Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep reading about it! A new book that I’m excited for is That Summer in Berlin by Lecia Cornwall. Set during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, it follows a daring woman on an undercover mission. Though she seems to be one of the many debutantes looking for a husband (the better to form political alliances), she’s secretly a spy, armed with a camera and teamed up with a journalist to reveal the truth behind Germany’s gracious appearances.
I’ve become picky with World War II books in the last several years, and it takes an extra special story to capture my attention. That Summer in Berlin has done exactly that, in part because I always love seeing the important roles women have played in history. A debutante as an undercover spy? That’s what I’m all about! This is a novel I will definitely read soon.
Find out more about it below, and let me know if you’re planning to pick up That Summer in Berlin. If you’ve already read it, let me know how you liked it in the comments! I’m hoping to read it soon, so stay tuned for my review.
Official Summary
Who would suspect the pretty, young tourist was a spy?
German power is rising again, threatening a war that will be even worse than the last one. The English aristocracy turns to an age-old institution to stave off war and strengthen political bonds—marriage. Debutantes flock to Germany, including Viviane Alden. On holiday with her sister during the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Viviane’s true purpose is more clandestine. While many in England want to appease Hitler, others seek to prove Germany is rearming.
But they need evidence, photographs to tell the tale, and Viviane is a genius with her trusty Leica. With the world watching, Germany is on its best behavior, graciously welcoming tourists to a festival of peace and goodwill. But first impressions can be deceiving, and it’s up to Viviane and the journalist she’s paired with—a daring man with a guarded heart—to reveal the truth.
Others have their own reasons for befriending Viviane, however, and her adventure takes a darker turn. Suddenly Viviane finds herself caught in a web of far more deadly games—and closer than she ever imagined to the brink of war.
Get the Book
You can buy That Summer in Berlin here – it’s available as a paperback, ebook, and audiobook.
| That Summer in Berlin by Lecia Cornwall | |
|---|---|
| Audience | Adult |
| Genre | Historical Fiction |
| Setting | Germany |
| Number of Pages | 464 |
| Original Publication Date | October 11, 2022 |
About the Author
I was born in the wrong century. I must have been. I’ve always been more comfortable with history than modern life—except for essential modern conveniences like flush toilets, hot running water, immersion blenders, and iPads.
Originally from Ontario, I now call the foothills of Canada’s Rocky Mountains home. I am the author of sixteen novels. The Woman at the Front (October 2021) was my first historical fiction title. It is being followed by That Summer in Berlin, coming this October! I write full time, love gardening (though many plants come to my house just to die), knit (and purl!), adopt stray creatures (usually cats), and create magical worlds from cardboard, paint, and glue. If I’m not at my desk working on my next book, you can find me walking my dog (Andy, the indefatigable chocolate Lab) by the Bow River, or volunteering at a local museum.
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