The Secret Messenger

By: Mandy Robotham

Narrated by: Alma Costa, Karen Cass

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

The highly awaited new novel from the internationally best-selling author of The German Midwife (also published as A Woman of War).

The number one Globe and Mail best seller. USA Today best seller. Kindle top 10 best seller.

Venice, 1943

The world is at war, and Stella Jilani is leading a double life. By day, she works in the lion’s den as a typist for the Reich; by night, she risks her life as a messenger for the Italian resistance. Against all odds, Stella must impart Nazi secrets, smuggle essential supplies and produce an underground newspaper on her beloved typewriter.

But when German commander General Breugal becomes suspicious, it seems he will stop at nothing to find the mole, and Stella knows her future could be in jeopardy....

London, 2017

Years later, Luisa Belmont finds a mysterious old typewriter in her attic. Determined to find out who it belonged to, Luisa delves into the past and uncovers a story of fierce love, unimaginable sacrifice and, ultimately, the worst kind of betrayal....

Set between German-occupied 1940s Venice and modern-day London, this is a fascinating tale of the bravery of everyday women in the darkest corners of WWII, for listeners of The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris.

©2019 Mandy Robotham (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Unique, emotional and life-affirming." (Melanie Hudson, author of The Last Letter from Juliet)

"Another fantastic page-turner." (LP Fergusson, author of A Dangerous Act of Kindness)

"I felt I was walking alongside Stella over bridges and along canals at every heartstopping moment.... Wonderful." (Molly Green, author of An Orphan’s Wish)

An amazing book

I loved it and could not put it down. Great story and would recommend it to all who love reading books in this time period.

Great book

It’s very long so you may need to walk away sometimes but it’s a great book. The Italian narration was great!

Excellent!

l loved the story and performance! Author artfully intertwined past with present. Loved the ending.

Beautiful From Start to Finish

Loved it! Mandy Robotham captures my attention from start to finish with her beautiful attention to the smallest of details. Her words transport you back in time and invest you in all the characters' (even secondary) lives. Definitely recommend to the lover of historical fictions with a soft spot for romance.

The Special "e"

I listened via audible to this story. some of the speakers were difficult to understand, especially with some of the Italian names/locations. Excellent story and easy to follow. An enjoyable read.

Slow going, but relatable characters

This was a feel good story. I did think it was a little slower, but I had just finished the Alice Network before and it was filled with more suspense and I think that is why I felt this one was slower.
If you are looking for a “feel good” historical fiction book about WWII this is the book for you!
I fell in love with Stella. When her heart was racing mine was too! This is an easy book to listen to and it will make you want to travel to Italy!

Extremely Riveting

The story line of 'The Seceret Messenger' was great. I didn't want to stop listening until I got to the end. The narrator's did a fantastic job. I loved the way the author combined WWII era characters along with modern day characters. I highly reccomend The Secret Messenger especially if you like WWII era historical fiction.

I have been listening to this on and on and on

What did I dislike? Sometimes the girl’s accent is so garbled and high pitched and so fast I can’t understand her at all. Other times I can.
Story- not much on WWII. More about two opposites from both sides of the track and they are supposed to be enemies are attracted to each other but they don’t know it. Years later he finds her. Ugh! It went on and on and on! At times it was cool but other times just dragged on. I was so excited to read this book too! I love historical fiction but I want to hear more on the risking their lives or just making it.

So bummed

Lovely historical fiction

I recommend this book to anyone who’s interested in WW2 from the Italian perspective and who doesn’t want a very heavy listen. It was well-performed and written and easy to follow without much effort or rewinding.

Good book

It took a little bit to get into the book, but I am glad that I stuck with it because it was really good. It kept me guessing until the end who was Joe. I do recommend this book!