Publication Date: February 4, 2025
Lisbon 1943. As two American librarians are drawn into a city of dangerous subterfuge and unexpected love affairs, they are forced to choose between their missions and the men they love. Inspired by real historical figures, award-winning author Suzanne Nelson pens a captivating story of two remarkable women, their bravery and heartache, and a friendship that withstands the ravages of war.
WWII rages Europe. Lisbon stands alone as a glamorous city on the brink of chaos, harboring spies trading double-edged secrets. Among them are Selene Delmont and Beatrice Sullivan, Boston librarians turned Allied operatives. Officially enlisted to collect banned books, both women are undercover agents tasked with infiltrating the Axis spy network.
Victory is not guaranteed.
Soon, they’re caught up in games of deception with two of Lisbon’s most notorious men—the outcast Portuguese baron, Luca Caldeira, and the lethal spy, code name Gable. As Selene charms her way through lavish ballrooms with Luca, the more bookish Bea is plunged into Gable’s shadowy world of informants. But when a betrayal unravels a carefully spun web of lies, everything they’ve fought for is thrown into jeopardy. As Selene and Bea are pushed to their breaking points can their friendship, and their hearts, survive the cost of war?
After 50 years, two women reunite in Lisbon, finally free to share the truth about events cloaked in secrecy.
Author Suzanne Nelson delivers a World War II story centered around a neutral country that became a hotbed of activity for both Allied and Axis operations. The Librarians of Lisbon features two American librarians tasked with collecting banned books while infiltrating the Axis spy network.
Inspired by true stories of spy librarians, the characters of Selene and Bea are a compilation of the many skilled women sent to gather information.
They are far from the stereotypical librarians, though. Both beautiful and charming, they navigate through social events, managing to elicit key pieces of necessary information to pass on.
As betrayal comes to the surface, it threatens to destroy not only their friendship but their chance at love.
The Librarians of Lisbon takes readers through a dangerous web of intrigue during World War II.
Suzanne Nelson is the award-winning author of dozens of middle grade novels, including You’re Bacon Me Crazy, which was adapted into a romantic comedy movie for the Hallmark Channel. Her YA novel, Serendipity’s Footsteps, was a Sydney Taylor Honor Book. She has written articles about parenting for the Washington Post, and teaches writing workshops for adults and children. She loves reading and writing historical fiction. She was born in New Jersey, grew up in Southern California, attended college in Texas, and spent eight years as a children’s book editor in New York City. She now lives with her family in Ridgefield, Connecticut. This will be her adult fiction debut.