The Alice Network: A Novel

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller

An NPR's Best Book of the Year 

A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick!

A Summer Book Pick from Good Housekeeping, Parade, Library Journal, Goodreads, Liz and Lisa, and BookBub

In this enthralling novel from New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn, two womenโ€”a female spy recruited to the real-life Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947โ€”are brought together in a mesmerizing story of courage and redemption.

1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She's also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie's parents banish her to Europe to have her "little problem" taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.

1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she's recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she's trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the "Queen of Spies", who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy's nose.

Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn't heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth...no matter where it leads.

โ€œBoth funny and heartbreaking, this epic journey of two courageous women is an unforgettable tale of little-known wartime glory and sacrifice. Quinn knocks it out of the park with this spectacular book!โ€โ€”Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of America's First Daughter

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Published Jun 6, 2017

564 pages

Average rating: 8.11

685 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Anonymous
Jan 14, 2025
8/10 stars
I admit I am partial to historical novels written in two time periods. Usually there is a present day story that ties into another time period. My preference is almost always for the historical portion of the book. In this case both parts of the novel take place in an historical time period- one in WWI and one at the end of WWII. I thought the intersection of the two stories was brilliant and I enjoyed both as I learned something new about each time period.
Jayne M Frank
Sep 19, 2024
10/10 stars
Excellent storyline. Easy read. Hard to put down.
MeliMel
May 13, 2025
10/10 stars
Fantastic! I could not put this book down. Every chapter gave you tidbits to a wonderfully woven and yet intertwining story. Suspenseful and easy to read, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I was genuinely sad when it ended.I will try other books from this author.
Harrietaspy
May 04, 2025
8/10 stars
A quick fun read. An unlikely group of characters with an interesting plot. Thoroughly enjoyed.
aviationmet
Mar 31, 2025
8/10 stars
Overall, a good read. I struggled with Charlie's side - pregnant and drinking to excess so often (maybe not a well-known issue for the time period??) and the love story produced a number of eye rolls... though it was nice to know that she was moving toward a good life.

Eve's story was INTENSE! And, the interactions between her and Rene - sent chills up my spine. Her character was fantastic!

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