Immersing readers in the gripping narrative of World War II, this tale unfolds the remarkable courage of a young woman drafted into Churchill’s overseas spy network. Tasked with aiding the French Resistance behind enemy lines and contributing to the liberation of Nazi-occupied Paris, her journey is nothing short of riveting.
Set in London, 1941, within the confined bunker of Winston Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms beneath Westminster’s Treasury building, civilian women diligently work at desks, typing up confidential documents. Among them is Rose Teasdale, who, having lost her parents in a bombing raid, spends long hours in Room 60, growing accustomed to the scent of the Prime Minister’s cigars lingering in the air. With the sole focus on winning the war, Rose willingly dedicates herself to the cause. When Churchill recognizes her fluency in French, it opens up a rare yet perilous opportunity.
Recruited into the Special Operations Executive, a clandestine British organization conducting espionage in Nazi-occupied Europe, Rose undergoes rigorous training before parachuting into France with the codename Dragonfly. Disguised as a cosmetics saleswoman in Paris, she adeptly navigates the city, ferrying messages to and from the Resistance. Aware that any misstep could mean capture or death, Rose takes on her covert role with determination.
As Rose embarks on a new mission alongside Lazare Aron, a French Resistance fighter deeply committed to the cause, their partnership unfolds against the backdrop of a Paris transformed into a shell by Nazi occupation. Both driven by personal losses, they face the challenges of desolate streets and buildings adorned with Swastikas. Rose’s loyalty to the cause puts her at risk, particularly during a high-stakes prison raid, forcing her to confront the extent of sacrifices she might need to make to justify Churchill’s unwavering faith in her.