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The Secretary

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The Tower House. Down a secluded path, hidden by overgrown vines, the crumbling villa echoes with memories. Of the family who laughed and sang there, until the Nazis tore them from their home. And of the next woman to walk its empty rooms, whose courage in the face of evil could alter the course of history....

Germany 1940. As secretary to the leader of the SS, Magda spends her days sending party invitations to high-ranking Nazis, and her evenings distributing pamphlets for the resistance. But Magda is leading a dangerous double life, smuggling secrets out of the office. It’s a deadly game, and eventual exposure is a certainty, but Magda is driven by a need to keep the man she secretly loves safe as he fights against the Nazis....

Forty years later. Nina’s heart pounds as she steps into an uncertain future carrying a forged passport, a few bank notes, and a scribbled address for The Tower House taken from an intricate drawing she found hidden in her grandmother’s wardrobe. Separated from her family and betrayed by her country, Nina’s last hope is to trace her family’s history in the ruins of the past her grandmother ran from. But, when she finally finds the abandoned house, she opens the door to a forgotten story, and to secrets which will change everything: past, present, and future....

A poignant and gripping novel about bravery, loss, and redemption during the Second World War. A must-listen for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, We Were the Lucky Ones, and The Alice Network.

©2021 Catherine Hokin (P)2021 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.
20th Century Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt
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I love Catherine Hokin’s work; I have enjoyed each and every one. I hope she delivers more soon. Beautifully narrated.

Wonderful story

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I really struggled with this, particularly as it's a genre I normally love. I found the constant back and forth between Magda and Nina was very confusing and tiresome. From the beginning it was so predictable where the story was going and I struggled to like Magda. I mean, realistically how many lives did she actually save whilst she was wining and dining with Nazis. Of course one life saved is better than none, but I just felt that she was constantly examining her conscience and it was totally predictable where it would end. This was my first Catherine Hokin book and quite honestly it's my last.

So utterly predictable!

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