Morocco, 1928. Eighteen-year-old Frenchwoman Marie-Madeleine is not the kind of woman who goes through life sitting down, something her new husband can attest. Her unconventionalities – rally car driving, flying planes and dabbling in intelligence work for the government – earn her a reputation, but she knows who she is at heart: an adventurer.
Paris, 1936. As Europe teeters on the brink of war, a chance encounter with a mysterious man codenamed Navarre turns Marie-Madeleine’s life upside down. Recruited to help build a resistance network known only as Alliance, she conceals her identity – and her gender – as she navigates a perilous double life away from her children and the man she loves. Capture and death are only a heartbeat away.
Natasha Lester is the international bestselling author of A Kiss from Mr Fitzgerald, Her Mother’s Secret, The Paris Seamstress, The French Photographer, The Paris Secret, The Riviera House, The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre and The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard, and a former marketing executive for L’Oreal.
When she’s not writing, she loves collecting vintage fashion, practising the art of fashion illustration and reading about history. Natasha is a sought-after public speaker and lives with her husband and three children in Perth, Western Australia.
From the very first page of The Mademoiselle Alliance, you’re thrust into a pulse-pounding, life-or-death situation that makes you feel as though you too might be captured by the Gestapo, just like Marie-Madeleine. Lester masterfully creates a tense, terrifying atmosphere using concise, sharp sentences and emotionally charged language that heightens the suspense. The opening scene grips you immediately, especially with a cliff-hanger that leaves you hanging on whether she will escape or not. The story then shifts to delve into Madeleine Marie’s past, keeping you hooked from start to finish.
The dual timeline greatly enhanced the reading experience, and I enjoyed piecing together the story while seeing how Marie-Madeleine’s past influenced her actions in the present. She led an incredible life—growing up in Shanghai, marrying a French intelligence officer, moving to Morocco, competing in rally races, flying planes, and working as a journalist. All these experiences clearly moulded her into the ideal leader of France’s largest spy network, and gave such a rich background for the events in The Mademoiselle Alliance.
Lester’s thorough research and expertise is evident throughout the book as she champions the story of Marie-Madeleine, an unsung hero of World War II. Inspired by true events, The Mademoiselle Alliance offers a unique feminine and maternal perspective on the war. Through Marie-Madeleine’s leadership of the alliance, readers are introduced to the covert world of resistance groups and the unwavering resolve of individuals dedicated to saving their country. The glimpse into the horrors and life-or-death struggles faced by the alliance was an emotional rollercoaster! I could feel the pain and hardship of Marie-Madeleine, Navarre, and the other members of the resistance. This book has deepened my respect for those who risked everything, enduring immense emotional and physical tolls as they fought for their survival and made unimaginable sacrifices.
Natasha Lester delivers once again with The Mademoiselle Alliance. As a passionate fan of World War II history, I found this book to be a fascinating glimpse into the world of resistance groups. Don’t hesitate—The Mademoiselle Alliance is ready to be discovered!
Leave a Reply