By: Jenni L. Walsh
Narrator: Gail Shalan
ISBN: 9781400246762
Duration: 9 Hrs, 24 Min, 55 Sec
Publisher: HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse
Publication Date: 01/14/2025
Format: Audio, e-book, paperback
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
Top Audiobooks of 2025
Trailblazer, superstar, activist, and spy: Alice Marble is a true American icon.
Alice strives to have it all.
At seventeen, Alice Marble has no formal tennis skills and no coach. What she does have is an ability to hit the ball as hard as she can and a strong desire to prove herself. With steadfast determination and one sacrifice after another, Alice plays her heart out on the courts of the rich and famous, at national tournaments, and—the greatest of them all—at Wimbledon, rising to be one of the top-ranked players in the world.
But then her world falls apart.
With the outbreak of war with Germany, Alice’s tennis career and life come to a screeching halt, and for the first time, she is forced to confront who she is without tennis. As she seeks to understand her new place in the world and how she can aid in the war efforts, a telegram arrives with devastating news from overseas. Heartbroken and lost, she feels like she can only watch as the war wreaks havoc in every area of her life.
Until an unexpected invitation arrives.
Alice is given the chance to fight back when the US Army sends her a request: Under the guise of playing in tennis exhibition games in Switzerland, she would be a spy for them. Alice aches for nothing more than to avenge what the war has taken from her and to prove herself against this new opponent. But what awaits her might be her greatest challenge yet.
From her start as a promising athlete with worn-out shoes to her status as a glamorous international star, Alice Marble’s determination to control her own life and destiny fuels a story of achievement, discipline, loss, and love.
Jenni L. Walsh’s Ace, Marvel, Spy brilliantly showcases the life of Alice Marble, a real-life tennis sensation known for her extraordinary talent and indomitable spirit. This fast-paced and action-packed historical novel spans multiple international settings and is perfect for fans of Carrie Soto Is Back or any book by Kate Quinn.
My Review
From the bestselling author of Unsinkable and The Call of the Wrens, Jenni L. Walsh delivers a masterpiece, ACE, MARVEL, SPY, inspired by the true story of an icon—a tennis champion, world number one ranking, a remarkable, courageous, strong, and determined woman, Alice Marble.
Alice's life, filled with triumphs and challenges, is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. This captivating and inspiring historical fiction not only sets the tennis world on fire but also ignites a spark of inspiration in the hearts of its readers. A true heroine you will root for until the end.
Alice Marble and her tennis coach, Eleanor “Teach” Tennant, are formidable women in this captivating historical fiction. I loved this book so much. You will laugh and cry. No matter what gets Alice down, she perseveres with the help of her side-kick demanding and hilarious British coach. It is hard to imagine this in the 1930s and 1940s.
About...
Born in the small town of Beckwourth, CA, Alice Marble moved to San Francisco with her family at the age of five. A tomboy, her brother persuaded her to try tennis. They had little money, but her dream was about to come true. All her hard work will pay off.
Alice chose tennis as a sport when her brother Dan suggested it over baseball. Who knew she would become the #1 tennis champion while maintaining a growing career as an associate editor on Wonder Woman?
She also created the 'Wonder Women of History' feature for the comics, which told the stories of prominent women of history in comic form. This was a pioneering effort in highlighting the achievements of women in a male-dominated industry.
After being recruited by her tennis coach, Teach, she excelled, worked hard, and continued striving for the best.
She went on to marry, but then her world crumbled after the news of her husband's death serving in the war in Germany and the miscarriage.
With the war halting her tennis, she wanted to help. The opportunity came when the US Army sent her a request under the guise of playing in tennis exhibition games in Switzerland; she would be a spy for them. She wants nothing more than to avenge her husband's death.
But Alice's journey was not without its challenges. The war halted her tennis career, and she faced another setback with TB and going up against men. However, she did not let these challenges deter her. With the unwavering support of her coach, Alice overcame these obstacles and continued to excel in her career.
My thoughts...
The author brilliantly crafts an unforgettable story inspired by Alice's life and her memoir. The story came alive with letters, notes, telegrams, and newspaper articles. I appreciated the author's note and enjoy books about strong women, especially in this era in a man's world.
Alice was an American tennis player who won 18 Grand Slam championships, ranked No. 1 in the world in 1939. She was the top-ranked U.S. player from 1936 to 1940, with extensive accolades.
From winning the French Open, Wimbledon, US Open, Grand Slam doubles, and much more, in 1964, Marble was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and became a tennis teacher in Palm Springs after retirement with Bille Jean King as one of her students. How cool is that?
Marble's contribution to the desegregation of American tennis was significant. She wrote an editorial in support of Althea Gibson, which was instrumental in Gibson's entry into the 1950 U.S. Championships. This made Gibson the first African-American player, man or woman, to compete in a Grand Slam event, a milestone in tennis history.
She inspired many and achieved many more things during and after her career, including being a spy. Thank you, Jenni, for a creative retelling of this memorable story. Meticulously researched, rich in detail and character, mixed with heartache, competition, drive, ambition, and humor.
ACE, MARVEL, SPY is enthralling; a fabulous mix of literary fiction, historical fiction, coming-of-age, sports, WWII, adult fiction, and feminism. The novel will appeal to a wide variety of readers and is perfect for book clubs. Marble was a remarkable woman with grit and determination, making her mark on the world.
If you love tennis (I come from a family of tennis players, my sons and grandson), you will adore ACE, MARVEL, SPY, and getting to know the dazzling Alice and her coach, Teach.
I cannot wait to read the author's backlist! Love her writing style.
Audiobook...
Top Audiobook List of 2025!
Last but not least... Oh my, I loved this audiobook, narrated by the mega-talented and favorite Gail Shalan! An award-winning performance, I listened to the audiobook twice, I enjoyed it so much. Gail added the passion, intensity, suspense, and drama of both Alice and Teach. The banter between them was laugh out loud hilarous and priceless! I especially enjoyed the parts about the men, and Gail's British accent (Teach) was riveting and highly entertaining. I highly recommend the audiobook. Thank me later. Quite the performance you do not want to miss.
BEHIND THE MIC: Speaking of Gail, stay tuned for my upcoming Feb (Blog/Newsletter) Q&A with Gail Shalan #AudioElevatorSeries (the first to kick on a new series as part of my #AuthorElevatorSeries & #LitLiftMiniAuthorChats) where we go behind the mic, the audiobook, and the narrator. Get all the exclusives from Ace, Marvel, Spy, and her three other featured January audiobooks and upcoming projects and secrets inside the booth. I am a huge audiobook fan excited about this new series, connecting narrators and listeners. And, of course, Gail is the perfect storyteller! You are going to love it.
Recs...
For fans of the author and those who enjoy novels of strong, resilient women, sports fans and the works of Kate Quinn, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Kristin Hannah, Patti Callahan Henry, and other historical fiction focused on real women and their bravery and courage.
A special thank you to Harper Muse and Harper Collins Focus for an ALC and ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I also purchased the paperback copy, which sits on display front and center in my home library. (I wish it came in hardcover).
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Pub Date: Jan 14, 2025
Top Audiobooks of 2025
Ace, Spy, Marvel
Listen to Clip by the fabulous Gail Shalan
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Praise
"Jenni L. Walsh captures the thrill of being on the court in a vivid and detailed portrayal of Alice Marble's rise to sporting greatness, as well as her struggles to fulfill her dreams both on and off the court. Ace, Marvel, Spy is a smashing success!"
—Billie Jean King, sports icon and equality champion
"All's fair in love and war--and tennis!--in Jenni L. Walsh's latest page-turning historical novel . . . Readers can't help but be inspired by this unflinching portrayal of a true American icon."
—Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times Bestselling author of A Happier Life
"Jenni L. Walsh is an “Ace” of writing well researched historical novels about amazing women that are not well known. This one is about Alice Marble, a US tennis champion who later becomes a spy during WWII and is also an editor for the Wonder Women comic. As with all of Jenni’s novels, the resilience and strength of women is front and center!" -
—Kathy, Newtown Bookshop
“Best-selling author Walsh (Unsinkable, 2024) delivers a page-turning delight starring tennis ace Alice Marble, who came from a modest background to reach the top of her sport . . . Whether Alice is in a nail-biting tennis match or in a tight spot with her mission, this book will have readers on the edge of their seats. Be sure to read the author’s note about the fascinating, real Alice Marble.”
— Booklist
"With a flair for mining out remarkable women from obscurity in history, Walsh has given us a riveting insight into a true wonder woman by blending biography with history and adventure, and an added dash of romance in Ace, Marvel, Spy. A truly unique spin (Get it? Because it’s tennis!) that makes it a must-read for fans of unique characters and complex themes."
— BookTrib, J'nell Ciesielski
"Being a tennis buff, I loved it... Now serving, Jenni L. Walsh."
— Michael Giltz for PARADE Magazine
About the Author
Jenni L. Walsh is a USA Today bestselling author of over twelve books. Her passion lies in transporting readers to another world, be it in historical or contemporary settings. She is a proud member of the Tall Poppy writers, a graduate of Villanova University, and lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband, daughter, son, and various pets.
For adults, Jenni has written historical novels Becoming Bonnie, Side by Side, A Betting Woman, The Call of the Wrens, Unsinkable, and the forthcoming Ace, Marvel, Spy. She also writes books for children, including the nonfiction She Dared series and novels Hettie and the London Blitz, I Am Defiance, By the Light of Fireflies, Over and Out, Operation: Happy, and The Bug Bandits. To learn more about Jenni and her books, please visit jennilwalsh.com or @jennilwalsh on social media. WEBSITE
About the Narrator
~Voice Artist
~Actor
~Puppeteer
~ Two-Time 2024 Audie Award Winner
~ 2023 Audiofile Magazine’s Best of The Year for Full Cast
~ IPPY Gold Medalist
~ Four-Time Audiofile Earphones Award Winner
~ Featured in The New York Times, Vulture Magazine, Library Journal, Booklist, School Library Journal, and Audiofile Magazine
About Gail Shalan
Gail Shalan (she/her) is a NYC-based storyteller on screen, stage, behind the mic, and with puppets.
A 2024 two-time Audie Award winner ( Best Young Adult and Best Middle Grade), as well as a multiple Earphones Award winner, praised by The New York Times, Library Journal, Vulture Magazine, Booklist, and Audiofile Magazine, she’s narrated over 200 titles.
Gail has performed on stage at The Bristol Old Vic, Cherry Lane Theatre, St. Ann’s Warehouse, and other various theater spaces across the US and UK. Her work as both an actor and a puppeteer was featured in the award-winning short film,Coyote Girl (BostonIFF Best Short). She is also a writer and the creator/producer of The Storylight Podcast and The Narrator Roundtable.
Known for her dexterity with character and dialects, her tangibly emotional reads, and her deep respect for the text, Gail is passionate about stories that center generational healing and mental health, that navigate the sticky spaces between childhood and adulthood, and that dive into the questions of what dwells within us and what dwells between us. She strives to create a space in all her work for curiosity and wonder.
For more, follow her on socials @grshalan and check out www.gailshalan.com
