What do you think?
Rate this book
Operation Kingfisher
Southern Auvergne, France, 1943.
Occupied France is a dangerous place for Luke and Christine, especially when they are the children of a French mother and a British father. Desperate to escape, the two teenagers embark on a perilous journey back to England to the safety of their grandparents.
But there are eyes everywhere.
Luke and Christine band together with fugitive Allied airmen, thinking they will keep them safe and help them on their treacherous journey.
But their new partnership could be putting them in more danger than they realize. Especially when there are hostile forces at work determined to scupper any plans to get the teenagers and airmen safely back to England.
With secret operations mounting against the enemy, there is one path which remains unguarded: a risky escape route via the canals.
Luke and Christine take refuge on a canal barge and find themselves immersed in the complex Operation Kingfisher.
Can two teenagers make it across occupied France in one piece? Or will betrayal put them and the lives of others at great risk?
Occupied France is a dangerous place for Luke and Christine, especially when they are the children of a French mother and a British father. Desperate to escape, the two teenagers embark on a perilous journey back to England to the safety of their grandparents.
But there are eyes everywhere.
Luke and Christine band together with fugitive Allied airmen, thinking they will keep them safe and help them on their treacherous journey.
But their new partnership could be putting them in more danger than they realize. Especially when there are hostile forces at work determined to scupper any plans to get the teenagers and airmen safely back to England.
With secret operations mounting against the enemy, there is one path which remains unguarded: a risky escape route via the canals.
Luke and Christine take refuge on a canal barge and find themselves immersed in the complex Operation Kingfisher.
Can two teenagers make it across occupied France in one piece? Or will betrayal put them and the lives of others at great risk?
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2013
477 people are currently reading
439 people want to read
About the author
Hilary Green
46 books613 followersHilary Green is a trained actress and spent many years teaching drama. She has always written, producing novels, scripts for the BBC, and short stories, one of which one the Kythira Prize awarded by the Historical Novel Society.
When not writing she gardens, rides horses, walks in the countryside and plays bridge as well as enjoying travel and has been round the world several times. Hilary is married, a grown-up son and two grandchildren.
When not writing she gardens, rides horses, walks in the countryside and plays bridge as well as enjoying travel and has been round the world several times. Hilary is married, a grown-up son and two grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
April 4, 2025
Christine and her brother are teenagers in occupied France in WW2 , they are trying to get to England and safety. They set off on a treacherous journey and meet an allied soldier and help the resistance along the way.
I read my share of WW2 novels this one did not pull me in. I did enjoy Christine’s character she was strong and a bit of a Tomboy who knew how to fix car. This novel was a bit far fetched for me, I would have liked more depth and development of the characters. The ending was a nice surprise.
I read my share of WW2 novels this one did not pull me in. I did enjoy Christine’s character she was strong and a bit of a Tomboy who knew how to fix car. This novel was a bit far fetched for me, I would have liked more depth and development of the characters. The ending was a nice surprise.
October 22, 2022
Worth More Than 5 Stars
Brother and sister Luke and Christine need to escape occupied France as they have an English father and French mother but when a neighbour who was supposed to be giving them a lift on the first part of the journey leaves them stranded and Luke without his papers they have to avoid German patrols while trying to make their escape and get to their grandparents in England. They join a group of freedom fighters and play their part in defeating the German army. I really enjoyed this book although my heart was often in my mouth as I read. Would give it more than 5 stars if I could.
Brother and sister Luke and Christine need to escape occupied France as they have an English father and French mother but when a neighbour who was supposed to be giving them a lift on the first part of the journey leaves them stranded and Luke without his papers they have to avoid German patrols while trying to make their escape and get to their grandparents in England. They join a group of freedom fighters and play their part in defeating the German army. I really enjoyed this book although my heart was often in my mouth as I read. Would give it more than 5 stars if I could.
October 31, 2022
Operation King Fisher
1943 WWII France
By Hillary Green
This book starts off grasping the readers interest immediately. 1943 France is occupied by the Germans. It is a horrendous time for families of mixed nationalities like French Mother and British Father, especially if the children are British subjects. The plan was for Luke and Christine to travel across France to get to the Swiss border across Switzerland and then to England. Nothing was safe, no one could be trusted.
During this adventurous journey there plans were changed and halted due to the Boche and the Maquis/ Maquisards. There is never a dull moment in this book. It is full of fear, adventures, heartache, sincerity, and triumph.
Hilary paints a picture that the reader can feel themselves in that particular situation. Marvellous writing, exciting story, interesting characters, with painful experiences.
A book the reader does not want to put down. Superb writing.
1943 WWII France
By Hillary Green
This book starts off grasping the readers interest immediately. 1943 France is occupied by the Germans. It is a horrendous time for families of mixed nationalities like French Mother and British Father, especially if the children are British subjects. The plan was for Luke and Christine to travel across France to get to the Swiss border across Switzerland and then to England. Nothing was safe, no one could be trusted.
During this adventurous journey there plans were changed and halted due to the Boche and the Maquis/ Maquisards. There is never a dull moment in this book. It is full of fear, adventures, heartache, sincerity, and triumph.
Hilary paints a picture that the reader can feel themselves in that particular situation. Marvellous writing, exciting story, interesting characters, with painful experiences.
A book the reader does not want to put down. Superb writing.
November 5, 2022
I enjoyed this book with interesting characters & storyline. I almost always enjoy stories about WWII & the heroics of the people who fought the Nazi's. This story was about teenage siblings who are half French & half British. To protect them, the French mother sends them off to England & their exploits were exciting, scary at times & admirable. I gave it 4 stars because I would have liked it to continue with more information about their final destination.
Currently reading
December 20, 2021Joffe Books invite Kindle Unlimited
pub date December 16, 2021
received Dec 19, 2021
Joffe Books Publishers
pub date December 16, 2021
received Dec 19, 2021
Joffe Books Publishers
October 22, 2022
This story takes place in the southern Auvergne of France in 1943. Two children of a British Dad and a French Mom are trying to escape to England and fight the Nazis. Their journey is tenuous and they end up with the Maquis en route - they encounter difficulties and ultimately a big surprise at the end. I enjoyed it
January 4, 2022
Not the best wartime drama I have read.
January 5, 2023
Brief synopsis from the book cover:
Southern Auvergne, France, 1943.
Occupied France is a dangerous place for Luke and Christine, especially when they are the children of a French mother and a British father. Desperate to escape, the two teenagers embark on a perilous journey back to England to the safety of their grandparents.
But there are eyes everywhere.
Luke and Christine band together with fugitive Allied airmen, thinking they will keep them safe and help them on their treacherous journey.
But their new partnership could be putting them in more danger than they realize. Especially when there are hostile forces at work determined to scupper any plans to get the teenagers and airmen safely back to England.
With secret operations mounting against the enemy, there is one path which remains unguarded: a risky escape route via the canals.
Luke and Christine take refuge on a canal barge and find themselves immersed in the complex Operation Kingfisher.
Can two teenagers make it across occupied France in one piece? Or will betrayal put them and the lives of others at great risk?
My rating:
Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4. out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
Historical Fiction
Review:
This is beautiful story full of suspense and intrigue. The plot is well developed and captures you from the start. The writing has the right mixture of suspense, excitement. It shows the horrors of war where you have to be careful at all times and you are never sure who can be trusted. The characters were interesting and their actions were explained well this made them realistic.
Strong points: This is a well written story with a well developed plot.
Weak points; No real negatives for me, I just enjoyed the book.
Southern Auvergne, France, 1943.
Occupied France is a dangerous place for Luke and Christine, especially when they are the children of a French mother and a British father. Desperate to escape, the two teenagers embark on a perilous journey back to England to the safety of their grandparents.
But there are eyes everywhere.
Luke and Christine band together with fugitive Allied airmen, thinking they will keep them safe and help them on their treacherous journey.
But their new partnership could be putting them in more danger than they realize. Especially when there are hostile forces at work determined to scupper any plans to get the teenagers and airmen safely back to England.
With secret operations mounting against the enemy, there is one path which remains unguarded: a risky escape route via the canals.
Luke and Christine take refuge on a canal barge and find themselves immersed in the complex Operation Kingfisher.
Can two teenagers make it across occupied France in one piece? Or will betrayal put them and the lives of others at great risk?
My rating:
Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4. out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
Historical Fiction
Review:
This is beautiful story full of suspense and intrigue. The plot is well developed and captures you from the start. The writing has the right mixture of suspense, excitement. It shows the horrors of war where you have to be careful at all times and you are never sure who can be trusted. The characters were interesting and their actions were explained well this made them realistic.
Strong points: This is a well written story with a well developed plot.
Weak points; No real negatives for me, I just enjoyed the book.
July 17, 2025
Set in France in 1943, this story was about Luke and Christine, two teenagers who faced danger and uncertain times because they had a French mother and a British father; their mixed heritage made the dangerous times even more so.
Luke and Christine embarked on a risky journey back to England. The things they had to endure and the people they faced made the story tense and kept me on the edge of my seat. I’m so glad I listened to the audio, as I felt immersed in the story with them.
I loved that they used the canals to escape at one point in their journey, and I loved the characters they encountered who helped them.
Despite the need for survival and their end goal, they stayed strong and were very brave. Their relationship was tested to the limit, and I loved their bond.
In conclusion, Operation Kingfisher was an addictive read that gave me the meaning of resistance and the unbeatable will to survive. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in stories of bravery and the complexities of wartime life.
Luke and Christine embarked on a risky journey back to England. The things they had to endure and the people they faced made the story tense and kept me on the edge of my seat. I’m so glad I listened to the audio, as I felt immersed in the story with them.
I loved that they used the canals to escape at one point in their journey, and I loved the characters they encountered who helped them.
Despite the need for survival and their end goal, they stayed strong and were very brave. Their relationship was tested to the limit, and I loved their bond.
In conclusion, Operation Kingfisher was an addictive read that gave me the meaning of resistance and the unbeatable will to survive. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in stories of bravery and the complexities of wartime life.
May 1, 2025
German-occupied France was a dangerous place for Luke and Christine, two teenage siblings, to live. They had a French mother and English father, and their mother thought that they would be safer in England. She decided to send them back, but unbeknownst to her, those plans got thwarted. Luke and Christine had a few adventures on their journey to meet their godfather, who was supposed to make arrangements for them to get out of the country. Anyway, due to a missap, the two teenagers ended up with the resistance and ended up being a huge asset to the cause.
January 19, 2022
A different story from World war II
The story revolves around two teenagers, brother and sister, who are fleeing occupied France, hoping to get to England, their original home. Their plans were disrupted and they wound up being part of the French resistance for a period of time. The novel is well written, but seems geared more to young adult readers, at least that was my feeling.
The story revolves around two teenagers, brother and sister, who are fleeing occupied France, hoping to get to England, their original home. Their plans were disrupted and they wound up being part of the French resistance for a period of time. The novel is well written, but seems geared more to young adult readers, at least that was my feeling.
December 20, 2022
Adventures amongst the Marquis
A riveting read covering some aspects of the resistance fighters in France during the early days, and the impact of the German occupation on two youngsters of mixed English and French heritage. Their adventures as the try to avoid being taken prisoner by the Germans, and their observations which contribute to the Marquis efforts are exciting and convincing. Well worth reading!!
A riveting read covering some aspects of the resistance fighters in France during the early days, and the impact of the German occupation on two youngsters of mixed English and French heritage. Their adventures as the try to avoid being taken prisoner by the Germans, and their observations which contribute to the Marquis efforts are exciting and convincing. Well worth reading!!
January 26, 2023
Unfortunately, I don't agree with the majority of reviews. I found this book to be poorly written. I felt it was written as a children's book along the lines of The Magic Tree House series, except for the random sex scene. I kept expecting Luke and Chris to suddenly wake up and they would be back in their rooms in California, cause there is no way I believed they were British or French. I did like the side story of Isabelle. Would have been a better story if it centered around her.
July 15, 2024
World War II Suspense
This book is a well written WWII novel that tells of the struggles of two young siblings trying to navigate their way out of France as it is being occupied by Germans. The characters are strong. Intelligent young people who are forced to gro up quickly as rhey are faced with adult situations and decisions. You will find this book captures your attention from the beginning, and the ending will surprise you.
This book is a well written WWII novel that tells of the struggles of two young siblings trying to navigate their way out of France as it is being occupied by Germans. The characters are strong. Intelligent young people who are forced to gro up quickly as rhey are faced with adult situations and decisions. You will find this book captures your attention from the beginning, and the ending will surprise you.
May 29, 2022
kingfisher
I was just just looking looking through the books and came across this book operation kingfisher I thought it was just going to be just another war story but it wasn’t it turned out to be a brilliant story about two children in war torn France and there trying to escape to England well deserved 5 stars
I was just just looking looking through the books and came across this book operation kingfisher I thought it was just going to be just another war story but it wasn’t it turned out to be a brilliant story about two children in war torn France and there trying to escape to England well deserved 5 stars
October 22, 2022
apparently we’ll-researched
I enjoyed this tale of two teenagers falling in with the French Resistance during WW II. At first I thought it to be rather immature. Then I realized that young people were quite different back then. Should you decide to read this book, I think you’ll be caught up in their exploits.
I enjoyed this tale of two teenagers falling in with the French Resistance during WW II. At first I thought it to be rather immature. Then I realized that young people were quite different back then. Should you decide to read this book, I think you’ll be caught up in their exploits.
November 15, 2022
Very entertaining light reading
I bought this book to read on holiday. It turned out to be a very gripping adventure and the two main characters, brother and sister, Luke and Christine, came vividly to life in the pages as very appealing hero and heroine. I loved tracing their journey through the villages, canals and woods of East France. I finished the book in no time.
I bought this book to read on holiday. It turned out to be a very gripping adventure and the two main characters, brother and sister, Luke and Christine, came vividly to life in the pages as very appealing hero and heroine. I loved tracing their journey through the villages, canals and woods of East France. I finished the book in no time.
August 1, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Strong characters and great storyline. I listened to it as an audiobook and enjoyed the narrators reading. She really had me on the edge of my seat and up listening to the story until 1am!
I would have liked the story to have kept going. The last chapter ended quite abruptly for my liking. Hilary could have got another book or few chapters continuing the story.
I would have liked the story to have kept going. The last chapter ended quite abruptly for my liking. Hilary could have got another book or few chapters continuing the story.
September 10, 2024
Beautifully written story about Luke and Christine’s adventures during the height of war. It took a while for me to get into it but once I did the storyline captivated me every step of the way with twists and turns in every chapter. Very descriptive settings and scenes depicted. I loved the adventure of the book!
December 21, 2021
Two teenagers, British citizens currently living with their French mother, find themselves trapped in Vichy France during WWII. Their journey to escape gets sidelined, with one hair-raising event after another, and a lot of growing up in the process. A very hard book to put down.
December 27, 2021
Well written story
Very good book. Enjoyable, with good characters and a strong plot. The depiction of the bravery by some unsung heroes was very real, as I had a father who was in the Free French Navy, it was good to imagine these acts of bravery.
Very good book. Enjoyable, with good characters and a strong plot. The depiction of the bravery by some unsung heroes was very real, as I had a father who was in the Free French Navy, it was good to imagine these acts of bravery.
February 14, 2022
Canal journey with a difference
At first I wasn't sure I would like this book but the more I read the more I liked it.
The story of these two young people trying to escape from France back to England and their adventures along the way is an unusual slant on resistance stories.
At first I wasn't sure I would like this book but the more I read the more I liked it.
The story of these two young people trying to escape from France back to England and their adventures along the way is an unusual slant on resistance stories.
May 13, 2022
A lovely novel in which 2 young Anglo/french brother & sister people attempting to find their way to freedom in England help the free French to fight & eventually beat evil so that goodness wins through at the end .
October 31, 2022
absolutely gripping storyline
Couldn’t stop reading this book. So many brave people but this little family were strong, brave characters. An insight into a different aspect of WW11.
Well written
Couldn’t stop reading this book. So many brave people but this little family were strong, brave characters. An insight into a different aspect of WW11.
Well written
November 5, 2022
Most of this was entertaining, and the characters were good. The hospital scene with Luke was a huge turn-off for me, though. How utterly silly to include something like that, or for the nurse to be so unprofessional. Ugh.
The most improbable ending was fun, clever.
The most improbable ending was fun, clever.
November 30, 2022
Operation Kingfisher
This was a good yarn, though a trifle concocted; there were a lot of coincidences and good fortune, but it kept me reading and onlooker forward to reading it each evening.
This was a good yarn, though a trifle concocted; there were a lot of coincidences and good fortune, but it kept me reading and onlooker forward to reading it each evening.
January 24, 2023
Couldn’t put it down!
Excellent book from start to finish. I wondered what was coming on the next page. It was full of suspense. The only trouble I had was stumbling over the names of French towns and rivers. HA! I highly recommend this one.
Excellent book from start to finish. I wondered what was coming on the next page. It was full of suspense. The only trouble I had was stumbling over the names of French towns and rivers. HA! I highly recommend this one.
August 18, 2023
Operation Kingfisher
Another WW II story well worth reading. It is a good representation of the resistance in France The Marquis! The characters were well developed showing that it took all types to help in the effort to free France from Hitler’s grasp.
Another WW II story well worth reading. It is a good representation of the resistance in France The Marquis! The characters were well developed showing that it took all types to help in the effort to free France from Hitler’s grasp.
August 30, 2023
This is as good as it gets with historical fiction. I thought the book was realistic. I looked forward every time to pick the book back up. Too bad no intense romance which would have earned it a five-star.
April 16, 2024
Reminded me of the Magic Treehouse series where the kids always save the day. Not a bad story, but a bit unbelievable — not that kids were involved, but that they weren’t only involved in every mission but saved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews