Genre Fiction
![Martha Hall Kelly - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B011JCDCL6.jpg)
The Golden Doves: A Novel
Two former female spies, bound together by their past, risk everything to hunt down an infamous Nazi doctor in the aftermath of World War II-a pulse-pounding novel inspired by true events from the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls
"Martha Hall Kelly deftly illuminates little-known complexities of the post-war era while painting a vivid portrait of the deep scars and trauma that Holocaust survivors carried."-Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Sapphire
American Josie Anderson and Parisian Arlette LaRue are thrilled to be working in the French resistance, stealing so many Nazi secrets that they become known as the Golden Doves, renowned across France and hunted by the Gestapo. Their courage will cost them everything. When they are finally arrested and taken to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, along with their loved ones, a reclusive Nazi doctor does unspeakable things to Josie's mother, a celebrated Jewish singer who joined her daughter in Paris when the world seemed bright. And Arlette's son is stolen from her, never to be seen again.
A decade later the Doves fall headlong into a dangerous dual mission: Josie is working for U.S. Army Intelligence and accepts an assignment to hunt down the infamous doctor, while a mysterious man tells Arlette he may have found her son. The Golden Doves embark on a quest across Europe and ultimately to French Guiana, discovering a web of terrible secrets, and must put themselves in grave danger to finally secure justice and protect the ones they love.
Martha Hall Kelly has garnered acclaim for her stunning combination of empathy and research into the stories of women throughout history and for exploring the terrors of Ravensbrück. With The Golden Doves, she has crafted an unforgettable story about the fates of Nazi fugitives in the wake of World War II-and the unsung female spies who risked it all to bring them to justice.
"Martha Hall Kelly deftly illuminates little-known complexities of the post-war era while painting a vivid portrait of the deep scars and trauma that Holocaust survivors carried."-Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Sapphire
American Josie Anderson and Parisian Arlette LaRue are thrilled to be working in the French resistance, stealing so many Nazi secrets that they become known as the Golden Doves, renowned across France and hunted by the Gestapo. Their courage will cost them everything. When they are finally arrested and taken to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, along with their loved ones, a reclusive Nazi doctor does unspeakable things to Josie's mother, a celebrated Jewish singer who joined her daughter in Paris when the world seemed bright. And Arlette's son is stolen from her, never to be seen again.
A decade later the Doves fall headlong into a dangerous dual mission: Josie is working for U.S. Army Intelligence and accepts an assignment to hunt down the infamous doctor, while a mysterious man tells Arlette he may have found her son. The Golden Doves embark on a quest across Europe and ultimately to French Guiana, discovering a web of terrible secrets, and must put themselves in grave danger to finally secure justice and protect the ones they love.
Martha Hall Kelly has garnered acclaim for her stunning combination of empathy and research into the stories of women throughout history and for exploring the terrors of Ravensbrück. With The Golden Doves, she has crafted an unforgettable story about the fates of Nazi fugitives in the wake of World War II-and the unsung female spies who risked it all to bring them to justice.
Editorial Reviews
"[A] riveting story of two brave and amazing women who work in the French Resistance during World War II . . . a triumph!"-Lisa Scottoline, New York Times bestselling author of Eternal
"Breathtakingly told . . . Add this page-turner to the canon of female freedom fighters to whom we owe so much and who would go unrecognized were it not for authors like Kelly."-Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist
"I gasped aloud more times than I can count . . . and you will, too!"-Sarah McCoy, New York Times bestselling author of Mustique Island
"A pulse-pounding tale of vengeance, grief, mystery, and family."-Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars
"The Golden Doves is breathtaking-both in the beauty of its language and the twists of its high-stakes plot."-Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post
"Meticulously researched, hauntingly told, and inspired by real events that span generations and continents."-Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea
"Sensational . . . a must-read for all readers who love history."-Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Left Undone
"This timely, passionately researched, and intricately woven story of friendship, motherhood, and resistance will haunt you long after you've turned the final page."-Stephanie Dray, New Yo...
"Breathtakingly told . . . Add this page-turner to the canon of female freedom fighters to whom we owe so much and who would go unrecognized were it not for authors like Kelly."-Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist
"I gasped aloud more times than I can count . . . and you will, too!"-Sarah McCoy, New York Times bestselling author of Mustique Island
"A pulse-pounding tale of vengeance, grief, mystery, and family."-Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars
"The Golden Doves is breathtaking-both in the beauty of its language and the twists of its high-stakes plot."-Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post
"Meticulously researched, hauntingly told, and inspired by real events that span generations and continents."-Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Book of Flora Lea
"Sensational . . . a must-read for all readers who love history."-Adriana Trigiani, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Left Undone
"This timely, passionately researched, and intricately woven story of friendship, motherhood, and resistance will haunt you long after you've turned the final page."-Stephanie Dray, New Yo...
Readers Top Reviews
Addie Yoder
I started this book and was instantly pulled into the story. I love a historical fiction that leads me straight to google AND one that makes me want to flip through an author's backlist to look for characters I already know. The Golden Doves did both. While very intense and slower for me to read, I was hooked on the story and the twists and turns found in this WW2 romance. I think I have read it all, but then there is some piece of that era that is new to me and I am hooked once again. This story of two friends from unlikely backgrounds who lived through the war and after together and with a common mission made hard things feel more relatable and their choices and personalities made me feel for them in ways that I wasn't ready for. It's not an easy read. Hall rarely is. But definitely one that historical fiction fans don't want to miss.
Danielle B
This was such a well written novel, and I loved the two timelines. It was sad and shocking as I expected. I appreciated the author's note at the end of the book and her inspiration for writing THE GOLDEN DOVES and all her research that went into it. I want to note that this is quite a lengthy book but well worth the read, especially if you love history.
J.K
I read Martha Kelly’s first book on NetGalley years ago and have been a fan ever since. The Golden Doves is a chilling, haunting, disturbing tale of post WWII. Josie and Arlette, both survivors of Revensbruck and former operatives, have work left to do. I knew about some of the things covered in the novel, but the extent of the backstory turned my stomach. It was like an eel slithering through history leaving slime in its wake. This novel will make you sit upright and gulp audibly because of its contents. Don’t miss it.
Maureen
This book drew me in and didn't let go, from the first page all the way through the Author's Notes, I was page turning for answers. What a great job the author did bringing this story alive, and yes, the story is fictional, but with many truths woven in. I came away feeling that justice sure wasn't served, and I have been sitting in the dark all these years. The story is full of surprises, danger, fear, and yes, we do know what was going on at that time, but this read brings to light those that gave everything to thwart the evil that was spreading at that period of time in Europe! This complete disregard for human life, no matter the age. This book does focus on the evil that was perpetrated on the children, while hunting those responsible. I'll be looking for more books by this author! I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballentine Books, and was not required to give a positive review.
