“There’s a difference between determination and stubbornness, Dora. Determination keeps you focused. Stubbornness, in contrast, blinds you….it’s important to recognize when to back down.”

Author Ellie Midwood has honoured the memory of Dora Schaul and has educated her readers on the efforts of the French Resistance in her latest novel, The Undercover Secretary. Based on a true story, this account highlights one of the unsung heroines of the French Resistance, a Jewish survivor and German woman, and shares the complex world of the anti-fascist movement, bringing readers inside Dora Schaul’s nightmarish world.

When Dora met Alfred Benjamin, the entire course of her life changed. She transitioned from vulnerable prey in a foreign land into a relentless hunter, feared by the Gestapo themselves. She joined the French Resistance and was instrumental in uncovering the entire office of the Lyon Gestapo, including the Butcher of Lyon, the infamous Klaus Barbie himself. Thanks to her brave, selfless and life-risking actions, all their identities were uncovered and aired all over Europe via the BBC.

Midwood reminds readers to see the light in the darkest of moments, to be inspired to fight for what’s right, to be compassionate to the plight of others, and most of all, to fight against hatred so that history doesn’t repeat itself. Her insight into Dora’s life gives readers a heroic example of one who lived this advice.

I was gifted this amazing historical fiction book by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

A thumping good read, feels like living history so well researched, beautifully written and packed with interesting detail. fascinating… I found it difficult to put the book down. Instantly and completely immersed me. Recommend!

THE UNDERCOVER SECRETARY by ELLIE MIDWOOD is a heart wrenching WW11 novel based on the life of Dora Schaul. It is a story of courage in the face of danger, aginst the backdrop of the horrors of naziism in occupied France. We see also how the French collaborators treated the anti fascists and how they worked against Dora Davidsohn and her husband Alfred Benjamin, who were members of the Communist party. We also see how Dora became the Butcher of Lyon’s secretary, finding out secrets for the French Resistance……
I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil the read for you.
The author has obviously done a great deal of research and has written an interesting novel showing how these two people were willing to lay down their lives for freedom from tyranny.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

“The Undercover Secretary” is a historical fiction WWII book by Ellie Midwood. I’ve read a number of Ms. Midwood’s books before, so I’m familiar with her style of writing and the research she does in her books. This book tells the story of Dora Schaul, whose name I’ve come across before, but until this book I didn’t know much about. At times this book moves a bit slowly (a bit of plot development or background information), but those moments are not frequent. It’s easy to keep the main players in the book apart. I read this book rather quickly as it held my attention and was interesting.