The Golden Doves

By: Martha Hall Kelly

Narrators: Martha Hall Kelly, Jeremy Carlisle Parker, Saskia Maarleveld

Random House Audio

ISBN: 9780593354889

Publisher: Random House | Ballantine Books

Publication Date: 04/18/2023

Format: Other

My Rating: 4 Stars (ARC)

APRIL 2023 MUST-READ BOOKS

Two former female spies, bound together by their past, risk everything to hunt down an infamous Nazi doctor in the aftermath of World War II—an extraordinary novel inspired by true events from the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls

American Josie Anderson and Parisian Arlette LaRue are thrilled to be working in the French resistance, stealing so many Nazi secrets that they become known as the Golden Doves, renowned across France and hunted by the Gestapo. Their courage will cost them everything. When they are finally arrested and taken to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, along with their loved ones, a reclusive Nazi doctor does unspeakable things to Josie’s mother, a celebrated Jewish singer who joined her daughter in Paris when the world seemed bright. And Arlette’s son is stolen from her, never to be seen again.

A decade later the Doves fall headlong into a dangerous dual mission: Josie is working for U.S. Army intelligence and accepts an assignment to hunt down the infamous doctor, while a mysterious man tells Arlette he may have found her son. The Golden Doves embark on a quest across Europe and ultimately to French Guiana, discovering a web of terrible secrets, and must put themselves in grave danger to finally secure justice and protect the ones they love.

Martha Hall Kelly has garnered acclaim for her stunning combination of empathy and research into the stories of women throughout history and for exploring the terrors of Ravensbrück. With The Golden Doves, she has crafted an unforgettable story about the fates of Nazi fugitives in the wake of World War II—and the unsung females spies who risked it all to bring them to justice.

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My Review

Inspired by actual events, Martha Hall Kelly's latest, THE GOLDEN DOVES —is a riveting story of two former female spies, bound together by their past, as they risk everything to hunt down a Nazi doctor in the aftermath of WWII.

Meticulously researched and richly told— a compelling and intriguing mystery. A literary work of art by the NYT bestselling author of The Lilac Girls of Ravensbrück.

Told from two POVs: Josie and Arlette.

American Josie Anderson and Parisian Arlette LaRue are thrilled to work in the French resistance, stealing Nazi secrets. They became known as the Golden Doves, renowned across France and hunted by the Gestapo. Their courage will cost them everything.

They are arrested and taken to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, along with their loved ones. Terrible medical experiments were performed on women, they were starved, and no mercy was shown.

A reclusive Nazi doctor does unspeakable things to Josie's mother, a celebrated Jewish singer who joined her daughter in Paris. And Arlette's son is stolen from her, never seen again.

How will these women overcome the horrific experiences, horrors, and things they have witnessed with emotional, mental, and physical scars?

A decade later, the Doves fall into a dangerous dual mission: Josie works for U.S. Army intelligence and accepts an assignment to hunt down the infamous doctor. At the same time, a mysterious man tells Arlette he may have found her son.

The Golden Doves embark on an elaborate quest across Europe and ultimately to French Guiana, discovering a web of lies, secrets, and danger. Who can they trust?

They must put themselves in harm's way to secure justice and protect their loved ones.

Martha Hall Kelly writes brilliantly, with vivid settings, descriptions, well-developed research, and characters, with razor-sharp attention to detail. There are so many twists and much going on— from greed, politics, power, espionage, and murder.

Not only is the historical fiction impressive, with an intricate plot, but the mystery and intrigue, crossing moral lines, are engrossing as we follow these complex and courageous female spies. Action-packed, you will be guessing to the end.

I enjoyed reading the Author's Note and the fascinating articles on her blog regarding the inspiration behind the book. The author's previous novel, The Lilac Girls (5 stars) is optional to read before The Golden Doves; however, I highly recommend it.

Highly recommend THE GOLDEN DOVES for lovers of historical fiction and female spies.

Thank you to #RandomHouse for an ARC via #NetGalley for review purposes.

@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks

My Rating: 4 Stars

Pub Date: April 18, 2023

April 2023 Must-Read Books

Praise

“[A] riveting story of two brave and amazing women who work in the French Resistance during World War II . . . a triumph!”

—Lisa Scottoline, New York Times bestselling author of Eternal

“Breathtakingly told . . . Add this page-turner to the canon of female freedom fighters to whom we owe so much and who would go unrecognized were it not for authors like Kelly.”

—Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist

“I gasped aloud more times than I can count . . . and you will, too!”

—Sarah McCoy, New York Times bestselling author of Mustique Island

“A pulse-pounding tale of vengeance, grief, mystery, and family.”

—Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars

“The Golden Doves is breathtaking—both in the beauty of its language and the twists of its high-stakes plot.”

—Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post

“Meticulously researched, hauntingly told, and inspired by real events that span generations and continents.”

—Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea

“Sensational . . . a must-read for all readers who love history.”

—Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Left Undone

“This timely, passionately researched, and intricately woven story of friendship, motherhood, and resistance will haunt you long after you’ve turned the final page.”

—Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of The Women of Chateau Lafayette

“Literary perfection . . . explores the lengths we’ll go in the name of redemption—and the risks we’ll take for love.”

—Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil

About the Author

Martha Hall Kelly is the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls, Lost Roses, and Sunflower Sisters. With more than two million copies of her books sold and her books translated in fifty countries, Martha lives in Connecticut and New York City.