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Mr. Churchill's Secretary
Mr. Churchill's Secretary: A Maggie Hope Mystery | Susan Elia MacNeal
For fans of Jacqueline Winspear, Laurie R. King, and Anne Perry, Mr. Churchills Secretary captures the drama of an era of unprecedented challengeand the greatness that rose to meet it. London, 1940. Winston Churchill has just been sworn in, war rages across the Channel, and the threat of a Blitz looms larger by the day. But none of this deters Maggie Hope. She graduated at the top of her college class and possesses all the skills of the finest minds in British intelligence, but her gender qualifies her only to be the newest typist at No. 10 Downing Street. Her indefatigable spirit and remarkable gifts for codebreaking, though, rival those of even the highest men in government, and Maggie finds that working for the prime minister affords her a level of clearance she could never have imaginedand opportunities she will not let pass. In troubled, deadly times, with air-raid sirens sending multitudes underground, access to the War Rooms also exposes Maggie to the machinations of a menacing faction determined to do whatever it takes to change the course of history. Ensnared in a web of spies, murder, and intrigue, Maggie must work quickly to balance her duty to King and Country with her chances for survival. And when she unravels a mystery that points toward her own familys hidden secrets, shell discover that her quick wits are all that stand between an assassins murderous plan and Churchill himself. In this daring debut, Susan Elia MacNeal blends meticulous research on the era, psychological insight into Winston Churchill, and the creation of a riveting main character, Maggie Hope, into a spectacularly crafted novel. From the Trade Paperback edition.
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Amaranthae

Great quick read with plenty of twists and turns

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Laughterhp
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#BookReport - Finished 2 audiobooks this week! One was great, the other blah

I‘m #currentlyreading The Historian, 260 pages or so in. I‘m really enjoying it and get engrossed in it but it‘s long! Also listening to Agatha Raisin on audio

#WeeklyForecast - Hopefully finish up these 2 and start my 2 library books and start A Game of Cones on audio, my hold just came in.

Cinfhen Good luck this week 💚💚💚 3y
52 likes1 comment
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Laughterhp
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Pickpick

I really liked this book. What a great start to a series. Definitely one I am going to continue!

I like how Maggie was doing her work and living her life and wasn‘t trying to solve any murders. It was a different take on a historical mystery and I really enjoyed it. I really liked all the characters in this book.

The next book sounds really good, so I can‘t wait!

kspenmoll I love this series- 3y
55 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Jgotham
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Pickpick

I was bored and found this book available at the right time. The first half dragged a bit (I was in a book slump) but then I really fell into it and enjoyed it. I was surprised I didn‘t solve one of the mysteries and it had a lot of twists and surprises. I loved the very smart, capable heroine 👏 I enjoyed Churchill‘s character probably the most and am looking forward to book 2. A fun historical mystery.

9 likes1 stack add
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MallenNC
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Pickpick

I‘ve been meaning to read this series forever. I‘m not sure if I‘ll love it as much as Maisie Dobbs but I did enjoy it. There are a few coincidences that were hard to believe but I liked Maggie and will read more of the series. I love books about smart women! And the covers are beautiful. This is my #Bookspin #DoubleSpin for August. (One of my #catsoflitsy took my chair so I made her pose with the book).

Leftcoastzen She‘s beautiful!😻 4y
MallenNC @Leftcoastzen Thank you! She knows it too. 4y
Texreader ❤️😻 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
33 likes4 comments
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MaryM
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I enjoyed this story so much. I look forward to continuing the Maggie Hope series! #kpo

kspenmoll I really enjoyed this series. Listened to some books on audible. 4y
MaryM @kspenmoll I really liked it. I will be starting the 2nd book in the series soon. 🙌 4y
5 likes2 comments
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JenlovesJT47
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Pickpick

This has been on my TBR for awhile now. I love finding new series to start, and this is a good introduction to the Maggie Hope series. It‘s a bit clunky in places, but I enjoyed it. Maggie is one of the secretaries to Winston Churchill in 1940 London. I‘ve recently been reading more books set during the Blitz and it really makes you think about just how many people were affected in WWII. Will definitely be reading more in the series. 4⭐️

#WWII

PathfinderNicole I just finished this one about a week ago and am going to hopefully start the second one tonight! 4y
64 likes1 comment
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KyleAndLexisMom
Pickpick

This is the first Maggie Hope book and the series has quickly become one of my absolute favorites! Maggie is a British spy in the WWII era and it's one of those books that you just can't put down. #Historicalmystery #secretagent #WWII

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melissanorr
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Started this yesterday and got in about an hour for #24in48 before I fell asleep. I've been on a historical #cozymystery kick recently. #CozyInTheSun @Librarybelle @ferskner

Librarybelle I liked this one! 5y
ferskner I need to start this series! 5y
20 likes2 comments
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Lexicon1982
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Pickpick

A great start to the Maggie Hope mystery series! This debut book has spies and WWII suspense, women making their way in the world, some historical fiction, a little mystery with the main character Maggie herself...very entertaining! I really liked that although Maggie is an educated woman in 1940‘s Britain, she still was a product of the times and had to navigate the beginning of women entering the workforce during the war. 4 out of 5 stars!

Librarybelle My mystery book group at the library read this one and loved it! A few of the members have since read the rest in the books in the series thus far. 5y
17 likes1 comment
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Booknerd2
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Pickpick

I found a new series!!! So much British history at the start of WWII. Throw in some romance and a mystery. I‘m hooked. 💜💜💜 Somewhat similar to Maisie Dobbs series.

Booknerd2 Thank you @rretzler for the recommendation. 😊 5y
Crazeedi I've read 3 of them 5y
Booknerd2 @Crazeedi Are they good? 5y
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Crazeedi @Booknerd2 I really liked the ones I read, not sure how many there are, the first 2 were better than 3rd if I remember correctly, it's been a couple years I think. Books start running together! Lol😉 5y
rretzler You‘re quite welcome. If I remember correctly, there was one around the 3rd or 4th (maybe the 5th) that wasn‘t quite as good, then they picked up again. The last one (8th) was a little different but good, and the 9th comes out next February. 5y
Booknerd2 @rretzler Good to know. Thanks again for the rec!!! 5y
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DivineDiana
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Cinfhen We visited the Churchill War Rooms on our recent trip to London so I can perfectly visualize where the secretary sat. It was really cool to see the big world maps pinned up on the walls and all the little pushpins marking their path. 5y
BarbaraBB Lots of London Calling in that one probably! 5y
DivineDiana @Cinfhen How fantastic! ❤️ (edited) 5y
DivineDiana @BarbaraBB That‘s what I‘m thinking! ❤️ 5y
70 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Sharpeipup
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Halfway through week 3 of #bfc just completed another gym workout. Yoga up next!
#bookishfitnesschallenge #audiobook

26 likes1 stack add
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BookishMarginalia
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Pickpick

I devoured this first installment of the #MaggieHope mystery series.

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SassyBookworm
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My library posted this today! Thought it would be fun to see what some of your favorite book series are!

The tagged book is the first in one of my favorite series!
I also love, Maisie Dobbs by Jacquline Winspear, The Great Library series by Rachel Caine, Magic & Mixology series by Gina LaManna, Caraval series by Stephanie Garber, and Veronica Speedwell by Deanna Raybourn just to name a few!

#SassyBookworm😏 #FavoriteBookSeries #LateNightThoughts

See All 11 Comments
baes Outlander here too! 5y
julesG So many great series. One of my favourites is 5y
jb72 A Witchcraft Mystery is a favorite series of mine. Lily is such a great character. 5y
Red.Reads The Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. Wonderful series, and a truly magnificent lead character. 5y
The_Real_Nani The All Souls Trilogy! 5y
LauraRenae It‘s crazy but Twilight. Good nostalgia since I read them as a teen 😊 5y
Sapphire Enders Game 5y
71 likes11 comments
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Nebklvr
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Mehso-so

An intriguing mystery where the story lies in the fault lines of “united” Britain. The mystery unfolds in the shady fascists and IRA agents who are working to bring down England from within her own domain. I felt drug not propelled through the story.

Crazeedi I read this series, thought it was ok, the first couple were better, then went downhill 5y
Nebklvr @Crazeedi I like the Maisie Dobb series better 5y
Crazeedi @Nebklvr oh I do too for sure!!! 5y
48 likes3 comments
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Jaimelire
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Pickpick

Good little book. I will probably read more from this series. I have an obsession with England/WWII fiction stories. This fed my craving for this type of fiction.

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Jaimelire
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This rainy day seems perfect to start a new book. I sure hope it‘s better than my last one. I have been busy with back to school chaos; I need something good to read during those few precious moments I have to sit and relax.🤞🏼

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Skeebies05
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Pickpick

Yes! I finally finished a book! Its been a month. I liked this book so much I ordered the second one in the series for Amazon same day delivery 📦

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Librarybelle
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Pickpick

MacNeal transports readers to 1940 London in this first of the Maggie Hope mystery series. Light on the mystery, but heavy on historical detail. I think I enjoyed it more for the historical value than the mystery. Some of the scenes seemed a little too clean cut, but overall an enjoyable read. I plan to continue reading the series. And, my mystery group tonight liked it!

robinb I liked this too, but am hoping for even more as I get more into the series. 😊 6y
kspenmoll Enjoyed this series. Listened to it on audio. 6y
91 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Librarybelle
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My next two reads are book discussion and book swap reads. First up is this for my mystery discussion. I love historical mysteries, so I hope this is a good one!

Suetara The Maggie Hope books are wonderful. Hope you enjoy! 6y
Mollyanna I enjoyed this one! Maggie Hope is a great heroine. 6y
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Librarybelle @Mollyanna I‘m really enjoying the historical context so far. Maggie is fun too! 6y
Andrew65 I enjoyed this too, will be interested to see what you think. 6y
Librarybelle @Andrew65 So far so good! 6y
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Skeebies05
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I‘m going to try this one. I have been so horribly depressed. It has been hard to read. I will try to post more so my fall swap can get some ideas. ☺️

Mariposa_Bookworm I hope that you feel better soon. I myself am not adjusting well to a recent move. I spend more time in tears than I do reading. It will get better. I‘ll send positive energy your way. Be encouraged! 💕 6y
Skeebies05 @Mariposa_Bookworm I hope you feel better as well. It will get better for both of us. Hang in there!! 💜💜 6y
17 likes2 comments
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robinb
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Pickpick

I liked this beginning to the series but admit it began a little slowly for me. It (and the plot) picked up as I figured out all the characters and became more invested. Centers on German air raids on the British and the spy operations going on there (both Nazi and IRA). Our heroine is a young, brilliant mathematician who aids the war effort as one of Churchill‘s secretaries but becomes much more than that. Happy to see where this goes. 4/5⭐️

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robinb
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FINALLY! Been meaning to start this series forever, and I‘m getting to it now. 😊

My first official loan from my new Libby app...yay!!! 📚🎉

DivineDiana It‘s a series?!? 6y
robinb @DivineDiana Yes, there are currently 6 of them. I‘ve also been meaning to get to the Maisie Dobbs series....🤷🏻‍♀️ 6y
DivineDiana Thank you! Good to know! I have been wanting to try the Maisie Dobbs series as well. 😊 6y
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robinb @DivineDiana 👍👍😊 6y
eanderson I just started using Libby too! I can't believe I didn't know about this sooner. 6y
robinb @eanderson I know!!! So easy...I feel like I‘ve had my head in the sand. 🙄🤷🏻‍♀️ Where have I been??! 6y
62 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Andrew65
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Week 10/52 2018 - #BookStats
4 Finished (top line), 1544 Pages Read

#LitsyAtoZ 1 (10/26)
#MountTBRChallenge 0 (5/52)
#YearoftheChunkster 0 (9/26)
#SeriesUptoDate 0 (5/20)
#SeriesFinished 0 (1/20)
#ListyPassport 0 (1/12)

4 Currently Reading (bottom line)

SilversReviews Nice collage. 6y
Andrew65 @SilversReviews Thanks 😊 6y
64 likes2 comments
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Andrew65
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Pickpick

Had to think long and hard about this one. Really enjoyed the opening parts of it but felt it lost it‘s way a little for me as the book progressed, partially because there were a lot of characters to keep hold of and I was doing it by Audio. You never think about the IRA being active during the Second World War on the UK mainland so I thought it was a cleverly written book & overall I did enjoy it and would just about put it as a pick, ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Andrew65 Will continue with the series if I can get hold of them. 6y
[DELETED] 3803335244 I gave it 3 stars so we are in close proximity. 😂 but I‘m not moving on in the series.🙁See this is why I‘m glad you read it! Mine was on audio. I wonder if that made the difference. Recently I listened to a book but felt I missed details, so I read it & loved it! Sometimes it makes a difference. 6y
Andrew65 @ForeverNerdy It definitely does make the difference for some books. Some I start on Audio & can‘t really get into but love it when I read physical copies, others suit Audio very well (e.g. Marian Keyes books). I always tend to give a series two books unless I really didn‘t like the first book, read a lot of series where the first book didn‘t sell it but second books have sold me on a series. Others great first book that they then don‘t live up to 6y
69 likes3 comments
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Andrew65
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Started listening to Mr Churchill‘s Secretary on my commute to work today, have wanted to read this for a long time. Enjoyed the opening of the book #LitsyAtoZ @DivaDiane

[DELETED] 3803335244 I enjoyed the beginning too! Really pulls you in. I‘m hoping you enjoy the rest of the book more than I did. 6y
DivaDiane Is this a #MountTBR too? 6y
AndiM I have this on the go at the moment, but the book. About 10% in 😉 6y
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Andrew65 @AndiM I‘m about 23% in now. Hopefully it keeps up with my thoughts at moment bit know @ForeverNerdy was disappointed with the second half of the book so the jury is still out at the moment. 6y
Andrew65 @DivaDiane Yes it should be a #MountTBR too. 😊 6y
AndiM @Andrew65 it doesn't have wonderful reviews on Goodreads either, average 3.5 stars, but I will keep at it. I have a couple on the go atm so I will review it when done😉🖒. Hope that you enjoy it. 6y
Andrew65 @AndiM Thanks, will let you know my thoughts when I finish it. 👍 6y
AndiM @Andrew65 look forward to it 🙂 6y
[DELETED] 3803335244 Oh my goodness! My comment kept disappearing so I kept trying ☺️ too funny. Sorry, I erased 2 of them. Lol 😂 (edited) 6y
Andrew65 @ForeverNerdy I‘ve done that before too. 😂 6y
BookishMe I noticed it's on my GR TBR ;)) 6y
70 likes4 stack adds11 comments
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SassyBookworm
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@mrozzz Maggie Hope is my favorite book series! I could read these books over and over again! It has all the elements in a book that I love! I love mysteries, I love WWII books, I love just about anything British 🇬🇧, and I love the main character being a strong smart independent woman!

Thanks again for the opportunity for such a great #giveaway

#cleartheshelvesgiveaway

103 likes2 stack adds
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kspenmoll
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#audiobook #EdgarAllanPoe #mysteries #detectivestories
Love when reading, or in this case, listening to a book,(tagged book) another book I am reading is mentioned. One character, Murphy, who is with the IRA, says to his 2 other cell members in regards to his explaining he is “ hiding in plain sight”: “ Rather like Poe‘s Purloined Letter” - one of the short stories I am reading this weekend. ❤️📚🎧

[DELETED] 3803335244 I just started reading this! ❤️ 6y
kspenmoll @ForeverNerdy I enjoyed it! Let me know what you think. 6y
68 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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Lreads
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A day late for #friyayintro @jesshowbooks
1. Nope. Although someone mentioned Pink was singing the anthem so maybe I can catch just that part.
2. 18°F
3. Thinking about reading Mr. Churchill's Secretary. Or Lost Book Of The Grail if I can find it at the bookstore.
4. I want to see the Pacific or Atlantic ocean.
5. Done! ✋

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julesG
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Pickpick

Finished the audiobook this morning. I quite liked it. Still, I think I should read, as in with my own eyes, the next book in the series. Some things don't work that well on audio (coded messages, for example).

celtichik Almost finished watching Season 2 of the Crown, this might be a good go to after wrapping it up. 6y
julesG @celtichik Now I'm wondering whether I've seen season two yet. Probably not. 6y
celtichik It was just released last Friday, it was a little slow for me early on, but reveals a lot of Phillip ' s character as well as the first 10 years or so of their marriage. Adding the Phillip bio to my list as well. 6y
julesG @celtichik Well then I'm going to put it on my TBW 😉. 6y
68 likes4 comments
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julesG
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Spend the afternoon at a birthday party. Had too much coffee and cake. Now I want to play with the cat, watch TV and read at the same time. Help!

Okay. Play while listening to an audiobook might work.

Kaye I say eat another slab of cake for me. I love cake and have only had one piece in 2017. That is what I‘m asking Santa for. Cake and a Fork. 6y
Tanzy13 🐱 6y
julesG @Kaye Will let Santa know. 😉 6y
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Dolly @Kaye I had only one piece also. It was my whole birthday cake that I didn't cut so technically it was only one piece right? 6y
julesG @Dolly Counts as one piece. So should definitely have another one. 6y
Dolly 😂😂😂 6y
Kaye @Dolly. I like your thinking. My piece was the size of a playing card. I should have tried your idea, but it wasn‘t my cake. 🙁 6y
68 likes7 comments
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julesG
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Threw this together and lit the first candle, one candle for each Sunday in Advent - not exactly an Advent wreath but wasn't sure how the cat would handle fir tree twigs.

#audiobook while decorating (of a sort, I don't have a deco-gene)

#historicalfiction

#reindeerreads @Jess7

Cathythoughts Very lovely. & I‘d say cats would have no interest 😉 6y
julesG @Cathythoughts Probably not tasty. Well, I can still get some greens next week. 6y
Lcsmcat My cat leaves the Advent wreath alone, but he‘d grab those beads and run at the first opportunity! 😀 6y
Yellowpigeon I can only have fakes (allergic) but my cat loves to snack on it.. . She's not very smart 6y
julesG @Lcsmcat After singing her whiskers the cat left the whole arrangement alone. 6y
61 likes5 comments
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SassyBookworm
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I absolutely LOVE this series!!! I totally wish I could start it all over again not knowing what all I know now!!! This book & the rest of the series is the perfect #feelslikethefirsttime for me!!! #giveaway

CarolynM I have a copy of this which I've never gotten around to. I will have to bump it up the TBR list! 6y
Jas16 This sounds like a great series. I will have to add it to my TBR. 6y
SassyBookworm @CarolynM @Jas16 yes definitely add to your TBR lists!!! I stumbled upon this series while looking for books similar to the Maisie Dobbs series. Though this series has become my favorite & I have read all 7 books & am anxiously waiting the next installment to come out next August!!! Hope you both love it as much as I do!!! 6y
89 likes12 stack adds3 comments
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rjsthumbelina
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Pickpick

I'm not going to say this book was perfect. But I did love it a whole lot. The plotting was very strong (even when the characterization lacked a little) and there were plenty of twists and turns. I thought the history was very well done - I definitely feel like I know more about Churchill and his officials during the war than I did before reading it. I will continue with the series, for sure (49)

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rjsthumbelina
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Let's see if I can finish this book, despite my body's best efforts to stop me...terrible sinus headache, you won't beat me! Sick day on the couch, so let's see how much I get read. Less than 2 days to finish it before I go back on the library's waitlist

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rjsthumbelina
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I have to say, I'm getting a bit annoyed. I love the plot, but the characters keep almost breaking character! They do/say things that are unlike them, then 2 pgs later are back to their old selves. It's happened twice now (2 different characters), and it's really starting to annoy. Once is forgivable. Twice, I'm not so sure about

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rjsthumbelina
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Just 20% in, and I'm impressed by all the different plot pieces being woven together. Clearly Margot is not as impressed as I am...😉📚

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PurpleyPumpkin
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Pickpick

I gave this 1st book in the Maggie Hope series 4/5⭐️. Well-written with good character & plot development, this novel takes place during the early days of WWII. Maggie, born in England but raised in the US, finds herself back in England & employed as PM Churchill's secretary. With friends & colleagues, she works against the Nazis & the IRA to protect Britain. Maggie was an engaging & brilliant protagonist. Will definitely read more in this series.

mrsmarch It just gets better!!!' 7y
PurpleyPumpkin @mrsmarch 👍🏽😉 7y
63 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Graciouswarriorprincess
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Thank you to @Marmie7 for these great books! I haven‘t read them and the bookmark is marvelous! And that candle is truly superb! Thanks to @cobwebmoth for organizing this! #letsgetcozy

drokka 👍😍 7y
Marmie7 Hope you enjoy the books- they both sounded so interesting! Let me know if they are good😁 You're welcome! 7y
Graciouswarriorprincess @Marmie7 I will, thanks again!😉 7y
See All 6 Comments
mabell Cute wrapping! The books sound great 👍 7y
73 likes6 comments
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Amie
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Mehso-so

Too much telling, too much melodrama, and too many history lectures awkwardly forced into the narrative. Thankfully these issues decreased as the book progressed and it ended up being fairly decent toward the end. I will eventually try the next book in the series to see if the writing gets better.

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Nute
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The only acceptable action to decreased playtime is book sharing. It's her turn now. Love that puppy!

Sace She's adorable! 😍❤️😍 7y
GypsyKat So cute!!! 😍 7y
Nute @Gypsykat @RestlessFickleBookSlut Thanks. She definitely pulls on the heartstrings. 7y
38 likes3 comments
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Bklover
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My pick for #followtheclues is Maggie Hope. I have only read this one, which is the first in the series, but this promises to be a fun series!

#backtoreading

JoeStalksBeck ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️‼️👏👏👏 7y
Amie I've been intending to read this series for awhile now and can't ever seem to get to it. I'm glad to hear that the first one is good. 7y
Bklover @amie I just ordered the second one from ThriftBooks. We'll see how it holds up. 😉 7y
Suetara I love this series so much. (edited) 7y
Bklover @Suetara I'm so glad- I just ordered the second one! 7y
77 likes1 stack add5 comments
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Bklover
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Pickpick

Fun series starter. Light historical mystery. Enjoyed it!

Beckys_Books That sounds good and similar to my current read. 7y
Bklover @Beckys_Books I'll have to check that one out- thanks! 7y
86 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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katycronk
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1. Houston!
2. Nope
3. Book Riot Insiders 😁
4. I'm working on finishing a series and then...who knows?
5. I'm skipping in NaNoWriMo for Readathon this weekend
6. I'm @katycronk everywhere but mainly Litsy, Twitter, and Instagram

#24in48 #readathon #AmReading

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Jennivardier
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Pickpick

An enjoyable historical fiction set during World War II. I really enjoyed trying to figure out who was spying on who and what everyone was up to!

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Moonpa
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Two finds from my library's used book store

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DivineDiana
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World War II novel with a female mathematician as a sleuth in the War Rooms of London. #TBR #maybookflowers #war

erzascarletbookgasm Sounds intriguing:) 7y
DivineDiana @erzascarletbookgasm That's exactly what I thought! And I liked the cover ! 😉 7y
69 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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PatienceFortitude
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Pickpick

The Maggie Hope WWII mysteries are such great historical fiction! Solid mysteries, too! Start with Mr. Churchill's Secretary and binge read! 😍📚⭐️

17 likes1 stack add