Dorothea N. Buckingham

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Release Date: December 7, 2025

 
Through long shifts, blackout drills and the clear and present danger of enemy invasion, the women of this "Rascal" radar unit forge unlikely bonds that force them to confront and seize the power to change their lives.

How does a woman balance the raw grief of the loss of an infant with the atrocities of war?

How does a Texas aviatrix barred from combat flying by law and bound to a marriage of convenience contribute to the war effort as a pilot?

Who challenges a Honolulu socialite to examine her vacuous life and risk love for status?

And, what of a hard-charging journalist ramming through life toward a career she questions?

Inspired by women of World War 2 Hawaii, CODE NAME RASCAL pierces the soul of every woman who has had to make a choice.

 

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PRAISE

"CJ Martino, an outspoken journalist from New Jersey, arrives eager to make her mark, only to confront censorship and skepticism that threaten her professional identity. Ruth, the wife of a Navy officer, quietly bears profound loss as she searches for meaning beyond the role society has assigned to her. Jane, a fearless Texas pilot, aches for the freedom of flight but finds herself grounded by military restrictions and a husband determined to control her ambitions. Eve Russell, a polished Honolulu socialite, volunteers in defiance of expectation, discovering strength through vulnerability and service.

Assigned to the "Rascal" unit, the women work long, grueling shifts in total darkness, scanning the skies for potential threats. As the danger of invasion looms, they also confront private battles - grief, isolation, shattered dreams, and the longing for purpose in a world at war. Through shared sacrifice and growing trust, their tentative alliance deepens into a powerful bond, one that demands courage and life-altering choices from each of them.

Code Name Rascal illuminates a rarely told chapter of World War II history. Rich in emotional depth and historical detail, the novel offers an interesting portrait of resilience, friendship, and the overlooked contributions of women whose quiet bravery helped shape the course of wartime defense.

Dorothea N. Buckingham's evocative prose and richly drawn scenes transport readers to a pivotal moment in history. Her characters are thoughtfully and fully realized, each contributing a distinct voice that adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.

Masterfully crafted and deeply immersive, this novel is a highly recommended read for those who cherish historical fiction and the stories that bring the past vividly to life."
—Midwest Book Review

"Buckingham’s wartime novel fits snugly beside such genre benchmarks as James Jones’ From Here to Eternity (1951) and Herman Wouk’s The Winds of War (1971), which are also both set in Hawaii, before and after Pearl Harbor. What makes this novel compelling is the author’s exploration of women’s perspectives on these events, which is often lost amid textbook images of WACs and WAVEs. CJ and her friends, Eve Russell (whose family owns the Advertiser) and Ruth Elliott, the wife of a Navy commander, must convince an entrenched, male-dominated establishment that they can endure the physical and mental challenges that accompany military secrecy, endless working hours, and grinding sequestration, and such narratives are not often seen in fiction. The novel impressively and artfully realizes its themes of duty and self-sacrifice during wartime, as well.

A gripping story that offers a glimpse of a seldom-seen part of WWII-era military history."
—Kirkus

"Buckingham brings Hawaii to life with deliberate, convincing prose, from the island's tranquil beauty in the beginning to the chaotic frenzy that ignites its inhabitants after the attack.

Originality: The focus on females navigating World War II—particularly during the terrifying time frame of the novel—sets this title apart from other historical fiction offerings.

Character/Execution: Buckingham strongly delivers with her characters, richly developing each one and sketching their reactions to the attack with authenticity and historical accuracy. The main protagonists—CJ, Eve, Ruth, and Jane—must navigate horrific circumstances, all while being told men could handle the stress of their situation much better. But, from freezers to store bodies to the enactment of martial law, these women excel under pressure, proving to themselves—and everyone around them—that their grit, resolve, and courage are up to the task."
—Publishers Weekly

"Have you ever binge watched a TV series? I binged read this book! A terrific read! The characters, the setting, the war, their work during the war — were so vivid and compelling. No matter what you have read or seen about Pearl Harbor, this book adds a perspective that is unique."
—Amazon Review, Susan Reilly

"Code Name Rascal is an edge-of-the seat thriller, set in Hawaii during WWII. It is the formerly untold story of a secret army group of four brilliant women, working as radar plotters known as The Ward.  Dee Buckingham, a Hawaiian resident, has the history and geography of the place in her bones, which forge the setting itself as a formidable and fascinating character, one that infuses the saga with esoteric and exotic detail that makes it unique. Code Name Rascal is a must-read saga of unsung heroines in Hawaii, a welcome addition to the swollen literature of the Second World War. Spoken simply, I loved this book!"
—Roselyn Teukolsky Author of  The Reluctant Spy