The Princess Spy is the kind of popular biography that quotes conversations verbatim and tells you what characters are thinking. Mr. Loftis recounts information from the countess’s books in instances where he feels the truth was borne out, and he’s scrupulously documented his findings in 63 pages of endnotes. He divides the story into short chapters that end with cliffhangers, like scenes from a film noir. The result is a fast-paced, edgy and highly engaging yarn ... Mr. Loftis sets a crackling pace and vividly evokes life and politics in supposedly neutral Spain ... As for [the subject's] trilogy of memoirs, historical fiction notwithstanding, I confess I found it entertaining. So is Mr. Loftis’s suspenseful fact-based account of this unflappable woman’s remarkable life.
... an enjoyable read...Loftis keeps the excitement going from the first page of the prologue ... Like many successful mystery writers, Loftis frequently leaves us hanging at the end of a chapter, forcing us to keep reading so we can find out what someone is hiding or who the person behind the curtain really is ... a meticulously researched, beautifully crafted work of nonfiction that reads like a James Bond thriller ... a story that is filled with humor, authentic dialogue, historical information about WWII and the Spanish Civil War, a glimpse into the Office of Strategic Services (the forerunner of the CIA), and fascinating details about how the rich and famous lived almost a century ago.
... an accessible, richly-detailed narrative full of twists and turns ... The book reads like both a thriller and a romance, with personal details offered throughout, but Loftis sticks to the facts and addresses and clarifies myths surrounding Aline. A comprehensive notes section provides more details on other spies who are introduced throughout ... A valuable addition to public library collections, the latest from Loftis will especially engage those interested in World War II history and espionage.
. Loftis’s fast-moving narrative includes plenty of colorful details about Griffith’s social life, including lavish cocktail parties and her friendship with bullfighter Juanito Belmonte , and he sketches the battles between German, American, and British spies for influence over the Spanish government with precision. Espionage buffs will be enthralled.
The author re-creates verbatim conversations and sumptuous settings in a narrative that often reads less like a spy thriller and more like a fairy tale, complete with Griffith’s many celebrity friends: Audrey Hepburn, Jacqueline Kennedy, the Duchess of Alba, and the Windsors, among them. A lively history of a spirited woman.
