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bkgrl78's review against another edition
4.0
It was an intriguing story based on true events. I didn’t know the “Doll Woman” was a real person! Reading this story made me want to do a bit of research and more reading about Velvalee Dickinson.
I didn’t really like how the characters rehashed over and over again in their minds why they couldn’t be together. Once or twice would have been sufficient.
I was hoping for more historical detail. It felt like some of the details that were inserted were space fillers and not very pertinent to the story as a whole.
I enjoyed reading about the FBI in its infancy being only 30+ plus years old in the story.
The characters, despite their flaws truly wanted what was best for themselves, each other, and their country.
I felt that the ending was a bit rushed, and it left me with several questions- of which I cannot write about here without giving away some of the plot!
The cryptography aspect was very interesting. I appreciated the fact that the author did not make it hard to understand how codes can be created and broken.
This was my first book by Johnnie Alexander, and I am intrigued enough to read more by her.
I didn’t really like how the characters rehashed over and over again in their minds why they couldn’t be together. Once or twice would have been sufficient.
I was hoping for more historical detail. It felt like some of the details that were inserted were space fillers and not very pertinent to the story as a whole.
I enjoyed reading about the FBI in its infancy being only 30+ plus years old in the story.
The characters, despite their flaws truly wanted what was best for themselves, each other, and their country.
I felt that the ending was a bit rushed, and it left me with several questions- of which I cannot write about here without giving away some of the plot!
The cryptography aspect was very interesting. I appreciated the fact that the author did not make it hard to understand how codes can be created and broken.
This was my first book by Johnnie Alexander, and I am intrigued enough to read more by her.
emueller89's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
theliterateleprechaun's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first in a wartime series featuring unsung heroines. The Cryptographer’s Dilemma is set entirely in the USA with the majority set in Portland or Washington and highlights the FBI’s investigation of WW2s number one woman spy, The Doll Woman, Velvalee Dickinson.
Velvalee was a respected member of the national doll-collecting community in 1940s USA, but it was her secret life as a spy for the Japanese that caught the FBIs attention. She wrote letters using a jargon code that provided information about US ships damaged at Pearl Harbour and, in exchange, received money from the Japanese government.
Fictional Elosie Marshall, a codebreaker for the navy, is recruited by the FBI to work on the Doll Case. Phillip Clayton, a fictional FBI agent, poses as her brother and they travel across the States investigating the identity of Doll Woman.
There’s a little of everything in this interesting, quick, and easy read; mystery, romance, family issues, and religious inspiration. Had the book been a little longer, the author could have fleshed out the characters a little more resulting in better reader connection and better plot flow. Some things came out of left field and caused me to do plenty of re-reading. Had more time been spent on their backstory, I would not have wondered why seemingly random events had popped up where and when they did. Regardless, I learned so much about steganography and basic FBI training in addition to understanding a little more about the first American woman to face the death penalty for her wartime betrayal.
“The one thing worse than German saboteurs on American soil was an American traitor. If one of Uncle Sam’s own was betraying the country, the Bureau needed to find the who, what, and why as quickly and quietly as possible.”
“Sometimes I wish God would write a message in the sky so I could understand…so I could know why.”
“You gave him something he didn’t deserve. I think the preachers call that grace.”
This slow-burning Christian historical fiction will be published August 1, 2021.
I received this advance copy from Johnnie Alexander, Barbour Publishing, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Velvalee was a respected member of the national doll-collecting community in 1940s USA, but it was her secret life as a spy for the Japanese that caught the FBIs attention. She wrote letters using a jargon code that provided information about US ships damaged at Pearl Harbour and, in exchange, received money from the Japanese government.
Fictional Elosie Marshall, a codebreaker for the navy, is recruited by the FBI to work on the Doll Case. Phillip Clayton, a fictional FBI agent, poses as her brother and they travel across the States investigating the identity of Doll Woman.
There’s a little of everything in this interesting, quick, and easy read; mystery, romance, family issues, and religious inspiration. Had the book been a little longer, the author could have fleshed out the characters a little more resulting in better reader connection and better plot flow. Some things came out of left field and caused me to do plenty of re-reading. Had more time been spent on their backstory, I would not have wondered why seemingly random events had popped up where and when they did. Regardless, I learned so much about steganography and basic FBI training in addition to understanding a little more about the first American woman to face the death penalty for her wartime betrayal.
“The one thing worse than German saboteurs on American soil was an American traitor. If one of Uncle Sam’s own was betraying the country, the Bureau needed to find the who, what, and why as quickly and quietly as possible.”
“Sometimes I wish God would write a message in the sky so I could understand…so I could know why.”
“You gave him something he didn’t deserve. I think the preachers call that grace.”
This slow-burning Christian historical fiction will be published August 1, 2021.
I received this advance copy from Johnnie Alexander, Barbour Publishing, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
martyomenko's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting history, but I wished for a few more details in the story. I enjoyed the intrigue, the easy romance, and lighthearted moments in what could have been very heavy. There was a wonderful happy ending as well.
rkitch's review against another edition
2.0
This book left quite a bit to be desired, starting with "what was the dilemma?" Not my biggest issue with the book, but the title definitely didn't catch my attention, and I still don't know what it had to do with anything.
This could have been a decent spy thriller or an okay romance, but I think the author tried to do too much by combining them; there just wasn't enough detail on either plot point. I liked the idea of a female cryptographer working with the FBI. I was looking for a strong female lead, but that's not what we got. Honestly, the self-doubt had me rolling my eyes throughout the whole book and really left little room for anything else in her characterization. Therefore, the love story felt forced and fell flat for me.
And speaking of plot points being forced, the addition of the family drama was completely out of left field in a story that already needed more attention to the main details, not more distractions from them. And the ending ... no spoilers but I'll just say it perfectly fit the theme of being forced.
There were several inconsistencies within the book that were also distracting but nothing major. Overall, the idea was good but the execution lacking.
I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
This could have been a decent spy thriller or an okay romance, but I think the author tried to do too much by combining them; there just wasn't enough detail on either plot point. I liked the idea of a female cryptographer working with the FBI. I was looking for a strong female lead, but that's not what we got. Honestly, the self-doubt had me rolling my eyes throughout the whole book and really left little room for anything else in her characterization. Therefore, the love story felt forced and fell flat for me.
And speaking of plot points being forced, the addition of the family drama was completely out of left field in a story that already needed more attention to the main details, not more distractions from them. And the ending ... no spoilers but I'll just say it perfectly fit the theme of being forced.
There were several inconsistencies within the book that were also distracting but nothing major. Overall, the idea was good but the execution lacking.
I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
thechapterhouse's review against another edition
4.0
So much about this book made me happy--not least of which the Seattle setting for parts of it! (Of course, that meant I had super high expectations, having spent much time in the city over the years; thankfully, it lived up to them!)
The ending was a bit quick, and I would have liked to see more denouement; another reviewer commented about how Eloise managed to get away with a fair bit at that point, and I have to agree.
Still, a really entertaining read about a topic entirely new to me. Recommended!
The ending was a bit quick, and I would have liked to see more denouement; another reviewer commented about how Eloise managed to get away with a fair bit at that point, and I have to agree.
Still, a really entertaining read about a topic entirely new to me. Recommended!
motley's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
cindysbookcorner's review against another edition
3.0
Mystery, intrigue, and a look at what a cryptographer does makes for an interesting read.
I enjoyed The Cryptographer's Dilemma but I was expecting more from it. I have not read anything by Johnnie Alexander before, so I was not sure what to expect from her writing. However, from the synopsis of the book, I expected more mystery and more involvement from the Japanese consulate.
The story was a slow build and moved at a steady pace. I enjoyed the friendship that developed between Eloise and Philip, and the bit of mystery. I found it interesting to learn that the story was based on a true "doll" lady and appreciated the author's research and attention to detail in the telling of the story.
There were a few disconnects as well. The point of view is third person so you do not actually feel what the characters are thinking or feeling, you are told. This makes it harder to connect to the characters and the story. There felt like too many things in the story without enough clear resolution to them all. I do not want to give spoilers but felt in some ways there needed to be more (dialogue and feelings) and less of other things.
I think historical fans will enjoy reading this glimpse into a cryptographer's job during WWII.
Thank you to Net Galley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed The Cryptographer's Dilemma but I was expecting more from it. I have not read anything by Johnnie Alexander before, so I was not sure what to expect from her writing. However, from the synopsis of the book, I expected more mystery and more involvement from the Japanese consulate.
The story was a slow build and moved at a steady pace. I enjoyed the friendship that developed between Eloise and Philip, and the bit of mystery. I found it interesting to learn that the story was based on a true "doll" lady and appreciated the author's research and attention to detail in the telling of the story.
There were a few disconnects as well. The point of view is third person so you do not actually feel what the characters are thinking or feeling, you are told. This makes it harder to connect to the characters and the story. There felt like too many things in the story without enough clear resolution to them all. I do not want to give spoilers but felt in some ways there needed to be more (dialogue and feelings) and less of other things.
I think historical fans will enjoy reading this glimpse into a cryptographer's job during WWII.
Thank you to Net Galley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
grandma2019's review
4.0
This book was enjoyable to read. The story line kept me interested from beginning to end and never lagged. I like clean stories without sexual intimate detail or bad language and this story delivered. I would read this author again.
amber_thiessen's review against another edition
4.0
Based on the FBI's investigation of the Doll Woman, who sold secrets to the Japenese. This story is about a cryptographer, Eloise, and Philip an investigator for the FBI, who are sent on a mission to decode letters sent by the Doll Woman. They travel across the country to unravel the source of the letters and the women who were named as the senders. Each wrestles with their place in the war and the losses suffered because of it. I really enjoyed this story!
*A big thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
*A big thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.