The Invisible Woman

By: Erika Robuck

Narrated by: Caroline Hewitt

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

"An extraordinary profile of immense courage and daring." (Chanel Cleeton, New York Times best-selling author of Before We Left Cuba)

"If you only read one WWII book this year, make it this one." (Natasha Lester, New York Times best-selling author of The Paris Orphans)

In the depths of war, she would defy the odds to help liberate a nation...a gripping historical novel based on the remarkable true story of World War II heroine Virginia Hall, from the best-selling author of Hemingway's Girl 

France, March 1944. Virginia Hall wasn't like the other young society women back home in Baltimore - she never wanted the debutante ball or silk gloves. Instead, she traded a safe life for adventure in Europe, and when her beloved second home is thrust into the dark days of war, she leaps in headfirst.

Once she's recruited as an Allied spy, subverting the Nazis becomes her calling. But even the most cunning agent can be bested, and in wartime trusting the wrong person can prove fatal. Virginia is haunted every day by the betrayal that ravaged her first operation, and will do everything in her power to avenge the brave people she lost.

While her future is anything but certain, this time more than ever Virginia knows that failure is not an option. Especially when she discovers what - and whom - she's truly protecting.

©2021 Erika Robuck (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of Parade's "Best Winter 2021 Book Releases"!

"Robuck delivers an edge-of-the-seat WWII spy story based on the life of OSS agent Virginia Hall. Skillfully weaving events from the agent’s past with the tension-filled days and nights of 1944, Robuck creates an indelible portrait of an unforgettable hero." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)  

"A alpha female heroine, along with an engaging plot loaded with realism, makes for a captivating historical thriller. Even better, it's all drawn from the life of a real American hero." (Steve Berry, New York Times best-selling author of The Warsaw Protocol) 

"In this captivating, page-turning read, the talented Erika Robuck plunges her readers deep into the little-known, critical espionage undertaken by the brilliant and brave spy Virginia Hall during World War II. The Invisible Woman shines a light on this courageous historical woman, whose pioneering work as an agent deserves recognition." (Marie Benedict, New York Times best-selling author of The Only Woman in the Room) 

Very well portrayed

This well-written book based on the remarkable life of an American spy in France during WW2 is so ably read and conveyed through the narrator’s great skill with languages, voices, accents, and tone. It was easy to imagine life during this dark era in history.

Narrator chirped like a twenty-something

Virginia Hall is almost 40, yet the narrator sounded twenty-something. Her chirpy voice never held the serious tone matching the dire realities of the French resistance. The author should be more careful who narrates her material.

A book that holds one's attention.

The narrator brings Virginia to life. Virginia has had a tough life and she's strict but after listening to a number of books in this genre, this spy has earned my respect. She's consistent and tough. I realize that one may get lost in the different characters of a book with a good narrator but this is a deep story that is exciting and frightening and I personally can't imagine a human being able to handle the things this spy can handle. I take sides in this story fore and against the different characters.

Fantastic...with one reservation.

This story is simply astonishing. Of course it's a fictionalized account of a historical figure, so there are minor liberties taken, but it's to be read as a largely accurate fictionalized telling of a true story. The author even provides a helpful section at the end describing some of the liberties and inventions she used for the sake of storytelling.

My only criticism is that the fourth section of the book feels tacked on. There's enough change in style and tone that it seems like it was written by a different author. It seeks to tie up the various loose ends that are inevitable in a story of this magnitude and scope. Add in a wincingly overwrought sex scene that comes almost from nowhere, and transgresses all of the careful boundaries of discretion and privacy Virginia Hall erected for herself...oh dear! Even though I loved this book I was grimacing through some of these latter bits.

I wonder if this section was demanded by a publisher who felt that audiences would not be okay with any ambiguity. Also seems like someone felt there must be a bit of a nod in the direction of the Harlequin Romance crowd.

But all said? Fantastic listen and I loved it. I’'m going to print out a picture of Virginia Hall and put it over my desk for inspiration.

So yes, recommended.

Fascinating

This woman is absolutely fascinating, I'm very pleased I found this book. If you too are interested in learning more regarding WWII, this is a must; so many heros and heroines we've never heard of, Virginia being amongst the top.

Beautifully Written

Fabulous detail, perfect narration, a thought provoking story of unsung heroes and their surprisingly valiant leader. Loved it.

Great Historical Fiction- Reminiscent of The Nightingale

I love reading about strong, brave women of WW2. This story was suspenseful, heart warming, and heartbreaking. At times there was even humor. I am in awe of the bravery of the people who fought and survived.

Amazing novel!

The Invisible Woman
By: Erika Robuck
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The incredible story about courage and how far a lady with a disability can go as she is recruited as an Allied spy. France, 1944 Virginia Hall is that woman who defies all odds with grit, determination and proven skills to operate under the toughest conditions.
🕵️‍♀️
If you love Historical fiction I highly recommend this book. I love all the facts, discussions and extra details about her network in which the author details at the end of the book. One of the best Historical Fictions of 2021.
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The Narrator Ruined It

Ms. Hewitt has a lovely voice for dozens of other stories, just not for this one. Her overall pitch is higher and brighter than this story calls for, despite a solid attempt. Virginia is 40. She’s been through hell and back and needs the bit of gravitas that someone with a slightly deeper pitch could bring.

Unfortunately, I’m sending this back after only 3 chapters and getting the Kindle version instead. I’m eagerly awaiting being drawn back into Virginia’s world.

Great story, fantastic performance

Engaging, well-written book. Could not stop listening. Fantastic narration. Loved that the narrator knew French.

Very interesting! A must have!

Love this book, very important history for women and everybody, I learned a lot

Thoroughly immersive

This is an inspirational tale of courage in the face of adversity. At times I felt that I was in the room with the characters. This was due in no small part to the excellent narrator, who managed to pull off such a thoroughly believable variety of accents without falling victim to caricatures. Her timing and delivery did nothing short of heighten the impact of the author’s words.
The excellent descriptions of villages in war torn Europe and feelings of constant unease of someone walking an extremely tight line between life and death, torn between love and duty, was truly immersive.
I couldn’t listen to it on public transport because, even with headphones on, my fellow passengers would hear me spontaneously whoop for joy at every victory, sigh in disbelief at each tragedy (of which, dear reader, there are many), or laugh on the rare occasion it was called for.
The only criticism is that at times I forgot which village I was supposed to be in. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and would highly recommend it.