Like anyone who grew up in the 80s, I remember the news footage of the day the Berlin Wall came down. I knew it was monumental, even in my 14.5 stars
Like anyone who grew up in the 80s, I remember the news footage of the day the Berlin Wall came down. I knew it was monumental, even in my 12 year old mind, but until reading The Berlin Letters, I didn’t really have a human connection to it. In her latest Cold War novel, author Katherine Reay gives heart and breath and soul to the people living on both sides of the Wall and those fighting for freedom (be they within or without).
I loved Luisa, the little 3-year-old we meet at a life-altering moment … and then the 31-year-old we become reacquainted with as everything changes for her once more. Bookending those two meetings is the Berlin Wall, from its very beginning to its final days, and the author made the history & politics come alive with a dual narrative that gave me a new perspective on those tough years in between. And while my life experiences don’t mirror Luisa’s in any sense, I still felt as though I could easily place myself in her shoes because of how relatable Reay made her personality and insecurities. I came to love her father’s character as well, through his narrative sections as well as through the letters that Luisa uncovers after her grandfather’s death. There are some stunning twists to his story, and I was glued to the last half of the book, barely remembering to breathe!
Bottom Line: Code breaking, hidden letters, mysterious pasts, the CIA, newspaper reporters, covert missions, snitches, secrets upon secrets… And family. And friends. And a subtle reminder that God never wastes a single thing in our lives. I loved The Berlin Letters from cover to cover and could not put it down! The characters are so well-layered, the history so compelling, and the writing voice so engaging that I’m confident you will quickly become immersed in it as well. The espionage elements fascinated me (I’ve secretly wanted to work for the CIA since my very first episode of Scarecrow & Mrs King haha), and I learned things that I wasn’t taught in school about the Berlin Wall. All while being thoroughly entertained and drawn to a story so far from my own and yet the emotions remained completely relatable at the same time. I’ve loved everything Katherine Reay writes but I have especially loved her Cold War novels and I hope there are more to come!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
I am always delighted when I find a new author to enjoy, so I’m pleased to report that Show Me Betrayal – my introduction to Ellen W. Withers’ writingI am always delighted when I find a new author to enjoy, so I’m pleased to report that Show Me Betrayal – my introduction to Ellen W. Withers’ writing – has whet my appetite for more! I was immediately roped into the mysteries, in both the past and the present, and I stayed invested in figuring out how, or even IF, they were connected.
Liesl is instantly likable and relatable, and we feel as though we are running up those stairs into that grand Victorian house right along with her, desperate to find out how Aunt Suzanne is even though we haven’t met her yet. I enjoyed Liesl’s personality and appreciated how the author helps us get to know her backstory and her various layers. Liesl’s dialogue sometimes felt too formal/old-fashioned, and I would have liked to delve more into her work as a romance author – but perhaps we will in future stories. Only so much you can fit into one book, after all! I really liked Liesl as a protagonist and would love to spend more time with her character in the future.
In the storyline that takes place in the 1960s, we do meet Aunt Suzanne right away and you will easily love her as well. She is a strong young woman with sharp instincts who cares deeply about her friends. A senseless tragedy has her growing up quickly and then investigating the murder of her best friend – something she has continued into the present timeline, too, and Liesl soon picks up the investigation. The murder of Winnie (Aunt Suzanne’s best friend) is well-layered with creative twists that carry across both timelines and kept me guessing until nearly the end. I put the pieces together just a tad before Liesl does, but not much before, and the other mysteries (that may or may not be connected – you’ll have to read it to find out!) were also cleverly constructed to bring out my inner Nancy Drew.
A variety of supporting characters fill these pages with some romantic potential, some solid & long-standing friendships, and – of course – suspects then and now. I am most interested in Liesl’s ex-boyfriend Kurt and his adorable little boy. It’s clear Kurt has never quit loving Liesl, even if he doesn’t directly say so, and I hope he gets his act together in future books so he doesn’t lose her to someone else. There’s a lot between them that needs to be worked out, not all of it pretty, but the author’s choice to make him a local detective aided in keeping him and Liesl on the same page (literally and figuratively lol) in this story. I’m excited to see where this romance potential leads, but I know how I want it to turn out!
Bottom Line: Show Me Betrayal by Ellen E. Withers engages readers with a great old house, a cozy small town, two likable strong women, two timelines, an overarching mystery to solve – and a few others that pop up in the meantime, a hint of romance, and a gentle dose of faith. I look forward to reading future books in the series and seeing where the author takes her characters developmentally. The ending was a little abrupt for my liking but it definitely has me wanting the next book right away! Is it 2024 yet?? Show Me Betrayal is a great choice for fans of Ramona Richards and Amanda Wen, as well as Liz Johnson’s Georgia Coast Romance series!
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
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