Chapters (44)
One of my big challenges in writing this—aside from a heroine who thinks in numbers when I most assuredly do not—was trying to find specifics for an organization that went to such pains to be shrouded in secrecy. Most original documents were destroyed, including Admiral Hall’s autobiography, when the government deemed it too sensitive to be released to the public. Even after the Second World War, German officials still had no idea that there were codebreakers in the 1910s who were reading their every communication. It wasn’t until recently, when documents began to be declassified, that historians have begun putting the pieces back together to get a view of the amazing work that Room 40 did during the Great War.
Of course, my method of interpreting history is through the eyes of fictional characters, who allow me to focus on a few facts. Margot and Drake were so much fun to get to know . . . and to lead on a journey to the heart. I hope you enjoyed their story as much as I did! And if you haven’t read it yet, you can see how Margot ended up in England in A Song Unheard, which is Lukas and Willa’s love story.
I’d also like to take a moment to thank the people who come alongside me during the writing process and remind me that, yes, I can do this. Thank you, Stephanie, for reading my early chapters and pointing out that my characters should actually like each other (duh). And to my husband, David, for brainstorming Das Gespenst with me and insisting that his ideas were better than mine (which they were!). Thanks to Sascha, my foreign-exchange-student brother, for not only telling me which German word for “the ghost” I should use, but also how to pronounce and hyphenate it. My kids deserve some major kudos for bearing with me through a crazy writing season, and I’m pretty sure I would have wept in frustration more than once if not for my awesome virtual assistant, Rachel Dixon, who keeps the rest of my professional world running smoothly so I can concentrate on writing.
Next, huge thanks to my expert readers who went through the manuscript for me to check for accuracy on certain subjects: Rhonda, who answered all my questions about Catholic traditions and could discuss Margot’s actions and reactions with me; Elizabeth, who, as always, read an early version to make sure no Americanisms slip into my English characters; Wendy, for checking my French; and Justin, for checking my Spanish.
And, of course, the amazing team at Bethany House! You guys always leave me in awe of your talent and skill at your jobs!
I hope you’ll travel with me into the final year of the war through the rest of THE CODEBREAKERS! Our next story will follow the troubled Phillip Camden into some new adventures and give readers a glimpse of some well-loved characters as well.