Sunday, August 9, 2020

Off the Bookshelf: AGENT 355, by Marie Benedict

Audible 
Only from Audible
Audio book

Read by Emily Rankin

Marie Benedict provides a fascinating and far too short tale about a "might have been" heroine lost in the pages of history, from the Revolutionary War. The notes at the end of the book, detailing her research and how she came to the conclusions that created the character of Elizabeth and her actions as a spy behind enemy lines are as fascinating as the story itself.

Told like diary entries, readers/listeners follow Elizabeth as she chafes against the restrictions of society, and the false face she must wear to be safe during the British occupation of New York city during the Revolutionary War. When a British officer tries to take liberties with her at a party, she meets Robert Townsend, who becomes first her champion, then her friend, then her spymaster. Elizabeth realizes that the very thing she hates -- her position of being invisible, considered inconsequential because she is a woman -- makes her uniquely positioned to help the Continental Army.

A lovely story, far too short -- and heartbreaking, even at the moment of triumph.

Another author -- and narrator -- I need to add to my "get more by them" list.



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