The Hidden Storyteller (Mandy Robotham)

In this new novel, The Hidden Storyteller, Mandy Robotham places the story in Hamburg in 1946.

I realised after reading this book that the main character, Georgie Young, was the central character of a previous book by Mandy Robotham, The Berlin Girl. And because I have only recently discovered Mandy’s books, I have not yet read the Berlin Girl, something that will change very soon. Importantly, this does not get in the way of The Hidden Storyteller as the story is totally self standing.

Georgie Young is posted in Hamburg as a journalist and is working on a series of pieces for her editor. She wants to understand what is happening in post-war Germany, how people live and restore their lives after the damage the war has caused. She meets a police inspector, Harri, and finds herself involved in an investigation about a series of women murders. She is helped by a number of people who each illustrate a part of the Hamburg post-war society.

A solid research gives this story a vivid and interesting historical backdrop. The characters are strong, interesting and they all bear the marks of years of a life where they have experienced so much heartbreak. In particular, the novel brings to light the condition of the kids, Trummerkinder, surviving among the ruins.

A very good read with a engrossing plot which provides food for thought about what happens after a war, how it continues to shape relationships between former belligerents and how long the effects of war continue to manifest themselves for the populations concerned. Historical yet so current.

If you feel like listening to Mandy Robotham talking about her writing and her latest novel, you can head to this nice podcast.