The Whispers of War

By: Julia Kelly

Narrated by: Mary Woodvine

For fans of historical novels by Kristin Harmel and Martha Hall Kelly comes a “gripping tale by a writer at the top of her game” (Fiona Davis, author of The Chelsea Girls) following three friends who struggle to remain loyal as one of them is threatened with internment by the British government at the start of World War II.

In August of 1939, as Britain watches the headlines in fear of another devastating war with Germany, three childhood companions must choose between friendship and country. Erstwhile, socialite Nora is determined to find her place in the Home Office’s Air Raid Precautions Department, matchmaker Hazel tries to mask two closely guarded secrets with irrepressible optimism, and German expat Marie worries that she and her family might face imprisonment in an internment camp if war is declared. When Germany invades Poland and tensions on the home front rise, Marie is labeled an enemy alien, and the three friends find themselves fighting together to keep her free at any cost.

Featuring Julia Kelly’s signature “intricate, tender, and convincing” (Publishers Weekly) prose, The Whispers of War is a moving and unforgettable tale of the power of friendship and womanhood in the midst of conflict.

©2020 Julia Kelly (P)2020 Simon & Schuster

But what. happened to Hazel?

We hear about the lives of the three but we never hear what happened to Hazel

Very enjoyable

I truly enjoyed both the story and the performance for this novel. I’d read it again.

Interesting

Kept my interest. Plot was well defined. Narration ok. Would recommend for an easy read.

This is a great book!!!

When I started this book I almost stopped after the first few pages, but I continued on reading it with the thought that I had to give it a shot and I'm so glad that I did.

Rushed and Forced

I love a good modern discovery of old family stories book, but this was just shoved into that framework with no payoff. The way the WW2 storyline was told in large chunks with no sense of details being relayed years later made the fact that it was being told to a granddaughter in the present seem irrelevant. Modern Nora and David are introduced and have a few small scenes with Samantha, but the bulk of the book and really the only story with much plot is the WW2 story told by the three women.

I wish Jula Kelly had skipped the tropes that sell books and written it all in the past or with better development of a story rediscovery narrative (which she is more than capable of)

Not worth the 1 credit purchase

Excellent

This book was much better than I expected. The story flows rather nicely, the characters I good, and the part I like best is historical references.p

A glides into issues in London during WW2

The Whispers of War was a very insightful story of WW2 London. Instead of the cold story written in history books, The Whispers of War brings reality and understanding.

I was invested in the characters. I devoured their life gaining an understanding what they went through.

Would’ve been better told straight...

...rather than with the modern storyline; it added nothing except a schmaltzy note. The epilogue was also a bit too much; it could’ve been handled with more finesse/dignity. Instead, it was as if the author wanted to check off a box so she cld fulfill her obligations to those looking for a romance novel.

However! The WWII storyline was very interesting (with a few minor issues...but none that stopped me from enjoying it), & stood on its own. I wonder if the editor had the author shoehorn in the modern side? Because it didn’t feel organic to the story, in any way.

Another excellent novel from Julia Kelly

I love novels set in the WWII period. It's hard to believe this isn't a true story. I surmise it us an amalgam of many strong women who lived, loved, lost and did contributed to winning to winning the war.

My only criticism is that the Narrator though excellent doing so many voices, had the Canadian accent all wrong.

Liked everything but the ending

Everything was great except the ending is bluntly moronic. Would suggest as an easy listen to