Books & eMedia
Get Started
Search the Catalog Book & Movie Lists Reading Suggestions Toledo Library App (Apple) Toledo Library App (Google Play)Can't Find It?
Local Author Submission Suggest a PurchaseeMedia Providers
Bookflix Flipster Freegal Hoopla OverDrive/Libby RBdigital ScienceFlix TrueFlix World Book eBooks Explore all eMediaMore Materials
101 Picture Book Challenge Book Kits Book Sales & Donations Special CollectionsLocations
Locations
All Locations Birmingham Heatherdowns Holland Kent King Road Lagrange LockeOn The Road
Book Bike Mobile & Homebound ServicesPrograms
Programs by Age
Young Children (0-5) Kids (5-10) Tweens (10-13) Teens (13-18) Adults (18+) Narrow by Location View Full CalendarOngoing Programs
Art & Craft Programs Authors! Book Groups Gallery Exhibits Movies Nights & Matinees Storytime Seasonal Program GuideTrending Now
Partner Programs Holidays with the Library Metroparks Programs Winter ReadGet Help With
Services
Dog Licensing Meeting Rooms & Event Spaces Obituaries Passports Print to the LibraryLocal History & Genealogy
Local History Resources Digital Collections & ExhibitsCareer & Economic Success
Business & Workforce Computer & Technology Help Spending SmarterCreating & Making
Making at the Library Writing & PublishingEducation & Research
Education Resources Homework Helper Schedule Kindergarten Readiness Ready to ReadGet Involved
Friends of the Library Library Legacy Foundation Literati VolunteerResearch
Education Research Tools
Career, College & Test Prep Education & Homework HelpResearch by Category
Books & Reading Biography & Genealogy Business & Investments Consumer & Automotive Create, Learn & Make eMedia History, Law & Culture Magazines & Newspapers Science, Technology & Health Toledo & OhioNews & Blog
What's New?
Latest Blog Posts Library News Employment Opportunities Marketing CampaignsLibrary Information
About Us Construction Holiday & Sunday Hours Leadership Policies Reports Strategic PlanConnect with Us
Contact Us Doing Business with the Library Stay ConnectedLibrary Love
Share your Library Love Read Other's StoriesMy Card
Blog
The Blog of Toledo Lucas County Public Library
10 Fantastic Nonfiction Reads: True Stories Featuring Women Spies
Posted 9 months ago by April S
What's it really like to be a spy? Most of us are familiar with the fictionalized versions of spy stories, but how much of it is based on reality? When you're talking about code breaking, deep cover ops, espionage, intrigue, dangerous situations and risking your life on a daily basis ... the stories are bound to be interesting to say the least.
Did you know Josephine Baker was a spy for the French Resistance during World War II? Her fame provided her with unique opportunities and the perfect cover story. During parties she was able to gather sensitive information with the help of Jacques Abtey (a secret agent masquerading as Baker's assistant) who recorded details onto Baker's sheet music using invisible ink. How cloak and dagger is that?
During Women's History Month and beyond, let's explore the amazing lives of women, their impact and lasting legacies. Below, you'll find a selection of inspiring true stories about women who just happened to work as spies.
Celebrating Extraordinary Women
Nonfiction Books Featuring Female Spies
![]() |
Code Name : Lise : The True Story of World War II's Most Highly Decorated Spy by Larry LoftisTells the 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. |
A Cool and Lonely Courage : The Untold Story of Sister Spies in Occupied France by Susan OttawayTells the story of British special agents Eileen and Jacqueline Nearne, two sisters who risked everything to fight for freedom in Nazi-occupied France during the Second World War. |
![]() |
![]() |
Queen of Spies : Daphne Park, Britain's Cold War Spy Master by Paddy HayesRecounts the fascinating story of the evolution of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) from World War II to the Cold War and beyond through the eyes of one of its outstanding and most unusual operatives. |
The Spy Who Loved : The Secrets and Lives of Christine Granville by Clare MulleyDocuments the story of the first British female special agent in World War II, discussing her mixed heritage, daring missions in numerous countries, significant intelligence contributions, and subsequent murder by an obsessed colleague. |
![]() |
![]() |
Spymistress : The Life of Vera Atkins, the Greatest Female Secret Agent of World War II by William StevensonA portrait of world War II British spy Vera Atkins describes her recruitment at the age of twenty-five by a legendary spymaster, her work within Winston Churchill's covert intelligence agency, and her pivotal work for Allied forces. |
The Last Goodnight : a World War II Story of Espionage, Adventure, and Betrayal by Howard BlumPresents a portrait of American debutante and World War II spy Betty Pack that draws on recently declassified files to explore her MI-6 career and key role in successful Allied missions. |
![]() |
![]() |
Breaking Cover : My Secret Life in the CIA and What it Taught Me about What's Worth Fighting For by Michele Rigby AssadA real-life, can’t-put-down spy memoir. The CIA is looking for walking contradictions. Recruiters seek out potential agents who can keep a secret yet pull classified information out of others; who love their country but are willing to leave it behind for dangerous places; who live double lives, but can be trusted with some of the nation’s most highly sensitive tasks. |
Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy : Four Women Undercover in the Civil War by Karen AbbottThe never-before-told story of four real-life women who risked everything to take on a life of espionage during the Civil War. |
![]() |
![]() |
The Pinks : The First Women Detectives, Operatives, and Spies with the Pinkerton National Detective Agency by Chris EnssProfiles some of the most important women who worked for the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, including Kate Warne and Elizabeth Van Lew. |
The Woman Who Smashed Codes : A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America's Enemies by Jason FagoneDescribes the true story of Elizebeth Smith, a Shakespeare expert, who met and married a groundbreaking cryptologist and worked with him to discover and expose Nazi spy rings in South America by cracking multiple versions of the Enigma machine. |
![]() |
But Wait, There's More ...
Women Fighting for the Resistance
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
If you enjoyed this blog post, check out our other blog posts featuring spies.
Further Reading
6 Incredible Female Spies of World War II
Female Spies in World War I and World War II
The Women Code Breakers Who Unmasked Soviet Spies
Female Spies: 'Just Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Jobs'
6 People You Didn’t Know Were WWII Spies
10 Real-Life Female Spies Who Deserve Their Own Movie Franchises
Give 3 Get 3
What's Give 3 Get 3 you ask? It's a personalized reading/listening/viewing recommendation service provided by the Toledo Lucas County Public Library. Basically, librarians provide customers with reading, listening and/or viewing suggestions based on a short questionnaire. Tell us about 3 titles you enjoyed recently (and why) and we'll send you back 3 more recommendations based on your responses.
About The Author
April is a Librarian who has worked for TLCPL for over 25 years. She enjoys reading children's books, mysteries, general fiction and nonfiction. She's also a classic film buff with a special appreciation for film noir.
Other Stories by April
- Library-Themed Picture Books Kids Will Adore
- 15 Relatable and Engaging Novels You'll Enjoy Reading from Start to Finish
- 5 Comedic Crime Capers Perfect for Date Night
- 12 Arresting Dystopian Novels for Adults
- 15 Amusing Mysteries Designed to Entertain
- Encouraging a Love of Reading from a Young Age
- Parents are a Child's First Teacher
- Teaching Kids about Kindness
- Kindness Matters
- Preparing for Kindergarten: Is Your Child Ready for School?
Recent Stories
- 'What Does the Library Mean to You?'
- Artist Replicating Toledo Skyline With Library's 3D Printer
- With Toledo Library App, Customers Experience New Digital Services
- Ready to Read Expands Early Literacy in Lucas County
- Revealing 'Who We Are' Through Shared Stories
- TPS Students Use Library Research to Honor Fallen Heroes
- Toledo Business Grows With Valuable Library Resources
- Rachel Recommends: Christmas Movie Edition
- Studio Lab Hosts Tech Tools for Customer Creations
- 'What Does the Library Mean to You?'
Categories
- 101 Picture Book Challenge (50)
- Arts, Crafts and Hobbies (63)
- Business and Investing (22)
- Children and Parenting (165)
- Computers and Technology (7)
- Cooking, Home and Garden (67)
- Culture and Diversity (31)
- eBooks and Audiobooks (345)
- Education (81)
- eMedia (9)
- Fiction (187)
- Health and Wellness (47)
- History and Politics (125)
- Library News (34)
- Local History (41)
- Movies and Music (124)
- Mysteries and Thrillers (71)
- Nature and Travel (62)
- New Books and Movies (75)
- Nonfiction (170)
- Research and Resources (42)
- Romance (35)
- Science Fiction and Fantasy (67)
- Tech Tools and Making (8)
- Teen and Pre-Teens (71)
- Writing and Publishing (17)