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kcopp's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
ae_kay's review
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
lynguy1's review
4.0
Mother Daughter Traitor Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal is a standalone historical fiction spy novel inspired by real people and events. It brings to life the conflicting sentiments that existed in America at the time. One aspect that is unique to this novel is that it is not set in Europe, but instead is set in Los Angeles, California. Events start in June 1940 with Veronica Grace’s college graduation. When a personal scandal costs her a journalism career opportunity in New York, she and her mother Violet decide to start fresh in California where her Uncle Walter has a summerhouse they can live in rent-free.
Veronica finds a typing job, but then realizes she’s working for vicious propagandists supporting Germany in the war and saying vile things about those that don’t meet their vision of race, religion, and color. After the police and FBI dismiss the Graces’ concerns, they call an old friend of Veronica’s father. He puts them in contact with the local spymaster and they both go underground as spies. As the story progresses through the presidential election, Pearl Harbor, and war being declared on Japan, Germany, and Italy, Veronica and Violet continue to gather information, even as their risk of exposure becomes greater.
Based on a real mother-daughter spy duo, Veronica and Violet are well-developed characters. They seem to be somewhat naïve, but definitely feel a duty to protect democracy and do what is right for the country. Readers can see them grow as events unfold and they face challenges. Veronica finds that many of the qualities that make a good journalist are also good qualities for a spy. Most of the characters in the book are based on real people. There are those that are like Veronica working to save democracy and ensure that America stands for all citizens. Then, there are those that believe in isolationism, some who are violent with hatred and a feeling of superiority, the misguided and gullible, or people simply wanting a purpose and a sense of community.
The story is moving, as well as full of intrigue and suspense. Unfortunately, it also seemed to parallel many sentiments that are occurring in the America today. The first third of the book had a slow pace as the characters and situation unfolded. Once Victoria and Violet agreed to be spies, the danger and the pace increased significantly. The world-building was great and gave a realistic sense of time and place.
Overall, this story is inspiring, well-written, and well-researched and it is a story that will stay with me. While there was fear and hatred, there was also courage, love, and duty. The Afterward, Acknowledgements, and Historical Notes are enlightening. They, along with the sources section show the amount of research the author did to make this novel authentic to the times.
Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Bantam and Susan Elia MacNeal provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for September 20, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
-------------------------------------
My 3.86 rounded to 4 stars review will be coming soon.
Veronica finds a typing job, but then realizes she’s working for vicious propagandists supporting Germany in the war and saying vile things about those that don’t meet their vision of race, religion, and color. After the police and FBI dismiss the Graces’ concerns, they call an old friend of Veronica’s father. He puts them in contact with the local spymaster and they both go underground as spies. As the story progresses through the presidential election, Pearl Harbor, and war being declared on Japan, Germany, and Italy, Veronica and Violet continue to gather information, even as their risk of exposure becomes greater.
Based on a real mother-daughter spy duo, Veronica and Violet are well-developed characters. They seem to be somewhat naïve, but definitely feel a duty to protect democracy and do what is right for the country. Readers can see them grow as events unfold and they face challenges. Veronica finds that many of the qualities that make a good journalist are also good qualities for a spy. Most of the characters in the book are based on real people. There are those that are like Veronica working to save democracy and ensure that America stands for all citizens. Then, there are those that believe in isolationism, some who are violent with hatred and a feeling of superiority, the misguided and gullible, or people simply wanting a purpose and a sense of community.
The story is moving, as well as full of intrigue and suspense. Unfortunately, it also seemed to parallel many sentiments that are occurring in the America today. The first third of the book had a slow pace as the characters and situation unfolded. Once Victoria and Violet agreed to be spies, the danger and the pace increased significantly. The world-building was great and gave a realistic sense of time and place.
Overall, this story is inspiring, well-written, and well-researched and it is a story that will stay with me. While there was fear and hatred, there was also courage, love, and duty. The Afterward, Acknowledgements, and Historical Notes are enlightening. They, along with the sources section show the amount of research the author did to make this novel authentic to the times.
Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Bantam and Susan Elia MacNeal provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for September 20, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
-------------------------------------
My 3.86 rounded to 4 stars review will be coming soon.
bargainsleuth's review
5.0
For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
Mother Daughter Traitor Spy is the result of all the research from #NetGalley #ARCReview #TheHollywoodSpy (#MaggieHope #10) by #SusanEliaMacNeal. She had such a wealth of information about the Nazi movement on the west coast of the United States before we entered WWII that this standalone novel is the result. And it’s truly a story that needs to be told. I read a lot of history but had no idea about this aspect of WWII until I read the Hollywood Spy.
As for the story, it reads like a movie, but knowing that most of the events happened in real life brings it all home. I can’t imagine being Veronica and Vi Grace and becoming spies, hanging out with Nazis and going along with all they say and do in order to obtain information. I don’t think I could have done it myself.
The story, and the action, move quickly, and I found myself immersed in the novel. Some reviewers say the story and writing are simple, but if you ask me, that’s what makes Mother Daughter Traitor Spy work. The facts are so shocking, there’s no need to embellish or try to make the story the great American novel. Much like my beloved Nancy Drew travelogue stories, Susan Elia MacNeal weaves facts into her narrative that make an interesting story.
I thought the ending was a bit unbelievable and a tad rushed, but that didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. If you like a good WWII story, this is for you.
Mother Daughter Traitor Spy is the result of all the research from #NetGalley #ARCReview #TheHollywoodSpy (#MaggieHope #10) by #SusanEliaMacNeal. She had such a wealth of information about the Nazi movement on the west coast of the United States before we entered WWII that this standalone novel is the result. And it’s truly a story that needs to be told. I read a lot of history but had no idea about this aspect of WWII until I read the Hollywood Spy.
As for the story, it reads like a movie, but knowing that most of the events happened in real life brings it all home. I can’t imagine being Veronica and Vi Grace and becoming spies, hanging out with Nazis and going along with all they say and do in order to obtain information. I don’t think I could have done it myself.
The story, and the action, move quickly, and I found myself immersed in the novel. Some reviewers say the story and writing are simple, but if you ask me, that’s what makes Mother Daughter Traitor Spy work. The facts are so shocking, there’s no need to embellish or try to make the story the great American novel. Much like my beloved Nancy Drew travelogue stories, Susan Elia MacNeal weaves facts into her narrative that make an interesting story.
I thought the ending was a bit unbelievable and a tad rushed, but that didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. If you like a good WWII story, this is for you.
booksadoodle's review
4.0
Historical fiction has always been one of my favorite genres, particularly WWII stories. This one was fascinating and unique. So many of the great HF reads are based in Europe, however, this one is set at home on the west coast in CA. The story is engaging and mesmerizing, while at the same time, I learned so much about the time. I had no idea of the depth of Nazi sympathizers working within the US, and particularly in the San Diego area. Although fiction, this is based on the efforts of real life Americans at the time, particularly a mother-daughter duo, Sylvia & Grace Comfort. Several footnotes away from the main stories we know about the times, but this pair put themselves on the line for their country and what was right. The writing was beautiful, and the story flowed well and kept my attention the whole way through. I would have liked to see the beginning move a little faster along the plotline, but I understand the need to set the stage. Would definitely recommend this one for anyone who loves WWII HF and is interested in a little known story of strong women helping the cause! Thanks so much to Susan Elia MacNeal, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this e-arc.
stecatherine's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
tarah_'s review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
day_fisher's review
4.0
This book is about a spy infiltrating an American Nazi cell. Some of the dialogue said by Nazi supporters through this book were jarring to listen to, but I had to remember that these were based off of real things that people would have said in the world war II era. I hadn't heard much history about Nazi cells on this side of the Atlantic, so this wasn't just another WWII book but something new.
kleonard's review
3.0
I enjoyed this fictionalization of the lives of several real-life spies who went undercover in American Nazi organizations during the 1940s. MacNeal clearly did significant research for the book--I appreciated the list of her sources--and it shows nicely. The characters are a bit one-dimensional, and MacNeal doesn't take the opportunity to flesh them out as the book progresses, which is a shame. Overall, it'll be a compelling read, particularly for readers who don't know about Nazi activities in the US. Book clubs will like the stories of two women at very different times in their lives, the question of keeping personal boundaries vs. getting potentially important information from a source, the concept of "nice" not being the same as "good," and other issues the book bring sup.