The Excitements: A Novel

Beautifully written, poignant, funny, with many excitements! Penny and Josephine, both in their late 90s, have lived exciting lives. Many of the details of their lives, especially what they did in WWII, have been kept hidden from each other and their beloved great nephew Archie. On a trip to France, all secrets are revealed while our 3 main characters attend a medal awards ceremony and a rare jewelry auction that is interrupted by robbers.

A wonderful story filled with enchanting characters, and some not so enchanting. Time jumping , allowing the sister's stories to fully emerge, made their story more compelling. It was a story filled with joy, sadness and "excitement", all of which was not diluted by the ending. After all, Archie would not inherit their house after the sisters were gone, but he still had family to embrace. Charming!

The Williamson sisters are Word War 2 veterans, in their late nineties, and still capable of “excitements”. Their devoted nephew Archie has scheduled a trip to Paris where the sisters are receiving another medal for their service in the Royal Navy and the nursing corps. The truth is that Josephine Williamson was in intelligence drawing maps for D-Day, and Penny was a spy specializing in hand-to-hand combat. And Paris holds memories that both sisters would have preferred to forget.

Unfortunately, it also holds an old enemy, and the sisters intend to finally finish what began a long time ago.

I enjoyed the novel with its witty dialogue, and what some might call eccentric ladies. I actually found the sisters intriguing. I also enjoyed the devotion from Archie. While WW2 was horrific in so many ways, it is a part of our history and something that should not be forgotten. I wish more individuals had written down their experiences.

I also enjoyed the fact that Archie was big into genealogy. I adore a true ancestor search, and the results that come from those searches. I do hope that Archie becomes a part of the “family business.” Another novel that follows the sisters but more so Archie would be much appreciated.

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.