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Puffin snares Charlotte Philby's guide to female spies
Puffin has bought The Secret Lives of Women Spies, the first children’s book from novelist and journalist Charlotte Philby, also the granddaughter of a famous spy.
Billed as “an engaging and accessible collection of true stories of courage, daring and espionage from some of the world’s most incredible women”, it is illustrated by Kat Goodloe. Senior commissioning editor Tom Rawlinson acquired world rights from Veronique Baxter at David Higham Associates. The book is due in paperback in June 2025.
“The Secret Lives of Women Spies is the perfect book for curious children aged nine and above,” Puffin said. “The stories of these daring female spies are rarely told and touch on key curriculum history topics, including the first two world wars. It will particularly appeal to fans of mystery and adventure fiction, as well as those who have read and enjoyed fascinating true stories of extraordinary people such as those in Goodnight Stories For Rebel Girls and Little People, Big Dreams and who are now ready for more.”
The publisher added: “The Secret Lives of Women Spies gives readers stories of more than 20 women, the intricacies of their secret lives and the periods of history in which they lived, written by a passionate spy watcher.”
The publisher said: “Charlotte Philby’s grandfather [Kim Philby] was the most infamous double agent in history. Inspired to find out about his world, Charlotte discovered that there were plenty of untold stories of courage and secrets and daring. And so many were about women.
“There are a host of extraordinary tales involving female spies: from daredevil skiers delivering top-secret information, to clever codebreakers taking down the world’s biggest criminals, to brave undercover agents fighting alongside the French Resistance.”
Starring Edith Cavell, Elizebeth Friedman, Noor Inayat Khan, “this is your chance to find out about the women who hid in the shadows, but deserve to be in the spotlight”, Puffin said.
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Philby said: “Writing this book for Puffin is a dream come true – not least as I have three spy-mad children at home ready to act as (highly critical) in-house first-readers. While it was an incredible honour to be given the chance to find, and shine a light on, stories of 20-plus often-forgotten women spies, it was also an exciting challenge.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Puffin for giving me the chance to dig into the emotional motivations, as well as the political contexts, of these fascinating characters. I have learnt so much and feel excited to be able to wax lyrical about these women, and this book, to readers young and old.”
Rawlinson commented: “For some years now I have wanted to publish a book that helps to uncover the remarkable world of female spies and will tell young readers about these often unsung stories. I am so pleased, therefore, that the brilliant Charlotte Philby – whose wonderful thrillers for adults I hugely admire – has used all her storytelling skills to make this wish a reality. It is a book that I hope will obsess readers as it has obsessed me, giving them the chance to delve into a world of real-life intrigue as gripping as any fiction.”
