Cristina Loggia – Lucifer’s Game

A historical spy thriller story, that’s from a new author (again) for me. I will never get tired of expanding my reading through book blogging, every week usually brings me a new gem of an author to discover. First I shall let you have a look at the synopsis.

Rome, 1942. Cordelia Olivieri is a young, determined hotel owner desperate to escape Mussolini’s racial persecution. But as Fascist leaders gather in Rome, Cordelia is suddenly surrounded by the world’s most ruthless and powerful commanders.

In an effort to keep her Jewish heritage a secret and secure safe passage out of Italy, Cordelia forms a dangerous alliance with the British army who want to push the Axis out of North Africa once and for all.

A tense and suspenseful World War 2 thriller that kept me engaged and so busy needing to know what happened next that I read until I had no choice but to put it down. This is the sign of a great book. The characters are all well created and complex too. We are given their backstories, which was a great idea as these helped me connect with them. I enjoyed seeing the inclusion of people like Goering, even only in conversations etc. It lent to the feeling of realism.

How far must Cordelia go to protect her identity and secure passage out of Rome?

I love a historical fiction book but when it’s a spy thriller that incorporates historical fiction, there is no point talking to me for a while. I am in the corner with my nose in said book…and I was, for a while. I just didn’t want to put it down, at all.

A well plotted and expertly written story with a setting so vivid I was immersed. I again learnt facts about Italy and the War I never knew too, so it goes into my educated and most certainly entertained list of books, of which, there are many I must say.

I did like the inclusion of an epilogue as I felt like I at least discovered what happened to the characters as well. This is something I don’t usually take notice of whether there is an epilogue, but with this book it seemed just right to know what had happened. A great way to end the book for me anyway.

Thanks to Anne Cater and Lume Books for my copy of the book for today.