Kate Quinn

The New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code returns with an unforgettable World War II tale of a quiet librarian who becomes history's deadliest female sniper. Based on a true story. In the snowbound city of Kiev, wry and bookish history student Mila Pavlichenko organizes her life around her library job and her young son--but Hitler's invasion of Russia sends her on a different path. Given a rifle and sent to join the fight, Mila must forge herself from studious girl to deadly sniper--a lethal hunter of Nazis known as Lady Death. When news of her three hundredth kill makes her a national heroine, Mila finds herself torn from the bloody battlefields of the eastern front and sent to America on a goodwill tour. Still reeling from war wounds and devastated by loss, Mila finds herself isolated and lonely in the glittering world of Washington, DC--until an unexpected friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and an even more unexpected connection with a silent fellow sniper offer the possibility of happiness. But when an old enemy from Mila's past joins forces with a deadly new foe lurking in the shadows, Lady Death finds herself battling her own demons and enemy bullets in the deadliest duel of her life. Based on a true story, The Diamond Eye is a haunting novel of heroism born of desperation, of a mother who became a soldier, of a woman who found her place in the world and changed the course of history forever.

The Diamond Eye

Tace

I could do this not because of some inborn instinct, but because I had studied and drilled and practiced until training became instinct. I was a good sniper because I was a good student. 

A very vivid nickname. And a perfect fit.

“To Lady Death and her pack of devils," Kitsenko answered, raising his own mug. "Tve never seen anything in my life as terrifying as you lot melting out of the trees this morning with your rifles.”

I could die here and at least I would be happy.

 And I opened my eyes, drinking the rest of my soup and wondering when it was that I'd started to think of death as something not just possible, but inevitable. 

"My mother always said when a woman is upset, give her chocolate and tell her she's beautiful. In your case, I think I can amend that to give you chocolate and tell you you're dangerous. You are beautiful," he added, "but something tels me you'll be more comforted by the thought that you're still dangerous.”

"He needs to be invincible for you, just as you are for him.”

You forget reading this book how young she is. How young, yet so very mature. And Lyonya is the perfect balance for her life.

For everyone else—my family, in my letters; my men, in my platoon; even Kostia, in our partnership—I had to be invincible. But before Kitsenko, I could be afraid. Be tired. Be 

“You really are terrifying. Are you sure I can't kiss you?"

Holly 

From Lenin on down, Soviet men have always talked a good game about women standing shoulder to shoulder with their men in every field society had to offer, but when it came to children being tended, dishes being scrubbed, or applause being given, I had always observed that it was still female hands doing most of the tending, scrubbing, and clapping. Not that I questioned such a thing overly much: it was simply the way of the world, and always had been.

"Hunt to fill your soup kettle and puta pelt on your bed, not just to put a trophy on your wall," Vartanov grunted unexpectedly. "The forest is like a temple: observe the old customs, be respectful, don't kill for amusement, and the woods will reward you for it." 

My memoir, the official version: Snipers must be calm in order to succeed. 

My memoir, the unoficial version: Snipers must make themselves calm in order to succeed, and that is why women are good at sharpshooting. Because there is not a woman alive who has not learned how to eat rage in order to appear calm.

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