ellie31773's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
carlajo713's review
4.0
This is not the first novel I've read about spy and intrigue. This is not the first novel I've read that involves spies in WWII. However, this is the first novel I've read that documents the spy trade immediately following WWII. I guess the timeframe isn't one that you would normally think of still requiring spies and the exchange of secrets. It isn't as though everyone immediately recovered and changed their pre-war attitudes towards certain individuals, heritages, or ethnicities. I enjoyed reading it and despite being a work of fiction based on the author's aunts experiences, it opened my eyes to a very delicate time in our history. The Cold War encompassed so much. Countries changing sides, fighting for invisible boundaries, seeking to impart their own desires on the war torn European countries. The premise of hiding codes and secrets within the recipes was brilliant. I gave the book 4 stars because I felt it was missing just a little something. A sprinkle of salt, a pinch of sugar... Not sure what the missing element was honestly. It just felt incomplete.
bethmcclees's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
rachelmabarca's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ange99's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Very well written, kept me guessing about the intentions and allegiances of all the main characters right through to the ending. Fascinating setting in Germany in the immediate aftermath of WW2, as suspicions continue between agencies from various countries. The recipes at the start of each chapter were a nice touch and set the scene well, particularly highlighting the disparity between the opulence of the foreign organisations and the deprivation of the local population.
Things I didn't like: I found the vast number of characters hard to distinguish and keep track of, and there were some storylines that I thought were central that turned out to be short-lived, leading to confusiom about the main story thread. Occasional sex scenes were for the most part unnecessary to the story or the characters. I also would have liked the cookery code to have been better explained.
Things I didn't like: I found the vast number of characters hard to distinguish and keep track of, and there were some storylines that I thought were central that turned out to be short-lived, leading to confusiom about the main story thread. Occasional sex scenes were for the most part unnecessary to the story or the characters. I also would have liked the cookery code to have been better explained.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma, Antisemitism, Death, Violence, and War
Minor: Sexual content
suetrav's review
3.0
WW II era books are usually my favourites when it comes to historical fiction. This one was okay but I felt it missed the mark.
I finished it and then went back and read the first part of the book again. That part was definitely clever and I enjoyed that ending. The rest of the book was scattered for me. Too many agents working for too many agencies and all double crossing each other. Just like the main character I was fooled by the people she trusted. Although I did not expect a happy ending for the main character I was not happy with how she died or why.
I finished it and then went back and read the first part of the book again. That part was definitely clever and I enjoyed that ending. The rest of the book was scattered for me. Too many agents working for too many agencies and all double crossing each other. Just like the main character I was fooled by the people she trusted. Although I did not expect a happy ending for the main character I was not happy with how she died or why.
skochara's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
damaris_anne's review
3.0
This book was… fine. Moves pretty slowly and involves heavy description/plot lines/characters that feel unnecessarily complicated at times. I loved the ending though. It’s a bit of a heavier book, I wouldn’t recommend it if you are looking for a light hearted read or something to relax with.