The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall

The #1 bestselling author of Looking for Jane returns with a poignant, gripping novel about a pianist in Berlin on the cusp of WWII and a choice she makes that echoes across generations.

Sometimes the best place to hide is the last place anyone would look.

Northern England, 2010

After a tragic accident upends her life, Kate Mercer leaves London to work at an old guest house near the Scottish border, where she hopes to find a fresh start and heal from her loss. When she arrives, she begins to unravel the truth about her past, but discovers the mysterious elderly proprietor is harbouring her own secrets…

Berlin, 1938

Audrey James is weeks away from graduating from a prestigious music school in Berlin, where she’s been living with her best friend, Ilse Kaplan. As she prepares to finish her piano studies, Audrey dreads the thought of returning to her father in England and leaving Ilse behind. Families like the Kaplans are being targeted as war in Europe threatens.

When Ilse’s parents and brother suddenly disappear, two high-ranking Nazi party members confiscate the Kaplans’ upscale home, believing it to be empty. In a desperate attempt to keep Ilse safe, Audrey becomes housekeeper for the officers while Ilse is forced into hiding in the attic—a prisoner in her own home. Tensions rise in the house and the chance of survival diminishes by the day. When a shocking turn of events pushes Audrey to become embroiled in cell of the anti-Hitler movement - clusters of resisters working to bring down the Nazis from within Germany itself - Audrey must decide what matters most: saving herself, protecting her friend, or sacrificing everything for the greater good.

Inspired by true stories of courageous women and the German resistance during WWII, this is a captivating novel about the unbreakable bonds of friendship, the sacrifices we make for those we love, and the healing that comes from human connection.

Paperback, 432 pages

Published June 4, 2024

 by Simon & Schuster

4/5 stars

A number of years ago, Heather Marshall released Looking for Jane which received great reviews, I loved it also. This her 2nd release had me trying not to get my expectations too high in case I didn’t love it as much. There was no problem there I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Told in dual time period, my favourite, the story weaves between Berlin 1938 and through the war years. Then it's 2010 with Kate leaving a tragic past to work for Audrey or rather with her.

I’m usually drawn to one story over the other when it comes to a dual time. However, I enjoyed both of these ones immensely.  For Audrey living through the wars was intense in all that she went through and saw.  It all started with her best friend witnessing the loss of her family, then forced to hide in the attic... well there is a lot going on.  I enjoyed the friendship that developed between Kate and Audrey and the twist that I didn't see coming.  

A well written story of love and loss, courage and determination.  A book I highly recommend.

This book was part of my 2024 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge.