1. What possesses Grace Healy to open the
suitcase at Grand Central and abscond with the photos? Would you have
done so?
2. What do we learn about Eleanor Trigg, who initially was a secretary
at SOE? Why is she given the responsibility to put together the spy
team—what qualifies her in terms of experience and character? (Eleanor
is based on the real life of Vera Atkins: see below.)
3. What does Eleanor look for in her recruits? Why does she select each
of the women she does?
4. Talk about the training process for the women and the rigors
involved. Would you have made the grade? What would have been most
difficult for you?
5. What about Marie, whose point of view we follow? During training, she
has trouble mastering a number of the tasks, so much so that she would
appear unqualified. Where you surprised at her later accomplishments?
6. The story has three different points of view and moves back and forth
through time. Did you appreciate the shifting perspectives and
chronology? Or was it difficult to follow at times?
7. Why do you think the romance between Marie and Julian is limited to
eye contact and fleeting glances. Would you have preferred to have more
of their relationship develop on the page, rather than off (not counting
his profession of love much later in the book)?
8. Of the 12 women selected, do you have a favorite; do some impress you
more than others?
9. Most of all, talk about the incredible courage all of these women
possessed—and the horrific, life-threatening dangers they faced.
* Some questions from
LitLovers.