A moving, masterfully written story of love and sacrifice, perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Dear Mrs Bird . A testament to the power of courage in our darkest hours, i nspired by true events 'A fresh slant on heroism in WWII' Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author *** Hope flies behind enemy lines. It is September 1940 , and as German bombs fall on Britain, fears grow of an impending invasion . Enemy fighter planes blacken the sky around Epping Forest, the home of Susan Shepherd and her grandfather, Bertie. After losing her parents as a child, Susan found comfort in raising homing pigeons. Duchess has proven to be the most extraordinary of all Susan's birds, as the two share a special bond and an unusual curiosity about the world. Thousands of miles away in Buxton, Maine, a young crop-duster pilot named Ollie Evans has decided to travel to Britain to join the Royal Air Force. His quest brings him to the National Pigeon Service, where Susan is involved in a new, covert assignment.

The mission aims to air-drop hundreds of homing pigeons in German-occupied France, where many will not survive. As the mission date draws near, the friendship between Ollie and Susan deepens. When Ollie's plane is downed behind enemy lines , both know that the chances of a reunion are very remote. Will Duchess's devotion and sense of duty become an unexpected lifeline, and prove that hope is never truly lost?.