Saturday, November 11, 2023

"Code Name Butterfly", by Embassie Susberry




Paris 1941, the Nazi occupation is imminent. When journalist Elodie Mitchell received an unexpected invitation to a Josephine Baker performance... meeting Jo will be a life changing event.....Beneath the glitz and glamour is a network of spies with mission to gather vital intelligence...

This fiction is the unforgettable tale inspired by the life of Josephine Baker who during the darkest days of WW11 has shown the extraordinary strength of the human spirit and of a young woman caught in the web....Both are Black Americans.

This is a complex story about family, racism, courage and love. It captures the flavour of France before and during the occupation. The setting and atmosphere is fantastic and seize perfectly the turbulent swirl of events during that time. The story is extremely slow moving at first but when France is invaded and tension grows among the population then the story has wind in its sails and we are off into one very exciting adventure following the two heroines and their friends, members of the resistance, blowing trains and killing or dodging the enemy and assisting those in need. Eventually escaping to Portugal and finally home...Only to return to France to their love....yes there is a hint of romance amongst the background of war...why not.

The style is fluid, eloquently written, the words have punch and no doubts came from the heart. The handful characters are colourful, well represent and easy to follow. I especially loved how the most celebrated night-club entertainer; the flamboyant Ms. Baker is featured.

Event with its slow tempo, this story captured my attention from start to finish and I can honestly say “Code Name Butterfly’” is a good book to enjoy and spend time with.

My thanks to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for this ARC

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