Violins of Autumn

In May 1944, 17-year-old Betty, a trained spy, is about to parachute into occupied France to help the Resistance. Under the new identity of Adele, a French girl, Betty works as a courier, delivering messages while trying to stay under the Gestapo’s radar. “[W]hat could be more thrilling than scooting around the countryside on a bicycle, carrying top-secret messages... right under the noses of oblivious Germans?” From the prologue readers know that, at some point, Betty gets captured, which adds to the tension each time she begins a new assignment. McAuley (Over and Over You) has clearly done her research; historical facts are smoothly woven into the narrative, and the details of Betty’s assignments, such as spying on a factory or passing along codes, feel real. Less believable are characters like Robbie, a downed American pilot, or Pierre, a Frenchman fighting for his country, both of whom fall for Betty in a way that feels more manufactured than organic. Still, Betty is a daring and relatable heroine, and the challenges she faces will keep readers engaged. Ages 12–up. Agent: Steven Chudney, the Chudney Agency. (June)