Day: November 18, 2021

I have made no secret that historical fiction intrigues me. There is so much fodder and untold stories abound.

Case in point, this trilogy.

The first book in the series (A Light in the Window) was engaging and I was surprised to see that it would be a trilogy. Here we have the second book, and once again, the author tackles the ugly history from a unique perspective.

If you have not read the first book, you may want to skip this review and just go pick it up so you can read it for yourself. If not, this is a warning that this review gives away plot points from the first book.  

Margarete continues her charade as Annagret. She has absolutely no choice but to do so. The opening chapters are heavy with recap, but that is to be expected.

The connection between the first and second books is tenuous. It takes a while for Margarete (as Annagret) to remember the promise she made at the end of the first book. But one event changes that.

Margarete sees how easily her life could be very different – if she still had a life at all. And from that point, the story becomes brisker.

Sometimes we need a stark reminder to goad us to action, and that is what happens to Margarete. She recognizes herself in Lena and knows she needs to do…something.

She is clever in the steps that she takes, and it is fortunate that she receives help from both Lena and Dora. Their involvement is another reminder that good people had to do bad things for their own survival.

However, the specter of atrocities always hovers. And when Margarete sees a familiar face, she knows she has to kick her plan into higher gear.  

Margarete walks a tightrope with her charade, and the reader walks along with her. Every time she thinks she is caught, the tension rises. Ultimately, this becomes a page-turner to see how Margarete progresses with her ruse.

To me, this takes more focus than the plot points for the story itself. But that is probably a personal thing.

This historical fiction novel mimics history in that the reader knows there is more to come. It ends in a similar fashion to the first book.

I look forward to seeing how Margarete’s plan works out in the end.

Author Bio:

Marion Kummerow was born and raised in Germany, before she set out to “discover the world” and lived in various countries. In 1999 she returned to Germany and settled down in Munich where she’s now living with her family.

Inspired by the true story about her grandparents, who belonged to the German resistance and fought against the Nazi regime, she started writing historical fiction, set during World War II. Her books are filled with raw emotions, fierce loyalty and resilience. She loves to put her characters through the mangle, making them reach deep within to find the strength to face moral dilemma, take difficult decisions or fight for what is right. And she never forgets to include humor and undying love in her books, because ultimately love is what makes the world go round.