The Last Secret Agent

The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour is the riveting memoir of Pippa Latour, one of the last surviving female special operations agents from World War II. This astonishing narrative dives deep into the life of an extraordinary woman whose courage, intelligence, and resilience left an indelible mark on history. Born in 1921, Pippa Latour was trained by the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) and later parachuted into Nazi-occupied Normandy. Her mission was perilous, and failure meant certain death. Pippa's fluency in languages and her mastery of coding made her an invaluable asset. Disguised as a teenage soap-seller, she ingeniously concealed her coded messages on a piece of silk threaded through a shoelace used as a hair tie. In this precarious cover, she sold soap to German soldiers, all the while gathering and transmitting critical intelligence back to England. Each day in Normandy was fraught with danger as Pippa navigated the hostile landscape, bicycling from town to town, often sleeping rough and foraging for food. Despite these hardships, she managed to send 135 secret messages detailing German troop positions, playing a vital role in the lead-up to D-Day and continuing her mission until the liberation of Paris in August 1944. For many years, Pippa kept her wartime exploits a secret, even from her closest family members. Now, her incredible story is revealed for the first time in full, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into the life of a heroic woman who made immense personal sacrifices for the greater good.

"One of the most remarkable women I have ever met." - Chris Parsons, Commanding Officer New Zealand SAS, (2009-2011)

"The most remarkable story of a most courageous woman." - Hon Judith Collins

"This biography of a remarkable woman is an absolute cracker. What makes this book so readable and so accessible is the combination of Pippa's fantastic life story and Jude's ability to create the superb narrative." - Army News

"Vivid, honest, inspiring and sometimes shocking, Pippa Latour's memoir shows how right the SOE were to assess her as having 'tons of guts.' - Clare Mulley, author of Agent Zo

"A rare glimpse into the life of the last surviving SOE agent to have seen action behind enemy lines in France. Pippa's story is one of immense courage and personal sacrifice." - Helen Fry, author of Women in Intelligence

This astounding true story captures the essence of bravery and tenacity, shedding light on the courageous acts of one remarkable woman during WWII. The Last Secret Agent is not just a memoir but a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Pippa Latour, offering an unforgettable journey into the heart of wartime France and the clandestine operations that contributed significantly to the Allied war effort.