Spies and Lies : The Mysterious Dr Dannevill

Dive into the captivating tale of 'Spies and Lies: The Mysterious Dr Dannevill', a gripping historical novel that unveils the life of Hjilmar Dannevill, a woman cloaked in enigma and deception. This enthralling book, written by Julie Glamuzina, takes you on an adventurous journey through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where secrets and identity intertwine. Hjilmar's travels, fueled by curiosity and disguised as a male while claiming to be a medical professional, lead her to New Zealand in 1911, where she delves into the complexities of venereal diseases. As tensions rise during World War I, she faces scrutiny and is wrongfully labeled a spy, raising fundamental questions about femininity, gender roles, and the nature of truth. This engaging narrative weaves themes of espionage, women's resilience, and the bonds created in transnational networks, making it a must-read for those interested in historical fiction and espionage stories. Discover Hjilmar's full story—her courage, her challenges, and the myriad of lies and truths that shaped her fate. Ideal for fans of mystery, history, and feminist literature, 'Spies and Lies' will leave you pondering the fine line between truth and deceit. Don't miss your chance to own this compelling novel today!

Author: Julie Glamuzina Publisher: Double Axe Press
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 152 x 228 mm
Pages: 250
Publication Date: 31-10-2021

Hjilmar Dannevill travelled the world in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, sometimes using aliases, sometimes disguised as a male, and claiming to be researching venereal diseases on behalf of a wealthy Austrian businessman. She arrived in New Zealand in 1911 and falsely presented herself as a qualified medical professional while helping to set up a private health home run by women. In the hostile anti-foreigner environment of World War 1, doubts about her sex, identity, qualifications and motivations, as well as suspicions about her relationships with women, drew the attention of police and military authorities. In May 1917, although she tried to defend herself, she was declared a German spy and imprisoned. Like many other women who formed transnational networks stretching across Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Pacific to New Zealand, in defiance of sex-role stereotypes, Dannevill pursued life, work and female relationships around the globe. According to the authorities she was ‘a thorough humbug and fraud’ and ‘just the sort of person who would take up such a job as a political spy or pimp.’ But who was Hjilmar Dannevill? Why did she lie? Why was she persecuted? Was she a spy?