As Stella flies her plane across the English Channel, she sees another plane go into the water. She's convinced a third plane forced it down. On the first leg of the air race promoting peace, a plane has been sabotaged. The question is who caused it?
Stella is asked to represent England in an international air race across Europe. Pilots representing several other European countries including France, Poland, and Germany. With Europe on the verge of World War II, hostilities between the young pilots is inevitable.
Although it is not obvious to the race officials and experienced pilot chaperones, Stella knows someone is trying to sabotage some of the planes. She befriends the aloof pilot representing France. He and Stella share the fact that neither country they represent is the country of their origin (but no one needs to know that).
The race is broken into legs with stop overs in major cities. Each pilot's flight is timed. The pilots must also participate in ceremonies and large banquets. Stella already feels patronized for being a woman pilot, but having to dress up is annoying and only makes her stand out more among the pilots.
As the race goes on, more suspicious activities occur. The danger lurks at every turn on the ground or in the air. It becomes a race to find out who is behind it all before another plane is taken down. It is a gripping story within an intriguing time and setting.
For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.
