Book Review

Basic Details:

Book Title: Madame Fiocca

Subtitle: The Remarkable True WWII Story of Nancy Wake

Author: Suzy Henderson

Genre: Historical Action

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48552830-madame-fiocca

Overall score:

I scored this book 4.5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

This is the second book I’ve read by this author. Although I enjoyed “The Beauty Shop” better, this book is another well-written and action-packed novel.

We meet Nancy Wake as she moves from her native Australia to America, England and eventually France. In France she finds a home, working as a journalist. The story starts just before the second World War and continues through the war. Nancy meets the love of her life, Henri Fiocca and they marry. However, Nancy can’t stand by and do nothing when she notices innocent people being persecuted and eventually needs to escape herself.

Nothing can stop her from returning to the war effort and her beloved Henri.

What I liked about the book:

The book was action-packed and again based on real-life.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There was nothing to dislike.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book is brilliant in its entirety.

My least favourite bits in the book:

It’s difficult to tell you without giving away too much from the story.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This author has written another book, also around the second World War, “The Beauty Shop”, which is also worth a read.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This book and the previous one are a fabulous mix of fiction interlaced with a big dose of actual history. It fits in well with other books that do the same.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children No

Young Adult Yes

Adult Yes

If you like romantic war stories based on actual events, this book may be the book for you.

I’m certainly looking forward to reading more by this author.

Book Description by Author:

A gripping tale of love and espionage in Occupied France, based on true events.

February 1933: When her aunt gifts her two hundred pounds, twenty-year-old Nancy Wake embarks on a world cruise. Afterwards, she becomes a journalist and finds work in Paris. The city is glamorous, brimming with journalists, artists, and refugees.

While travelling across Europe on assignments, she catches the eye of wealthy industrialist Henri Fiocca, and destiny intervenes.

But as clouds of war swarm over Europe, German troops are on the march. Horrified when she witnesses Nazis whipping Jews on Vienna’s streets, Nancy vows to stop them if she ever has the chance.

When Paris falls, an encounter with a British officer draws her into the heart of an escape network. Soon she is caught in a deadly game of espionage.

As the iron fist of the enemy tightens, Nancy and Henri face a heart-breaking decision.

What happens when doing right is the road to ruin?

A must-read gripping adventure based on the true story of Nancy Wake, Gestapo’s most wanted in World War Two France.

About the Author:

The Beauty Shop, my debut novel, was awarded the B.R.A.G. Medallion. It is based on the true story of Sir Archibald McIndoe and the Guinea Pig Club - an exclusive club for RAF pilots and airmen who required plastic surgery as a result of their war injuries and were under the care of this enigmatic New Zealander and pioneering plastic surgeon.

My second novel, Madame Fiocca, was released in 2019. Based on a true story, this gripping adventure follows the tempestuous life of Nancy Wake before and during the Second World War.

Spitfire, a short story, was released in 2020 and is set during WW2.

To receive all my latest book news, do join the mailing list here: https://suzyhendersonauthor.com/sign-up/

I live with my family on the edge of the Lake District, an area that has always inspired me. After a career in healthcare, I studied creative writing and English at The Open University and fell in love with writing. Armed with a pen, a love of reading and a growing obsession with military and aviation history, I slipped seamlessly into writing historical fiction.

Please do catch up with me on social media here:

https://twitter.com/Suzy_Henderson

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