Susan Ottaway

Okay, so this is the exact same book as A Cool and Lonely Courage by the same author. While I admire her drive to share this story with the world by repackaging and marketing it three different times, I wish I'd had been a bit clearer that this was the same story. I was really excited to read a fourth account of SOE, but this was just a book I've already read and that disappointment is why I'm giving one less star than I did the original book.

My opinions still stand though, It's an amazing story following some of the most amazing women ever to live, but the writing could use a lot of work. Reading this for a second time after reading Kim Philby's memoir was interesting as the first time I had had no idea who the guy was but now I do.… (meer)

It is quite possible that this story of two sisters who risked their lives repeatedly during WWII would have never been told. They were both British citizens but their family moved to France when they were children. Their mother had been French and they would not have succeeded if they had not been bilingual.

An old woman who used to be seen walking her dog named Bobby, kept to herself very much. She died in August 2010 in Devon, England. An ordinary funeral was planned for her. But in order to find out who to notify of her death, the police searched her home and found war medals from several different countries. The old woman, Eileen Nearne had worked undercover as a wireless operator sending and receiving messages for the French Resistance. Her older Jaqueline Nearne was the first sent to France as an undercover courier. Both of them were inspired by their older brother signing up.

I was really amazed by Jaqueline Nearne’s courage and intelligence. Eileen, aka Didi, was thought to be not smart enough and too naïve for uncover work. That proved to be completely false. She lost her naivety as the seriousness of the danger became real to her and but her intelligence was greatly underestimated. She was extremely brave and determined to survive. I don’t want to disclose any of the details because that would tell too much of the story.

The book flashes back to the girls’ childhood and also tells of the other family members but the exciting part is definitely when they both were serving in France, risking their lives and using every bit of intelligent to outwit the Nazis. This book made a big impression on me and has encouraged me to read more about the bravery and intelligence of women during wartime.

I received this book from the Publishers as a win from FirstReads but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in my review.… (meer)