The French Spymistress, Rachel Hore
The French Spymistress, Rachel Hore
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The French Spymistress
The brand-new WW2 historical fiction novel from the Sunday Times bestseller, for fans of Dinah Jeffries and Santa Montefiore

Author: Rachel Hore

Narrator: Lucy Scott

Unabridged: 11 hr 11 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/02/2026


Synopsis

When war arrives, it brings secrets and danger – but it also brings love…

France, 1939.

As war looms, two women make very different choices. Marie-Louise, a headstrong young woman who sees the atrocities for what they are, is recruited into a secret intelligence service that takes her across Europe and into the path of danger, all for the sake of her beloved France. It is a risk that will put her behind bars, and only her courage will allow her to escape.

Sussex, 1939.

Sarah, a happily married wife and devoted mother, is forced to endure her husband’s absence as the fighting continues. Kept going by his letters, she welcomes young evacuee boys to her home in the countryside, whilst braving life in her village alone.

When the two women’s lives collide, they are confronted with what they have lost and what they have gained, as the war brings sacrifice, love, and courage to the forefront. In the face of danger, can these two women find their way, helping the war effort whilst remaining true to themselves?

PRAISE FOR THE FRENCH SPYMISTRESS:

'A moving, timely and original take on what some women did, and sacrificed, in wartime.' DAILY MAIL

'Meticulously researched and rich with detail, as well as being a page-turner which I couldn’t put down. A new classic of WW2 fiction.' MAGGIE BROOKES, author of The Prisoner's Wife

‘Moving and gripping . . . The French Spymistress is now one of my favourites’ NORTH NORFOLK LIVING

'Wonderful…moving, thrilling and original’ WENDY HOLDEN, author of The Queen’s Painter

About Rachel Hore

Rachel Hore worked in London publishing for many years before moving with her family to Norwich, where she taught publishing and creative writing at the University of East Anglia until deciding to become a full-time writer. The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is her fourteenth novel. She is married to the writer D.J. Taylor and they have three sons. Visit her at RachelHore.co.uk and connect with her on X @RachelHore and instagram @rachel.hore.


Reviews

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Quotes

'I’d never heard the heartstopping real-life story of wartime Resistance intelligence network Alliance and its brave and glamorous female leader. So thank goodness Hore has written a novel about them ... A moving, timely and original take on what some women did, and sacrificed, in wartime.' DAILY MAIL

'A heart-stopping rollercoaster of a novel, based on the almost unbelievable real life experience of a young French woman in WW2. Right from the prologue, I was terrified for her, and speechless with admiration for her courage and ingenuity. This story is a sobering reminder of the terrible dangers faced by ordinary people in the face of Nazi aggression, but also an upliftng story of courage and endurance. It is meticulously researched and rich with detail, as well as being a page-turner which I couldn’t put down. A new classic of WW2 fiction.' MAGGIE BROOKES, author of The Prisoner's Wife

‘Moving and gripping . . . The French Spymistress is now one of my favourites’ NORTH NORFOLK LIVING 
 
'Wonderful…moving, thrilling and original’ WENDY HOLDEN, author of The Queen’s Painter
 
‘A beautifully crafted and thoroughly enjoyable novel… for readers who enjoy authentic and hard-hitting historical fiction.’ JANE CABLE, author of The Forgotten Maid
 
‘An engaging read made poignant and powerful through it being inspired by the lives of real women’ CATHERINE LARNER, MORE ABOUT BOOKS 

What readers have to say (5 STARS):

‘Beautifully written and well researched.’ Kate Hardy, author [Goodreads]
 
'A compelling read… I definitely recommend this as an excellent historical novel’  Annette C. Librarian [Netgalley]
 
‘Wow this was a page turner! I love reading about the bravery of people during war and this was a brilliant read.’  Laluna [Netgalley]
 
’Told with warmth and compassion… A great read and to be recommended.’ Herbiesnana [Waterstones website]
 
'Excellent read’ Tractor Girl [Goodreads]
 
’Well worth reading… excellent research’ [Goodreads]
 
'Based on the lives of two women who both worked extremely hard in their own countries for victory. This book is a riveting, tense and emotional journey through their eyes.’ J. Porter [Goodreads]
 
‘Wow this book was amazing… Well worth reading’ Carol [Netgalley]