It is 1962 and 19-year-old Celia Duchesne lives with her parents and works in a London antiquarian bookshop. While the fear of nuclear war is on her mind, she yearns to break free of her strict parents and dreams of having a real career. When the bookshop is sold to a divorced woman from California, Celia is given more responsibility as the new owner appears to have little interest in the business and has people coming through the store with their visits having nothing to do with book buying. One is a handsome man also from California who works for the American Embassy and intrigues Celia. At the same time, Celia finds a file about a woman named Jeannie Duchesne, code name Anya, who was murdered during WWII. Who was Jeannie and why has Celia never heard her name before?
I have read both of author Louise Fein's previous books and was excited to read The London Bookshop Affair. This dual-timeline story takes place during WWII and primarily during the Cold War, culminating with the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Cold War was a scary period. (I remember the days of fall-out shelters and air raid drills in school.) Fein's excellent research has resulted in strong fictional characters inspired by real-life members of the resistance and spies during these years, providing a compelling story centered around a smart and ambitious young woman.
A solid historical fiction read. With a beautiful cover.
Rated 4 out of 5 stars.
Historical Fiction.
Publication Date: January 16, 2024.
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