This is number six in a series. However, I've read none of the previous books, and did not find it a problem to follow and understand what was going on.
Englishwoman Claire Mitchell and her husband, Canadian Alain "Mitch" Mitchell were SOE operatives during the Second World War, dropped into France to work with the French Resistance. During that time, Mitch was captured and imprisoned by the Germans. What exactly happened is unclear, but he did eventually escape. During the escape he was shot in the leg, but reached a doctor who removed the bullets and successfully saved the leg.
They did not exchange names; it would have been dangerous. You can't reveal what you don't know.
In 1949, they've been reunited for several years, and their daughter, Aimée, is now eight years old. But Mitch has been having problems since the war, and is now diagnosed with shell shock--what we now call Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He's sent back to Canada to be treated by a specialist, and Claire and Aimée go with him. Three months later, when they are returning home, Mitch disappears before they board the plane.
Informed that her husband is AWOL, questioned aggressively herself, and learning that Mitch is believed to be a traitor, Claire is frightened and confused.
Oh, and angry. She knows her husband is not a traitor.
And her superiors and his have forgotten that she's no ordinary war bride. She's a seasoned undercover agent who operated directly under the eyes of the Nazis in occupied France.
This is an engrossing, complex story, with enough backstory to add to the interest without being confusing. Claire is a woman of her time, but with a strength and character women were usually not recognized as having, even though that strength and character had been needed in many women, certainly during the war. We also get to meet Mitch's family, Claire's family, and their Resistance comrades in France.
Highly recommended.
I received a free electronic galley from the publisher, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
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