Thanks to HTP for a copy of The Librarian Spy.

Two things I love -- historical fiction and spies. I didn't know much about these librarian spies during WWII but I found this book fascinating to learn more about these remarkable women!

Helene wants to work for the resistance for her war torn country of France. When her husband disappears she discovers he is a major force within the resistance giving paperwork to Jews trying to escape the Germans. She discovers he has been captured by the Nazi's and gets a new identity to help him escape. The story of Ava an American in Portugal blends in with Helene's story. There are a lot of novels similar to this published. It is heart wrenching and sad that the world lived through this era.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book but found the execution lacking. Martin is happy to kill off as many characters in her books as possible (based on previous reading of her works) but occasionally someone who should for sure die somehow magically lives which feels a bit preposterous. There's something about her writing style that never quite connects me to the emotion of her stories. I think this will be my last of her novels.

A librarian who is a spy set in World War II? I was sold from the beginning. In The Librarian Spy Ava exchanges her job at the Library of Congress where she is an expert at microfilming for a U.S military post in Portugal using the same skills. While microfilming newspapers and other documents from throughout Europe, Ava not only becomes familiar with the plight of many Jewish people trying desperately to leave Europe but also stumbles upon a coded plea for help in a French Resistance newspaper.

Author Madeline Martin does a wonderful job of intertwining two unique stories. The two stories unfold simultaneously involving two entirely different sets of characters and seem completely unrelated. Alternating between the two story lines causes the story to be a bit slow at the beginning, When the two stories intersect, the characters work together to accomplish their mission over different countries and in some cases without meeting in person. Their clandestine work using top of the line World War II era technology combined with their persistence and strong female characters provides a wonderfully, entertaining yet poignant work.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complementary copy of this book via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

I adored this story. Following along the lives of Ava and Elaine kept me enthralled. Such a wondering story!

Ava works as a librarian at the Library of Congress, leading a relatively quiet life when WWII starts. But when the US military offers her a position as a spy, who is she to say no to serving her country? She heads to Portugal, posing as a librarian while gathering intelligence for the US. While there, Ava makes a point of documenting as much as possible through print media to ensure that everyone's story is told. Elaine has taken the job of the men of France while they fight in the war, as so many women had to do. She spends her days as an apprentice of a printing press for the Resistance - one that the Nazi's are seeking to destroy. The two women find themselves in communication through coded messages in the newspaper, both seeking to help the Allies win the war.

Well researched and written, while the main characters are fictional, what they did is not. I had no idea the role librarians played in the war (pity on my part, as I am a librarian!) - nor did I know much about Lisbon during the war. Very well done!

This was a good read. I enjoyed both of the stories - but I was much more drawn into Elaine’s story. I listened and got confused a little which story belonged to which character - the same narrator did both (and also narrates books by Kate Quinn). When she read the French character, she had a French accent when she spoke or read letters, but otherwise, the voice was similar to that of the other character. I also felt like their stories didn’t intersect as much as I hoped. There wasn’t a lot of being a librarian; it was more like the stories of two women spies - one American and one French. Also not a fan of the ending. It’s a little too neat and a little cheesy to me.

Yet, some of the background information was interesting - the ways they printed messages in the newspapers and the scanning of newspapers to send to the United States. WWII stories make me sad -every time - for the difficulties and loss that were overwhelm for people. Living in Europe and seeing so much first hand, not being able to go out without showing your ID, all the rations - I think all these details help us remember or know how everyday people suffered. Even after surviving, I know people weren’t the same.

A Tale of Endless Courage

In many ways, this story was difficult to read because it was about the ugliness of war and the cruelty human beings can inflict on one another. However, the story is also about love and endless endurance in times of hardship and how far people will go to support one another. It is a remarkable story that pulls you in and keeps you reading. It touches your soul, and you cannot help but feel a sense of deep sadness and loss for those who have gone before. How can we do this to one another, and how can one man be allowed to wreak such havoc for so long? You wonder if something like what happened then can happen today? However, despite the despair, there is also hope because the war ends. Many survive and the Allies triumph, but the story makes your heart ache and beat faster, and it makes your soul shudder in pain and protest. Madeline Martin is an excellent author. I usually read historical romance, but I am drawn by any fiction she writes. This is an excellent tale of courage and endurance despite unimaginable odds.

Martin's The Librarian Spy offers insight into a fascinating aspect of World War II espionage--the librarians (though not female... bit of license there) sent from the Library of Congress to collect publications abroad. Despite having read hundreds of WWII novels, I can't remember any of them that were set in Portugal for any part of the narrative. I really enjoyed that aspect of the novel. However, it is that most dreaded of all things: a dual narrative. So, on one hand, there is the American librarian and, on the other, the member of the French Resistance. The Resistance narrative was utterly generic. Entertaining, but generic. I asked a friend whether we had literally read that exact story before. We had not, apparently. But it was still not very well done in that sense. For me, the Portugal-set narrative redeemed the book and I ended up at 4 stars, because, honestly? I really liked it in spite of its flaws.

A young woman librarian from the Library of Congress is sent to Portugal to microfilm newspapers to send back to the US as Hitler's war sweeps across Europe. A young woman in France, afraid her husband has tired of her helps a stranger at her door and must go into hiding where she becomes a part of the Resistance. Readers who can't get enough stories about women doing their part during World War II will be happy to read this.

Review published on Goodreads, 3 September 2022:

I love World War II novels as well as those with a bookish bent, so THE LIBRARIAN SPY seemed right up my alley. Even though I'm not a huge fan of espionage stories, a librarian spy definitely sounded intriguing to me. Unfortunately, Ava—who is a librarian—really isn't a spy at all. The job she does in Portugal (collecting European periodicals for the U.S. in the hopes of finding crucial information about Nazi maneuvers) is important, but the truth is, it isn't all that exciting. That, I think is the biggest reason why I found her sections so slow and dull. She doesn't do or risk very much, meaning her story has little action or conflict to keep it interesting. Even her personal relationships lack sparks of any kind. Elaine is the opposite. As a member of the French Resistance, she risks a great deal to help run an underground, anti-Nazi newspaper. Still, even her sections don't get very exciting until about the last 1/4 of the novel. In addition, neither heroine is very well fleshed out. In fact, even though the women were operating in completely different countries doing entirely different work, I routinely confused the two because there's no distinction between their voices or personalities. Ava and Elaine might as well be the same person. Martin's prose doesn't help matters as it's pretty humdrum as well. I did finish this book, but not gonna lie, I put it down several times not intending to pick it back up again. Something compelled me to keep going, so there's that, I guess.

On the plus side, I did enjoy learning about Portugal during World War II as I haven't read any WWII books set there before. I also appreciate that this book stays very PG-13—if it wasn't for some violence, it could really be PG. Also, the characters are likable. Ava and Elaine are both compassionate, determined, and self-sacrificing. I just wish they had been more complex, unique, and memorable. In fact, that's what I wanted from this entire novel: more tension, more depth, more originality, more complexity, etc. As is, it's just an average read that does not stand out at all in a very saturated genre. Bummer.

The Librarian Spy is a riveting story of two determined, resilient women ready to do their part to change the course of the war - even if it is just for one family. Martin's impeccable research transports you to the gloriously evocative and neutral city of Lisbon and into occupied Lyon, where danger lurks around every corner. It's a moving and uplifting tale of risk and reward, love and loss and victory that is simply not to be missed.

Another wonderful WWII story from Ms. Martin. As with The Last Bookshop in London, she makes you feel like you are there with the characters as they go about their lives and trying to help in their own way with the war effort. Attention to detail is excellent as is her character development. Both Ava and Elaine were great examples of how women could help during these times. Great job!

This was such a fascinating dive into the intersection between archival studies and espionage.

This was a dual narration, with two separate, yet intertwined stories from two very different heroines. The first heroine, Elaine, is a member of the French Resistance whose husband disappears. She becomes more embroiled in helping those who are persecuted exist, and has many near escapes right under the nose of the Gestapo. The second heroine, Ava, is fascinated by books and dedicated to uncovering their secrets. She becomes a secret agent both to help the war effort and because her brother is serving.

Both heroines encounter challenges they never could have imagined, and Elaine especially watches her friends and comrades fall prey to the Nazi regime and struggles to find enough food to live on because of the rationed stock. Their fates become enmeshed in a plot twist I did not see coming.

Highly recommended for readers of the historical fiction of Marie Benedict, Kelly Bowen and Kate Quinn.

Madeline Martin has created two very magical characters in this historical fiction about two powerful women who impacted the trajectory of events during WWII. Ava is an American librarian who is tasked with gathering information in Lisbon that would assist the Allies. Elaine is a French housewife working with the Resistance fighting against the German Nazi occupation. The story is told in the voice of the two characters and from both their perspectives.

There's romance, intrigue, mystery, high emotional stakes, strong female protagonists, great pacing, and strong storytelling. A well-researched, great read for anyone who loves historical fiction.

From my blog: Always With a Book

It’s no secret that historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and when you add in that mystery element, I love it even more. I was thrilled when Cindy from the Thoughts of a Page Podcast selected this one for her Patreon group to read early as I had already had my eye on it. Madeline Martin is a new-to-me author but I will definitely be going back and reading her other historical fiction novel…I just loved her writing!

There’s certainly no shortage of WWII books. But I always find that each one brings something new to the table – each one sheds light on something that hasn’t been explored before and that is certainly the case here. This is inspired by the true history of American library spies! What?!? And the book is set in Portugal. This might be the first WWII book I’ve read that is set there. I loved getting to see how a neutral country was like during this time.

The whole idea of American spies just fascinates me to no end – especially the fact that they used women in this role. Ava works for the Library of Congress as a librarian. She is sent to Portugal to scan all the newspapers she can get her hands on and send back anything that might be deemed worthy of helping with the war effort. It is through this work that leads her to a French contact, Elaine, who is part of the Resistance Movement. I loved that Elaine worked for an underground printing press, where they printed and distributed Resistance pamphlets during the war.

I love the use of the dual narrative in historical fiction, and it worked really well here. I loved moving back and forth between Ava and Elaine’s perspectives – both women are so brave and find themselves taking such big risks. I wouldn’t say I had a favorite character, per say, but rather there were times I was drawn more to one than the other. When the two finally connect, I loved how they communicated through coded messages. It added a layer of suspense to an already tense situation – would they be discovered before they were able to complete their plan?

Yes, the book does move a little slow at times, but I feel that there were moments that really needed to be built up for later parts to make sense. As much as I wanted to rush through this book to see when the two characters would finally connect, I also felt that this isn’t that type of book. There are some heavy moments scattered throughout and I felt the emotions very strongly. You feel the desperation and the fear in the characters, but you also feel hope and that is what I love. By the time I got to the end of this book, it had tugged at all my heartstrings, and is one that I know will be sitting with me for a while.

I read a lot of historical fiction and I think this might be one of my new favorites. I just loved it and it is definitely one I will be recommending to everyone!

A well written piece of historical fiction centered on the lives of two women during WWII. Ava Harper was an American, one of the librarians sent to Lisbon, Portugal to make sure books and newspaper information would be shared with the Allies for intelligence purposes. Ava feels for the many refugees trying to leave Lisbon for America. Helene Berlinger gives up her identity card to save a woman’s life, then joins the Resistance in Lyon. When Ava comes across Sarah Cohen, with her son, Noah, Ava tries to find a way to help them escape. Each woman bravely faces adversity, but also fight to save lives. I recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Told in two narratives, The Librarian Spy is a perfect World War II spy novel. Elaine accidentally joins the Resistance after her husband is arrested in France. Ava is recruited to send underground newspapers to America from Portugal. Both women end up connected by helping a mother and child escape the Nazi camps. While the two stories are being told at the same time, it provided a really interesting insight on what was happening in Europe depending on where you lived. Great read. Highly recommended.

I loved this book! I actually ended up listening on audio, and found the narrator to be fantastic. Engaging storylines that beautifully came together to wrap up the novel. I can't wait to read more of Martin's books!!! Thank you for allowing me to review this book!

This book was riveting, fast paced and a good one from Madeline Martin. I love that her heroines are strong, smart and brave. This was a fantastic look at World War Two from another angle that other fiction writers have missed. Fresh, becoming and riveting. Highly recommend.

Watch my Amazon Live interview with Madeline here: https://amazon.com/live/broadcast/29341cb8-55b7-458b-b312-269de5e98116?tag=erinmbransco-20&linkCode=ilv&ref_=social