Undercover Jihadi Bride

Previously published as ‘In the Skin of a Jihadist’

Twenty year-old “Mélodie”, a recent convert to Islam, meets the leader of an ISIS brigade on Facebook. In 48 hours he has ‘fallen in love’ with her, calls her every hour, urges her to marry him, join him in Syria in a life of paradise – and join his jihad.

Anna Erelle is the undercover journalist behind "Melodie". Created to investigate the powerful propaganda weapons of Islamic State, “Melodie” is soon sucked in by Bilel, right-hand man of the infamous Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. An Iraqi for whose capture the US government has promised $10 million, al-Baghdadi is described by Time Magazine as the most dangerous man in the world and by himself as the caliph of Islamic State. Bilel shows off his jeep, his guns, his expensive watch. He boasts about the people he has just killed.

With Bilel impatient for his future wife, “Melodie” embarks on her highly dangerous mission, which – at its ultimate stage – will go very wrong … Enticed into this lethal online world like hundreds of other young people, including many young British girls and boys, Erelle’s harrowing and gripping investigation helps us to understand the true face of terrorism.

Reviews

‘A brave journalist … she has paid a high price for this exceptionally courageous book’ Sunday Express, ☆☆☆☆☆

‘Reads like a thriller’ Paris Match

‘As enlightening as it is disturbing’ Lire

About the author

Anna Erelle was investigating – on behalf of a desperate mother – the disappearance of a Belgian teenage girl who had flown to Syria. She decided to adopt a pseudonym and see for herself what the online world of jihad was like. A young female journalist, she is still under threat today and cannot reveal her true identity.