Thank you Random House ​and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.
Martha Hall Kelly's "The Golden Doves" revisits WWII with a focus on the post-war hunt for German scientists, creating a race between the US and Russia to secure them. Josie Anderson, a former resistance worker, and Arlette LaRue, a survivor of Ravensbruck, play significant roles in the story. In 1952, Josie, now with US Army Intelligence, searches for Dr. Snow, a Ravensbruck experimenter, while Arlette learns about her missing son from a lawyer.

The book left me with mixed feelings, as some parts felt contrived and unrealistic. I longed for more historical facts on Operation Paperclip and the Vatican-Nazi connections. The plot alternates between the two women's perspectives and timelines, revealing predictable outcomes, except for one twist. Overall, I expected more historical accuracy but found the book leaning towards a thrilling and fantastical style.

I had very high hopes for this one given I've loved Martha's previous work. However, I had a difficult time getting into this story. Three different characters across two time periods, it was hard to keep track of. Definitely will give this one a shot again!

If you love historical fiction then this post-WWII book / female spy novel will be right up your alley. From the best-selling author of The Lilac Girls comes a story based on the lives of "The Doves". These former spies for the French resistance accept an assignment a decade after the war to find the infamous Nazi doctor who committed heinous atrocities during the war.

This long book was definitely worth the read. Do not let the size scare you off, this book is very readable and I felt compelled to find out how the story ended. Thank you for my gifted copy.

Arlette and Josie were spies during WWII. They were caught and placed at Ravensbruck. Seven years after their liberation, Josie is sent back to Europe in order to locate a Ravensbruck doctor who performed horrific experiments on Ravensbruck prisoners. At the same time, Arlette discovers that her son Willie could possibly still be alive at an orphanage in French Guiana. Both women go on people hunts that will change their lives forever. As the book switches back between different time periods and points of view, you discover that the two women's lives will intertwine once again.

I usually enjoy any book written by Martha Hall Kelly because of the way she weaves true facts into satisfying historical fiction. This book, however, was a little bit harder for me to get into than the other books I have read by this author. Parts of the plot seemed unrealistic to me especially the ending and many of the other events happening in the French Guiana part of the story. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if certain events had seemed more plausible. Despite some of the plot feeling unfeasible, the book was entertaining to read. I will continue to look out for future works by this author to read.

This book was beautifully written. Martha Kelly Hall weaves storylines together so seamlessly. I have loved each of her novels because the characters are always so richly developed. As a mother, this story will stay in my heart for a long time.

TITLE: The Golden Doves
AUTHOR: Martha Hall Kelly
PUB DATE: 4.18.2023 Now Available
Synopsis: Swipe Above

Two spies, Josie and Arlette, known as the Golden Doves find their way to amend past atrocities by hunting down a doctor who escapes Germany avoiding prosecution. Through dual narratives and point of views, the reader is immersed into the story of vengeance to find justice. I found this read, along with the authors’ notes on the depth of research, an incredible read that surpassed my expectations of another WWII fiction. I enjoyed the themes, the characters, and another look at this unexpected historical fiction read.

Historical fiction author Martha Hall Kelly has set aside her Woolsey-Ferriday series to return to the horrors of World War II in her latest novel, The Golden Doves. With two protagonists and alternating time periods during and after the war, the book veers into some unexpected directions and brings up questions on entangling fact and fiction about such an important time period.

For the rest of the review, click on the link below.

This review is not going to summarize the plot. There are plenty of others that will tell you what the book is about. I’m going to focus on the writing which to be honest was a journey from agonizingly slow and boring to wonderful.
I find it painful to give Martha Hall Kelly a 3.5 star review on The Golden Doves because I loved Lilac Girls and truly feel Ms Kelly is a far better author than exhibited in the first half of her latest offering. For me, The Golden Doves is all over the place trying to tackle too many issues, places and events and as a result it struggles to get off the ground. It’s not that the storylines don’t have potential but the first 40% of it felt disconnected within itself and it took that long to begin to get interesting. Had there been less clutter of unimportant detail that seemed to serve no or very limited purpose, it would have been much better. The second half was quite different. It was exciting, emotional, compelling, well paced and exactly what I expected from Martha Kelly.
The 3.5 stars is because it took far too long to get into and as much as I like the author I can’t ignore a significant part of the book that was just meh. It was very very close to a DNF which is why my review is late after publication. I do feel the final 40% redeemed it and because of that I do recommend it.
Thank you to the author, the publisher Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC. I eagerly look forward to Ms. Kelly’s next book.

The year is 1952 and two former WWII spies known as the Golden Doves, Arlette and Josie, are back together. During the war they worked in the French Resistance and stole German secrets. Eventually, however, they were caught and sent to the Ravensbruck concentration, enduring horrible acts. After the war they are reunited on a mission to find Arlette's son and seek justice for those who were tortured and killed in the Nazi concentration camps. I'm impressed by the research that must have go into this story. The epilogue alone tells an amazing story. I am not a fan of multiple time lines, especially when so many characters are involved. It took some getting used, but so worth effort. Any fan of Kristen Hannah will love this story. I recommend it. I received the ARC in exchange for my opinion about the book which was published April 18, 2023. Thank you, NetGalley!

Wow! Another fabulous book by Martha Hall Kelly. The Golden Doves is the story of two women who decide, when all feels lost, that it is time for them to do something about the war and become spies. The story follows two friends, now former spies, who hunt down a former Doctor after WWII. The same Doctor, who changed both of these women's lives in unimaginable ways. It's a story of faith, love, hope, and friendship. I couldn't put it down.

I'd heard about how America, following WWII, sought out various Nazi doctors and scientists to have as their own before the Russians snatched them up. These were Nazis who escaped prosecution in Germany and might otherwise have fled to Argentina. Not all of them should have been allowed to go free as their horrible crimes are detailed, what they did to the women of the Ravensbruck concentration camp.

Josie and Arlette, The Golden Doves espionage duo and then residents themselves of Ravensbruck, had firsthand knowledge of the doctors and in 1952 are trying to locate one in particular, Dr. Snow.

I found this captivating for the most part but it did seem drawn out toward the end as things come to a head. I do recommend it for those who enjoy strong female protagonists and also Nazis being taken down. It just could have been a hundred pages shorter in my opinion.

I was offered an early ebook by the publisher through NetGalley, but due to the length of it I chose to listen to the audio version. Nicely done.

Told in dual timelines during and after WW2, Arlette and Josie tell their intertwined tales as they became The Golden Doves in the French Resistance circuit. Women in service in WW2 is one of my favorite genres and this book does not disappoint, giving us another tale of women who overcame dire circumstances to fight against tyranny both in the war and in their personal lives. Arlette is a headstrong American, while Josie is a more reserved French woman, and their chemistry working together is inspiring. The atrocities these women persevered through is astounding. What I enjoyed was this book is equal parts survival story and spy tale, with lots of twists and turns. If you enjoy WW2 fiction you’ll definitely love The Golden Doves.

I have now read all of Martha Hall Kelly's books, and The Golden Doves story did not disappoint. I love how her characters all intertwin, but have totally different perspectives and life experiences. Be ready for hard hitting history and devastating reality. MHH's books show the ugly truth in history, but always makes a way to end in beauty.

This is the best book of 2023 for me. Martha Hall Kelly doesn't miss. I will read anything she writes because its digestible, informative, and entertaining.

Review: The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly 4.25

Two former female spies, bound together by their past, risk everything to hunt down an infamous Nazi doctor in the aftermath of World War II.

Martha Hall Kelly does well researched historical fiction stories with strong females really well and The Golden Doves is no exception. The story starts off slower, with detailed backstories of the women's' lives during the war and how they became the infamous 'Golden Doves' spies. The book switches back and forth through time and in the 1950s storyline, we see how the war shaped each woman and their search for what the war took from them.

Read if you like:
- Dual POV and Dual Timeline
- Well researched WWII with lesser known events including the ratline, Operation Paperclip, and Lebensborn program
- Strong female characters looking for revenge

I would highly recommend The Golden Doves for seasoned historical fiction readers who like Kate Quinn and want a twisty WWII spy story.

Two heroic characters. Two survivors of Ravensbruck , the women’s concentration camp. Two women who were so good at passing information they were deemed The Golden Doves. Josie Anderson lived with French nationalist Arlette La Rue in Paris. Arlette has a young son. Working for the Allies they are captured and sent to Ravenbruck, here there is some historical information that maybe hard for some readers. The bulk of the story happens after they are liberated. Each has chosen a different path post war. Yet each is still dealing with the aftermath of the war. It’s a look into how moving beyond a horrible moment doesn’t mean forgetting what happened.

A wild roller coaster ride! Heart pounding excitement! Fast paced! This is the absolute best from Martha Kelly yet. I could not put this book down! Nazis, Operation Paperclip, Nazi death camps, CIA, Mossad, the Ratline of Nazis escaping after the war to various parts of the world including South America to continue their evil ways. Evil Cardinals coordinating right from the Vatican.

4.5 out of 5, Really a fantastic story, well worth the dive.

The Golden Doves is set between WWII-ravaged Europe and 1952 Europe and US. Arlette and Josie are French survivors of the war and Ravensbruck camp. In 1952, the two team up once again, Arlette to locate her half-German son, who was taken from her during the war and Josie to hunt down Dr. Snow, a war criminal desired by the US government as a scientist. I really appreciate how this book digs deep into the emotional and mental trials of returning to "normal life" after surviving a war. I especially liked Josie's story, as you watch the US sweep aside international criminal records to capitalize on the Nazi professionals trying to avoid life sentences and death.

The one problem that I had with this story is that the pacing was off. The story drags in parts and charges forward in others. Sometimes it delves deep into research, like the Lebensborn Program, and then glazed over the history in others, such as the Vatican-Nazi connection. Plus, it is difficult to follow the split timeline/flashbacks. Some of these chapters feel like a split timeline, then the character will come to the "present moment" in 1952. Other times it seems to be its own chapter. It can be difficult to follow.

Besides the pacing issue, this is a phenomenal book, both research-wise and in storytelling. I would highly suggest you read this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of Martha Hall Kelly's other novels and I was so looking forward to this one!
Unfortunately, it missed the mark for me. While I found the plot interesting and the dual timelines, both of the female leads seemed immature with their lust after men they interact with and they made rash decisions for being spies. This made the story seem less believable and engaging.
The author's note was really the highlight of the book and the resources related to the themes in the book.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of "The Golden Doves" and to interview its author, Martha Hall Kelly, for the Storytime in Paris podcast. Here is what I said:

"My guest this week is New York Times Bestelling author Martha Hall Kelly. In fact, Martha’s debut novel Lilac Girls, became a New York Times bestseller the week it was published. It then went on to sell over two million copies and be published in 50 countries. She followed that book with two more in the series. Martha’s latest book, The Golden Doves, is a standalone work of historical fiction set just in the aftermath of WWII. It features two former female spies - one hunting down an infamous Nazi doctor, and one searching for a son who may or may not still be alive.

In our conversation, Martha shares her research process, where she finds the inspirations for her characters, how she crafts characters who stay linked despite their differences, and so much more. Then, she treats us to a reading from her book."

You can listen to the full episode on the Paris Underground Radio website, on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, YouTube, Spotify and anywhere else you listen to podcasts.