The Secret War of Julia Child
An instant international bestseller and a USA Today bestseller!
A Washington Post Best Historical Fiction Book of 2024!
A People magazine Best Book of Fall!
A New York Post Book of the Week!
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, 6 foot 2, 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.
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Diana R. Chambers was born with a book in one hand and a passport in the other. Her first explorations were in the library, plotting adventures on her world globe. She went on to study Asian art history at university, work at a Paris translation agency, and begin an export business in India. Then somehow she found herself in Hollywood writing scripts--until her characters demanded their own novels. Her latest is The Secret War of Julia Child. Diana lives in Northern California and Aix-en-Provence, France, with her husband, daughter, and cat, Marco Polo.
"An exciting, little-known reveal of the story behind Julia Child's WWII service, showing her resilience and bravery. A must-read." -- Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author
"In this gripping novel, a young and intrepid Julia Child tumbles headlong into espionage and romance in World War II Asia. Author Diana R. Chambers merges little-known details from Child's personal history with true wartime events to build a dynamic tale. More, please!" -- Sujata Massey, award-winning author of The Mistress of Bhatia House
"At turns charming, funny, and inspiring, The Secret War of Julia Child is a vividly written and deeply imaginative new take on World War II. By letting us see this historic moment through the eyes of a beloved American icon, Chambers beautifully captures the spirit of the women of the greatest generation." -- Dr. Lena Andrews, nationally bestselling author of Valiant Women, The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II
"...Chambers's gripping novel unveils another dimension to Julia. In this fictionalized account of Child's real-life work with OSS during World War II, Chambers humanizes Julia and manages to make her even more remarkable. You'll fall in love with Julia all over again, and with this tantalizing novel.?" -- Nina Schuyler, award-winning author of Afterword
"In these pages I was thrilled to discover a Julia who claimed her own strength and conviction before the world defined who she was. Chambers' Julia is deliciously nuanced, and the Asian setting is as enticing as the foods Julia will become known for. Set in the smoldering days of WWII, this novel has everything I love--romance, intrigue, mouthwatering food, and a woman who makes no apologies for her voracious appetite for life!" -- Kim Fay, nationally bestselling author of Love & Saffron
"Full of intrigue and romance, The Secret War of Julia Child is a fascinating glimpse into the early life of one of America's most beloved celebrities. Perfect for fans of this complex, compelling woman. " -- Julia Bryan Thomas, author of For Those Who Are Lost
"A compelling story with an unexpected (and thoroughly delightful) heroine--Julia Child, who served with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS, the precursor to the CIA) during World War II. Chambers paints a vivid portrait of the tall, awkward Julia, who volunteers for a post in India, becomes involved in secret intelligence cases across Southeast Asia and China, and meets her future husband Paul Child. With riveting twists and turns, the novel's not only a vivid exploration of a lesser-known chapter in the life of one of America's most beloved personalities, it's also an impeccably researched roller-coaster ride, with spies, danger, deception, heroics, and romance." -- Susan Elia MacNeal, New York Times bestselling author
"The celebrated chef's zest, humor and generous spirit come through brilliantly in this captivating fictional take on her WWII work in Asia for U.S. spy agency." -- People magazine
"Fans of romance novels will spot the makings of an enemies-to-lovers tale...the sweet, slightly old-fashioned romance is fueled by lots of spicy, delicious-sounding food." -- Minnesota Star-Tribune
"Thrilling reading... Chambers successfully creates suspense, drama, conflict, and a happy ending for her--well before Julia discovered the art of French cooking, and the rest became not enjoyable fiction but delightful cultural history." -- Historical Novel Society, EDITOR'S CHOICE
"Written with flair and charm, Chambers's novel really heats up whenever sex, danger, or dinner come into view." -- Library Journal
"Riveting...a fascinating glimpse into a little-known side of a famous personality and a revealing history of nations often not highlighted in books about World War II." -- Shelf Awareness
