In the uneasy aftermath of Pearl Harbor, four women from vastly different worlds answer an unexpected call to service-joining a classified radar operation tasked with protecting the Pacific coast. Known as the Women's Air Raid Defense (WARD), the unit operates in secrecy, demanding precision, endurance, and unshakable resolve.
CJ Martino, an outspoken journalist from New Jersey, arrives eager to make her mark, only to confront censorship and skepticism that threaten her professional identity. Ruth, the wife of a Navy officer, quietly bears profound loss as she searches for meaning beyond the role society has assigned to her. Jane, a fearless Texas pilot, aches for the freedom of flight but finds herself grounded by military restrictions and a husband determined to control her ambitions. Eve Russell, a polished Honolulu socialite, volunteers in defiance of expectation, discovering strength through vulnerability and service.
Assigned to the "Rascal" unit, the women work long, grueling shifts in total darkness, scanning the skies for potential threats. As the danger of invasion looms, they also confront private battles-grief, isolation, shattered dreams, and the longing for purpose in a world at war. Through shared sacrifice and growing trust, their tentative alliance deepens into a powerful bond, one that demands courage and life-altering choices from each of them.
What makes this novel compelling is the author's exploration of women's
perspectives on these events... A gripping story that offers a glimpse of a seldom-seen part of WWII-era military history.
KIRKUS REVIEWS
Buckingham strongly delivers with her characters, richly developing each one and sketching their reactions to the attack with authenticity and historical accuracy... Her focus on females navigating World War II-particularly during the terrifying time frame of the novel-sets this title apart from other historical fiction offerings.
BOOK LIFE PRIZE (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY)
Code Name Rascal illuminates a rarely told chapter of World War II history. Rich in emotional depth and historical detail, the novel offers an interesting portrait of resilience, friendship, and the overlooked contributions of women whose quiet bravery helped shape the course of wartime defense.
Dorothea N. Buckingham's evocative prose and richly drawn scenes transport readers to a pivotal moment in history. Her characters are thoughtfully and fully realized, each contributing a distinct voice that adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.
Masterfully crafted and deeply immersive, this novel is a highly recommended read for those who cherish historical fiction and the stories that bring the past vividly to life.
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
Dorothea N. Buckingham (better known to all as Dee) has called Hawaii home for over 30 years. Following her career as a librarian in the Hawaii State Library System and the University of Hawaii, she was able to pursue writing full-time. Her passion for research has led to her focus on historical fiction and her first MG historical novel, My Name is Loa, is still a consistent backlist book and has been on the Kamehameha Schools' reading list for over twenty years. Who Murdered Jane Stanford?: An Answer Imagined, (originally published as Poisoned Palms) is a historical novel about the mysterious death of Jane Leland Stanford in Hawaii in 1905. Delicious Tidbits - The Recipes and Stories of Sackets Harbor is a historical, pictorial cookbook developed around the unique characters, organizations, events, and anecdotes surrounding the beautiful village of Sackets Harbor, New York. Dee has received numerous regional and national reviews for her MG and YA works. Staring Down The Dragon, the story of Rell DeMello, a high school sophomore returning to school after nearly a year of cancer treatment was an American Library Association's "Best Book for Young Adults". Dee is an Author Accelerator certified book coach and has finished her latest work; Forgotten Oath is a MG historical novel based in Hawaii and a Moonbeam Silver Medal winner. She is a talented speaker, has appeared on west coast radio and television in Hawaii, and has presented book talks and workshops to all levels.
