Mr. Churchill's Secretary

A Maggie Hope Mystery

By: Susan Elia MacNeal

Narrated by: Donada Peters

Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

BARRY AWARD WINNER • Heralding the arrival of a brilliant new heroine, Mr. Churchill’s Secretary captures the drama of an era of unprecedented challenge—and the greatness that rose to meet it.

“With any luck, the adventures of red-haired super-sleuth Maggie Hope will go on forever. . . . Taut, well-plotted, and suspenseful, this is a wartime mystery to sink your teeth into.” —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code

London, 1940. Winston Churchill has just been sworn in, war rages across the Channel, and the threat of a Blitz looms larger by the day. But none of this deters Maggie Hope. She graduated at the top of her college class and possesses all the skills of the finest minds in British intelligence, but her gender qualifies her only to be the newest typist at No. 10 Downing Street. Her indefatigable spirit and remarkable gifts for codebreaking, though, rival those of even the highest men in government, and Maggie finds that working for the prime minister affords her a level of clearance she could never have imagined—and opportunities she will not let pass. In troubled, deadly times, with air-raid sirens sending multitudes underground, access to the War Rooms also exposes Maggie to the machinations of a menacing faction determined to do whatever it takes to change the course of history.

Ensnared in a web of spies, murder, and intrigue, Maggie must work quickly to balance her duty to King and Country with her chances for survival. And when she unravels a mystery that points toward her own family’s hidden secrets, she’ll discover that her quick wits are all that stand between an assassin’s murderous plan and Churchill himself.

In this daring debut, Susan Elia MacNeal blends meticulous research on the era, psychological insight into Winston Churchill, and the creation of a riveting main character, Maggie Hope, into a spectacularly crafted novel.

©2012 Susan Elia Macneal (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“This wonderful debut is intelligent, richly detailed, and filled with suspense.” (Stefanie Pintoff)

“A terrific read.... Chock full of fascinating period details and real people including Winston Churchill, MacNeal’s fast-paced thriller gives a glimpse of the struggles, tensions, and dangers of life on the home front during World War II.” (Rhys Bowen, author of Royal Blood and winner of the Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards)

“Think early Ken Follett, amp it up with a whip-smart young American not averse to red lipstick and vintage cocktails, season it with espionage during the London Blitz, and you’ve got a heart-pounding, atmospheric debut. I loved it.” (Cara Black, author of Murder in Passy)

Great Read!

The story was so intriguing and the narration was wonderful. It was an enjoyable read!

Good, not great

What did you like best about Mr. Churchill's Secretary? What did you like least?

I liked that she was a capable young woman, earning recognition for herself during a time when women were starting to be noticed in new ways (during the war).

What does Wanda McCaddon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I don't know--I might have read it differently than listening to it. I don't think she is the worst narrator, but really, not the best. I don't think she could decide if she was American or British. Some of the American accents shifted from southern to more northern, and I couldn't really tell about the British. I didn't really enjoy her voice quality for certain characters. But she did do a good job of creating different voices for everyone.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Possibly

Any additional comments?

I had hoped it would have been better---a great premise, but too many anachronisms (Like, "Playing the Italian card." That expression is pretty new--wasn't being used in the 40's. )

Brave Britons

It seems World War II never looses its appeal. Inspite of being hard to believe during some of the story this was entertaining.

Maggie is an entertaining spy-to-be

After reading the reviews, I am almost afraid to say that I liked this book.

Why would I enjoy this fictionalized version of Churchill and his world? Call me a sucker for a British spy story that is easy to listen to without the need to take notes to keep up with the characters and sub-plots. The narrator, Ms. McCaddon, handles the tone of the characters well, drifts from dialect to dialect without pause, male - female, no problem. In short, she is easy and entertaining to listen to as she brings a story to life - and I enjoyed my time with her.
MacNeal tees up the next installment, which is already in my library.

Look, this is fiction. It is supposed to take you into a piece of time and place that, for a short while, wraps you in a story effectively enough to make you feel the emotion of the characters, visualize the scenes described, smell the foods, tea and smoke from bombing and cigars and leave you entertained. She accomplished that for me.

Certainly, it is not historically accurate - it's fiction! It's entertainment and I enjoyed it.

Great Audio Book

Where does Mr. Churchill's Secretary rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It would rank near the top. Great plot that moves along and not side tracked my meaningless dialog.

What did you like best about this story?

The History and life in wartime London. The personality of Maggie Hope. Not over played just great reading.

What does Wanda McCaddon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great. Voices were hard to adjust but did so quickly. Great job.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was a fun book. Easy listening and great plot. I would highly recommend this book as a must read. Blend of history and plot. Great characters.

Any additional comments?

Must read book and series.

Not exactly compelling

Premise here seemed interesting. Ie. WWII setting, smart. Female protagonist (Wellesley, summa cum laude graduate)., who btw is also beautiful.

I am totally hooked on the story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I already have!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mr. Churchill's Secretary?

Not just one many. The suspense just kept going on and on.

What does Wanda McCaddon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She was great. She really helped me to visualize the time and place

Any additional comments?

I found myself unable to stop the recording and ended up staying up most of one night.

Wanda McCaddon is a great narrator

Would you listen to Mr. Churchill's Secretary again? Why?

An interesting premise, a so-so story and an excellent narrator; McCaddon is among the best.

Quick witted and quick moving

lots of sub plots to peak your interest along with the main theme! well written.

Lite Fun read with a Little of Churchill thrown in

Would you listen to Mr. Churchill's Secretary again? Why?

Probably not, got it first time

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Well I rarely sit, usually standing at easel or walkin dogs while listening - but it held my attention

Have you listened to any of Wanda McCaddon’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, how can one avoid her narration-in this book it suited the story

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I have enough mental stress naming my paintings to adequately do justice to this story of brilliant orphaned girl raised by brilliant American lesbian aunt after her brilliant British parents die in accident or do they? How she gives up MIT to become a code breaking heroine secretary for WSC.

Any additional comments?

It's light historical thriller-fiction, fun to read/listen to in between volumes of The Last Lion. After reading the fictional "Mr. Churchill Secretary" I would suggest reading/listening to the non-fictional "Long Sunset: Memoirs of Winston Churchill's Last Private Secretary " it is excellent, story & narration.