Review of 'Code Name Funnel Web' by Camille Booker
Release date: April 15th, 2026
Publisher: Hawkeye Publishing
REVIEW
What a powerful and, at times, frightening story by Camille Booker with lots of spider references and images! It certainly had me grasping my seat and clutching my chest! The very scary spider name in the title says a lot. Code Name Funnel Web adds that bit of Gothic historical fiction edge to a WW2 novel making it quite original or at least different from many WW stories out there. It carries intense emotional drama and psychological torment. We feel the characters’ fear and the supernational elements of threats, not only with the enemies Frankie encounters but also in her dreaded thoughts of the awful funnel web spider. Those of us who live in Australia know about these venomous creatures and therefore can sympathise with Frankie’s fear of them. But the intriguing twist here is that she becomes the thing she fears when given the code name Funnel Web as a Resistance participant in WW2.
The opening chapter in Como, Sydney, 1940 sets a familiar stage. It begins with ‘THE spider’ found in Frankie’s shoes. We appreciate her mother’s advice: “Spiders like to hide away in dark places, Frances, always check your shoes before you put them on.” This is something I do as well, along with checking my garments after taking them off the clotheline! That whole scene with Frankie and the spider is so relatable. I could FEEL every frightening moment of that intense, gothic experience. Hats off to Camille for delivering it so well. She certainly had my heart racing as I followed Frankie’s encounter and reaction. And the fear of whether she have been bitten. How the dread consumed her. Until the newspaper in her hand that she used as a weapon, captures her attention. It saved her from the spider and she was still alive. But as she analyses her fear, she considers the front page news. What she felt with the spider is nothing compared to the trauma people in war-torn England and Europe are going through. This comparison puts a whole new perspective on everything.
This novel is one of shadows (with enemies like spiders lurking therein), secrets, sacrifice, solitude, survival and even surrender. Because she loves her brother, Frankie surrenders to a plan she never would have followed under normal circumstances. But war requires sacrifice and deeds of necessity. And courage and strength often rise to the surface to meet these challenges. Frankie’s determination fuels her resilience. Her movements are dangerous and sometimes appear reckless. But her perseverance is admirable and she accomplishes what she sets out to do. The means may unpalatable but her mantra is to get to her brother and rescue him from the enemy.
Without question, Frankie is an incredible female lead. There are also some memorable characters surrounding her as well: one of which is the love of her life. Leo is a kind and caring person: a protector of those he loves. But when his plan fails, and he is sent to an internment facility in Cowra, NSW (work camp) because he is an Italian living in Australia, (classified as an ‘enemy alien’) it is a terrible time for him. When Frankie finds out where he is, she visits him but what she sees there is unsettling and what he says to her is not what she expects. It is the confrontation that sends her away and pushes her to become involved in the war—with the main purpose of finding her brother. Her journey is rough and her first experience in London is horrendous. She lands in the thick of the bombing: a massive eye opening time for her.
I won’t give away any plot points but I can say this war leads her to people, places and positions never imagined. She takes up the opportunity to become a Resistant spy. And what follows is both disturbing and understandable. From this point the story moves quickly as we are moved from one adventure to the next. But not without getting a clear picture of events. We learn, along with Frankie, what she is made of: including how capable she is to make a difference. When people are often faced with events (like war) that challenge their very existence, courage seeps out of bone and blood when least expected. As seen in Frankie, the fight for survival magnifies and she is able to do the impossible. Frankie starts out as an ordinary woman who has seen terrible loss and yet she still finds strength, compassion and purpose to keep moving forward to fight against injustice. And to save what is left of her family.
Amid the carnage and chaos of war, romantic love still blooms. Frankie’s love for Leo remains strong. Its lasting qualities are evident as it withstands some horrific storms and circumstances. Love, whether for a partner, family or friends, is a powerful force that can move mountains or a series of obstacles. Frankie’s love for her brother drives her forward, to see him rescued from a prison camp. When everyone fails her (including the men surrounding her), she embraces the task and makes things happen. This woman’s character arc/growth is massive as we see her expand from the first page to the last. The spiders and enemies she encounters, only make her stronger. She conquers her fears and excels.
This is a story of unwavering hope, much earned happiness and ultimate victory. War is awful, soul-shattering and destructive. But a spirit of determination often rises up, along with a never-give-in attitude. This is what transforms ordinary people into heroes—allowing them to endure unimaginable circumstances. It is the power of the human spirit fighting for survival. I highly recommend Code Name Funnel Web that delivers all these things and more. It reminds us we can conquer our worst fears and survive. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Camille Booker and Hawkeye Publishing for a review copy.
