The Ways We Hide

Fenna Vos works as an escape artist and magician's apprentice in Michigan during the Great Depression. Her skills with locks, illusions, and misdirection catch the attention of British military intelligence as World War II escalates. She accepts an assignment with London's MI9, where she applies her expertise to create escape aids for Allied troops. The mission leads her to face both the Nazi threat and painful memories from her own past. This WWII novel combines espionage, romance, and real-world history, including the true story of MI9's gadget workshop that produced survival tools for soldiers. The narrative moves between Fenna's childhood in Michigan and her wartime work in London. The story explores how people hide not just physically but emotionally, examining the tension between self-preservation and the need to trust others. The magic and escape artistry serve as metaphors for broader themes of survival, deception, and liberation.

Readers note strong character development and detailed historical research about WWII-era magic and espionage. Many highlight the unique angle of incorporating stage magic and illusions into a war story. Positive comments focus on: - Plot pacing in the second half - Connection between characters Fenna and Nick - Integration of real historical events - Technical details about magic tricks and escapology Common criticisms: - Slow start with too much backstory - Multiple timeline shifts create confusion - Romance feels rushed or underdeveloped - Some find the ending unsatisfying Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (17,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (2,800+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4.5/5 Sample reader comment: "The magic elements added such a fresh perspective to a WWII novel. However, the first 100 pages dragged with excessive childhood flashbacks." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers compare it to The Alice Network but note this book requires more patience through the opening chapters.

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🌟 Author Kristina McMorris was inspired to write this novel after discovering the true story of magician Harry Blackstone Sr.'s collaboration with the U.S. military during WWII to create escape tools for soldiers. 🌟 The book's main character, Fenna Vos, was influenced by real-life female magicians of the 1940s, including Dell O'Dell and Frances Ireland. 🌟 Many of the escape devices featured in the novel were actual tools used during WWII, including maps hidden in playing cards and compasses concealed within buttons. 🌟 The author's research included learning about the Dutch Resistance during WWII and the creative methods they used to help Jewish citizens escape, such as forging identity papers and creating hidden rooms. 🌟 The novel's backdrop of Coney Island's magic scene draws from historical accounts of the amusement park's golden age, when it served as a hub for illusionists and escape artists in the early-to-mid 20th century.