“The future of Allied intelligence in France now rested on a solitary woman who had been written off for most of her adult life.”–Sonia Purnell, A Woman of No Importance

This is the fascinating story of Virginia Hall, the first Allied female deployed behind enemy lines, who played a key role in helping the French resistance. Virginia Hall was an unlikely spy. She was a Baltimore socialite who dreamt of becoming an ambassador–an impossible dream since she was a woman and she had a prosthetic leg which she referred to as “Cuthbert.”

Hall became an agent for the British SOE (Special Operations Executive), a newly formed intelligence organization. Her role was to support the French resistance by helping to build and expand their networks as well as facilitate communication between the resistance and Britain. Her job was lonely and dangerous but it was one she was exceptionally good at. She worked against all odds and in 1942, the Gestapo sent out a bulletin which said, “She is the most dangerous of all Allied spies. We must find and destroy her.”

Sonia Purnell has done extensive research and discovered details about Virginia Hall that have not been published before. She brings this incredible woman to life as she details Hall’s exceptional spy craft, determination, resilience, and heroism in this thrilling true life spy narrative.

Content Advisory: War violence, some language, misogyny