Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 7
First Line: Half an hour before Diana Snyder died, she tidied up her desk in the typists' office of the Cabinet War Rooms.
Margaret Hope postpones her Ph.D. studies in advanced mathematics at M.I.T. in order to travel across the Atlantic to sell her deceased grandmother's London home. Winston Churchill has just been sworn in as Prime Minister, war rages across the Channel, and the threat of invasion looms larger each and every day. Margaret finds herself impressed by the spirit and attitude of the English in buckling down to do what must be done-- especially in the face of what Hitler represents to the world-- and she decides to stay to do her part.
Although she graduated at the top of her class and has all the prerequisites for a job with British Intelligence, the only job she can get is as a lowly typist in the offices of the Prime Minister. But even insignificant typists have access to the War Rooms, and Maggie's job exposes her to the machinations of those who are determined to change the course of history.
Once I started Mr. Churchill's Secretary, I could not put the book down. MacNeal created a wonderful cast of characters inhabiting Maggie's house and place of employment, and since there are people wanting to use her for their own ends, there's the added spice of reading and trying to identify the spies, wherever they may be.
Churchill plays a very small role in the book, and-- as is appropriate for someone with his talent and wit-- he provides one of the best lines in the book when meeting Margaret Hope for the first time: "Yes. We must have hope in this office." Maggie is an excellent character. She's naive-- not used to the spy business at all-- but she's quick-witted, and MacNeal keeps her true to character by not turning this sheltered college graduate into Lara Croft at the first sign of danger.
As the pieces are put into place, the reader is immersed in life in London during the Blitz, and by the time those pieces are all where they should be, the action takes off like a house afire. I haven't had this much enjoyment in reading a book for quite a while, and I'm most certainly looking forward to the next book in the series, Princess Elizabeth's Spy.
Margaret Hope postpones her Ph.D. studies in advanced mathematics at M.I.T. in order to travel across the Atlantic to sell her deceased grandmother's London home. Winston Churchill has just been sworn in as Prime Minister, war rages across the Channel, and the threat of invasion looms larger each and every day. Margaret finds herself impressed by the spirit and attitude of the English in buckling down to do what must be done-- especially in the face of what Hitler represents to the world-- and she decides to stay to do her part.
Although she graduated at the top of her class and has all the prerequisites for a job with British Intelligence, the only job she can get is as a lowly typist in the offices of the Prime Minister. But even insignificant typists have access to the War Rooms, and Maggie's job exposes her to the machinations of those who are determined to change the course of history.
Once I started Mr. Churchill's Secretary, I could not put the book down. MacNeal created a wonderful cast of characters inhabiting Maggie's house and place of employment, and since there are people wanting to use her for their own ends, there's the added spice of reading and trying to identify the spies, wherever they may be.
Churchill plays a very small role in the book, and-- as is appropriate for someone with his talent and wit-- he provides one of the best lines in the book when meeting Margaret Hope for the first time: "Yes. We must have hope in this office." Maggie is an excellent character. She's naive-- not used to the spy business at all-- but she's quick-witted, and MacNeal keeps her true to character by not turning this sheltered college graduate into Lara Croft at the first sign of danger.
As the pieces are put into place, the reader is immersed in life in London during the Blitz, and by the time those pieces are all where they should be, the action takes off like a house afire. I haven't had this much enjoyment in reading a book for quite a while, and I'm most certainly looking forward to the next book in the series, Princess Elizabeth's Spy.
Rebecca R. (Waterlogged) reviewed Mr. Churchill's Secretary (Maggie Hope, Bk 1) on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
This first novel of the series was great fun. I think somewhere along the line Maggie Hope may find out she is related to Maisie Dobbs. Like the Maisie series, Maggie is a protagonist enmeshed in the historic events of her time. I love how the men around her, locked into their traditionalist perspectives, repeatedly underestimate her. I also like how she questions her own emotions, making her a relatable heroine. Can't wait for more in the series.
Alice J. (ASJ) -
Helpful Score: 5
Absolutly excellent. Wonderful glimpse into 1940 wartime London. The fear of air raids described very well. Loved the way Winston Churchill was portrayed. Main Character Maggie was well written and complex. Supporting cast even the villians were well done. I believe this is a start to an awesome new series.
Joy L. (vintagejoy) -
Helpful Score: 4
I hate to be the dissenting view, as everyone seems to like the book. But I found myself not liking the main characters much at all. Not even the MC. The story was confusing to me with several different new characters added early, and a bunch of catastrophes taking place in what appear to be entirely individual happenings that don't seem to add up to anything. Just did not like it. I also did not like the language being thrown around; to me it didn't seem necessary to the story.
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Helpful Score: 3
An interesting mystery. However, there were three major historical errors I had problems with.
First, by the time period in which this mystery takes place, the British had most, if not all, German spies under their control. Soon, they would have them all. Yet the author has them still operating for Germany in the story. The story also has the Germans knowing, through a spy, that the British were working on their codes and knew of the Enigma machine. The British knowledge of the Enigma machine was one of the best kept secrets of the war and the Germans never knew it was broken, as they believed it was unbreakable. Fortunately, brilliant Polish mathematicians had reversed-engineered the Enigma before the war began. And the Poles shared this knowledge with the French and British.
Second, the heroine at one point goes back to her house and makes a quick overseas call to her aunt in the United States. Not possible. Even after the war, overseas' calls, for most people, required making an 'appointment' for the callers to be connected. During the war, unless you had official permission, you had to apply to make a call overseas, and it was usually denied.
And third, one of the men close to the prime minister was an almost openly gay man. Not only was this "sexual persuasion" illegal at the time, but it was also deemed a great security risk. Not that there were not gay men working at the highest levels, but none of them were as openly gay as this character.
Despite this, the World War II background caught my attention and I have the second in the series on my WL.
First, by the time period in which this mystery takes place, the British had most, if not all, German spies under their control. Soon, they would have them all. Yet the author has them still operating for Germany in the story. The story also has the Germans knowing, through a spy, that the British were working on their codes and knew of the Enigma machine. The British knowledge of the Enigma machine was one of the best kept secrets of the war and the Germans never knew it was broken, as they believed it was unbreakable. Fortunately, brilliant Polish mathematicians had reversed-engineered the Enigma before the war began. And the Poles shared this knowledge with the French and British.
Second, the heroine at one point goes back to her house and makes a quick overseas call to her aunt in the United States. Not possible. Even after the war, overseas' calls, for most people, required making an 'appointment' for the callers to be connected. During the war, unless you had official permission, you had to apply to make a call overseas, and it was usually denied.
And third, one of the men close to the prime minister was an almost openly gay man. Not only was this "sexual persuasion" illegal at the time, but it was also deemed a great security risk. Not that there were not gay men working at the highest levels, but none of them were as openly gay as this character.
Despite this, the World War II background caught my attention and I have the second in the series on my WL.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Mr. Churchill's Secretary (Maggie Hope, Bk 1) on + 1451 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Winston Churchill makes short abbreviated appearances in this novel which are so much like his filmed appearances that I smiled. His described walk, his quotes, and his personality seem to come through the words on the pages. And, the secretary, Maggie Hope, is a lively intelligent heroine who has a knack for unraveling code to aid the British.
Maggie had English parents who were killed in an auto accident so she was raised by an aunt in America. However, she knows little more about her parents. She loves mathematics and is set to attend MIT when she learns that her grandmother in England has died. A grandmother she didn't know she had! In addition, she has inherited grandmother's home but needs to go there to sell it. Meanwhile, the Nazis are rampaging over Europe. Is England next?
Off to England to sell her inheritance, she discovers that the house doesn't sell. While she waits, she moves into it and finds roommates to share expenses and looks for looks for work. The prime minister's secretary is murdered and Maggie is hired as a typist through the influence of a young English friend. Eventually she becomes his secretary. Maggie falls in love with England and wants to do her part to save this wonderful country from the Nazis.
As the Nazis bomb London she becomes involved in decoding a message in a newspaper and realizes that the prime minister is at risk in some way. The rest of the message is difficult to understand but has a far reaching impact as well. The adventure begins and Maggie skirts death herself. In addition, she manages to visit her mother's grave but cannot find where her father is buried. Where is he? As she investigates the past it becomes tangled with the present. Check out this one for yourself to answer Maggie's questions and enjoy a good, good read.
Maggie had English parents who were killed in an auto accident so she was raised by an aunt in America. However, she knows little more about her parents. She loves mathematics and is set to attend MIT when she learns that her grandmother in England has died. A grandmother she didn't know she had! In addition, she has inherited grandmother's home but needs to go there to sell it. Meanwhile, the Nazis are rampaging over Europe. Is England next?
Off to England to sell her inheritance, she discovers that the house doesn't sell. While she waits, she moves into it and finds roommates to share expenses and looks for looks for work. The prime minister's secretary is murdered and Maggie is hired as a typist through the influence of a young English friend. Eventually she becomes his secretary. Maggie falls in love with England and wants to do her part to save this wonderful country from the Nazis.
As the Nazis bomb London she becomes involved in decoding a message in a newspaper and realizes that the prime minister is at risk in some way. The rest of the message is difficult to understand but has a far reaching impact as well. The adventure begins and Maggie skirts death herself. In addition, she manages to visit her mother's grave but cannot find where her father is buried. Where is he? As she investigates the past it becomes tangled with the present. Check out this one for yourself to answer Maggie's questions and enjoy a good, good read.
Helpful Score: 1
Fun read--lightweight historical fiction, but it gives you a feel for being in London during the Blitz. Likeable main character. The plot keeps moving and twisting, though it defies believability.
It was a decent read but not great. I liked the historical references but sometimes I felt like they were thrown in for no reason. And Maggie got out of her life threatening situations a little too easily every time. I'll give the second book a try and hope for the best.
Quick easy read with some history, romance, and mystery thrown in.
Susan W. (Susan55) - , reviewed Mr. Churchill's Secretary (Maggie Hope, Bk 1) on + 51 more book reviews
In the tradition of Ken Follett's JACKDAWS this book is about the female role in espionage during WWII. Really good read.
Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed Mr. Churchill's Secretary (Maggie Hope, Bk 1) on + 885 more book reviews
Interesting look at wartime London during the air raids by the Germans. A young typist is assigned to PM Churchill's staff. But there's a mystery surrounding her "not so dead" father that leads her into danger. Good read! Looking forward to reading the next book.
Karen S. (MKSbooklady) reviewed Mr. Churchill's Secretary (Maggie Hope, Bk 1) on + 989 more book reviews
I was surprised at how much I liked this book. Enough twists and historical facts to make it interesting. This is the first in this series, planning on reading more.
Patricia L. (LadyMicha) reviewed Mr. Churchill's Secretary (Maggie Hope, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
I really liked the way the plot continued to surprise me. Maggie Hope is a strong, believable character.
Excellent book, loved the time period since I've been obsessed lately with anything to do with WWII. Churchill's appearances with his wit and humor made the book real and compelling and I just loved the brilliant Maggie! Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Loved this book especially that fact that it also was a bit of history. Waiting for the book 2.
Linda R. (wolfie123) - , reviewed Mr. Churchill's Secretary (Maggie Hope, Bk 1) on + 421 more book reviews
I enjoyed this, the first in the Maggie Hope series. Maggie has postponed her PhD in mathematics to return to England to settle an estate during WW II.....she finds herself working for Winston Churchill as a typist....far below her qualifications.....she does however manage to decipher a secret code and becomes embroiled in a spy catching trap....I did have to keep referring to a list of characters I had written, because there were many introduced quickly in the beginning of the book.....I have already requested the next books in the series.....
Ripping yarn about a brilliant young British-American woman who becomes involved in WW2 derring do. Reading this book is very much like watching one of those really great British period historical/mystery series. The author made an excellent attempt to give the flavor of the times. I would recommend it as an entertaining read.
I have not read it yet. I'm saving it for a trip I'm taking.
