APRIL 2022 - AudioFile
Saskia Maarleveld, with her unusually beautiful voice and her talent for European accents, is especially well matched to an audio thriller set during the Soviets’ WWII. Quinn’s heroine, Mila Pavlichenko, based on a real person, is a gifted sniper fighting the “Hitlerites” in Ukraine, as well as sexism and misogyny in the Red Army and at home. On a 1942 propaganda trip to the U.S., Quinn also puts the “girl sniper” in the crosshairs of an evil Western sniper-for-hire commissioned to assassinate FDR and blame the Russian visitor. Quinn’s Mila is a complicated character who believably intrigues the first lady, and Maarleveld gives her humor and heart. She also snarls and purrs her way through roomfuls of Russians, Americans, and others like the pro she is. B.G. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
Remarkable…Kate Quinn is a master at crafting an intoxicating, well-balanced blend of immersive period details and deft character work. …The Diamond Eye is a remarkable combination of immersive wartime storytelling, rich detailing and wonderful pacing. What really makes The Diamond Eye land, though, goes beyond Quinn’s mastery of her chosen genre. This is, first and foremost, an exceptional character piece, a study of a woman who is a killer, a mother, a lover and, above all else, a survivor.” — BookPage (starred review)
“Quinn (The Rose Code) specializes in centering strong women; each of her books exceeds expectations set by the previous title… Readers looking for a new and unique viewpoint of World War II with a mystery to solve and a light touch of romance will dive deep into this story.” — Library Journal (starred review)
"Kate Quinn amazes me. With each new book she reaches new heights in her craft as a writer of page-turning plots and prose. The Diamond Eye is a remarkable story filled with heart, intrigue, breathtaking drama and, perhaps best of all, meticulously researched details that prove that history provides the absolute best raw material for storytelling. Like her sniper subject Lyudmila Pavlichenko, Kate Quinn has brilliantly hit her mark—this is a stunning novel about a singular historical heroine." — Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post
“Kate Quinn has excelled in previous novels at transforming real-life historical biography into page-turning fiction. The Diamond Eye—combat novel, wartime love story, assassination thriller—in prose that shifts from lyrical to melodramatic as events demand, sets up and pulls off a double-barreled surprise-ending worthy of its larger-than-life inspiration.” — Wall Street Journal
“[A] thrilling novel. WWII heroines are having a moment, and this is a stellar example. Recommend it to all lovers of smart historical fiction [and] her inspiration for the hero of this powerful WWII tale, a librarian-turned-military-sniper, will appeal to an even greater audience.” — Booklist (starred review)
“Exciting…Historical fiction fans will be riveted.” — Publishers Weekly
“Kate Quinn is an excellent storyteller, and she perfectly captures Mila’s spirit and personality both on and off the battlefield… Don’t miss this timely story about the immense power, strength and resilience of a Ukranian woman!” — BookReporter.com
"The Diamond Eye is sharply observed, multi-faceted and brilliantly alive—historical fiction at its best!" — Christine Wells, author of Sisters of the Resistance
"A riveting, authentic story of a Soviet woman who becomes a sniper during WWII. In page-turning prose, Kate Quinn illuminates the tale of Mila Pavlichenko, who, after killing more than 300 of Hitler's most formidable officers, comes to the U.S. to promote America's entry into the war. With vivid characters, unforgettable battle scenes, and moments of intense humanity and love, The Diamond Eye is a master class in historical fiction. It will leave you breathless, choking on tears." — Elena Gorokhova, author of A Train to Moscow
"Readers can all but smell the gunsmoke in The Diamond Eye, so thoroughly does Kate Quinn immerse you in the grim and grey world of the Russian Front — and in the psyche of her remarkable real-life heroine, Mila Pavlichenko. Quinn’s page-turning account of Mila’s transformation from student to sniper measures the unimaginable toll of pulling the trigger, portraying with power and compassion Mila’s urge not to kill, but to protect. Unputdownable!" — Bryn Turnbull, author of The Last Grand Duchess
“A sparkling gem of a story about a fabulous and fascinating woman. Lyudmila Pavlichenko’s journey from history student and mother to sniper and national hero is beautifully rendered by Kate Quinn in this utterly absorbing novel.” — Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Riviera House
“The brilliant Kate Quinn is at the top of her game with an unexpected historical heroine to root for. The young Russian mother and war hero will steal your heart by stealth—just as she stole the heart of Eleanor Roosevelt, America's most celebrated First Lady. You'll be wowed by this unlikely tale of love and lasting friendship that transcends ideology. It kept me reading late into the night!” — Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author of The Women of Chateau Lafayette
“From blood-soaked Russian battlefields to the White House Rose Garden, Kate Quinn takes expert aim at one of history’s forgotten heroines to bring us a story that will pull you in from the very first sentence. The Diamond Eye is her best yet!” — Alix Rickloff, author of The Way to London
"The Diamond Eye is another winner from Kate Quinn. A historian-turned-sniper who falls in love in wartorn Russia and then befriends Eleanor Roosevelt – what’s not to love? The thrilling showdown at the end is not to be missed!" — Kaia Alderson, author of Sisters in Arms
"An epic journey with history's deadliest female sniper from the trenches of the Russian front to the halls of American power, The Diamond Eye is an enthralling page-turner brimming with emotion and excitement. Kate Quinn writes with a diamond eye for detail." — Taylor Adams, author of No Exit and Hairpin Bridge
“In The Diamond Eye, Kate Quinn introduces us to her fiercest heroine yet, Mila Pavlichenko, a celebrated female sniper for the Red Army who displays death-defying courage, skill, and wisdom. As readers follow her into the trenches of WWII, they will feel the adrenaline rush each time she pulls the trigger. Be forewarned: once you start reading, you’ll not be able to stop turning the pages. Exquisitely told, this is what makes Kate Quinn such a powerhouse in historical fiction.” — Renee Rosen, author of Park Avenue Summer
"Few authors are able to craft stories as immersive and compulsively readable as Kate Quinn, and her latest is not exception. The Diamond Eye is a sparkling new gem in Quinn’s already impressive bibliography. Quinn recaptures the Russian intrigue—the utter magic—of The Huntress in Mila’s story. The characters and setting are vibrant and compelling, and the reader can’t help but root for Quinn’s heroine from start to finish. A brilliant tale by a master storyteller." — Aimie K. Runyan, bestselling author of The School for German Brides
“Crack-shot novelist Kate Quinn’s aim is dead on in The Diamond Eye. Based on the true story of a Soviet female sniper who killed more than three hundred German soldiers and then befriended Eleanor Roosevelt, Quinn’s suspenseful narrative rings with deep understanding of long-range riflery, U.S. politics early in WWII, and the heartache of a woman on the front lines of combat.” — Mark Sullivan, bestselling author of The Last Green Valley and Beneath a Scarlet Sky
"A stunning, immersive tour de force by one of the best historical fiction writers working today. Meticulously researched, deftly plotted, and executed with a thrilling blend of action and heart, The Diamond Eye is a masterpiece." — Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Forest of Vanishing Stars
“Based on an amazing true story, The Diamond Eye is an explosive novel whose unforgettable librarian-sniper heroine and pulse-pounding plot will have readers staring down the barrel of a gun until the final page. Kate Quinn has hit the mark once again!” — Stephanie Marie Thornton, USA Today bestselling author of A Most Clever Girl
“[A] gripping historical thriller.” — The Big Thrill
Christine Wells
"The Diamond Eye is sharply observed, multi-faceted and brilliantly alive—historical fiction at its best!"
Alix Rickloff
From blood-soaked Russian battlefields to the White House Rose Garden, Kate Quinn takes expert aim at one of history’s forgotten heroines to bring us a story that will pull you in from the very first sentence. The Diamond Eye is her best yet!”
Allison Pataki
"Kate Quinn amazes me. With each new book she reaches new heights in her craft as a writer of page-turning plots and prose. The Diamond Eye is a remarkable story filled with heart, intrigue, breathtaking drama and, perhaps best of all, meticulously researched details that prove that history provides the absolute best raw material for storytelling. Like her sniper subject Lyudmila Pavlichenko, Kate Quinn has brilliantly hit her mark—this is a stunning novel about a singular historical heroine."
Kaia Alderson
"The Diamond Eye is another winner from Kate Quinn. A historian-turned-sniper who falls in love in wartorn Russia and then befriends Eleanor Roosevelt – what’s not to love? The thrilling showdown at the end is not to be missed!"
Washington Post
"Kate Quinn follows her word-of-mouth bestseller, The Alice Network, with another compulsively readable historical novel ...[a] powerful novel about unusual women facing sometimes insurmountable odds with grace, grit, love and tenacity.
Stephanie Dray
The brilliant Kate Quinn is at the top of her game with an unexpected historical heroine to root for. The young Russian mother and war hero will steal your heart by stealth—just as she stole the heart of Eleanor Roosevelt, America's most celebrated First Lady. You'll be wowed by this unlikely tale of love and lasting friendship that transcends ideology. It kept me reading late into the night!”
Fiona Davis
A knockout of a story, written by the reigning queen of historical fiction. Quinn’s trio of heroines practically leap off the page in this stunning novel, which melds spy-hunting with love stories that will stir your soul. A book for the ages.
Taylor Adams
"An epic journey with history's deadliest female sniper from the trenches of the Russian front to the halls of American power, The Diamond Eye is an enthralling page-turner brimming with emotion and excitement. Kate Quinn writes with a diamond eye for detail."
Bryn Turnbull
"Readers can all but smell the gunsmoke in The Diamond Eye, so thoroughly does Kate Quinn immerse you in the grim and grey world of the Russian Front — and in the psyche of her remarkable real-life heroine, Mila Pavlichenko. Quinn’s page-turning account of Mila’s transformation from student to sniper measures the unimaginable toll of pulling the trigger, portraying with power and compassion Mila’s urge not to kill, but to protect. Unputdownable!"
Natasha Lester
A sparkling gem of a story about a fabulous and fascinating woman. Lyudmila Pavlichenko’s journey from history student and mother to sniper and national hero is beautifully rendered by Kate Quinn in this utterly absorbing novel.”
Renee Rosen
In The Diamond Eye, Kate Quinn introduces us to her fiercest heroine yet, Mila Pavlichenko, a celebrated female sniper for the Red Army who displays death-defying courage, skill, and wisdom. As readers follow her into the trenches of WWII, they will feel the adrenaline rush each time she pulls the trigger. Be forewarned: once you start reading, you’ll not be able to stop turning the pages. Exquisitely told, this is what makes Kate Quinn such a powerhouse in historical fiction.
Kristina McMorris
"Readers: Prepare to be swept away by The Rose Code. A richly deserved tribute to the WWII codebreakers of Bletchley Park, Kate Quinn’s latest novel is a tour de force. Exhaustive research, vibrant characters, and pulse-pounding suspense combine in a riveting tale destined to be a book-club favorite. I absolutely loved it."
Elena Gorokhova
"A riveting, authentic story of a Soviet woman who becomes a sniper during WWII. In page-turning prose, Kate Quinn illuminates the tale of Mila Pavlichenko, who, after killing more than 300 of Hitler's most formidable officers, comes to the U.S. to promote America's entry into the war. With vivid characters, unforgettable battle scenes, and moments of intense humanity and love, The Diamond Eye is a master class in historical fiction. It will leave you breathless, choking on tears."
Washington Post
"Kate Quinn follows her word-of-mouth bestseller, The Alice Network, with another compulsively readable historical novel ...[a] powerful novel about unusual women facing sometimes insurmountable odds with grace, grit, love and tenacity.
Library Journal - Audio
07/01/2022
Mila Pavlichenko is a single mother, a graduate student, and a library clerk. When Germany and Russia go to war in 1937, she enlists in the Red Army. She meets sharp resistance, but the enormous need for fighters allows her to slowly attain the position she wants. Her prowess as a sniper becomes legendary, earning her the name "Lady Death." Her official tally of kills reaches 309 when she is ordered to be part of a goodwill tour of the United States. At the end of the tour, she upends a plot to assassinate President Roosevelt, adding some unofficial kills to her count. Quinn brings the characters to life, imagining conditions in the trenches while detailing the actual work of a military sniper at war. She also underlines issues of women's rights and offers astute cultural comparisons. Narrator Saskia Maarleveld, who won an Earphones Award for her performance of Quinn's The Rose Code, flawlessly provides the necessary Russian and American accents in both male and female voices. VERDICT Highly recommended. Quinn explores a largely unknown piece of World War II history.—Joanna M. Burkhardt
APRIL 2022 - AudioFile
Saskia Maarleveld, with her unusually beautiful voice and her talent for European accents, is especially well matched to an audio thriller set during the Soviets’ WWII. Quinn’s heroine, Mila Pavlichenko, based on a real person, is a gifted sniper fighting the “Hitlerites” in Ukraine, as well as sexism and misogyny in the Red Army and at home. On a 1942 propaganda trip to the U.S., Quinn also puts the “girl sniper” in the crosshairs of an evil Western sniper-for-hire commissioned to assassinate FDR and blame the Russian visitor. Quinn’s Mila is a complicated character who believably intrigues the first lady, and Maarleveld gives her humor and heart. She also snarls and purrs her way through roomfuls of Russians, Americans, and others like the pro she is. B.G. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
