The Girl From Berlin: Standartenfuhrer's Wife (Volume 1) 
by Ellie Midwood

​Captivating.
​
The Girl From Berlin by Ellie Midwood is absolutely mesmerising, captivating. After reading the first two chapters, I became so invested in the life of Annalise Meissner that I literally could not put this book down.
Annalise is a young Jewish girl growing up in Berlin during the rise of the Nazi Party. Her family have been passing themselves off as Aryan members of society, living a seemingly normal life whilst others around them are singled out and discriminated because of their race. Annalise hides her internal struggle, adhering to her father’s wishes to keep their heritage a secret as she conceals the anger and heartbreak she feels towards the treatment of her people.
"I won’t be a silent bystander like my father, I won’t let the Nazis scare me. I will never, ever be a part of this new country. I’m going to fight them."
Annalise matures into a beautiful woman, becoming a soloist in a prestigious ballet company. Her exquisiteness and public profile makes her a target for the callous SS officer, Sturmbannfuhrer Ulrich Reinhard, who pursues her relentlessly, violently.
Her salvation comes in the form of the handsome and gentle SD officer, Standartenfuhrer Heinrich Friedmann, a family friend. The two fall madly in love and, even with Heinrich knowing the legacy of Annalise and her family, are eventually married.
All appears to be bliss, except Annalise has suspicions that her husband is keeping things from her. These secrets unravel and plunge her into a nail biting adventure that will keep you turning pages and wanting more.
The Girl From Berlin, the first of a series, is masterful story telling from Midwood. I found it so engaging that it riveted me to my reading chair. It is clear that much research has gone into preparing for this story, enabling the reader to develop a clear picture of Nazi Germany through the eyes of Annalise Meissner.
I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy a gripping tale involving well-developed characters, modern history and edge-of-your-seat intrigue.
You won’t be disappointed.