Purnell's meticulous research into Hall's life and work has taken her not only through British SOE papers and resistance files in France, but also through nine levels of security at the CIA in Langley * Spectator * thrilling - Anne de Courcy * Telegraph *Įxcellent. And in doing so, she paints a rounded portrait of a complicated, resourceful, determined and above all brave woman * Irish Times *īrimming with moving tales of courage in the face of tyranny, this is a worthy tribute to an incredible figure - Deirdre O'Brien * Sunday Mirror *Ī cracking story of an extraordinarily brave woman. Purnell nimbly takes the reader through Hall's complicated manoeuvres all over central France and beyond. Soon to be a film starring Daisy Ridley, Purnell's life of the SOE agent Virginia Hall is a cracking story about an extraordinarily brave woman * Telegraph Best Holiday Beach Reads *Īs gripping as any thriller.

A rousing tale of derring-do' - Richard Davenport-Hines * The Times, Book of the Week * It recalls Caroline Moorehead's wonderful book, Village of Secrets, but has an added touch of Ben Macintyre's brio. Purnell's account of Hall's hectic, amphetamine-fuelled exploits never falters. WINNER of the PLUTARCH AWARD FOR BEST BIOGRAPHY a rounded portrait of a complicated, resourceful, determined and above all brave woman' IRISH TIMES 'A cracking story about an extraordinarily brave woman' TELEGRAPH This is a spy history like no other, telling the story of the hunting accident that disabled her, the discrimination she fought and the secret life that helped her triumph over shocking adversity. The first woman to go undercover for British SOE, her intelligence changed the course of the war - but her fight was still not over. She is there to spark the resistance.īy 1942 Virginia Hall was the Gestapo's most urgent target, having infiltrated Vichy command, trained civilians in guerrilla warfare and sprung soldiers from Nazi prison camps. Her wooden leg is disguised by a determined gait and a distracting beauty. In September 1941, a young American woman strides up the steps of a hotel in Lyon, Vichy France. 'A rousing tale of derring-do' THE TIMES * 'Riveting' MICK HERRON * 'Superb' IRISH TIMES

'A METICULOUS HISTORY THAT READS LIKE A THRILLER' BEN MACINTYRE, TEN BEST BOOKS TO READ ABOUT WORLD WAR IIĪn astounding story of heroism, spycraft, resistance and personal triumph over shocking adversity.

A woman of no importance author