The Escape Game–a Review by Patsy Ledbetter
The Escape Game by Marilyn Turk and published by Barbour Publishing (2023) will really keep your interest. It contains lots of interesting information, suspense, and a touch of romance.
The novel takes place in England, and Germany in 1941. One of the main characters is Beryl Clarke, a young woman who recently survived her father’s death and a bombing blitz by the Nazis. She puts her college education at Oxford on hold to return to Leeds to care for her mother, Sheila, and work as a secretary at the Waddington Game Company. This company makes cards and board games. She also wants to follow in the footsteps of her father, an air raid warden on nights when the air raid sirens sound. She helps others into shelters. At those times, her neighbor Edith Findlay helps care for her mother. James Clarke, who was in college with her, had joined the Royal Air force two years ago and now flies planes for England.
James and Beryl have a good friend named Kenneth Bordelon. He is from Louisiana and his mother is a prayer warrior named Judith Bordelon. Her son Kevin died at age ten from a weak heart. Her husband Robert also passed away. All she has left is Kenneth and she prays for him regularly. Kenneth trusted the Lord at one time, but feels the Lord has abandoned him. Now he is just trying to help those in England fight the Nazis. He is at the Lindsey Airfield as part of the 71st Fighter group. He is assigned to fly over northern France. He also has not heard from his friend James in two years.
At a point near the beginning of the story, Kenneth is spotted and shot down. He parachutes out of his plane and hits the water. After a very long time treading cold water wearing his life vest, he is captured by a Nazi Officer, given a blanket and taken to Stalag Luft, a POW Camp in Barth, Germany.
Eventually, Kenneth is joined by James Clarke at the POW Camp. James also needed to bail from his plane. Parachuting, he hit a tree and now his arm is in a cast. The men are instructed by Colonel Herbert Gilmore that they are to try to escape the camp so they can rejoin the war effort. Kenneth has already attempted three unsuccessful escapes, landing him in the “Cooler” for a few weeks, a smaller space with little to eat.
Meanwhile, Beryl has received several letters from her brother and Kenneth. They have requested some items be sent. Someone at her work has secretly informed her that their company has recently been making some special Monopoly Games that can also serve as escape kits. They include a map of the surrounding areas, a compass and file, and real money mixed in with the fake. There is also a list of safe houses they can stay at when they do escape.
Beryl writes to both men, trying to give clues about a special Monopoly Game. They are both confused as to what she is trying to say, but then they receive a red cross box with a monopoly game in it and figure out what she is trying to tell them. They set a date for their escape and also help other prisoners out, as many tunnels have been secretly built.
I don’t want to give the ending away, but Kenneth does finally reach out to the Lord in faith, asking for His forgiveness and help. He is very appreciative for all the help he has received from Beryl and his mother. Beryl, her brother James and their mother are very strong in their faith. Even though the last few years have been very difficult, they continue to place their faith in Him. I know you will enjoy this story as much as I did. It is best enjoyed by readers eighteen and above.
Patsy Ledbetter has written poetry, short stories, devotionals, and book reviews for many years. She has also been a drama instructor, special needs teacher and substitute teacher. She and Kevin have been married for 41 years. They recently lost their oldest son Craig, age 33. They now have three children, Vanessa, Bethany and David. They also have four grandchildren, Elyse, Aurora, Hayden, and Molly. Kevin has been a music pastor most of his life and together they serve the Lord in a local church. Patsy loves to read, pray, and spend time outdoors and with family and friends. Her main desire is to bring glory to God through all the talents He has given her.
