The Silent Hen

It is rare to read a work of historical fiction that is as absorbing in its sense of adventure and danger as it is in its deep sense of loss, faith, and human connection. Author Helen Montague Foster, inspired by her own parents’ own story, captures the excitement and newness of the Office of Strate......more

Helen Montague Foster’s historical novel, The Silent Hen, offers an evocative journey through the tumultuous eras of World War II and the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The narrative explores the intertwined lives of its characters across time and space, from the war-ridden landscapes of Cairo and Y......more

Although I have read many books about World War II, I haven’t read any from the perspective of the OSS agents and their vital roles in this war. There are interwoven storylines, focusing primarily on the main characters of Lucy, a young woman who feels called to serve her country by working for the......more

I read this book from cover to cover. I had known the family all my life and knew some of the stories that were told in the book. At the same time, there were many that I did not fully know. What I did know was how special the relationship between Helen's parents who had been together in service dur......more

The Silent Hen is an intriguing story of the beginnings of the OSS in Yugoslavia and Egypt during the Second World War. The novel explores the interconnectedness of the young agents and the cultural, religious, and political forces that affect their work and their lives even after the war. The chara......more