I really wanted to enjoy this book. I love other books by this author but this one didn’t connect with me. It was very interesting learning about this real person in history and more about what went on during the war but the storyline was lacking. I feel like it just breezed over events. I also didn’t like the main heroine, Edith. There was no depth in her character and I feel like she was too mellow throughout the whole wartime story.

There’s a firing squad. And Edith Cavell is in line. She has been sentenced to the death penalty by a firing squad for spying. But was she spying? She was a Red Cross nurse just doing her job.

Set during WWI Belgium during the German occupation. Matron Edith a British Red Cross nurse, and along with the nurses she trained, would care and tend to the wounded soldiers coming through the medical institute’s doors. However, because Belgium had been taken by the Germans, it was illegal to care for any non-Germans.

With courage, despite constant questioning and searching of the premises by the Germans, she nursed back to health all soldiers that came through the Medical Institute. She then sent them in the direction of the Resistance. Who in turn, helped them to find their way back home, avoiding being captured by the Germans.

The true story of Edith Cavell. Her strength and resilience and bravery and humanity should not be forgotten. She must be remembered for her part in WW1. This story has touched me so much, that I will pay my respects to her grave when I am in Norwich next week. The author really brought to life the story of Edith Cavell of whom I knew nothing about. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and review your book.

#BookRevew: UNDER THE COVER OF MERCY by Rebecca Connolly

“I am not giving up Lizzie. I will accept what is to be and move forward in faith, no matter what.”

I wish I knew about Edith Cavell before reading this book. Her faith in the Lord was just amazing. Based on her true story, everyone who knew Edith could attest to her unwavering faith and patience. She was an English nurse in Belgium during WWI. She did her best to do her duty as a nurse.I liked how she calmed the other nurses and the injured soldiers with her presence and encouraging words. She was an uncomplicated person who was dedicated to healing the injured, regardless of who they fought for.

The story gave spotlight to the nurses and the Red Cross during the war. It was incredible to read of their courage and compassion to heal the wounded soldiers. There were so many people on the resistance side. I feared for their lives and the danger they faced everyday. They took risks to do what they felt was right.

This was a well researched and well written book. The characters were well developed and the pacing was good. The scene inside the prison with Edith and Lizzie was heartbreaking. It also made me applaud Edith's strong will and faith in the Lord. This was a good read and an unforgettable one.

Rating: 4.5 ⭐
Pub date: 11 Apr 2023

Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing and #netgalley for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoy learning about historical figures, and it's even better if I've never heard their story before. That was the case with Edith Cavell. I don't know a whole lot about WWI, and had never heard about Ms. Cavell or what she did that made her famous. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this book and learn about her though, because her story is so inspiring. I can't even imagine how difficult it would have been to help Allied soldiers escape, especially with all of the German soldiers constantly poking around.

I recommend having a tissue or two nearby while reading this book. Edith's unwavering faith and ability to stand up for what was right, no matter what are inspiring. I think all of us could learn a lot from her quiet example.

An interesting story of part of the life of Edith Cavall as a British nurse in Belgium during World War I. Imagine just how difficult it was for a woman in 1915 devoted to nursing those who came into her care no matter what side of the war they were on. This is a woman who hid and saved over 200 British soldiers and assisted if guiding them home. I think we all know how her story ended.
I enjoyed reading this story and recommend it to other readers.
Thank you NetGalley for the copy of this book for review.

Great book. Compelling historical story of WWI.. the bravery of Edith Cavell in the face of danger while treating wounded soldiers was extraordinary. Tragic story but I I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommend all to read it. The cover is beautiful.

Well done! Such an enjoyable way to learn history! Edith’s faith as shown in the book was genuine for a devoted believer. Her modest demeanor matches the spiritual temperament of devoted women in her era, and it shows a regard for accuracy on the part of the author. This book was clearly well researched, and the bibliography and questions at the end are a plus.

I’m not sure how I have overlooked this heroine, but I throughly enjoyed reading this story and then looking Edith up. I’ll be sharing this with my daughters as it is a timely reminder to stand with grace and and to love others against the sometimes overwhelming evil in our age. Our daughters need more of these true stories of strength.

The six recently martyred in Tennessee is a poignant reminder that Christianity needs strong roll models to aid in the knowledge that we can stand unwavering in the face of persecution as Edith Cavell has shown.

Based on the true story of nurse Edith Cavell, who helped British Soldiers escape the Germans after receiving medical treatment in WWI.

While an admirable story, just didn’t connect with the story. It was a really slow burn. I did not like the writing style and found the book a bit too religious for me. The story was just lacking in edge and drama.

The cover is beautiful though.
2.5 stars.

I wanted to love this one. The cover is gorgeous and I was very excited to read it. Unfortunately it just wasn’t the book for me. I never felt connected to any of the main characters. The dual POV really threw me off and didn’t seem necessary. The plot was very slow. This definitely reads more like a biography. Edith Cavell was a very noble and honorable woman, though I feel like I could have learned all this information from just googling her.

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed reading the story ot Edith Cavell and the heroic actions she took to rescue the soldiers. I felt the book was well written and contained very typos or other issues. I would recommend this book to others. I didn't know anything about this story so it was interesting to read about another part of WWI.

i just love historical fiction with strong female characters, and the strong bond between women. this book made me cry and rage at the same time. i mean come on , why do some people assume they have a right to play god. to determin who is good or who is bad.
i just said i loved strong female characters, and i stand by it. but in my opinion the female lead,in my opinion, even though she was strong , gave up to easily. i loved the bond between the characters, how far they would go for protecting eachother. i highly recommend this book
thank you to netgalley for the e arc, my opinion is my own

First, what a beautiful book cover for a beautiful story! Secondly, perfect title for the story!

I didn't recognize the name Edith Cavell and as I was reading the book I kept thinking, "Is this about a real person?" but never pulled out my phone to find out. I was happy to find out towards the end that yes it was based on a real person and what a remarkable person she was.

The story is a beautiful tell of faith, courage, humility, and standing up for a cause you believe in. I feel like Lizzie in the story and now have a deep respect and love for Edith and for all she did for others in a time that doing so was risky.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Rebecca Connolly for the advanced copy. This is definitely a book I will be buying once released to add to my Connolly collection.

Edith has devoted her life to helping others through nursing and training nurses, but when war comes to Brussels, she feels a growing need to do more. When asked to care for and assist English and French soldiers, she agrees, and the Red Cross clinic becomes part of a secret network of resistance work, aiding 'enemy' soldiers to escape the country. But the risks are great, and the longer they operate, the greater the chance of capture. The authorities are already suspicious, and the pressure on Edith to do her part while also fulfilling her role as Matron to the clinic and endeavouring to protect the nurses under her care, knowing that the punishment for such actions could be death, becomes almost unbearable. Can her relationship with God carry her through all she must endure?

A deeply moving story of a nurse willing to risk - and give - all to care for those around her. Though set in a war, there is little or no bad language or violence, which I appreciated. That's not to say the horrors of war are whitewashed, just that what does take place occurs off-page. It's certainly not a light read, and while very readable, can get a little heavy (unsurprising given the topic). It's also inspiring and thought-provoking, but if you're looking for a happy ending, this may not be the best book to pick. However, I have to admit that it was quite hard to put down - in fact, I read for almost an hour longer than I'd intended, to finish it! Tentatively recommended - but don't forget the tissues...

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

This book was ... gutting. In a really good way.

I had never heard of Edith Cavell until this read, and am very thankful her story and I crossed paths. Wow--just wow.

I can only think of one other book I've ever cried while reading (Mary Beth Chapman's Choosing to SEE), and this one very nearly joined it, especially at a few points in the last quarter. I am really glad I didn't end up trying to finish it at bedtime (unlike when I started it).

The synopsis indicated that the book was set during WWI. I really felt it read more as if it were set during WWII, and second-guessed myself for a good chunk of the book. I wished the author had done more to create a specific sense of place and setting within the war. For being a story about an (unjustly so) largely unsung hero, I think that would have gone a long way in adding even more depth to what is, absolutely and already, a powerful story here.

There were a fair few lengthy quotations near the end, as well. Lengthyyyyyy. On the one hand, I loved it, because I love liturgy and that's largely what these excerpts were from, paired with Scripture and hymns. They certainly lent gravitas to two very serious and climactic scenes. So on the one hand, I loved it--but on the other hand, multiple pages of liturgical (and not short) prayers and scriptures verbatim became a bit ... stilted and forced this reader, anyway, to sit and struggle with all the feels. It did make me take a hard look at my own faith, see myself in the scene, and really have to sit/dialogue with faith-meets-end-of-life elements.

All that to say, a stunning read that certainly forced me to do some long and hard inner reflection. Imperfect, but well worth the time even so.

3.5 stars

♦️In August 1914, the Germans occupied Brussels. Edith Cavell, the Matron of Berkendael Medical Institute, was very upset. As a nurse, she had always thought it her duty to serve the sick and the wounded. So she decided to inform the German Governor-General that her nurses were always at the services of the wounded irrespective of their nationality. However, when she approached him, she was told that it was also expected of the nurses to guard the soldiers while treating them so that they didn't escape, to which she disagreed. Then one day, someone from the Belgian resistance came to Edith's institute seeking her help in treating and hiding two wounded English soldiers. Thus, she started her journey of saving hundreds of Allied soldiers by helping them escape from the Germans. However, with the German soldiers regularly coming for inspection, it was not an easy job. Was she successful in protecting them? What price did she pay for her noble act

💥This was my first World War 1 historical fiction, and I do not regret reading it. I thank the author for enlightening me about an important but lesser-known woman in history.
💥The book showcases the problems faced by the medical staff during times of war. If the medical team are working in an occupied country, then the problem is even more significant.
💥The story also highlights that during dark phases and times of distress, people often try to find hope by submitting themselves to the Almighty.
💥 It also gives us an idea about the brutality of the Germans during the war.
💥Edith Cavell was a living example of courage and sacrifice. During wartime, when people feel hopeless, people like her help restore faith in humanity. She followed her conscience by helping people in danger, even if it threatened her life. She was a God-fearing person who had immense faith in him. She was compassionate towards her fellow nurses and the probationers. She always guided them on the right path, and they also turned to her for help. She always found her assistant Elizabeth Wilkins by her side in whatever she did. Edith, on the other hand was a friend and a mentor to her.
💥A significant part of the book has quotes from the Bible and hymns which slows down its pace. I being a non-Christian, was unable to decipher most of it. I agree that Miss. Cavell was profoundly religious, but it could have been portrayed in some other way, not just by quoting the Bible.
💥Overall it was a wonderful read, and I am grateful to the author for bringing to light such a powerful woman whom time has long forgotten. Readers who would like to know about the admirable lady should definitely read this gem.

                 I am grateful to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel.

his is an historical fiction story about Edith Cavell. The setting is 1914 during WWI. Cavell is a nurse and the matron of the Berkendael Medical Institute in Belgium. She trains nurses there and it operates under the flag of the Red Cross. The story begins as the German forces begin occupation of the country. She and her nurses are allowed to continue their nursing duties within the limits set by the Germans. They are supposed to act as jailers to non-Germans. She eventually begins to hide and treat allied soldiers, helping many escape to freedom at the Holland border.

The story is told form duel POVs, Edith and another nurse Lizzie. I felt the second view was there to show how Edith inspires and leads the nurses and to leave a witness of the events. I think the story is important and was glad to learn about this new to me heroine. But I didn’t connect as much to the writing style and pacing of the book. There are religious overtones in the story as Edith’s strong Christian beliefs guide her actions. For a war time book there are injuries but nothing is overly graphic.

Kudos for the beautiful cover. It is striking and invites the reader to the book. Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review. (3.5 Stars)

I enjoyed this story of determination and light. It was a little slow for me in the beginning, but the characters built their storylines and made me want to see a resolution. A great way to learn of some of the world history!

This book has all you hope to find in a historical novel. Nurses do so much more than simply care for their patients; in a war zone they do even more. This is a story based on facts that take us through the faith of the matron, how she handles the requests of the enemy, sticks to her beliefs and triumphs in the end. It leaves you with thoughts about legacy. Legacy becomes what you stand for and all about what you believe. This is the kind of heroine our children need.

One of the great things about historical fiction is how authors are able to bring to life the stories of unsung heroes and forgotten people throughout history. This is very much the case with Under the Cover of Mercy by Rebecca Connolly and the real life story of Edith Cavell and Elizabeth Wilkins, who were two Red Cross nurses based in Belgium during the First World War.

When we first meet Edith and Lizzie, the German Army have taken control of Belgium and in the infirmary where they work, both nurses heal and look after both Germans injured in battle, but also prisoners of war from the French and British armies. As the war continues, the resistance movement contact Edith to ask whether she will help some injured, but uncaptured British soldiers and once healed, to help them to escape Belgium. Edith feels as though this is part of her duty to any injured person to get them back to health; no matter what side of the war they are on. Upon the success of this task, Edith and the infirmary get more people passing through and Lizzie is taken into confidence about what is happening. After a while, the German military command become aware of what's happening and they put surveillance on the infirmary.

The story is told from the perspectives of both Edith and Lizzie and we get to see their two points of view throughout the novel and how they change over the course of the story, which is very well done. The quiet, dignified resolve in which Edith carries herself knowing the dangers she is putting herself under is remarkable and inspiring. The ability of Lizzie to take inspiration from Edith and continue with her work and nurture the nurses and the trainees throughout showed a great resolve.

I think where the novel let me down slightly, was that I never really got a sense of place at all throughout it. It would have been great to feel what Brussels was like in this period, with the added detail of the city and the infirmary, where all of the action took place. I also feel that this would have helped to develop the tension throughout the story, by building a stronger world that you can place yourself in. Whilst there was a gradual increase in the tension, as the story progressed, I feel this could have been ramped up far more to add to the dramatic impact of the story. Overall, there is enough in the book to keep you interested throughout, but the best bit is the strength of Edith's character, in particular and how she continued to run the infirmary, whilst also saving around 200 British and French soldiers, by getting them out of Belgium.

Edith Cavall, a Red Cross nurse and teacher assigned to a hospital in Brussels, Belgium during WWI, always let her Christian upbringing and strong beliefs guide her actions. Her beliefs were her true north. So when the Germans invaded her town, and English soldiers were brought to her for care under the cover of darkness, her grounded beliefs prevented her from acting as a jailer and keeping these English soldiers captive, despite being told to turn them over to the Germans. Once they were healthy enough to leave, they were guided to the Holland border. Under the Cover of Mercy is an aspiring novel of how one woman defined the German government and help care for hundreds of British soldiers.

Rebecca Connelly created a thoroughly researched novel of a truly remarkable woman who was unwavering in her beliefs to care for those she served, regardless of nationality. I did feel, at times, that the history overwhelmed the fiction part of the story causing the book to feel slow at times with the dangerous nature of the situation underplayed. Edith’s strong Christian beliefs guide all her actions and comfort her in challenging times and truly are an inspiration when faced with the unthinkable. Overall this was a decent book that truly taught be something I did not know before.

Thank you NetGalley for this gifted book. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own and were voluntarily given.