The Great Deception (Section W)
Daphne Devine, a British secret agent, is sent to neutral Iceland in 1940 to track down a clairvoyant under suspicion of selling secrets to the Nazis. During her mission, she experiences trials of fear, love, and loss while defending British interests on this mystical island.
At first glance, Daphne seems an inexperienced agent, fresh out of training, making mistakes that a seasoned agent would never make. Despite this, she has the loyalty and determination to carry her mission forward. It is no mean feat integrating into a community while discovering its secrets; and Daphne does just this, making friends even as she uncovers the traitors in their midst.
We don’t normally think of Iceland for a WW2 historical novel; Syd Moore successfully achieves this and effortlessly portrays the problems that this island had in the 1940s. It was also interesting how she used Iceland’s folklore to enhance her plot in a credible way.
The author includes a useful summary of information at the back of the book of key historical events and witchcraft seen in the novel. However, there are moments where the 2025 views on some events encroach on the 1940s. Despite this, the story has some both light-hearted and serious moments, high-stake fights, and tear-jerking conclusions against the backdrop of the wondrous scenery of Iceland that makes the reading worthwhile.
