The Alice Network

Book Cover
Average Rating
Publisher
Varies, see individual formats and editions
Publication Date
2017.
Language
English

Description

Don’t miss the thrilling new novel from Kate Quinn, The Briar Club, coming July 9th!

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller

An NPR's Best Book of the Year 

A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick!

The 2017 Girly Book Club Book of the Year!

A Summer Book Pick from Good Housekeeping, Parade, Library Journal, Goodreads, Liz and Lisa, and BookBub

In this enthralling novel from New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn, two women—a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947—are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption.

1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She's also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie's parents banish her to Europe to have her "little problem" taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.

1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she's recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she's trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the "Queen of Spies", who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy's nose.

Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn't heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth...no matter where it leads.

“Both funny and heartbreaking, this epic journey of two courageous women is an unforgettable tale of little-known wartime glory and sacrifice. Quinn knocks it out of the park with this spectacular book!”—Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of America's First Daughter

More Details

Contributors
Maarleveld, Saskia narrator., nrt, Narrator
Quinn, Kate Author
ISBN
9780062654199
9780062654205
9781432839406
9780062676627
9780062676603
UPC
9780062676627

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Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
We recommend The War Widow for readers who enjoyed The Alice Network. Both descriptive historical fiction novels set post-World War II star strong female characters investigating mysteries. -- Kaitlin Conner
Strong female protagonists in 20th century Europe uncover secrets and help their countries during war in these intricately plotted and richly detailed historical fiction titles. -- Bethany Dietrich
Readers intrigued by the story of Eve's harrowing adventures as a spy during World War I may enjoy reading about a real female spy during World War II in the nonfiction account Code Name: Lise. -- Halle Carlson
Told through multiple narratives during and after the World Wars, both of these compelling, character-driven novels highlight the courageous escapades of female spies and attempt to solve the mysteries surrounding their disappearances. -- Kristine Sandy
Featuring the adventures of female spies during the Great War (the character-driven Alice Network) and World War II (the plot-driven Jackdaws), these dramatic stories combine derring-do, life-or-death stakes, and some truly nasty villains. -- Mike Nilsson
Both historical novels are inspired by true stories of courageous women (American heiress during WWII, Mary Jane Gold in Postmistress; WWI spy Louise de Bettignies in Alice) who risked their lives for others. Both are descriptive, compelling, and richly detailed. -- Andrienne Cruz
Blending spy fiction and family drama, these historical novels focus on women involved in wartime espionage whose postwar lives are haunted by secrets, lies, and life-threatening betrayals. Chapters alternate between past and present, revealing links between the books' parallel narratives. -- NoveList Contributor
Dual timelines tell the stories of wartime aggression and possible payback. While Atkinson's Transcription has a sardonic and suspenseful tone, Quinn's The Alice Network presents the reader with a richly detailed and compelling style. -- Shannon Haddock
Though The Alice Network is set partially during World War I and The Nightingale takes place during World War II, both of these moving historical novels star women who face enormous danger as they act as spies in France during wartime. -- Halle Carlson
Plot twists aplenty abound in both riveting stories starring young women embroiled in wartime espionage. Readers will be intrigued by the unlikely friendships in each complex story populated with characters readers will care about. Both blend historical fiction with mystery. -- Kathy Stewart
These richly detailed historical novels feature parallel narratives where concerned women travel to London to look for clues regarding female relatives who disappeared during World War II. Both stories will appeal to fans of mysteries and women's fiction. -- Andrienne Cruz
Although The Alice Network's dual narrative covers the Great War and the more linear Trapeze is set during World War II, both suspenseful historical novels draw on real-life examples of female spies to present richly detailed portraits of espionage organizations. -- NoveList Contributor

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Ariel Lawhon and Kate Quinn write compelling historical novels full of rich detail. Whether set in ancient Rome or Europe during one of the World Wars, their flawed but courageous heroines often find themselves integral to resolving a central conflict using their intelligence and acumen. -- Halle Carlson
Chris Bohjalian and Kate Quinn write suspenseful historical fiction and thrillers that share an intricately plotted style, complex, flawed characters, and a strong sense of place. Quinn's stories are witty and richly detailed, while Bohjalian's are reflective and angst-filled. -- Mary Olson
These authors' works have the appeal factors parallel narratives.
These authors' works have the appeal factors romantic, and they have the genre "family sagas"; and the subjects "world war ii," "english history," and "british history."
These authors' works have the genres "historical thrillers" and "christian historical fiction"; and the subjects "world war ii" and "spies."
These authors' works have the appeal factors cinematic and multiple perspectives, and they have the genre "historical thrillers"; and the subject "world war ii."
These authors' works have the appeal factors cinematic, strong sense of place, and sweeping, and they have the genres "historical thrillers" and "family sagas."
These authors' works have the appeal factors cinematic, evocative, and multiple perspectives, and they have the genres "historical fiction" and "historical thrillers"; the subject "british history"; and characters that are "authentic characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors romantic, and they have the subjects "spies" and "london, england history."
These authors' works have the appeal factors parallel narratives.
These authors' works have the subjects "world war ii," "british history," and "spies."
These authors' works have the subjects "women spies," "world war ii," and "espionage."

Published Reviews

Library Journal Review

In May 1947, Charlotte "Charlie" St. Clair and her mother have crossed the Atlantic so the unwed Charlie can discreetly end her pregnancy in a Swiss clinic. A chance to search for her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared during World War II, gives Charlie the courage to break free and head to London. Rose may have been involved in the French Resistance, and her last known connection was a woman named Eve, who carries her own war secrets. Even with the background detail given at the novel's outset, there is so much more to learn as these characters are thoughtfully developed through interior decision making and the actions they take. Allowing Charlie to describe present events, while Eve shares her experience as an English spy for the real-life Alice Network during World War I, creates a fascinating tension that intensifies as the finale approaches. VERDICT A compelling blend of historical fiction, mystery, and women's fiction, Quinn's ("Empress of Rome" series) complex story and engaging characters have something to offer just about everyone. [See "Summer Escapes," LJ 5/15/17.]-Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Library Journal Reviews

Those looking for intrigue and danger in their summer fiction may be drawn to Quinn's (Mistress of Rome) latest, already generating positive early buzz. Featuring a time line split between a woman desperately seeking her cousin in 1947 postwar France and the doings of the "Alice Network" of female spies during World War I, this fast-paced story offers courageous heroines, villains you love to hate, and dramatic life-or-death stakes.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal.
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Library Journal Reviews

In May 1947, Charlotte "Charlie" St. Clair and her mother have crossed the Atlantic so the unwed Charlie can discreetly end her pregnancy in a Swiss clinic. A chance to search for her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared during World War II, gives Charlie the courage to break free and head to London. Rose may have been involved in the French Resistance, and her last known connection was a woman named Eve, who carries her own war secrets. Even with the background detail given at the novel's outset, there is so much more to learn as these characters are thoughtfully developed through interior decision making and the actions they take. Allowing Charlie to describe present events, while Eve shares her experience as an English spy for the real-life Alice Network during World War I, creates a fascinating tension that intensifies as the finale approaches. VERDICT A compelling blend of historical fiction, mystery, and women's fiction, Quinn's ("Empress of Rome" series) complex story and engaging characters have something to offer just about everyone. [See "Summer Escapes," LJ 5/15/17.]—Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH

Copyright 2017 Library Journal.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal.
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Library Journal Reviews

Pregnant and uncertain of her future, a desperate Charlie investigates her cousin's disappearance during World War II—a probe that soon uncovers secrets about a vast network of female spies during World War I. (LJ 6/1/17)

Copyright 2018 Library Journal.

Copyright 2018 Library Journal.
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