The Killing Code by Ellie Marney

 

“Virginia, 1943: World War II is raging in Europe and on the Pacific front when Kit Sutherland is recruited to help the war effort as a codebreaker at Arlington Hall, a former girls’ college now serving as the site of a secret US Signals Intelligence facility in Virginia. But Kit is soon involved in another kind of fight: Government girls are being brutally murdered in Washington DC, and when Kit stumbles onto a bloody homicide scene, she is drawn into the hunt for the killer.

 

To find the man responsible for the gruesome murders and bring him to justice, Kit joins forces with other female codebreakers at Arlington Hall—gossip queen Dottie Crockford, sharp-tongued intelligence maven Moya Kershaw, and cleverly resourceful Violet DuLac from the segregated codebreaking unit. But as the girls begin to work together and develop friendships—and romance—that they never expected, two things begin to come clear: the murderer they’re hunting is closing in on them…and Kit is hiding a dangerous secret.” - taken from Goodreads.

This was a great historical mystery that takes place during World War II. Kathleen Hopper was the companion to the sickly Katherine Sutherland. Upon her death, she left her identity to Kathleen so that she could have a better life. On the day she is leaving Arlington Hall for parts unknown, the War Department takes over to use the facilities as one of its code breaking units. As Kathleen is walking out wearing Katherine's clothes, she is asked if she would like a job since it is assumed she was an Arlington Hall girl. Soon Kathleen becomes Kit Sutherland.

Several months later, Kit and her new friends stumble upon a serial killer targeting young women like themselves. Can Kit help discover who the murderer is before the truth about her identity is uncovered? 

Visit Ellie Marney’s website.

Lovely War by Julie Berry

“It's 1917, and World War I is at its zenith when Hazel and James first catch sight of each other at a London party. She's a shy and talented pianist; he's a newly minted soldier with dreams of becoming an architect. When they fall in love, it's immediate and deep--and cut short when James is shipped off to the killing fields.

Aubrey Edwards is also headed toward the trenches. A gifted musician who's played Carnegie Hall, he's a member of the 15th New York Infantry, an all-African-American regiment being sent to Europe to help end the Great War. Love is the last thing on his mind. But that's before he meets Colette Fournier, a Belgian chanteuse who's already survived unspeakable tragedy at the hands of the Germans.

Thirty years after these four lovers' fates collide, the Greek goddess Aphrodite tells their stories to her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares, in a luxe Manhattan hotel room at the height of World War II. She seeks to answer the age-old question: Why are Love and War eternally drawn to one another? But her quest for a conclusion that will satisfy her jealous husband uncovers a multi-threaded tale of prejudice, trauma, and music and reveals that War is no match for the power of Love.” - taken from Goodreads.com

This was not my typical read/audio listen. I almost gave up on this story early on but soldiered on (pun intended). Lovely War is a complex tale taking place during the two World Wars between mortals and the Greek gods. Love, war, history, and mythology make up this tale of two couples who meet during World War I, as told by Aphrodite during World War II. Lots of historical facts are planted throughout the book as evidenced by the extensive notes at the end. Overall, I'm glad that I stuck with this book until the end.

Visit Julie Berry’s website.

 

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.

When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.

As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy? - Taken from Goodreads.com