Code Name Sapphire

By: Pam Jenoff

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson

Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

"A heart-wrenching exploration of the decisions women must make when their loyalties are put to the test in the most unimaginable of circumstances.” –Sarah Penner, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary

A woman must rescue her cousin's family from a train bound for Auschwitz in this riveting tale of bravery and resistance, from the bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris

1942. Hannah Martel has narrowly escaped Nazi Germany after her fiancé was killed in a pogrom. When her ship bound for America is turned away at port, she has nowhere to go but to her cousin Lily, who lives with her family in Brussels. Fearful for her life, Hannah is desperate to get out of occupied Europe. But with no safe way to leave, she must return to the dangerous underground work she thought she had left behind.

Seeking help, Hannah joins the Sapphire Line, a secret resistance network led by a mysterious woman named Micheline and her enigmatic brother Matteo. But when a grave mistake causes Lily’s family to be arrested and slated for deportation to Auschwitz, Hannah finds herself torn between her loyalties. How much is Hannah willing to sacrifice to save the people she loves? Inspired by incredible true stories of courage and sacrifice, Code Name Sapphire is a powerful novel about love, family and the unshakable resilience of women in even the hardest of times.

©2023 Pam Jenoff (P)2023 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

It was just ok

The story was ok. I felt the author repeated herself too much. It was bothersome. The narration was also ok. I think I was bothered because I felt it was repetitive so that took away from the performance.

Great book but started similar to another

The beginning felt vaguely similar to another story I read about Nancy Wake the White mouse. But it quickly changed direction and kept my interest.

There are no simple truths- ever

Despite the good versus evil politics of today, there is and never has been a simple truth. In this book, good and evil are dissected and analyzed without regard to the comfort of the reader. Read with your heart open and your mind forgiving. Excellent and painful.

Great DIFFERENT WWII novel

I love historical fiction and have read/listened to many books of that period. This was Belgium and one group’s attempt to stand up to the Nazis. This book, while sometimes a little far fetched, was more like what often happened…not all came out unscathed. It was a good listen…sad…but good.

Good listen

I found that I was not vested in the characters as much as I would have liked. I did like the historical story but seemed like other stories I had read.

I loved this book!

I have probably read 350 World War II historical fiction novels. This would be right around the top. I would put it close to The Nightingale. I also found the narrator very engaging and easy to listen to.

I love this book!

This is a memorable and impressive historical fiction characters. I highly recommend it. also the narration is stellar.

Worth the listen on a long drive

This was a good story, mostly interesting because of it being fiction based on some actual historical events and real people (“real” elements are unrelated to each other IRL). It helped me stay awake on a long drive. The mediocre & unnecessary “love triangle” subplot didn’t interfere with the main story much. Narration was very good, for this difficult many-characters book. I think the narration made it better than reading the book would have been for me. But, overall, a solid Audible choice.

REALLY Enjoyed it!

Love Jenoff’s books, this story was engaging and kept me anticipating when I could listen next. Be sure to listen to the author’s notes at the end: I’ve read many WWII historical fiction books and this is the first time I’ve heard about “the 20th train”. (I’m just stunned by this information and will be reading more on the subject.) The characters are well developed, the story gets you hooked early and the suspense holds you to the end. I empathize with Hannah’s character and others like her who during unimaginable circumstances had to choose between bad and worse and ends up labeled as a collaborator. Those who risked everything to help the allies take out evil based on hate. Love never fails

surprised the author isn't more well known

Maybe it's just me and I don't know better but I have really enjoyed Jenoff's books and it seems she should be much more popular. I have listened to all her books and really empathize with the characters which are mostly young people, Jews for hte most part, making their way through World War II as best they can.

There have usually been Polish elements to her books and while this one is set mostly in Belgium there are some Polish references.

I suppose the author will continue writing her books and I will continue looking forward to them.