cover image Yours Is the Night

Yours Is the Night

Amanda Dykes. Bethany House, $15.99 trade paper (384p) ISBN 978-0-7642-3268-8

In this propulsive tale, Dykes (Set the Stars Alight) brings together soldiers and an ethereal presence in the woods of France during WWI. Upon arrival in France, platoon sergeant Matthew Petticrew is linked with George Piccadilly, a chaplain who entered seminary in order to avoid the war, and Hank Jones, a journalist covering the war. In the woods near their encampment, the trio meet a young woman named Mireilles, and soon they realize she is the person the locals refer to as the Angel of Argonne, who sings while laying wreaths on the graves of fallen soldiers. With the Germans advancing, the group’s commanding officer allows them to escort her to safety in Paris. Warily, Mireilles goes along—but hides the fact that she understands English at first, allowing her to eavesdrop on their conversations and gain trust in Matthew. When George and Hank develop a scheme to ditch Mireilles and abandon the mission, Matthew must lie to all three in order to see Mireilles to safety. Dykes embeds timeless themes of trust, courage, and sacrifice, and Mireilles’s ethereal role provides a subtle element of faith. Readers who enjoy the work of Tracie Peterson will love this. Agent: Wendy Lawton, Books and Such. (Aug.)