Overview

Before she mastered the art of French cooking in midlife, Julia Child found herself working in the secrets trade in Asia during World War II, a journey that will delight both historical fiction fans and lovers of America’s most beloved chef, revealing how the war made her into the icon we know now.

Single, six foot two, and thirty years old, Julia McWilliams took a job working for America’s first espionage agency, years before cooking or Paris entered the picture. The Secret War of Julia Child traces Julia’s transformation from ambitious Pasadena blue blood to Washington, DC file clerk, to head of General “Wild Bill” Donovan’s secret File Registry as part of the Office of Strategic Services.

The wartime journey takes her to South Asia’s remote front lines of then-Ceylon, India, and China, where she finds purpose, adventure, self-knowledge-and love with mapmaker Paul Child. The spotlight has rarely shone on this fascinating period of time in the life of (“I’m not a spy”) Julia Child, and this lyrical story allows us to explore the unlikely world of a woman in a World War II spy station who has no idea of the impact she’ll eventually impart.

Review

Julia McWilliams took a job working for America’s first espionage agency, years before cooking or Paris entered the picture. The wartime journey takes her to South Asia’s remote front lines of then-Ceylon, India, and China, where she finds purpose, adventure, self-knowledge-and love with mapmaker Paul Child.

I never knew this about Julia Child. She was a strong, amazing woman! Julia’s life was truly an adventure. There were quite a few places that she got herself in a mess. But she definitely was a trailblazer! The historical research that went into this read is superb.

That being said, I did zone out a time or two during this audiobook. It has some slow spots. So, this is more of a 3.5 star read. You got to round up right??

The narrator, Candace Joice, did a really good job, especially with Julia’s voice.

Need a good tale about a real person…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Purchase Here

Audible

Amazon

Bookbub

Chirp