Martha Hall Kelly fans will love The Golden Doves, a historical thriller. Through the eyes of two brave women spies, the novel describes the horrors of the Ravensbrῢck camp and the dangers of wartime Europe.

Set in 1952 after WWII, Hall Kelly switches from the present to wartime ’40s. Best friends Josie Anderson and Arlette LaRue work together as spies under the code name Golden Doves to defeat the Nazi regime. After their escape from the Ravensbrῢck concentration camp, they encounter each other with Josie on a special mission to find the notorious Nazi Dr. Snow and Arlette in search of her lost son.

Having read three out of four of her novels, The Golden Doves is the best of Martha Hill Kelly’s novels. Her dedicated research and detailed descriptions make her novels perfect for a movie or TV series. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for letting me read and review it. #NetGalley #The Golden Doves #historical fiction

I really like historical fiction books there is some great stories. This one is no exception. It us about spies mostly for wars. The characters and storyline were wonderful.
This book was approved for me to read and review by netgalley and the publisher.

This was a fun mix-up of thriller, mystery, and historical fiction that at the end I think worked. There were some aspects of the story I found a bit difficult to understand but it might be because of the way the story was presented.

After WWII, many Nazis and Nazi sympathizers found new homes in South America, never really being held accountable for their crimes. They were aided by government leaders, church leaders and other believers in the Third Reich. Some governments actively recruited them to aid in weapons development.
Josie and Arlette worked with the French resistance but ended up in a concentration camp. Years later, they go to South America in the hopes of Arlette finding the son who had been taken from her, and Josie, in hopes of catching the notorious Nazi, Dr. Snow. Both bear the scars of war, but are determined to succeed in their missions.
Well written and researched book about yet another aspect of World War II that may have been forgotten.

The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly is a quietly powerful book set in the World War II.
Inspired by true events.

I enjoyed Lilac Girls. So I was very happy when I received The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly.
TGD is a quietly powerful book set in the second World War and inspired by true events.

Josie and Arlette endure unthinkable, brutal, and some heartbreaking things along their journey.
I was completely enthralled in the storyline. It honestly took my breath in some.
This is an excellent historical fiction novel.
Martha Hall Kelly, is a master at crafting vivid characters from the first page
This really was historical fiction at its finest, this book made me feel things I haven't felt in some time.
Rigorously researched, wonderfully written, and with twists that will leave readers thirsting for more.
A brilliant novel more than worthy of its intriguing subject.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Random House & Ballantine Books,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my blog, platforms, BookBub, B&N, Kobo and Waterstone closer to pub date.

THE GOLDEN DOVES
BY: MARTHA HALL KELLY

Martha Hall Kelly you are a national treasure. I have discovered that you have easily become one of my all time Favorite Authors hands down. This is something that I happily realized after being a latecomer to reading you for the first time, with your wonderful civil war era Historical novel called, "Sunflower Sisters". After reading and loving that one, I knew I was long overdue to read "Lilac Girls," which I am restating was so outstanding it took my breath away!

In this latest and fourth in your series, but can be read as a standalone, called, "The Golden Doves," you have once again outdone yourself. You are a master at writing Historical fiction based on historical factual data based on real people. This is my third book written by you and I knew that I was in great hands and I loved this one as much as the two I have mentioned above.

This one I felt was larger and more epic in scope.

It chronicles the lives of Josie Anderson and Arlette LaRue who team up in France and are brought together to work as spies. They work together hidden in plain sight informing England about the Germans. Josie is from the United States and the chapters move forward and backward in time. As the novel begins, Josie works as an Army Intelligence officer stationed in El paso, Texas as a disillusioned high ranking Official. She is tired of the Nazi's living easily and not being punished for their atrocities committed during World War II.

Arlette and Josie accompanied by Arlette's baby named Willie are working for the Resistance when suddenly things go horribly wrong and they are sent to Ravensbruck work detention camp. What happens there has consequences for how the rest of this fantastic novel's vivid scenes play out. I don't want to give too much away, because I would hate to spoil it for those readers who are lucky to still have it on their shelves to learn about in their own joyful reading experience. You will have much to devour. I will say that the Title is perfect and for those who loved "Lilac Girls," you will be rewarded with much to discover here. I went into this novel totally blind. In my humble opinion, I think that is the best way to get the most fulfilling outcome from reading this.

I learned quite a bit and was so grateful to read the Author's Note, which authenticates the real people which inspired this richly crafted narrative. Martha Hall Kelly gives detailed anecdotes including the people she wrote about and books to further explore, which I plan on reading next. A Favorite with lush prose, which I'll never forget!

My review to "Sunflower Sisters," can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3599187491

My review to "Lilac Girls," can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1634505378

Publication Date: April 18, 2023

Thank you to Net Galley, Martha Hall Kelly and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine Ballantine Books for generously providing me with this excellent ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheGoldenDoves #MarthaHallKelly #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantineBallantineBooks #NetGalley

I had enjoyed the book Lilac Girls by the same author a lot, so I was excited to read another historical ficrtion novel by Martha Hall Kelly. This does what I was hoping for and had the same charm as the Lilac Girls. I was invested in what was happening and the characters in this world. I loved the spy aspects and thought it was really well done.

“Americans. Always so excited about everything. But thank God, they assigned me a female. My male agents are driving me crazy. Always in need of bailing out. One bounced checks at a brothel. Another lost his briefcase on the Metro. Much worse than children. Whatever you do as an agent, never trust your happiness to a man. Embroider that on a pillow, for it’s the best piece of advice you will ever hear.”

The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly is a wonderful and stunning postWWII-era historical fiction that is from one of my favorite authors. I loved it.

Leave it up to Ms. Kelly to bring us a truly wonderful new novel full of historical detail, Hf, mystery, suspense, intrigue, action, human emotion, and keep us continually coming back for more. Former resistance fighters/agents…now spies and fugitive hunters…Josie Anderson and Arlette LaRue have their own mysteries and obstacles that make this journey personal as well as moral and patriotic. Hunting down the hidden and evil former Nazi physician will become a mission for answers and justice in more ways than one.

I was hooked from page one…and I never let go. Excellent and highly recommend.

Well done!

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Ballantine Books / Random House for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/18/23.