The Model Spy: Based on the True Story of Toto Koopman’s World War II Ventures Paperback – March 28, 2022

Maryka Biaggio completely captivated this reader with her novel The Model Spy. Told from Toto Koopman's point of view, I felt immersed in World War II. Biaggio's research brings Toto's life and her experiences as a spy and a political prisoner right off the page. This is an important novel to read anytime but especially now when Fascists are gaining power and threatening democracy. The Model Spy is an important reminder of the horrors of WWII. We must not let it happen again.

I’m grateful Author Maryka Biaggio wrote this gripping, provocative book that introduced me to Toto Koopman, a WWII heroine I, and probably most of us, have never heard of.Written in the first person, this masterful work of fiction reads like the journal of the protagonist, Toto Koopman, born in Java of a Dutch father and Indonesian mother. Her life as a fashion model, high-society denizen, speaker of 5 languages, and world traveler before the war is fascinating. Once the war is upon Europe and Toto decides to spy for the Allies from Florence under the nose of Mussolini and his fascist machine, the story tightens to the near breaking point.Beautifully told at the perfect pace, “The Model Spy” is first-class historical fiction. I highly recommend it!

"The Model Spy" is a captivating blend of glamour and espionage set against the backdrop of World War II. Through the eyes of Toto Koopman, a Dutch-Javanaese model turned spy, readers are treated to a riveting first-person narrative that immerses them in her extraordinary life.Toto's journey begins with hardship and displacement, but her resilience and determination propel her from the catwalks of Paris to the corridors of power in London and Italy. Along the way, she captivates everyone she meets with her charisma and intellect, all while secretly gathering intelligence for the Allies.What sets "The Model Spy" apart is its portrayal of Toto as a multifaceted character whose experiences shape her evolution from a carefree model to a courageous spy. As she grapples with the moral complexities of her role, Toto's humanity shines through, driving her to risk everything in pursuit of a greater purpose.Throughout the novel, Toto's voice feels authentic, her choices believable, and her resilience in the face of adversity inspiring. Whether she's navigating the treacherous world of espionage or facing imprisonment and danger, Toto remains steadfast in her commitment to freedom and justice. I highly recommend this compelling story.

This is one of the best reads I’ve had in a long time. The story is truly compelling and manages to balance a page-turning tale with a three-dimensional character study.The heroine is genuinely sympathetic and I was drawn into her journey from the very beginning. I cared about her fate and felt invested in whether/how she survived her ordeal. This is a deeply moving narrative and a powerful portrayal of courage in the midst of unimaginable horrors.Clearly, this is a thoroughly-researched story, conveyed with rich detail and a strong sense of the period.I really loved this book. Highly recommended.

This is a well written story of a strong, self motivated woman's actions before and during WWII. Driven by circumstance and personal convictions, she used her beauty along with her numerous acquaintances to provide valuable intelligence to the British. This is not a book for the faint of heart, nor for a reader looking for any recognition of God's presence in these circumstances. Everything she did is presented as her own initiative.

The Model Spy is an impactful novel about an extraordinary woman, Toto Koopman. Maryka Biaggio blends fact and fiction seamlessly as Toto transitions from a model in Paris to espionage work for the Italian resistance in WWII, where her wits, bravery, and resilience are tested to the limit. Heartbreaking, emotional, inspiring.

Kudos to Maryka Biaggio. She says she writes historical fiction based on real people and with The Model Spy, the story of Toto Koopman, Maryka has brought us one of history’s lost gems.The child of a Dutch father and Javanese mother, Toto Koopman’s exotic beauty made her a top model of the 1920s, while her adventurous nature led her into passionate affairs with the great and famous of her time, including actress Tallulah Bankhead and the powerful British publisher, Lord Beaverbrook. But underneath that uninhibited bravado lay genuine courage and integrity. Living the high life in Europe, Toto was privy to the rise of fascism, and it appalled her. When the opportunity presented itself, she used her access to the great and near-great to spy for the Allies. Her commitment to humanity and freedom cost her dearly.Toto Koopman was a brave and courageous soul who shouldn’t be lost in the dustbins of history. Thanks to Maryka Biaggio and The Model Spy for bringing her back to us. Don't miss this book!

I knew about Toto Koopman before reading this book. I have a fondness for books set in WWII, and author Biaggio did an amazing job of bringing her story to life. The details made me feel I was there, watching this complex woman figure out what she could do in the war effort even as she wondered whether she should get involve she sacrificed much, including her dignity, but she never lost her cool and often humorous take on the atrocities she faced. I'm very glad I discovered ,her story as told by Maryka Biaggio.