The Princess Spy: The True Story of World War II Spy Aline Griffith, Countess of Romanones

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Description

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER

As exciting as any spy novel (Daily News, New York), The Princess Spy follows the hidden history of an ordinary American girl who became one of the OSSs most daring World War II spies before marrying into European nobility. Perfect for fans of A Woman of No Importance and Code Girls.

When Aline Griffith was born in a quiet suburban New York hamlet, no one had any idea that she would go on to live a life of glamour and danger that Ingrid Bergman only played at in Notorious (Time). As the United States enters the Second World War, the young college graduate is desperate to aid in the war effort, but no one is interested in a bright-eyed young woman whose only career experience is modeling clothes.

Alines life changes when, at a dinner party, she meets a man named Frank Ryan and reveals how desperately she wants to do her part for her country. Within a few weeks, he helps her join the Office of Strategic Servicesforerunner of the CIA. With a code name and expert training under her belt, she is sent to Spain to be a coder, but is soon given the additional assignment of infiltrating the upper echelons of society, mingling with high-ranking officials, diplomats, and titled Europeans. Against this glamorous backdrop of galas and dinner parties, she recruits sub-agents and engages in deep-cover espionage.

Even after marrying the Count of Romanones, one of the wealthiest men in Spain, Aline secretly continues her covert activities, being given special assignments when abroad that would benefit from her impeccable pedigree and social connections.

[A] meticulously researched, beautifully crafted work of nonfiction that reads like a James Bond thriller (Bookreporter), The Princess Spy brings to vivid life the dazzling adventures of a spirited American woman who risked everything to serve her country.

Reviews

INSTANTNEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, ANDUSA TODAYBESTSELLER

Florida Book Awards bronze medal
FeaturedonToday
What to Read in 2021 byThe Washington Post
AWall Street Journalmonthly pick
"[A] real life espionage thrillerFast-paced, edgy and highly engaging. The Wall Street Journal
The Princess Spyis one of the most glamorous and thrilling espionage tales ever told." VannessaCronin,Amazon Book Review
Loftis, a historian whos written two previous nonfiction spy thrillers, delivers a rich, deeply researched account of Griffiths espionage escapades.Washington Post
Filled with glamour, glitz, and mysterious characters...Sumptuous...A lively history of a spirited woman. Kirkus Reviews
An entertaining biography [with a] fast-moving narrative...Espionage buffs will be enthralled. Publishers Weekly
A richly-detailed narrative full of twists and turns. Library Journal
SpellbindingWith splashes of glamour set against dire stakes and covert operations,The Princess Spyis a cross betweenCode GirlsandThe Only Woman in the Room. BookBub
[A] thrilling romp across 20th-century Europe filled with intrigue and unforgettable characters, and will have any reader thinking twice about what they're revealing at their next upper-crust cocktail soiree.Town & Country
If you enjoy reading about women doing their bit during World War II, you're going to love this. Womans OwnMagazine (UK)
[A] meticulously researched, beautifully crafted work of nonfiction that reads like a James Bond thriller."Bookreporter
As exciting as any spy novel. New York Daily News

Author Bio

Larry Loftis is the New York Times and international bestselling author of the nonfiction spy thrillers, Code Name: LiseThe True Story of the Woman Who Became WWIIs Most Highly Decorated Spy, and Into the Lion's Mouth: The True Story of Dusko PopovWorld War II Spy, Patriot, and the Real-Life Inspiration for James Bond, which have been published in multiple languages around the world. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Mr. Loftis was a corporate attorney and adjunct professor of law. He can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and at LarryLoftis.com.