Mother Daughter Traitor Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal

 

First Line from Prologue: "Imagine-- it's a year from now, 1941, or maybe even '42-- and Germany and the Axis have won the war," Hermann Schwinn was saying in a thick accent.

 

After a severe lapse in judgment cost her a prestigious job in New York City, Veronica Grace and her mother, Violet, find themselves in Los Angeles looking for work. Although she still wants to pursue a career in journalism, bills must be paid, so Veronica accepts a typing job from a local high school teacher.

 

It doesn't take her long to discover that this high school teacher is an ardent supporter of the Nazis and one of their chief propagandists in southern California. Veronica wants nothing more to do with the man or his agenda, but that's when she's approached with a proposition. The man was very favorably impressed with both her work, her Aryan appearance, and her German background-- she would make the perfect spy.

 

As Veronica begins her life as a spy, her mother joins her, the older woman moving easily among the wealthy wives of California's Nazi elite. When Pearl Harbor brings the United States into the war, both women find out that the plans these dangerous men are making have a lot more to do with death and destruction than they do with disseminating propaganda leaflets.

 

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Based on a true story, Susan Elia MacNeal's Mother Daughter Traitor Spy is a white-knuckle ride into a life of espionage by two women you'd never think would be spies. Veronica Grace is bright, talented, and longs for a career in journalism like her hero, Martha Gellhorn. She's so bright and so talented that I still find it hard to believe the stupid error in judgment that cost her a prestigious job in New York City.

 

Another thing that was a bit difficult to accept (but I don't know why) is what a hotbed of Nazism the Los Angeles area was in World War II. So much so that the West Coast was in much more danger than the East Coast. Learning that, back then, Anaheim was called "Klanaheim" made my blood run cold. (When reading this book, do yourself a favor: read the author's notes, sources, and inspirations.)

One of the best parts of Mother Daughter Traitor Spy was how MacNeal showed the concurrent tedium and terror of being a spy. Veronica and Violet's determination and strength of character shone through all the long months they put themselves in danger. It is a life that not many people are suited for, and a life in which one of the most important lessons to be learned is that "nice isn't the same as good."

This is a strong fictional account of two remarkable women that has disturbing ties to the present day. I'm glad I met Veronica and Violet.

Mother Daughter Traitor Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal

eISBN: 9780593156964

Bantam Books © 2022

eBook, 336 pages

 

Standalone Historical Thriller

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley