'Inside the Lines' Summary

Inside the Lines by Earl Derr Biggers is a thrilling spy novel set in the summer of 1914, on the eve of World War I. The story follows Jane Gerson, a young American business woman who finds herself caught up in a web of intrigue and espionage.

Jane is in Paris on a buying trip for her department store when she meets Captain Woodhouse, an officer in the British signal corps. Woodhouse warns Jane that war is imminent, and urges her to return home immediately. But Jane is determined to complete her business before leaving.

While in Paris, Jane is approached by a mysterious stranger named Monsieur Dubois. Dubois offers Jane a chance to make a fortune by smuggling valuable information to the Germans. Jane is hesitant at first, but she eventually agrees, hoping to use the money to help her family back home.

Jane soon finds herself in over her head. She is pursued by both the British and German secret services, and she must use all of her intelligence and cunning to survive. As the war breaks out, Jane must decide who she can trust and who she must betray in order to stay alive.

Along the way, Jane falls in love with a young British soldier named Lieutenant Alan Gilbert. Gilbert is unaware of Jane's involvement in espionage, and Jane is determined to keep him safe. But as the war intensifies, Jane finds her loyalties divided. She must choose between her love for Gilbert and her duty to her country.

In the end, Jane is able to expose the German spy ring and save Gilbert's life. She also learns the importance of love, loyalty, and sacrifice.

Inside the Lines is a suspenseful and exciting novel that captures the essence and spirit of the pre-war era. It is a story about love, loyalty, and betrayal, set against the backdrop of one of the most turbulent periods in world history.

The novel also explores the ethical dilemmas faced by those who are caught up in espionage. Jane is a complex and sympathetic character, and her struggles are relatable to readers even today.