A Winter of Spies

The Conway Family #2

by Gerard Whelan

This books tells the exciting story of Sarah (Jimmy's young sister) and their family who are involved in the spying activities of Michael Collins during the War of Independence. Sarah, a young eleven-year-old, cannot figure out why her family is so neutral towards the war and why everybody is so secretive. A strong rebel herself, she wants to do her bit for Ireland. Then she finds out the terrible truth - and she too carries secrets which could cost her her life.

Genres: Historical Fiction

191 pages, Paperback

First published August 17, 1998

About the author

Gerard Whelan is an Irish author born in 1957 in Enniscorthy, County Wexford. He has lived and worked in several European countries. After some time living in Dublin, he returned to live in his native Wexford.

He is the author of many books for children and is a multiple award-winner. He has also written the non-fiction book Spiked: Church, State Intrigue and the Rose Tattoo, and edited the anthology Big Pictures. He is married and has one son, Davy.

The Guns of Easter, A Winter of Spies, and War Children are historical novels based on the Irish struggle for independence in the early 20th century, while Dream Invader and Out of Nowhere are fantasy novels.

Reviews

[Michael Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this is aimed at a younger audience than I but I'm very aware of the place this has in quite recent history. I appreciate the attempt to make the experiences of people of the time more relevant and less distant.
Novels are not history books, the story is the main thing, this story is intriguing and empathetic.

[Laura C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

"When people turn their backs on friends out of fear then the country is really lost."

"I think it's a dirty, low fight. But it's still a fight for freedom."

"Real life is a lot of things, but simple isn't one of them."

[EmilyKing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than first book.

[Oscar Despard · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was an enjoyable read. It the characters were nicely portrayed, and was very well written. The end was somewhat anti-climactic, but it was still a good book that I would recommend to a friend.

[liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

SOOO MUCH LIESSSSSSS. UGHHHH.

Full review to come, dang.

Read this with class! ^-^

TOO MUCH LIES DOE, MANNN.

[Caoimhe Noonan]

I love the ''Guns of Easter'' so I'm hoping that I'll like ''A Winter of Spies''