The London Bookshop Affair

A Novel of the Cold War

By: Louise Fein

Narrated by: Marisa Calin

From the bestselling author of Daughter of the Reich, an historical drama set in London about a bookshop involved in an espionage network.

""An utterly atmospheric and completely compelling read!” —Julia Kelly, international bestselling author of The Lost English Girl

Two courageous women. One astonishing secret. A world on the brink of war.

London, 1962: The world is teetering on the brink of nuclear war but life must go on. Celia Duchesne longs for a career, but with no means or qualifications, passes her time working at a dusty bookshop. The day a handsome American enters the shop, she thinks she might have found her way out of the monotony. Just as the excitement of a budding relationship engulfs her, a devastating secret draws her into the murky world of espionage.

France, 1942: Nineteen-year-old Anya Moreau was dropped behind enemy lines to aid the resistance, sending messages back home to London via wireless transmitter. When she was cruelly betrayed, evidence of her legacy and the truth of her actions were buried by wartime injustices.

As Celia learns more about Anya—and her unexpected connection to the undercover agent—she becomes increasingly aware of furious efforts, both past and present, to protect state secrets. With her newly formed romance taking a surprising turn and the world on the verge of nuclear annihilation, Celia must risk everything she holds dear, in the name of justice.

Propulsive and illuminating, The London Bookshop Affair is a gripping story of secrets and love, inspired by true events and figures of the Cold War.

Details

I loved this historical fiction about Cuban missel crisis and reverberations in UK.
The author’s historical misstep, however, stands out for this art historian. The Musée d’Orsay is installed in the Gare d’Orsay built in 1898-1900. The train station was renovated as an art museum — the national collection of 19th-century art in 1968. It would still be the train station ( but not used as such) in 1942, when Jeanine flies over the city of Paris upon her arrival. The author notes that she flew over The Musée d’Orsay.

beautiful book

There's something special about the characters Louise writes, they feel like friends and you want to keep them safe.

Great historical fiction

I thoroughly enjoyed all of it—performance and story. I listened to the author’s notes about how many sources she used for research and blended them to make the story. Having lived through the Cuban missile crisis, I found it fascinating.

Bored but Not

The book was interesting rather long even though it was slightly over 300 pages. At times I felt bored but yet had the need to finish the story . I would read more of this authors work

Loved it. Kept me enthralled. Can't wait for more.

The subject matter was great. Kept me hooked all night. Was just great. Thanks.