News From Berlin

By Otto de Kat

Book Overview

In War time Europe Dutch diplomat Oscar Verschuur has been posted to neutral Switzerland. His family is spread across Europe. His wife Kate works as a nurse in London and their daughter Emma is living in Berlin with her husband Carl, a "good" German who works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Briefly reunited with her father in a restaurant in Geneva, Emma drops a bombshell. A date and a codename, and the fate of nations is placed in Verschuur's hands: June 22, Barbarossa. What should he do? Warn the world, or put his daughter's safety first? The Gestapo are watching them both. And with Stalin lulled by his alliance with Hitler, will anyone even listen? Otto de Kat is fast gaining a reputation as one of Europe's sharpest and most lucid writers. News from Berlin, a book for all readers, a true page-turner driven by the pulse of a ticking clock, confirms him as a storyteller of subtly extravagant gifts. In War time Europe Dutch diplomat Oscar Verschuur has been posted to neutral Switzerland. His family is spread across Europe. His wife Kate works as a nurse in London and their daughter Emma is living in Berlin with her husband Carl, a "good" German who works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Briefly reunited with her father in a restaurant in Geneva, Emma drops a bombshell. A date and a codename, and the fate of nations is placed in Verschuur's hands: June 22, Barbarossa. What should he do? Warn the world, or put his daughter's safety first? The Gestapo are watching them both. And with Stalin lulled by his alliance with Hitler, will anyone even listen? Otto de Kat is fast gaining a reputation as one of Europe's sharpest and most lucid writers. News from Berlin, a book for all readers, a true page-turner driven by the pulse of a ticking clock, confirms him as a storyteller of subtly extravagant gifts.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1623654017
• ISBN13: 9781623654016
• Release Date: August 2015
• Publisher: MacLehose Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.6" x 0.8" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

Dilemma of knowing a powerful secret of invasion, and the consequences telling that secret may have

This story is one of power, elegance and moral dilemma. It is about a Dutch Diplomat Oscar Verschuur, who is posted to neutral Switzerland. His only daughter, Emma and her husband Carl live in Berlin. Emma's husband works for the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is privy to top secret information. Oscar is married to his wife Kate, for many years, and she lives in London working as a nurse. Though Carl and Kate are married, they are in a place of their long married years, where they are at a distance with each other, in every sense. No questions asked, no arguments, no ups and downs, stretches of time without seeing each other. Oscar has a luncheon date with his daughter and her husband Carl, as they are sitting at the table, Carl excuses himself to use the restroom, Emma leans in very close to her father and whispers that Carl has top secret info that comes through his office... a date June 22, and a code name Barbarossa, when Hitler is going to invade Russia.!!! Oscar is in a big Dilemma about going to the meeting of Diplomats from all around the world and dropping this bombshell of information. His biggest fear, is that German intelligence would put two and two together, someone in the room would be surly bound to say, Who told them this information, and trace it back to his son-in-law Carl and his daughter Emma. Their very lives would be in the utmost danger! Also knowing how Stalin is in alliance with Hitler, would he even believe or listen to the truth. So begins Oscar's journey of emotional turmoil, right from wrong, life or death. I have to say this Author writes his stories in such a different way, almost as your reading about all his conscience thoughts, and personel relationships ...more told through his memories or his thoughts. Very, very different from anything I have read. It touches on Oscar's personal life with his wife, over the years, and their type of marriage, the relationship with his daughter Emma, from when she was a young girl..to now a grown women. I have to say at some points in the story..its actually sad .Its a very short read, only 200 pgs..its full of emotion and elegance in the written story. A VERY INTERESTING and FASCINATING book...I am NOT sorry in the least for having read it. I would say if you have the chance take a look...in my opinion it would seem like an Excellent book, for book clubs open discussions...a lot of expressive powerful writing !!