The German Child

‘No! Not my child!’ she screams, her voice breaking as she pounds the window uselessly. But no-one looks up as the man in uniform cradles her precious baby and strides away…

Berlin, 1944. Nineteen-year-old Annaliese arrives at the imposing stone building, clutching her small suitcase. She has nowhere else to go after her father threw her out, ashamed of his pregnant, unmarried daughter. But Bruno promised they would live together as a family once the baby was born – and until then she’d be taken care of at this home for expectant mothers.

But Bruno never comes, and Annaliese starts to feel unsettled by the silent, stone-faced nurses and the heavy doors that are always locked behind them. Nursing her perfect, pink-cheeked baby, her heart swells – she never imagined she could feel such overwhelming love. But a cold fear has caught hold of her. Has coming here been a terrible mistake?

Berlin, 1979. Lawyer Evie has come to the city to investigate the horrifying stories of infants torn from their mothers during the war. One of the cases is Sebastian, whose yellowing birth certificate tells a heartbreaking tale. Evie is drawn to this lost man, and vows to do all that she can to help him.

But poring through old records, it is Evie who recognises the faded photo in a newspaper article. Her heart stops as she realises her whole life has been a devastating lie – and that her and Sebastian’s pasts are impossibly, unimaginably connected…

Fans of The Book of Lost Names and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will be swept away by this absolutely gripping and heartbreaking World War Two novel about the extraordinary power of a mother’s love.

Readers love Catherine Hokin:

‘The best historical fiction book I’ve read this year! I was awake until the early morning hours finishing it, because I could not put it down!… Heartbreaking.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Amazing… I was totally absorbed in the story… 10 stars. One of my best reads this year. I can’t begin to say how much I loved this book, I couldn’t put it down, absolutely brilliant.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘If I could give this book more than a five-star rating, I surely would! It is absolutely the best WW2 historical fiction I’ve read in a long time!… I couldn’t bear to put it down.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This story just swept me away… I was left speechless… just wow!!… I do recommend a box of tissues… This book will have you turning the pages.’ Red Headed Book Lady ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘The more I read of this book, the more I had to read! What a fantastic story this is touching just about every emotion there is.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Kept me glued to every page… Amazing.’ Second World War Book Club⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Incredible… has you hooked from the very first word… Hanni and Freddy are characters that I won’t forget.’ Shaz’s Book Blog

‘Heartbreakingly beautiful… One of the easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given to a novel… I was hooked within the first few minutes… Left me speechless.’ Goodreads reviewer⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Gripping and heartbreaking… A powerful and emotional read that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page… The perfect end to a brilliant series of books!’ Rachel Bustin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Amazing… phenomenal… I cheered Hanni on to the very last page. My heart was broken… This is definitely a favorite series for me, and one that I will recommend over and over again, I loved it.’ Page Turners ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐