Coming in October: The Secret War of Julia Child
I’m thrilled to share my beautiful new cover…and publication date: October 22, 2024!
The Secret War of Julia Child takes place during Julia’s OSS service in World War II Asia—specifically, India; the former Ceylon; Burma; and Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be adding stories and photos from my travels to these regions. Also period maps, and additional photographs. Do check back soon.
I am honored that my publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, is equally excited about this important piece of history. And proud to have received these advance reviews:
“A compelling story with an unexpected (and thoroughly delightful) heroine—Julia Child, who served with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS, the precursor to the CIA) during World War II. Chambers paints a vivid portrait of the tall, awkward Julia, who volunteers for a post in India, becomes involved in secret intelligence cases across Southeast Asia and China, and meets her future husband Paul Child. With riveting twists and turns, the novel’s not only a vivid exploration of a lesser-known chapter in the life of one of America’s most beloved personalities, it’s also an impeccably researched roller-coaster ride, with spies, danger, deception, heroics, and romance.”
—Susan Elia MacNeal, New York Times bestselling author of The Prime Minister’s Secret Agent
“An exciting, little-known reveal of the story behind Julia Child’s WWII service, showing her resilience and bravery in the spy world as well as giving fascinating insights into the war being waged in Asia. A must read.”
—Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of Where The Sky Begins and The Venice Sketchbook
“…Chambers’s gripping novel unveils another dimension to Julia. In this fictionalized account of Child’s real-life work with OSS during World War II, Chambers humanizes Julia and manages to make her even more remarkable. You’ll fall in love with Julia all over again, and with this tantalizing novel.”
—Nina Schuyler, award-winning author of The Translator and Afterword
“Before there was a Julia Child, there was a Miss McWilliams. She spent much of World War II in then-Ceylon, India and China, working for the OSS… Julia McWilliams called herself a simple file clerk, but in truth, she lived and worked in situations steamy not just with heat, but with deceit, teeming with international spies and lies, wartime intrigue in which many lives were at stake. Diana Chambers’ lively novel imagines fresh dimensions to Julia’s life, her adventures, and her love affair with the serious, confident Paul Child. Chambers’ impressive research informs this engaging novel—and yes, the food is spectacular!”
—Laura Kalpakian, award-winning author of The Great Pretenders
Diana will be discussing her work, including The Secret Life of Julia Child and The Star of India, at Book in Bar bookshop on April 4, 2024, 5:30 PM, Aix-en-Provence, France.
The Star of India, Penguin Random House India
The Star of India is based on the true-life romance of rising young actress Nancy Valentine (“the next Lana Turner”) and Cambridge-educated WW2 hero, the Maharaja of Cooch Behar.
After their fated meeting in postwar Hollywood, the dashing ruler sweeps Nancy back home during India’s tumultuous run-up to Independence. Amid the power struggles of every political, royal, and religious faction, Nancy is entangled in a whirlwind of intrigue, espionage, and attempted murder. The Maharaja, known as Bhaiya by family and friends, comes under great pressure from his elegant and formidable mother, Maharani Indira of Cooch Behar, who believes his marriage to a foreigner will weaken the family’s position with their people—and make them vulnerable to a government takeover.
Amid growing opposition to the couple’s union, the state’s fabled Mughal Ruby disappears, and an ancient prophecy will shadow them all.
Diana spoke on “Research and Imagination in Historical Fiction,” in conversation with Mandira Nayar, for the 2020 Orange City Literature Festival. Watch the replay on YouTube!
Read “The Great Beyond” (PDF) by Diana R. Chambers, which appeared in the newsletter of the Prabha Khaitan Foundation
Read interviews with Diana from Mid-Day and The Week
Diana R. Chambers reveals the intriguing secrets behind the making of this book and answers some fun questions about her love for India, in an exciting conversation with RJ Stutee Ghosh. Watch the replay on Facebook Live!
Buy it now:
One of “seven new must-read books on Kindle for the lockdown season”!
“The Star Of India brings together the glamorous world of golden era Hollywood and the last days of the British Raj in India… The thrilling novel has everything from romance and murder, to a cursed Mughal ruby and the freedom struggle.”
—The New Indian Express
“Part biography, part fiction and in great measure unseen history, this retelling speaks of exhaustive knowledge and research and is jam-packed with startling revelations about various members of the royal family in question, of Cooch Behar, as well as of other celebrated Indian royalty… For lovers of historical fiction, this is a special treat; the true story of a little blonde girl with an unusual affinity for India who meets and woos a most extraordinary man of destiny.”
—Deccan Herald
“This elegant novel blends the Golden Age of Hollywood with the fiery last days of India under British rule. Diana Chambers envelops readers in a world of romance and intrigue with her lush evocation of place and multi-layered depiction of the passionate relationship between an American starlet and the forward-thinking maharaja whose love for her threatens to bring his kingdom crashing down. With shades of Isak Dinesen and E.M. Forster, The Star of India anchors an intimate story within one of the most fascinating eras of the 20th century.”
—Kim Fay, Edgar Finalist for Best First Novel, The Map of Lost Memories
