Code Name: Lise

The True Story of the Woman Who Became WWII's Most Highly Decorated Spy

By: Larry Loftis

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

National Best Seller
A Goodreads Choice Awards semifinalist
Florida Book Awards Silver Medalist
Featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Time, New York Newsday, and on Today!
Best Nonfiction Books to Read in 2019 - Woman’s Day
The Best Nonfiction Books Coming Out This Year - BookBub
“A nonfiction thriller.” (The Wall Street Journal)

From New York Times and international best-selling author of the “gripping” (Michael Connelly, number-one New York Times best-selling author) Into the Lion’s Mouth comes the extraordinary true story of Odette Sansom, the British spy who operated in occupied France and fell in love with her commanding officer during World War II - perfect for fans of Unbroken, The Nightingale, and Code Girls.

The year is 1942, and World War II is in full swing. Odette Sansom decides to follow in her war hero father’s footsteps by becoming an SOE agent to aid Britain and her beloved homeland, France. Five failed attempts and one plane crash later, she finally lands in occupied France to begin her mission. It is here that she meets her commanding officer, Captain Peter Churchill.

As they successfully complete mission after mission, Peter and Odette fall in love. All the while, they are being hunted by the cunning German secret police sergeant, Hugo Bleicher, who finally succeeds in capturing them. They are sent to Paris’s Fresnes prison, and from there to concentration camps in Germany where they are starved, beaten, and tortured. But in the face of despair, they never give up hope, their love for each other, or the whereabouts of their colleagues.

In Code Name: Lise, Larry Loftis paints a portrait of true courage, patriotism, and love - of two incredibly heroic people who endured unimaginable horrors and degradations. He seamlessly weaves together the touching romance between Odette and Peter and the thrilling cat and mouse game between them and Sergeant Bleicher. With this amazing testament to the human spirit, Loftis proves once again that he is adept at writing “nonfiction that reads like a page-turning novel” (Parade).

©2019 Larry Loftis (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

SKIP THE PROLOGUE!

The author gives away the fate of the book’s title character in the prologue. So after ten minutes of listening/reading, you know whether she lives or dies. I found this to be hugely disappointing when I first started the book and almost deleted it and moved on, but wanted to give the story a chance. It won me over and I enjoyed it very much, but for the biggest spoiler you could imagine. Still, the story is magnificent. If you’d like to live in mystery until the end, skip the prologue.

Masterful Storytelling

Loftis really did his homework to deliver a tremendous amount of detail in an entertaining way. This isn't dry history but storytelling at it's finest. What a tremendous hero Odette Sansom was.

Remarkable story of courage and loyalty

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well written and read. I read until it was done with scarcely a break. A very unique and courageous woman.

Excellent story!

This is one of those books you just can’t put down. Having read many WWII books, I was completely ignorant of this story! I recommend the book.

very exciting story

first Audible in this genre. of similar ones' chose this as narrator excellent and enjoyable to listen.

the last quarter or third of the book is what I was fearing and the details were breathtaking.

great addition to my 420+ audible books. she was a truly selfless' intelligent and courageous young woman.

Great story, well told.

I especially enjoyed the way the story was crafted, using historical facts but presented with dialogue. Amazing detail and suspense to her entry into the spy-craft and her early assignments. Her time as a prisoner was especially good. I was disappointed in the ending, but real life seldom has a happy ending. I loved it!

Interesting Read

I liked the book. easy listen and following story. learned about a strong woman in war.

compelling

An amazing story of heroism and sacrifice. The ficleness of Fame made the pain continue long after the war was over.

I Definitely Didn’t Know!

The history of this exceptional woman was a total surprise to me. The performance of the reading was very well done and entirely engrossing. I wanted to continue listening, which is difficult given my audible sessions are typically while driving and sitting in the car for hours after I’ve reached my destination.....well, you know.

Anyway, this was a very well written book what told a story that probably was not very well known to very many people. One that should receive more light of day. I highly recommend it.

Not only Jews who suffered

I've read many stories of heroic Jews under the Nazi Regime, and a few of the French resistance. This story was new to me.
Odette was an inspiration of courage and grit and an example of how one person can change horrible outcomes and truly make a difference.

I think of what the Ukrainians are experiencing with the Russian attack, and hope many of those stories surface eventually.