Katherine Reay delivers another incredible Cold War novel with “The Berlin Letters,” following the story of two generations greatly impacted by the Berlin Wall.
In 1961, as the Wall begins to go up, separating a German city, Monica Voekler, who lives on the eastern side with her reporter husband Haris, moves swiftly to literally toss her 3-year-old daughter Luisa over the barbed wire to her parents who live on the other side.
Eventually relocating to America, Luisa grows up to become a codebreaker for the CIA. When she stumbles upon some coded letters in her home in 1989, her world is quickly rocked. She learns of family secrets and unknown relationships and decides to take action.
Reay does an incredible job of fictionalizing a very real and horrible time in history. She develops great characters that are inspiring and full of moxie. She also fills “The Berlin Letters” with some great themes, like finding forgiveness, even when it seems impossible; doing the right thing; we have infinite possibilities; and the power of hidden secrets and lies.
Fans of historical fiction and stories with strong women characters will love “The Berlin Letters,” as well as fans of authors like Kate Quinn, Rachel McMillan and Kristy Cambron.
Five stars out of five.
Harper Muse provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.