The Mademoiselle Alliance

How did a young Parisian mother,celebrated for her beauty and glamourcome to lead the largest spy network in occupied France? “A passionatefiery tribute to a historical woman so extraordinary she almost defies belief.”—Kate QuinnNew York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network and The Briar Club Morocco1928. Marie-Madeleine Méric is not the kind of woman who stays quietly at her husband’s side. Polyglotpianistand pilotshe is a woman of many skillswith unconventional interests—like driving in car rallies—that earn her a daredevil reputation. But dabbling in intelligence work to assist her military officer husband and the French government helps her recognize who she is at heart: an adventurer. Paris1936. As Europe teeters on the brink of warMarie-Madeleine is living in Franceher marriage now in shambleswhen a chance encounter with an enigmatic spy turns her life upside down. He recruits her to help build a resistance networkand she conceals her identity—and gender—as she navigates a perilous double life. Eventuallyshe steps into the role of leader of what is now known as Alliancedespite the naysayers who doubt in a woman’s ability to do so. Capture and death are only a heartbeat away for both Marie-Madeleine and the agents under her care. At the helm of Allianceshe achieves seemingly impossible feats of espionage that help turn the tide of the war. But the most impossibleand dangerousfeat of them all? Falling in love. New York Times bestselling author Natasha Lester beautifully brings Marie-Madeleine Méric Fourcade’s story to life in this powerfulheartbreaking tale of resilience that reminds us what it means to cherish those we love and fight for them with every breath.