The Book Spy: A WW2 Novel of Librarian Spies

Published by Katie Daniels at December 8, 2022

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Book cover image from Bookshop.org

As America enters WW II, President Roosevelt authorizes a variety of new task forces and units through a variety of military branches. One of those unlikely task forces relies on the unique skills of librarians and microfilm experts to be deployed into neutral territories with newly acquired espionage skills.

These experts can use their skills to cull through Axis publications for information regarding enemy factories, weaponry, and troop movements. They are permitted to barter and buy anything that may be of use, photograph it, and send it to intelligence officers for examination.

Maria Alves is a microfilm expert working in the New York Public Library when her colleague, whom she trained, secures his position within the task force. Maria uses her natural strategic intelligence to work her way onto the task force despite not being the required Ivy League graduate.

Tiago Soares is a Portuguese bookseller working night and day to aid Jewish and political refugees seeking aid to America. He gladly smuggles banned materials into Portugal for Maria’s mission.

It isn’t long before Maria attracts an opportunity to pilfer the higher Axis ranks as a double agent. Her misinformation quickly moves her into the Fuhrer’s inner circle with the potential to change the course of the war.

Can she and Tiago avoid capture to succeed in their missions? Will they survive the war to see a future together?

Whew. That was all I could say once I finished reading. This historical fiction flies within the first hundred pages. I don’t think I took a breath!

Maria, Tiago, their colleagues, and fellow patriots are an eye-opening, beautiful tribute to the hard work and memory of those who served in creative ways to end the devastating Holocost.

Alan artfully writes a well-researched, captivating story of love, loss, and fighting for human life that will leave you breathless. He thoughtfully and respectfully weaves his story through real life events, based on real individuals, during the last years of the war.

He descriptively paints the picture of life in a “neutral” fascist country where Allies and Axis spies and leadership often intertwine. He vividly captures the lives of refugees pouring into a port town, living penniless in a square until they can hopefully set sail for a new life.

This is a book where the heroine is as willy, intelligent, and kind as she is beautiful. The hero chooses the lives of others over his own security. They cared more about a happy ending for mankind than their own hearts, like so many of the people they represent.

This is a book I will always remember and always recommend. It’s for anyone who enjoys intrigue-packed historical fiction, espionage, an unlikely hero, and cheering for librarians. I can’t wait to read it again and again.

Pre-order a copy now so you can read it as soon as it is available. This one is worth sharing with every reader you know. Publishing January 24, 2023.

If you enjoyed this book, check out these other titles: The Forger’s Forgery, The Gold Persimmon, and Potiphar’s Wife.

Katie Daniels

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Katie Daniels is a speech language pathologist in Florida, where she resides with her husband and their pup-child. She has dabbled in professional and personal writing over the years, but only recently began sharing her work with others. She is a proud Florida kid who enjoys meeting new people, seeing new places, and all things related to laughter, travel, faith, Disney, reading, and F.S.U. football. She is easily bribed with donuts or mac ‘n cheese.

She would love to connect on Instagram.