The Golden Doves: A Novel

This novel has so much - spies, powerful women, a fight for justice, and more - but I struggled to get through the book and I had trouble connecting with the characters. I'm certain other readers will love this book, but I felt like there was almost too much happening for a good story.

[1.5 stars; DNF]. With apologies to those who awarded 4 or 5 stars to this book, I found it remarkably disappointing. Even with its intriguing premise, the writing was marginal, the narrative structure was clunky and the main characters lacked credibility. I didn’t make beyond the 35% mark before calling it quits — and this happens with less than 5% of the works I read.

The Golden Doves. A pair of brave young women who became known for their daring acts in the French Resistance. American Josie Anderson and Parisian Arlette LaRue face harrowing consequences when they're captured by the Gestapo and sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp. A decade later, Josie works for U.S. Army intelligence and pursues a notorious Nazi doctor, while a stranger offers Arlette hope of finding her long-lost son. Together, the Golden Doves embark on a perilous journey across Europe and French Guiana, uncovering horrifying secrets and risking everything for justice and their loved ones.

I really wanted to like this one, especially with how much it was based on true stories and facts. The author did an excellent job highlighting the unfairness of how Nazi officers escaped justice for the crimes they did. Also, the horror of the continued experiments was also shown well.

However, I didn’t like either main character. Throughout the story, I found them both unlikely spies and I was frustrated by the decisions they made. It was hard to believe either of them had been trained in espionage. They also seemed to fall into bed with every good looking man who crossed their path. And would continue to sleep with them, even when they didn’t trust them.

Overall, I found this a difficult book to get through. I appreciated the details of life after World War II, but would have liked characters that I could actually like. I received an ARC through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.

This is an extremely important piece of writing insofar as it shines a blinding light on a country’s complicity in the horrors of war and how far powerful men will go to gain their objective. I took a long time reflecting on this book before trying to review it because so much of it was so difficult to explain and embrace. Murderers treated to tennis whites and court time and forget about the horrors they perpetrated, in their torture chambers, on innocent women. There is so much ugliness, so much misplaced rationalizing, and that may be the best we can say about those perceived to be the good guys. Those described in The Golden Doves are damaged survivors who are willing to follow instructions almost blindly, searching for the enemy, a lost son, and ultimately their betrayers.

Meticulously researched, slow going at times, I kept coming back to how much can be forgiven, while insuring that this story will not be forgotten. Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a copy.

Martha Hall Kelly is one of my favorite historical fiction writers. Lilac Girls is in my Top 1o favorites. I find that I learn things about WW II that I knew nothing about.

Dual timeline, told in two different voices, Josie and Arlette, young resistance fighters in 1942 trying to help end the war. Thrown together initially, they form a bond like no other. They become quite notorious, ending up being captured and sent to Ravensbruck Camp, housing women and children, and many horrendous experiments are carried out. Fast forward to 1952 and Josie is working for the US on Operation Paperclip, a little know (to me) operation trying to locate high ranking Nazi official before Russia can claim them as their own to use their knowledge. Arlette is working in a Paris cafe and still looking for her son that went missing at Ravensbruck. The Golden Doves are working together again but will they be successful on this mission?

A beautiful, gut wrenching story told with compassion and honesty extolling the horrors women encountered at the Ravensbruck camp and the atrocities still being carried out in 1952 by Nazis hiding and protected in South America. It was infuriating to see how these high ranking officials were protected by many countries, the Vatican included, in South America and were sought after by Russia, USA and others for their knowledge on germ warfare. As a history geek, I enjoy reading stories where I learn so much. Remember history so we may never allow this to happen again.

Thanks to Random House/Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

This story is told in alternating time lines. During WWII, Josie and Arlette work for the French resistance. After being discovered, they end up in the Ravensbruck concentration camp. A decade after liberation, Josie is working for US intelligence, and accepts a mission to hunt down a Ravensbruck camp doctor. In France, Arlette is given a tip about the child who was taken from her in the camp.

This first half of this book felt like a sequel. It felt like I was missing vital information and had to make some guesses about the story. The two main characters were pretty compelling and very likeable. I think the book could have used some revision and editing to make it flow more smoothly, but overall it was a good read.

Josie Anderson, an American and Arlette LaRue, a Parisian, are working together to help the French resistance. They are named the Golden Doves. They eventually get caught by the Gestapo and are sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp. This is where Arlette’s son is stolen. A decade later, she is still on the hunt. She believes in her heart he is still alive. Josie now works for army intelligence and she searching for a Dr. Snow. These two team up to help each other. But, as you can guess nothing goes as planned.

I love Josie and Arlette. These two are tough in different ways. They compliment each other. Arlette is a bit softer to Josie’s toughness.

I knew about the USA and Operation Paperclip, I just don’t think I believed the extent of it. This book opened my eyes to the lengths the USA tried to get the scientist and the doctors to the States before Russia did.

Now, this is a five star read for me but, it is not without problems. I did feel the story is a bit coincidental and far fetched, especially at the end. However, the intensity and the emotional feelings of this story is spot on. This is what keeps drawing me to this author. I have been a fan since I read The Lilac Girls …another must read. And this is, I don’t want to say sequel, but it does follow some of the same characters. So, if you get a chance, grab this book too!

This is one of my favorite time periods. WWII always creates so much emotion for me. I just can’t fathom the loss, anger, and hurt that this period in history caused for everyone involved.

Need an intense story you will not soon forget…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly is Historical Suspense Fiction during and post World War II. Danger is everywhere, medical experiments, nightmarish secrets, psychological torment and unbelievable evil. Spies who want to find Nazi criminals and bring them to justice. What and whom do these criminals know that will keep them from just punishment?
Historical facts are woven into a fictional story and make it seem very real. Admirable characters that do what they must to survive and bring justice. Evil and darkness involving people and places where you least expect it. Thrills and suspense keep the reader on the edge to the final pages.
The Nazi’s with their evil socialism, control, policies, technology, laws, camps and experiments are the foundation for this book. This book brought to my mind the similarities in 21st Century oppressive actions of most world governments in the last few years.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. Well Done 5 Stars

I love this authors previous books as she puts so much research and personal touch to her historical fiction inspired by true events. This one I found challenging to piece together the stories with the alternative times from different POV in different time lines. It starts in 1952 Fort Bliss, TX and Paris, France back to past events in 1943.

Josie Anderson from Fort Bliss, Texas and Arlette LaRue from Paris, France work undercover during the war for the French Resistance stealing Nazi secrets and would eventually be discovered by the Gestapo. The Nazis arrested them and were imprisoned in the Ravensbruck concentration camp with their families where they endured unspeakable crimes.

A decade after WWII, the two former female spies are contacted to risk their lives once more to help track down an infamous Nazi doctor who performed dangerous experiments on people. Both woman also want to avenge the pain the Nazis had inflicted on their families during the war.
Lieutenant Josie Anderson working for the US Army intelligence learns about how certain Nazi scientists were given refuge if they agreed to work with the US government. In doing so they could avoid imprisonment in Germany for war crimes. There was one doctor in particular who remained a risk as he was being sought by the Russians who wanted to lure the talented scientist. Dr Snow was an elusive, virologist and gynecologist who performed inhumane experiments during the war on humans. This is where Josie and Arlette come in as they have their own personal reasons for wanting to see Dr Snow behind bars.

This is a story about trust, survival and resilience.

I feel the author may wanted to include too much information into the novel that some parts didn't feel authentic. I am rounding up my review as I know the author does extensive research from her other spectacular historic novels.

This book grabbed my attention from the first chapter. Even though the story is about World War II, Martha Hall Kelly puts a different spin on this one and takes readers to two different timelines, one during the war and the other ten years later.

The story centers around two young women with very different backgrounds who were thrown together working for the resistance in France. Through their work, they become close friends, developing a successful working relationship.

Inevitably, they are discovered, though not for what they were actually doing. Sent to Ravensbruck, the two women became familiar with some of the infamous Nazi doctors. Thankfully they survive and ten years later are moving on with their lives.

Josie works for US Army Intelligence and Arlette is working in a cafe in France, when they each set out on separate paths for very different reasons. Arlettte is still trying to find her son and gets a good lead on where he might be and Josie is sent to Europe to hunt down one of the infamous Nazi doctors from Ravensbruck.

Eventually their paths collide and Josie and Arlette find themselves working together once again. The story moved at a brisk pace and I was continually engaged. I especially liked how Kelly included the Operation Paperclip program into the story.

Readers who love thrillers, history and spy novels will enjoy this story. Also there is a bit of a surprise in the ending.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group—Ballantine for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to recommend this novel and give my honest review.

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.

This was another fantastic historical fiction novel. The author's writing style draws you immediately into the story. This book takes place shortly after WW2. Josie, an American and Arlette, a french women spent part of the war as spies for the Resistance in France. After they are arrested, they both spend time in a concentration camp. Years later, the two girls reconnect. Arlette is in search of her lost son and Josie is on a case to track down a Nazi doctor from the camps. Again, they are faced with danger and must rely on each other to protect each other and bring others to justice for their crimes.

I received a complimentary eBook from Netgalley in exchange for a review.

Author Martha Hall Kelly has crafted yet another wonderful and sweeping historical fiction story which also draws on the thriller genre and has a touch of mystery. The dual story line opens in the year 1952 and often flashes back to the war years, 1940 to 1945.

The two fictional main characters are American Josie Anderson and Alsatian Arlette Dagmar LaRue. Josie, daughter of an American diplomat, meets Arlette in German occupied Paris. The duo are willingly tasked by the French Resistance to eavesdrop on Nazi conversations and get the intel to the British through the usual nefarious methods and at great peril. They were so accomplished at their task, that they received the moniker, the Golden Doves. Their luck runs out and they find themselves at Ravensbrück Women's Concentration Camp. Move forward to 1952, Arlette receives notice that her son, who was taken from her at Ravensbrück , may be housed at an orphanage in French Guiana and she hopes to investigate further. Meanwhile, U.S. Army Lieutenant Josie Anderson, is on staff to identify and find German scientific assets (scientists and doctors) and to bring them to America to work for the U.S. Government thus preventing their knowledge from falling into the hands of the Soviets. In essence, she's a glorified Nazi hunter with a very heavy chip on her shoulder.

The story is very well written with an incredible amount of historical research that went into its telling. The characters are well-developed and the mise en scène is vibrant. It was so well laid out that one could see the magnificent sites of Paris as well as the garish living arrangements at Ravensbrück in their mind's eye and smell the breads as their essence wafted out of the bakery doors. The first half of the story lays the ground work for the building intensity in the second half. The tension remains taut right through to the epilogue at which point the tension relaxes and the book draws to a satisfying conclusion. There were enough loose ends at the finish, that one can hope for a sequel involving the main players in this story. Hope springs eternal. If you have an interest in the roles of women of WWII and enjoy well-written and well-researched stories about these women, then this may well be the book for you.

I am grateful to Ms. Kelly and her publisher, Ballantine Books, for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publication Date: Apr 18, 2023
Pages: 528
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 978-0593354889