Out Now!

WW2 Series

If I Can Save One Child

Amanda Lees

France, 1942: Robert curls sleepily into me, his tiny hand grasping mine like a lifeline. He’s been so brave, this little boy who has been through the unimaginable. As his eyes close, I wonder how much longer we can go on. But I promised to save him. And I can’t give up now…

Young linguist Elisabeth has been working for the British secret service since the war began, rescuing downed pilots and Jewish refugees. Now the Gestapo are on her trail: her next mission must be her last. Or she may never see the white cliffs of Dover again.

But she can’t even think about abandoning her post when so many remain in danger. So when daredevil fellow agent Guy arrives with a frantic plea, there was never any doubt that Elisabeth would help. Somewhere in occupied France is a little boy, the last survivor of a Jewish orphanage, desperately trying to make his way to safety. They have to save him.

Elisabeth knows the mission may be suicide. But she also knows she could never live with herself if she didn’t try to save this child. And so she and Guy set off on one last journey together, into the mountains. For freedom – for this child – they’ll risk it all…

Based on the heartbreaking, compelling true stories of the women and men who risked everything to save thousands of innocent lives, this completely addictive novel is perfect for readers of My Name is Eva, Marion Kummerow and Mandy Robotham.

What readers are saying about Amanda Lees:

‘Impossible to put down… extraordinary… a must-read.I wish I could give this book more than five stars.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heartbreaking… I cried so many times… I couldn’t put it down… Incredible… I highly recommend it.’ Page Turners ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Incredible… Absolutely fascinating… just brilliant… filled with tension and edge of your seat stuff… I found myself racing towards the finish line with my heart in my mouth.’Shaz’s Book Blog

‘I read this book in one day. Omg… I seriously cried.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Gripping… Unputdownable!… Splendid…! Superb.’ Vegan Book Blogger ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Beautiful… Emotional… A story of bravery, survival, strength, friendship and love with the most perfect ending. A page-turner that had me up until all hours… highly recommended.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Phenomenal… I loved every minute… captivating… I loved it and highly recommend it.’ Page Turners ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Spectacular… Oh, I love this!… phenomenal.’ Goodreads reviewer

‘I feverishly tore through the chapters… spellbinding.’@booksreadbyaprairiegirl

‘Exceptional… heart stopping.’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘10 out of 10… I read this within a day.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

WW2 Series book four

The Paris Spy’s Girl

Amanda Lees

Paris, 1943. I stare at Charlie across the crowded room. Working deep undercover, we’re surrounded by Nazi high command. Slowly, he smiles at me and my breath catches. I have to trust him, or we’re both dead…

As war rages across France, English exile Christine has become the most deadly asset the British Secret Service has in occupied Paris. But when Suzanne, her best friend and the sole agent who knows the details of the top-secret D-Day landings, is betrayed to the Nazis by someone at the heart of their spy network, she is devastated. Going undercover with Charlie – a handsome but elusive American spy with an agenda of his own – is her only chance to catch the traitor in their midst.

Pretending to be not only Nazi collaborators but lovers too, they must save Suzanne from almost certain death and prevent the D-Day landing plans from ending up in the wrong hands. But as Christine and Charlie’s pretend desire turns to true love, her past – and the real reason she had to leave England forever – puts their whole mission in terrible danger.

With the Nazis closing in and Suzanne’s life on the line, Christine is forced into one last, desperate act: heading back into deepest, darkest enemy territory, knowing her disguise could have been exposed. With even her trust in Charlie shaken, will Christine have to choose between her love for him, her best friend’s life, and freedom for France? And who will pay the ultimate sacrifice…?

A totally compelling, page-turning historical novel of love, bravery and sacrifice in the darkest of times. Set in wartime Paris, this is an utterly gripping and tear-jerking read perfect for readers of Kate Quinn, Rhys Bowen and Mandy Robotham.

What readers are saying about Amanda Lees:

‘Impossible to put down… extraordinary… a must-read. I wish I could give this book more than five stars.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Heartbreaking… I cried so many times… I couldn’t put it down… Incredible… I highly recommend it.’ Page Turners ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Incredible… Absolutely fascinating… just brilliant… filled with tension and edge of your seat stuff… I found myself racing towards the finish line with my heart in my mouth.’ Shaz’s Book Blog

‘I read this book in one day. Omg… I seriously cried.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Gripping… Unputdownable!… Splendid…! Superb.’ Vegan Book Blogger ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Beautiful… Emotional… A story of bravery, survival, strength, friendship and love with the most perfect ending. A page-turner that had me up until all hours… highly recommended.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Phenomenal… I loved every minute… captivating… I loved it and highly recommend it.’ Page Turners ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Spectacular… Oh, I love this!… phenomenal.’ Goodreads reviewer

‘I feverishly tore through the chapters… spellbinding.’ @booksreadbyaprairiegirl

‘Exceptional… heart stopping…’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘10 out of 10… I read this within a day.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

WW2 Series Book Three

The Midwife’s Child

Amanda Lees

Auschwitz, January 1945: forced on a terrifying death march from the notorious concentration camp, midwife and former secret agent Maggie must find the strength to protect the tiny baby girl her dying friend left to her care. Only weeks old, little Leah is in terrible danger – from the Nazis, from the freezing weather, from starvation.

So when a company of soldiers led by brave Captain Jamie Maclean rescues the marching women, Maggie’s relief knows no bounds. But it soon turns to astonishment when Jamie vows to help Maggie reunite Leah with her father – he has fallen in love with Maggie, and will do everything in his power to assist her.

Maggie can’t yet trust her own, budding, feelings. But she accepts Jamie’s help, and slowly starts to dream of a life together. Until Maggie gets the news every survivor dreads. The most fearsome Nazi of all, Dr Mengele, the terror of Auschwitz, has escaped – and she may be the only person strong enough to track him down.

Looking at baby Leah’s trusting eyes, Maggie’s heart is torn. But she has to find Mengele and bring him to justice. Can she succeed on the most terrifying mission of her life, when so many others have failed? And if she does, will she find her way back home to the ones she loves, or will the heartbreak of everything she has suffered destroy any chance of happiness, forever?

A compelling and heart-breaking historical novel about sacrifices, determination and love that conquers all. Perfect for readers of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and The Alice Network, this emotional read will leave you filled with hope.

WW2 Series Book Two

Paris At First Light

Amanda Lees

Paris, 1944: secret agent Juliette is on her most dangerous mission of the war so far. But then her children are kidnapped, and to get them back she may have to commit the ultimate betrayal – that of France itself…

Four years ago, when France fell to the Nazis, Juliette made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind her two precious children to join the Resistance and defend her country. Now a spy in Paris, she must work with CaptainDaniel Diaz – an American agent she’s taken an instant dislike to – on a dangerous mission to uncover a deadly Nazi plot.

As the pair play their parts, Juliette begins to see another side to Daniel, and their feelings for each other start to grow. But just as love blossoms, Juliette receives a ransom note that changes everything. Someone in Paris knows who she is. And they’ve kidnapped her little son and daughter. The message is clear: betray your country, or you’ll never see your children alive again.

Juliette has sworn a sacred oath to save France at all costs, but she could never sacrifice her children. So, against all the odds, she decides to attempt the impossible: rescue her children and continue her dangerous work fighting the Nazi threat.

But as the mission forces Juliette and Daniel to the very brink, will they succeed on all fronts? And if not, will France pay the ultimate price, or will Juliette?

A completely gripping and heart-wrenching historical novel about hope, betrayal and one mother’s limitless courage. Perfect for fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and My Name is Eva, this epic story will leave you breathless.

WW2 Series Book One

The Silence Before Dawn

Amanda Lees

Nazi-occupied France, 1944: I tear open the envelope, extracting a sheet of folded paper. I read it, my heart cracking with every word. There is no mistaking the name of the man who betrayed us. Jack. My beloved fiancé – and now, a traitor.

For months, Marianne’s resistance network has carried out courageous missions from a remote farmhouse in southern Provence, aiding the Nazis’ downfall. But one fateful night, they are viciously ambushed as German soldiers storm in, scattering, capturing or killing every last person there.

Mourning the loss of her friends, Marianne will need every ounce of courage to survive. Not only has her life as a secret agent been critically compromised, but her heart has been shattered. Because Jack, her darling fiancé and fellow spy, fled in the chaos – and is accused of being the traitor who betrayed them.

Desperate to believe Jack’s innocence and that their love was true, to her horror Marianne discovers he has been seized by the Butcher of Lyon, a Nazi more brutal and ruthless than any other. Now it is more imperative than ever that Marianne finds Jack – before he reveals the names of every undercover agent in France, or before he is murdered for remaining loyal.

So Marianne sets out on the most dangerous mission of her life, and the most personal. With her tight-knit group of fellow women agents by her side, she risks everything to rescue Jack. Can she save her fiancé before it’s too late – and change the fate of the war in the process? Or is she blind to the heart-breaking truth, and simply sacrificing her own life?

Based on true stories of the fearless women secret agents – and their tales of bravery, betrayal and love – this is the first book in the heart-pounding, heart-wrenching and totally addictive World War Two Resistance series. Perfect for readers of The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See and Ellie Midwood.

From Aconite To The Zodiac KIller

A Dictionary of Crime

Amanda Lees

From Aconite to the Zodiac Killer is an essential, go-to resource for readers and even for writers of crime fiction. More than simply a glossary, this is a guide that provides a doorway into a supergenre, and one that is not just for readers, but also for the many fans of film and TV dramas, of podcasts, and crime blogs. It is also an indispensable resource for writers or would-be writers of crime fiction.

This is an indispensable guide for fans of true crime and crime fiction, whether in books, films or on TV, who want to look behind the crime…

If you want to know how many murders it takes for a killer to be defined as a serial killer, what Philip Marlowe means when he talks about being ‘on a confidential lay’ and why the ‘fruit of a poisonous tree’ is a legal term rather than something you should avoid on a country walk, this is the reference book you’ve been waiting for.