The Secret Messenger

Written by Mandy Robotham

Narrated by Karen Cass and Alma Costa

The highly awaited new novel from the internationally bestselling author of The German Midwife (also published as A Woman of War).

Venice, 1943
The world is at war, and Stella Jilani is leading a double life. By day she works in the lion’s den as a typist for the Reich; by night, she risks her life as a messenger for the Italian resistance. Against all odds, Stella must impart Nazi secrets, smuggle essential supplies and produce an underground newspaper on her beloved typewriter.

But when German commander General Breugal becomes suspicious, it seems he will stop at nothing to find the mole, and Stella knows her future could be in jeopardy.

London, 2017
Years later, Luisa Belmont finds a mysterious old typewriter in her attic. Determined to find out who it belonged to, Luisa delves into the past and uncovers a story of fierce love, unimaginable sacrifice and, ultimately, the worst kind of betrayal…

Set between German-occupied 1940s Venice and modern-day London, this is a fascinating tale of the bravery of everyday women in the darkest corners of WWII, for readers of The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris.

Praise for The Secret Messenger:

‘Intriguing, pacy and fascinating.’ Suzanne Goldring, author of My Name is Eva

‘Unique, emotional and life-affirming.’ Melanie Hudson, author of The Last Letter from Juliet

‘A beautifully written novel, perfect for historical fiction lovers.’ Soraya M. Lane, bestselling author of The Girls of Pearl Harbor

‘Another fantastic page-turner.’ LP Fergusson, author of A Dangerous Act of Kindness

‘I felt I was walking alongside Stella over bridges and along canals at every heartstopping moment… Wonderful.’ Molly Green, author of An Orphan’s Wish

‘One of the stronger novels that pays homage to the women involved in the movements of resistance.’ Reader review

‘Refreshingly different. Even if you think you have read enough war books this year I strongly recommend you read this one.’ Reader review

‘If you like WWII stories, this is a must read.’ Reader review

‘Marvellous and highly recommended story on a little known aspect of World War II.’ Reader review

‘The characters are well thought out, the historical background is vivid and well described, and the plot is gripping.’ Reader review

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Release date: Jun 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9780008390716

Mandy Robotham

Mandy Robotham is a Globe and Mail, USA Today, and UK, Canadian, US and Australian Kindle Top 100 bestseller. She has been an aspiring author from the age of nine, but was waylaid by journalism and later enticed by birth. She’s now a former midwife who writes about birth, death, love and everything else in between. She graduated with an MA in Creative Writing from Oxford Brookes University.

Reviews for The Secret Messenger

[grgenius_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A thoroughly moving story set with a dual story line, I took my time, savored it, and I regret nothing. This heart wrenching and beautiful tale of present meeting past, shares how uncovering those truths from yesteryear are not just family history, but a way of making a connection to your true self. They always say you can't know where you're going unless you know where you've been, and this story is a prime example. Luisa had lost not just her family, but her way, and discovering the why of things from her past really helped to heal her heart in the here and now. It's not an easy journey to read because the life and times of Stella (her ancestor) were fraught with danger, deception, and mistrust...but it wasn't all doom and gloom. Through her words, she helped keep hopes and dreams alive. With the help of others, they spread the news that needed to be heard as well as shared stories to uplift their downtrodden spirits. A definite must read with a surprise revelation at book's end!


**ARC received for review; opinions are my own

[wagner5sarah35 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As the authors notes, most WWII historical fiction focuses on France and the French Resistance, with very few novels using Italy or the renowned city of Venice as a location. In contrast, this novel is largely set in Venice, with resistance spy and writer Stella as the central character. Stella has multiple jobs - one is at the local Nazi headquarters, where she gathers information to pass on to the Resistance network, and another is an anti-fascist writer who pens a series of articles which resonate with the public and lead to Nazis offering a reward for her capture. Overall, this novel made for a decent, enjoyable read, although I did feel the writing could have been better in several places throughout the novel.

[cassiesbooksreader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Secret Messenger by Mandy Robotham is Historical Thriller Fiction. A Split Time novel of 1942 Venice and 2017 London. It is a story of brave women and men working to change the outcome of war. Exciting but sometimes deadly adventures with resistance activities involving every part of their lives. A writer's passion is both a blessing and a curse in Nazi controlled Venice. A granddaughter‘s admiration and need to research her grandmother’s history. Unexpected family joys, sorrows and secrets are discovered. Happy I was chosen to read this beautiful story. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars