Olive Bright, Pigeoneer

Pigeons and the role they played in WWII prompted a long-standing fascination for author Stephanie Graves, and the idea of a novel centered on the heroic efforts of these amazing birds had been fluttering in the back of her mind for fifteen years. The result of that fixation is the captivating historical mystery Olive Bright, Pigeoneer, the story of a vibrant 22-year-old veterinary student and pigeon fancier. As WWII breaks out, she’s evacuated from London back to her small hometown village in the English countryside, but her desire to make a difference in the world only grows stronger…

Adrift since her best friend, George, joined the Royal Air Force, Olive Bright fills her days in Pipley by helping at her father’s veterinary practice and tending to her beloved racing pigeons. Desperate to do her bit, Olive hopes the National Pigeon Service will enlist Bright Lofts’ expertise and use their highly trained birds to deliver critical, coded messages for His Majesty’s Forces. But the strangers who arrive in Pipley are not from the NPS—instead, Jameson Aldridge and his associate are tied to a covert British intelligence organization known as Baker Street.

If Olive wants her pigeons to help the war effort, she must do so in complete secrecy. But the village of Pipley in Hertfordshire soon must deal with another mystery when local busybody Miss Husselbee is found dead outside Olive’s pigeon loft. Is the murder tied to Olive’s new assignment? Or did Miss Husselbee finally succeed in ferreting out a secret shameful enough to kill for? With the gruff, handsome Jameson as an unlikely ally, Olive intends to find out—but homing in on a murderer can be a deadly business…

For more information on the role of pigeons in WWII, the history behind this novel, extra content from the author, and even the infamous Spam Cake recipe, download your free copy of the Olive Bright, Pigeoneer companion booklet HERE!: https://bit.ly/OliveBrightBooklet

Book club questions for Olive Bright, Pigeoneer by Stephanie Graves

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

Before reading Olive Bright, Pigeoneer, what did you know about homing pigeons used in World War II? Can you name additional animals that have served in times of war? After reading this book, do you feel the same about pigeons as you did before?

In the first chapter, Olive’s father tells her, “You always did want to be smack in the centre of things. Just like your mother. Sometimes, my dear, it’s more courageous to be the one left behind.” What does this quote mean to you? Literally and metaphorically, is it sometimes more courageous to be left behind? Why?

After setting up for the Daffodil Dance, Olive tells the shy librarian Rose Darling, “The world is in an uproar as it is—I suspect there’s not one of us who will emerge from this war unchanged—so you may as well take advantage. Let them see who you really are and what you’re capable of.” In what ways did Olive take her own advice? How does this quote apply to what is going on in today’s world?

Olive Bright, Pigeoneer is peppered with diary entries by the grumpy Mrs. Husselbee, who eventually dies by eating the mysterious Spam cake. How do her diaries propel the story? Did you enjoy reading her version of events? Did peeks into her side of the story make you feel differently towards her, whether positively or negatively?

As Olive gets involved in solving the mystery, she finds herself channeling her inner Poirot, and even copying his mannerisms. Have you ever gotten into character without realizing? Have you ever loved a character so much you started adopting their personality traits?

Olive and George never had a romantic relationship, having shared a brief kiss that instantly convinced them they were strictly meant to be friends. And yet Olive struggles to write in her letters to George anything about Captain Aldridge. Is it possible that George’s absence made her realize she may have unresolved feelings towards George? Why else would she not tell him about Captain Aldridge?

Olive’s sidekicks—George, Aldridge, and Jonathon—all tend to be male. Why do you think that Olive never chooses females as the Watsons to her Sherlock?

Rose Darling lives in the shadow of her mysterious and beautiful sister, Violet. How can the difficulty of living in someone’s shadow—especially another family member—drive a person’s behavior, and affect his/her sense of self?

It is repeated throughout Olive Bright, Pigeoneer that Olive’s father is a liability, which is why the National Pigeon Service and Baker Street choose not to use his expertise. But readers come to find that Olive can get herself into trouble too. In what ways is she like her father? From what little we know about her mother, how does Olive seem to take after her?

The book explores the theme of feeling trapped in myriad ways: Olive, wanting to leave but needing to stay; Olive’s mother, caught in her web of lies; Lady Camilla, dealing with the shame of an adulterous husband; and Harriet, facing a future shaped by a debilitating illness are just some examples. Is life simply a series of traps, and is an individual’s story and character determined by how he/she chooses to navigate them?

What do you think is next for Olive Bright and friends?

Olive Bright, Pigeoneer Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Olive Bright, Pigeoneer discussion questions

“A delightful classic village mystery studded with little-known World War II facts: a promising series debut.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Graves smoothly integrates the little-known story of the wartime pigeon service into the intriguing plot. Readers will look forward to seeing more of smart, energetic, and witty Olive.” —Publishers Weekly

“Olive Bright, Pigeoneer is the perfect escape read for troubled times. The classic village mystery with its quirky cast of characters, including pigeons, plus the heightened danger of WWII.” —Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of the Royal Spyness mysteries plus the #1 international bestselling The Tuscan Child

“From literary-themed pigeons to a cozy village seething with dark secrets and populated by a delightful cast of characters, Olive Bright, Pigeoneer is fresh, original, and sure to enchant. An absolute winner!” —Deanna Raybourn, New York Times bestselling author of A Murderous Relation

This recommended reading and discussion guide are shared and sponsored in partnership with Kensington.