I loved this story about using a Monopoly game board to escape from a Nazi POW camp. I thought the romance a bit lacking, but the story was engaging. From the very beginning a clue lets you know that the POWs will escape, but I enjoyed the plot twists. Four stars!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

2.5 ⭐️

I was very intrigued by the blurb for the book—WW2, home front life, POW camps, and daring escapes are right up my alley! But, unfortunately, the story fell flat for me.

What I enjoyed:

-the dual POVs between Kenneth & Beryl as it provides both a war front & a home front perspective

-Beryl’s rescue work after bombings

-the codes Monopoly game—this was incredibly fascinating & something completely new to me!

-sweet & precious Elinor Dowd was my favourite 💛


What I didn’t enjoy:

-I’ve read plenty of WW2 books about POWs, and this was the tamest POW camp I’ve ever heard of. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the multiple escape attempts with very minimal punishment since anything I’ve ever studied made escaping out to be a one-time deal because you were either killed or tortured. I’m not saying it didn’t happen this way at times, but it was very surprising.

-The characters felt flat without much depth or motive, and I struggled to relate to them.

-The final escape happens in the last 10% of the book and isn’t given in much detail. After so much emphasis was put on it, I felt a little disappointed.


I feel bad because I really wanted to love this book, but it just didn’t end up being my cup of tea, personally.


*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

I read a lot of WWII-era books, and this was a bit different in that it looked at POW's trying to escape from Germany during WWII. It's told in multiple POV's (Kenneth, an American pilot who's a POW and Beryl, a volunteer air raid warden in England). I expected the game aspect to be a larger part of the story than it was.. The ending felt a bit rushed, the romance and faith angles seemed forced at times, and some of the dialogue was a bit stilted and inappropriate for the time period. There was also more telling than is common in the books I read. I enjoyed learning about how the UK produced Monopoly games with escape tools built in and distributed by the Red Cross (though this part of the story came well into the plot--much later in the story than I expected, based on the title). I'd never heard that before. It wasn't as suspenseful as I'd anticipated, but it was an okay read overall. I really enjoyed Beryl's determination.

Diligently researched and beautifully written! Marilyn Turk has created such a poignant, fulfilling story in The Escape Game. The historical details are fascinating and the connections made throughout the story are delightful.

Thanks to NetGalley, Barbour Publishing and Marilyn Turk for the opportunity to read this warm, refreshing ARC.

The Escape Game shines a light on a little known fact about WWII POW's in a splendid way.

Marilyn Turk's The Escape Game is told in dual perspectives. It switches back and forth between Beryl Clarke, who works for a game company in Leeds, England, and her brother James Clarke and his best friend Kenneth Bordelon, who are RAF pilots currently stuck in a POW camp somewhere in Germany. When Beryl finds out that her company is hiding escape kits inside boardgames for the Red Cross to send to POW's, she is determined to figure out a way to inform her brother of this information. The only problem is: she doesn't know how to communicate with them without alerting their German captors.

This book was fantastic. I could see Turk's research throughout the narrative. I've read many books that involve POW escapes, many taken from historical accounts, but I haven't seen a book focus on the escape kits that were hidden in boardgames. It was very interesting to read about.

I particularly enjoyed Beryl's storyline. Her selflessness was evident in the way she worked hard, volunteered, and gave all her extra time to caring for her mother and others in her community she finds in need.

I only wish we had seen a little more character growth throughout the novel. Kenneth grows in his faith, but I felt as though Beryl and James were both rather static. I would've loved to see some real growth from the two of them as well.

This was such an exciting story and made me feel I was there during WWII. The characters were so real and I loved how the author went back and forth between Beryl and others in Leeds, England and the POW camp in Barth, Germany with Kenneth and James reunited. There was so much intrigue and I could tell the author, Marilyn Turk, put in alot of time doing research. Loved how she wove faith in God into the story. One of her best books I have read and highly recommend.

It is very interesting story which takes place during WWII. It seems so authentic that it's hard to believe that it is fiction. Although there are included historical facts. I like characters, how real they are, and I enjoyed reading this book.
1 like

What a Fantastic Read. Never really thought much about the Prisoners of War from World War II and people that lost their loved ones and were left alone. It was something how a toy company made all the difference in the world and how friends were all joined as Family in the end. Marily really did this up superb so detailed that it made you feel you were there in each situation. I would highly recommend this Book.

Marilyn Turk has outdone herself with this book. She drew me in right from the start. I felt the hunger and fear and the cold air the prisoners of war could not escape. I also experienced the worry and fear of their loved ones back home when air-raid sirens blared in the night. And yet, like most they remained hopeful doing what they could to support the war effort.
I learned so many interesting and fascinating things about the WWII era in Europe. I could tell Marilyn did a lot of research. I don’t want to spoil your reading of her book, so I’ll just say I will never look at the Monopoly game the same way again.
I will say that I wish the love story started earlier in the book, but it was told like no other I’ve ever read. I got to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am happy to recommend it to you.

While the story was cute, some aspects did not need to be included. They felt more like an after thought or wanting to make a connection to the present world instead of keeping it purely historical fiction. There were a few holes in the plot line.

SPOILER

I would really loved to see how Kenneth and James escaped and more into how Kenneth connected with his grandmother. I also want to see more on Kenneth and Beryl's relationship.

Barbour’s Heroines of WWII has been one of my favorite series, filled with so many different stories of unsung heroes who impacted WWII in a huge variety of ways both large and small. The Escape Game tells the true story of escape items delivered to POWs in the form of board games. I loved Beryl and her side of the story. Perhaps by design, Kenneth was a character I had a hard time liking. The story was interesting and a good read although it seemed to end rather abruptly. I look forward to upcoming books in this great series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read for honest review.

I just finished a fantabulous book by Marilyn Turk called The Escape Game. The setting is WW2 in England and Germany. It is based on a true story about how an English game company made escape kits disguised as Monopoly games. A secretary of the company becomes privy to the information. Meanwhile in Germany her brother is in a POW camp. How can she inform him of the games without letting anything slip to the censors? That my friend, is why you must read this double time page turning book. I think it deserves more than the five stars allowed and hope it wins an award!! It will release March 1,2023 but can most likely be pre-ordered now. I absolutely loved it and am so grateful to the publisher via NetGalley for this ARC. I was under no obligation for a review all opinions are my own.

What a fun ww2 historical fiction book. I loved how they brought monopoly into it, the story is very compelling and the author did an amazing job with descriptions and timelines. I enjoyed it thoroughly

4.5/5 ⭐️

I had a great time reading this novel! This was my first book from the “Heroines of WWII” series, and I would love to read more. The premise of Turk’s “The Escape Game” drew me in - espionage and historical fiction? Yes, please.

Told in alternating POVs between enthusiastic Beryl and determined Kenneth, this story shoots back and forth between less-often detailed stories of the war effort in England and POWs in Nazi camps. I admired Beryl’s drive and heart for her community and her brother and friend overseas, and I was riveted by Kenneth and James’ many plots to escape the prisoner camp. I can tell the story was well-researched and I’m interested in learning more.

*slight spoiler ahead*

The faith element felt a little forced at times, especially on Kenneth’s part, who seems to have a come-to-Jesus moment that I felt could’ve had more natural buildup. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this fast-paced page turner and the ways that many of the subplots were connected!

Thank you NetGalley and Barbour Fiction for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

If you saw the movie The Great Escape, you will have an idea of what is going on in The Escape Game, by Marilyn Turk. The author jumps from England , where Beryl works for a company secreting maps & compasses to POWs in Germany to the Allied men in POW camps. This is no great work of literature, but it is an easy read and a nice story.

Remember the ‘get out of jail free’ card in Monopoly?

It has new meaning for captured Royal Air Force airmen, but just as welcome a card!

You’ll have to read how a consummately American board game became a top-secret escape kit for captured British servicemen during WW2! Marilyn Turk brings us an amazing WW2 story, inspired by real events, about a board game which held keys to prisoners’ escape.

Turk’s story highlights three main aspects of wartime: (1) the ‘keep calm and carry on’ attitude, (2) the American men who volunteered to fight for Britain before America went to war and (3) the morale of the POWs. In exploring these three areas, Turk’s story includes intrigue, adventure and romance.

I appreciated Turk drawing my attention to the American citizens who fought in WW2 long before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour. These brave men were fighter pilots of the Eagle Squadrons who flew for Britain’s Royal Air Force. Imagine that level of duty; fighting to support another country.

I was amazed again after being reminded of the ‘keep calm and carry on’ attitude of those on the homefront who went about their daily business - rationing, doing without, repairing and mending, and continuing on - in the middle of such chaos. Inspirational. Many women used their time to support the POWs and keep up their morale by letter writing. The author’s inlaws were one such couple who met via these letters.

I loved the intrigue of a board game holding clues for POW! The protagonist, Beryl Clarke works for the Waddington Game Company and finds a way to help those captured by the enemy. You must read to find out how she’s able to help!

This amazing story captured my attention and prompted me to research the Eagle Squadrons and escape kits secretly sent to POWs. I will remember this story for quite some time.

I was gifted this copy by Barbour Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Interesting story with ok writing. Overall wasn't a bad read. I would recommend the book to gaming enthusiasts.

Great edition to the Heroes of WWII series. This book reminded me a lot of the television series Hogan's Heroes. I loved learning about how the Monopoly game helped with escape plans from the prisoner camps. Interesting story with great characters. Recommended.

Kenneth and Beryl met at Oxford. When WWII began, they lost contact for three years. They occasionally thought of each other. The American Kenneth joined the RAF Eagle Squadron, was shot down, and became a POW. He’s joined by James, Beryl’s brother and his good friend. Letters back and forth reestablish contact between Kenneth and Beryl.
Kenneth recklessly tries to escape on whims with no planning or preparation. Beryl works for a toy company that is tasked with creating Monopoly games with hidden aids for POWs to escape. Her letters include hints to find the clues.
A lot is known about the escape kits airmen carried with compass, local currency, and more. Little is heard about the games sent to POW camps.
This is referred to as a historical romance, but Kenneth and Beryl are together for only two or three pages. This is a historical. The ending seemed rushed. I would like to know more about James’ journey.

The Escape Game
by Marilyn Turk
Pub Date: March 1, 2023
Barbour
Heroines of WWII
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. The Escape Game is a well researched and fascinating look at WWII from the perspective of an American POW and a woman on the British home front.
It grabbed me from the first page and kept me on the edge of my seat to the very satisfying end. I love this series and this is great addition to it. I highly recommend.
5 stars