The Golden Doves

February 20, 2023
Two women involved with the French Resistance become embroiled in postwar espionage in the intriguing latest from Kelly (Lilac Girls). Josie Anderson, an American diplomat and daughter of a French Jewish singer, works in 1950s Fort Bliss, Tex., where former Nazi scientists are brought to keep them away from Russian intelligence agents. When Josie’s assigned to bring in the elusive Dr. Snow, a Nazi physician who experimented on prisoners during Josie’s imprisonment at Ravensbrück, she jumps at the chance. In Europe, Josie reunites with former fellow Resistance worker Arlette LaRue, with whom she thwarted Nazi efforts in Paris before they were captured. While Josie chases leads, Arlette meets Luc Minau, who offers to fly her to French Guiana, where Luc operates a charitable Catholic home for children orphaned during the war. Suspecting there may be a more sinister purpose behind the children’s home—namely, medical experimentation—Arlette and Josie come to believe that Father Peter, the home’s priest, might in fact be Snow. Kelly informs her dramatic narrative with rich historical details, such as the Catholic officials who transported former Nazis to South America. Historical fiction fans will be delighted. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, ICM Partners.

June 10, 2024

Kelly's (Lilac Girls) latest follows American Josie Anderson and French Arlette LaRue, Resistance fighters known as the Golden Doves, who reunite as spies following World War II. During the war, Josie and Arlette intercept German radio communications for the Allies. When they are caught with propaganda, they are sent to the Ravensbr�ck concentration camp, where they desperately struggle to survive. After liberation, Josie joins the U.S. Army Intelligence Service, working to identify and bring Nazi criminals to justice. Arlette works in a Parisian coffee shop, mourning the disappearance of her young son, who was taken from her in the camp. Then, in 1952, Josie receives orders to find an infamous Nazi doctor who performed ghastly experiments on women in Ravensbr�ck. She reconnects with Arlette, and together, they follow clues that lead them into a global and potentially deadly Nazi plot. Narrators Jeremy Carlisle Parker and Saskia Maarleveld work in concert, with Parker giving voice to Josie and Maarleveld narrating the part of Arlette. Their teamwork brings the story to life. VERDICT Kelly's many fans will be transfixed by this account of courageous women spies who overcame terrifying odds and conflicting political interests to track down escaped Nazis after the close of World War II.--Joanna M. Burkhardt

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