The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict FIC Ben

      An historical novel on the life of Hollywood star Hedy Lamarr.   I remember seeing her in movies (decades ago!) and I am certain I knew that she was from Europe,  This book will take you into Hedy's life from the decade leading up to WWII through the war.
     When the novel begins Hedy is living a good life.  She lives with her parents (her father was her idol but the relationship with her mother was much more complicated) but is also doing well as an actress.  She catches the eye of a rich and influential man named Friedrich Mandl who begins to send her beautiful flowers. Then he corresponds with her parents asking for permission to come introduce himself and to take out their daughter.
    Hedy's father was very well versed in the dangerous politics of the time.  He felt it would be ill-advised to turn Friedrich away.  It leads to a hellish marriage.
      Later Hedy will end up in Hollywood.  The war is still raging.  It was time for Hedy to use her knowledge to try and help her new country put an end to the war that was tearing apart her beloved Austria .  An interesting read.