This is a diary of Annalise Meissner, a young German Jew with long time ago falsified papers, living a carefree life in pre-war Berlin. A talented ballerina, she comes from a wealthy family and at first doesn’t want to concern herself with the changes her country starts undergoing under the new Nazi regime. However, when the oppressions against the Jewish population begin, she realizes that she can’t be a silent bystander and swears to help her people in any way possible. She falls in love and gets married to her father's longtime friend, Standartenführer Heinrich Friedmann, who even though he works for SD – the Reich Secret Service – seems to share her views, and soon Annalise learns why. Her new husband turns out to be a counterintelligence agent working for the US government, and together they start a dangerous game against the sinister Gestapo, trying to save as many lives as they can and not to compromise themselves. But it's not only the persecuted people Annalise wants to save; she meets the leader of the Austrian SS Gruppenführer Ernst Kaltenbrunner who everyone seems to fear, but for some reason Annalise isn't intimidated by the Chief of the Austrian Gestapo and doesn't believe the rumors about his brutality. Gruppenführer Kaltenbrunner isn't hiding the fact that he would love to get this beautiful girl as his mistress, but Annalise, despite the mutual attraction, stays faithful to her beloved husband. However, the risky game she’s playing will soon change everything…
Reviews:
Written in diary-like style, the story follows Annalise Meissner, a young German Jew, through the dark years leading up and into WWII. Historical accounts such as the 'Night of Broken Glass' and the wholesale persecution of the Jewish population are accurately portrayed and well-researched.
This is a finely-written novel that does not disappoint. I found myself turning pages late into the night. Ellie Midwood masterfully paints with words, pulling the reader in deeper with each page and each chapter, and keeping the suspense high throughout.” (Frank Scozzari, bestselling author of "From Afar”)
I was hooked into the story before even the prologue could end. I was literally on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next, wanting more and at the same time cringing at discovering what 'more' had to offer.
The characters are properly developed and know their purpose and role in driving the story forward. The dialogues are cleverly crafted and give the readers enough bait to keep them desperately trying to catch it.
This is the second book of Ellie's that I've read and i can see how much and how well she has grown as a writer. Well done! I can't wait to read the next book in the series.” (Aarohi Brar, bestselling author of "Pluviophile”)