TYPORAMA
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Bestselling author of “The Wiregrass”, Pam Webber, is back with the first novel in a new series about the American women who changed the tide of World War II by working as spies in North Africa and the Red Sea: “Massawa: A Tale of Illusion, Espionage, and Love”
June 23, 2026
She Writes Press
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PRAISE FOR PAM WEBBER:
“For this reviewer, ‘The Wiregrass’ was reminiscent of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ ‘Tom Sawyer,’ and ‘Of Mice and Men,’ yet, all the while, it was its very own unique story written with a large measure of tenderness and grace.”—Story Circle Book Reviews
“With empathy and care, Webber brings to life the hidden world of ‘The Wiregrass’ in the 1960s. This is a coming-of-age story that will move you profoundly.”—Susan Breen, author of “The Fiction Room”
“‘Moon Water’ is a flood of love and tragedy. There is intense action and humor, soul satisfying courage and redemption, and throughout, Webber's knowing, authoritative hand with setting and character.”—David L. Robbins, New York Times-bestselling author
“[‘Life Dust’ is] a testament to the heroes of the Vietnam War and an eye-opening experience for readers… Highly recommended.”—Historical Novel Society
“‘Life Dust’ had everything I could wish for in a novel…romance, suspense, great characters, and an intense story.”—Readers’ Favorite
“[‘Life Dust’ is] a character-driven book where love, war and humanity attempt to co-exist. A brilliant piece of writing to be enjoyed by many.”—Southern Literary Review
“[‘Massawa’ is] a thoughtful and engaging adventure, generously enriched with fascinating historic and geographic details”–Christine Echeverria Bender, author of “The Far Reach of Yesterday”
“To unravel mysteries of corruption, the old wisdom is to ‘follow the money.’ In ‘Massawa,’ Pam Webber has found that rare gem, an untold adventure in an out-of-the-way World War II setting that will fling you into a maze of intrigue, style, and danger. The African desert is hot, the history is cool, and you’ll find yourself clutching the book as you follow every twist and turn.”–David L. Robbins, New York Times bestselling author of “War of the Rats”
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ABOUT MASSAWA:
In 1942, at the height of World War II, “Wild Bill” Donovan—the director of the United States’ first spy agency—believes women are the key to winning the intelligence battle against the Nazis. He partners fledgling agent Kit Thomas with British MI6 agent Mark Williams and sends them to one of the most perilous places in the world—Massawa, Eritrea—to investigate the theft of millions in military payroll funds.
In Massawa, Kit and Mark discover a conspiracy by Nazi sympathizers, known as the Vichy, to shut down the only Allied naval base on the Red Sea—which is an essential resource in stopping the Nazi invasion of North Africa. As they work to reveal the conspirators, Kit and Mark engage in a dangerous and tempestuous dance of trust versus mistrust.
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An Interview with
Pam Webber
- How did you learn about Massawa and the role it played in the Allies winning WWII?After my last book, “Life Dust,” was published, I knew I wanted to start a new series. I talked with my brother, an incredible historian with a special interest in the little-known stories of World War II. He told me about the Miracle at Massawa and the facts leading up to it.
2. Why was Bill Donovan interested in working with women agents?
Bill Donovan was a very intelligent man. He was also well-connected in the world of European espionage. He paid attention to what worked and what didn’t as he designed America’s Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which was the precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency. Donovan was also a notorious womanizer, which I am sure played a role in his belief that women were the best emetics of secrets.
3. How were early OSS agents prepared for their role in the war?
In the year before the OSS was formed, President Roosevelt appointed Bill Donovan as Coordinator of Information and ordered him to initiate America’s espionage activities. From that position, Donovan recruited male and female spies. Initially, MI6, Britain’s spy agency, helped prepare American agents and guided the building and development of our training facilities, many of which were located in our national parks. Places like Camp X, RTU-1 Farm, Catoctin, and Prince William became primary training sites.
4. What role did M16 play in training American agents?
Most of Bill Donovan’s mentors in the development of the OSS and training of American agents worked for or with MI6:
- Admiral John Godfrey, Director of Intelligence for the Royal Navy,
- Sir Steward Menzies, head of MI6,
- Ian Fleming (yes, that Ian Fleming), a British Naval commander, and
- William Stephenson, aka Intrepid, who was one of Britain’s most famous spies.
5. How did you create your protagonist, Kit?
Kit is a composite of America’s women spies in WWII, with all of their patriotism, courage, and naivety. However, I must admit she has a little of my alter ego sprinkled in.
6. What do you hope readers will take away from “Massawa”?
- A powerful story
- Characters they consider lifelong friends
- Eager anticipation for the sequel
PAM WEBBER is a second career, bestselling author of historical fiction. Her novels, “The Wiregrass,” “Moon Water,” and “Life Dust” have garnered multiple regional and national awards from organizations such as the Historical Novel Society, the Southern Literary Review, and the Military Writers Society of America.
In her personal life, Pam is an internal medicine nurse practitioner, an avid traveler, and nature lover. She and the love of her life, Jeff, live and work in Northern Virginia.
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FOLLOW THE AUTHOR ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND LEARN MORE ABOUT HER ON HER WEBSITE:
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