The secret history of Audrey James A novel

The lives of history's survivors converge in this multigenerational novel of love and loss told in dual time lines. In 1938 Germany, Audrey's life as a pianist is upended as she witnesses the capture and death of her dear friend Ilse's family. She hides Ilse in her family's attic, willing to do anything to keep her safe, including forming an unlikely alliance. In England, 2010, attempting to flee the grief of losing her parents in a fatal car accident, Kate takes a job at the Oakwood Inn, where she is greeted by a curmudgeon named Audrey. Reluctance soon leads to heartfelt companionship as the duo begin to understand the impact of storytelling to heal. As Audrey recounts her days in WWII Berlin--and also aided by Audrey's "handyman" Ian--Kate begins to find a semblance of her former self. Both women's stories lay bare the burden on survivors of tragedy and bring to light the restorative power of shared narratives. In her second novel (after Looking for Jane, 2023), Marshall uses themes of friendship and survivor's guilt to weave a fast-paced story. Written in a style akin to Kristin Hannah's, Audrey and Kate's story is a valuable addition to WWII historical fiction.