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The Heroines of SOE #2
Operation Locksmith: Eve’s War
“I understand that you wish to return to France,” the man behind the mahogany desk said.
“That’s correct,” I said.
“Your motivation?” he asked, smoothing the corners of his moustache.
“To do my bit for the war effort,” I said, “to defeat the Nazis and to discover what’s happened to my husband.”
“It would be extremely risky,” the officious-looking man said, “suicidal even, for a lone woman to undertake such a venture. However, there is an alternative.”
“Alternative?” I frowned.
“Yes. We’ll parachute you in, as one of our people. Of course, you’d have to undertake training first. Rigorous training. Top secret training. If you fail, I’m afraid it will mean a spell in the cooler, possibly until the war is over.”
“The cooler?”
“But I trust it won’t come to that,” he said, ignoring my question. “When can you start?”
I began immediately. And during my training I met two people who would radically reshape my life - Guy Samson and Mimi Duchamp. I also discovered secrets about myself, abilities beyond my imagination. However, as the training heated up so the situations became all too real, until they reached a point where I had to kill, or be killed.
“That’s correct,” I said.
“Your motivation?” he asked, smoothing the corners of his moustache.
“To do my bit for the war effort,” I said, “to defeat the Nazis and to discover what’s happened to my husband.”
“It would be extremely risky,” the officious-looking man said, “suicidal even, for a lone woman to undertake such a venture. However, there is an alternative.”
“Alternative?” I frowned.
“Yes. We’ll parachute you in, as one of our people. Of course, you’d have to undertake training first. Rigorous training. Top secret training. If you fail, I’m afraid it will mean a spell in the cooler, possibly until the war is over.”
“The cooler?”
“But I trust it won’t come to that,” he said, ignoring my question. “When can you start?”
I began immediately. And during my training I met two people who would radically reshape my life - Guy Samson and Mimi Duchamp. I also discovered secrets about myself, abilities beyond my imagination. However, as the training heated up so the situations became all too real, until they reached a point where I had to kill, or be killed.
82 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2020
17 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 29, 2020
This story will have you turning the pages
What a pleasure to continue following Eve, the main character of the Heroines of SOE Series being trained for her next mission in France. Like it was the case with Book 1, Operation Zigzag, I was instantly engrossed in the reading. Packed with action and suspense, this installment (Book 2) kept me deeply involved till the last page was turned. The author has an amazing ability to portray her main heroine so vividly so as Eve felt like a friend to the reader, and I truly cared about her and look forward to reading more about her missions and endeavors. This very book provided interesting details to how the SOE agents were trained for their dangerous (with only a weeks-survival expectation) missions on the enemy occupied territory, and I believe they are close to how it looked in reality. In an easy to read, entertaining narrative, the author delves in a serious subject which carries the information we have to preserve in our memory. Highly recommended with no age restrictions.
What a pleasure to continue following Eve, the main character of the Heroines of SOE Series being trained for her next mission in France. Like it was the case with Book 1, Operation Zigzag, I was instantly engrossed in the reading. Packed with action and suspense, this installment (Book 2) kept me deeply involved till the last page was turned. The author has an amazing ability to portray her main heroine so vividly so as Eve felt like a friend to the reader, and I truly cared about her and look forward to reading more about her missions and endeavors. This very book provided interesting details to how the SOE agents were trained for their dangerous (with only a weeks-survival expectation) missions on the enemy occupied territory, and I believe they are close to how it looked in reality. In an easy to read, entertaining narrative, the author delves in a serious subject which carries the information we have to preserve in our memory. Highly recommended with no age restrictions.
April 20, 2022
Having returned to Britain from France, Eve meets Vera Penrose who arranges for her to take a job at the Air Ministry. It's dull work in comparison to her former life in France, leading airmen to safety across the border into Spain and beyond.
When Eve is offered something more suiting her skills, she can't wait. But first she has to endure a brutal training camp, from the physical to the psychological. It's not all plain sailing, Eve is a skilled lockbreaker and a superb shot but struggles with some of the more physical challenges. She's also very observant and when she suspects foul play, she is not one to sit back and ignore it.
The training programme is extensive, and she builds a great bond with fellow trainees, Mimi and Guy. She's also cutting back on the cigarettes, which makes the usual feisty Eve way more feisty when tested.
I raced through this book, it's fast-paced and entertaining and nicely sets the scene for her next adventure.
When Eve is offered something more suiting her skills, she can't wait. But first she has to endure a brutal training camp, from the physical to the psychological. It's not all plain sailing, Eve is a skilled lockbreaker and a superb shot but struggles with some of the more physical challenges. She's also very observant and when she suspects foul play, she is not one to sit back and ignore it.
The training programme is extensive, and she builds a great bond with fellow trainees, Mimi and Guy. She's also cutting back on the cigarettes, which makes the usual feisty Eve way more feisty when tested.
I raced through this book, it's fast-paced and entertaining and nicely sets the scene for her next adventure.
October 8, 2024
I don't do book reviews
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
January 27, 2021
The second installment in a planned twelve-part series, “Operation Locksmith” features Eve Beringar as she goes through arduous training to parachute into France as an agent for the Allies during WWII. It’s rather like a long chapter in her story that for WWII buffs could be read as a standalone. Lots of detail about learning all the tricks of fooling the Gestapo. Fearless Eve wants to find out what happened to her rich French husband after she left France while guiding a British agent to freedom. We follow her every step as she builds rapport with two other trainees and tries to figure out what’s real and what’s phony at the training camp. I feel plenty of danger looming in the later installments.
December 11, 2020
Eve is a force to be reckoned with
Eve’s War is a series of twelve novellas (Heroines of the SOE). I read the first in the series earlier this year, and enjoyed it so I got the second. Again, I enjoyed reuniting with gutsy Eve and learning more about the trials and tribulations surrounding her journey through the war. Although a novella, it is action packed and kept me turning the pages as Eve executes Operation Locksmith. The writing has such historical authenticity it made me feel as though Eve had written her own story. Highly recommended.
Eve’s War is a series of twelve novellas (Heroines of the SOE). I read the first in the series earlier this year, and enjoyed it so I got the second. Again, I enjoyed reuniting with gutsy Eve and learning more about the trials and tribulations surrounding her journey through the war. Although a novella, it is action packed and kept me turning the pages as Eve executes Operation Locksmith. The writing has such historical authenticity it made me feel as though Eve had written her own story. Highly recommended.
August 23, 2020
Eve's training for a special mission can be brutal. What's worse, she's not sure if there's a spy in their midst. I loved the feisty Eve as she dares to not mince words with her commanding officer, despite the fact it could mean she'd be dropped from the program and put in the "cooler" for the rest of the war. She's loyal and inquisitive, and will make you laugh at her ways. A fun book in the series. Looking forward to seeing how the rest of their mission goes in future episodes.
December 9, 2020
Another great story from this author, which takes place during WW2. I do like strong female leads and Eve is certainly that; feisty and determined.
Training for a possible mission, Eve is tested in all manner of ways.
Well-written and fast-paced, this story flew across the pages. It also reminds us of the sacrifices of too many.
Recommended.
Training for a possible mission, Eve is tested in all manner of ways.
Well-written and fast-paced, this story flew across the pages. It also reminds us of the sacrifices of too many.
Recommended.
January 30, 2022
You just can't put this book down.
This is book 'Two' of the Eve's War series. Both have been encapsulating! WWII, in Europe, was total destruction in the countries during the war. The bravery of the women spies and the risk of their capture and death, presents stories that will fill your souls with fear.
This is book 'Two' of the Eve's War series. Both have been encapsulating! WWII, in Europe, was total destruction in the countries during the war. The bravery of the women spies and the risk of their capture and death, presents stories that will fill your souls with fear.
October 26, 2024
Short but good
Well researched, this short story is part of a gripping series that charts the training and development of Eve, a young SOE agent. Clear and concisely written there is no infuriating padding with page after page of endless character development that is so common in modern novels. It gets to the point and tells the story, which is very refreshing. I enjoyed it.
Well researched, this short story is part of a gripping series that charts the training and development of Eve, a young SOE agent. Clear and concisely written there is no infuriating padding with page after page of endless character development that is so common in modern novels. It gets to the point and tells the story, which is very refreshing. I enjoyed it.
February 14, 2023
Interesting story about spy training
Eve gets training on how to be a secret agent in France during WW2. She is trained with a small team who will coordinate their efforts when they get to France. She is thoroughly tested and challenges herself.
Eve gets training on how to be a secret agent in France during WW2. She is trained with a small team who will coordinate their efforts when they get to France. She is thoroughly tested and challenges herself.
January 1, 2021
\This is a great read. It has a couple of very nice twists and didn't end as I expected which was satisfying. I like being out foxed by the author.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews