In The Starlet Spy, Rachel Scott McDaniel provides plenty of suspense and romance amidst a backdrop of international intrigue.
Book Blurb
In 1943, Movie producer Henrik Zoltan approaches Amelie Blake under the guise of offering the Hollywood star a leading part in his upcoming film, but he has a more meaningful role in mind. Amelie’s homeland of Sweden declared neutrality in the war, but Stockholm has become the ‘Casablanca of the North.’ When top-secret atomic research goes missing in Sweden, the Allied forces scramble to recover the files before they fall into Nazi hands.
The United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS) needs someone who’s subtle enough to spy on the Swedish elite without triggering suspicion. Who better than the “all beauty, no brains” Scandinavian starlet? Fluent in three languages and possessing a brilliant memory, Amelie loathes being labeled witless but uses the misconception as her disguise. She’s tasked with searching for the crucial files, but Finn Ristaffason keeps getting in her way. Is the charming shipping magnate after the missing research? Or does he have other reasons for showing up at her every turn?
With the Gestapo on her heels, Amelie must rely on her smarts in addition to her acting skills to survive a world of deadly spies and counterspies.
My Thoughts
I loved this book. This was one of those stories that kept me up late reading and I had to force myself to set aside so I could get some sleep. McDaniel had me hooked from the beginning.
I love Amelie’s character. Her strength and character make her a compelling heroine, as does the facade she puts on.
While normally I like having both the male and female POV in a romance, having the whole story told through Amelie’s eyes added to the suspense. I got to learn more about Finn at the same time Amelie did, and putting together all the clues about him was a fun experience.
The story wraps up in a satisfying way, and the villain was surprising but believable.
Overall, The Starlet Spy is a suspenseful historical romance you don’t want to miss.
(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley for review. All opinions expressed are my own.)
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