Latimer House was one of the most secret locations of essential war work during World War. Run by MI5 and MI6 it was a Combined Services Detailed Interrogation Unit though many of the locals believed it to be a distribution station. It serves as the location for this interesting, but light hearted, novel. Many of the events that actually happened at Latimer House find themselves in this book too and that serves to give a nice little touch of history.

The story is told through the eyes of three very different women who all find themselves stationed at Latimer House. Evelyn is a society girl who has joined up to "do her bit" and following an unsavoury incident with her commanding officer finds herself transferred to Latimer House to work as an interrogator, fluent in Germany she is the perfect person to interview the prisoners as they are disarmed by her beauty. Judith, a German Jewish ex pat has also been stationed here, as a native German speaker her skills are most valuable in the listening room where she covertly eavesdrops on the conversations of the prisoners. Betty is a local farm girl who has joined the ATS and been stationed in London, seeking a posting closer to home to keep an eye on her mum and sister she has asked for a transfer to the house claiming she is an ace typist - though she can't actually type, her analytical skills are second to none and she is able to see links in the reports that other people are missing.

These three very different women are all thrown together in a shared bedroom at the house and soon their lives become entangled as they settle in, each unaware of exactly what their room mates job is. Judith struggles to come to terms with some of the things that she overhears about the treatment and murder of Jewish people at the hands of the Nazi's; Betty finds herself in trouble trying to fend of the attentions of the local bad boy Bert, who believing Latimer House is a distribution centre full of whisky and cigarette's wants a map of the place from Betty so he and his pals can break in and steal supplies; and Evelyn finds herself in the alarming position of having to interrogate her former fiancée after he is captured by the British.

This story goes exactly where you expect it to when you start reading. The ending is of no surprise whatsoever (as soon as the 'love interests' where introduced it is blatantly obvious what is going to happen) but being able to guess the ending doesn't detract from the story.

The three stars is a reflection of my personal attitude to the book - I like my fiction a little grittier. If you are a fan of Annie Murray, Helen Forrester or Anne Bennett this will be right up your street.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and more importantly Jules Wake for the chance to read this book.

I have been a little slow in getting round to reading this book but still feel the review has value

This was the first historical fiction book by this author and I really hope it isn't the last.
Books of this genre and period of history are really my cup of tea and this book did not disappoint.

I had . of course, heard of Bletchley Park and the work that went on there but had never heard of Latimer House and all the really secret work that went on there interrogating the Prisoners of War, I also had no idea how the propaganda machine in Germany allowed the men to think that Britain was starving and on it's knees bombed into submission and waiting for the Invasion.

This book tells the story of 3 women from totally different backgrounds, one uppercrust English but fluent in German, one a Jewish German refugee and the third a working class girl from the village but a brilliant analyst
This book is well researched with harrowing detail, light hearted moments and the obligatory love stories and how War can seek to divide those that should not be separated..

I shall look out for more historical fiction from this author - a thoroughly entertaining but informative read~

Thanks again to all involved in my chance to read this book

This is a brilliant read. I loved how the three women were such different characters from diverse backgrounds and yet they formed a solid friendship. First class research also really brought the setting and vital work these women were undertaking to life. Highly recommended!

I've hit the jackpot with my WWII reading this past few months and this is no exception. This book features 3 women working for the war effort. Their work is so top secret that they are not able to tell each other what part that they play.

This is a fantastic book about war, love, friendship, betrayal and so much more!

Many thanks to Netgalley and One More Chapter for this advanced readers copy. This book released in August 2021.

What a book!

Fascinating subject set in a real life house where it all actually happened. Oh if walls could talk.

Latimer House was witness to some of the greatest secrets of WW2. Thousands of POW were interrogated by MI5 and MI6. German prisoners, including Hitler’s Generals would have come here. Imagine what went on. It's like the secret secret version of Bletchley .

Amazing subject for an author to choose and a well written and immersive read. Highly recommended!

A beautiful written story about three girls from completely different backgrounds who are working in intelligence in 1944. This is another story of fictional characters based in a non-fictional location in Buckinghamshire. A real eye-opener of life for women during the war.

A story set in more than trying times as everyone tries to find their place in a world on the edge, The Secrets of Latimer House takes you out of the here and now, and into history. Yes, ladies and gents, there WAS a 'Latimer House', and while the ins and outs of what went on moved us from battlefields to victory, the lives held within were just as important. Here is where the fiction part of the novel lies. The author learned about the reality, and created a world within that world so believable, so moving, so memorable that it goes beyond blurring the line between.

Despite there being many characters worthy of mention, for one reason or another, the heart and soul of the story reside in Evelyn, Betty, and Judith. Three women from more different backgrounds would be hard to find, but throughout their time together, through the ups, downs, heartaches, heart breaks, laughter, and tears, they realize that their similarities outweigh each and every one. They are women with families, and stories to share, all fighting for a common goal...to end a war that should never have been. They each contribute to the cause, some in bigger ways than they even realize, but the thing that really gets them through the bad times isn't just their gumption or resolve, but their friendship. The bond that they build, even while having to maintain secrets for the cause between them, gives them strength when they are down, courage when they are flagging, and backing for whatever may come their way. Evelyn with her good breeding and grace; she always knew how to handle any intimidating situation, but matters of the heart, she needed a hand. Betty was all beauty and bluster, but she learns that brains come along with that package and she only needed the right set of eyes to glimpse it for herself. Judith was reserved due to her darkened past, but she cared ever so much and so deeply that those friendships forged were her tethers in stormy times. They were sisters from different misters, brought together by choice and circumstance, in a world that didn't know how to break the hold evil had on it, but would never stop trying.

It was beautiful. It was heartbreaking. It had moments at which to shudder from anger and fear. It had moments with which to bask in the sun while remembering with fondness. I couldn't have asked for a better cast of characters, more memorable moments, or a clearer glimpse into a part of history I never knew. If you're a fan of the genre, or simply looking for a story you won't soon forget, I'd highly recommend grabbing your copy today!

Oh how I enjoyed this book!
The setting was described with such richness, I could see the house, the mess hall, the Buckinghamshire area.
I loved the main characters with their stories that we discovered and how hard life was during WW2.
There were facts that were completely new to me and as a Brit, I was proud to read on.
Jules Wakes always writes books that capture my imagination, but this one is quite possibly one of my top reads for 2021, and I hope there's more historical fiction to come.

Full of drama and intrigue and shining a light on a part of the war I knew nothing about. The characters were diverse and interesting,from very different backgrounds and their stories warned the heart.

I have read quite a lot books based in the second world war covering the secret worlds of intelligence, but this is the first on the intelligence gathering of German POW in camps within England. The story is the tripod of Evelyn, Judith and Betty and their roles in Latimer House and how their friendship develops and how their roles interlace without them knowing as each person has to keep their job secret.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the story flowed beautifully between the characters and it was a joy to know them and be involved in their story. I hope we can have a follow up..
It was good to know that Latimer House actually existed as well.

The Secrets of Latimer House by Jules Wake is a World War 2 historical fiction novel.

It has everything a historical novel set in this era should have, drama and tension, as well as a sense of community, friendship and love.

It is fascinating to know Latimer House really existed and so many high ranking prisoners of war passed through. And even more fascinating that it was so top secret people working in the house didn't know what the other people working there even did!

I loved the three main characters, they are all from different backgrounds and wouldn't normally have met let alone have been friends, and enjoyed following them through their friendship as well as their work.

Told between the three characters the book is easy to read and draws you in quickly.

The book has clearly been very well researched and is a unique look at a part of this era that isn't well known.

Three very strong women, WWII, a country estate in England. Very interesting and so worthwhile to read about women's roles in the war. Good book!

I love a good historical novel and this one did not disappoint and quite a different spin on the majority of historical novels I've read. Such a good read and will deffo look for more from this author. Highly recommend and quite sorry its finished.

A view of the war effort from the point of view of the woman who were also involved. The characters and the plot weave an interesting tale of how everyone played a part in winning a war.
I loved it.

I've not read this one yet. I clicked the wrong title when leaving a review. I promise I will come back and edit this one once I've read it.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. I had not heard of Latimer House so it was interesting to find out about the work that went on there. I just wish that the author had concentrated on this and left the romantic element out. For me it was just a distraction from the very real horrors of the war and the changing opportunities that women could take advantage of, albeit in tragic circumstances.

This was such a great book that I got lost in the pages. A wonderful story that left me on the edge of my seat with what would happen next.

My sincere apologies, I had forgotten the publishing date and I haven't yet read it. I will be purchasing a copy of this book.

Books about World War II are always interesting and almost always provide bits of revealing information that further demonstrate just how united the people in England were in trying to save their country and the world from Hitler’s atrocities. The Secrets of Latimer House is no exception. It is a fascinating story of some of the secret techniques that were used during the war, from interrogation to analysis to secret listeners. It tells the story through the eyes and experiences of three very different young women: a society heiress, a poor farm girl, and a German Jew who managed to escape from Germany after great personal losses. At first glance Evelyn, Betty and Judith couldn’t be more different and when they are billeted together it is hard to imagine them ever forming any kind of bond. But their loyalty, bravery and dedication to the vital roles they play unite them.

Very satisfying read, inspiring, showing how everyone in England was called upon to “do their part” and how well they all rose to that call.

Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers UK for providing an advance copy of The Secrets of Latimer House for my reading pleasure and honest review. It is well worth your time; you will enjoy it! All opinions are my own.

Is there any genre that Jules Wake can’t write perfectly? I really don’t think so! The Secrets of Latimer House is a change of genre for Jules, writing her first historical fiction novel. Set during the Second World War, this book is based loosely on the work that was done at Latimer House in Buckinghamshire, where German pilots and submariners were brought as prisoners of war to be interrogated before being taken to more permanent wartime accommodation.

This story brought three women together who couldn’t be more different to one another, but who formed a bond of friendship that carried them through the story together. I loved the three story arcs which fitted together so easily. The overall story was filled with plenty of drama, together with a little intrigue, and even some romance too. I think of the three women I found myself more closely drawn to Betty, but they were all such well-structured characters that I found myself completely immersed into the story, almost as if I was there with them. I have to say this would make a fantastic tv drama and one that I really need!

The historical fiction that I love the most is fiction that not only draws you into the story, but also makes you want to do more reading around the subject matter, and ‘The Secrets of Latimer House’ does that so perfectly. It is clear from the outset that Jules Wake had done a significant amount of research about what happened in Latimer House. I think many of us have heard of the important war work that women working at Bletchley Park had done, but it was refreshing to read that women at Latimer House were working as interrogators, translators and analysts, and it definitely made me want to go to Buckinghamshire to check out the information about the work done at Latimer House from the Amersham Museum. I will certainly be doing additional reading because my interest has been well and truly piqued by this wonderful novel.