The Librarians of Lisbon
A WWII Story of Love and Espionage
“A fast-paced roller-coaster ride of deceit, espionage, danger, and―above all―the unbreakable bonds of friendship. This tense page-turner peels back new layers in the complexities of World War II espionage as it hurtles toward its satisfying finish.”
- New York Times bestselling author Kristin Harmel
ISBN
9781638931652
Language
English
Page count
352
Edition
Paperback
Sale date
February 4, 2025
Dimensions
8.3 x 5.5
About the Book
Lisbon 1943. As two American librarians are drawn into a city of dangerous subterfuge and unexpected love affairs, they are forced to choose between their missions and the men they love. Inspired by real historical figures, award-winning author Suzanne Nelson pens a captivating story of two remarkable women, their bravery and heartache, and a friendship that withstands the ravages of war.
WWII rages Europe. Lisbon stands alone as a glamorous city on the brink of chaos, harboring spies trading double-edged secrets. Among them are Selene Delmont and Beatrice Sullivan, Boston librarians turned Allied operatives. Officially enlisted to collect banned books, both women are undercover agents tasked with infiltrating the Axis spy network.
Victory is not guaranteed.
Soon, they’re caught up in games of deception with two of Lisbon’s most notorious men—the outcast Portuguese baron, Luca Caldeira, and the lethal spy, code name Gable. As Selene charms her way through lavish ballrooms with Luca, the more bookish Bea is plunged into Gable’s shadowy world of informants. But when a betrayal unravels a carefully spun web of lies, everything they’ve fought for is thrown into jeopardy. As Selene and Bea are pushed to their breaking points can their friendship, and their hearts, survive the cost of war?
Reviews
“I could not put it down until I reached the last page! This is absolutely gripping and impeccably researched historical fiction—perfect for fans of Kate Quinn’s The Rose Code and Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale.”
“You won’t want to miss out on this terrific read.”
“Nelson masterfully weaves a tale filled with espionage, romance, and friendship, as her two heroines navigate a perilous world of secrets and lies. Meticulously researched with richly drawn characters and an atmospheric setting filled with both glamour and danger, this WWII novel is a must-read for fans of Kate Quinn and Pam Jenoff.”
“Nelson expertly weaves an edge-of-your-seat novel that depicts the dangers of espionage with the elegance of high-society reconnaissance, while tugging at the heartstrings. Highly recommend!”
“The Librarians of Lisbon is a gripping espionage thriller and an emotionally nuanced tribute to a lifelong friendship.”
“In The Librarians of Lisbon, two best friends from Boston are recruited as Allied spies and come to Lisbon, Portugal in the midst of World War II, both of them seeking answers in their own lives. What unfolds is a fast-paced roller-coaster ride of deceit, espionage, danger, and—above all—the unbreakable bonds of friendship. As Bea and Selene gain confidence—as both spies and women—they speed toward their destinies, both of them falling in love with potentially dangerous men along the way. Author Suzanne Nelson digs deep into the tangled wartime history of Lisbon, which was known as the City of Spies because of its popularity as a rendezvous point for intelligence agents in the midst of neutral Portugal. This tense page-turner peels back new layers in the complexities of World War II espionage as it hurtles toward its satisfying finish.”