I love it when an author takes a mystery and wraps it around true historical events. That’s what we have here in The Maggie Bright, A Novel of Dunkirk by Tracy Groot. The book is full of endearing and lovable square-pegs like Murray, Mrs. Shrew and the Burglar Vicar with vivid and colorful historical detail that is set against the backdrop of that Green and Glorious Island during one of her most desperate hours—Dunkirk.
England, 1940. Clare Childs knew life would change when she unexpectedly inherited the Maggie Bright—a noble fifty-two-foot yacht. In fact, she’s counting on it. But the boat harbors secrets. When a stranger arrives, searching for documents hidden onboard, Clare is pulled into a Scotland Yard investigation that could shed light on Hitler’s darkest schemes and prompt America to action. Across the Channel, Hitler’s Blitzkrieg has the entire British army in retreat with little hope for rescue at the shallow beaches of Dunkirk. With time running out, Churchill recruits civilian watercraft to help. Hitler is attacking from land, air, and sea, and any boat that goes might not return. Yet Clare knows Maggie Bright must answer the call—piloted by an American who has refused to join the war effort until now and a detective with a very personal motive for exposing the truth. The fate of the war hinges on this rescue. While two men join the desperate fight, a nation prays for a miracle.
It’s been awhile since a book reached out and dragged me into a story like this one. The Maggie Bright, is not what I expected but, “Wow, what a ride!” It took off right from the start, and by the time I reached page 86 and the following, I was hooked good and proper.
She fell upon her notes with hand-clasped rapture. “Isn’t life just full of glorious havoc at every turn? My dear Cecil would have something to say about these extraordinary times. He’s giving St. Peter an earful now, surely prodding him to join the great cloud of witnesses surrounding me; telling him to look on, just to see what that woman is up to next. Always called me ‘that woman.’ Always quite proud of me. Thought of me as rather a maverick…”
When Clare reached for a plate of toast crumbs, Mrs. Shrew placed her hand over Clare’s and said earnestly, “We’re in it together, aren’t we—this glorious and dreadful time that has come upon us?
I read this book in one day because I could not put it down!
I don’t think you will be able to either.
And let me finally say, “Bravo Ms. Groot, bravo!” I loved this book! You certainly make history come alive.
The Maggie Bright is available now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Target, as well as your other fine book retailers.
I am most thankful to Tyndale House Publishers for sending me this complimentary copy in exchange for my review, and I sincerely hope there will be many more like this one to come!
Women With Destiny 