Tightrope

We found the story to be an engrossing story of unrequited love and the continual flirtation with the headiness of adventure. Marian remains a compelling heroine, whose many contradictions are all believable. Those 2 years changed and defined who she was for the rest of her life. The uncertainty of the Cold War turning into a perfect hunting ground for someone of her mentality. Inspiration for Marian is very clearly the well-documented exploits of the real-life women of the SOE.

Two years after parachuting into south-west France, Marian has now returned to England. On the one hand, she's still haunted by her experiences of betrayal and capture. On the other, back home being fussed over by parents seems soul-crushingly dull and overwhelmingly strange, as if normal British life were just her latest cover story. Nor in drab post-war Britain is there much call for the talents she has to offer: among them, the ability to kill people and to strip and assemble a Sten gun blindfolded.

But she is soon drawn back into a dark world of deception and double-crossing, this time desperately trying to protect those she loves from the Cold War attentions of both the Russians and the Brits.

Submitted by Donaghadee Reading Group