MORE PRAISE FOR THE SECRET WAR OF JULIA CHILD
A Parnassus Books Staff Pick of 2024
A November Book Club Pick—Roadworthy, BookBub
“Julia McWilliams, the real-life figure at the center of this historical novel, has always wanted to make something of herself. At a career dead end, she becomes a clerk at the Office of Strategic Services in 1944 and travels to South Asian bases to set up U.S. document centers and collect intel…Then Julia meets Paul Child, a womanizing mapmaker, and forms a relationship that adds emotional depth to her vaulting ambition…Chambers…has done prodigious research on Julia Child and all the other characters appearing here…VERDICT: Written with flair and charm, Chambers’s novel really heats up whenever sex, danger, or dinner come into view…”
—Library Journal
“…The best historical fiction can be more informative than a history textbook because the novel concentrates on the people behind the events as Chambers does in The Secret War of Julia Child…Julia’s sense of humor—so evident in her television appearances—proves to be one of her strengths. The Secret War of Julia Child stirs up a savory look at one of America’s favorite chefs.”
—Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel
“A compelling story with an unexpected (and thoroughly delightful) heroine—Julia Child, who served with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS, the precursor to the CIA) during World War II. Chambers paints a vivid portrait of the tall, awkward Julia, who volunteers for a post in India, becomes involved in secret intelligence cases across Southeast Asia and China, and meets her future husband Paul Child. With riveting twists and turns, the novel’s not only a vivid exploration of a lesser-known chapter in the life of one of America’s most beloved personalities, it’s also an impeccably researched roller-coaster ride, with spies, danger, deception, heroics, and romance.”
—Susan Elia MacNeal, New York Times bestselling author
“In this gripping novel, a young and intrepid Julia Child tumbles headlong into espionage and romance in World War II Asia. Author Diana R. Chambers merges little-known details from Child’s personal history with true wartime events to build a dynamic story. More, please!”
—Sujata Massey, internationally award-winning author
“In these pages I was thrilled to discover a Julia who claimed her own strength and conviction before the world defined who she was…Set in the smoldering days of WWII, this novel has everything I love—romance, intrigue, mouthwatering food, and a woman who makes no apologies for her voracious appetite for life!”
—Kim Fay, bestselling author of Love & Saffron
“Full of intrigue and romance, The Secret War of Julia Child is a fascinating glimpse into the early life of one of America’s most beloved celebrities. Perfect for fans of this complex, compelling woman.”
—Julia Bryan Thomas, author of The Kennedy Girl and The Radcliffe Ladies’ Reading Club
“Before there was a Julia Child, there was a Miss McWilliams. She spent much of World War II in then-Ceylon, India and China, working for the OSS…Julia McWilliams called herself a simple file clerk, but in truth, she lived and worked in situations steamy not just with heat, but with deceit, teeming with international spies and lies, wartime intrigue in which many lives were at stake. Diana Chambers’ lively novel imagines fresh dimensions to Julia’s life, her adventures, and her love affair with the serious, confident Paul Child. Chambers’ impressive research informs this engaging novel—and yes, the food is spectacular!”
—Laura Kalpakian, award-winning author of American Cookery
“…Chambers’s gripping novel unveils another dimension to Julia. In this fictionalized account of Child’s real-life work with OSS during World War II, Chambers humanizes Julia and manages to make her even more remarkable. You’ll fall in love with Julia all over again, and with this tantalizing novel.”
—Nina Schuyler, award-winning author of Afterword and This Ravishing World
“…It isn’t hard to imagine that the Julia Child who popularized and demystified French cooking for the masses had such an exciting and formative time in World War II Asia. The chef, author, and television personality is well known for her upbeat nature: her declassified OSS files even cite her “drive and inherent cheerfulness.” The Secret War Of Julia Child is certainly a plausible account of what she might have gone through on the road to both romance and, far more importantly, learning her worth and capabilities.”
—Doreen Sheridan, Criminal Elements
“You don’t just read this book; you experience it alongside Julia. Diana R. Chambers who traveled these roads through these countries, uses her immersive research and writing to transport you there as the characters become part of your life as well. An excellent read!”
—J.M. Landon, Kings River Life
“…There were several times while reading this book that I was practically on the edge of my seat, and some of the events got my heart racing. Of course, I knew that Julia and Paul would survive them all…but there were scenes here were it felt like it wasn’t any foregone conclusion that they would get through it all. Furthermore, these arena of battle during WWII are ones I know little about, so I also got a fascinating history lesson. This is why I’m recommending this book with a solid rating of four and a half stars out of five, and its perfect for people who like some action with their historical fiction, and are looking for something about WWII that doesn’t take place in Europe.”
—The Chocolate Ladies’ Book Reviews
Special Features:
Listen to Julia’s World War II Radio Spotify playlist!
Click here to see a list of the songs on the playlist.
On the Road with Julia—Take a tour with photos and descriptions of some of the sites in the novel.
Try some World War II Asia recipes!
Listen to Diana on Savoring Sonoma: The Hour, KRCB 104.9.
Guest Blogs:
Dru’s Musings blog: “A Day in my Life: Julia McWilliams (Child) as told to Diana R. Chambers”
Mystery Readers blog: “The Secret War of Julia Child, Or Julia Child and Me”
Jungle Red Writers: “Julia Child and Her Battle Plan for Baking A Chocolate Cake”
Writers Digest: “Diana R. Chambers: Be Flexible, Embrace Change”
Nerd Daily: “Five Savoury Books For Fans of Julia Child”