This book had me on the edge of my seat with excitement, intrigue and nerves. It’s a brilliant blend of history and mystery (hey that rhymes!).

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I picked this book up because the setting and premise intrigued me, and it absolutely delivered! It’s an immersive depiction of pre-war Europe, with tensions running high but conflict not yet inevitable. I’ve never read any of Elizabeth Wein’s other books, but her aviation expertise makes it a seamless read.

At the centre of this we have a very mixed, very mysterious set of characters. I really like stories where a group of strangers are thrown together; it puts the reader at the same starting point as the characters themselves, and its fascinating to see how they get to know each other, and what they start to uncover about each other’s secrets and pasts. It was done particularly well here, sometimes being lead in one direction, sometimes in another.

The story is told from the perspective of Stella, who is perceptive but wary of those around her. I really felt like I was right there in the action with her, watching the events of the novel play out around me and figuring out who I could trust. I hated the times when I had to stop reading, because I was desperate to know what happened next!

This setting and premise is the perfect place to explore themes of national identity, loyalty, and bridging divides. It feels particularly poignant in this day and age to be discussing refugees and what it means to have a homeland. There were some incredibly moving moments and passages, and this book is going to be a welcome addition to many bookshelves and libraries.

I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.