Saskia Maarleveld, with her unusually beautiful voice and her talent for European accents, is especially well matched to an audio thriller set during the Soviets’ WWII. Quinn’s heroine, Mila Pavlichenko, based on a real person, is a gifted sniper fighting the “Hitlerites” in Ukraine, as well as sexism and misogyny in the Red Army and at home. On a 1942 propaganda trip to the U.S., Quinn also puts the “girl sniper” in the crosshairs of an evil Western sniper-for-hire commissioned to assassinate FDR and blame the Russian visitor. Quinn’s Mila is a complicated character who believably intrigues the first lady, and Maarleveld gives her humor and heart. She also snarls and purrs her way through roomfuls of Russians, Americans, and others like the pro she is. B.G. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

Quinn returns to WWII in this immersive saga. [Her] page-turning narrative is enhanced by her richly drawn characters and by the fascinating code-breaking techniques, which come alive via Quinn’s extensive historical detail. This does not disappoint.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Rose Code

"Readers: Prepare to be swept away by The Rose Code. A richly deserved tribute to the WWII codebreakers of Bletchley Park, Kate Quinn’s latest novel is a tour de force. Exhaustive research, vibrant characters, and pulse-pounding suspense combine in a riveting tale destined to be a book-club favorite. I absolutely loved it." — Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Sold on a Monday  

“Kate Quinn does it again! This rollicking tale of espionage and female solidarity is a tour de force that will make you laugh and cry at the same time. For the quirky, complicated and unforgettable women of Bletchley Park, beneath the lipstick and lace lurks a gritty life of danger and daring. From frantic efforts to decode Nazi messages to the consequences of treason and secret-keeping in the post-war jubilation, there's never a dull moment. The Rose Code is pure genius and Quinn's best... so far.”
— Stephanie Dray, New York Times Bestselling author of The Women of Chateau Lafayette

“The hidden history of Bletchley Park has been waiting for a master storyteller like Kate Quinn to bring it to life. The Rose Code effortlessly evokes the frantic, nervy, exuberant world of the Enigma codebreakers through the eyes of three extraordinary women who work in tireless secrecy to defeat the Nazis. Quinn’s meticulous research and impeccable characterization shine through this gripping and beautifully executed novel.” — Beatriz Williams, New York Times bestselling author of Her Last Flight

“A knockout of a story, written by the reigning queen of historical fiction. Quinn’s trio of heroines practically leap off the page in this stunning novel, which melds spy-hunting with love stories that will stir your soul. A book for the ages.” — Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue, on The Rose Code  

"Kate Quinn follows her word-of-mouth bestseller, The Alice Network, with another compulsively readable historical novel ...[a] powerful novel about unusual women facing sometimes insurmountable odds with grace, grit, love and tenacity.” — Washington Post

"The Diamond Eye is sharply observed, multi-faceted and brilliantly alive—historical fiction at its best!"

From blood-soaked Russian battlefields to the White House Rose Garden, Kate Quinn takes expert aim at one of history’s forgotten heroines to bring us a story that will pull you in from the very first sentence. The Diamond Eye is her best yet!” 

"The Diamond Eye is another winner from Kate Quinn. A historian-turned-sniper who falls in love in wartorn Russia and then befriends Eleanor Roosevelt – what’s not to love? The thrilling showdown at the end is not to be missed!"

"Kate Quinn amazes me. With each new book she reaches new heights in her craft as a writer of page-turning plots and prose. The Diamond Eye is a remarkable story filled with heart, intrigue, breathtaking drama and, perhaps best of all, meticulously researched details that prove that history provides the absolute best raw material for storytelling. Like her sniper subject Lyudmila Pavlichenko, Kate Quinn has brilliantly hit her mark—this is a stunning novel about a singular historical heroine." 

"Kate Quinn follows her word-of-mouth bestseller, The Alice Network, with another compulsively readable historical novel ...[a] powerful novel about unusual women facing sometimes insurmountable odds with grace, grit, love and tenacity.

The brilliant Kate Quinn is at the top of her game with an unexpected historical heroine to root for. The young Russian mother and war hero will steal your heart by stealth—just as she stole the heart of Eleanor Roosevelt, America's most celebrated First Lady. You'll be wowed by this unlikely tale of love and lasting friendship that transcends ideology. It kept me reading late into the night!”

A knockout of a story, written by the reigning queen of historical fiction. Quinn’s trio of heroines practically leap off the page in this stunning novel, which melds spy-hunting with love stories that will stir your soul. A book for the ages.

"An epic journey with history's deadliest female sniper from the trenches of the Russian front to the halls of American power, The Diamond Eye is an enthralling page-turner brimming with emotion and excitement. Kate Quinn writes with a diamond eye for detail."

"Readers can all but smell the gunsmoke in The Diamond Eye, so thoroughly does Kate Quinn immerse you in the grim and grey world of the Russian Front — and in the psyche of her remarkable real-life heroine, Mila Pavlichenko. Quinn’s page-turning account of Mila’s transformation from student to sniper measures the unimaginable toll of pulling the trigger, portraying with power and compassion Mila’s urge not to kill, but to protect. Unputdownable!"

A sparkling gem of a story about a fabulous and fascinating woman. Lyudmila Pavlichenko’s journey from history student and mother to sniper and national hero is beautifully rendered by Kate Quinn in this utterly absorbing novel.” 

In The Diamond Eye, Kate Quinn introduces us to her fiercest heroine yet, Mila Pavlichenko, a celebrated female sniper for the Red Army who displays death-defying courage, skill, and wisdom. As readers follow her into the trenches of WWII, they will feel the adrenaline rush each time she pulls the trigger. Be forewarned: once you start reading, you’ll not be able to stop turning the pages. Exquisitely told, this is what makes Kate Quinn such a powerhouse in historical fiction.

"Readers: Prepare to be swept away by The Rose Code. A richly deserved tribute to the WWII codebreakers of Bletchley Park, Kate Quinn’s latest novel is a tour de force. Exhaustive research, vibrant characters, and pulse-pounding suspense combine in a riveting tale destined to be a book-club favorite. I absolutely loved it."

"A riveting, authentic story of a Soviet woman who becomes a sniper during WWII. In page-turning prose, Kate Quinn illuminates the tale of Mila Pavlichenko, who, after killing more than 300 of Hitler's most formidable officers, comes to the U.S. to promote America's entry into the war. With vivid characters, unforgettable battle scenes, and moments of intense humanity and love, The Diamond Eye is a master class in historical fiction. It will leave you breathless, choking on tears." 

"Kate Quinn follows her word-of-mouth bestseller, The Alice Network, with another compulsively readable historical novel ...[a] powerful novel about unusual women facing sometimes insurmountable odds with grace, grit, love and tenacity.

07/01/2022

Mila Pavlichenko is a single mother, a graduate student, and a library clerk. When Germany and Russia go to war in 1937, she enlists in the Red Army. She meets sharp resistance, but the enormous need for fighters allows her to slowly attain the position she wants. Her prowess as a sniper becomes legendary, earning her the name "Lady Death." Her official tally of kills reaches 309 when she is ordered to be part of a goodwill tour of the United States. At the end of the tour, she upends a plot to assassinate President Roosevelt, adding some unofficial kills to her count. Quinn brings the characters to life, imagining conditions in the trenches while detailing the actual work of a military sniper at war. She also underlines issues of women's rights and offers astute cultural comparisons. Narrator Saskia Maarleveld, who won an Earphones Award for her performance of Quinn's The Rose Code, flawlessly provides the necessary Russian and American accents in both male and female voices. VERDICT Highly recommended. Quinn explores a largely unknown piece of World War II history.—Joanna M. Burkhardt

Saskia Maarleveld, with her unusually beautiful voice and her talent for European accents, is especially well matched to an audio thriller set during the Soviets’ WWII. Quinn’s heroine, Mila Pavlichenko, based on a real person, is a gifted sniper fighting the “Hitlerites” in Ukraine, as well as sexism and misogyny in the Red Army and at home. On a 1942 propaganda trip to the U.S., Quinn also puts the “girl sniper” in the crosshairs of an evil Western sniper-for-hire commissioned to assassinate FDR and blame the Russian visitor. Quinn’s Mila is a complicated character who believably intrigues the first lady, and Maarleveld gives her humor and heart. She also snarls and purrs her way through roomfuls of Russians, Americans, and others like the pro she is. B.G. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine