Code Name Rascal

by Dorothea Buckingham

Set in Hawaii at the dawn of World War II and inspired by a real-life women’s military unit, this character-driven novel traces the intersecting paths of four very different women whose brief connection leads them into unexpected and life-altering roles.
Two days before Pearl Harbor, CJ Martino, an outspoken journalist from New Jersey, arrives in Honolulu to marry Marine Lieutenant Joe Delano. At a dinner with fellow officers and their companions, CJ encounters Eve Russell, a sharp and restless society girl; Ruth Elliott, a traditional Navy wife grappling with private grief; and Jane Meade, a grounded former flight instructor in a faltering marriage.
When war erupts, each woman is pulled into the chaos. CJ disobeys orders to report from the scene of the attack, Eve and Ruth organize emergency relief, and Jane steps in as a quiet force of competence. Their shared experiences lead them to a secret Army Air Corps unit of female radar plotters known as the WARD.
Over time, wartime love, personal loss, ambition, and self-discovery shape each woman’s arc. Eve falls deeply in love—only to suffer devastating loss. Jane leaves her husband to return to the skies. Ruth, weighed down by heartbreak, finds healing and family. CJ must reconcile career, motherhood, and a future she hadn’t imagined.
Told with emotional nuance and historical texture, this novel explores the resilience of women under pressure, the bonds of unlikely friendship, and the quiet ways in which courage reshapes the course of a life.

379 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 7, 2025

Reviews

[Maureen Griswold · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's likely most people are unaware of the volunteer civilian unit, Women's Air Raid Defense (WARD), which worked with the military to provide air defense for Hawaii in the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack. After directly experiencing the attack, four young women: a newspaper reporter, a pilot, a Navy commander's wife, and the socialite daughter of a wealthy newspaper owner, answer a higher calling to volunteer for WARD. After meeting strict requirements, they undergo arduous training and working conditions in a secretive, high-pressure, male-dominated atmosphere, making their dedication and contribution all the more striking. This novel reminded me of From Here To Eternity with its depiction of life in Honolulu just before the Pearl Harbor attack and the attack itself which is powerfully depicted. Each of the four women's stories poignantly brings this little-known part of WW2 history and the WARD unit to life. This is a worthwhile read to learn and appreciate the valuable work this select group of women did to support the U.S. war effort and eventual victory.

[Elaine Schroller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four fascinating characters, one terrific novel

Dee weaves together the lives of four WARDs in Honolulu: CJ, a journalist newly married to a Marine; Ruth, a Navy wife; Eve, a socialite; and Jane, a pilot grounded simply because she's a woman. All are harboring dreams, disappointments, and the desire to make a difference when their country was attacked.

CODE NAME RASCAL is a terrific WWII novel. Treat yourself and go read the book. Then treat your historical fiction loving friends.

[Carey Mundy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of WWII fiction and this story about a group of diverse women who come together after the Pearl Harbor attack intrigued me. These 4 women could not be more different, and yet they came together to form the first group of American radar staff, nicknamed the Rascals. Each is faced with challenge and opportunity in this realistic portrayal of the most of war.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-researched story of a woman's radar unit inn W.W.II. The main characters go through many crises as they go through their training on the island of Oahu.