‘The exact number of German women raped during the dying days of world war two is unknown, but it is possibly as high as 2 million (and many were raped multiple times).’ So writes Josie Ferguson, whose incredible debut novel The Silence In Between is dedicated to ‘those whose stories deserved to be heard’. A heart-breaking historical fiction story of family, fear, hope and the atrocities of war. The story opens on August 12, 1961. Lisette’s baby is ill, and she’s left him overnight in a hospital in the West, going home to her home in the East to get clean clothes and some rest.
When she wakes, early on August 13, everything’s changed. Overnight, the border between East and West Berlin has been closed. And there’s no way she can get to her child. From this shattering start, the tale jumps to and from 1961, with Lisette’s teenage daughter, Elly, desperately trying to find a way to get her baby brother back and hopefully receive the love she longs for from her mother, and 1938, and what Lisette and her family endured through the war. It’s fiction based on fact … and the most far-fetched events which are seemingly unrealistic are all horribly true. As the author points out, the East West border was closed overnight. Rape victims offered themselves to a single officer so as to escape multiple rapes. Hitler Youth members really did hand out cyanide pills, and husbands were separated from wives, mothers from babies. It’s not an easy read, but it’s beautifully written, compelling, and will stay with you long, long after you turn the last page. Penguin
Set in the 1970s in a summer camp in the Adirondack mountains, The God of the Woods is part mystery, part family drama. When a girl goes missing from the camp, it’s tragic. But the fact that she’s gone missing in the same woods as her young brother did 14 years ago makes it somewhat suspicious. The boy was never found, the locals didn’t all agree with the person finally found guilty, stories are murky and characters not all terribly likeable. Liz Moore’s book is brilliantly thrilling, couldn’t put it down! The Borough Press • An all-female boarding house. A new glam and mysterious arrival. Unlikely friendships. Add one deadly secret and an unexpected shocking act of violence and you’ve a thrilling read … The Brair Club by Kate Quinn – queen of historical fiction. Harper Collins
Home interiors influencer Elle’s life is the envy of thousands. And when her producers tell her about a dilapidated chateau in the French countryside, she’s delighted. Social media content of sprawling vineyards and tasteful interiors will surely take attention away from the cracks that are beginning to show in her life, and the risk of past secrets being revealed. After all, it’s what’s in front of the cameras that’s important. As she well knows, dark and dirty behind-the-scenes flaws can be filtered out. Amanda Cassidy’s The Perfect Place … a first-class thriller. Canelo
From John Boyne – author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, the second in his four interlinked novels named after the elements. The first, Water, looked at a wife’s complicity in her husband’s sexual abuse of minors. This second book, Earth, is about two football players on trial. One accused of rape. The other an accessory … who, as the trial unfolds, reflects on the events in his life that have led him to this moment. A beautifully written, haunting read. Penguin
The Paris Muse is the story of Dora Maar and Pablo Picasso’s love affair … dubbed the greatest love affair in art history. It’s the story about Dora – artist, creative genius and muse – who inspired some of Picasso’s greatest work. And their love affair that destroyed her. Author Louisa Treger says the book is based on the biographical facts of Dora’s life, but is a work of fiction … she’s taken liberty with facts, characterisations an particularly chronologies. Bloomsbury Publishing
The recently released 2023 La Motte Chardonnay’s nectarine and citrus fruit flavours are complemented by hints of cashew nut and freshly baked bread. A polished, medium-full wine with exceptional freshness and a lively length. Really food-friendly … superb with creamy cheese and egg dishes (think quiche and soufflé), subtle spice and curry dishes and for those splashing out, with caviar, snails, crayfish and mussels. R170 from la-motte.com.
All books available at Exclusive Books.
