The Excitements

A Novel

De: CJ Wray

Narrado por: Karen Cass

""Irresistible...Filled with surprise, poignancy, and excitement, this is a surefire winner."" --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

A brilliant and witty drama about two brave female World War II veterans who survived the unthinkable without ever losing their killer instinct…or their joie de vivre.

Meet the Williamson sisters, Britain’s most treasured World War II veterans. Now in their late nineties, Josephine and Penny are in huge demand, popping up at commemorative events and history festivals all over the country. Despite their age, they’re still in great form—perfectly put together, sprightly and sparky, and always in search of their next “excitement.”

This time it’s a trip to Paris to receive the Légion d’honneur for their part in the liberation of France. And as always, they will be accompanied by their devoted great-nephew, Archie.

Keen historian Archie has always been given to understand that his great aunts had relatively minor roles in the Women’s Royal Navy and the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, but that’s only half the story. Both sisters are hiding far more than the usual “official secrets”. There’s a reason sweet Auntie Penny can dispatch a would-be mugger with an umbrella.

This trip to Paris is not what it seems either. Scandal and crime have always quietly trailed the Williamson sisters, even in the decades after the war. Now armed with new information about an old adversary, these much decorated (but admittedly ancient) veterans variously intend to settle scores, avenge lost friends, and pull off one last, daring heist before the curtain finally comes down on their illustrious careers.

Flawless

Beautifully developed characters, well-crafted storyline, engaging from beginning to end. I listened during a very anxious day and it kept me interested and dare I say happy the whole time. Wish I could go back and do it again.

Great characters, great story, great narration !

I love the backdrop of World War II for these feisty women characters, and the twists and turns of the story, some romantic, some not, were charming and intriguing. It’s great to have old ladies as the stars of a novel, who are smart, funny, interesting, and savvy. Their relationship with their more delicate, contemporary nephew is adorable. I hate to say that it’s “heartwarming” but ultimately it is! Just what I needed!

What a Jewel

What a wonderful find! I picked this one up because who can resist a story about two sisters who were spies in WWII, living in in the most modern of times as nonagenarians, and trying to entertain themselves and keep their brains spry with jewelry heists? Which are then donated to help the less fortunate in the most genius of ways? This book is not only humorous, but also historical with a bit of mystery too. I definitely got more than I bargained for when I picked this up as it is a “cozy” novel with a great deal of flair. I also enjoyed the interview with one of Wray’s inspirations for this novel, Pat Owtram and her late sister Jean Owtram, who both served in WWII.

Lovely tying past to present.

I liked the characters. At first I thought it was going to be a whole different kind of book. And then some serious incidents started finding their way into the story.

Courageous Sisters

A very interesting book about the courage and lives lived during and after the Second World War.