The Cryptographer's Dilemma

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ

ALEXANDER, JOHNNIE

THE CRYPTOGRAPHER'S DILEMMA

A code breaker uncovers a Japanese spy ring

FBI cryptographer Eloise Marshall is grieving the death of her brother, who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when she is assigned to investigate a seemingly innocent series of letters about dolls. Agent Phillip Clayton is ready to enlist and head overseas when asked to work one more FBI job. A case of traitorous messages disguised as correspondence about dolls should be easy, but not so when the clues take Eloise and Phillip on a cross-country trek that has them both confronting past demons and an unmistakable attraction.

Eloise believes the letter refer to classified intel about U.S. warships, but can she prove it in time to catch the spy? Or, before she and Phillip are permanently separated?

Heroines of WWII : Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates unsung heroes -- the women of WWII

My Review:

published in 2021

This is my introduction to the 'Heroines of WWII' series and I have to say I'm impressed! It's a favourite fictional era of mine and I'm always amazed at all the interesting angles authors find to delve deeper into this time in history.

My typical WWII reads are set in Europe or England so I'm always excited to discover a novel that features a 'Homefront' angle and this homegrown spy story based on actual events (!!!!) blew me away! Really, I had no idea! And the way the author has woven together fact and fiction to make a compelling read fills me with all kinds of bookish glee.

So we have our heroine, Eloise -- an intriguing mix of brilliant mind and outward bravado that conceals a few insecurities. And she's also a woman of mystery which upped the intrigue all the more!

Then there's Phillip -- disgruntled and grumpy over a personal 'failure' that keeps him from serving his country the way he would like. He still wants to enlist, though, except he has to complete one last mission for the FBI first. One where he's paired up with a civilian! A female one at that! Oh the horrors. lol 

But Phillip's impatience turns to admiration when he realizes that Eloise's codebreaking skills are the key to opening up their investigation. Loved the journey Alexander takes her characters on -- both physically and emotionally. The historical details are really well done -- especially the codebreaking which is so fascinating. I haven't read anything like this before so I really enjoyed the fresh approach to the genre.

And then there's the forbidden (for so many reasons) romance that slowly draws Phillip and Eloise closer...and complicates everything just a bit. :-)

Seriously, need I say more...other than, "read this book!'

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- winner's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of one of the  The Cryptographer's Dilemma, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday November 5 2022 . Offer open to International Readers.