We have arrived at the first post of October already! This year is just flying past. I have finished one book this week and am about halfway through another. Here is the book cover…

This book, The Stranger From Berlin by Melissa Amateis, was a random choice from our Library Service’s ebook catalogue. I thought that the blurb seemed intriguing and I must admit that I also liked the cover! Anyway, this is the blurb…

“She doesn’t know if she can trust him. But she’s determined to save him . . .Nebraska, 1943:

Jenni Fields’shusband Danny was killed in action two months ago. Now pregnant with another man’s child, Jenni is determined to keep her secret from the small community of Meadow Hills.  Man Koenigfled Germany in 1938, escaping the Nazis and leaving behind a dark secret of his own. Employed to translate a historic German-language diary, Max moves to Meadow Hills, but the overly patriotic community isn’t happy to have a German in their midst.   When the diary goes missing, the whole town thinks Max is the thief. And when local businesses and landmarks start being vandalized with German graffiti, the residents naturally point the finger his way.   Jenni is the only one who believes Max is innocent. Clearly, the diary holds information someone in the town would rather keep quiet. What happened in Meadow Hills all those years ago? And will Jenni be able to prove Max’s innocence before it’s too late?”

This was a great read and I was surprised to find out that it is the author’s first book! Here is my response on Goodreads…

The Stranger From Berlin by Melissa Amateis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has mystery, danger, intrigue and romance all rolled into a gripping tale about how prejudice and fear of discovery can whip up a community until the members are prepared to commit horrors upon the innocent. The author also writes an excellent and courageous heroine in this story.

The setting is a small town in Nebraska during WWII. The people live with a dark and evil secret that has been casting a dark cloud for many years. A German professor, Max, who has travelled to America to escape the war in his home country takes a job in the town. He is racked with guilt from past actions and the truth about these unfolds slowly. A range of despicable acts are committed in the town and Max is blamed for them. Only one person, Jenni, who is protecting her own secrets, believes in his innocence. All of these strands lead to an explosive conclusion.

I will definitely look out for this writer’s next book.

View all my reviews

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The book I am now reading is a real science fiction classic. It’s quite long, so I will probably only manage this one book before next week’s post.

Happy Reading to you all!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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