Operation Tulip by Deborah Swift Book Review

Publication Date: 12th September 2024
Publisher: HQ Digital
Series: Secret Agent Series
Pages: 410
Genre: Historical Fiction

Book Description

Holland, 1944: Undercover British agent Nancy Callaghan has been given her toughest case yet. A key member of the Dutch resistance has been captured, and Nancy must play the role of a wealthy Nazi to win over a notorious SS officer, Detlef Keller, and gain crucial information.

England: Coding expert Tom Lockwood is devastated that the Allies have failed to push back the Nazis, leaving Northern Holland completely cut off from the rest of Europe, and him from his beloved Nancy. Desperate to rescue the love of his life, Tom devises Operation Tulip, a plan to bring Nancy home.

But as Nancy infiltrates the Dutch SS, she finds herself catching the eye of an even more senior member of the Party. Is Nancy in too deep, or can Tom reach her before she gets caught?

Inspired by the true events of occupied Holland during WW2, don't miss this utterly gripping story of love, bravery and sacrifice.

My Thoughts

Operation Tulip brings to a close the World War II Secret Agents trilogy. The first novel (The Silk Code) was set in England and Holland, the second (The Shadow Network) in England, while in this one the action returns to Europe, to Holland where Operation Market Garden, launched by the Allies in September 1944, failed to reach its objectives. The country north of the Rhine is still under German occupation and as supplies are cut off from the south, the general population is facing extreme hardship, including starvation.

Nancy Callaghan, an SOE operative, flees Amsterdam when her Resistance cell is compromised. She wants to return to England, but is recruited by another cell for one more mission: to infiltrate the Dutch SS in The Hague.

Meanwhile in England, Tom Lockwood, who trains agents in the use of codes and ciphers, is devastated when Operation Market Garden fails to liberate Holland and learns his lover, Nancy, is now trapped in the occupied north. Tom is determined to get her out and hatches a plan he names Operation Tulip. He draws Nancy's brother, Neil, into his plan and envisages the two of them heading to Holland on a rescue mission. Unfortunately, circumstances prevent Neil from accompanying Tom and other arrangements are made.

However, once again Tom's plan is placed in jeopardy when his new travelling companion abandons him. Despite this set back, Tom is still determined to rescue Nancy and is relieved when taken up by a Resistance cell who can use his skills as a radio operator and coder. In return for their help, Tom must help them first!

What follows is a thrilling and exciting tale as Tom battles his way north to Nancy and Nancy tries to fulfil her mission, both caught up in perilous situations which will test their endurance and courage.

The excitement never stops in this latest offering from Deborah Swift. I enjoyed the previous novel and this one didn't disappoint either. Swift vividly brings to life the ongoing struggles of the people under Nazi occupation and the constant threats the agents and Resistance groups faced.

Operation Tulip is a quick read, with lots of historical detail woven through the narrative and great characterisation, especially of Nancy and Tom. While Nancy was indeed courageous, my favourite was Tom, who left the safety of his "desk job" to rescue the love of his life. Even Nancy was surprised. She'd thought him to be a man of intellect not action

I'm looking forward to Deborah Swift's next novel.

Praise for Debroah Swift

'A well crafted tale… this book did not disappoint' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'There is action, mystery and romantic entanglements stirred into the story for a fantastically entertaining read' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Deborah Swift never disappoints' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A joy to read' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Where to Purchase

Universal Buy Link HERE

Buy Link for bookstores HERE

Meet the Author

Deborah Swift is a USA TODAY bestselling author of twenty books who is passionate about the past. Deborah used to be a costume designer for the BBC, before becoming a writer. Now she lives in an old English school house in a village full of 17th Century houses, near the glorious Lake District. After taking a Masters Degree in Creative Writing, she enjoys mentoring aspiring novelists and has an award-winning historical fiction blog at her website www.deborahswift.com.

Deborah loves to write about how extraordinary events in history have transformed the lives of ordinary people, and how the events of the past can live on in her books and still resonate today.

Recent books include The Poison Keeper, about the Renaissance poisoner Giulia Tofana, which was a winner of the Wishing Shelf Book of the Decade Award, and a Coffee Pot Book Club Gold Medal. Her most recent books are The Silk Code and The Shadow Network both set in the Second World War.

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Tour Schedule

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