Learning all the sick and twisted details of the war, Maggie was starting to hate, hate with a ferocity she never knew she had within her. Could I kill a Nazi? she thought. Before, she would have said no. Or maybe — but only if she was in a kill-or-be-killed situation. But now she felt she could do it easily, with a song in her heart if it meant getting even.
(from Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, page 78)
Mr. Churchill’s Secretary is the first book in a new series set during World War II that follows Maggie Hope, a young mathematician who was born in Britain but grew up in America. Maggie puts off grad school to handle the sale of her grandmother’s home, but when war breaks out and the home doesn’t sell, she decides to stay and takes a job as a typist at No. 10 Downing Street, the headquarters of Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
As one would imagine, there’s a lot going on in London in the early days of World War II, and Susan Elia MacNeal does an excellent job bringing the city to life. There are fears about the Germans bombing the city or even invading England. There are IRA bombings, fascist groups, and sleeper agents wreaking havoc in London. Meanwhile, Maggie battles against the sexism that keeps her from using her skills as a code breaker and searches for the truth about her parents, who died when she was a baby.
Once I started Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely loved Maggie. She’s smart, feisty, and insecure at times, and she’s totally someone you’d want as a best friend. I was reminded me of the Maisie Dobbs series, but Maggie is more kick-ass and this story had much more action. I loved the variety of characters and personalities and how MacNeal threw them all together, and her portrayal of Churchill was thoroughly entertaining. Moreover, I thought the various plot lines were exciting and enjoyed how MacNeal connected them all, even though the big twist was obvious to me early on.
Mr. Churchill’s Secretary really shines in MacNeal’s portrayal of wartime London and how the people tried to keep their spirits up amidst so much destruction. Even though Maggie seemed a bit ahead of the times (and managed to enjoy the nightlife despite being so busy at work), I appreciate a gutsy, intelligent heroine and can’t wait to continue the series.
Disclosure: I received Mr. Churchill’s Secretary from Bantam for review.
© 2012 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
This sounds an amazing book! and the cover helps as well.
LikeLike
The covers for this series are fantastic!
LikeLike
I’ll have to give this a try since I didn’t love Maisie Dobbs as much as everyone else has. Maggie sounds more to my liking.
LikeLike
I enjoyed Maisie Dobbs enough to want to start the series from the beginning. But I though Maggie Hope was a bit more kick-ass.
LikeLike
I really want to read this, even though, sort of like Kathy, I didn’t take the Maisie Dobbs koolaid. But I’m also sort of on a Churchill kick lately! Also, does this cover remind anyone else of the cover of Hemingway’s Girl? It’s not exactly alike, but every time I see it I think of that book too!
LikeLike
I really enjoyed the one Maisie Dobbs book I read, but so far, I like this series better!
LikeLike
I’ve started this one and like it so far. Haven’t tried Maisie Dobbs. Am I missing something?
LikeLike
Well, I’ve only read one Maisie Dobbs. I can see the appeal, but I want to go back and at least read the first book before I decide if it’s one I want to invest so much time in.
LikeLike
Sounds great, and I am sure it would be a book that I would enjoy too
LikeLike
Oh, I’m sure!
LikeLike
While I adore Maisie Dobbs, I much prefer more action, so I think this one would be for me.
LikeLike
Yes, definitely more action than Maisie Dobbs!
LikeLike
I’m so glad you loved it. This is one that I can’t wait to dive into!
LikeLike
I hope you love it as much as I did!
LikeLike
I love these books. There are not many good mysteries that take place in WWII, so these are most welcome. I am glad you liked this one and hope you like the next book.
LikeLike
I loved it, and can’t wait for the third one.
LikeLike
This sounds like a great series. I enjoy gutsy heroines too.
LikeLike
I think you’d enjoy it!
LikeLike
I’ve only read good reviews about this series and now I want to read them too!
LikeLike
I hope you give them a try!
LikeLike
Love the sound of this book. How about linking it in to Books You Loved – October? Have a great week!
LikeLike
Thanks, Carole!
LikeLike
[…] October 19th: Diary of an Eccentric (Winston Churchill’s […]
LikeLike
Maggie sounds like a woman I would really enjoy getting to know. I’m looking forward to diving into this series!
Thanks for being on the tour.
LikeLike
My pleasure!
LikeLike
I bought this on a whim a few months ago…it’s been sitting on my shelf ever since. Better crack the cover! Sounds really good!
LikeLike
I hope you get a chance to read it soon and love it as much as I did!
LikeLike
[…] « Review: Mr. Churchill’s Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal […]
LikeLike
This looks like a book, and sounds it too (;)) that I could dive into!
LikeLike
Yay! Hope you give it a try!
LikeLike
This series really seems to be popular with everyone who’s reading them – and to think that without TLC Book Tours we’d all be missing them!
LikeLike
I’m glad they brought the series to my attention!
LikeLike
I really want to read this book…thanks for the post.
Stopping by from Carole’s October Books I Loved. I am in that list as #48.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
http://silversolara.blogspot.com
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by, Elizabeth!
LikeLike
Thanks for linking this one in. Have a great week.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Just a note to let you know that your link in to Books You Loved: October was showcased in the November edition which has just posted. Would love to see another contribution from you this month! This is the link – Books You Loved November Edition
LikeLike
Awesome, thanks!
LikeLike
I liked this book also (http://manoflabook.com/wp/?p=6635), I’m looking forward to the third in the series.
LikeLike
Yay! Glad to hear it.
LikeLike
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh…I want this book. Your review makes me want it more!! 🙂
THANK YOU so much.
Elizabeth
Silver’s Reviews
http://silversolara.blogspot.com
LikeLike
Wonderful! Hope you get a chance to read it.
LikeLike
[…] in the Lime Tree by Annemarie Neary 38. The Persecution of Mildred Dunlap by Paulette Mahurin 39. Mr. Churchill’s Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal 40. Princess Elizabeth’s Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal 41. The Violin of […]
LikeLike
[…] execution fell short. It doesn’t make wartime London come to life in the exciting way that Susan Elia MacNeal‘s Maggie Hope series does. Am I sorry I took the time to finish the book? No. I’d […]
LikeLike
[…] October 19th: Diary of an Eccentric (Winston Churchill’s […]
LikeLike