This was the story of Denmark during WWII. After reading several WWII books about Paris and Poland, this was a very pleasant change of pace. Not that anything during WWII was pleasant, but the Danish people were truly amazing. The author does an excellent job of telling the story in a manner that puts the reader in the action, feeling what the characters were feeling at that time. He also has a unique way of depicting historical events through the eyes of a witness, and then having a defense attorney draw out the truth from the Nazi collaborator. This is the author’s most recent book, with the first one being Once we Were Brothers. I enjoyed that book as well, so will be adding his other books to my wish list.

All that being said, the present story had a lot of added filler, that I do not believe added anything to the story, other than causing it to be little longer than I think it should have been.

A very interesting historical fiction book that takes place in Chicago and Denmark. I wasn’t aware of that aspect of the holocaust so enjoyed learning about it. I also enjoyed the legal aspect of the story and how nonagenarians are depicted as vibrant members of society and able to make contributions to their communities.

With Defending Britta Stein, trial attorney and educator Ronald H. Balson adds a sixth captivating legal investigation to his Christine Lockhart and Liam Taggart series, which began with award-winning Once We were Brothers. (2010). In this latest story, 92-year-old Britta Stein has been charged with vandalism and defamation of character when caught spray painting messages on 95-year-old Ole Henryks' Chicago restaurant and bar, The Melancholy Dane. Soon to be inducted into the Chicago Danish American Association’s hall of fame for his community and charitable work as well as his helping Danish Jews escape to Sweden during Germany’s WWII occupation of Denmark, Ole Henryks is now represented by Sterling Sparks, nicknamed Six-o’clock because the unethical attorney will stoop to nearly comment or stunt to make the news and score publicity points for his clients.

When Lockhart takes on Britta Stein’s defense, aided by Taggart, she faces a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Stein admits to the graffiti, which involves a relatively small fine. However, the defamation, said to have harmed elderly hero Henryks’ health, comes with a $5 million law suit. Lockhart’s only avenue of defense requires proving that the accusations Britta Stein painted--Liar, Traitor, Nazi collaborator, Nazi agent, Betrayer”--are truth, not defamation.

With “Six-o’clock’s” push for a speedy trial and willingness to engage in shenanigans, Lockhart and Taggart have only a month to discover the proof to defend the elderly woman, a Danish immigrant, who says she knew Ole Henryks as Hendrickson. Unfortunately, day after day, Britta Stein insists on relating a long, involved story of childhood and family under the German occupation rather than providing facts that will enable Taggart to track down the needed proof to win the case. The clock is running out.

In addition to the legal investigation and defense, Balson educates readers about the German occupation of Denmark and the Danish resistance. While not destined to become a classic of literary fiction, Balson’s well-written latest is not intended to be so. Instead, readers come away from Defending Britta Stein not only thoroughly entertained, but also more knowledgeable of law and history. He kept me up into the wee hours of the morning, determined to learn the facts.

That said, I noticed one serious error. During a portion of Lockhart's interview with Britta Stein in Chapter 34, Stein speaks of the groom's family coming to her sister and brother-in-law's Copenhagen wedding across the Great Belt Bridge, which links the Danish islands of Fyn and Zealand. During WWII, these in-laws would have crossed from island to island by ferry. The Great Belt Bridge was not completed until the late 1990s. Hopefully, this error will be corrected before publication. Had this mistake affected important historic facts in the novel, I would have lowered my star rating.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance reader copy..

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC of Defending Britta Stein. This is book #6 in the Catherine Lockhart and Liam Taggart series. I have read some of the other books in this series so I was familiar with the two main characters. This book is set in Chicago with the WW2 storyline from Denmark. A 90-year-old woman, Britta Stein, accuses a local restauranteur, Ole Henryks, of being a Nazi supporter 70 years ago in WW2 by spray painting on his restaurant. I found this amusing that an elderly woman would sneak around to spray paint but could understand her hatred of someone who has lied his entire life about his role in helping Germany. Catherine has to defend Britta after she is arrested. To do so, she has to hear Britta's amazing story of survival in German occupied Denmark. This is told in stories from Britta's memory and she lays it all out so her granddaughter, Emma, gets to hear the legacy of her family that went through those tough times. I enjoyed Britta telling her story for her granddaughter and learned more about the role of the Danish people during WW2. I saw the connection to Sweden, which I learned about in PBS's show Atlantic Crossing, so that was interesting. At times, I was suspect of Britta's story, but never having lived through something like that, I will give the story the benefit of the doubt of a 90 year old being able to tell that complete tale. I would recommend this book for all WW2 and historical fiction fans as well as those that have read the first 5 books in this Lockhart and Taggart series.

Wow! Another amazing installment of the Catherine Lockhart and Liam Taggert series from Ronald Balson.

When 92 year old Britta Stein is arrested for and charged with defamation, Catherine Lockhart sets out to prove that the words Britta used to condemn 95 year old Ole Hendryks are true. They are pretty damning words, traitor, liar, Nazi collaborator but Britta does not back down from her words. Hendryks adamantly denies that he had any involvement in Nazi war crimes…specifically informing on and leading the Gestapo to Danish Jews. But…Britta has a story to tell…one that she wants to share with her granddaughter and one that vindicates her family who suffered from the betrayal. When the case finds it’s way to trial, it’s Catherine’s job to prove that the defaming words are true…a challenge, indeed, because aside from testimony….very little remains from a war that occurred 75 years ago. But I’m true Catherine Lockhart form…she takes on the challenge.

While this story is a work of fiction…all of the events that are mentioned in this story are true to the history of Denmark’s WWII story. Some of the secondary characters were very real people but the main ones are of the authors incredible imagination. Fans of this series, will be hooked on this story from the very first page. It provided me with a history lesson that I was not at all familiar with and for that I am truly grateful. Denmark held strong during the war. They fought back and protected their people with overwhelming pride and unity. History teachers need to immerse themselves in stories like this because it truly has an impact! It definitely did on me!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St Martins Press and most importantly Ronald Balson for allowing me to read this remarkable ahead of its release. I LOVED every page!

Is Beretta a Holocaust survivor?
Ronald Baldwin's newest Historical fiction will be released on 07 September 2021, and this will be Ronald's seventh of this type of novel. Right from the opening of the novel and the introduction of the characters, I knew that I was going to like this book. Normally, I stumble getting to know characters and engaging with the opening chapters of a new book. To me, a new book is like making new friends. Up until the middle of the book, I was happy with the writing and the speed of the book, unfortunately, the story slowed down and it was not as engaging. But by the three-quarter portion of the novel, the story really picks up and what was a three star read, becomes a four star. The novel does not follow the typical Holocaust formula in a novel and I thought that I needed more backstory, Ronald thought differently and he took me onto a different journey. I believe Ronald understands his readers, which allows him to create different than a type of Holocaust novel.

Defending Brittany Stein
By Ronald Balson

I have enjoyed reading all of Ronald Balson’s books since I picked up Once We were Brothers when it was published. Karolina’s Twins and The Girl from Berlin are my favorites. The main characters, Attorney Catherine Lockhart and her private investigator husband, Liam Taggart return to defend Britta, a Danish Survivor of WW2, who admits to having spray painted the walls of a restaurant owned by Ole, a Danish immigrant who claims to have rescued Jews during the war. Britta admits that she did it, but won’t apologize because she insists that Ole was a Nazi collaborator. I was very concerned in the beginning that this book was going to be a repeat of Once We We’re Brothers, but it was not. I knew little about what happened in Denmark during the war and Mr Balson clearly researched it well. Britta’s telling of her story was slow in parts, but that was intentional.
The fascinating part of this book for me was the way that Catherine chose to defend her client. I have recommended this to some friends who are attorneys.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

I have read every book by Ronald Balson and have given each book 5 stars except for this one and The Trust. I will start with the positive. Defending Britta Stein takes place in Denmark during WWll. It is packed with historical facts about Denmark’s involvement in the war, facts I did not know about. I would rate this book 5 stars on he research that went into it and 5 stars for all that I learned. Other than that the story was very, very slow moving, giving the storyline 2 stars. If it was not a Ronald Balson book I don’t think I would have kept going. In the long run I am glad I did because I always like learning something new when reading historical fiction.

It was fascinating to learn that the Danish people hid, protected and saved 7200 Jewish people during WWll and that the entire country is honored at Yad Vashem.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for and ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Defending Britta Stein by Ronald H. Balson is one of the best WWII Historical Fiction novels I’ve read this year. The story-line had my attention from the very beginning and took me on a journey culminating in a courtroom scene worth the wait. This novel is Britta’s story and she will tell it in her own time and in her own way.

When Catherine Lockhart is asked to represent Britta Stein, a ninety two year old woman accused of defaming a local restaurant owner, ninety five year old Ole Henryks, by spray painting inflammatory words (Nazi collaborator, Traitor, Betrayer) on his restaurant wall, she is reluctant at first to take the case. All Catherine agrees to do for the moment is to meet with Britta and hear her side of the story, then decide on the evidence before taking her case.

When Britta arrives in Cathrine’s office with her devoted granddaughter in tow, a young and upcoming lawyer in her own right, Catherine listens to what Britta has to say. Without a lot of solid evidence to prove her words, Catherine still finds the case compelling and decides to take it on a hunch there's a story that needs to be told. With her granddaughter Emma’s help and the assistance of Catherine’s husband Liam, a well known private detective, Britta unveils her story of being Jewish in Denmark during WWII. Britta’s narrative is one of resistance and one of Nazi sympathizers. It’s a story of loyal friends and those who would betray her family. Her story is her family’s history meant for Emma to hear, as well as Catherine to build her case. But as the trial grows closer and time runs out, Britta’s health starts to deteriorate leaving Catherine depending on Liam and her skills as a defense attorney to lead Ole on the witness back to Denmark and exactly where she needs him to go.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters that Ronald Balson has created in this story are likable and gritty. I love any book with strong female leads and Catherine and Emma were quite the dynamic duo, not to mention Britta, a fearless Dane determined to prove her story is true and set the record straight. Liam, Catherine’s husband is strong and supportive and will go to any lengths to gather evidence for her case. Mr. Sparks, or Six O’Clock as he is known by the papers, is Ole’s attorney, a blustery windbag that showboats for the press, determined to make a name for himself with this particular case. And then there is Ole. Proud, loud and and a little too sure of himself and the lie that has become his life. This is a book that I constantly carried with me so I could read any moment I had available, that’s how much I enjoyed it. The author slowly unraveled the story, but the book never dragged. Instead, it kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.

If you love WWII novels and strong likable characters, then this is a book you will really enjoy! I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martian’s Press for an Advanced Reader Copy of Defending Britta Stein by Ronald H. Balson. ‘The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own”.

Defending Britta Stein by Ronald H. Balson was a very powerful and captivating novel of historical fiction. I have read and have been quite impressed by all of the books that Ronald H. Balson has written and Defending Britta Stein was no exception. Ronald H. Balson has the immense talent to create vivid and memorable characters, a complex plot and set them within the boundaries of a time in history to recreate what happened long ago in an engaging way. Defending Britta Stein brought back the characters of Catherine Lockhart and Liam Taggart, the husband and wife team of lawyer and investigator. They have notoriously accepted and defended the most difficult and hard to win cases over the years and defending Britta Stein could be perhaps their most challenging case so far. The book, Defending Britta Stein, was told alternating between present day Chicago (2018) and Britta’s oral account of her memories of her homeland of Denmark prior to the presence of the Nazis and during World War II.

Britta Stein was a ninety-two year old woman and Bubbe on a mission to prove that Ole Henryks was not a war hero but in fact a “coward”, “traitor”, “collaborator “, and “war criminal”. It had been over 70 years since Britta had heard of or saw Ole. Britta had known Ole as Ole Hendrickson in Denmark. He must have changed his name when he arrived in America but she was sure that he was the same person that had destroyed her family and had carried out traitorous acts and had belonged to a Nazi sponsored organization. She had no idea that he had been living in Chicago all this time. When a newspaper revealed that he was to be honored by The Danish/American Association for his heroic and brave acts during World War II, Britta knew she had to let everyone know the truth about Ole. She could not allow him to be honored as a hero. Only she knew the truth about him and she had to let everyone else know who Ole really was back in Denmark during World War II. Britta decided that the best way to get her message out was to spray paint the words that described his character on the outside walls of his beloved and popular restaurant, The Melancholy Dane. Over the course of several nights, 92 year old Britta Stein, spray painted the words “coward”, “traitor “, “collaborator “ and “war criminal “ on the walls of Ole’s restaurant. Britta accomplished these feats late at night when the streets were deserted. A newly acquired surveillance camera finally captured her in the act. Britta was taken into custody and charged with criminal defacement of property. Ole and his son brought a lawsuit against Britta. The people of Chicago admired Ole for his civic and charitable contributions over the years. Why was this crazy old woman accusing Ole of these terrible things and especially now? Ole had always been looked up to as a hero and for saving the lives of so many Jewish Danes when the Nazis inflicted the deportation orders. It was only right that The Danish/American Association was honoring Ole and admitting him into their Hall of Fame. For these reasons, Ole and his son, brought a lawsuit against Britta for deformation and intentional inflection of emotional distress. After all, Ole was ninety-five years old and had been in this country since 1947. Britta and her beloved granddaughter, Emma, hoped that Catherine Lockhart and Liam Taggart would help Britta prove that Ole was indeed the traitor and war criminal he was. Would Catherine agree to take on Britta’s case and if so would Liam be able to gather enough physical evidence to prove that Britta was right in her accusations?

All the characters in Defending Britta Stein were fictional but Denmark’s role and story was accurately depicted in this book. In the acknowledgement section of Defending Britta Stein, Ronald H. Balson described the inspiring reaction the people of Denmark had to the Nazi deportation orders for their Jewish countrymen. “As a country, they came together to hide, protect and ultimately rescue 7,200 of their Jewish brethren from certain death.” It was so emotional to read how as country, and the only country in all of Europe, the Danes banned together to save their fellow Jewish countrymen. Those brave Danes were honored at Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in the Garden of the Righteous Among Nations. Some of the people mentioned in Defending Britta Stein were real people. There were several Danish members of Parliament who went on to serve Denmark as Prime Ministers. Many of the German Nazi SS were real and played significant roles in Denmark’s history during World War II. There were actually several very brave young Danes who were part of the youth resistance clubs. The Churchill Club and Hvidsten Clubs were so important in sabotaging bridges, munition and trains that carried war essentials to Germany. Ronald H. Balson succeeded in writing another captivating and powerful novel. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press through Netgalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy of Defending Britta Stein. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Publication is set for September 7, 2021.

I want to thank St Martin’s Press and Net Galley for allowing me to read and review Defending Britta Stein by Ronald Balson.
The following is a quote from Ronald Balson in the epilogue:
“Defending Britta Stein is a work of Historical fiction. I’ve always believed that writing historical fiction is a little bit like cheating. The setting has already been written for me. It’s history. My job is to create characters and a plotline to weave into that backdrop. —-“
And he does it so well. His continuing characters,lawyers Catherine and Liam, represent feisty 92 year old Ms Stein who has painted inflammatory signs on a tavern accusing the owner of formerly being a “Nazi Collaborator”.Historically, we learn a lot about Denmark and how Hitler used the country. The Danes were wonderful as they helped the Jewish people escape capture and certain death in the concentration camps. Many of the Germans he tells about were real!
The story is a memoir for her granddaughter!
Will her story finally be told? Will people believe her? Where is the proof that the court needs to hear?
The author’s characters are so real! You really become involved. If you are ready for another WW11 book this is quite different. I had trouble putting it down.
Defending Britta Stein publishes September 7th, 2021.

In Defending Britta Stein, Ronald Balsam reintroduces familiar characters from prior novels - Catherine Lockhart, an attorney, and Liam Taggart, her investigator and husband. The plot centers around Britta Stein, an elderly Holocaust survivor who has become involved in litigation against an elderly man about to be honored for his philanthropy and heroism in connection with his wartime efforts in saving the Jews of Denmark.

As a reader, I learned much of the actual history of the Jewish population of Denmark in the years leading up to World War II and during the war years. In order to defend Britta Stein, it becomes necessary for Liam to travel to Denmark and search for 75 year old evidence. The only way for Catherine to defend Britta against libel is to prove that her actions and accusations are true.

A reader quickly becomes involved in the historical aspects of the story and in the well depicted characters and is apt to sacrifice sleep in order to see how the litigation is resolved.

I thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review an advance reader’s copy.

This was my first Balson read and I normally avoid books about the Holocaust because they tend to trigger something in me. However, I was intrigued to read about the role of the Danes during this horrible period as I'd heard just a bit about their brave actions.
The story of Britta is just a vehicle for presenting this history and it works fairly well, though the reader just wants the story to continue without all of the stops and starts. The actual trial and the work of the lawyer may have been one of the highlights of the book. I think many readers will enjoy this book and the history is certainly worth knowing.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.

I was skeptical of reading and reviewing another book by Ronald Balson, but I am glad that I persevered. This is the third book that I have read by this author. Each one deals with consequences of actions taken by characters during WW II. Each book is similar which turned me off as a reader. What made this book interesting for me was the information about the fate of Danish jews during the war. This was information of which I had no prior knowledge. That made the book worth reading.

I loved this book! This is not my typical read. I don’t like to read about the pain and atrocities inflicted upon the Jews during Hitler’s reign but I am so glad I did.
Britta Stein is a strong fascinating woman in the twilight of her years when she does something outrageous. Britta goes out during the early hours of the night six different times and spray paints the walls of a restaurant! On the first night “Traitor,” then “Nazi Agent,” each night they are removed and each night more appear, until she is caught. Really? The owner, a 95-year-old man, is about to be honored as a war hero for his assisting the Jews to escape persecution during WWII,
Britta is firm and pleads guilty to defacing property but will not back down about her claims that the owner Ole Henryks, an alias of Ole Hendricksen, is a Nazi collaborator, traitor and directly responsible for assisting the Nazis by turning in Jews to be sent to concentration camps or killed outright. Ole sues her for defamation of character and loudly proclaims his status of hero.
Catherine Lockhart has agreed to defend Britta as she feels there is credence to her claim, but how do you prove something from over seventy years past? Britta claims she can tell her but she is 92 and wants to go at her speed making sure Catherine has all the facts in order. Time is running out and secrets and pain and persecution take time to tell. With both parties in their 90’s a long trial is not an option so they must prove Britta’s words, somehow.
What a great book, I highly recommend this to be your next read. The story will touch you and even though you want Britta to hurry up and “give the proof” and what could possibly be the proof? You must wait.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. This is my honest opinion.

I have to start this review with the obvious, I love Ronald H. Balson’s writing. He is easily a 5-star read every time. I have read several of his books and each one is well done while telling a different story with a different slant. He is quite the historical fiction writer.
I absolutely loved the way he told this story, first off, Catherine and Liam are excellent, great lawyer, great investigator, I feel like I know them as friends and would enjoy their company. Then comes Britta, what a card, she is a peach, a 92-year-old with guts and a memory of an elephant. I could picture her in her coat in the middle of the nite writing her true words. Switching between her story telling and Catherine’s prep for trial kept this story going. Twists and turns and surprises along the way kept this an enjoyable and entertaining read. Loved it, highly recommend.
I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press along with NetGalley for my honest review. This one comes in with high 5 stars.

Jam packed with fascinating history and intriguing storylines, Defending Britta Stein is set in the present with many flashback accounts of German-occupied Denmark during WWII At first German soldiers were no threat, nor did they interfere with daily life for several geopolitical reasons. But things changed, especially with the inception of Resistance groups. This book is about the line between defamation and freedom of speech as well as standing up for truth even when doing so is unpopular.

Britta Stein admits to spray painting words such as "war criminal" and "coward" on the walls of Ole Henryks' restaurant. Ole is about to be honoured with a prestigious war hero award and Britta is adamant he is not the hero people think he is and this is her way of drawing attention to it. She believes it necessary for the truth to come out. Both in their 90s, they have clear memories of the war. Britta is charged but attorney Catherine Lockhart takes on her case. She and her investigator husband, Liam Taggart, are determined to find out what really happened. Emma Fisher, Britta's granddaughter, is firmly on her side and a huge support. The showman lawyer on the other side is ruthless and prefers sensational cases.

Britta tells her side of the story in chronological order to Catherine's team. Her family was Jewish and her father was an MP so she experienced the war from these perspectives. The author describes Danish history, German occupation, Denmark's protection of a comparatively small proportion of Jews and politics of of the time. Though his characters are fictitious, the history is factual. The way they are tied together is well done and Britta's case is compelling to read.

Historical Fiction and Women's Fiction readers who would like to learn more about Denmark during WWII, do read this book. I was happy to gain more insight.

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this intriguing book!

Chicago: present. Ole Henryks is about to be honored the the Danish American Association t=for all of his charitable work starting with helping to evacuate Danish Jews during World War II. Britta Stein, a nonagenarian herself, takes matters into her own hands and spray paints words like traitor and liar on the exterior walls of Ole's restaurant. She is eventually caught on camera and is now being sued. Catherine Lockhart agrees, a bit reluctantly at first, to defend Britta and Catherine finds herself caught up in the life a a Jewish teenager in Nazi-occupied Denmark. The more Catherine learns, the more she realizes how important it is for people to be able to tell their stories, in their own way, and in their own time. Such a wonderful work with interesting history behind it. Not many books focus on Denmark during the war and if you have any interest in the war or in Denmark, this is a must read!

Action packed and a fast read!
Recommend.
A new category of books for me and I enjoyed it greatly.
Give it a go, you will enjoy it - I promise!

I received this ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an honest review. This is another outstanding Ronald H. Balson novel. I learned a lot about the Jews of Denmark during the Nazi invasion. The story revolves around the trial of a Holocaust survivor who painted accusations on a war hero’s restaurant wall accusing him of being a Nazi sympathizer , traitor, betrayer, and more. Britta retells the story of living in Denmark and the roundup if the Danish Jews on the very holy Rosh Hashannah holiday. 7,200 Danish Jews survived thanks to the resistance groups, the Bishop, the righteous Gentiles and Georg Duckwitz, a German Naval Attaché who warned the Jews and Christians about the plan to deport the Danish Jews to concentration camps. The trial aspects of the story were very interesting as well