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The Shock of the Light
Win a free print copy of this book!
15 days and 10:11:59
25 copies available
U.S. only
'Far-reaching, but also intimate and intensely personal… will stay with me' FLORENCE KNAPP
‘Admirably spare, delicately descriptive and alluring in its twists and turns’ SONIA PURNELL
'A powerful story, beautifully told' M.L. STEDMAN
A dazzling literary achievement that brings to life the shattering emotional impact of World War Two on ordinary people
Cambridge, 1942
Twins Tessa and Theo had always shared everything – until the summer Tessa spent studying in France. She hasn’t been the same since. But before Theo can find out why, he is recruited by the RAF and disappears into the skies.
Determined to carve her own path, Tessa joins the clandestine Special Operations Executive, slipping into the shadows of occupied France. It will be dangerous work, but France is the home of her greatest love – and her darkest secret. Tessa has many reasons for wanting to return.
Two years later, Theo comes home. Tessa does not.
A dazzling literary achievement that brings to life the shattering emotional impact of World War Two on ordinary people, THE SHOCK OF THE LIGHT is as exhilarating as it is heartbreaking.
‘Admirably spare, delicately descriptive and alluring in its twists and turns’ SONIA PURNELL
'A powerful story, beautifully told' M.L. STEDMAN
A dazzling literary achievement that brings to life the shattering emotional impact of World War Two on ordinary people
Cambridge, 1942
Twins Tessa and Theo had always shared everything – until the summer Tessa spent studying in France. She hasn’t been the same since. But before Theo can find out why, he is recruited by the RAF and disappears into the skies.
Determined to carve her own path, Tessa joins the clandestine Special Operations Executive, slipping into the shadows of occupied France. It will be dangerous work, but France is the home of her greatest love – and her darkest secret. Tessa has many reasons for wanting to return.
Two years later, Theo comes home. Tessa does not.
A dazzling literary achievement that brings to life the shattering emotional impact of World War Two on ordinary people, THE SHOCK OF THE LIGHT is as exhilarating as it is heartbreaking.
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Published February 12, 2026
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About the author
Lori Inglis Hall
1 book43 followersLori Inglis Hall was born and raised in Leicestershire, and now lives in the South East. Things she loves (in no particular order): books, words, cats, donkeys, her pals, sea swimming, Fake or Fortune, working museums, walled gardens, roses, A.S Byatt, paintings by Cedric Morris, Paris, hispi cabbage, antiques fairs, The National Trust, chintz, ceramics, Kim Deal, Peggy Angus wallpaper, blankets, and archives.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
November 25, 2025
4+
Twins Tessa and Theo are initially very close but a wide space has grown between them but time may heal the bonds. By 1938 Tessa is studying at The Sorbonne, which upsets Theo as they agreed Cambridge, according to him! However, she’s hiding something big from him and before he can get to the bottom of the problem, war intervenes and he’s recruited into the RAF. As for Tessa, she is encouraged to join the clandestine Special Operations Executive, the objective being to meld undetected into occupied France and wreak as much havoc as possible. Clearly, her family know nothing of this, will she make it home alive??
There’s much to praise in this emotionally charged and haunting story, although I think it becomes too long and a bit drawn out. That being said, the twins story is fantastic, their emotional ties come across loud and clear and they both suffer mightily in different ways and so is heartbreaking reading at times. It takes a PhD student, Edie, at the start of the millennium to get to the heart of the truth and I like how she greatly helps Theo. These sections of the novel make me feel everything from sadness to anger.
The novel is extremely well researched, although I do know about the SOE the direction the novel takes is a good one. In addition, the author really captures the strict views society holds at the time which are deeply reflected in both of the twins stories.
If you’re not keen on war stories don’t be put off because this novel is about much more than that which makes it much more accessible. This is because it’s the twins personal stories, set against the backdrop of war and post war. It therefore probably hits home harder because of that and is more powerful.
Overall, this is well worth a read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Twins Tessa and Theo are initially very close but a wide space has grown between them but time may heal the bonds. By 1938 Tessa is studying at The Sorbonne, which upsets Theo as they agreed Cambridge, according to him! However, she’s hiding something big from him and before he can get to the bottom of the problem, war intervenes and he’s recruited into the RAF. As for Tessa, she is encouraged to join the clandestine Special Operations Executive, the objective being to meld undetected into occupied France and wreak as much havoc as possible. Clearly, her family know nothing of this, will she make it home alive??
There’s much to praise in this emotionally charged and haunting story, although I think it becomes too long and a bit drawn out. That being said, the twins story is fantastic, their emotional ties come across loud and clear and they both suffer mightily in different ways and so is heartbreaking reading at times. It takes a PhD student, Edie, at the start of the millennium to get to the heart of the truth and I like how she greatly helps Theo. These sections of the novel make me feel everything from sadness to anger.
The novel is extremely well researched, although I do know about the SOE the direction the novel takes is a good one. In addition, the author really captures the strict views society holds at the time which are deeply reflected in both of the twins stories.
If you’re not keen on war stories don’t be put off because this novel is about much more than that which makes it much more accessible. This is because it’s the twins personal stories, set against the backdrop of war and post war. It therefore probably hits home harder because of that and is more powerful.
Overall, this is well worth a read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
November 9, 2025
Please, read this book. It’s a fantastic, emotionally moving, and deeply researched novel. I’m very impressed and would recommend it to anyone looking for an exceptional work of historical fiction. I truly loved it.
Let me start by saying that I’m not usually drawn to stories set during the Second World War, and I’ve rarely read anything from that period. But something about this premise made me want to make an exception. This is the story of twins, Tessa and Theo, who both become involved in the war effort: Theo as an RAF pilot and Tessa working undercover in France. They go to war together, but only one of them comes home. Devastated by the loss of his twin, Theo’s post-war life is haunted by the uncertainty of not truly knowing what happened to Tessa. The physical injuries he suffered are nothing compared to the emotional wounds he endures.
Saying that this book moved me on multiple levels would be an understatement. The author doesn’t shy away from portraying some of the most tragic, dehumanizing, but also lesser-known aspects of the Second World War. Through the bond between two people who share one of the closest relationships imaginable, the story reveals how devastating this conflict was for ordinary lives. In my opinion, showing people against great history is the best way to approach historical fiction, and this book does it masterfully, even if it breaks your heart in the process.
At the same time, this is so much more than just a war story, and not only because much of it takes place after 1945. It’s also a novel about people struggling to be themselves, often against strict social conventions. Ironically, even though Tessa and Theo are closer to each other than to anyone else, they are still forced to hide certain intimate truths about themselves because of social taboos. The story powerfully illustrates how rigid British attitudes toward sexuality and the role of women in society ultimately prevent the characters from finding each other.
In short, this is a very sad – heartbreakingly sad – but also profoundly beautiful story. Following Theo’s search to discover what happened to his sister is a deeply emotional experience. Not all the questions are answered at the end, but I think the best books are often those in which endings also feel like new beginnings.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Let me start by saying that I’m not usually drawn to stories set during the Second World War, and I’ve rarely read anything from that period. But something about this premise made me want to make an exception. This is the story of twins, Tessa and Theo, who both become involved in the war effort: Theo as an RAF pilot and Tessa working undercover in France. They go to war together, but only one of them comes home. Devastated by the loss of his twin, Theo’s post-war life is haunted by the uncertainty of not truly knowing what happened to Tessa. The physical injuries he suffered are nothing compared to the emotional wounds he endures.
Saying that this book moved me on multiple levels would be an understatement. The author doesn’t shy away from portraying some of the most tragic, dehumanizing, but also lesser-known aspects of the Second World War. Through the bond between two people who share one of the closest relationships imaginable, the story reveals how devastating this conflict was for ordinary lives. In my opinion, showing people against great history is the best way to approach historical fiction, and this book does it masterfully, even if it breaks your heart in the process.
At the same time, this is so much more than just a war story, and not only because much of it takes place after 1945. It’s also a novel about people struggling to be themselves, often against strict social conventions. Ironically, even though Tessa and Theo are closer to each other than to anyone else, they are still forced to hide certain intimate truths about themselves because of social taboos. The story powerfully illustrates how rigid British attitudes toward sexuality and the role of women in society ultimately prevent the characters from finding each other.
In short, this is a very sad – heartbreakingly sad – but also profoundly beautiful story. Following Theo’s search to discover what happened to his sister is a deeply emotional experience. Not all the questions are answered at the end, but I think the best books are often those in which endings also feel like new beginnings.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 21, 2025
Tessa and Theo are so connected as twins, as children they would show off at school by reading one another's thoughts. They have a bond that no one can break. Being a mother of boy-girl twins, I instantly related with this unique bond between Tessa and Theo. This wonderfully written book is told in four parts. The first two parts of the book you meet Tessa and Theo. When WWII hits, Theo decides to join the Royal Air Force. Tessa wants to do anything but secretarial work, so she joins in the fight as a Special Operations Executive. She will be a courier, carrying messages that will move between the parts of a network of agents and French Resistance groups. She leads her family to believe she is serving in another entity and even predates letters to home. One night after much preparation, Tessa is parachuted into France and things go terribly wrong. At this point she is on her own and does what she must to survive. Part two of the book gives Theo's story. He has heartbreaking struggles that cause him pain during and after the war. Part three comes decades later where you meet a PhD student, Edie. She is wants to uncover what really happened to Tessa and the reason she never returned home. She teams up with Theo and I just loved their relationship. Edie has so much doubt about herself, but it is Theo who gives her self confidence. Part four is told from Tessa's perspective. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This is going to be one of top reads and I will tell everyone to go ahead and reserve a copy for themselves on March 17, 2026. I would love to see a sequel, one can only hope. If you love Kristin Hannah or historical fiction, this debut novel is for you. I will read anything Lori Inglis Hall writes!
Thank you to NetGalley, Viking Penguin / Pamela Dorman Books for the opportunity to read this heartbreakingly sad, but beautiful ARC. Thank you to one of my favorite authors, Kate Quinn for reading and rating this book 5 stars on Goodreads. That rating led me to add this to my TBR list.
Thank you to NetGalley, Viking Penguin / Pamela Dorman Books for the opportunity to read this heartbreakingly sad, but beautiful ARC. Thank you to one of my favorite authors, Kate Quinn for reading and rating this book 5 stars on Goodreads. That rating led me to add this to my TBR list.
December 18, 2025
"And so the circle turns"... It is to be dragged into the light, after all."
Lori Inglis Hall's debut novel is a fascinating exploration of the role of women in in the Special Operations Executive - women parachuted into France to work with the resistance. But this is a story that is not simply a war story- this is about truth; denials; complicity in the upper echelons of leadership and the impact of the war.
This is the story of Tessa and Theo - twins who have always been close- but following a single moment in Tessa's life that bond is stretched and the with outbreak of World War War II she feels compelled to do more without the knowledge of her sibling . Unbeknownst to her family, she is enrolled as a secret agent Her journey and subsequent events behind enemy lines in Vichy France form the crux of the story but it is also the search for truth by her brother Theo that counter balances the novel.
It is the third section of the book that gripped me the most as research into the war and Tessa's role uncovers many more secrets than anticipated. and how the truth has to come into the light
Deftly plotted, meticulously researched, this is an ambitious and engrossing read. It also shines a light upon a group of women who have often been neglected in the exploration of the events and bravery in World War II.
Lori Inglis Hall's debut novel is a fascinating exploration of the role of women in in the Special Operations Executive - women parachuted into France to work with the resistance. But this is a story that is not simply a war story- this is about truth; denials; complicity in the upper echelons of leadership and the impact of the war.
This is the story of Tessa and Theo - twins who have always been close- but following a single moment in Tessa's life that bond is stretched and the with outbreak of World War War II she feels compelled to do more without the knowledge of her sibling . Unbeknownst to her family, she is enrolled as a secret agent Her journey and subsequent events behind enemy lines in Vichy France form the crux of the story but it is also the search for truth by her brother Theo that counter balances the novel.
It is the third section of the book that gripped me the most as research into the war and Tessa's role uncovers many more secrets than anticipated. and how the truth has to come into the light
Deftly plotted, meticulously researched, this is an ambitious and engrossing read. It also shines a light upon a group of women who have often been neglected in the exploration of the events and bravery in World War II.
September 8, 2025
One of the best books I’ve read this year. The author impresses not only with the research she has carried out but also the way in which she weaves this into an altogether believable story. Towards the end she leaves a lot of loose threads, which would be inevitable in the chaotic aftermath of the Second World War, but then cleverly addresses many of them through the ploy of having a fictional PhD student open up the files in the National Archives in her own research.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Compelling, moving, authentic - full review to follow
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Théo and Tessa are twins. They have an incredibly close bond, knowing everything there is to know about the other. But this begins to change when Tessa, wanting a degree, decides to study at the Sorbonne rather than Cambridge with Théo where she could study but not be given a qualification.
When Tessa returns there is something different in her that Théo cannot reach and Tessa refuses to talk. But as their education ends they are both drawn into the war. Théo goes into the RAF and Tessa, bored with the secretarial job at the Foreign Office, is recruited to the SOE where she will learn to be a spy. Her job will take her to France where she will be in constant danger.
At the war's end Théo returns home; Tessa does not.
This is one of the most moving books I've read this year. I was often in tears. Tessa and Théo's story may be fiction but the story of the British women parachuted into France without even the protection they would be afforded as Prisoners of War, were they captured, is now well known.
I thought the novel extremely well told and sensitive subjects such as homosexuality, rape, torture and the denials of the British government about what had happened, were very sensitively handled. Tessa and Théo's characters are beautifully drawn, adding touches of vulnerability and humour with a light touch.
I was sobbing by the time the book ended, simply because we know Tessa's story was all too real. It was extremely moving. Wonderful storytelling. I would very highly recommend this novel.
Thankyou very much to Netgalley and HarperFiction for the advance review copy. Very much appreciated.
When Tessa returns there is something different in her that Théo cannot reach and Tessa refuses to talk. But as their education ends they are both drawn into the war. Théo goes into the RAF and Tessa, bored with the secretarial job at the Foreign Office, is recruited to the SOE where she will learn to be a spy. Her job will take her to France where she will be in constant danger.
At the war's end Théo returns home; Tessa does not.
This is one of the most moving books I've read this year. I was often in tears. Tessa and Théo's story may be fiction but the story of the British women parachuted into France without even the protection they would be afforded as Prisoners of War, were they captured, is now well known.
I thought the novel extremely well told and sensitive subjects such as homosexuality, rape, torture and the denials of the British government about what had happened, were very sensitively handled. Tessa and Théo's characters are beautifully drawn, adding touches of vulnerability and humour with a light touch.
I was sobbing by the time the book ended, simply because we know Tessa's story was all too real. It was extremely moving. Wonderful storytelling. I would very highly recommend this novel.
Thankyou very much to Netgalley and HarperFiction for the advance review copy. Very much appreciated.
December 24, 2025
Oh I love this book. This is the story of twins, Tessa and Theo. A world war two story told over several decades, but at its heart it’s an ode to the love between siblings, an unshakeable bond between twins, a bond that can’t be broken no matter how much time and distance comes between them.
This is a novel that will break your heart and stay with you forever. It is expertly crafted & researched, with an incredible feminist hero in Tessa, there is romance for both Theo and Tessa, and a representation of what it’s like to be gay in the early 20th century.
If you loved In Memoriam, Still Life and All the Light We Cannot See, you’ll love this too. It has so much heart, and an incredible dual perspective format, and all the makings of a modern classic.
This is a novel that will break your heart and stay with you forever. It is expertly crafted & researched, with an incredible feminist hero in Tessa, there is romance for both Theo and Tessa, and a representation of what it’s like to be gay in the early 20th century.
If you loved In Memoriam, Still Life and All the Light We Cannot See, you’ll love this too. It has so much heart, and an incredible dual perspective format, and all the makings of a modern classic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2025
What an absolute fabulous read. An emotional rollercoaster to say the least. Theo and Tessa are twins. As with most twins theirs is a close loving relationship in which they share everything, until they don’t. As the world is engulfed by war Theo joins the RAF. Tessa, bored and frustrated at being ‘just a typist’, jumps at the chance of being recruited into the SOE (Special Operations Executive), set up for spying and sabotage. Tessa is highly intelligent, resourceful and, she thinks, fully aware of the dangers. The author has done some in depth research and brings into the narrative the oversights, the errors and the ineptitude of the powers that be in relation to the women recruits, which have dire, fatal consequences.
Tessa is parachuted into France, behind enemy lines in order to act as courier to the French resistance. Immediately, things go horribly wrong and the consequences of this disaster resonate throughout the book. Meanwhile, Theo is traumatised by the events and sights of his time in the RAF.
This is a fantastically researched, heart rending novel dealing with the true horrors of war, and its effects on ordinary people, turned into extraordinary brave people through facing death or worse. It’s also a story of uncompromising love, of ‘forbidden’ love found amid the chaos and horror of a world at war.
The second part of the novel, post war, is equally compelling. One twin fails to return home. The other is damaged, physically and mentally, angry at being fobbed off about the fate of their twin, and pays the price of trying to find out what happened to them as the government cover up a huge wartime scandal. But truth will out. Even if it emerges decades later from a surprising source.
This book is sad and tragic but it resonates with truth and humanity. It’s not about the superficial derring-do of “heroes” at war, so not an “adventure” story. I think it’s more profound than that and the characters, especially Tessa and Theo, are portrayed with all their frailties and strengths, fears and joys. So don’t let my “sad” and “tragic” comments put you off. It’s an emotional brilliant read and the characters, fictional though they may be, will stay with me for a while yet.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC for my kindle. It is my honest opinion after a full read of the novel.
Tessa is parachuted into France, behind enemy lines in order to act as courier to the French resistance. Immediately, things go horribly wrong and the consequences of this disaster resonate throughout the book. Meanwhile, Theo is traumatised by the events and sights of his time in the RAF.
This is a fantastically researched, heart rending novel dealing with the true horrors of war, and its effects on ordinary people, turned into extraordinary brave people through facing death or worse. It’s also a story of uncompromising love, of ‘forbidden’ love found amid the chaos and horror of a world at war.
The second part of the novel, post war, is equally compelling. One twin fails to return home. The other is damaged, physically and mentally, angry at being fobbed off about the fate of their twin, and pays the price of trying to find out what happened to them as the government cover up a huge wartime scandal. But truth will out. Even if it emerges decades later from a surprising source.
This book is sad and tragic but it resonates with truth and humanity. It’s not about the superficial derring-do of “heroes” at war, so not an “adventure” story. I think it’s more profound than that and the characters, especially Tessa and Theo, are portrayed with all their frailties and strengths, fears and joys. So don’t let my “sad” and “tragic” comments put you off. It’s an emotional brilliant read and the characters, fictional though they may be, will stay with me for a while yet.
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC for my kindle. It is my honest opinion after a full read of the novel.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks to Tink at Borough Press for offering me a Gifted proof of Lori Inglis Hall's novel, The Shock Of The Light, which comes out on 12th February - only two weeks into 2026, and I think I've already found one of my top books of the year!
It is an exceptional, gripping, completely immersive debut, heartbreaking and beautiful. I lived every single moment of it, emerging from its pages only to eat and sleep, so deep was my immersion and involvement with it. I devoured its 422 pages in a day and a half, feeling bereft when I got to the end, because there was nothing left to read. What a superb piece of historical fiction.
Beginning in the late 1930s and spanning the decades until 2003, it is the story of twins Tessa and Theo Armstrong, and their wartime service: Theo in the RAF, and Tessa carrying out clandestine Special Operations Executive, in occupied France.
Two thirds of the story is revealed from the perspectives of Tessa and Theo, whilst Edie, a postgraduate student researching the history of the SOE in the 21st century, brings the story up to date, drawing the threads together to reveal the twins' respective fates.
This is historical fiction at its finest. Impeccably researched and beautifully, and evocatively written by an author who maintains a pitch-perfect vibrating note of tension and peril - which often leaves you with your heart in your mouth - as skilfully as she illicits and invokes the reader's sympathy for her impeccably realised characters, and brilliantly conjures a strong sense of time and place.
I don't want to say too much about the plot for fear of spoiling the impact of this story for future readers, but Lori Inglis Hall uses the events she depicts to explore the theme of the impact of the second world war on ordinary people, on those who served, and upon their families, and especially the women members of the SOE, and their shocking treatment - not only at the hands of their German captors, but also by the British government who failed to protect them adequately under the Geneva Convention during the war, and compounded this further by refusing to recognise or acknowledge their service and their bravery for decades after it. This novel pays a huge tribute to these incredibly brave women, and what they did.
It is also a story which shines a light on twinship with its intense sibling bonds and connections, jealousies and rivalries; and on themes such as the destructive nature of secrets; betrayal at personal, community and national level; and the brutal societal norms and cruel intolerances of that time, which forced individuals to live lives that are not authentic to their true selves.
This incredible, heartbreaking emotional, and tense historical novel is sure to be one of this year's 'must read' titles, and deservedly so. An out and out 5 star read, which I enthusiastically recommend!
It is an exceptional, gripping, completely immersive debut, heartbreaking and beautiful. I lived every single moment of it, emerging from its pages only to eat and sleep, so deep was my immersion and involvement with it. I devoured its 422 pages in a day and a half, feeling bereft when I got to the end, because there was nothing left to read. What a superb piece of historical fiction.
Beginning in the late 1930s and spanning the decades until 2003, it is the story of twins Tessa and Theo Armstrong, and their wartime service: Theo in the RAF, and Tessa carrying out clandestine Special Operations Executive, in occupied France.
Two thirds of the story is revealed from the perspectives of Tessa and Theo, whilst Edie, a postgraduate student researching the history of the SOE in the 21st century, brings the story up to date, drawing the threads together to reveal the twins' respective fates.
This is historical fiction at its finest. Impeccably researched and beautifully, and evocatively written by an author who maintains a pitch-perfect vibrating note of tension and peril - which often leaves you with your heart in your mouth - as skilfully as she illicits and invokes the reader's sympathy for her impeccably realised characters, and brilliantly conjures a strong sense of time and place.
I don't want to say too much about the plot for fear of spoiling the impact of this story for future readers, but Lori Inglis Hall uses the events she depicts to explore the theme of the impact of the second world war on ordinary people, on those who served, and upon their families, and especially the women members of the SOE, and their shocking treatment - not only at the hands of their German captors, but also by the British government who failed to protect them adequately under the Geneva Convention during the war, and compounded this further by refusing to recognise or acknowledge their service and their bravery for decades after it. This novel pays a huge tribute to these incredibly brave women, and what they did.
It is also a story which shines a light on twinship with its intense sibling bonds and connections, jealousies and rivalries; and on themes such as the destructive nature of secrets; betrayal at personal, community and national level; and the brutal societal norms and cruel intolerances of that time, which forced individuals to live lives that are not authentic to their true selves.
This incredible, heartbreaking emotional, and tense historical novel is sure to be one of this year's 'must read' titles, and deservedly so. An out and out 5 star read, which I enthusiastically recommend!
January 18, 2026
How to sum up this incredible book?! It’s gripping, immersive, and heartbreaking, all at once.
Cambridge, 1942: Twins Tessa and Theo were inseparable, but something changed when Tessa returned from studying in Paris. With an English father and a French mother, the twins are determined to serve during the Second World War. While Theo joins the RAF, Tessa agrees to go undercover in occupied France. Two years later, Theo returns home. Tessa does not.
Cruelly separated from his sister, Theo is determined to find out what happened to her in Paris, and why she went back. Tessa’s secrets have divided the twins - but the truth will come to light.
This is a beautifully written, haunting, heartbreaking book. Tessa’s experience in the Special Operations Executive is tense and tragic, making for unputdownable reading. Theo’s experiences, suffering both physically and emotionally as he tries to find the truth, was almost like solving a mystery. I enjoyed the elements of historical research, aided by a PhD student.
I was already fairly familiar with the SOE and the Vichy regime from my own background, but I think the writer does a brilliant job of explaining the situation in France, and the betrayals and dangers Tessa faces. The writer handles Theo’s experiences well, especially framing it around the time period, the fallout of the war, and the obstacles to finding any information. The book was raw, thought- provoking, and explored the impact of the Second World War and its effect on those who witnessed the horrors, in uniform or otherwise.
If, like me, you read and loved The Nightingale and Codename Verity, or you’re looking for your next historical read - I highly recommend this brilliant book. Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
Cambridge, 1942: Twins Tessa and Theo were inseparable, but something changed when Tessa returned from studying in Paris. With an English father and a French mother, the twins are determined to serve during the Second World War. While Theo joins the RAF, Tessa agrees to go undercover in occupied France. Two years later, Theo returns home. Tessa does not.
Cruelly separated from his sister, Theo is determined to find out what happened to her in Paris, and why she went back. Tessa’s secrets have divided the twins - but the truth will come to light.
This is a beautifully written, haunting, heartbreaking book. Tessa’s experience in the Special Operations Executive is tense and tragic, making for unputdownable reading. Theo’s experiences, suffering both physically and emotionally as he tries to find the truth, was almost like solving a mystery. I enjoyed the elements of historical research, aided by a PhD student.
I was already fairly familiar with the SOE and the Vichy regime from my own background, but I think the writer does a brilliant job of explaining the situation in France, and the betrayals and dangers Tessa faces. The writer handles Theo’s experiences well, especially framing it around the time period, the fallout of the war, and the obstacles to finding any information. The book was raw, thought- provoking, and explored the impact of the Second World War and its effect on those who witnessed the horrors, in uniform or otherwise.
If, like me, you read and loved The Nightingale and Codename Verity, or you’re looking for your next historical read - I highly recommend this brilliant book. Thank you to the publisher for a review copy.
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January 3, 2026It's hard to believe that this serious, emotional novel is Lor Inglis Hall's first effort. It is gripping and suspenseful as it travels back to 1938 England. For probably the first time, Britain is recruiting and sending women into France as couriers and spies to support the French Resistance.
Tessa Armstrong, twin of Theo. who is in the RAF is particularly fitted for the role as she is a graduate of the Sorbonne and a native French mother. With flashbacks to their early years, you learn how close the twins are. The first portion of the book is both exciting and terrifying. The next portion of the story follows Theo, first as he is shot down over Normandy, and then as a lawyer at the Nurenberg trials.
This reads like a well=researched historical novel, yet with keen insights into the inner lives of its characters. It reveals how history can get it wrong and the efforts to find the truth of what happens in wartime and after. I deliberately did not want to reveal too much but rather to encourage the special writing of this page-turner.
Thank you, Pamela Dorman Books, a division of Penguin Random House and Net Galley for the chance to read this early copy. These are my honest opinions.
Tessa Armstrong, twin of Theo. who is in the RAF is particularly fitted for the role as she is a graduate of the Sorbonne and a native French mother. With flashbacks to their early years, you learn how close the twins are. The first portion of the book is both exciting and terrifying. The next portion of the story follows Theo, first as he is shot down over Normandy, and then as a lawyer at the Nurenberg trials.
This reads like a well=researched historical novel, yet with keen insights into the inner lives of its characters. It reveals how history can get it wrong and the efforts to find the truth of what happens in wartime and after. I deliberately did not want to reveal too much but rather to encourage the special writing of this page-turner.
Thank you, Pamela Dorman Books, a division of Penguin Random House and Net Galley for the chance to read this early copy. These are my honest opinions.
December 8, 2025
“The Shock of the Light” is an exceptional spellbinding historical fiction by Lori Inglis Hall. It is a WWII story that sheds a light on a topic I have not read before even though this is my favorite book genre.
The story revolves around twins that are inseparable until their paths diverge at University. She attends the Sorbonne where women are allowed degrees and he to Cambridge. Something devastating happens at the Sorbonne which causes a momentous shift in the twins relationship. And then the war breaks out!
He joins the RAF and she jumps at the chance to join the SOE where she is trained to become a spy and saboteur. She parachutes into France thinking she is aware of the danger but the errors and ineptitude of the powers in charge cause dire and fatal consequences for all the women in the SOE.
This is a fantastically researched, heart rendering novel dealing with the true horrors of war. It is also the story of the trauma and tragedy lived, when one twin fails to come home and seeks to find out the fate of the other. A huge wartime scandal and a decades old government cover up are finally discovered from a very surprising source.
This is a a profoundly sad but equally beautiful story that will stay with me for a long time. I wish I could give it 10 stars!
The story revolves around twins that are inseparable until their paths diverge at University. She attends the Sorbonne where women are allowed degrees and he to Cambridge. Something devastating happens at the Sorbonne which causes a momentous shift in the twins relationship. And then the war breaks out!
He joins the RAF and she jumps at the chance to join the SOE where she is trained to become a spy and saboteur. She parachutes into France thinking she is aware of the danger but the errors and ineptitude of the powers in charge cause dire and fatal consequences for all the women in the SOE.
This is a fantastically researched, heart rendering novel dealing with the true horrors of war. It is also the story of the trauma and tragedy lived, when one twin fails to come home and seeks to find out the fate of the other. A huge wartime scandal and a decades old government cover up are finally discovered from a very surprising source.
This is a a profoundly sad but equally beautiful story that will stay with me for a long time. I wish I could give it 10 stars!
January 8, 2026
The Shock of the Light is an outstanding debut and has had me in its thrall for the last few hours. It is an emotionally charged book, arousing my anger, frustration and sadness in turns. The characters and plot are fictional but the story has roots in factual accounts from the time- women working with the SOE in wartime France had little protection when things went wrong and for many it ended in them paying the ultimate price for their courage in signing up. When the war draws to a close, Theo is unable to find out Tessa’s fate- hitting continuous ‘brick walls’ built by the establishment to cover up their own deficits and thwart his search. There are hints of treachery and Theo is eventually despicably frightened off from digging any further.
All three narrative voices in this novel were compelling and I was transported through each time and place alongside them. Wonderful- my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. I will definitely seek out future books from Lori Inglis Hall.
All three narrative voices in this novel were compelling and I was transported through each time and place alongside them. Wonderful- my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. I will definitely seek out future books from Lori Inglis Hall.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow! What an emotional journey Lori Inglis Hall takes us through in this debut novel. The characters of Tessa and Theo feel real in the way they are written. This means that the book is even more powerful when you read the author's note and see the heavy amount of research that went into this book. I enjoyed the structure of the book and the length of time it covers. Heart-wrenching story influenced by the real experiences of people who lived through such a harrowing part of our history. I look forward to any future novels by this author. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
November 14, 2025
Excellent! Not your usual WWII novel: this one feels more real, more personal. The storyline is gripping featuring twins, Theo and Tessa. Tessa will operate as a spy behind the lines. Theo will fly for the RAF. Along with the risks, the fear of being caught, of being betrayed they both experience, the plot goes deeper. Indeed I will remember both characters as individuals, and not only as heroes. A big achievement on the part of the author! I loved reading as well about the special bond the twins share : a beautiful bond that can make you frail. The novel is also based on this relationship, intricacies and inevitabilities. Brilliantly done.
What I found particularly intriguing and astounding was to get an insight into the way women spies were considered. After the war. Particularly when they did not come back...
A very human and powerful novel. Highly recommended!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
What I found particularly intriguing and astounding was to get an insight into the way women spies were considered. After the war. Particularly when they did not come back...
A very human and powerful novel. Highly recommended!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This novel follows close twins Tessa and Theo who are separated firstly by personal trauma and then World War Two.
When Theo joins the RAF, Tessa also wants to do her bit for the war effort and is enlisted to the Special Operations Executive abd goes undercover in France.
Emotional and tragic, with lots of historical detail. I was invested to the end
When Theo joins the RAF, Tessa also wants to do her bit for the war effort and is enlisted to the Special Operations Executive abd goes undercover in France.
Emotional and tragic, with lots of historical detail. I was invested to the end
November 22, 2025
Great historical fiction shedding insight into the undercover women’s resistance in WW2. Amazing story of the bond that twins share.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Absorbing, thoughtful exploration of sibling dynamics, war and trauma
Although I did, in the end, get hooked and immersed in Lori Inglis Hall’s story of fraternal twins during the second World War, one of whom becomes a fighter pilot, whilst his more secretive and adventurous sister joins the SOE, and is parachuted into occupied France to join the French Resistance. The twins had a French mother, and were bilingual.
I nearly abandoned the book early, as the writing of the first section, Tessa’s story, was a little clumsy. The major problem was that the author seemed to have an aversion to the normal use of the pronoun she, when it was perfectly obvious that Tessa was the person involved in the account. Instead, she kept on over-repeating the character’s name.
The later sections of the book seemed to have more flow and confidence in the writing. There, we follow her brother, during and after the war. Theo has his own reasons for also being secretive, and suffers extreme post traumatic physical and emotional injury, during a flying mission. No one in Theo’s family knew that Tessa had enlisted in SOE, her cover had been that she had joined up as a FANY, as an auxiliary nurse.
Tessa, a highly intelligent, independent young woman had been hugely frustrated by the stuffy limitations and misogyny which prevented women from achieving their potential. Something, before the war, had changed her and caused her to withdraw from her previous closeness to her family. When she disappears after a mission goes wrong, from a geography no one in her family knew she was in, anyway, the shock for Theo and her parents is intense and bewildering.
Theo, who before enlisting had been studying law, begins to try and follow the possible trail of Tessa’s life and disappearance behind the lines. He is led to very dark places, and indeed to shocking and unwelcome revelations about Tessa. But no incontrovertible answers.
Decades pass. Edie, a young woman doing a PhD on the largely unsung brave women who were part of the SOE missions into occupied territory, finds a curious silence, lack of information and closed doors around Tessa’s story, in her researches once the statute of limitations on such material is released. She becomes captivated by Tessa, and contacts Theo, now a very elderly man, and, together they finally uncover her story.
I wish an editor, or the writer herself had gone back to the first section, and made it a more smoothly flowing read, simply by replacing those extraneous, over-repeated ‘Tessa’s or ‘Tess’ by the obvious use of the feminine pronoun. I think I would have 5 starred, as there wouldn’t have been the clumsy, jarring effect in the first section
Although I did, in the end, get hooked and immersed in Lori Inglis Hall’s story of fraternal twins during the second World War, one of whom becomes a fighter pilot, whilst his more secretive and adventurous sister joins the SOE, and is parachuted into occupied France to join the French Resistance. The twins had a French mother, and were bilingual.
I nearly abandoned the book early, as the writing of the first section, Tessa’s story, was a little clumsy. The major problem was that the author seemed to have an aversion to the normal use of the pronoun she, when it was perfectly obvious that Tessa was the person involved in the account. Instead, she kept on over-repeating the character’s name.
The later sections of the book seemed to have more flow and confidence in the writing. There, we follow her brother, during and after the war. Theo has his own reasons for also being secretive, and suffers extreme post traumatic physical and emotional injury, during a flying mission. No one in Theo’s family knew that Tessa had enlisted in SOE, her cover had been that she had joined up as a FANY, as an auxiliary nurse.
Tessa, a highly intelligent, independent young woman had been hugely frustrated by the stuffy limitations and misogyny which prevented women from achieving their potential. Something, before the war, had changed her and caused her to withdraw from her previous closeness to her family. When she disappears after a mission goes wrong, from a geography no one in her family knew she was in, anyway, the shock for Theo and her parents is intense and bewildering.
Theo, who before enlisting had been studying law, begins to try and follow the possible trail of Tessa’s life and disappearance behind the lines. He is led to very dark places, and indeed to shocking and unwelcome revelations about Tessa. But no incontrovertible answers.
Decades pass. Edie, a young woman doing a PhD on the largely unsung brave women who were part of the SOE missions into occupied territory, finds a curious silence, lack of information and closed doors around Tessa’s story, in her researches once the statute of limitations on such material is released. She becomes captivated by Tessa, and contacts Theo, now a very elderly man, and, together they finally uncover her story.
I wish an editor, or the writer herself had gone back to the first section, and made it a more smoothly flowing read, simply by replacing those extraneous, over-repeated ‘Tessa’s or ‘Tess’ by the obvious use of the feminine pronoun. I think I would have 5 starred, as there wouldn’t have been the clumsy, jarring effect in the first section
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Shock of the Light is a stunning debut from Lori Inglis Hall. Spanning decades, the novel focuses on both the direct impact and spiralling aftermath of the Second World War through the eyes of twins Tessa and Theo, cruelly separated by circumstance. When war breaks out against Germany, Cambridge-educated Theo must put his barrister dreams on hold as he joins the RAF, while his sister Tessa channels her bold anti-fascism into a new role in covert operations deep in occupied France. After the war, Theo cannot locate Tessa. He embarks on an odyssey through time, and a fight against countless tight-lipped government institutions, to find his sister, and to find answers.
Numerous war novels have been published over the years and so it can be very hard to break through with something new, but Inglis Hall’s focus on the disparate experiences of men and women through the eyes of twins offers a clever and refreshing take. That and her thoroughly researched narrative about Tessa’s experience with the Special Operations Executive, a clandestine force that sent 39 British women behind enemy lines, but about which details were purposefully made scarce for many years.
The title of the novel itself is a master stroke. Does ‘the shock of the light’ refer to Theo’s recurrent PTSD episodes from his war-time RAF stint, or is it a metaphor for closure - however uncomfortable - arriving suddenly after years of a search for answers? I choose to believe that it’s both, and I think this in itself is a microcosm of what this novel does so well: it blends action and introspection, plot and characterisation, the global and local, with great pacing and balance throughout.
The novel handled so many topical social issues rife during and after the Second World War in a way that didn’t feel didactic, even though I did learn a lot! I was often reminded of both Ian McEwan’s Atonement & Andrea Levy’s Small Island in the way that Inglis Hall allowed readers to digest a global, chaotic and complex period of history through focusing on the personal.
My only qualm is that I wished I could have had more of a glimpse into Tessa’s past in pre-war Paris. Her ‘secret’ involving Luc and Ephra received a nice bit of a closure right at the end of the novel, but it did feel a bit like an add-on to the rest of the novel and less fleshed-out than other plot threads.
Overall this was a heart-wrenching and impactful read, perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah, Anthony Doerr, and emotive, well-researched historical fiction. I can’t wait to see what Lori Inglis Hall writes next!
Thank you to Lori Inglis Hall and Borough Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC copy.
Numerous war novels have been published over the years and so it can be very hard to break through with something new, but Inglis Hall’s focus on the disparate experiences of men and women through the eyes of twins offers a clever and refreshing take. That and her thoroughly researched narrative about Tessa’s experience with the Special Operations Executive, a clandestine force that sent 39 British women behind enemy lines, but about which details were purposefully made scarce for many years.
The title of the novel itself is a master stroke. Does ‘the shock of the light’ refer to Theo’s recurrent PTSD episodes from his war-time RAF stint, or is it a metaphor for closure - however uncomfortable - arriving suddenly after years of a search for answers? I choose to believe that it’s both, and I think this in itself is a microcosm of what this novel does so well: it blends action and introspection, plot and characterisation, the global and local, with great pacing and balance throughout.
The novel handled so many topical social issues rife during and after the Second World War in a way that didn’t feel didactic, even though I did learn a lot! I was often reminded of both Ian McEwan’s Atonement & Andrea Levy’s Small Island in the way that Inglis Hall allowed readers to digest a global, chaotic and complex period of history through focusing on the personal.
My only qualm is that I wished I could have had more of a glimpse into Tessa’s past in pre-war Paris. Her ‘secret’ involving Luc and Ephra received a nice bit of a closure right at the end of the novel, but it did feel a bit like an add-on to the rest of the novel and less fleshed-out than other plot threads.
Overall this was a heart-wrenching and impactful read, perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah, Anthony Doerr, and emotive, well-researched historical fiction. I can’t wait to see what Lori Inglis Hall writes next!
Thank you to Lori Inglis Hall and Borough Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Shock of the Light by Lori Inglis Hall is a powerful work of historical fiction, one that stands out in a crowded genre and will linger with me for quite some time.
The book is the story of twins Tessa and Theo, who grew up in Cambridge always sharing everything, until Tessa moved to France to study at the Sorbonne instead of going to university with Theo as planned. That move changed everything and the Tessa who came back was never quite as close to her twin again.
With the outbreak of war Theo is recruited by the RAF and takes to the skies flying bombers but Tessa is also determined to do her bit for the war effort and her French language skills make her an ideal recruit for the mysterious SOE or Special Operations executive, who drop her in occupied France as an undercover agent. The work is dangerous but Tessa has her own reasons for wanting to go back. Both siblings face hardships, danger and betrayals but when the war ends only one returns home and the mystery of what happened to the other is one that will haunt them for decades.
This was such a beautiful, heartbreaking and above all else gripping book. The characters are so beautifully crafted that I wept at several points in the story, something that usually does not happen. I loved the love that they had for each other, and I though the struggles they faced were very different, both stories broke my heart at several points,
I mentioned that the book is gripping, and that is partly because of how invested I was in the characters but also because the author is masterful at creating tension , building the story and moving between character perspectives in a way that kept me saying just one more chapter, and before I knew it I was almost at the end of the book,
The amount of research that must have gone into this book has really paid off, the historical details are well incorporated into the storytelling and the book shines a light on a part of history that more people should know about. While I knew some of the history of the SOE I was fascinated to learn more about what happened to the women after the war ended and how their involvement was almost swept under the carpet in many ways,
I did not know while reading that this was a debut, it was so polished and accomplished that I went looking for the author's back catalogue to add to by reading list, only to find that this is her first book, so instead I will say that anything she writes is going straight to the top of my list, it may only be February but this is already a contender for my book of the year.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher , all opinions are my own.
The book is the story of twins Tessa and Theo, who grew up in Cambridge always sharing everything, until Tessa moved to France to study at the Sorbonne instead of going to university with Theo as planned. That move changed everything and the Tessa who came back was never quite as close to her twin again.
With the outbreak of war Theo is recruited by the RAF and takes to the skies flying bombers but Tessa is also determined to do her bit for the war effort and her French language skills make her an ideal recruit for the mysterious SOE or Special Operations executive, who drop her in occupied France as an undercover agent. The work is dangerous but Tessa has her own reasons for wanting to go back. Both siblings face hardships, danger and betrayals but when the war ends only one returns home and the mystery of what happened to the other is one that will haunt them for decades.
This was such a beautiful, heartbreaking and above all else gripping book. The characters are so beautifully crafted that I wept at several points in the story, something that usually does not happen. I loved the love that they had for each other, and I though the struggles they faced were very different, both stories broke my heart at several points,
I mentioned that the book is gripping, and that is partly because of how invested I was in the characters but also because the author is masterful at creating tension , building the story and moving between character perspectives in a way that kept me saying just one more chapter, and before I knew it I was almost at the end of the book,
The amount of research that must have gone into this book has really paid off, the historical details are well incorporated into the storytelling and the book shines a light on a part of history that more people should know about. While I knew some of the history of the SOE I was fascinated to learn more about what happened to the women after the war ended and how their involvement was almost swept under the carpet in many ways,
I did not know while reading that this was a debut, it was so polished and accomplished that I went looking for the author's back catalogue to add to by reading list, only to find that this is her first book, so instead I will say that anything she writes is going straight to the top of my list, it may only be February but this is already a contender for my book of the year.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher , all opinions are my own.
January 11, 2026
I received this book as a proof copy from Ink and Ember as part of the ambassador program! There are a surprising amount of some fantastic historical fiction coming out this year!
This was the one proof where the blurb hadn’t caught my attention out of the rest of the proofs I received. However, this meant that I did severely underestimate just how good this book is!
Learning about the roles of women in WWII has been a big passion of mine- underappreciated, little known, much covered up. This book aims to represent this reality for the brave female resistance fighters. And by it did a brilliant job!
We follow Tessa, a twin who has French and British roots. We begin with what seems to be a rather difficult period in Tessa’s life- the first of that she doesn’t tell her twin Theo about. It seems that it begins with the first secret that tears the twins apart and sets this incredibly emotive story into motion.
Tessa is a fabulous character. Intelligent, determined, defiant, loyal, fierce, and most importantly, brave. We watch her journey into becoming a courier behind enemy lines in France. We watch as she has near misses, terrifying encounters and accusations of betrayal, all whilst doing her best to do her duty as a spy. We follow her journey all the way until she is captured and suddenly, we swap to her twin’s perspective- Theo.
I’m not normally a fan of having more than one POV, but this was done beautifully. We see the struggles Theo encounters as a gay man. We see the mystery surrounding Tessa and what exactly happened to her. We watch as he does his best to track his sister and to believe that she’s still alive. We see what happens as the British government fail to do their duty in protecting these women, and instead cover it up for fear of scandal. We see him try over and over to get justice for Tessa and to find out what exactly happened. It’s emotional, gritty and frustrating and we feel Theo’s pain all the way through.
It’s not until much later on when a researcher takes a chance on Tessa that all the secrets unravel. It is clear that Tessa was failed time and time again by the British government and reading as the cover ups unravel is heartbreaking. It’s hard to believe that is accurately based on what the real female spies experienced and this makes it all the more emotional.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, but the reason that it’s not a 5 star, is that I would have liked to have seen more on what exactly happened to Tessa.
This was the one proof where the blurb hadn’t caught my attention out of the rest of the proofs I received. However, this meant that I did severely underestimate just how good this book is!
Learning about the roles of women in WWII has been a big passion of mine- underappreciated, little known, much covered up. This book aims to represent this reality for the brave female resistance fighters. And by it did a brilliant job!
We follow Tessa, a twin who has French and British roots. We begin with what seems to be a rather difficult period in Tessa’s life- the first of that she doesn’t tell her twin Theo about. It seems that it begins with the first secret that tears the twins apart and sets this incredibly emotive story into motion.
Tessa is a fabulous character. Intelligent, determined, defiant, loyal, fierce, and most importantly, brave. We watch her journey into becoming a courier behind enemy lines in France. We watch as she has near misses, terrifying encounters and accusations of betrayal, all whilst doing her best to do her duty as a spy. We follow her journey all the way until she is captured and suddenly, we swap to her twin’s perspective- Theo.
I’m not normally a fan of having more than one POV, but this was done beautifully. We see the struggles Theo encounters as a gay man. We see the mystery surrounding Tessa and what exactly happened to her. We watch as he does his best to track his sister and to believe that she’s still alive. We see what happens as the British government fail to do their duty in protecting these women, and instead cover it up for fear of scandal. We see him try over and over to get justice for Tessa and to find out what exactly happened. It’s emotional, gritty and frustrating and we feel Theo’s pain all the way through.
It’s not until much later on when a researcher takes a chance on Tessa that all the secrets unravel. It is clear that Tessa was failed time and time again by the British government and reading as the cover ups unravel is heartbreaking. It’s hard to believe that is accurately based on what the real female spies experienced and this makes it all the more emotional.
I thoroughly enjoyed this, but the reason that it’s not a 5 star, is that I would have liked to have seen more on what exactly happened to Tessa.
November 13, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for a review copy of this novel. Powerful and moving are words that immediately come to mind when describing this novel. Though the setting, the Second World War lends itself to powerful novels it’s very much down to Hall that the novel’s power is carried. Big concepts like the French resistance and women who worked behind the scenes drive the novel, but there are also other ideas like loyalty, romantic and family relationships, especially those of a sibling, as well as loss, rape that loom large too. Big ideas but well handled.
Two twins, Tessa and Theo are the central characters. Siblings, one impulsive and the other cautious, but who are so close they can immediately know and understand the thoughts of the other, until Tessa goes off to Paris to study at the Sorbonne. After her return, Theo knows she’s changed and something happened to her that he can’t discover. But war interrupts the brief time after her Sorbonne sojourn and Theo becomes an RAF pilot and Tessa stuck typing for the war office. Until a family friend who Tessa finds distasteful manages to secure her a change from her boring typing to something far more adventurous because of her perfect French and her mother’s French birth – to act as a courier behind enemy lines. Theo is posted meanwhile to Africa, completely ignorant of Tessa’s role. The distance becomes more than geographical as the war years go on and Theo must confront the changes in the world as well as his own life.
The author explains at the end that the story was inspired by the real group of women who risked their lives behind the lines, not officially recognized or enrolled in the British forces so if they were captured they couldn’t be treated as soldiers but would be treated at the whim of the Nazis. Many of their acts of bravery were swept under the carpet to avoid a scandal. Their contribution was only belatedly recognised and some not at all. A powerful fact added to a very powerful novel. As a women’s historian this novel provided extra appeal, perhaps, and led to the hope that this might be a novel that would be included in many must read lists in and out of educational institutions. Really a must read.
Two twins, Tessa and Theo are the central characters. Siblings, one impulsive and the other cautious, but who are so close they can immediately know and understand the thoughts of the other, until Tessa goes off to Paris to study at the Sorbonne. After her return, Theo knows she’s changed and something happened to her that he can’t discover. But war interrupts the brief time after her Sorbonne sojourn and Theo becomes an RAF pilot and Tessa stuck typing for the war office. Until a family friend who Tessa finds distasteful manages to secure her a change from her boring typing to something far more adventurous because of her perfect French and her mother’s French birth – to act as a courier behind enemy lines. Theo is posted meanwhile to Africa, completely ignorant of Tessa’s role. The distance becomes more than geographical as the war years go on and Theo must confront the changes in the world as well as his own life.
The author explains at the end that the story was inspired by the real group of women who risked their lives behind the lines, not officially recognized or enrolled in the British forces so if they were captured they couldn’t be treated as soldiers but would be treated at the whim of the Nazis. Many of their acts of bravery were swept under the carpet to avoid a scandal. Their contribution was only belatedly recognised and some not at all. A powerful fact added to a very powerful novel. As a women’s historian this novel provided extra appeal, perhaps, and led to the hope that this might be a novel that would be included in many must read lists in and out of educational institutions. Really a must read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
'They were linked by a single thread but now the thread divides, two twins, two lives. As the space widens, they don't notice it at first. The light that stands between them'.
Tessa and Theo were as close as any twins could be growing up, but after going their separate ways for college, fractures in their relationship began to appear. The onset of WW2 sees Theo off to the RAF, and Tessa to wonder not only what will become of him but what will become of her. A chance meeting though, lands her a space among SOE recruits but as she's sworn to secrecy, no one knows just how risky her new job is. Both twins risk their lives to help win the war but only one returns a hero - or so it would seem.
The Shock of the Light is a story told from both Tessa and Theo's POVs. Through Tessa we learn of a terrible secret she's been carrying since the start of the war, as well as her harrowing time as an SOE. Theo then takes up the storyline towards the end of the war and the staggering realisation that not only is Tessa missing, no one knows where to even look for her.
Lori Inglis-Hall has clearly done extensive research, particularly in her depiction of the women sent into occupied France to support the Resistance. The novel effectively highlights how their lack of formal recognition by the Armed Forces left them dangerously vulnerable, especially as prisoners of war, and made them harder to trace once captured. At its heart, however, this is less a plot-driven wartime thriller than a character study — an exploration of grief, separation, and the fragile persistence of hope. As a result, the pacing can feel meandering at times.
Overall, The Shock of the Light is a poignant and reflective examination of emotional hardship, bravery, and endurance during wartime. Its grounding in real historical injustice gives the story additional weight, making it a quietly powerful and affecting read for fans of character-led historical fiction.
'British women lost behind enemy lines...imagine the questions we'd get'.
Tessa and Theo were as close as any twins could be growing up, but after going their separate ways for college, fractures in their relationship began to appear. The onset of WW2 sees Theo off to the RAF, and Tessa to wonder not only what will become of him but what will become of her. A chance meeting though, lands her a space among SOE recruits but as she's sworn to secrecy, no one knows just how risky her new job is. Both twins risk their lives to help win the war but only one returns a hero - or so it would seem.
The Shock of the Light is a story told from both Tessa and Theo's POVs. Through Tessa we learn of a terrible secret she's been carrying since the start of the war, as well as her harrowing time as an SOE. Theo then takes up the storyline towards the end of the war and the staggering realisation that not only is Tessa missing, no one knows where to even look for her.
Lori Inglis-Hall has clearly done extensive research, particularly in her depiction of the women sent into occupied France to support the Resistance. The novel effectively highlights how their lack of formal recognition by the Armed Forces left them dangerously vulnerable, especially as prisoners of war, and made them harder to trace once captured. At its heart, however, this is less a plot-driven wartime thriller than a character study — an exploration of grief, separation, and the fragile persistence of hope. As a result, the pacing can feel meandering at times.
Overall, The Shock of the Light is a poignant and reflective examination of emotional hardship, bravery, and endurance during wartime. Its grounding in real historical injustice gives the story additional weight, making it a quietly powerful and affecting read for fans of character-led historical fiction.
'British women lost behind enemy lines...imagine the questions we'd get'.
October 11, 2025
British secret agent Tessa Armstrong’s behind-the-lines mission in World War II occupied France gets off to what seems a very bad start when she freezes for a second before jumping from her plane and ends up a good distance from the drop site. A fortuitous thing her hesitancy will prove to be, though, with how her fellow agents are massacred almost as soon as they hit the ground by waiting Germans in an apparent betrayal by a mole in the ranks of the undercover operation.
Lucky to be alive Tessa is, but now very much on her own.
Caught up, too, in the war is Tessa’s twin brother, Theo, a pilot in the RAF who sees a fellow aviator whom he has come to love shot down and then, when his own plane is downed, ends up on the ground with a badly injured leg.
More fortunate than Tessa he is, though, with how (spoiler alert) he ends up in the hands of friendly partisans and in short order is rescued by friendly forces and mustered out of the service and returned to England, albeit with his injury which will trouble him for the rest of his life.
As traumatic for him as the physical injury, though, is worry over what happened to Tessa, something the reader will come to know more about than Theo through sections devoted to Tessa, though even the reader will not know until the novel’s very end exactly what became of her.
A captivating read it all makes for as well as an illuminating presentation of not-so-well known aspects of the war’s aftermath, including, in a scene that particularly affected me, how women who consorted with the Germans had their heads shaved and had insults and swastikas painted on their bodies (men who’d collaborated were shot) and perhaps most disturbing, how the British government initially refused to release missing women’s names to the Red Cross for not wanting to draw attention to the fact that women had been sent behind enemy lines.
Lucky to be alive Tessa is, but now very much on her own.
Caught up, too, in the war is Tessa’s twin brother, Theo, a pilot in the RAF who sees a fellow aviator whom he has come to love shot down and then, when his own plane is downed, ends up on the ground with a badly injured leg.
More fortunate than Tessa he is, though, with how (spoiler alert) he ends up in the hands of friendly partisans and in short order is rescued by friendly forces and mustered out of the service and returned to England, albeit with his injury which will trouble him for the rest of his life.
As traumatic for him as the physical injury, though, is worry over what happened to Tessa, something the reader will come to know more about than Theo through sections devoted to Tessa, though even the reader will not know until the novel’s very end exactly what became of her.
A captivating read it all makes for as well as an illuminating presentation of not-so-well known aspects of the war’s aftermath, including, in a scene that particularly affected me, how women who consorted with the Germans had their heads shaved and had insults and swastikas painted on their bodies (men who’d collaborated were shot) and perhaps most disturbing, how the British government initially refused to release missing women’s names to the Red Cross for not wanting to draw attention to the fact that women had been sent behind enemy lines.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a work of historical fiction, The Shock of the Light is a triumph. A thrilling and terribly heart-wrenching novel. I felt deeply for the characters, experiencing relief, sadness and hope as they grappled with unfolding events.
Twins, Tessa and Theo, have a close bond. They are deeply affected by separation from one another; a separation which is initially driven by Tessa’s pursuit of education and then by the outbreak of World War 2. Theo, once constrained by filial obedience, feels able to strike out on his own path and join the RAF. But after three years’ study at the Sorbonne, for which she was denied a degree, Tessa is subjected to the ennui of secretarial work at the Foreign Office – a role she is restricted to by a mere coincidence of gender. The opportunity to take on a role as a courier in France under the auspices of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) gives her a new focus.
This story takes no time at all to get going as Hall conveys a great deal while using language economically. She powerfully conveys the challenges Tessa faces during SOE training without wallowing in the difficulties faced and with no need for a monologue to reveal Tessa’s inner thoughts. But the reality of being a courier in occupied France is a world away from the training ground and, when combined with the incompetence of the British authorities, Tessa's survival hangs in the balance.
What sets this novel apart from others which unfold within the same time period is the emotional depth. Tessa’s tough exterior masks a deep and underlying pain. Both she and Theo suffer under the burden of silent repression, tragically assuming that they know what the other would think if they were each to give voice to their most closely guarded secrets.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Thank you to The Borough Press and NetGalley for sharing an eARC with me in exchange for an honest review.
Twins, Tessa and Theo, have a close bond. They are deeply affected by separation from one another; a separation which is initially driven by Tessa’s pursuit of education and then by the outbreak of World War 2. Theo, once constrained by filial obedience, feels able to strike out on his own path and join the RAF. But after three years’ study at the Sorbonne, for which she was denied a degree, Tessa is subjected to the ennui of secretarial work at the Foreign Office – a role she is restricted to by a mere coincidence of gender. The opportunity to take on a role as a courier in France under the auspices of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) gives her a new focus.
This story takes no time at all to get going as Hall conveys a great deal while using language economically. She powerfully conveys the challenges Tessa faces during SOE training without wallowing in the difficulties faced and with no need for a monologue to reveal Tessa’s inner thoughts. But the reality of being a courier in occupied France is a world away from the training ground and, when combined with the incompetence of the British authorities, Tessa's survival hangs in the balance.
What sets this novel apart from others which unfold within the same time period is the emotional depth. Tessa’s tough exterior masks a deep and underlying pain. Both she and Theo suffer under the burden of silent repression, tragically assuming that they know what the other would think if they were each to give voice to their most closely guarded secrets.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Thank you to The Borough Press and NetGalley for sharing an eARC with me in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2025
If like me you have read WW2 books such as “The Nightingale”, then you will definitely enjoy “The Shock of the Light” which tells the story of female SOE agents during the Second World War.
Tessa and Theo are twins and extremely close. When war breaks out Theo joins the RAF, flying Spitfires and Tessa works as a secretary in the Foreign Office despite her Sorbonne degree. However it becomes clear that the twins have lost some of their closeness’s, particularly after Tessa’s time in Paris in the late 1930s. Both have secrets but are fearful to reveal them to each other.
When Tessa is recruited to the SOE due to her fluency in French, Theo and their parents cannot be told because of the secrecy of the work.
The first part of the book is told from Tessa’s point of view and is extremely atmospheric, convincingly conveying her life as an agent in war torn France, the fear of betrayal being ever present.
After the war Theo tries to find out what has happened to his beloved sister but to no avail until Edie, a PHD student researching the SOE women, meets up with him and decides to look into what life was like for Tessa during the war and why she did not return to her family as a heroine.
Theo has almost lived his whole life not knowing about her last days as he has been too scared to find out and it takes Edie, an outsider, to help him gain some closure.
I loved the two main characters in the book and the fact that they were twins made it all the more interesting. They were both compassionate and brave, living through difficult times with extreme fortitude.
This is an extremely well researched and compelling first novel. The author knows just how much factual information to put in to the book without slowing down the plot. I will certainly be looking out for any further novels by Lori Inglis Hall.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advanced copy.
Tessa and Theo are twins and extremely close. When war breaks out Theo joins the RAF, flying Spitfires and Tessa works as a secretary in the Foreign Office despite her Sorbonne degree. However it becomes clear that the twins have lost some of their closeness’s, particularly after Tessa’s time in Paris in the late 1930s. Both have secrets but are fearful to reveal them to each other.
When Tessa is recruited to the SOE due to her fluency in French, Theo and their parents cannot be told because of the secrecy of the work.
The first part of the book is told from Tessa’s point of view and is extremely atmospheric, convincingly conveying her life as an agent in war torn France, the fear of betrayal being ever present.
After the war Theo tries to find out what has happened to his beloved sister but to no avail until Edie, a PHD student researching the SOE women, meets up with him and decides to look into what life was like for Tessa during the war and why she did not return to her family as a heroine.
Theo has almost lived his whole life not knowing about her last days as he has been too scared to find out and it takes Edie, an outsider, to help him gain some closure.
I loved the two main characters in the book and the fact that they were twins made it all the more interesting. They were both compassionate and brave, living through difficult times with extreme fortitude.
This is an extremely well researched and compelling first novel. The author knows just how much factual information to put in to the book without slowing down the plot. I will certainly be looking out for any further novels by Lori Inglis Hall.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Shock of the Light is an emotionally rich, carefully researched World War II novel anchored by a powerful sibling bond. Twins Tessa and Theo feel convincingly intertwined from the first pages, making the novel’s central loss resonate long after the war story itself unfolds.
The wartime sections are especially strong. Tessa’s work with the Special Operations Executive brings tension and moral complexity, while Theo’s experiences as an RAF pilot, and later as a wounded, grieving veteran, are rendered with sensitivity and restraint. Theo’s identity as a clandestinely gay man in a period when homosexuality was criminalized adds another layer of quiet danger and injustice, and Hall handles this aspect of his life with care rather than melodrama.
The novel’s dual timelines largely work, particularly the postwar storyline involving Edie, a PhD candidate researching the SOE. Her partnership with the aging Theo provides a moving frame for uncovering Tessa’s fate and exploring how grief reshapes a life over decades. That said, the contemporary sections occasionally slow the novel’s momentum, especially when compared with the immediacy and emotional intensity of the wartime chapters.
Where the book truly shines is in its portrayal of love - between siblings, between comrades, and in the redemptive connections that can arise unexpectedly from shared loss. While not every narrative strand carries equal weight, The Shock of the Light is a thoughtful, affecting novel about courage, secrecy, and the long shadows cast by war. Fans of character-driven historical fiction will find much to admire here.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on March 17, 2026.
The wartime sections are especially strong. Tessa’s work with the Special Operations Executive brings tension and moral complexity, while Theo’s experiences as an RAF pilot, and later as a wounded, grieving veteran, are rendered with sensitivity and restraint. Theo’s identity as a clandestinely gay man in a period when homosexuality was criminalized adds another layer of quiet danger and injustice, and Hall handles this aspect of his life with care rather than melodrama.
The novel’s dual timelines largely work, particularly the postwar storyline involving Edie, a PhD candidate researching the SOE. Her partnership with the aging Theo provides a moving frame for uncovering Tessa’s fate and exploring how grief reshapes a life over decades. That said, the contemporary sections occasionally slow the novel’s momentum, especially when compared with the immediacy and emotional intensity of the wartime chapters.
Where the book truly shines is in its portrayal of love - between siblings, between comrades, and in the redemptive connections that can arise unexpectedly from shared loss. While not every narrative strand carries equal weight, The Shock of the Light is a thoughtful, affecting novel about courage, secrecy, and the long shadows cast by war. Fans of character-driven historical fiction will find much to admire here.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on March 17, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Twins Tessa and Theo have always been close but as they age, life and secrets start to come between them. It is World War II and Theo has been called up to join the RAF, leaving Tessa desperate to do more to help. The twins are half French and the opportunity comes up for her to join the Special Operations Executive and work undercover in France, a country she loves and which has played an important part in her life. The rest of the book is taken up with her wartime life and the lifelong repercussions of the conflict for both twins.
I don’t want to say any more about the plot as the twists and turns are so compelling and engrossing I don’t want to spoil them in any way. Suffice to say, this is a wonderful book with two very believable, very likeable and very human main characters and a really superb sense of time and place. There are so many books and films set in the Second World War that it’s very hard to find anything original to say about it, but the author really manages to make it all feel very fresh, to concentrate on an area that is not well covered and to always remind you that although we know very well what course the war will take, those at the time did not and the ever present sense of fear and the privations of everyday life are beautifully done.
I was completely gripped from the first page to the last and it’s incredible to think this is a debut novel. There is an enormous amount of research behind the story (and it was fascinating to see afterwards just how much was based on fact) but it never gets in the way of the storytelling and I can’t wait to see what the author does next. Huge, huge recommendation.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
I don’t want to say any more about the plot as the twists and turns are so compelling and engrossing I don’t want to spoil them in any way. Suffice to say, this is a wonderful book with two very believable, very likeable and very human main characters and a really superb sense of time and place. There are so many books and films set in the Second World War that it’s very hard to find anything original to say about it, but the author really manages to make it all feel very fresh, to concentrate on an area that is not well covered and to always remind you that although we know very well what course the war will take, those at the time did not and the ever present sense of fear and the privations of everyday life are beautifully done.
I was completely gripped from the first page to the last and it’s incredible to think this is a debut novel. There is an enormous amount of research behind the story (and it was fascinating to see afterwards just how much was based on fact) but it never gets in the way of the storytelling and I can’t wait to see what the author does next. Huge, huge recommendation.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a fabulous debut read. Set in multiple locations and timelines, and from dual perspectives of twins Tessa and Theo, this is a poignant story about the lasting effects of war, in this case WWII. Growing up the twins were inseparable until Tessa chose to go to Paris as part of her studies whilst Theo went to Cambridge and Tessa returned a changed person. I loved the authors writing style and the storyline was just perfect, clearly a lot of research has gone into this book.
Briefly, when war broke out Theo signed up for the RAF and was soon flying bombing missions over occupied France and beyond. Tessa was working as a secretary but later she was recruited for a special job. After intensive training Tessa became a member of the Special Operations Executive and was parachuted into France. Her family thought she was enlisted in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY), which was used by SOE as a cover. But things went wrong from the start and Tessa began to worry about who she could trust. Back at home as the war is coming to an end Tessa is missing sending Theo off on a mission to try to find out where his sister is.
Although I was well aware that women were sent to France as part of the SOE mission I didn’t realise how few of them there were. This isn’t however a story of war but more a family drama which largely follows Tessa’s life during the war and Theo‘s search for Tessa after the war ends. It’s an emotional story about family and the effects on them of not knowing what happened to a sibling/child. I thought I had guessed most of the backstory to this but there were still more secrets to be revealed. An exceptionally good historical fiction novel, emotional and informative this is a powerful read. I look forward to the authors next book.
Briefly, when war broke out Theo signed up for the RAF and was soon flying bombing missions over occupied France and beyond. Tessa was working as a secretary but later she was recruited for a special job. After intensive training Tessa became a member of the Special Operations Executive and was parachuted into France. Her family thought she was enlisted in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY), which was used by SOE as a cover. But things went wrong from the start and Tessa began to worry about who she could trust. Back at home as the war is coming to an end Tessa is missing sending Theo off on a mission to try to find out where his sister is.
Although I was well aware that women were sent to France as part of the SOE mission I didn’t realise how few of them there were. This isn’t however a story of war but more a family drama which largely follows Tessa’s life during the war and Theo‘s search for Tessa after the war ends. It’s an emotional story about family and the effects on them of not knowing what happened to a sibling/child. I thought I had guessed most of the backstory to this but there were still more secrets to be revealed. An exceptionally good historical fiction novel, emotional and informative this is a powerful read. I look forward to the authors next book.
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