Identical twin sisters, Jutta and Karin, share an enviable thread that is about to be tested to its limits when Karin insists on travelling to the Eastern part of Berlin, despite not feeling so great. Normally, Jutta would have gone with her, but this time Karin can’t wait for her sister.

That night, their cousin, Hugo, an upcoming news reporter for the radio, hears rumblings of a story. He drags Jutta out with him to see what is going on, riding on his motorbike past all the checkpoints that mark the dividing line between East and West Berlin. Except the checkpoints are all closed and frenetic activity sees the making of a more permanent division, concrete and barbed wire split the city in two as the Berlin Wall goes up with Karin still in the East, after a ruptured appendix sees her hospitalised.

Jutta and the family in the West aren’t able to visit her but they can see no reason why she wouldn’t be allowed to return home once she recovers. Well, no reason other than the German Democratic Republic not granting her permission to leave – but they wouldn’t be so inflexible, would they? Hell, yeah.

When Karin recovers, her path to the West has been blocked and she has to accept the offer of her kind doctor to move in with him and his wife for the time being. Every step is considered temporary at first … until it not longer is.

Jutta is refused access to visit and Karin is refused permission to leave. The two young women who have never been apart are suddenly plunged into a new reality, never really understanding why their applications consistently fail. (The reason does become known eventually, but all too late for them)

Karin gets a job as a cleaner in the hospital, thanks again to the doctor, and has to come to terms with the fact that her life is now in East Berlin. Initially, she wants to leave, to go home to her family until she meets and falls in love with Otto, whose ambition is to rebuild East Germany from within as an architect. He has no real attachment to the West and only sees a future for him and his family – and Karin – in the East.

Jutta, from the other side of the Wall, is desperate to get her sister home, especially when letters aren’t getting through and telephone lines are down permanently. Her One day, when she is walking the length of the Wall, she hears the mewing of a cat and follows the sound to find a mother cat and her kittens in a deserted building that flanks the Wall. She gives the cat her lunch and explores a labyrinth of doors and rooms and ultimately a window that looks out into East Berlin.

She risks going over the window, checking carefully for any onlookers and lands with dusty knees in East Berlin, whereupon she heads for the hospital in the hope they know where Karin might now be. From here, the pace picks up as there is danger around every corner and Jutta’s paranoia reaches new heights. Even so, she continues, her desire to find her sister worth the risk.

A connection is made … but the reunion is a far cry from what Jutta expects. Karin is more alert to the dangers, but she also aware that her escape from the East could put those who looked out for her in danger too. And, of course, she has grown fond of Otto, too fond to consider a life without him.

Jutta, forlorn and disappointed, begs Karin to convince Otto to leave the East too and the two women meet up more often from then on. Jutta’s determination to bring Karin home knows no bounds, and she cannot understand why her sister might choose to stay with Otto than to return to her family.

It is not until Jutta finds love herself that she begins to understand, and while the two of them continue their very different lives, each time they meet up Jutta still hopes that Karin can persuade Otto to leave too.

The danger intensifies as Jutta is mistaken for Karin, and a familiar face keeps popping up which sets them both on edge. Have they been found out? Are they under surveillance? The mood is tense, and grows more unnerving with each visit. What began as two sisters divided by the Wall has now evolved into them having others in their lives that mean as much – if not more – to them than they do to each other. And for twins who have only really ever relied upon each other, it’s hard to accept, and even harder to admit to the other that other people are important to them too.

The Girl Behind The Wall is a story of decisions and sacrifices that threaten to tear a family apart. It’s emotional, tense, and highly addictive. So many families were broken up at this time, so many lives were lost as people attempted to flee, and so much mistrust and division was sown among communities as neighbours spied on neighbours. Thankfully, the Wall did come down eventually, but for so many it was too late. For Jutta and Karin, however, there was always hope and a thread between them that nothing could destroy.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Avon books and HarperCollins for my advanced copy of this book which I have reviewed voluntarily.

Anyone born after 1980, 41 years ago, has really no memory of the Berlin Wall and all it symbolized. Two generations of people, of not more, have no concept of how divisive the wall was. Mandy Robotham explores that in a great historical fiction work of two sisters, twins, cut off from each other in Aug. 1961. I was thrilled to read recent historical fiction. I think she captures the full gamut of emotions very well. Some of the middle part of the book might not have been too plausible, but that’s why it’s fiction. I remember the day the wall came down vividly, the joy and excitement. No one should forget that and this book is a testament to those feelings.

Karin and Jutta are twins and as close as twins can be. The both live in West Berlin but one night when Karin is in East Berlin the wall goes up between East and west and Karin is stuck in the East.
The sisters and their family are devastated when Karin cannot get a pass back to the west even although she was born there.
Jutta tries everything she can think of to be reunited with her twin until one day suddenly there is an opportunity. This will be very dangerous for Jutta but she does what she feels she has to do to see Karin.
Oh my goodness, what a page turner. My heart was in my mouth for most of this book. I became quite annoyed at Karin at one point as I felt that Jutta was taking all the risks and Karin wasn't being honest with her.
I didn't know much about the Berlin Wall which I'm ashamed of but I did a lot of googling about it while reading this book. The fear that was installed in the East German people was horrific, it must have felt like wartime once again. I never fail to be amazed at how brave ordinary people can be in troubled times.
This is the first book I've read by this author but her other books look to be equally as good.

I usually don't go for historial fiction as I am a crime/thriller fan. However, this book was great. Mandy Robotham has a excellent style of writing. If you love historical fiction you will enjoy this book.
Thank you to Mandy Robotham, NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I love Mandy Robotham’s writing style, I find it very comforting and find her books very easy for me to read.
I have read all of the books she’s had published thus far and unfortunately this one has been my least favourite. This story starts off a bit slow doesn’t really pick up until about the half way make. I loved both the sisters and their relationship and love for one another, as well as their love individual love interests. I felt the romance was very wholesome and didn’t take away from the main love between sisters. I haven’t read a lot of historical fiction that takes place during the construction of the wall but after reading this book it has sparked my interest.

Having previously read all of Mandy Robothams’ books I couldn’t wait for this, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to the release having previously reviewed similar books.

I have found a new love for historical fiction which mostly focuses on WWII history. I have very little knowledge regarding the Berlin Wall, so this was such a great book to read. The historical details Mandy Robotham depicts are amazing and well researched.

Set in the 1960s, a beautiful and emotional story about the devision of Twin sisters caused by the wall within East and West Berlin.

Gave this a second chance and thought it was quite interesting. Although the writing style and I didn't get along sometimes, it was still entertaining. I liked how the chapters were short too, since it got me reading longer. Out of the sisters, I liked Jutta more than Karin. The start was slow, which made me skim it a little bit and it only got interesting for me halfway. Aside from the love interests, the other side characters aren't given much light and would have liked there to be more about them. I also really liked the ending.

The Girl Behind The Wall by Mandy Robotham explores an era in history that I am less than familiar with, I do have some vague memories of the Berlin Wall coming down but I was a child at the time and had no real understanding of its significance. In this book the author explores how the shocking and hasty closing of the border in Berlin, splitting the city into East and West also divided families with shocking cruelty. Jutta and Karin are twins, living in the West of the city, but a twist of fate means that on the night the Wall goes up and the border closes Karin is trapped in a hospital in the East. While the author largely focuses on Jutta and her attempts to reunite with her sister, we do also get glimpses of what life was like for Karin , living under the scrutiny and oppression of the Soviet Regime. Both sisters are faced with tough decisions and they may not always agree with each others choices but they never stop thinking about each other.
The pacing of the book is slow at first, and it does cover a long period of time but it does pick up in the second half and the ending is both dramatic and satisfying. I enjoyed the level of historical detail in the book , especially since it was a place and time that I had not read about before, and it is clear that not only has the author done her research, she is also very skilled at weaving the fruits of that research into the story.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the Publisher, all opinions are my own.

A wonderful book I highly recommend reading. I knew little of the Berlin wall and the time Germany was separated, though I do remember the wall coming down. Having read this I now realise how momentous this was for Germany. This is essentially the story of the wall told from a family's point of view, and one that is split between East and West - how their lives differ and how they cope with being separated. Having read this I'd be interested in learning more about the wall and the lives surrounding it. I had previously read another of Mandy Robotham's books and this one was just as good so I look forward to reading more - I feel they are always so well researched but tell the story from a truly human point of view. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc.

The Girl Behind The Wall by Mandy Robotham is a compelling historical novel set in the early 1960’s in Berlin as the wall went up to divide the East from the West.
Mandy Robotham has perfectly captured the atmosphere of fear and confusion as Berliners are trapped on either side of the wall. “They are Berliners, first and foremost.” United by the city but divided by the wall. “As the wall climbs higher, life as we know it comes crashing down.”
The reader witnesses the courage of one young woman determined to see her sister. As the tension rose, so did my heart rate.
All the characters were well drawn and realistic.
Life continues to press forwards no matter which side of the wall you inhabit.
As a child of the 1960’s I remember the divide in Berlin until the wall came down in 1989. This book has awakened memories in me from the news reports of my childhood.
I really enjoyed The Girl Behind The Wall. It was both exciting and educational.
I received a free copy from Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

There are many books that focus on Europe during WWII, but this book offered a fascinating glimpse of a different, though related, era. It did what every good historical fiction book does - takes me to a different time and place in history to learn about it first hand. This book told the story of identical twins, born in what would become West Berlin during the days of Hitler and the Second World War. However, the book takes place when the twins are in their 20s and starts the day the wall goes up dividing West and East Berlin. One sister is caught unexpectedly in East Berlin when the wall goes up, and thus changes the course of her, and her family's, life. We get to see what life was like in Berlin while the wall stood dividing it. A fast paced, compelling read.

The Girl Behind the Wall was set in the sixties when the Berlin wall was erected. The story is about twin girls that became separated on the day the wall was built. I knew there was a wall in Germany but did not know why or how the wall became to be. I was interested in the storyline and surprised when I found out how East Germany was ruled differently than West Germany. I enjoyed this read and would encourage others to read it also. Thank you NetGalley and Mandy Robotham for a great read.

A city divided. When the Berlin Wall goes up, Karin is on the wrong side of the city. Overnight, she’s trapped under Soviet rule in unforgiving East Berlin and separated from her twin sister, Jutta. Two sisters are torn apart. Karin and Jutta lead parallel lives for years, cut off by the Wall.

The historical details are fascinating and I could instantly imagine being in Germany again. I really loved this book, the twists and turns, the narrative, the wonderful cast of complex characters, the history, and the ending. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Well what a book. The story of twin sisters in Berlin who find themselves of either side of the Nerlin Wall when it is erected in 1961.
The lengths Jutta in the west goes to to see her sister Karin in the east.
Just tries to persuade her sister to escape back to the west but Karin is held back by the love for Otto who will not leave the east.
They eventually meet again in 1989 when the wall comes down.
A very emotional story at times as well as informative of how the East Berliners were treated.

4.5 stars

The 1960s is not a period of history I know well and I don’t remember the fall of the Berlin Wall. But the idea of twin sisters separated by the Wall was a great premise and I was curious to learn more about the Berlin of that time as it’s one of my favourite European cities.

This book is exactly what historical fiction should be.

It’s detailed, raw and intense. At times my heart was racing as I followed the twins on their very different paths. Each girl was relatable and their struggles, successes and sisterly bond were fascinating.

Robotham has done her research and I could clearly picture the contrast between East and West, as well as the fear and determination of those on each side. Both Jutta and Karin are strong characters, who know their own mind and are willing to sacrifice a lot for those they love.

Supporting characters are also well-written and believable, while the plot is strong and engaging. There is trepidation, resilience and betrayal. But there is also love, loyalty and bravery.

This book provides an insight into the families in Berlin that were torn apart by the conflict. It’s an inspiring story of hope and I’m now keen to read more about the time and the people.

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I like historical fiction and this was an interesting novel set during a time period I don’t know a ton about. It was eye-opening to read about the period when the Berlin Wall was up and how it impacted people in Berlin. Interesting storyline, although this was a little slow to really ramp up. But once the plot began to gain momentum, it was hard to put down.

I’d recommend this to people who like historical fiction.

I was incredibly excited to read Mandy Robotham's latest novel since becoming quite a fan of her work. The Girl Behind the Wall is an absorbing and fascinating read that is powerful, engaging and emotional. Mandy’s new novel captured me from the beginning as the story continued to unfold and life in Berlin would forever be changed.

The Girl Behind the Wall is not a statement about which ideology is right or wrong. Instead, it brings to life the complexities of ties that hold us together through love and family. Throughout the novel, Jutta and Karin make the most of their circumstance. Both sisters risk everything to hold onto those who are most important to them. It is a compelling story and a worthy read for historical fiction lovers who are looking for something a little different than what is currently popular.

I enjoyed how the novel explored that nothing is black and white. Though we may not always agree with decisions made by those we love, we can choose to love and support them for who they are despite our personal feelings. The commitment to the family we are born with and the family we choose is beautifully represented in this book. Despite everything, these sisters who are in an impossible situation choose love over separation during a time when division was at the center of their lives.

This novel is truly amazing and one I could not put down. Make sure to put it on your must read list for 2021. I highly recommend this book to those who love WWII period genre novels.

The Berlin wall was knocked down in 1989, I was 14 years old and I remember crying while watching it on tv. I never gave much thought of how it impacted families/friends on both sides. Once again, Mandy Robotham wrote a beautiful story. I admit to shedding a few tears at different parts of the book. I’ll be definitely recommending this book to my historical fiction friends.

Thank you Mandy Robotham, HarperCollinsPublisher and NetGalley for giving me this advanced copy!

Really enjoyed reading this book. Set in Germany around the time that the Berlin wall separated East and West Berlin, the book explores the personal impact on twin sisters and their families when they are separated one in East Berlin, one in West. Great blend of fact and fiction. Look forward to reading more by this author.

The girl behind the wall by Mandy Robotham.
Wow. What a read. Story characters. What Jutta and Karin went through. I really felt for them. I liked the cover. 5*.