The main characters are based on two real life female operatives who worked for UK intelligence and supported the French resistance during WW2. I was aware of the role of SOE but had not heard of Vera or Noora prior to being introduced to them in this fictionalised account of their lives and work. This historical fiction novel is very well researched and informative. In my view it reads like a dramatised documentary to reflect the true events surrounding the main characters. For anyone interested in more recent historical fiction during the time of WW2 highlighting the significant contribution of little known strong female characters this will be worth a read. Although the subject matter is interesting I did not feel pulled in or emotionally involved with the characters story and I think this was possibly due to the more drama doc writing style.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Noor Inayat Khan (also know as Nora) is from India and is living in Paris when the city surrenders to Germany causing her and her family to flee to England. Vera Atkins is a secretary in the Special Operations Executive (SOE) who gains the trust of her commanding officer and in many ways runs many of their activities. The SOE has set up a network in France to aid the Resistance and to harass the Nazis whenever possible. The story alternates between the two main characters and two different timelines - during and after the war. The dangers that face the operatives in France are incredible - and very few of those who volunteered will come home. Vera makes it her mission to track down each of her operatives - an incredibly difficult task given the lack of records and/or desire of the Nazis to be sure that these people are never found. Those that have been captured are tortured, kept in isolation, and moved from one concentration camp to another, and most of them exhibit courage that defies understanding. And the most difficult to track down is Noor.

At first, I wasn’t sure that I would even finish this book. But I stuck with it and so glad that I did. It was a slow beginning to an absolutely captivating chronicle of these two amazing women (not to mention the many other women involved in the SOE operation). The author clearly did a great job of research on this, at least to me, unknown facet of the incredible sacrifices made during WWII. My thanks to Neem Tree Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I did not know a thing about these two remarkable, brave women, both members of the of the France section of the Special Operations executive during WWII (1941-1945). Noor Inayat Khan, a
Spy for the British and Vera Atkins, the British intelligence officer who deployed spies like Noor. There is little written on the former, but much on the latter.

A work of historical fiction that reads more like nonfiction, it is good, but not great. Regardless, there is much that will appeal to the historical fiction lover and an abundance of knowledge to be obtained about these extraordinary women who fought valiantly to defeat the Nazis. Please be sure to read the author’s note.

Although the story of these great, brave women was a very interesting and informative story, it could have been much more robust, lengthy, and better written. It is, still worth the read, if for nothing else than learning about these noteworthy women.

Thank you to Neem Tree Press and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC, in exchange for an honest review. It is available June 5th, 2025

On the surface this is another story about British spies, sent into occupied France to support the French Resistance during World War Two. It’s 1944 and Vera Atkins is Section Fs polished and professional second in command, taking her mother’s maiden name to appear more English and less Romanian Jewish but she still experiences racism and sexism. From the beginning to the end of the book, Vera is determined to find and repatriate all of her operatives against apathetic opposition from her shadowy superiors, and through sheer determination, she begins her search for anyone still unaccounted for, including Noor. Noor is dual Indian and American heritage, a Sufi, born in Russia, schooled at the Sorbonne. She is young, quiet, deeply spiritual, shy and self sufficient and adores her family. Noor too understands what it is to be ‘othered. As a result both Noor and Vera want to defeat the Nazis. Author Rupande Mehta carefully introduces the horrifying details of incarceration, interrogation and isolation as the SoE ring is betrayed and the operatives taken by the SS and Gestapo in Paris. Noor’s faith underpins her courage and determination not to betray her fellow spies when interrogated. I always enjoy a book that shares voices of real women whose stories have been neglected over the years but I would have liked a more sensory book so that I could imagine wartime London and Paris more easily. This is a promising debut novel with lots of information I didn’t know told by a new, politically active voice in historical fiction.

I’ve read several books covering Vera Atkins career, each one has been an education. Now this one, another education. The author has done so much research and I feel privileged to have been given the ability to read her story.
Vera and Noor are both heroes, along with all the other agents Vera trained and sent out during the war. I find it remarkable that Vera cared enough for her team to try and go back to help or find out what happened to them. I know this is a work of fiction based upon true events but the author has done a wonderful telling of possible situations. These women were courageous, dedicated, brave and made of steel, all true soldiers helping our country. They paid the highest price of all.
This book is a wonderful read, comes in with high 5 stars. I enjoyed every minute. Thank you Rupande Mehta!
My own opinion expressed in this review. Thank you to NetGalley.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read Noor and Vera. This is a meticulously researched story about women in the SOE. This is a must read for any History lover.