Today’s #TalkTuesday interview is also our #TeaserTuesday and First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, all of which feature Code Name: Lise by Larry Loftis. A joint effort by Elise and I! Enjoy!
Code Name: Lise by Larry Loftis brings to life the most highly decorated woman spy. The story delves into how Odette Sansom displayed courage and patriotism while having to endure endless torture by the Nazis.
Born in France and living in England Odette decides she wants to help with the war cause. Because of her knowledge of the French language and customs she was recruited into Britain’s Special Operations Executive Program to conduct espionage on the Germans during WWII. Working closely with her commanding officer, Peter Churchill, they are able to complete dangerous missions. Peter became smitten with her and eventually they fell in love while playing a cat and mouse game with German secret police sergeant, Hugo Belicher. He takes advantage of a mistake Odette makes and captures them, sending them to Paris’s Fresnes prison, and from there to concentration camps in Germany where they are starved, beaten, and tortured. Put on a list to be executed she and Peter are kept alive by the Germans because of two lies she concocted. She pretended that she and Peter were married (they would be after the war) and that Peter was related to Winston Churchill, realizing the Gestapo hoped to use her and Peter as a bargaining chip.
This story delves into the details of what Odette had to endure. In the face of grave danger, she shows her courageousness and willingness to stand up to the Germans. Readers will not want to put this book down. Loftis has the ability to write it as a spy thriller instead of a dry biography.
Elise Cooper: How did you get the idea for the story?
Larry Loftis: After I wrote Into The Lion’s Mouth, a book about a World War II spy I was looking for something that would fit my niche, spy stories that had a lot of action. My research led me to a German secret policeman, Hugo Bleicher. He was relentless and never gave up in his quest to capture Peter and Lise. I realized that her story is similar to that of Louie Zamperini whose story is in the book Unbroken. It had everything: a love story, she and her commanding officer fell in love, courageousness, and action.
EC: Since there are so many quotes did you take liberties with the story?
LL: My editor asked me this exact question. I am a law review editor and knew that all the quotes had to have sources. I also thought how these quotes appear like a movie dialogue. I went into the UK archives where the debriefings are written about and are in quotes. I also read all the memoirs of Bleicher, Churchill, and Odette. I also saw an interview she had with the War Museum in 1986. Every single line in the book is true.
EC: How would you describe Odette?
LL: I read the evaluation of her after her SOE training. She was described as temperamental, a loose cannon, arrogant, relentless, fearless, and extremely patriotic. I think she was chosen because women carriers were needed since men were picked up by the Germans to be drafted or put in forced labor. There was also the need for people who spoke French without an English accent, which she did.
EC: Do you think she was courageous?
LL: I think you are referring to the fact she was captured because she was stubborn and did not follow directions. But she more than made up for that mistake by showing her bravery. She did not talk or give out any information even after being tortured that included pulling off all her toenails.
EC: As a child she had polio and became blind. Did that experience help her after being
captured?
LL: Yes, particularly in one incident. After getting polio she was completely blind for two years. Her grandfather would not let her feel sorry for herself and wanted her to become tough. When she became a prisoner, and taken to the concentration camp Ravensbruck she was put in complete darkness in a cell. Her two years blinded as a child prepared her for being in the darkness for those years in a concentration camp.
EC: How would you describe Peter?
LL: Very intelligent, athletic, able to speak five languages, a diplomat, and fearless. He was trained as a commando. This one incident describes him best. He was dropped off eight yards from the French coastline while in a flimsy canoe on a pitch-black night. He paddled alone all the way to the shore. This shows how he was confident with ice-water veins.
EC: Odette stood up to the Nazis?
LL: A scene in the book has her standing up to a German general while she was still a spy. Instead of being incognito and blending in she was visible, which showed her fearlessness, but also her recklessness. In another case she slipped handcuffs off, while confronting a German guard, which also showed her fearfulness and recklessness. I have a book quote where she tells the concentration commandant at the end of the war, “I want to know why you don’t open the gates of the camp. The war is over. It is useless murder to keep people here.”
EC: Why wasn’t she killed?
LL: I am speculating but since the Nazis thought she was married to a relative of Winston Churchill they saved her for leverage, an insurance policy. This ruse saved her and Peter’s life.
EC: What would you want readers to understand about Odette?
LL: She represents an amazing story of courage under pressure. There is a reason she received all these medals. Even though her and Peter’s capture was her fault to make amends she decides to get Peter and others she worked with out of harm’s way. She does this by telling the Germans she is the organizer of the circuit. Coincidentally, Peter plays the village idiot, denying all knowledge. The German’s buy Odette as the leader. She refuses to give up the radio guy and the new SOE leader, saving all these men’s lives. This is why she won all the medals.
THANK YOU!!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Code Name: Lise: The True Story of Odette Sansom, WW2’s Most Highly Decorated Spy – 9 May 2019
Best Nonfiction Books to Read in 2019 —Woman’s Day
From internationally bestselling author of the “gripping” (Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author) Into the Lion’s Mouth comes the extraordinary true story of Odette Sansom, the British spy who operated in occupied France and fell in love with her commanding officer during World War II—perfect for fans of Unbroken, The Nightingale, and Code Girls.
The year is 1942, and World War II is in full swing. Odette Sansom decides to follow in her war hero father’s footsteps by becoming an SOE agent to aid Britain and her beloved homeland, France. Five failed attempts and one plane crash later, she finally lands in occupied France to begin her mission. It is here that she meets her commanding officer Captain Peter Churchill.
As they successfully complete mission after mission, Peter and Odette fall in love. All the while, they are being hunted by the cunning German secret police sergeant, Hugo Bleicher, who finally succeeds in capturing them. They are sent to Paris’s Fresnes prison, and from there to concentration camps in Germany where they are starved, beaten, and tortured. But in the face of despair, they never give up hope, their love for each other, or the whereabouts of their colleagues.
In Code Name: Lise, Larry Loftis paints a portrait of true courage, patriotism, and love—of two incredibly heroic people who endured unimaginable horrors and degradations. He seamlessly weaves together the touching romance between Odette and Peter and the thrilling cat and mouse game between them and Sergeant Bleicher. With this amazing testament to the human spirit, Loftis proves once again that he is adept at writing “nonfiction that reads like a page-turning novel” (Parade).
and
First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros
I’m also taking part in First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros
Every Tuesday Vicki @ I’d Rather Be at the Beach now hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where readers share the first paragraph of a book that they are reading or plan to read soon.
Code Name: Lise: The True Story of Odette Sansom, WW2’s Most Highly Decorated Spy by Larry Loftis | Alternative-Read.com
Buy from Amazon | Amazon UK | Audible *
Looking forward to visiting your blogs and seeing what your Teaser Tuesday and First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, are this week!
Luv Sassy x
x
*I am an Amazon Affiliate, some links and pictures may be affiliate links. This is at no cost to you.
Heartstopper Volume 1: The bestselling graphic novel, now on Netflix!
45% Off
Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer with Auto-Wrap Curlers, Paddle Brush, Oval Brush, Concentrator, Diffuser and Storage Case, No Heat Damage, Black/Rose Gold HD440UK
100% Off £299.99 (as of November 28, 2023 14:52 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Disney Princess Style Collection Espresso Maker. Includes Play Espresso Machine, 2 Play Espresso Pods, To-Go Cup and Lid, Milk Pitcher, Stirring Spoon
£21.99 (as of November 28, 2023 14:53 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
All-new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K streaming device | supports Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Vision/Atmos, HDR10+
41% Off
MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE an utterly gripping cozy murder mystery full of twists (Maybridge Murder Mysteries Book 2)
£0.99 (as of November 28, 2023 15:54 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Resurrection Walk: The Brand New Blockbuster Lincoln Lawyer Thriller
£11.99 (as of November 28, 2023 16:02 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Good Omens: the nice and accurate prophecies of Agnes Nutter, witch
30% Off
The Seven Year Slip: The new laugh-out-loud rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of THE DEAD ROMANTICS
33% Off
Kindle (2022 release) | The lightest and most compact Kindle, now with a 6", 300 ppi high-resolution display and double the storage | With ads | Black
£84.99 (as of November 28, 2023 16:01 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Thanks for the great post and the introduction of a new to me author.
sherry @ fundinmental My TT
It’s a pleasure, Sherry!
I’m really enjoying all the new books that are putting a ‘different’ face on aspects of WWII. These amazing individuals – I’m just in awe. I saw this one recently somewhere and thought it would be a good one to try. Thanks for sharing it!
You’re very welcome, Kay! Yes she is one amazing individual – I couldn’t imagine a life like hers!
I love the sound of this one. Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
Thank you! Glad you love the sound of it!
This sounds like an awesome book and you presented it wonderfully!
Intriguing premise. Sounds like a good one.
Absolutely is!
Looks good on audio as well as in print.
I do like a good WWII story and this sounds like it might be just one such book. Thanks for sharing
I love WWII stories and I hadn’t heard about this one. Thanks for sharing.
Yes me too! You’re welcome!
I have a hard time with WWII stories but, this does sound good.
This sounds fascinating and I’d like to read it!
It certainly does. She must be so brave!
Oh my gosh– I have to get this one! : )
Fabulous! 😁
I like the intto, I’d keep reading!
That’s great news! Hope you get to read it soon!