In the uneasy aftermath of Pearl Harbor, four women from vastly different worlds answer an unexpected call to service-joining a classified radar operation tasked with protecting the Pacific coast. Known as the Women's Air Raid Defense (WARD), the unit operates in secrecy, demanding precision, endurance, and unshakable resolve.
CJ Martino, an outspoken journalist from New Jersey, arrives eager to make her mark, only to confront censorship and skepticism that threaten her professional identity. Ruth, the wife of a Navy officer, quietly bears profound loss as she searches for meaning beyond the role society has assigned to her. Jane, a fearless Texas pilot, aches for the freedom of flight but finds herself grounded by military restrictions and a husband determined to control her ambitions. Eve Russell, a polished Honolulu socialite, volunteers in defiance of expectation, discovering strength through vulnerability and service.
Assigned to the "Rascal" unit, the women work long, grueling shifts in total darkness, scanning the skies for potential threats. As the danger of invasion looms, they also confront private battles-grief, isolation, shattered dreams, and the longing for purpose in a world at war. Through shared sacrifice and growing trust, their tentative alliance deepens into a powerful bond, one that demands courage and life-altering choices from each of them.
What makes this novel compelling is the author's exploration of women's
perspectives on these events... A gripping story that offers a glimpse of a seldom-seen part of WWII-era military history.
KIRKUS REVIEWS
Buckingham strongly delivers with her characters, richly developing each one and sketching their reactions to the attack with authenticity and historical accuracy... Her focus on females navigating World War II-particularly during the terrifying time frame of the novel-sets this title apart from other historical fiction offerings.
BOOK LIFE PRIZE (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY)
Code Name Rascal illuminates a rarely told chapter of World War II history. Rich in emotional depth and historical detail, the novel offers an interesting portrait of resilience, friendship, and the overlooked contributions of women whose quiet bravery helped shape the course of wartime defense.
Dorothea N. Buckingham's evocative prose and richly drawn scenes transport readers to a pivotal moment in history. Her characters are thoughtfully and fully realized, each contributing a distinct voice that adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.
Masterfully crafted and deeply immersive, this novel is a highly recommended read for those who cherish historical fiction and the stories that bring the past vividly to life.
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
