Thanks to Bonnier books for a review copy.
Mara Timon’s new novel continues the story of SOE operative Elisabeth de Mornay after the tumultuous events of her debut novel ‘City of Spies’. Whilst the first story was excellent the writing in this second volume feels more assured and the story grips from the start and doesn’t let go.
A few months after the conclusion of ‘City of Spies’ we see Elisabeth sent back to France as a radio operator or ‘pianist’. This time the action takes place in and around Caen in Normandy as D-Day comes ever closer. The previous ‘pianist’ has disappeared under mysterious circumstances and Elisabeth, operating under her old code name of Cécile, is tasked with flushing out and eliminating any traitor within the group as well as relaying messages back to London under the noses of the ever-vigilant Gestapo. Just to add to the already tense situation a certain Eduard Graf soon puts in an unexpected appearance.
This story is cinematic in scope and I could easily imagine it adapted for the big screen or as a TV limited series. All the characters leap from the page and come to life vividly in the imagination. I almost felt I was in the thick of the action as the resistance fought their war of wits and nerves with the Gestapo always at their heels. Perhaps an updated (and rather faster moving) version of BBC TVs classic wartime drama ‘Secret Army’ would be the best way to describe it
Historical fact and fiction mingle in the story but they are blended well and the author’s imagination never takes us beyond the realms of what might really have happened in the run up to the Normandy landings. Her painstaking research and love for the period shine through in the prose.
This book could be enjoyed as a standalone story, the reader would be able to follow the action easily enough, but I would strongly recommend reading ‘City of Spies’ first as a lot of the events of that novel are referenced here and also go a long way to explaining the motivations of some of the key characters.
Rarely, in my experience, does a sequel surpass its predecessor, especially when the earlier story is excellent in its own right, but ‘Resistance’ does just that. The action and emotion are turned up to eleven here and the book is all the better for it. The ending suggests that there is more to come and a bonus short story is included which may mean that we are also treated to a spin off series, both of which I highly anticipate.
If you haven’t read ‘City of Spies’ then read that and then read this; if you have enjoyed ‘City of Spies’ then I recommend this without hesitation. Settle down and prepare to be transported back seventy six years into a world of classic wartime espionage where brave men and women risked their lives so that later generations could inherit a better world.

Elisabeth de Mornay is back in London decoding messages when she notices a discrepancy in the tone of one of the messages. Fearing that the agent has been compromised she finds herself sent back to France on a new mission. As she reconnects with old friends and colleagues in order to help the resistance, she also comes face to face with someone she didn’t expect to see, and they could blow her cover and put her in danger. The question is will they?
Resistance is the follow up to Mara Timon’s debut novel City of Spies and she has managed to maintain the level of action and drama throughout. Elisabeth is a very strong character who manages to juggle her many identities and missions. Not only is she ensuring that messages are sent to England, she is also trying to route out a spy within the resistance, something that comes with considerable danger attached to it. In the world she inhabits where everyone lies for one reason or another you can see the struggles she has with trust, even with the people she has trained with and worked alongside before. With each new situation they are put in, there will always be the chance that they are now playing both sides in order just to survive. With time not on her side, Elisabeth has to make judgement calls quite often and hope they are the right ones.
Elisabeth is also struggling with another dilemma when she crosses paths with her husband who is actually an officer in the German army. He is well aware that she is hiding something from him, but he has taken the stance to not push for answers. You can feel the tension each time they meet, wondering if something will be revealed that will ultimately cost one or both of them their freedom or worse and you do have to wonder if this relationship can survive the war or if it will become a casualty of a different kind.
It is quite refreshing to come across a thriller set during WW2 where the main protagonist is female. Elisabeth and her fellow agents Léonie and Dominique find them in situations that many would shy away from, but they are determined to see their missions through at all costs. It is easy to forget that women played a great part in the war effort and Mara Timon has created a series that highlights this perfectly. I am thoroughly enjoying this series and am hoping that we will see more from Elisabeth soon as I feel there is a lot of unfinished business and I am not just talking about the war.

May 1944. With the situation in occupied France worsening and growing fears that the Resistance has been compromised, spy Elisabeth de Mornay, codename Cecile, is ordered behind enemy lines. Along with fellow agents Leonie and Dominque she must help the Resistance destabilise German operations. But the life of a spy is never straightforward...

I really enjoyed the entire concept of this book - it was a nice change to read a WWII fiction book that covered a different topic, in this case how English spies were sent to help the French Resistance. I loved Cecile and how resilient she was, being scared but still willing to do her job. It did feel a bit repetitive at times as you waited to get to the action packed bit of the invasion of Normandy.

Thank you NetGalley and to the publishers for my copy of this book in return for a review

*4.5 stars *

London, May 1944, and Elisabeth de Mornay (code name Cécile) diciphers a transmission from a field agent that doesn’t match his normal way of transmitting. Each agent has their own unique ‘signature’, which becomes very obvious to those familiar with it. She suspects that his cover has been blown, and that he’s very likely dead. With fears that the Resistance has been infiltrated, Cécile is ordered back to France, and behind enemy lines.

After reading Mara Timon’s debut novel ‘City of Spies’, I was excited to read the follow up, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Elisabeth de Mornay makes a wonderful protagonist, she’s extremely brave, as are her fellow agents Léonie and Dominique - three women who are up against unknown enemies, whilst helping the Resistance destabilise German operations, to smooth the way for the D Day landings. However, even within the Resistance, there is infighting, and it’s difficult to know who to trust.

This is a powerful espionage thriller, totally engrossing, with some great twists and turns, with the tension palpable at times. Though the characters are fictional, it’s a timely reminder of just how brave these men and women of the Resistance were in reality. A truly exciting read!

A year ago I read City Of Spies, Mara Timon's stunning debut novel. Second novels often disappoint. This one sure doesn't. The writing is wonderfully assured and the plot totally gripping from beginning to end.
The depth of the characterizations makes everything ring true and all the nuances of human nature during a time of war are here. Mara's female heroines are full of empathy and play lead roles - unusual in spy thrillers - but just perfect in this story of British SOE and the French Resistance in the lead up to D-Day.
This is an utterly seamless stand-out read.

When I started reading this, I did not realise it was the sequel to City of Spies, but it soon became clear.

Like the previous novel, this was a compelling read. I liked the way real historical figures were woven into the fictional storyline. An engaging story and an easy read.