355: A Novel: The Women of Washington's Spy Ring (Women Spies)

"355: The Women of Washington's Spy Ring chronicles the lives of three remarkable women who use daring, skill, and, yes, a bit of flirtation, to help liberate America. British sympathizer Margaret (Meg) Moncrieffe expects to find the carefree America she remembers as a youth when she returns from her Irish boarding school. Instead she finds the new country at war, with her father on one side and her new love, Aaron Burr, on the other. When her misguided attempt to end the war results in dire consequences for the Continental Army, Meg switches allegiances in order to amend the damage she caused. After her husband Jonathan is captured by the British and dies aboard one of the notorious prison ships, a pregnant Elizabeth Burgin realizes she is stronger than she once thought. When a prominent member of the Culper Ring enlists her help on a heist of the prison ships, Elizabeth readily accepts, putting herself and her family in jeopardy in order to save the lives of strangers. Patriot Sally Townsend wants nothing more than freedom for America. When her family is forced to take in enemy soldiers, Sally seizes the opportunity to garner information from them and pass it on to her brother, Robert, knowing that one false move could result in the noose for both of them. Instead of finding herself in danger when British intelligence officer Major John André shows up at her family's doorstep, Sally finds herself falling in love. But Major André is playing the same dangerous game as her and Robert, albeit for the other side. Told from the viewpoints of these three women--including the one operating under the code name 355--355: The Women of Washington's Spy Ring is an absorbing tale of family, duty, love, and betrayal."--Provided by publisher In August of 1779, General Washington's chief spy wrote the following words to his commander: "I intend to visit 727 (New York) before long and think by the assistance of a 355 of my acquaintance, shall be able to outwit them all." Historians have puzzled for centuries as to the identify of this 355, or "lady," in the code of the Culper Ring. 355: A Novel presents three possibilities: Meg Moncrieffe, a British sympathizer who turns to spying after being spurned by Aaron Burr; Elizabeth Burgin, al altruistic young widow who assists American soldiers in escaping the notorious prison ships; and Sally Townsend, the high-spirited sister of a Culper Ring member who listens at the keyholds of British soldiers quartered in her home. Although only one of the operates under the cody name 355, all three women have the same goal: help liberate America or die trying