I have several of Kate Quinn’s novels in my TBR pile, so when I got the chance to try Signal Moon, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Andrew Gibson, I jumped in blind. This short story delivered a fantastic story as past meets present in this brilliant and suspenseful tale.
by Kate Quinn
Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld, Andrew Gibson
Length: 1 hour and 22 minutes
Genres: Historical Fiction
Source: Prime, Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.3x
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye comes a riveting short story about an impossible connection across two centuries that could make the difference between peace or war.
Yorkshire, 1943. Lily Baines, a bright young debutante increasingly ground down by an endless war, has traded in her white gloves for a set of headphones. It’s her job to intercept enemy naval communications and send them to Bletchley Park for decryption.
One night, she picks up a transmission that isn’t code at all—it’s a cry for help.
An American ship is taking heavy fire in the North Atlantic—but no one else has reported an attack, and the information relayed by the young US officer, Matt Jackson, seems all wrong. The contact that Lily has made on the other end of the radio channel says it’s…2023.
Across an eighty-year gap, Lily and Matt must find a way to help each other: Matt to convince her that the war she’s fighting can still be won, and Lily to help him stave off the war to come. As their connection grows stronger, they both know there’s no telling when time will run out on their inexplicable link.
Imagine intercepting a message from an American ship from the future. That’s exactly what happens to Lily Baines, a young woman working to intercept enemy naval communications and send them to Bletchley Park for decryption in 1943 Yorkshire. US Officer Matt Jackson is relaying the attack on open air in the year 2023. He and his crew die.
The story that unfolds was captivating as Lily uses information provided to send a message to Matt. I loved the mystical aspect of the story and the phenomenon that allows these two to communicate. While the story is less than an hour and a half long, it felt complete and left me satisfied. So much so, I’ve bumped her other novels up on my reading list.
I adore Saskia Maarleveld and grab books narrated by her whenever I can. The story is third person/duel narration and she, along with Andrew Gibson, did a stellar job of narrating the tale. They captured the emotions, friendship, and tone of the story perfectly.
Fans of historical fiction and wartime stories will want to grab this one! It is the perfect listen on a rainy afternoon with a spot of tea.
*Read and listen for Free with Prime
Signal Moon by Kate Quinn, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld & Andrew Gibson delivered the perfect tale for a rainy afternoon with a spot of tea. #historicalfiction #audio #WWII #audiobookreview Share on XAbout Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network”, “The Huntress,” and “The Rose Code.” All have been translated into multiple languages. Kate and her husband now live in San Diego with three rescue dogs.
About Andrew Gibson
Andrew G Gibson is an author, narrator, editor and curator of the Incredible Science Fiction: Amazing Tales from the 50’s and Beyond series of books.
About Saskia Maarleveld
SASKIA MAARLEVELD is an AudioFile magazine Earphones Award–winning narrator living in New York City. Working full-time in the voice-over world, Saskia has recorded over 160 audiobooks. She switches seamlessly between accents and can often be heard speaking in British, Australian, New Zealand, and various European accents, in addition to her own American accent.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Jess @ Books and Sensibility
This would be perfect for me, I don’t think I’m ready to dive into a long historical fiction.
Kimberly
I hope you enjoy it!
Mareli @ @ Elza Reads
I can’t wait to listen to this one myself! Stunning review Kimberly, it does seem like such a brilliant read.
Kimberly
I hope you get to listen soon!
A Voracious Reader
I picked this up when it was a Kindle First back in July. It looks like it was a good pick! 🙂
Kimberly
Sweet. Enjoy!
Sophie
I love Kate Quinn’s books so you made me want to read that one!
Kimberly
Enjoy Sophie!
Katherine
I didn’t read the blurb before I started your review so the ship from the future startled me a bit. Not what I was expecting from this author! I do love her books and this does sound interesting. I’ll have to pick up the audio.
Kimberly
Lol…it was very good. It’s free for Prime members.
Nadene
This sounds like it delivered a solid story despite its brevity.
Wendy
I just read The Rose Code and The Diamond Eye this year and now I want to devour every book she’s written. Plus, I also love Saskia Maarleveld’s narration. I used your link and see it was only $.70, so I snatched it up. Thank you!! … now to find the time to listen to it.
Kimberly
So very cool….I got free with Prime, but that is awesome price!
Kim
When I first heard of this story I was really intrigued. One of the things holding me back from reading it is that I’m not a historical reader. It doesn’t help that Matt could possibly die. Or dies.
Kimberly
Fear not. She sets out to stop that from happening. I think you should go for it. If you have Prime it’s free to read & listen.
Kim
I’m going to have check it out.
Lover of Romance
Lovely Review Kimberly! I haven’t read historical fiction in a long while but I have been meaning to get back to it. So I definitely will be adding this to my list. This author is one I have been meaning to get to. I just hear the best things. So I am glad that this ended up being a solid win for you.