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The Book Spy: Sneak Peek
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In this engaging, dramatic historical novel that illuminates a little-known facet of World War II, USA Today bestselling author Alan Hlad explores the real-life librarian spies who hunted down crucial intelligence throughout Europe.
1942: With the war’s outcome hanging in the balance, every sliver of intelligence can be critical. Though far from the battlefields, cities like Lisbon, Portugal’s neutral capital, become lynchpins in a different kind of warfare, as President Roosevelt sends an unlikely new taskforce on a unique mission. They are librarians and microfilm specialists trained in espionage, working with a special branch of the Office of Strategic Services. By acquiring and scouring Axis newspapers, books, technical manuals, and periodicals, the librarians can gather information about troop location, weaponry, and military plans.
Maria Alves, a microfilm expert working at the New York Public Library, is dispatched to Lisbon, where she meticulously photographs publications and sends the film to London to be analyzed. Working in tandem with Tiago Soares, a brave and honorable bookstore owner on a precarious mission of his own—providing Jewish refugees with forged passports and visas—Maria acquires vital information, including a directory of arms factories in Germany.
But as she and Tiago grow closer, any future together is jeopardized when Maria’s superiors ask her to pose as a double agent, feeding misinformation to Lars Steiger, a wealthy Swiss banker and Nazi sympathizer who launders Hitler’s gold. Gaining Lars’ trust will bring Maria into the very heart of the Fuhrer’s inner circle. And it will provide her with a chance to help steer the course of war, if she is willing to take risks as great as the possible rewards . . .
In this engaging, dramatic historical novel that illuminates a little-known facet of World War II, USA Today bestselling author Alan Hlad explores the real-life librarian spies who hunted down crucial intelligence throughout Europe.
1942: With the war’s outcome hanging in the balance, every sliver of intelligence can be critical. Though far from the battlefields, cities like Lisbon, Portugal’s neutral capital, become lynchpins in a different kind of warfare, as President Roosevelt sends an unlikely new taskforce on a unique mission. They are librarians and microfilm specialists trained in espionage, working with a special branch of the Office of Strategic Services. By acquiring and scouring Axis newspapers, books, technical manuals, and periodicals, the librarians can gather information about troop location, weaponry, and military plans.
Maria Alves, a microfilm expert working at the New York Public Library, is dispatched to Lisbon, where she meticulously photographs publications and sends the film to London to be analyzed. Working in tandem with Tiago Soares, a brave and honorable bookstore owner on a precarious mission of his own—providing Jewish refugees with forged passports and visas—Maria acquires vital information, including a directory of arms factories in Germany.
But as she and Tiago grow closer, any future together is jeopardized when Maria’s superiors ask her to pose as a double agent, feeding misinformation to Lars Steiger, a wealthy Swiss banker and Nazi sympathizer who launders Hitler’s gold. Gaining Lars’ trust will bring Maria into the very heart of the Fuhrer’s inner circle. And it will provide her with a chance to help steer the course of war, if she is willing to take risks as great as the possible rewards . . .
- GenresHistorical Fiction
39 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2022
About the author
Alan Hlad
10 books1,123 followersAlan Hlad was the internationally bestselling author of historical fiction novels inspired by real people and events of World War I and World War II, including the USA Today and the IndieBound bestseller The Long Flight Home, Churchill’s Secret Messenger, A Light Beyond the Trenches, The Book Spy, Fleeing France and A Secret in Tuscany.
Alan deeply valued connecting with readers and sharing the stories and historical inspiration behind his work. A member of the Historical Novel Society, Literary Cleveland, Novelitics, and the Akron Writers’ Group, Alan was a frequent speaker at conferences, literary events, and book club gatherings.
An upcoming novel by Alan Hlad is scheduled for publication February, 2027.
Alan’s novels continue to reach readers around the world through their humanity, compassion, and resilience.
Find out more about his work at alanhlad.com.
Alan deeply valued connecting with readers and sharing the stories and historical inspiration behind his work. A member of the Historical Novel Society, Literary Cleveland, Novelitics, and the Akron Writers’ Group, Alan was a frequent speaker at conferences, literary events, and book club gatherings.
An upcoming novel by Alan Hlad is scheduled for publication February, 2027.
Alan’s novels continue to reach readers around the world through their humanity, compassion, and resilience.
Find out more about his work at alanhlad.com.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 1, 2024
I’ve been on a streak of reading about librarians in WWII and the part that many of them played with either spying, saving books, or hiding Jews. I’ve enjoyed all the stories so far. Including this one. My three-star rating is because compared to the others I’ve read recently, the writing in this one was not as good. No specifics I can articulate, just a personal, subjective preference.
March 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews