Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen

MRS. ENDICOTT'S SPLENDID ADVENTURE is the latest historical fiction from Rhys Bowen (In Farleigh Field). She is a personal favorite and a prolific author of novels including The Constable Evans mysteries, The Royal Spyness series, and many featuring Molly Murphy in addition to several dealing with WWII and its impact.  This novel begins in 1938 in Surrey, England and moves fairly quickly to the South coast of France (near Marseille) throughout the war. After Mrs. Endicott’s husband seeks a divorce, she – and a group of “strays” – settle in a charming village whose inhabitants, including many fishermen, are largely self-sufficient. Gradually, Mrs. Endicott and her companions (an older woman with health problems, a kind-hearted cleaner fleeing spousal abuse, and a young, unmarried lass) build a community and start to thrive. Even in this remote area, the war years are predictably difficult, but most everyone (including other English ex-pats, a broad-minded priest, and the head of a nearby monastery), pull together. Mrs. Endicott learns to try new adventures, reflecting, “All my life I've been sensible and reasonable. I've done the right thing, tried to please everybody, but nobody ever tried to find out what I wanted.” Instead of giving into despair, she and the others grow and manage to find happiness. At one point, the abbot advocates prayer: “Why don't you start with three things you're blessed with, three things you're afraid of and finally three things you ask of him? And don't forget to listen, too.” An uplifting story in a beautiful setting. 

Dear Miss Lake by AJ Pearce

DEAR MISS LAKE by AJ Pearce is the final novel in an excellent four book series which began with the award-winning Dear Mrs. Bird. These historical fiction titles should be read in order and are set primarily in London or the English countryside during WWII. Emmy Lake is a major character who becomes an active correspondent for a magazine titled Woman’s Friend.  In the latest book, she is devoting time to an advice column dealing with issues like financial worries, problems with relatives living together, unexpected pregnancies, and unfaithful husbands. In addition, Emmy works with the British government by conducting interviews and profiling the contributions that women like nurses and factory workers make to the war effort, especially on the Home Front. It is all quite upbeat even when she becomes involved in trying to obtain answers about British POWs. Throughout, there is a strong comradery amongst the team (e.g., brother-in-law Guy Collins, fashion editor Monica, young assistant Hester, and stalwarts like Mrs. Shaw and Miss Peters) at the magazine. And, happily, there’s a wedding or two to plan despite the wartime shortages impacting food and clothing. Resilience, resourcefulness, and courage combine again and again in this hopeful, inspiring read: “Tonight as I kiss the glass of the photo frame and wish Charles goodnight, I felt sure he would know I was thinking of him. … ‘whenever you think of me, I will feel it in my heart and be thinking of you too.’” 

The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater

THE LISTENERS is a mix of historical fiction, sprinkled with magic, and romance as well as being the adult debut from the best-selling young adult author Maggie Stiefvater (Shiver, The Raven Boys, All the Crooked Saints and many more). Set in the early 1940s during WWII, the focus is on a fictional West Virginian resort hotel called the Avallon (think The Greenbrier or The Homestead) where the extremely capable general manager is a young, local woman named June Hudson. Through compassion and understanding, she fosters the loyalty and affection of her staff and even many of the hotel guests: “June had long ago discovered that most people were bad listeners; they thought listening was synonymous with hearing. But the spoken was only half a conversation. True needs, wants, fears, and hopes hid not in the words that were said, but in the ones that weren't...” Friction ensues when FBI agents (Tucker Rye Minnick, Hugh Calloway, and Pony Harris) and State Department (Benjamin Pennybacker) representatives arrive because the hotel is ordered to provide lodging for an array of diplomats (German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese), their staff, and other foreign nationals (journalists, pilots) prior to their being repatriated. It is a big ask for locals, many of whom have relatives serving in the US military, but June facilitates the stay while also mourning the recently deceased hotel owner, navigating her own romantic feelings, and managing the magical waters associated with the hotel. THE LISTENERS, the Top Pick LibraryReads selection for June 2025, received a starred review from Booklist, Library Journal, and Kirkus (“A novel that will remind readers of why they fell in love with reading in the first place.”). In the author’s notes, Stiefvater suggests several other books to serve as “accessible starting points” about the background history. 

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Kelly

THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD BEACH AND BOOK CLUB by Martha Hall Kelly (Lilac Girls) was a popular topic at our book club last week – everyone who had read a preview copy was independently recommending it. The story takes place primarily in 1942 (with some modern- day chapters, too). Two sisters, Briar and Cadence (lovely names) and their brother Tom’s girlfriend Bess are trying to run the farm after Tom enlists with the Army Rangers. Meanwhile, Martha’s Vineyard is being used as a training base for amphibious landings so some romance with a soldier is sparked. Suspense develops, too, due to rumors of a local spy and the presence nearby of an enemy submarine. The young women are distinctive and strong characters; the story reads quickly – highly recommended. Praised by writers like Charmaine Wilkerson, Adriana Trigiani, and Kate Quinn, THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD BEACH AND BOOK CLUB is a LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection for May 2025. In her Author’s Note, Kelly explains that Cadence is based on her own mother who grew up on Martha's Vineyard and other characters echo friends and family. In addition, Kelly references Books in Action by Cole which recounts the introduction of Armed Services Editions of books for troops during WWII; interested readers should also look for When Books Went to War by Molly Guptill, another non-fiction account filled with fascinating information about censorship and the publishing industry at that time.  

The Dressmakers of London by Julia Kelly

THE DRESSMAKERS OF LONDON by Julia Kelly is a work of historical fiction set in WWII London and the English countryside. Two sisters, Sylvia and Izzie, were once close, but they have become estranged since Sylvia married and moved away from the flat above the dressmaking shop her widowed mother had established. Izzie is younger but she is the one who inherited sewing and designer skills and desperately wants to run the dress shop. Sylvia is busy with her new husband and trying to fit in with his rather snobbish social set until their Mother dies and leaves the shop to both sisters and then old resentments flare. The situation worsens when Izzie is conscripted, and Sylvia has to take over the daily shop activities. I especially liked the author’s inclusion of letters written between the two sisters; these illustrated their feelings and ultimate concern for each other. Kelly also added some romantic aspects for each woman and plenty of historic details about wartime clothes rationing and barrage balloons. In addition to other titles by Julia Kelly, interested readers may also enjoy The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle or other historical fiction works by Jennifer Ryan.

Betrayal at Blackthorn Park by Julia Kelly

BETRAYAL AT BLACKTHORN PARK by Julia Kelly features the same two characters – trained operatives Evelyne Redfern and David Poole -- as her earlier WWII historical mystery, A Traitor in Whitehall. This time the action takes place primarily in the English countryside where Blackthorn Park is being used as a weapons research facility. Due to concern about missing materials, Redfern and Poole set out to investigate, but quickly confront a death – suicide or murder of Sir Nigel, the brilliant but brusque scientist who leads the engineers? All of this is a bit confusing initially because so many characters are introduced, but then the relationships and motives crystallize; plus, suspense develops further as newly manufactured weapons malfunction just prior to a visit from Winston Churchill. I agree with Publishers Weekly who said, “Most readers will be able to ferret out the culprit well before Evelyne and David do, but their simmering romantic chemistry and Kelly’s talent for brisk pacing win out in the end.” I also thoroughly enjoyed the AUDIO BOOK for BETRAYAL AT BLACKTHORN PARK which was narrated by Marisa Calin with her soft British accent and expressive voice. Looking forward to more in this series. 

The Last Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal

THE LAST HOPE by Susan Elia MacNeal is the final entry (after The Hollywood Spy) in the mystery series featuring Maggie Hope. That WWII era character started out thwarting an assassination attempt as a secretary for Winston Churchill and eventually received spy training which led to travels in Europe and the United States. This time, Maggie is sent to Madrid where she has a meeting with Coco Chanel and the British Ambassador to Spain in an effort to hasten the end of the war. There’s talk of possibly assassinating a scientist, double agents, and threatening police. Maggie also has to deal with personal issues and bereavement while trying to stay focused on the mission’s objectives. All in all, an excellent ending to a very popular and suspenseful mystery series. Library Journal praises it, saying, “It's sad to see the story end, but this novel, filled with MacNeal's signature character-centric plot and minute attention to historical details, does so magnificently.”

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan

THE UNDERGROUND LIBRARY by Jennifer Ryan (The Kitchen Front, The Spies of Shilling Lane, The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle, and The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir) is another truly “feel good” book from this fabulous author even though it, too, is set in the perilous times of WWII. Bibliophiles will not be able to resist Ryan’s praise of libraries and the value of books: “Libraries aren't only about books; they're about people. They're about human life, how books can mend hearts, comfort wounds, and inspire us. But most of all, books can bring people together. Their ideas and thoughts make us realize that we are not alone, that we are all connected.” Most of the action of THE UNDERGROUND LIBRARY takes place in war torn London and, like Ryan’s previous works, details the support which a close-knit community, especially females, offer each other. In her latest, three young women are the main characters: Juliet Lansdown (newly hired as library deputy head and living on her own for the first time), Katie Upwood (library assistant and soon-to-be high school graduate whose young boyfriend has gone off to war), and Sofie Baumann (a Jewish refugee on a work visa and separated from her family). Each of them struggles with difficult circumstances both in her work and home/family life. Yet, each becomes more resilient in the process while also finding valuable friendships and romantic happiness. Ryan actively researches her historical fiction novels; she based this one on Bethnal Green Library which was actually hit during the Blitz and recently celebrated a century of service. More information and images from the deep level shelters are available at The London Transport Museum; Ryan also suggests exploring WW2 – The People’s War, an archive of World War Two memories written by the public and gathered by the BBC. THE UNDERGROUND LIBRARY is a March Library Reads Selection – perfect for readers looking for an inspiring, diverting tale of pulling together and overcoming hardships. 

Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes

COLD VICTORY by Karl Marlantes (Matterhorn) begins in 1946 Helsinki where American Arnie Koski and his wife, Louise, have just been assigned to a US military-diplomatic (read: intelligence gathering) post. They meet Russian Mikhail and his wife, Natalya Bobrova, at a social gathering and the men realize they know each other from the European battlefield. Some friendly joshing turns into a decision to race each other on skis over five hundred kilometers and much of the book deals with that harrowing experience. In the meantime, the two wives, using their ability to communicate in French, develop a close friendship and work together to benefit a Finnish orphanage. Both strong women are tested in the post WWII environment. Of course, there is a pervasive sinister element due to the seemingly constant surveillance by the Soviet secret police. Lives are jeopardized in this well-written, action-packed adventure story.

The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger

THE RIVER WE REMEMBER by William Kent Krueger is a very reflective piece of writing. Just like a river flowing, there is often a calm leisurely pace interspersed with swift action. Krueger says, “I love this story... My heart and soul are in [it].” Set in rural Jewel, Minnesota during 1958, Krueger crafts a puzzling whodunit complete with strong character development and a definite feeling for the time. Attitudes toward “the other,” including women, Native Americans, and immigrants, are explored when an unpopular landowner is found dead and the sheriff, ex-soldier Brody Dern, seeks to find the cause. Kruger relays traumatic life experiences of a former prostitute and of soldiers having returned from World War II; all the while, the local prejudices are simmering in the background. The overall tone of this stand-alone mystery is definitely melancholy and there are multiple subplots with themes of sexual abuse and racial discrimination. THE RIVER WE REMEMBER received a starred review from Booklist (“recognition that postwar America was filled with shattered veterans and war widows”). Another well-written adventure (e.g., see Fox Creek, Lightning Strike, This Tender Land,) from a prolific, talented writer.

Mrs. Porter Calling by AJ Pearce

MRS. PORTER CALLING by AJ Pearce is the third in the Emmy Lake Chronicles following Yours Cheerfully and Dear Mrs. Bird. This time, Emmy Lake, a young advice columnist at the magazine named Woman’s Friend, grapples with unwanted changes in the publication due to its recent inheritance by Mrs. Cressida (call me Egg) Porter. Mrs. Porter is totally clueless about the magazine and the value it brings to its readers who are bravely dealing with numerous personal issues while scrimping and saving in wartime. Instead, she wants to add her own poetry, fashion layouts, and society weddings – all of which necessitates cutbacks in the more established sections. Emmy and her colleagues (editor Guy Collins, Mrs. Mahoney, young Hester and more) form a solid, caring team who strive to remember the readers in all they do. So much focus on publishing had me thinking about The Lady and its niche market in the UK. The first part of MRS. PORTER CALLING, chronicling many unattractive actions by Mrs. Porter and firmly establishing that unlikeable character, is a bit of a slog. Heartwarming shenanigans by three children from a family who moves in with Emmy and her friend Bunty (who experiences a new romance) add humor. The second half turns inspirational after a personal tragedy galvanizes everyone and that is more of the caliber of Pearce’s earlier titles. MRS. PORTER CALLING and this entire series is suggested for readers who enjoyed Jennifer Ryan’s The Kitchen Front, another book about friendship and pulling together on the Homefront in England during World War II.