1. A Girl’s Guide to Spying gives such a unique perspective on the First World War. Why did you decide to focus on Girlguiding?
A few years ago I was given a fabulous book called How the Girl Guides won the war, by Janie Hampton. It has a tiny mention – about half a page! – of the Guides who worked at MI5, and I’ve been fascinated ever since. I’ve mentioned Girlguiding in some previous books, but it’s been brilliant to make Guides the stars this time.
2. You’re very involved in Girlguiding yourself. What impact has the organisation had on you personally?
I’ve been part of Girlguiding since I joined Brownies at seven, and I’ve been a Girlguiding leader for 29 years. I love working with Brownies and Guides – they’re the perfect antidote to a day trying to rewrite about three sentences and not getting very far! Helping them discover some new or try something that’s out of their comfort zone is incredibly rewarding. They can be fantastic for story material sometimes too!
Sadly I need to make something really clear. In December last year, Girlguiding UK changed their inclusion policy, and they no long welcome trans girls. This policy change was forced by legal action. Many Guide leaders (and girls) are devastated by this decision, and we’re working to change it.
3. A Girl’s Guide to Spying is set right in the heart of London. How did you research your story locations?
I went exploring! I loved getting to wander around the different spaces I’d borrowed for the book. Phyl and Annie live behind their parents’ grocer’s shop in Marchmont Street, which is actually where my father’s office used to be!
4. Perspectives on the abilities of women and girls and the influence of Suffragettes plays a big part in A Girl’s Guide to Spying. What surprised you most when researching how women were viewed in 1915?
The ladies’ toilets at MI5 are a very important part of the plot of A Girl’s Guide to Spying. I’d never realised just how important access to loos was at the time! Women’s public toilets just didn’t exist until the late 1890s, and this meant that women tended to stay very close to home. It made it really difficult for women to join the workforce too. Some employers even used the excuse of not having suitable toilets as an excuse for not employing women.
5. Phyl and Annie’s German neighbours, the Hoffmann family, were treated very badly. Is their story based on true accounts?
Yes – after the sinking of the Lusitania in May 1915, German-owned shops all over the country had their windows broken, and many were looted. There was widespread rioting. Thousands of men were interned in camps – there were 6000 German-born men who were interned even though they had sons fighting in the British forces!
6. Phyl, Ruby and Annie find themselves in the middle of a hugely exciting mystery full of spies, clues and ciphers. Which is your favourite (spoiler free) moment?
I knew that I wanted to put a bull terrier in this book – we had a beautiful bull terrier when I was growing up, and I love them – but I didn’t realise how much Hector would steal the show. His part in the rescue at the end of the book was one of my favourite scenes to write.
7. A Girl’s Guide to Spying is the first in a series. What can we look forward to in book two?
The second book in the series is A Girl’s Guide to Going Undercover. Phyl, Ruby and Minna have to infiltrate a theatre company to find a German spy who’s sending information about British ships to the enemy. I loved writing a theatre book! (And Hector is back…)
Thank you!
A photo from the East End in May 1915, the text says “We are Russians” to discourage looting.
Holly Webb started writing while she was working as an editor at a children’s publisher and is now one of Britain’s best-loved children’s authors. Her books have been translated into 33 languages and sold going on for 2 million copies. Holly joined the Brownies aged 7, and still volunteers as a Brownie and Guide Leader. Holly lives in Reading with her husband, three children and cat.
A Girl’s Guide to Spying by Holly Webb is published 12th February 2026 by Rock the Boat (Oneworld Publications). Paperback, £7.99
Read my full review here:
Click on the covers below to find out more or purchase online:
Bookshop.org:
Amazon:
Books by Kate Heap:
| Primary English In Action by Kate Heap will be published in August 2026. Preorder it now! |
Disclosure: If you buy books using the links above, I may earn a commission from Bookshop.org whose fees support independent bookshops. As an Amazon Associate, Scope for Imagination earns from qualifying purchases.
Scope for Imagination 