends and I booked a post-lockdown trip to Bletchley Park earlier in the week, so this seemed the most logical book for me to read next. I was expecting this book to be mainly focused on the life of the girls who worked at Bletchley Park to help crack the Enigma code. However, that’s not really the main storyline but, although it wasn’t what I was expecting, I wasn’t disappointed. The book was much more of a thriller than I thought it would be but I do enjoy some suspense in a book which keeps you gripped!
I really enjoyed the first section of the book, particularly when Margaret goes to Berlin for the Olympics. Having spent 5 days in Berlin on holiday last summer, it was great to be able to picture many of the locations Margaret visited. This part of the story is set pre-World War Two when Hitler was first popular amongst the Germans for the economic growth his reign provided. Obviously knowing what we now know about his ideologies, there are some problematic telltale signs sprinkled throughout the book, such as the antagonist being portrayed as Jewish and that being virtually the only fact Margaret and Richard know about him. Many of the characters in the novel, both in Germany and England, explicitly express anti-Semitism views. However, the Germans were truly led to believe Hitler was a very good ruler, Margaret even shares that many politicians in London believe “he is the best man available to prevent the spread of communism throughout Europe”. (The irony!)
As the novel progresses and Margaret becomes more desperate for concrete evidence as to what is going on at Bletchley Park to be able to relay back to Herr Goering, it’s fascinating to see the lengths she goes to and the risks she takes, all in the name of attempting to reclaim her former home, Hadley Hall, for her and her father once again. Although it could be argued that her motives for starting the friendship with Betty were questionable, to be able to watch the girls get close was heartwarming; I love a close female friendship in a book.
About halfway through the book, it becomes clear that everyone has ulterior motives and nobody can be trusted. To see many of the characters’ friendships fall apart was disappointing but, in a way, to be expected considering the nature of the betrayal taking place behind the scenes. On the other hand, seeing Betty blossom and become much more self-confident was great and the discussion she had at the beginning with her parents when she first announced to them that she would become a WAAF now seemed quite ironic.
It’s interesting to think about how the situation at Bletchley Park would’ve differed if the war had happened in a more technological time. Would it have been easier to spy on the citizens without them being suspicious/finding out? This reminded me of one of my favourite German films, Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others), set in East Berlin before the fall of the Wall, where Stasi officers set up listening devices in people’s homes to work out if they were working against the communist party. I wonder if the English would’ve adopted a similar strategy if they’d have had the resources during the war.
The continued twists and turns throughout the book, especially regarding Margaret’s affection towards Betty, were surprising and made me quite addicted to find out what happened next. I was relieved to see that, despite everything all of the characters, both on the German and British sides, went through, they developed a stronger friendship towards the end of the book than ever before, except the perpetrator who, as the title suggests, is not a friend. The way the book was structured meant that there were surprises throughout and it’s not always the obvious antagonist who is the one responsible in the end.
My only criticism of the book is that it was too descriptive in places, which led me to become slightly distracted. I felt some sections could’ve been condensed whilst still portraying the same message. That said, it didn’t significantly detract from my enjoyment of the story and it was still an exciting and interesting read!
Although the thin romantic thread which was running throughout the book didn’t end up to be between the two characters I was rooting for, it was still adorable. I was pleased for Margaret that she was able to accomplish her lifelong goal in the end, meaning, despite the serious tone of the majority of the book, I was extremely content with the ending. The epilogue, set many years later, was beautifully written and it was great to find out what happened to all of the characters after their time at Bletchley Park and during the war. I just have to hope our trip to Bletchley Park is nowhere near as action packed as the story of Margaret, Betty, Simon, Richard and all the other characters in this book!
I really enjoyed the first section of the book, particularly when Margaret goes to Berlin for the Olympics. Having spent 5 days in Berlin on holiday last summer, it was great to be able to picture many of the locations Margaret visited. This part of the story is set pre-World War Two when Hitler was first popular amongst the Germans for the economic growth his reign provided. Obviously knowing what we now know about his ideologies, there are some problematic telltale signs sprinkled throughout the book, such as the antagonist being portrayed as Jewish and that being virtually the only fact Margaret and Richard know about him. Many of the characters in the novel, both in Germany and England, explicitly express anti-Semitism views. However, the Germans were truly led to believe Hitler was a very good ruler, Margaret even shares that many politicians in London believe “he is the best man available to prevent the spread of communism throughout Europe”. (The irony!)
As the novel progresses and Margaret becomes more desperate for concrete evidence as to what is going on at Bletchley Park to be able to relay back to Herr Goering, it’s fascinating to see the lengths she goes to and the risks she takes, all in the name of attempting to reclaim her former home, Hadley Hall, for her and her father once again. Although it could be argued that her motives for starting the friendship with Betty were questionable, to be able to watch the girls get close was heartwarming; I love a close female friendship in a book.
About halfway through the book, it becomes clear that everyone has ulterior motives and nobody can be trusted. To see many of the characters’ friendships fall apart was disappointing but, in a way, to be expected considering the nature of the betrayal taking place behind the scenes. On the other hand, seeing Betty blossom and become much more self-confident was great and the discussion she had at the beginning with her parents when she first announced to them that she would become a WAAF now seemed quite ironic.
It’s interesting to think about how the situation at Bletchley Park would’ve differed if the war had happened in a more technological time. Would it have been easier to spy on the citizens without them being suspicious/finding out? This reminded me of one of my favourite German films, Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others), set in East Berlin before the fall of the Wall, where Stasi officers set up listening devices in people’s homes to work out if they were working against the communist party. I wonder if the English would’ve adopted a similar strategy if they’d have had the resources during the war.
The continued twists and turns throughout the book, especially regarding Margaret’s affection towards Betty, were surprising and made me quite addicted to find out what happened next. I was relieved to see that, despite everything all of the characters, both on the German and British sides, went through, they developed a stronger friendship towards the end of the book than ever before, except the perpetrator who, as the title suggests, is not a friend. The way the book was structured meant that there were surprises throughout and it’s not always the obvious antagonist who is the one responsible in the end.
My only criticism of the book is that it was too descriptive in places, which led me to become slightly distracted. I felt some sections could’ve been condensed whilst still portraying the same message. That said, it didn’t significantly detract from my enjoyment of the story and it was still an exciting and interesting read!
Although the thin romantic thread which was running throughout the book didn’t end up to be between the two characters I was rooting for, it was still adorable. I was pleased for Margaret that she was able to accomplish her lifelong goal in the end, meaning, despite the serious tone of the majority of the book, I was extremely content with the ending. The epilogue, set many years later, was beautifully written and it was great to find out what happened to all of the characters after their time at Bletchley Park and during the war. I just have to hope our trip to Bletchley Park is nowhere near as action packed as the story of Margaret, Betty, Simon, Richard and all the other characters in this book!
March 7, 2019
I was asked to review this book through Love Reading Ambassadors. Bletchley for me was on my bucket list and two summers ago I finally got to visit. Bletchley has always intrigued me we do not know exactly everything that went on due to records destroyed and information still being classified.
this is a different slant on the war in Bletchley - the house was requisitioned from the owners for the war effort. The owner in this case was approached by Hermon Goring she wanted revenge as felt embittered that the government requisitioned the house so begins a spying operation on the very house that is being used to spy on the enemy break codes etc- I am not sure how much the owners would have known in reality as to what was going on at Bletchley , but this makes for a good read. Then in comes a WAAF who knows something is not right. Will the young WAAF save the day or will the owner bring Bletchley park down and cause Britain to lose the war?
This book is well written and well researched (it should be the authors mother was at Bletchley during the war) I was on the edge of my seat not knowing what would be the final outcome?
this is a different slant on the war in Bletchley - the house was requisitioned from the owners for the war effort. The owner in this case was approached by Hermon Goring she wanted revenge as felt embittered that the government requisitioned the house so begins a spying operation on the very house that is being used to spy on the enemy break codes etc- I am not sure how much the owners would have known in reality as to what was going on at Bletchley , but this makes for a good read. Then in comes a WAAF who knows something is not right. Will the young WAAF save the day or will the owner bring Bletchley park down and cause Britain to lose the war?
This book is well written and well researched (it should be the authors mother was at Bletchley during the war) I was on the edge of my seat not knowing what would be the final outcome?
February 10, 2024
What an amazing book. So well written. Such a believable storyline had me thinking it was taken from true events at times. Tells so much about the history of the times. From the Olympic Games in Germany to the start of Bletchley park. Such believable characters. I could not put this book down. Well worth reading. Highly recommend.
November 19, 2018
Another Hit
Once again the author has hit the jackpot. He grabs you at the start and the characters grow in you. The suspense is gripping and the accuracy is to be admired. This book will appeal to those who like a well told story with action.
Once again the author has hit the jackpot. He grabs you at the start and the characters grow in you. The suspense is gripping and the accuracy is to be admired. This book will appeal to those who like a well told story with action.
June 1, 2022
A real story
This story has you on the edge of your seat. You were almost part of the story. I was cheering when the Germans were foiled, and the British pluck rose the surface. I will certainly read future books by this author.
This story has you on the edge of your seat. You were almost part of the story. I was cheering when the Germans were foiled, and the British pluck rose the surface. I will certainly read future books by this author.
August 2, 2022
Good story. excellent reading.
The writer engages the reader from page one and never lets you want to put it down. The story is very believable with the
characters wonderfully described. One of the best books I have read in a long time.
The writer engages the reader from page one and never lets you want to put it down. The story is very believable with the
characters wonderfully described. One of the best books I have read in a long time.
August 19, 2023
A great read
I am addicted to books set during World War Two, particularly those set at Bletchey Park. I really enjoyed this take on the latter years of the war as well as the lead up to it.
I am addicted to books set during World War Two, particularly those set at Bletchey Park. I really enjoyed this take on the latter years of the war as well as the lead up to it.
July 6, 2025
A very carefully constructive story
A work of fiction centred around a place we've all heard of Bletchley park. But this is not so much about the cord breakers, it's about what might happen if someone tells the Naz what Bletchley park is doing.
A work of fiction centred around a place we've all heard of Bletchley park. But this is not so much about the cord breakers, it's about what might happen if someone tells the Naz what Bletchley park is doing.
January 8, 2022
A really Good Read
I have read a number of books about BP, it is good to read a fictionally account about what living through this part of history may have been like.
I have read a number of books about BP, it is good to read a fictionally account about what living through this part of history may have been like.
February 7, 2022
this was a good read
Well written and exciting but struggled that some characters committed treason.
As an animal lover liked that the horses were saved,
Well written and exciting but struggled that some characters committed treason.
As an animal lover liked that the horses were saved,
July 21, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyable read.
A great balance of fiction and historical background, the plot is very believable. Suspense, friendship, romance and action, a winning combination.
A great balance of fiction and historical background, the plot is very believable. Suspense, friendship, romance and action, a winning combination.
September 21, 2022
Very enjoyable read, hard to put down.
December 6, 2022
Excellent page turner with a good ending
March 5, 2023
I was totally engrossed in this excellent story. Well written an wonderful characters. Highly recommended.
July 23, 2023
Enjoyable
I really enjoyed this book even though I purchased it by mistake . It had me enthralled from the word go and it was a real page turner.
I really enjoyed this book even though I purchased it by mistake . It had me enthralled from the word go and it was a real page turner.
May 17, 2024
KINDLE
May 29, 2025
Quite fascinating
It is unusual to hear about one of the toffs becoming friends with a working girl it is quite refreshing.
It is unusual to hear about one of the toffs becoming friends with a working girl it is quite refreshing.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews