Book of the month THE SPY BOOK

By Alan Hlad

Publisher: John Scognamiglio Genre: Espionage

Set in The Second World War in Portugal and inspired by the real-life librarian spies who hunted down crucial intelligence throughout Europe, this thrilling espionage tale from the internationally bestselling author is perfect for fans of intrigue-packed historical fiction by authors such as Kate Quinn, Marie Benedict and Pam Jenoff.

1942: With the war’s outcome hanging in the balance, every sliver of intelligence is potentially critical. Though far from the battlefields, cities like Lisbon, Portugal’s neutral capital, become lynchpins in a different kind of warfare, as President Roosevelt sends an unlikely new taskforce on a unique mission. They are librarians and microfilm specialists trained in espionage, working with a special branch of the Office of Strategic Services. By acquiring and scouring Axis newspapers, books, technical manuals and periodicals, the librarians can gather information about troop location, weaponry and military plans.

Maria Alves, a microfilm expert working at the New York Public Library, is dispatched to Lisbon, where she meticulously photographs publications and sends the film to London to be analysed. Working in tandem with Tiago Soares, a brave and honourable bookstore owner on a precarious mission of his own (providing Jewish refugees with forged passports and visas), Maria acquires vital information, including a directory of arms factories in Germany. But, as she and Tiago grow closer, any future together is jeopardized when Maria’s superiors ask her to pose as a double agent, feeding misinformation to Lars Steiger, a wealthy Swiss banker and Nazi sympathizer who launders Hitler’s gold. Gaining Lars’ trust will bring Maria into the very heart of the Fuhrer’s inner circle. And it will provide her with a chance to help steer the course of war, if she is willing to take risks as great as the possible rewards.

179

By Val McDermid

Publisher: Little Brown

Genre: Crime

Hailed as Britain’s Queen of Crime, Val McDermid’s award-winning, internationally bestselling novels have captivated readers for over three decades. In 1979, she kicks off her first new series in nearly 20 years with the story of Allie Burns, a young investigative journalist whose work leads her into a world of corruption, terror and murder.

It’s only January and the year 1979 has already brought blizzards, strikes, power cuts and political unrest. For Allie Burns, however, someone else’s bad news is the unmistakable sound of opportunity knocking; a chance to escape the “women’s stories” to which her editors at the Scottish daily, The Clarion have confined her. Striking up an alliance with budding investigative journalist, Danny Sullivan, Allie begins covering international tax fraud and a group of Scottish ultranationalists aiming to cause mayhem ahead of a referendum on breaking away from the United Kingdom. Their stories quickly get attention and create enemies for the two young up-and-comers. As they get closer to the bleeding edge of breaking news, Allie and Danny may find their own lives on the line.

Drawing on McDermid’s own experiences as a young journalist, 1979 is redolent of the thundering presses, hammering typewriters, and wreaths of smoke of the Clarion newsroom. It is a journey to the past with much to say about the present.

1979 is available as an audio book, but wasn’t keen on the narration as the accent, even when I slowed the speed down, needed massive concentration. Also, I felt the narrator was too young for the role.

The Modern Bohemian Table

By Amanda Bernadi

Publisher: Random House

Genre: Entertaining

I love a dinner party but I do usually stick to the same crockery and cutlery, tablecloth and napkins. But elegant tablescapes don’t have to be reserved for the fanciest events, celebrate the everyday with a beautiful table design that has a bohemian theme.

In The Modern Bohemian Table, expert event planner, Amanda Bernardi, details her best tips and tricks for creating a boho-style celebration, whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a large party.

Learn how to: build an heirloom tabletop centrepiece; design a welcoming and beautiful table; build your entertaining and serving ware collection; calculate how much food you need for your gathering; select wine or other drinks to complement the meal and stock your bar.

The party ideas are quite refreshing and include a Moroccan tapas party, ladies’ wine tasting, cozy winter brunch, springtime garden fete, bohemian backyard blowout.

This book is perfect as a wedding planning resource, a wedding present or as a housewarming gift.