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Signal Moon
A short story about an impossible connection across two centuries that could make the difference between peace or war.
Yorkshire, 1943. Lily Baines, a bright young debutante increasingly ground down by an endless war, has traded in her white gloves for a set of headphones. It’s her job to intercept enemy naval communications and send them to Bletchley Park for decryption.
One night, she picks up a transmission that isn’t code at all—it’s a cry for help.
An American ship is taking heavy fire in the North Atlantic—but no one else has reported an attack, and the information relayed by the young US officer, Matt Jackson, seems all wrong. The contact that Lily has made on the other end of the radio channel says it’s… 2023.
Across an eighty-year gap, Lily and Matt must find a way to help each other: Matt to convince her that the war she’s fighting can still be won, and Lily to help him stave off the war to come. As their connection grows stronger, they both know there’s no telling when time will run out on their inexplicable link.
Yorkshire, 1943. Lily Baines, a bright young debutante increasingly ground down by an endless war, has traded in her white gloves for a set of headphones. It’s her job to intercept enemy naval communications and send them to Bletchley Park for decryption.
One night, she picks up a transmission that isn’t code at all—it’s a cry for help.
An American ship is taking heavy fire in the North Atlantic—but no one else has reported an attack, and the information relayed by the young US officer, Matt Jackson, seems all wrong. The contact that Lily has made on the other end of the radio channel says it’s… 2023.
Across an eighty-year gap, Lily and Matt must find a way to help each other: Matt to convince her that the war she’s fighting can still be won, and Lily to help him stave off the war to come. As their connection grows stronger, they both know there’s no telling when time will run out on their inexplicable link.
57 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2022
5170 people are currently reading
33003 people want to read
About the author
Kate Quinn
31 books38.7k followers--I use Goodreads to track and rate my current reading. Most of my reads are 4 stars, meaning I enjoyed it hugely and would absolutely recommend. 5 stars is blew-my-socks-off; reserved for rare reads. 3 stars is "enjoyed it, but something fell a bit short." I very rarely rate lower because I DNF books I'm not enjoying, and don't rate books I don't finish.--
Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network”, “The Huntress,” "The Rose Code," "The Diamond Eye," and "The Briar Club." She is also a co-author in several collaborative novels including "The Phoenix Crown" with Janie Chang and "Ribbons of Scarlet" with Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Eliza Knight, Sophie Perinot, and Heather Webb. All have been translated into multiple languages. Kate and her husband now live in Maryland with their two rescue dogs.
Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network”, “The Huntress,” "The Rose Code," "The Diamond Eye," and "The Briar Club." She is also a co-author in several collaborative novels including "The Phoenix Crown" with Janie Chang and "Ribbons of Scarlet" with Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Eliza Knight, Sophie Perinot, and Heather Webb. All have been translated into multiple languages. Kate and her husband now live in Maryland with their two rescue dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,551 reviews
April 25, 2024
UPDATE: now available from Amazon in audio and e-book! An exclusive short story I wrote for Amazon Publishing, exploring one of the pieces of Bletchley Park history I didn't have room for in THE ROSE CODE--namely, the sharp-eared women who worked at the Y stations! Plus, oh yeah, a little time-travel . . . I hope you enjoy it!
7/1/22
SIGNAL MOON publishes officially on August 1, but it is available one month early (NOW!) to anyone with Amazon Prime, and to those subscribed to the Amazon First Reads program. It is only available in e-version--no print--but there will be an audio version available as of 8/1/22.
7/1/22
SIGNAL MOON publishes officially on August 1, but it is available one month early (NOW!) to anyone with Amazon Prime, and to those subscribed to the Amazon First Reads program. It is only available in e-version--no print--but there will be an audio version available as of 8/1/22.
May 12, 2023
"Talk to me, Lady Rose. Just talk to me."
Yorkshire, 1943. Petty officer Lily Baines is part of the Wrens, and one of the best radio specialists. Day after day enclosed in a cold cubicle, browsing and listening frequencies and static in hopes of catching a tiny glint of enemy information or movements, allowing the british forces to retaliate or prevent an attack. Not without much success; until one day she catches a radio transmission of a young US officer, Matt Jackson, in an allied submarine reporting a devastating attack. Nothing particularly uncommon in the midst of a worldwide war, except the transmission, is from 2023.
This was a neat historical fiction short story, with a bit of sci-fi and time travel elements. Really enjoyed the back and forth between Lily Baines and Matt Jackson, the characters felt fleshed out and real, allowing me to care and root for them during the short time provided. Some very lovely moments and quotes. Decent pacing and a very heartfelt ending. This took me quite a long time to finish since I’m not transitioning a particular WWII affection wave, but it can be easily finished within two hours I think. My first Kate Quinn and a great sampler before someday attempting ‘The Rose Code’, or ‘The Alice Network’. The author also mentions ‘The Bletchley’ Girls by Tessa Dunlop in the afterword. I find this very cool, since it’s not like my tbr is overflowing already.
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PERSONAL NOTE :
[2022] [57p] [Historical] [3.5] [Recommendable]
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"Háblame Srta. Rose. Sólo hablame."
Yorkshire, 1943. La joven oficial Lily Baines es parte de las Wrens, y una de las mejores operadoras de radio. Día tras día encerrada en un frío cubículo, revisando y escuchando frecuencias y estática con la esperanza de captar algún pequeño destello de información enemiga o movimientos, que permita a las fuerzas británicas tomar represalias o prevenir un ataque. No con mucho éxito; hasta que un día capta una transmisión de radio de un joven oficial de USA, Matt Jackson, en un submarino aliado reportando un devastador ataque. Nada particularmente fuera de lo común en el medio de una guerra mundial, excepto que la transmisión es de 2023.
Esta fue una genial ficción corta histórica, con un poco de ciencia ficción y elementos de viaje en el tiempo. Realmente disfruté el ir y venir entre Lily Baines y Matt Jackson, los personajes se sintieron bien retratados y reales, permitiendo que me importen y aliente por ellos durante el corto tiempo provisto. Algunos lindos momentos y citas. Ritmo decente y un final muy sentimental. Esto me tomo un largo tiempo para terminar ya que no estoy transicionando una particularmente afectiva ola con IIGM, pero esto puede ser fácilmente terminado dentro de dos horas creo. Mi primer Kate Quinn y una fantástica muestra antes de algún día intentar ‘El Código Rosa’ o ‘La Red de Alice’. La autora también menciona ‘Las chicas de Bletchley’ por Tessa Dunlop en las notas. Esto me parece muy genial, porque no es cómo si mi tbr no estuviera desbordado ya.
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NOTA PERSONAL :
[2022] [57p] [Histórica] [3.5] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
Yorkshire, 1943. Petty officer Lily Baines is part of the Wrens, and one of the best radio specialists. Day after day enclosed in a cold cubicle, browsing and listening frequencies and static in hopes of catching a tiny glint of enemy information or movements, allowing the british forces to retaliate or prevent an attack. Not without much success; until one day she catches a radio transmission of a young US officer, Matt Jackson, in an allied submarine reporting a devastating attack. Nothing particularly uncommon in the midst of a worldwide war, except the transmission, is from 2023.
This was a neat historical fiction short story, with a bit of sci-fi and time travel elements. Really enjoyed the back and forth between Lily Baines and Matt Jackson, the characters felt fleshed out and real, allowing me to care and root for them during the short time provided. Some very lovely moments and quotes. Decent pacing and a very heartfelt ending. This took me quite a long time to finish since I’m not transitioning a particular WWII affection wave, but it can be easily finished within two hours I think. My first Kate Quinn and a great sampler before someday attempting ‘The Rose Code’, or ‘The Alice Network’. The author also mentions ‘The Bletchley’ Girls by Tessa Dunlop in the afterword. I find this very cool, since it’s not like my tbr is overflowing already.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[2022] [57p] [Historical] [3.5] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
"Háblame Srta. Rose. Sólo hablame."
Yorkshire, 1943. La joven oficial Lily Baines es parte de las Wrens, y una de las mejores operadoras de radio. Día tras día encerrada en un frío cubículo, revisando y escuchando frecuencias y estática con la esperanza de captar algún pequeño destello de información enemiga o movimientos, que permita a las fuerzas británicas tomar represalias o prevenir un ataque. No con mucho éxito; hasta que un día capta una transmisión de radio de un joven oficial de USA, Matt Jackson, en un submarino aliado reportando un devastador ataque. Nada particularmente fuera de lo común en el medio de una guerra mundial, excepto que la transmisión es de 2023.
Esta fue una genial ficción corta histórica, con un poco de ciencia ficción y elementos de viaje en el tiempo. Realmente disfruté el ir y venir entre Lily Baines y Matt Jackson, los personajes se sintieron bien retratados y reales, permitiendo que me importen y aliente por ellos durante el corto tiempo provisto. Algunos lindos momentos y citas. Ritmo decente y un final muy sentimental. Esto me tomo un largo tiempo para terminar ya que no estoy transicionando una particularmente afectiva ola con IIGM, pero esto puede ser fácilmente terminado dentro de dos horas creo. Mi primer Kate Quinn y una fantástica muestra antes de algún día intentar ‘El Código Rosa’ o ‘La Red de Alice’. La autora también menciona ‘Las chicas de Bletchley’ por Tessa Dunlop en las notas. Esto me parece muy genial, porque no es cómo si mi tbr no estuviera desbordado ya.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[2022] [57p] [Histórica] [3.5] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
September 12, 2022
Signal Moon by Kate Quinn
Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Andrew Gibson
It's Yorkshire, 1943, and Lily Baines is working for the "Y" service, a network of British signals intelligence collection sites. She and all the women working at her station are to write down, exactly as they hear them, the German intelligence that they hear over the wireless and those communications will be sent to Bletchley Park for translation. She's worn down by this war that has gone on longer than anyone expected and by the fear that they might lose the war.
Something different happens one day when she intercepts a message from a young US officer, Matt Jackson, that his American ship is taking heavy fire in the North Atlantic. Matt is using terms that Lily has never heard of and no one else is reporting this ship and the attack. And it seems that Matt is reporting from the year 2023. Lilly can't just let Matt and his ship go down in the future. She brainstorms how to contact him so that she can warn him of what is going to happen.
It's certainly a shot in the dark and thus begins a short friendship among two young people, living eighty years apart. Lily's always tried to lighten the mood with jokes, although this is no joking matter, war is no joking matter. Matt is from Texas and you can tell he is even though he's never roped a cow and never wants to do so. These two are funny but also desperate to stave off the destruction that is coming in the future, if only it's possible.
This is a bittersweet short story but also one that spreads hope and acknowledges the heroes during both timelines. Matt gives Lily the hope she needs to keep on doing her job, despite the fear of the unknown future and what it might hold. Lily lets Matt know his actions mean so much to the future she is trying to keep alive in her present time. This is an inspiring story, serious but funny, at the same time.
Pub August 1, 2022
This is a Kindle Unlimited Audible selection.
Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Andrew Gibson
It's Yorkshire, 1943, and Lily Baines is working for the "Y" service, a network of British signals intelligence collection sites. She and all the women working at her station are to write down, exactly as they hear them, the German intelligence that they hear over the wireless and those communications will be sent to Bletchley Park for translation. She's worn down by this war that has gone on longer than anyone expected and by the fear that they might lose the war.
Something different happens one day when she intercepts a message from a young US officer, Matt Jackson, that his American ship is taking heavy fire in the North Atlantic. Matt is using terms that Lily has never heard of and no one else is reporting this ship and the attack. And it seems that Matt is reporting from the year 2023. Lilly can't just let Matt and his ship go down in the future. She brainstorms how to contact him so that she can warn him of what is going to happen.
It's certainly a shot in the dark and thus begins a short friendship among two young people, living eighty years apart. Lily's always tried to lighten the mood with jokes, although this is no joking matter, war is no joking matter. Matt is from Texas and you can tell he is even though he's never roped a cow and never wants to do so. These two are funny but also desperate to stave off the destruction that is coming in the future, if only it's possible.
This is a bittersweet short story but also one that spreads hope and acknowledges the heroes during both timelines. Matt gives Lily the hope she needs to keep on doing her job, despite the fear of the unknown future and what it might hold. Lily lets Matt know his actions mean so much to the future she is trying to keep alive in her present time. This is an inspiring story, serious but funny, at the same time.
Pub August 1, 2022
This is a Kindle Unlimited Audible selection.
August 16, 2022
My first Kate Quinn book and it's a short-story. I want more!
This is available on Prime Reading and it caught my eye. Set during WW II in 1943 and a fictional struggle in 2023 this one packed in a lot for 50 pages. Radio transcription wires go awry and a British lady working radio transcription in wartime Britain interacts with a U.S. Navy Officer in 2023! It ended on an emotional tender thought. A great little story! Why have I not read anything from Kate Quinn before? I definitely will now!!
This is available on Prime Reading and it caught my eye. Set during WW II in 1943 and a fictional struggle in 2023 this one packed in a lot for 50 pages. Radio transcription wires go awry and a British lady working radio transcription in wartime Britain interacts with a U.S. Navy Officer in 2023! It ended on an emotional tender thought. A great little story! Why have I not read anything from Kate Quinn before? I definitely will now!!
July 27, 2022
A short story that packs an emotional punch. A story of chance and impossible connections.
The year is 1943, when petty officer Lily Baines manages to tune into a radio transmission she has been trained to intercept and decode for the navy. Whilst this information is vital to the war effort, there is one revelation that makes this intelligence startling. It is from the future!!!.
However, despite eighty years apart, Lily and Matt must find a way to help each other. Matt with his knowledge of what did happen tries to convince Lily that the war can still be won. Meanwhile the USS Colin Powel comes under attack and begins to sink. As the situation goes from bad to worse the two must do what they can to save the situation in 2023.
Such a sweet and tender story with the most unlikely of friendships forged during the worst of circumstances and decades apart. Sad but uplifting, time travel but with realistic events. Simply beautiful.
The year is 1943, when petty officer Lily Baines manages to tune into a radio transmission she has been trained to intercept and decode for the navy. Whilst this information is vital to the war effort, there is one revelation that makes this intelligence startling. It is from the future!!!.
However, despite eighty years apart, Lily and Matt must find a way to help each other. Matt with his knowledge of what did happen tries to convince Lily that the war can still be won. Meanwhile the USS Colin Powel comes under attack and begins to sink. As the situation goes from bad to worse the two must do what they can to save the situation in 2023.
Such a sweet and tender story with the most unlikely of friendships forged during the worst of circumstances and decades apart. Sad but uplifting, time travel but with realistic events. Simply beautiful.
December 5, 2022
Short story from KU + Audible listen
I feel like I've been on an adventure! Traveling from Withernsea, England in 1943 to New York 2023!
Lily Baines is only twenty two, a petty officer in the Women's Royal Naval Service (the Wrens). She intercepts live radio communications sent to enemy vessels that hunted their own.
"She knew what she heard"
Matt Jackson, a young US officer is hearing a crackle of static on his radio. He hears the "downton abbey voice" and the stakes are high.
A short story/listen ~ it has great narration, some "action" feels, emotion and intrigue. Recommend if you love special connections, Bletchley Park and code breakers history.
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld, Andrew Gibson / 1 hour 22 min
I feel like I've been on an adventure! Traveling from Withernsea, England in 1943 to New York 2023!
Lily Baines is only twenty two, a petty officer in the Women's Royal Naval Service (the Wrens). She intercepts live radio communications sent to enemy vessels that hunted their own.
"She knew what she heard"
Matt Jackson, a young US officer is hearing a crackle of static on his radio. He hears the "downton abbey voice" and the stakes are high.
A short story/listen ~ it has great narration, some "action" feels, emotion and intrigue. Recommend if you love special connections, Bletchley Park and code breakers history.
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld, Andrew Gibson / 1 hour 22 min
November 5, 2022
In a Nutshell: My very first Kate Quinn work, and I loved it! Just a short story and yet what lovely character development and writing! I could almost hear and see the characters.
Story Synopsis:
Where the story worked for me:
😍 Kate Quinn’s ability at developing her characters within just a 57-page story left me stunned. With only two main characters and a few secondary characters, she still manages to let us know why her characters did what they did.
😍 The story evokes a multitude of emotions such as fear, anger, sorrow, courage, surprise, and humour—no mean feat for short fiction.
😍 A great short story begins powerfully, picks up pace as it progresses, and delivers a memorable ending. This was a great short story.
😍 Kate and Matt’s characters are easily the most well-sketched. Each has dialogues where joviality intermingles with tension, which isn’t easy to write.
😍 There are so many beautiful and worrisome moments in this story. Can’t tell you more as I don’t want to go into spoilers.
😍 For the first time ever, I kept putting myself in each of their (Lily’s and Matt’s) places and wondered how I would have reacted. This happens to me while reading full-length novels but never during a short story. I love how it dragged me into its action, thereby increasing the impact.
😍 The author's note at the end is *chef’s kiss!*
Where the story could have worked better for me:
☹ The logical side of me knows that it had the best possible ending. The emotional-fool side of me feels let down by the bittersweet feelings it generated. ‘Ye Dil Maange More’, what to do!
In short, I loved it to the core. What an amazing ode to the legendary Bletchley Park and the young women who played a vital role through their interceptions! Strongly recommended for historical fiction lovers who don’t mind a dash of low-key sci-fi.
4.5 stars.
This story is free for Amazon Prime subscribers.
Note: I read somewhere that this story is set in the world of ‘The Rose Code’ by the same author. I haven’t yet read this novel, but I didn’t feel like I missed out on understanding ‘Signal Moon’ because of this.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
1943, Yorkshire. Lily Baines, the young daughter of a wealthy and well-connected Viscount, has traded in the luxury living to join in the war efforts. She now intercepts naval signals and sends them to Bletchley Park for decryption. One day, she catches a previously unknown signal, which relays to her a horrifying scene. An American ship is being attacked in the North Atlantic, and one officer, Matt Jackson, is narrating all that’s unfurling around him. In addition to feeling helpless, Lily is also shocked and confused over the date that Matt mentions… He is narrating from the year 2023! How can Lily help Matt across the 80-year divide when her communications device is equipped only to receive signals and not to broadcast them?
Where the story worked for me:
😍 Kate Quinn’s ability at developing her characters within just a 57-page story left me stunned. With only two main characters and a few secondary characters, she still manages to let us know why her characters did what they did.
😍 The story evokes a multitude of emotions such as fear, anger, sorrow, courage, surprise, and humour—no mean feat for short fiction.
😍 A great short story begins powerfully, picks up pace as it progresses, and delivers a memorable ending. This was a great short story.
😍 Kate and Matt’s characters are easily the most well-sketched. Each has dialogues where joviality intermingles with tension, which isn’t easy to write.
😍 There are so many beautiful and worrisome moments in this story. Can’t tell you more as I don’t want to go into spoilers.
😍 For the first time ever, I kept putting myself in each of their (Lily’s and Matt’s) places and wondered how I would have reacted. This happens to me while reading full-length novels but never during a short story. I love how it dragged me into its action, thereby increasing the impact.
😍 The author's note at the end is *chef’s kiss!*
Where the story could have worked better for me:
☹ The logical side of me knows that it had the best possible ending. The emotional-fool side of me feels let down by the bittersweet feelings it generated. ‘Ye Dil Maange More’, what to do!
In short, I loved it to the core. What an amazing ode to the legendary Bletchley Park and the young women who played a vital role through their interceptions! Strongly recommended for historical fiction lovers who don’t mind a dash of low-key sci-fi.
4.5 stars.
This story is free for Amazon Prime subscribers.
Note: I read somewhere that this story is set in the world of ‘The Rose Code’ by the same author. I haven’t yet read this novel, but I didn’t feel like I missed out on understanding ‘Signal Moon’ because of this.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
February 28, 2023
Touching short-story about a petty officer (Lily Baines) in the Women’s Royal Navy Service (Wrens) in 1943 Yorkshire, England, working at a made over seaside hotel that is a listening station during World War II. Her job is to intercept enemy naval communications and send them to Bletchley Park for decryption. One night, she picks up a transmission that isn’t code at all—it’s a cry for help. An American ship is taking heavy fire in the North Atlantic—but no one else has reported an attack, and the information relayed by the young US officer (Matt Jackson) seems all wrong. The contact that Lily has made on the other end of the radio channel says it’s 2023! Lily tells her superior officer about the transmission she heard and her superior officer suggests Lily take some time off. But Lily can’t stop thinking about what she heard, and what might happen in the future. So, she somehow tries to intervene. What follows is a lovely story between Lily and the young US Navy petty officer (Matt Jackson) who is on the other end of the transmission. For such a short-story it had characters I really cared about, an interesting plot, and a bittersweet ending. A wonderful read by new author to me, Kate Quinn.
December 25, 2022
I am a huge fan of Amazon’s short story collection. Rarely do I enjoy short stories, as it seems there is little character and plot development. I am left unsatisfied. Somehow, Amazon has recruited elite authors who are able to achieve fulfilling stories that leaves the reader satisfied.
“Signal Moon”, by Kate Quinn is a bit of a science fiction story involving physics and multi-dimensions. Also, not a genre I gravitate to. Author Kate Quinn is the draw. She is one of my favorite historical fiction authors.
Lily Baines, a viscount’s daughter working as a Wren in a listening station in 1943 for the British navel intelligence, remarkably intercepts a strange SOS from an American Officer, Matt Jackson, stating that the USS Colin Powell was hit. She learns that these transmissions are sent from the year 2023!
Lily wants to help Matt, but he does not hear her. Resourceful Lily finds a way!
This is a fun story that grabbed me from the start. I did the eBook/audio option so I could read and listen to the audio at the same time. The audio added a lot to the story. The audio was narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Andrew Gibson. The sound affects made the story wonderful.
In her author’s note, Quinn states that Lily’s character is closely based on that of Pat Owtram, a petty officer in the Woman’s Royal Naval Service, aka the WRENS. Quinn states that author Tessa Dunlop wrote a book based on Ms Owtram entitled “The Bletchley Girls”.
I highly recommend the audio!
“Signal Moon”, by Kate Quinn is a bit of a science fiction story involving physics and multi-dimensions. Also, not a genre I gravitate to. Author Kate Quinn is the draw. She is one of my favorite historical fiction authors.
Lily Baines, a viscount’s daughter working as a Wren in a listening station in 1943 for the British navel intelligence, remarkably intercepts a strange SOS from an American Officer, Matt Jackson, stating that the USS Colin Powell was hit. She learns that these transmissions are sent from the year 2023!
Lily wants to help Matt, but he does not hear her. Resourceful Lily finds a way!
This is a fun story that grabbed me from the start. I did the eBook/audio option so I could read and listen to the audio at the same time. The audio added a lot to the story. The audio was narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and Andrew Gibson. The sound affects made the story wonderful.
In her author’s note, Quinn states that Lily’s character is closely based on that of Pat Owtram, a petty officer in the Woman’s Royal Naval Service, aka the WRENS. Quinn states that author Tessa Dunlop wrote a book based on Ms Owtram entitled “The Bletchley Girls”.
I highly recommend the audio!
November 26, 2022
Shortish review for this short story. WOW. Okay so some of ya'll might've been shocked that I read this, but tbh I've been having the most asstastic reading month that I thought why the hell not 😂 This was book #2 in my short story bender.
The writing? Chefs kiss. The plot? Unique with high stakes. The ending? Had a hoe choking up.
This well-researched novella had me wanting more. Although completely illogical, I felt bad for the main characters. How could they live out their respective lives with such a big secret and such an emotional connection that could never be fully explored? 😢😢😢
Anyways. I liked Kate Quinn's writing so much I went to purchase some of her other books but then I saw the page length LMAOOO. I'm not sure my swiss cheese brain can handle 400/500+ pages of intellectually stimulating historical fiction. Maybe one day 🫣
The writing? Chefs kiss. The plot? Unique with high stakes. The ending? Had a hoe choking up.
This well-researched novella had me wanting more. Although completely illogical, I felt bad for the main characters. How could they live out their respective lives with such a big secret and such an emotional connection that could never be fully explored? 😢😢😢
Anyways. I liked Kate Quinn's writing so much I went to purchase some of her other books but then I saw the page length LMAOOO. I'm not sure my swiss cheese brain can handle 400/500+ pages of intellectually stimulating historical fiction. Maybe one day 🫣
July 10, 2022
No one writes women code breakers, spies etc better than Kate Quinn!!!
In this novella we learn about the “signal intelligence hot spots” which were dotted all over Britain”, called Y stations.
In this short novella Lily Baines is a 20 y/o petty officer in the Women’s Royal Naval Service posted to a Y station in Yorkshire. She spends hours every day just listening and tuning through frequencies in the hopes of finding German intelligence to pass on to Bletchley Park. All of the women wrote down everything they heard and these messages were passed on to the codebreakers at Bletchley periodically throughout the day and night.
Lily is startled one day to hear an American transmission, very clear, and the information that she learns is terrifying. The date of the transmission also doesn’t make sense – it’s in the future!!
As Ms. Quinn states in the author’s notes “I’ve never written anything with a modern day plot thread, so Signal Moon was a fun departure from my usual strictly historical territory”.
This short story is definitely a fun read and it was very interesting to learn about the Y stations which were so important to the codebreakers at Bletchley Park.
This is a free novella if you are an Amazon Prime member.
In this novella we learn about the “signal intelligence hot spots” which were dotted all over Britain”, called Y stations.
In this short novella Lily Baines is a 20 y/o petty officer in the Women’s Royal Naval Service posted to a Y station in Yorkshire. She spends hours every day just listening and tuning through frequencies in the hopes of finding German intelligence to pass on to Bletchley Park. All of the women wrote down everything they heard and these messages were passed on to the codebreakers at Bletchley periodically throughout the day and night.
Lily is startled one day to hear an American transmission, very clear, and the information that she learns is terrifying. The date of the transmission also doesn’t make sense – it’s in the future!!
As Ms. Quinn states in the author’s notes “I’ve never written anything with a modern day plot thread, so Signal Moon was a fun departure from my usual strictly historical territory”.
This short story is definitely a fun read and it was very interesting to learn about the Y stations which were so important to the codebreakers at Bletchley Park.
This is a free novella if you are an Amazon Prime member.
August 17, 2022
A novella available from Kindle Prime. Kate Quinn has written well-researched and informative books of historical fiction based on real people and events. This one is a stretch where she enters the realm of fantasy, and it works! Lily is from a titled English family and has set aside her life as a debutante. It is 1943, and she works at one of the Y stations scattered through the country. The task is intercepting coded enemy communications and sending them to Bletchley Park for decoding. She worries about the outcome of WW2 and whether her friends will survive on the battlefield. Will the allies be defeated by enemy forces, and does her work have any value?
One day there is an anomaly in the radio transmissions, and instead of coded messages, she hears the voice of a young US naval officer, Matt, in the North Atlantic whose ship is under attack. She is shocked that the transmission is mysteriously coming from 2023. She may be listening to the start of another World War eighty years in the future. Matt does not believe he is speaking to someone in the distant past and thinks his friends are playing an elaborate joke on him. Lily gradually convinces him that the inexplicable radio connection is real by relating some things she has overheard known only to him. She knows he will die when heavy missile fire sinks his ship in a couple of days.
They develop a strong and emotional long-distance friendship. She gives him suggestions on techniques to mask the ship and divert it from enemy fire. She is desperate to save his life and prevent a future war. Matt assures her that her work is very important and the outcome of her present war favours the allies. He is under a desperate timeline to save his life while preventing enemy fire from destroying his ship.
This was an engaging, suspenseful and emotional story. I was wishing that there was some way Matt and Lily could meet in person through time and space, but their radio connection with its dual storyline, one from the past and one from the near future, was compelling and worked very well.
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One day there is an anomaly in the radio transmissions, and instead of coded messages, she hears the voice of a young US naval officer, Matt, in the North Atlantic whose ship is under attack. She is shocked that the transmission is mysteriously coming from 2023. She may be listening to the start of another World War eighty years in the future. Matt does not believe he is speaking to someone in the distant past and thinks his friends are playing an elaborate joke on him. Lily gradually convinces him that the inexplicable radio connection is real by relating some things she has overheard known only to him. She knows he will die when heavy missile fire sinks his ship in a couple of days.
They develop a strong and emotional long-distance friendship. She gives him suggestions on techniques to mask the ship and divert it from enemy fire. She is desperate to save his life and prevent a future war. Matt assures her that her work is very important and the outcome of her present war favours the allies. He is under a desperate timeline to save his life while preventing enemy fire from destroying his ship.
This was an engaging, suspenseful and emotional story. I was wishing that there was some way Matt and Lily could meet in person through time and space, but their radio connection with its dual storyline, one from the past and one from the near future, was compelling and worked very well.
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July 22, 2022
Amazon First Reads choice this month. Charming story of a connection made between 2 people, 80 years apart. Short and sweet.
December 1, 2023
A book transcending time and space
September 16, 2022
I loved The Rose Code so when I saw my audible telling me this was available, I purchased it but I didn't have time to listen until today.
I didn't read the blurb so I didn't know it had time travel in it. Did I enjoy it? Absolutely, I just hoped for a different ending.
In Yorkshire, the year is 1943 and Lily Baines is working intercepting naval communications during WW2. She doesn't decode the messages. Those documents go to Bletchley Park to be decrypted. One day while at her job, she intercepts a communication from a man named Matt Jackson. The next 43 minutes are all shocking to Lily. She can't believe what she heard. She doesn't think anyone will believe her. Matt Jackson mentioned the year being 2023.
How can this be possible and how does she help him?
A short story that is crammed with all sorts of goodies. I liked it from beginning to end. Both characters despite their different timelines were likable and interesting.
Highly recommended for Kate Quinn's fans.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
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I didn't read the blurb so I didn't know it had time travel in it. Did I enjoy it? Absolutely, I just hoped for a different ending.
In Yorkshire, the year is 1943 and Lily Baines is working intercepting naval communications during WW2. She doesn't decode the messages. Those documents go to Bletchley Park to be decrypted. One day while at her job, she intercepts a communication from a man named Matt Jackson. The next 43 minutes are all shocking to Lily. She can't believe what she heard. She doesn't think anyone will believe her. Matt Jackson mentioned the year being 2023.
How can this be possible and how does she help him?
A short story that is crammed with all sorts of goodies. I liked it from beginning to end. Both characters despite their different timelines were likable and interesting.
Highly recommended for Kate Quinn's fans.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
August 16, 2022
What an incredible short story and how beautifully this was told by Kate Quinn! I picked it up for bedtime reading and I went to sleep overcome with deep emotions about the two main characters’ fateful connection made through radio signals, each living their own war 80 years apart. 💖
It is a wonder to me how in less than 50 pages Ms Quinn has delivered such a powerful story, set at Yorkshire’s Bletchley Park, highlighting the role of women in the codebreaking efforts during WWII. I was moved by the sweetness and warmth, and literally experienced the longing that developed within these few pages between Lily and Matt, one trying to save the other while living in two different centuries.
This was a very clever time travel sort of plot, but with lots of facts of historical significance in both the past and present timeline. The author’s note at the end is not to be missed either!
I loved, loved, loved it, and here I thought having a long distance relationship was hard..
It is a wonder to me how in less than 50 pages Ms Quinn has delivered such a powerful story, set at Yorkshire’s Bletchley Park, highlighting the role of women in the codebreaking efforts during WWII. I was moved by the sweetness and warmth, and literally experienced the longing that developed within these few pages between Lily and Matt, one trying to save the other while living in two different centuries.
This was a very clever time travel sort of plot, but with lots of facts of historical significance in both the past and present timeline. The author’s note at the end is not to be missed either!
I loved, loved, loved it, and here I thought having a long distance relationship was hard..
September 5, 2022
By all accounts I shouldn't have liked this book since I'm not a fan of short stories or of time travel themed stories but I really enjoyed it. Perhaps it's the author. Lily Baines, working for British naval intelligence in 1943, intercepts an SOS from Matt Jackson, a young U.S. officer in 2023. Lily and Matt develop a really long-distance relationship and their banter is very cute. The story contains some interesting historical information as well. Apparently there is a series of these novellas called "A Point in Time Collection" which are free with an Amazon Unlimited membership and I've added the one by Fiona Cummins to my TBR. This book could probably be read in one sitting but I spread it out over a few days.
September 12, 2022
5.0
Can't give too much info here without this being a spoiler.
But wow; Kate Quinn delivers "Signal Moon" - her newest "book".
Fifty-seven pages of historical fiction that is extraordinarily clever.
I am over the top satisfied with a very short story and its realism, Quinn offered me a chance to experience through words - a telecommunication of a sorts of quasi time travel. Is there a possibility to change history with the power of suggestion?
Per usual, Quinn's research is well done, but if there was none, this novella is outstanding.
and wins my award for creativity.
Such a good read!
Can't give too much info here without this being a spoiler.
But wow; Kate Quinn delivers "Signal Moon" - her newest "book".
Fifty-seven pages of historical fiction that is extraordinarily clever.
I am over the top satisfied with a very short story and its realism, Quinn offered me a chance to experience through words - a telecommunication of a sorts of quasi time travel. Is there a possibility to change history with the power of suggestion?
Per usual, Quinn's research is well done, but if there was none, this novella is outstanding.
and wins my award for creativity.
Such a good read!
August 13, 2022
Fascinating novella
I can never resist a Kate Quinn story and I enjoyed this dual historical that sees a women in 1943 talk to a US navy man in 2023.
I read it in one sitting and really enjoyed the informative author's note. The banter between the characters was really good and I found myself laughing a few times in the story. If you enjoyed "The Rose Code" you'll definitely want to snap this one up.
I can never resist a Kate Quinn story and I enjoyed this dual historical that sees a women in 1943 talk to a US navy man in 2023.
I read it in one sitting and really enjoyed the informative author's note. The banter between the characters was really good and I found myself laughing a few times in the story. If you enjoyed "The Rose Code" you'll definitely want to snap this one up.
September 22, 2022
4.5 rounded up! Love this "genre-bender'novella of historic fiction with a time travel twist, and wished it was longer - very enjoyable!! I really enjoy Kate Quinn's writing, can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeve :)
December 31, 2022
It's a classic tale of girl meets boy via wireless with a mere time difference of 80 years. I love a good time slip trope and Kate Quinn gives us one that really matters. Lily is doing her job for Bletchley Park in 1943, listening to transmissions with her "ears like a bat." A voice comes through from a naval ship called The Colin Powell and they are sinking. . . What is happening? Is it possible for a young woman working against the enemy during WW II to help prevent WW III? This was so well done and well worth a purchase on Amazon.
May 14, 2024
4.5 stars
Excellent 'time warp' story in which two naval petty officers in intelligence - one in 1943 and one in 2023 - are able to communicate through a radio transmitter due to some strange disturbances in the earth's atmosphere. Great dialogue, excellent pacing, wonderful writing style.
This is my first Kate Quinn and I'm duly impressed. Her name I've seen around, but the blurbs on her books plus the long page count haven't interested me much. Still not sure they do now either, but I very much enjoyed this story and am glad I read it.
Excellent 'time warp' story in which two naval petty officers in intelligence - one in 1943 and one in 2023 - are able to communicate through a radio transmitter due to some strange disturbances in the earth's atmosphere. Great dialogue, excellent pacing, wonderful writing style.
This is my first Kate Quinn and I'm duly impressed. Her name I've seen around, but the blurbs on her books plus the long page count haven't interested me much. Still not sure they do now either, but I very much enjoyed this story and am glad I read it.
August 14, 2022
Brilliant!
What a wonderful and touching short story!
I loved its development and specially the writing and clever dialogues.
It felt as if I was watching one of those old episodes of Twilight Zone, but not the spooky ones.
What a wonderful and touching short story!
I loved its development and specially the writing and clever dialogues.
It felt as if I was watching one of those old episodes of Twilight Zone, but not the spooky ones.
August 22, 2022
Signal Moon by Kate Quinn was a nice, fun short story. WWII saves 3/2023. The future contacted the past by way of WWII radio. Matt and Lilly Banes. This was part of the history of Bletchley Park. The future….
January 23, 2023
An 80 year time gap. Overheard radio transmissions. A US officer and a woman working in decryption find a way to communicate from different time periods. This is how you write a short story and fill it with heart and emotion.
January 12, 2023
Very good short story of dual timelines and a well-planned way to save someone in the future.
March 14, 2023
Quick and artful short story set between the present and 1943. I don’t usually read historical fiction but this was a nice balance, with a hint of the supernatural. 😊
August 26, 2022
Kate Quinn never disappoints me. Signal Moon is a novella which takes place in 1943 and 2023. Lily Baines intercepts enemy communications during WWII in England for them to be forwarded to Bletchley Park for decryption. One night she picks up open communication from an American naval ship in distress, but it's from 2023. Can she help stop this disaster from happening in the future?
I was hooked from the beginning. It is always impressive when an author can get you to care so deeply for characters, but even more so in a short story. I loved the time warp aspect which was really well done. Kate Quinn doesn't normally venture into writing about present day, so this was an extra treat. The pacing was great, very likable characters, the story was engaging throughout, and as always with her books I learned something new. Loved it! 5 stars.
I was hooked from the beginning. It is always impressive when an author can get you to care so deeply for characters, but even more so in a short story. I loved the time warp aspect which was really well done. Kate Quinn doesn't normally venture into writing about present day, so this was an extra treat. The pacing was great, very likable characters, the story was engaging throughout, and as always with her books I learned something new. Loved it! 5 stars.
September 25, 2025
“Talk to me, Matt. Just talk to me. Until the signal moon goes zero.”
― Kate Quinn, Signal Moon
This little Novela packs, a very strong punch in a way I did not expect as I freely admit I did not expect to like this half as much as I did.
The reason I didn’t feel I would like it is because I knew there were a lot of sci-fi elements going in, and that’s usually not my preferred genre. But I found the whole premise, absorbing and utterly and completely fascinating.
So just a quick synopsis – Lily and Matt talk to each other , find each other actually over a radio frequency channel. The only thing is she’s in the 1940s during World War II and he is in 2023.
That’s another thing. I usually don’t like time travel books I can honestly say for me this was five stars . The story just got me.
It was fascinating as the characters connect and try to stop a pending war that might be coming in 2023. Lily is reaching across the decades to help Matt before all is lost.
I think what I like so much about the story was the sensitive way the characters were drawn, and the way it was written.
It has all the elements that make up a great story. It’s poignant, it’s reflective, it’s bitter sweet, it’s yearning, it’s just shining little gem of a novella that really hit me emotionally in a very soft and sweet way.
I originally gave it to four , but then I got to thinking about some of the four-star books I’ve already read this year, and I realized that For a Novela it’s as good as possibly it could be. And for someone like me who doesn’t usually read this type of book, the fact that I was able to lose myself in it so quickly, and so easily was absolutely amazing.
SPOILERS:
I found the jobs of Lily and Matt , absolutely fascinating, and also quite harrowing. I would never have been good in this type of job. I barely understand what radio frequencies are! It takes a brilliant, investigative mind I suppose to do this kind of work. I love the way they refer to themselves as “people like us.”
I really wanted a less bittersweet ending. Yeah yeah I know how else could it have ended? But these two had such a warm and buoyant connection that I was hoping, somehow they could end up in current times together.
But the real reason I decided to give it a five was because I could not stop thinking about it after I was done with it.
How do we know such a thing does not exist? And what if it did? What would your reaction be if you found yourself communicating with someone from 100 years ago or more?
I think it would be utterly fascinating. I love the mystique that came along with the story and though I’ve never read anything else by this author , you can bet I will now.
― Kate Quinn, Signal Moon
This little Novela packs, a very strong punch in a way I did not expect as I freely admit I did not expect to like this half as much as I did.
The reason I didn’t feel I would like it is because I knew there were a lot of sci-fi elements going in, and that’s usually not my preferred genre. But I found the whole premise, absorbing and utterly and completely fascinating.
So just a quick synopsis – Lily and Matt talk to each other , find each other actually over a radio frequency channel. The only thing is she’s in the 1940s during World War II and he is in 2023.
That’s another thing. I usually don’t like time travel books I can honestly say for me this was five stars . The story just got me.
It was fascinating as the characters connect and try to stop a pending war that might be coming in 2023. Lily is reaching across the decades to help Matt before all is lost.
I think what I like so much about the story was the sensitive way the characters were drawn, and the way it was written.
It has all the elements that make up a great story. It’s poignant, it’s reflective, it’s bitter sweet, it’s yearning, it’s just shining little gem of a novella that really hit me emotionally in a very soft and sweet way.
I originally gave it to four , but then I got to thinking about some of the four-star books I’ve already read this year, and I realized that For a Novela it’s as good as possibly it could be. And for someone like me who doesn’t usually read this type of book, the fact that I was able to lose myself in it so quickly, and so easily was absolutely amazing.
SPOILERS:
I found the jobs of Lily and Matt , absolutely fascinating, and also quite harrowing. I would never have been good in this type of job. I barely understand what radio frequencies are! It takes a brilliant, investigative mind I suppose to do this kind of work. I love the way they refer to themselves as “people like us.”
I really wanted a less bittersweet ending. Yeah yeah I know how else could it have ended? But these two had such a warm and buoyant connection that I was hoping, somehow they could end up in current times together.
But the real reason I decided to give it a five was because I could not stop thinking about it after I was done with it.
How do we know such a thing does not exist? And what if it did? What would your reaction be if you found yourself communicating with someone from 100 years ago or more?
I think it would be utterly fascinating. I love the mystique that came along with the story and though I’ve never read anything else by this author , you can bet I will now.
August 16, 2024
This short story was surprising and had me not wanting to put it down. Two time periods intersect and the reader must suspend disbelief to get the full effect allowing a heartbreaking and heartwarming story to capture our hearts.
When Lily Baines somehow intercepts a signal of distress, our British code breaker in 1943 transcends time to do all she can to help Matt Jackson, an American Naval signal operator from 2023. With an 80 year gap, the connection these two make is indescribable. Letting all notions of unbelief go, these two come together to attempt to beat the race of time before the ill-fated destruction overheard on the signal comes to pass in 2023.
I have enjoyed a few of Kate Quinn’s novels and now I must pick up more because she is such a wonderful storyteller!
When Lily Baines somehow intercepts a signal of distress, our British code breaker in 1943 transcends time to do all she can to help Matt Jackson, an American Naval signal operator from 2023. With an 80 year gap, the connection these two make is indescribable. Letting all notions of unbelief go, these two come together to attempt to beat the race of time before the ill-fated destruction overheard on the signal comes to pass in 2023.
I have enjoyed a few of Kate Quinn’s novels and now I must pick up more because she is such a wonderful storyteller!
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