Dragonfly

by Leila Meacham

First published 2019

During World War II, five young Americans receive a cryptic OSS recruitment letter. Each volunteer harbors private motivations: the Texas athlete with German heritage, the wealthy businessman's son with a French mother, the impoverished Midwestern fisherman, the orphaned clothing designer, and the stunning female fencer. They form an immediate connection as team Dragonfly. After intensive preparation, the operatives parachute into occupied France and assume fabricated personas. They work separately in Nazi-controlled Paris, communicating only through a concealed message system while mingling with high-ranking German officials. The Americans must maintain their covers while gathering intelligence. Their careful operation unravels when one agent makes a crucial error. The Nazis capture and execute the team member by firing squad. The surviving operatives face a devastating question about their fallen comrade's fate and whether elaborate deception still surrounds them.

Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, adventure, action, world-war-ii, espionage

Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful

Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family

Setting: France, Paris, United States

Period: World War II

Audio CD · Grand Central Publishing

Content warnings: death, violence

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