Review of 'The Emerald Spy' by Nicola Cassidy
Released on September 25, 2022
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What the story is about…
Inspired by true events. On the brink of World War II, who can you truly trust?
Against the simmering tensions of summer 1939, a group of evacuees flee Vienna for the sanctuary of Newtown House in Ireland. Haunted by their pasts and those they have left behind, Gisela Müller and Hans Schmitt struggle to settle into their new, rural Irish home.
Tasked with being a companion to the precocious and spoiled Nola de Freyne, Gisela misses her previous scholarly life terribly. Meanwhile, Hans pines for his true love, Anja.
With the surprise arrival of a German secret agent to Ireland, Gisela and Nola find themselves caught up in a plot of espionage and IRA politics that will change Hans’ and their lives forever.
But who is the true Emerald Spy? And what exactly is it that they seek at Newtown House?
☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️
MY REVIEW
The Emerald Spy is a powerful WW2 story that cuts deep— past the flesh and burrows into the bone. An emotional journey of displacement, loss, fear, prejudice and soul searching sadness. But on the flipside there is also kindness, friendship, recovery and growth. The hardships experienced by the Jews who fled Vienna to survive, are well presented in this novel. In sharp contrast are the second chances they were given by those who truly cared in rural Ireland. This part of the story paints a beautiful tribute of humanity at its best. But, of course, there are foul moments, too, when death and/or destruction are inflicted on some. Often fuelled by prejudice, the ugly beast that devours its prey.
The main setting of the story is Termonfeckin, County Louth, in the residence of Newtown House (an actual real dwelling with a fascinating history). This home was set up as a sanctuary by owner Laila de Freyne to take in Austrian refugees. She has a kind heart and does her best to provide for the less privileged in distress. And we learn just how dire times were for those who fled. With these characters in the novel who represent the many who came to Ireland for refuge, we are given flashbacks of their lives before their arrival. This carefully lays a foundation in providing a full picture. The trauma these people experienced in leaving their homes and families behind is clearly felt throughout this story.
Gisela is a frightened, though brave, young woman who must leave her home and family in Austria to survive. Once in Ireland she becomes a companion to Nola, the homeowner’s daughter. Nola is an unpredictable sort often getting into trouble but Gisela pulls her from danger on more than one occasion. Unfortunately, she is eventually hauled into a situation they both will regret.
Hans, another refugee, is a gentle soul who has moved to Ireland for freedom but his heart has seen great loss and more is yet to come. Sacrifices will be made that nobody is expecting.
There is also a mysterious stranger that drops out of the sky who will change the course and shape of their lives. It will be a time of painful growth for one but a necessary lesson to learn.
Nicola provides well-developed characters that we care about, get annoyed by and weep with. She offers incredible insight on those who were forced from their homes fleeing Hitler’s dark plans and what it was like for them when they landed and had to set down roots in Ireland. It was a new and strange life at first—nothing familiar and sometimes the whispers were mean. But they made the best of the worst and tried to move forward. The greatest sadness was often never knowing what happened to those they left behind. But sometimes when they did receive information, it was distressing news. Often their worst fears had become a reality.
I was truly transported to the memorable location in The Emerald Spy and felt the anguish of this difficult time period in history for refugees. In fact, I was deeply moved by all I read. It is both a captivating and heart-shaking read that will leave its readers changed or transformed. I highly recommend this unique story that was my first read by this author. But I definitely will check out her other titles now. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
About the Author
Nicola Cassidy is an author and screenwriter from Co. Louth, Ireland. She started her writing career early, entering short story competitions as a child and became an avid reader. Encouraged by her English teachers, she chose to study journalism at Dublin City University and while working in political PR and marketing, studied a series of advanced creative writing courses at the Irish Writers' Centre. Later she set up a lifestyle and literary blog www.LadyNicci.com, which was shortlisted in the Ireland Blog Awards in 2015 and 2016 and finalist in 2017 and 2018. December Girl was Nicola’s debut historical fiction novel and is set in the mystical and ancient Boyne Valley, Co. Meath, famed for its stone age passage tombs. Elements of the story are inspired by true events. Her novels The Nanny at Number 43, Adele and The Emerald Spy are published by Poolbeg Press and also inspired by true events. She is developing a number of projects for TV. She lives with her husband and two young daughters in Termonfeckin, Co. Louth. Check out her author website.
