The year is 1918 and the Spanish Flu pandemic has hit Pennsylvania. Thirteen year old Pia Lange is living in the slums of Philadelphia with her mom and twin baby brothers, her dad enlisted with the United States Army where he is away at war. The Spanish Flu kills Pia’s mom and she is now left alone to care for herself and her brothers. Pia realizes they’re almost out of food and decides to leave the babies behind to search for some. Meanwhile Pis’s neighbor Bernice Groves whose baby recently died sees Pia leave and has some sinister plans of her own.
I loved Ellen Marie Wiseman’s books so I jumped at the chance to read this one as well, I was very excited Netgalley chose me to read and review this amazing book. I’m giving this book 5 stars.

The Orphan Collector is a timely emotional journey set against the backdrop of a global pandemic in 1918. The life of Pia, a young immigrant girl living in Philadelphia, is torn apart when the Spanish influenza infiltrates her family. The story follows her journey as she seeks to find answers about the fate of those she loves, including her soldier father and her young twin brothers. In an alternate storyline, another victim of the Spanish influenza, Bernice, is hardened by grief and intense xenophobia. These storylines come together to create a truly heart-wrenching story. The author has done a terrific job of incorporating a variety of topics that remain relevant today. Although it is set far in the past, this story conveys important messages that are sure to speak to any reader. The characters are also incredibly real, evoking feelings of empathy and making it easy to connect with the story. I found myself feeling many complex emotions, including despair, grief, hope, and rage as the story progressed. This is a truly beautiful book and my short review cannot possibly do it justice. Do not miss this one (but be sure to be prepared with tissues)! Thank you so much to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Set in the midst of World War I and the Spanish Flu epidemic, this often read like it was happening today in the midst of Covid-19. It is the fall of 1918 in Philadelphia, the city is reeling from the Spanish Flu epidemic. Pia Lange, the 13 year old daughter of a German immigrant family, find herself with her father gone fighting in World War 1, her mother dead of the Spanish flu, and she is in charge of her twin 4 month old brothers and they have no food, no money, and live in the slums? What can she do? Bernice Groves, a neighbor, is lost in despondency after losing her husband and son to the Spanish flu. When she sees Pia leave and later hears the boys crying what choice will she make?

This book was riveting from start to finish as both Pia and Bernice made choices that would change their lives forever. I loved that Pia kept fighting and never giving up to find her brothers, and her final choice displayed what great love she had for them. Bernice made such poor decisions that wrenched many a family apart. She was cruel, malicious, and uncaring, and it only seemed to get worse over time. She thought she what she was doing would make these children more "American," but that wasn't her choice to make.

The author's notes in the afterward are definitely a must read.

*I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review

It’s 1918, and the Spanish flu is running rampant. Family members are passing away right in front of their loved ones' eyes, food is scarce, and the living conditions in the tenement and slums are deplorable.

The flu took Pia’s mother, and then Pia is left with the care of her twin infant brothers since her father was fighting in the war. Pia was doing well until she needed to leave the house to find food. She didn't take her brothers because they would be too much to carry, but she wouldn’t be gone long.

We then meet Bernice. Bernice is a distraught mother in another building whose baby had passed away from the flu and who saw Pia leaving without her twin brothers and decided she would take them for her own.

We follow Pia as she struggles with her life and the guilt about leaving her brothers. You will feel sorry for Pia.

You will not feel sorry for Bernice because of her deceitful, unethical, uncaring ways.

Ms. Wiseman's description of the plight of the people of Philadelphia during the pandemic is exceptional. You will feel every emotion the characters are feeling.

THE ORPHAN COLLECTOR is an outstanding novel that touches on human empathy as well as people taking advantage of others.

You will see the similarities to the pandemic of 2020 but hope something good happens to Pia.

THE ORPHAN COLLECTOR is heart wrenching but will have you glued to the pages as well as have you wondering what evil deed Bernice will do next.

A highly recommended book for historical fiction and suspense fans. 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Readers can always depend on Ellen Marie Wiseman to bring them a emotional, well researched novel with characters so well written that they aren't soon forgotten. Her newest book checks off all the boxes and her exquisite writing takes us to a time in history that will be new to many people.

The Orphan Collector is a wonderful book. It has love and family, hate, mystery and romance. It's a book that I wanted to read fast to find out how it ends but I also wanted to read it slowly to enjoy the exquisite writing. I can't wait until it is published in July to discuss it with more people. In my opinion, this book is going to be one of the most popular books of the summer.

What an amazing historical fiction book with the best characters! Pia is 13 when the Spanish flu hits her town. It kills her Mom and leaves her in charge of her baby twin brothers. She has to leave them alone to go find food and when she comes home her brothers are gone. A neighbor is bitter and hateful over her son dying thinking if there weren't so many sick immigrants the doctors could have saved her son. As Pia tries to find her brothers and survive life, the story shows you what a brave young girl she is. I loved the characters and the story while hard at times, is truly wonderful. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

4.5 stars
This book had me completely immersed from start to finish! It is captivating, heartbreaking, and eye-opening.

This story takes place in Philadelphia in 1918 during the Spanish Flu. As you can imagine this setting hits a little too close to home at the moment. While the book opens with the flu as the main focus, before long it does get pushed more into the background of the story, rather than front and center.

First of all I found this book to be very interesting to learn how they handled the flu. Like we did, they closed everything up and told everyone to stay home and if you are out to wear a face mask. Some of the odder pieces of advice were to wear garlic or camphor balls in cheese cloths around your neck. Can you imagine the smell? There were a number of medicine suggestions, one of which was to take a little bit of kerosene. Yikes!

There was also a really good mystery element to this story. I am going to be a bit vague here because I do not want to spoil the story. Let’s just say that Bernice Groves AKA Nurse Wallis is a horrible person! I could not believe the way she would insert herself into the lives of innocent people because of her prejudices. What she did was unthinkable and incredibly sad.

This is a book that will stay with me for quite some time for many reasons. If you love historical fiction I strongly encourage you to give this book a try!

The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman

When I read the first few chapters of this book on Bookish First, I knew I NEEDED to finish this book! It was so good!

It’s 1918 and German immigrant, Pia Lange and her family gather with the thousands of other people in Philadelphia to see the Liberty Loan Parade to cheer on the WWI veterans. Soon after the parade, many people start dying of the flu. Pia’s mother falls victim to the flu and Pia is forced to take care of her twin brothers since her father is away in the army. When Pia goes in search of food to feed her family, tragedy strikes and Pia’s life will never be the same again.

This book read more like a page-turning thriller than a historical fiction novel, I just couldn’t put this book down! It was suspenseful and heart-breaking. I loved Pia’s character and Wiseman’s writing, which brought the characters and events to life. This was such a well-researched, fascinating, and timely novel that I highly recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book comes out on August 4th!

Back in 2019, before all of this craziness started, I saw The Orphan Collector on NetGalley, and though it would be a fascinating read. But my request to review the book wasn’t approved until after COVID_19 pandemic started. I knew what The Orphan Collector was about, and I kept putting off reading it until recently. I got 33% of the way in before I had to stop.

The Orphan Collector is very well written—relatable characters, amazing writing, and vivid descriptions. I’m not usually one to back down when something hits a little too close to home, but after reading over and over about victims of the Spanish flu, of how they suffered, and how everything seemed so similar to what has happened now, it was unsettling.

Ellen Marie Wiseman is a great writer. And the elements of mystery made me want to read more. It’s just too bad that I started reading it when I did. I won’t give this review a rating because I don’t think I should when I haven’t finished reading the book.

NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley for review purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Orphan Collector, by Ellen Marie Wiseman, is a story to be treasured. It is an emotionally charged, yet disturbing account of the Spanish Flu in the year 1918. This is the story of a young German immigrant and the trials, and losses, that she must endure to survive.

The story, based factually on the history of the Spanish Flu, is one of destitution and hardship. Children become parentless and parents become childless. Parents were forced to continue without time to mourn if they cared even to exist at all. Children however were not left to choose between life and death. Too often they followed in the footsteps of their death ridden parents as they had no way of providing for themselves.

Pia, only 13 years old herself, is suddenly left to care for her 2 sibling brothers, as the flu takes their mother unexpectedly. Pia does not have time to mourn. She has nobody to turn to and no idea of how to best provide for the babies left in her care. Seeing no alternative, Pia hides the two boys at home while she ventures out to find food.

What Pia does not realize is that she is being watched. Her neighbor, Bernice Groves, who recently lost a child of her own, knows the situation and sets off to do wrong. Bernice not only sneaks in and takes the babies but sees that Pia will never see them again.

Bernice is an antisemitic and has no use for immigrants in her life. Her beliefs set her on a mission to save these, and other parentless children, and see that they are raised as proper Americans. What Bernice does and the secrets that she has are never meant for PIa, or anyone else, to uncover.

Follow PIa on her courageous and persistent journey as she uncovers Beatrice, her secrets, and her true identity.


Thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest and personal reviews.

#netgalley #theorphancollector

It was OK and would give it 2.5 stars. I enjoyed parts but it wasn't my favorite by the author. I LOVED "What She Left Behind" and " The Life She Was Given." This book just didn't hold my attention and I had a hard time loving or connecting with the characters. When I first started reading the book, it felt like present time with everything the people were going through with the Spanish Flu. Although, no-one was hoarding toilet paper or hand sanitizer. Bernice was a horrible person and I honestly hated reading about her. She acted extremely entitled and her irrational hatred of anyone who was an immigrant or someone of any color was awful. It's hard to believe someone would have those thoughts, but unfortunately it still happens. She had no redeeming qualities. She was the one person I was hoping would get the flu. The orphanage scenes were heartbreaking.

Give the book a try, it just wasn't the right fit for me. I look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was really poignant. Set in the Spanish Flu of 1919 and reading it during the COVID 19 pandemic was surreal but also uplifting that people are resilient. The story is tragic, hopeful, unbelievable and completely human. Thank you for another great book!

The fact that this story took place during the Spanish Flu pandemic and we are going through a pandemic right now with COVID-19, was so surreal. At first when I started reading, I just couldn't do it. We were right in the middle of COVID and I could not concentrate. Jump forward a couple months and I gave it another shot. Again, I wasn't sure I would be able to continue. It was so eerie reading about the flu and seriously gave me the heebie-jeebies! But not long after I got started, I was hooked! I was rooting for Pia every step of the way! I ached for her during her trials and rejoiced for her when things were looking up.

I really liked a lot of the characters, and even the ones I despised, I wanted to know how things would work out. There was so much happening in the story, but it flowed very well. I was pleasantly surprised that the Hudson's were not horrible people when Pia went to live with them because I was dreading what would happen to this young orphan girl. Again I was happily surprised when Finn showed back up in Pia's life. (I actually found myself thinking about their story after I finished the book. I would really have loved more about their history together and definitely am questioning how their future would be!) I did not expect the ending either! I've read some of Ellen's work before and know there is not always a happy ending! Considering how much sadness and pain Pia had already been dealt in her short life, I was guarding my heart that there would be more loss and heartache. So I am really glad it turned out the way it did. I am not sure I could of handled it any other way.

This book will stay with me long after this review. I'm thinking more about the world as it is today with immigration, prejudice, human trafficking, etc. Topics from so long ago are more relevant these days than ever it seems. But Pia is a reminder that faith, bravery and determination really do matter. Not to mention... she left us with some great advice! I'll paraphrase from ARC LOCATION 1049: Whenever you feel confused or unsure, the best way to move through a complicated situation is to decide was needs to be done next and just do it! Just do the next thing!

I received this ARC electronically through NetGalley and the publisher; Kensington Books in exchange for my fair and honest review. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book early, we will definitely be purchasing a copy for our library and promoting Ellen's book to our patrons this summer! 4.5 Stars!

The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman is Historical Fiction about the Spanish Flu and World War I that took place over a hundred years ago. Realistic descriptions of sounds, sights and smells of a plague with cries to bring out your dead to be picked up by collectors. All of these deaths at the same time as World War I, another tragedy of death that impacted so many. People take advantage of others in unexpected ways especially the weak and orphans. Evil and greed abound with an ease that seems unimaginable. I did not want this book to end because the history, woven into the character’s stories, seemed very real. I especially enjoyed the historical information, research notes and suggested reading.
What a pleasure to be an early reader of this newest historical fiction by Ellen Marie Wiseman. Don’t miss any of her books if you love historical fiction. I highly recommend every book she has written.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

Brilliant and powerful are two of the words that come to mind to try and describe what I just read! This is one of the best historical fiction books ever.

The story takes place in Philadelphia in 1918 when the Spanish Flu is just getting started. Pia is a 13-year-old German girl who immigrated to the United States with her mother and father when she was 4 years old. She lives in a very poor neighborhood and has been subject to discrimination. She has twin brothers who are 3 months old when her father decides to join the service and fight for his new country.

As the flu begins to take its toll, Pia is forced to leave her brothers home alone while she goes out in search of food. I hesitate to say any more because I do not want to ruin the story for anyone so I will just leave it here.

This heart-wrenching story is full of hope and despair as it brings out the best and the worst of humanity.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this riveting page-turner in exchange for an honest review.

Set amid the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918, The Orphan Collector tells a heartbreaking story of young Pia, a German immigrant whose father left to prove his loyalty to the United States by enlisting to fight in the War. Despite surface-level concerns about the Spanish Flu, Pia’s mother takes her and her four-month-old twin brothers to a Victory Parade. Seemingly overnight, pandemonium grips the as the Spanish Flu wreaks havoc on the streets of Philadelphia, leaving dead and dying in its wake. Pia’s mother falls ill, leaving Pia to care for the infant twins. While searching for food for the babies, Pia also gets sick.

This story goes much deeper than Pia’s plight to find her brothers and fathers. Author Ellen Marie Wiseman explores the implications of so many broken families, from the orphanages that have far more children then they can handle, to the mothers who don’t know how to go on after losing their children. The most troubling is Bernice Groves, whose grief over her dead son, coupled with her bigotry and hatred for immigrants whom she believes are responsible for spreading the virus, sets her on one of the most sinister of missions I have ever read. Another prominent storyline involves the wealthy wife of a physician who desperately tries to keep her family safe and healthy.

The book is not my first pandemic-themed book to read while during COVID19, but it hit especially close to home. The public service announcements of the time and the steps the community took to protect themselves and stop the spread, were fascinating.

The Orphan Collector is a dark read with themes that could be triggering (pandemic, mistreatment of children, and extreme bigotry), but the payoff is there. Five stars.

Thank you to Bookish First and Kensington Publishing Corp. for an ARC of The Orphan Collector in exchange for a candid review.

Interesting premise- may be a little dark of a read for some people during this time. Great cover tho!

This novel was gripping! It was hard for me to put it down to get anything else done. You know a book is amazing if you feel every emotion so strongly! Definitely a book I'll recommend.

Another great book Ellen Marie Wiseman and very apropos for our current condition. Once again, I found myself cheering on the protagonist. Wiseman’s research of the Great Influenza and treatment of German Americans in 1919 was accurately portrayed. This would be a great book for a book club.

As the reader moves through this work of historical fiction set in Philadelphia during the 1918 influenza pandemic, they will be presented with ample comparisons between the 2019-2020 pandemic and the 1918 “Spanish Flu”, which began at an army post in the US, and is fueled by the failure of city governments to require stay at home orders and the permission for groups to hold parades. Bernice, the orphan collector, has a mental disorder which has been exasperated by the death of her husband and then her son. She firmly believes her actions are reasonable and justified, even though they are criminal and self righteous. She blames the immigrants for everything that has gone wrong in her life and city, and when she is presented with what she feels is an opportunity to rectify the situation, she proceeds. Pia and her twin bothers, the German children who lives across the street, become the first victims of her “good will”, with Pia searching for her infant brothers for the rest of the story. She crosses paths with Bernice, who is now masquerading as a nurse, on several occasions over the years. Bishop masterfully describes the immigrant neighborhood where the story begins down to the alleyways, the outhouses, the bedding, the cups and saucers, the food, and the smells. Event driven, with a heavy dose of character analysis, this is the perfect book for the times.