Hall of Mirrors: Virginia Hall: America's Greatest Spy of WWII

by Craig Gralley

In World War II France, she went by the name of Marie. Or Brigitte. Or any of a half dozen other names. Some saw her as a middle-aged newspaper reporter. To others, she was a doddering old woman. To the Nazis, she was an elusive enemy, “The Lady Who Limps.” Her real name was Virginia Hall. She had a wooden leg. And she was a spy. As the Allies’ first agent to live behind the lines in Vichy, France, she organized resistance groups, helped conduct sabotage operations, and reported secret intelligence back to the Allies. She was one of the first women agents in the CIA and was the only civilian woman of the war to receive the Distinguished Service Cross. This is the story of Virginia Hall and her immense personal courage and determination, and how she broke through barriers of physical limitation and gender discrimination to become America’s greatest spy of World War II.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, World War II, Espionage, Womens, American History

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

Craig Gralley was born in New York City and spent his childhood in Westport, Connecticut. After graduating from Allegheny College, Craig joined the Central Intelligence Agency and over the course of his career, he's served as a senior officer in most of the agency's directorates--including a stint as Chief Speechwriter for three CIA directors.

With graduate degrees from Georgetown University (Government) and Johns Hopkins (Writing), Craig is now a freelance writer and author focused on the inspiring stories of quiet heroes. When he's not writing, Craig enjoys long distance running and adventure travel with his wife, Janet. Their son, Will, is business owner and professional DJ in the Washington, DC area.

Reviews

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This work of historical fiction is based on the life of Virginia Hall, an American spy with a wooden leg, who was instrumental in the French Resistance during WWII. The recent biography of this incredible woman by Sonia Purnell was fabulous, and I was hungry for more! One of the goodreads reviewers mentioned the two gratuitous sex scenes in Hall of Mirrors, saying that she had decided to abandon, and then eventually returned to finish the book at the author’s urging. I’m glad I had come across her reaction because I plowed on and continued to devour this novel! It almost seemed that those scenes had been added as an afterthought, and were not consistent with the overall tone.

I loved being aware of the author’s background! Having worked as speech writer for three CIA directors, Craig Gralley clearly knew his material! It was exciting to see actual figures from the biography spring to life! The heroic Dr. Rousset, whose care saved countless lives, and the vile priest, Father Alesch, who betrayed so many Allied agents were two who will remain seared into my memory. Biographies of such heroic women have fascinated me over the years, and this book gave the reader a vivid sense of what it was actually like to be a spy! The isolation and fear, the pressure to be ever on guard and trust no one – however did they do it! Virginia’s quiet euphoria at the rare praise from Vera Atkins drove the point home: She was told that

“…..I had the one skill that all agents must have but could not be taught: the ability to create a believable, spontaneous lie. That requires a quick mind,…verbal dexterity, emotional control, and above all, an ability to act extraordinarily ordinary”.

The concluding pages were somewhat abrupt, and lacked the earlier vibrancy. Perhaps this was due to the more matter of fact nature of the subject matter. That said, Hall of Mirrors will easily rank among my favorites! A dominant strength lies in the author’s ability to take the reader inside the very soul of a spy. I was struck by how firmly the infiltrator must keep the ‘what ifs’ at bay. How does one not succumb to emotional turmoil, knowing the consequences of one false move, or just an ill-timed bit of bad luck! Here is a passage reflecting what is inevitable following capture by the Gestapo.

‘You’d try to reason with him. Offer something. Just a little bit. He would smile, knowing your door had opened. You’d both know there was more and he wouldn’t be satisfied. Ever. He could give you a slow painful death, and he wanted it all: locations, activities, people. You’d try to hold out. You’d try to be brave. Then it would start again and you’d talk to stop the pain. And you both knew it. You’d give up your fellow agents, and they would be hunted and questioned. .And the circle would expand, diabolically, inexorably, until no one was left.’

What a vivid, haunting portrayal of this courageous heroine! I particularly appreciated knowing that the author had been in close touch with Sonia Purnell. His dedication to getting it right was evident, the result being a skillful rendering of an extraordinary subject. Especially impressive was learning that the author and his wife had traveled to France and made the difficult trek over the Pyrenees, retracing the arduous, painful route Virginia had been forced to follow as the Gestapo was closing in. It’s exciting to know that there is a movie in the works! I hope it does her justice!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have known Craig Gralley, the author of Hall of Mirrors, for many years and so I read his book not knowing what to expect exactly. I like spy novels especially fiction, but historical fiction is not often as thrilling. Craig’s book is thrilling. He has surprising insight into the life of a woman in vulnerable situations where she musters her judgment and intelligence. Her story is hard to put down, but I found myself wanting to savor the book over several sittings. The descriptions of the scenes were so realistic that I began thinking in the language of the person she was conversing with. It was startling. I highly recommend this book for its story and the way it was told so carefully to really bring Virginia Hall to life. It illustrates the intricacies and courage in spying to save the world from its transgressions. There is hope and excitement in this book. It is a lively work of historical fiction and a great tribute to a woman who persevered under grueling conditions. It made me proud to be a woman and to have served my country. The reviews are not hype. I highly recommend this book.

[Gabriela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars as a tribute to the extraordinary woman Virginia Hall was. The book was well written but badly edited.

[Alan Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

War is hell. Many people will agree with that statement, and yet the U.S. seems to be involved in permanent warfare. It's a good idea to read about all the bad things that happen to people during wars, and perhaps some day we'll figure out that warfare has to stop. This book is about Virginia Hall, a spy with a handicap (a wooden leg), and yes, she accomplished amazing things. If this is what compels you to read the book, that's fine. You'll also learn about some of the horrible things that happen to people caught in wars. And the inhumanity of the people who start wars because they think their cause is so good that the end justifies the means. As Rodney King said during the Los Angeles riots: "Can't we all just get along?" Well, can't we?

[R. Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating must-read. Not since Memoirs of a Geisha have I been so enraptured by a woman's story...written by a man.

[Raima Larter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a terrific read and based on the true story of a woman, Virginia Hall, who served as a spy for both the British and the Americans during World War II. The book is meticulously researched and full of fascinating information about the French resistance (which she assisted), D-Day and the role of spies and informants in making it a success, the gestapo and its efforts (sometimes successful) to fight back against the Allies' spies, and much more. Far from being a dry recounting of facts, though, this book is a gripping and engaging novel, with fully-drawn scenes, dialogue, rich descriptions of settings and a story that grabbed me and made it very difficult to put the book down.

I loved that the author chose to tell the story in first person, drawing on letters, debriefings and interviews with Hall. This choice of voice really brought her to life for me and I felt I knew her as a person by the time I was finished with the book.

It is also clear that the author is an expert in the culture of the CIA, which brought Virginia into its fold through the OSS during the latter part of the war. This expertise makes for a unique and authentic telling of this story complete with jargon and insights about secret intelligence activities. Very few, if any, other writers would have been able to pull off such a feat. Do yourself a favor and get this book and read it. You won't regret it.

[Jacqueline La Mar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down!

This is a fast-moving story about American Virginia Hall's exploits, primarily in WWII in France and Spain against the Nazis while working for British intelligence and then the OSS, before she joined the CIA. It's truly gripping, and I commend Craig Gralley for presenting this American hero to us now.

[Sarah Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reallyyy enjoyed this book and am so excited about the movie coming out soon that is related to the story! If you don't know about the movie, it's called 'A Call to Spy' and comes out October 2nd. If you liked this book you will definitely love the movie - I had a chance to see an advanced screening. Can't wait to read more books in this genre! This one was incredible.

[Brad Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel based on a true story benefits from being written in the first person, as it adds to the drama and suspense. It is a truly fascinating story. Imagine, a woman with a prosthetic leg, evading the Gestapo and providing invaluable intelligence to both Britain and the USA.

[John McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

None of the books I've read about Virginia Hall's life as a spy captures the intricacies of her spycraft or her motivation as well as Gralley. This may have something to do with Gralley'S CIA background, but he alone, in my book, really gives us a better picture of Hall in all her complexities and the mystery surrounding her undercover life.

Gralley does this through what is best described as fiction using Hall's voice to describe her work, her hunting accident, and her determination to operate undercover in circumstances that kept her constantly at risk and on the move despite her artificial leg. Her ascent over the Pyrenees Mountains in an escape to Switzerland--although I had read about it before on a few occasions--came alive. Only her determination to succeed in this perilous effort explains her success, as I think it explains her other successes in an otherwise male world.

Even after retiring from the CIA, Hall declined either to write about her experiences or to be interviewed. This tells me what I need to know about her successes--she kept her mouth shut even when it meant personal adulation and probably a huge financial payday for her. I read a criticism of Hall some time ago that she refused to comment or write about her experiences in the SOE (her courage in the SOE created her as a legend in the spy world) and the CIA. I could only think in rebuttal that her silence explained her professionalism and her success in moving below the radar even when Klaus Barbies and Gestapo were on the hunt with posters pinned all over France with her picture. The Nazis became ruthless as the loss of the war drew closer and the pressure was on those who were taken prisoner to reveal all they knew.
Much of what the author describes comes from archival material, but Gralley's value as the writer of this book is his understanding that spycraft, at its essence, is the collection and revelation of information to your spymasters, and the ability to repeat that information to no one. This, I feel, was at the core of Hall's success.

Gralley's effort here hit a home run for me, because none of the other materials I read got to the essence of her courage and motivation. Gralley did, though, and I think I understand this complex, stubborn and determined woman, the only woman serving as a spy in WWII for any allied government.

[Bj Quigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. True story about a very brave, disabled woman who was an American spy for Great Britain during WWII. Absolutely amazing. Easy read. Looks like it was self-published so it doesn't seem available except to purchase. But if you like this kind of stuff, you will be impressed by Virginia Hall's true strength and humility.

[Leo Wright]

Great first person narrative historical fiction

I recommend getting a background on Virginia Hall via a biography first so you can just enjoy the great narrative of this work and get to know Virginia as a person and not just as the greatest spy and resistance strategist of WWII. She was exemplary despite the obstacles she faced as a woman and a physically challenged individual. Gralley brings her to life and makes you feel as if you have met her.

[Craig Gralley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure. I'm Craig Gralley, author of Hall of Mirrors. Yes, I gave my book five stars (self-serving, I know) but let me explain why Hall of Mirrors deserves the honor.

Unlike the other books about Virginia Hall--which are well written and critically acclaimed--my book has received outstanding reviews from professional reviewers AND espionage practitioners, alike.

Kirkus, in giving Hall of Mirrors a star review, said, "What pervades this novel like a miasma is the sensation of being a spy . . . A fascinating, electric account of a heroic woman."

The Historical Novel Society and Independent Book Review also offered great reviews--and highlighted the book's "fast pace, empowering message," and the feeling of being "inside enemy territory."

Giving the reader the sensation of being a spy inside enemy territory is based on my own experience working with CIA. I've seen women agents in war-torn regions of the world. They are smart, tough and confident--just like Virginia Hall. My experience gives the book authenticity. That's why Hall of Mirrors has received rave reviews from senior intelligence officers.

Former CIA director and Commander of the surge in Iraq and Afghanistan called Hall of Mirrors, "Riveting. A tremendous read." The founding Exec Director of DC's Spy Museum, said the book is, "as exciting as the latest thrillers. A stunner!" A CIA psychiatrist who specialized in wartime trauma, wrote that Hall of Mirrors, "gets inside Virginia Hall's mind to provide insight into the fears, doubts, triumphs and passions of a covert operative in a lethal environment."

Hall of Mirrors stands in stark contrast with other books about Virginia Hall that have don't have reviews or recommendations from espionage practitioners.

Typically, reviews of other books about Virginia Hall are from other authors, magazines, or newspapers. I'm not denigrating the other books, they are fine works with great scholarship, but Hall of Mirrors provides extra insight into the motives and interior thoughts of a spy like Virginia Hall. These are areas where Hall of Mirrors outshines the competition.

If you have a continuing interest and want to see pictures and stories about Virginia Hall, check out www.craiggralley.com

Thanks for following along with this long-winded explanation!

[Fred Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a true “quiet professional”. Having worked with many who have served and still serve with honor and courage, yet who quietly continue their lives and work with recognition only from their colleagues, it is such a pleasure to read an account of a woman who set the example long before any of them were born. Craig has brought Virginia to life, both in her daring work and in her humanity. What a wonderful respite during a time of loud personalities and little concern for those who serve. A must read for young women for whom many doors are opening in the world of sensitive operations.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was third book on the subject of Virginia Hall. The first two, “A Woman of No Importance “ and “The Invisible Woman “, were far better reads I believe because they were more detailed accounts of this fascinating woman.
I took a star away for the lack of detail, but especially for the gratuitous sex. I’m not a prude in anyway, but I found it very distracting to the story as a whole. It’s as if the author thought she would be more interesting that way.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hall of Mirrors is the very well researched historical novel of the very real life story of the quietly courageous spy Virginia Hall,the only civilian woman recipient of Distinguished Service Cross for her work behind the lines in occupied France,working with and organizing French Resistance fighters and covert agents in anticipation of the D-Day invasion.. This historical novel is written by Gralley in the narrative voice of Hall truly bringing her amazing courage and missions to life. And as they used to say about Ginger Rogers(she did everything that Fred did but backwards and in heels) Virginia Hall ran covert missions, escaped the Gestapo, climbed over the Pyrenees with a wooden leg. She was in the right place when she and the fighters finally heard the coded message from the BBC"Wound my heart with monotonous languor".-and the rest is history as they say.
Well done Gralley!

[Beat Bucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing WWII story of (mostly) anonymous heroes

Coming from Europe, I knew a lot about WWII and the maquis in France, many places I've visited that were the theaters of fights and battles.. but rarely you think about all those undercover agents from OSS & OSE that helped set up the resistance networks in occupied zones.. One famous resistance leader was Jean Moulin, who was betrayed like others in this story and caught by the butcher of Lyon, and died during his transfer to Germany..
This book is a must read for all history buffs and the like that want to know the true story of resistance in France during WWII.
I hope the author is going to write another book about Virginia's active years as a CIA agent post-war..

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compelling person but her story is lost in the telling. I found the book to be episodic, unevenly paced and poorly edited...a story with no depth or emotional content and a voice that just didn't ring true to me. It seems like the author had been instructed to turn his research into a historical novel without having all of the tools to do so. Somehow this amazing woman's story came across as woodenly as her prosthetic leg named Cuthbert. She is worthy of so much more.

[Daphne Gutierrez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating book about a very unusual woman. I had a few issues with the book: unnecessary sex scene and a few typos. Other than that, this was important to understand about the bravery and skill required to defeat mortal enemies (not just from the main character but also the "ordinary" citizens), and interesting to learn about wartime France and also the spy networks and state department activities discussed in the book. A very fast read.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being that this is an historial novel, it was hard for me to get into this book as the lines were blurred between fiction and non-fiction (for me). I would've liked the book more if the author had gone exclusively with one genre or the other.

[Treva Putsche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spy is intriguing

So the story seemed intriguing, woman spy during world war 2. Unfortunately it felt kind of flat as you read it. factual but lacks any excitement. It’s as if written in a monotone voice.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Virginia Hall was a remarkable asset to the Resistance despite her wooden leg. She escaped Nazi occupied France walking over the Pyrenees and earned the Distinguished Cross. I wanted to read the book after watching the movie A Call to Spy. I rarely say this but save time and watch the movie.

[Lisa Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the book and story interesting, however the sex scene was very out of place and quite a turn off. I honestly wanted to quit reading. The way the story is written makes Virginia sound a little selfish. The storyline is exciting but overall I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I wanted.

[Marlies]

Why?
From Mission podcast newsletter. Virginia Hall was a succesful spy during WWII.

[Maris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of a woman you have never heard of