Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) - reviewed on 5/18/2023 + 594 more book reviews

While the title of The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin intrigued me, its plot was perhaps too dense for me to fully appreciate. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Saskia Maarleveld which wasn't the ideal format as I confused some of the character details and plot points that may be easier to track in print.

This World War II story featuring a French resistance worker and an American librarian is well researched. Ava is a librarian at the Library of Congress when the US military offers her an opportunity to serve as a spy in Portugal, aiding efforts to track German activity. Elaine is French and a member of the resistance, assisting with printing and distributing an underground newspaper. Told in alternating chapters, Ava and Elaine's lives intersect through their anti-Nazi activity.

The story, inspired by true events, shared insights into the daily hardships of wartime in an occupied country contrasted with the relative luxury of life in neutral Portugal. The treatment and plight of war refugees was also included in a subplot.

Thank you to Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for the review copy of this novel.

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