Inspired by the true story of a woman who used knitting patterns to encode intelligence during World War Two.



Guernsey, 2010. After a stroke, an elderly woman shocks her family by speaking perfect French - a language they never knew she possessed. As her granddaughter unravels seventy years of silence, a hidden wartime story emerges...



Paris, 1941. After her brother is declared missing in action at Dunkirk, eighteen-year-old Lenny Gallienne vanishes into Churchill's secret army. In a bookshop on Rue de la Pompe, she poses as a simple shop girl while encoding intelligence from Nazi headquarters into knitting patterns. Each sweater smuggled to prisoners contains flight paths. Each scarf holds radio frequencies. Each mistake means execution.



Fellow agent, Harry Dennison, is the only person who knows her real name. But when the Gestapo close in, Lenny faces an impossible choice in the Metro tunnels beneath Paris - one that will haunt her family for generations. Because in the resistance, the most dangerous secrets are the ones you keep from those you love most.



Perfect for fans of The Nightingale, The Alice Network and The Last Bookshop in London.



What readers are saying about Jenny O’Brien's historical novels:



‘Nothing short of extraordinary. Evelyn’s courage as a wartime nurse in Nazi-occupied Guernsey was incredibly moving... This book not only sheds light on a remarkable piece of history but also explores the lasting impact of sacrifice, family, and love. It’s a deeply emotional journey that I won’t forget.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



‘A fantastic read, I honestly loved everything about it and I couldn’t put it down. I read it in a few hours. I loved the writing, I loved the dual timelines...’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



‘Oh, this book warmed my heart and shattered my soul... The author expertly weaves the two timelines together, introducing the reader to unforgettable characters and heartbreaking scenarios... This powerful book is not to be missed, and I will be thinking about it for a long time.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



‘A poignant and heart wrenching story that will stay with you long after you put down the book... O’Brien brings to life the victims of war as no mere historical record can do; her writing is elegant and her portrayal of her characters is moving.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



‘A compelling and captivating read that I won’t soon forget... Jenny O’Brien does an amazing job of bringing the two stories together... The book is beautifully written and I felt like I was right there.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



‘Remarkable story that made me cry... I loved it.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



‘A heartbreaking yet uplifting read... This is a truly emotional read and one that will have you reading well into the night.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



‘An utterly compelling and emotional read that will stay with me for a long time.’ Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐