The London Bookshop Affair
In nuclear war, there can be no winners.
It’s 1962, and the world is teetering on the brink of nuclear war. But daily life must go on. South London girl Celia Duchesne longs for a career but with no means, connections, or qualifications, she spends her days at the till of a dusty antiquarian bookshop on the Strand, unable to see a way out. The day a handsome American walks into the shop, she thinks she might have found it. Just as the excitement of a budding relationship engulfs her, she learns a devastating secret that draws her into the murky world of espionage.
Twenty years prior, nineteen-year-old Anya Moreau was dropped behind enemy lines to aid the resistance in occupied France, sending messages back to London via wireless transmitter. When she was cruelly betrayed and handed over to the Nazis, evidence of her legacy and the truth of her actions were buried by wartime injustices.
As Celia learns more about Anya—and her unexpected connection to the undercover agent—she becomes increasingly aware of furious efforts, both past and present, to protect state secrets, at all costs. With her newly formed romance taking a surprising turn and the world’s superpowers on the verge of nuclear annihilation, Celia must risk everything she holds close to her heart, in the name of justice.
Propulsive, illuminating, and inspired by true events and figures of the Cold War, The London Bookshop Affair is a gripping story of secrets and love set against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
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PRAISE FOR THE BOOK
“The London Bookshop Affair is several books at once: a family chronicle, a coming-of-age tale, a love story and (in roundabout but effective fashion) an espionage thriller. Ms. Fein does an admirable job of attending to each of these aspects, while timing revelations in ways that heighten suspense and afford every character his or her due.” – Wall Street Journal
‘This dual-timeline story, which bounces readers between Nazi-occupied France and a London in the shadow of the Cuban Missile Crisis, will keep readers on the edge of their seats with its many twists and turns. In this gripping story of love and betrayal, loosely based on real-life figures and events, even the author’s note at the end is a riveting must-read.’ – The Library Journal, Starred Review
‘In this captivating page-turner, Louise Fein deftly layers fascinating historical details, impossibly high stakes and a nuanced portrait of familial love that all together create a gripping, unforgettable story. A gem of a book that should be on everyone’s must-read list!’ – Brianna Labuskes, bestselling author of The Librarian of Burned Books
‘Based on actual events that occurred during the global missile crisis of October 1962, Fein’s historical novel examines this pivotal era through an intensely personal lens.’ – Booklist
‘Fein deftly weaves a story of Cold War espionage through the eyes of Celia Duchesne with the tragic tale of WW2 undercover agent, Anya Moreau.’ – Paula Greenlees, author of The Forgotten Promise
“Louise Fein brilliantly conjures up the atmosphere of London in the early Sixties: the greasy food, smoky pubs, grim housing, and the limited work and home lives many led…I was hooked from first to last page.” – Gill Paul, bestselling author of A Beautiful Rival
‘Fein expertly pairs the devastation of long-held family secrets with the shadowy world of Cold War espionage to create a skillfully told novel inspired by incredible true stories. An utterly atmospheric and completely compelling read!’ – Julia Kelly, bestselling author of The Lost English Girl
‘This is historical fiction at its very best. I was utterly immersed in this book from the very first page. It immediately evokes the atmosphere of the era whilst, at the same time, the elegant writing builds a multi-layered story that is breath taking in its detail. Utterly fabulous!’ – Victoria Dowd, author of The Smart Women series
‘A deeply moving, emotional story about mothers and daughters, betrayal and redemption, and the courage to stand up for what you love. Post-war London is beautifully rendered and impeccably researched, layering conflict and secrets around Celia’s search for who she really is. The kind of book that keeps you feverishly turning the pages to find out what next: I absolutely loved it.’ – Nikola Scott, International bestselling author of The Summer of Secrets and The Orchard Girls
‘Historical fiction at its very best, Louise Fein has done it again. Set in 1962, against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the story of Celia Duchesne is one of love, adventure and betrayal…A novel as powerful as it is heartfelt. I loved it.’ – Eleni Kyriacou, author of The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou
A fascinating story of one young woman’s search for the truth about her family, set against the backdrop of 1960s London in the lead up to the Cuban missile crisis. Fein interweaves the global and the personal to create at once a compelling evocation of a world on the brink, and a moving depiction of the difference individuals can make to global events.” – Caroline Bishop, author of The Lost Chapter
‘The London Bookshop Affair is full of tension and intrigue, exploring two of the most critical periods of recent history through interweaving storylines that are compelling, moving, and utterly immersive. Brilliant, character-driven historical fiction.’ – Liz Stein, Editor, William Morrow Books
INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS
Dutch and French editions coming in April 2024.
