Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem is based on a true story, unknown until recent years. How a lone Jewish lawyer and a handful of amateur spies discovered and foiled Adolf Hitler’s plan to take over Hollywood. The story focuses on two of the amateur spies, Liesl who is a single mom with two kids and a mother to support. She takes on Leon’s request for a spy. She volunteers for an organization and collects information for Leon, the Jewish lawyer.

Another spy, Wilhelm, Agent 13 was an interesting character. You knew he was going to have a background which the author slowly revealed to keep your attention.

There were several secondary characters that added another dimension to the story. Her brother, Fritz who is a police officer and has gotten himself mixed up in the wrong group of people. Her Jewish friend, Miriam really helped you see the dilemma Liesl found herself in both before and after she became a spy.

If now me, then who? If not now, then when? - both of these quotes helped you understand why someone would be willing to risk so much to support human rights.

This is a historical fiction that kept my attention and had me telling my friends about it. I would highly recommend it. This is my first book by Stephanie but will not be my last. Her author notes in the back were an extra treat.

Sexual content – none
Violence – women are sexually harassed. Riots and beating people up