Review: The Only Woman in the Room

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hedy Lamarr was a combination of beauty and brains. Her beauty drew the eye of an Austrian arms dealer. Married at a young age to this powerful man placed her in a position to overhear the plans of the Third Reich. She gave up her passion and appeared to have it all. But, what she wanted most was freedom. Using her cunning, Hedy gained just that and made her way to America to become a screen star.
But, Hedy has a secret, one which rages within her. Soon, Hedy knows she has to help fight the Nazis but as a woman she is doubtful anyone will take her seriously.
This daring depiction of a screen siren and scientist with a groundbreaking invention that helped shaped our modern day communication was a gripping read and my third by Marie Benedict. The author has a way of showing the lives of women in a way that is masterful while lauding their intelligence. The descriptions were magnificent. I could visualize the castles, the luxury and the fear. I felt the impact of her beauty, gender and ethnicity in that time period. The novel takes us seamlessly through time, although there was a heavy emphasis on her life before and during her first marriage. I loved this read and can't wait to read more of her work.

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