The suggested questions are included to enhance your reading of Churchill’s Secret Messenger by Alan Hlad. 1.
The Special Operations Executive (SOE), also known as “Churchill’s Secret Army,” was a real organization during WWII. Of its 470 agents in German-occupied France, 39 were women, many of whom were captured, tortured, and killed. What do you think Churchill saw in Rose that influenced him to have her recruited for the SOE? What do you think motivated Rose to join the SOE?
2.
A number of historical figures make appearances in Churchill’s Secret Messenger, including Winston Churchill and General Charles de Gaulle. Did you recognize any other characters as people who existed in real life?
3.
What are Lazare’s motivations to join the French Resistance? If he had not endured a childhood hand injury, what do you think his life would have been like?
4.
Why do you think Rose and Muriel bonded so quickly as friends? Is there anything Rose could have done to save Muriel? Why is Rose determined to survive Ravensbrück Concentration Camp and deliver a message to Muriel’s daughter, Mabel?
5.
What makes Felix a competent SOE network organizer? What are his weaknesses as a leader?
6.
While working in German-occupied Paris, Rose and Lazare fall in love. What brings them together? At what point do you think Rose realizes she loves Lazare? How is the war, particularly the risk of being captured by the SD, a catalyst for their affection?
7.
Prior to reading the book, what did you know about the Vel' d'Hiv roundup? What could Lazare have done to save his parents?
8.
Operation Jericho was a real-life RAF bombing raid on Amiens Prison that took place one day before over 100 French Resistance prisoners were scheduled to be executed. The name of the person who requested this actual mission remains a secret—even to this day. How likely do you think it was that a female SOE agent such as Rose was the true mastermind behind Operation Jericho? If you were Rose, would you have arranged the bombing raid, knowing that it might kill the person you love? What were the consequences of Operation Jericho?
9.
How do you envision what happens after the end of the book? Do you think Rose will remain bound to her oath of secrecy? Will the classified records of Rose and her network, Conjurer, ever be released to the public? What do you think Rose’s life will be like?
10.
Why do many readers enjoy historical fiction, in particular novels set in World War II? To what degree do you think Hlad took creative liberties with this story?