Description

Although taking place during WW2, Spies in Battalions is not a typical spy story. The central character is 82-year-old Elizabeth Little, a war widow of nearly 60 years standing, who, in September 1939, at the outbreak of war, is dismayed by the ensuing conflict and becomes embittered. She uses the war to get back at people whom she sees as having done her wrong over the years. She decries them as spies and with the help from an unexpected and influential person, reports them to the authorities.

As the war drags on, Elizabeth becomes obsessed with pursuing wrong-doers and accidentally stumbles across a den of real spies that has a profound implications, not only for Elizabeth but for her granddaughter, Tessa.

On a broader level, Spies in Battalions contains anti-war sentiments and portrays a 'slice of life' as experienced by Elizabeth and her family during the Second World War when a subdued and on-going feeling of hope was tinged with fear and depression. There was the call to active service; the worry of food rationing, shortages and other loss. There were lighter moments too, with social activities; dances, church attendance – weddings and voluntary work for those not in the services.

Spies in Battalions is a work of fiction with a retro feel and realism to which the reader can relate. Appox. 90,000 words.