This story, told across two timelines, in 2010 and summer 1942, is a smooth read and based on the author's mother’s childhood memories and on true events. These elements give it a film-like atmosphere which I found particularly immersive. A generous dose of romance was very appealing and made the story lighter.
My stomach was doing backflips as I followed the address on the impressive card that Captain McManus had given me, which was stamped with a gold embossed seal. The black coffee I drank was probably burning an ulcer the size of Buzzards Bay in my belly. I was careful not to wear Mr. Schmidt's Tyrolean jacket again, just an argyle vest over an oxford cloth shirt Tom had worn as a boy and corduroy pants.
I found the office, in Vineyard Haven above the A&P, Federal Bureau of Investigation lettered discreetly along the bottom of the wavy glass on the door's window. I entered a reception room that didn't exactly match the fancy calling card, and McManus opened his office door and stepped out. He seemed even more disheveled since I'd seen him last, dressed in almost the same outfit. Did he wear that dirty windbreaker to bed? But despite his sloppy appearance, something about him scared me no end. 'Sneaky good,' Mr. Schmidt would have called him.
