Secrets She Kept - Cathy Gohlke

This is one of several books I've read lately which deals deeply with matters of family.  Hannah Sterling’s relationship with her mother Lieselotte has always been difficult, so when Lieselotte dies, Hannah is astonished to find that her mother has left her the key to a safety deposit box, the contents of which send her on a journey around the world to meet the German grandfather she never knew she had – and to find out about the huge secrets her mother kept to her grave.

This story is told from Lieselotte’s perspective during WWII, and from Hannah’s viewpoint 30 years later.  Early in the war Lieselotte is working secretly to help Jewish families in hiding in Berlin, all the while living at home with her father, who is rising in prominence within the Nazi regime, and her brother Rudy who is a passionate member of the Hitler Youth. She falls in love with Lukas, but this is not at all to the liking of the very nasty Dr Peterson, her father’s friend.  Her father’s ambition will lead to tragic consequences for many people – including his daughter.  And 30 years later, the sins of the fathers continue to have consequences.

This is a superbly written book.  Gohlke’s strong, descriptive writing immerses the reader, the plot develops with several unexpected twists and turns, and it’s one of not very many novels which has made me cry.  There were some questions raised as I read, but to talk about them would give spoilers to the story, which would be a great shame for anyone yet to read this excellent novel.  This novel is one of two with which Muddy Pearl are making their entrance to fiction publishing, and it’s a superb debut for them. 

9781910012932, Muddy Pearl

For transparency, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but I was not required to write any specific review. All views herein are my own.