The audio of this was so engaging! I would definitely recommend. The book is a little wordy/hard to follow at times but overall I really enjoyed it. Enhanced by the knowledge that this is based in truth.

The novel is based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. It takes place in Rome in 1943. A group of people come together to plot against the German occupation. The use of multiple narrators is creative and brilliant. This was a wonderful read. Cannot wait for the future books. Thank you to Europa Editions, Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, an Irish priest, is based in Vatican City during WWII. With other courageous people, he sets up an escape route for Allied prisoners and Jews. His “Choir” facilitated the escape from Italy of thousands of people..this novel by Irish writer, O’Connor is based on a true story.

Overall an interesting book, and must be strongly worded, a work of fiction. I was put off by the way the Pope was handled in the. book. Pope Pius XII has long been misunderstood in just how much he did do to help the Jewish people and the precarious place he was in. I think this was an unnecessary fictionalization and kind of soured me while reading it. The character development and suspense helped me want to finish it, so I would just give the caveat that I think it could perpetuate prejudices and lack of understanding with the historical fiction.

Having read a few of Joseph O’Connor’s previous books I was really excited when I learned of his new book My Father’s House. This book is based on the true story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, a Vatican Priest who helped escaped prisoners of war and Jews get out of Rome after it was occupied by the German forces. This thriller takes a fictional look at this peice of history, the network that he set up and the build up to an important missiom on Christmas Eve 1943.

As an historical figure Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty is fascinating and incredibly brave. In his role as a Priest in the Vatican, he was sent to visit Prisoners of War in the concentration camps, where he saw autorities against humanity that set him on the path to helping escaped prisoners. His actions saw him disciplined by the Pope but he was prepared to risk it all in the fight against the Nazi’s, and one in particular SS Paul Hauptmann who has the priest in his sights.

The book is split into two narratives, one in the build up to the mission on Christmas Eve 1943, and the other through transcriptions who helped O’Flaherty in his ‘Choir’, the code name for the network that he managed to set up. These people were a diverse bunch, a British Ambassador and his assistant, a Contessa, a Diplomat’s wife, an esaped POW to name just a few. It was humbling to read how all these people were putting their lives on the line for the mission, and in particular for the Monsignor. The build up to the mission on Christmas Eve is fraught with tension as from the first few pages we are aware that there is already a huge problem that puts the whole thing in jeopardy. As the hours counted down I found my heart in my mouth as the plot follows the operaion across Rome, in the dead of night, against curfew and all the time the fear of being caught.

Joseph O’Connor’s writing is evocative and atmospheric, capturing the nuances of each character, their very individual personalities and the zeitgeist of Rome being occupied by the Nazis, whose actions were cruel and evil. What also struck me was the description of the Vatican City itself, a place I know well as its a favourite place to visit. This wasn’t the beautiful architecture and Renaissance states that I know, instead there were neglected chaples, broken statues, damp and cramped conditions for those living there, but also a place of safety and neutrality; an Island in the centre of Rome that the Nazi’s can’t touch.

My Father’s House is an icredible read, full of suspense, fear on behalf of the characters and edge of your seat tension. What makes it even more incredible is that it is based on a true story, where Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty and his ‘Choir’ showed their bravery and courage in the face of danger to help prisoners escape. I found myself fully invested in this story, in the lives of the characters and in their work with the Choir so much so that I read this book in two days, which is fast for me at the moment. It seems this maybe the first in a trilogy so I look forward with great anticipation to the next book.

Inspired by the exploits of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, an Irish priest, Joseph O’Connor’s latest novel, the first in a projected trilogy, chronicles the Rome Escape Line, a real life plan to allow the escape of thousands of allied POWs, Jews and other targeted groups during WWII. Acting against the wishes of the Catholic Church, the Pope himself and even Ireland, O’Flaherty risked his life with a group of like-minded, if sometimes eccentric, priests, resistance fighters and communists to facilitate these escapes. The book is a tense, suspenseful and gripping fictionalised version of the Escape Line, and one which had me enthralled from beginning to end. Told both as a straight narrative and with extracts from interviews and articles set after the war, this multi-layered approach brings the story and its participants to life vividly and convincingly. A great read.

A black Daimler races through the war-torn streets of Rome for a hospital on a dark December night—sleet and rain, car swerving, breaks squealing. So begins this breathtaking story of subterfuge and resistance against Rome’s Nazi occupation in 1943.
Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty is smuggling escaped Allied prisoners of war and refugees through neutral Vatican City onto freedom. He has gathered a diverse group of seven operatives to assist him. These are his choir members, he is conductor, and rehearsals mask their secretive meetings. A special mission, the Rendimento, is planned on Christmas Eve. The injured passenger in the Daimler is not able to fulfill his critical role for the Rendimento, so the Monsignor must; he knows the streets and alleyways of Rome like no other. Hugh is also the nemesis of Obersturmbannführer Paul Hauptmann, Gestapo chief of Rome, which places his life in greater danger. With intense pressure from Himmler, Hauptmann must find the person assisting the escapees, and he is sure it is Hugh.
Moving between the chapters that countdown the hours and minutes until the Rendimento —where we follow the planning and learn the purpose of the mission—and the chapters of post-war interviews and memoirs of the “choir” members, we get a full picture of Hugh and his remarkable life. Hugh O’Flaherty is based on a true-life hero responsible for saving countless lives. The Vatican’s role during Nazi occupation gives another view of WWII, proving there are numerous facets to this war. The reader is side-by-side with Hugh from the beginning to the conclusion of the Rendimento—timed to the minute, unforeseen diversions, heart-stopping moments, danger at every turn. This is not only a novel of peril and secrecy, but a thoughtful portrait of many brave people who stepped up to save their fellow man.
--The Historical Novels Review, February 2023--

This heroic tale has everything a historical thriller should: suspense, action, conspiracy, and much at stake as the main character, a priest in Rome, is the head of an underground organization that smuggles Allied prisoners during WWII to freedom. The beautifully written and gripping story also describes the fascinating personal history of the priest, and his many trusted contacts.

I’d never really considered the role of the Vatican in ww2 until I read the blurb for this novel. The most harrowing part was when I read the main character father Hugh O’Flaherty is based on a true story and experiences of those who helped smuggle Jews and allied prisoners out of Italy.

This novel jumps through dual timelines keeping you engaged in the storyline but also emotional attached to the characters and the risk of helping those escape. To begin with it took a little getting use to but soon became almost natural.

The authors use of descriptions really kept me hooked but also the threat of peril to father Hugh O’Flaherty from the Gastapo boss Obersturmbannfuhrer Paul Hauptmann who dreams of delivering on Hitlers demands.

This is my first experience reading a Joseph O’Connor book and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a high stakes thriller and a historical fiction.

My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor is a historical thriller based on the true-life Irish priest, Father Hugh O’Flaherty, who worked at the Vatican during WWII. At great risk to himself, he was an integral part of an escape line that helped Jews and escaped Allied POWs hide from the Nazis.

O’Connor reimagines WWII-era Rome in vivid detail with descriptions of a desperate Rome struggling against the deprivations and constant fear inflicted upon them by the Nazis. Father O’Flaherty creates an inner circle of operators of diverse backgrounds. They are fully fleshed both in the moment and as they look back on their daring missions years later. To his credit, O’Connor shows both the superhuman qualities of Father O’Flaherty as well as his very human flaws making his accomplishments and those of all the people of Rome who dared to push back against the Nazi oppression even more remarkable.

There were times when O’Connor was describing a tense mission through a Roman night that I wasn’t sure I remembered to breathe. He keeps the pace and tension at a peak with spare and forceful sentences. Take a deep breath and dive into this masterfully crafted book.

Set in The Vatican during German occupation in WWII, My Father's House is the first in a trilogy. Gestapo Paul Hauptmann is ruling Rome with inhuman barbarity and residents live in a constant state of paranoia, fear and hatred while making plans to help Jews, POWs and diplomats escape. One person full of compassion and determination is an Irish priest (based on real Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty) who with a small group of others risk their lives and sacrifice everything. These missions are harrowing and the pace of the book written in several voices is quick and sharp. The focus is on one mission in particular, code name Rendimento. What people endured under such circumstances is indescribable.

Not only is the premise beguiling but the setting is fantastic. As a frequent visitor to Rome it is easy to visualize the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the story, though impossible to fathom the cruelty meted out by the Nazis particularly against the Jews. The details are breathtaking and the writing is superb.

Historical Fiction fans seeking a harrowing and powerful story based on true people and events ought to read this. The author's informative notes give a background on his inspiration as well as historical insight.

My sincere thank you to Europa Editions and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this intensely interesting novel. I really look forward to the second and third.

My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor
Book 1 of the Rome Escape Line Trilogy

At the end of this story the author tells us that real people and real events inspired this work of fiction. Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty and many of the people in this story were real and I'm so thankful to know about them now and to get to learn more about them through my own research now that this story has brought these people and events to my attention. What we have here is a slice of the workings of the Rome Escape Line and Hugh's very necessary and risky involvement in the escape line. So many people risked their lives and died to save thousands. I had no idea of this group of people and what they did to save lives or die trying to save lives.

The Vatican City, at one fifth of a square mile the world’s smallest state, a neutral, independent country within Rome, acted as a safe haven for diplomats, refugees, and escaped Allied prisoners. Such a small area had it's limit of how many people could be hidden so with the help of brave individuals from all walks of life, clothes, food, medicine, papers, and money were gathered continually to allow thousands to flee to refuge in the countryside surrounding Rome and then on to safer havens. Everyday the people working with Hugh were risking their lives, just as he risked his own life everyday.

Gestapo boss Obersturmbannführer Paul Hauptman, who appears to be the fictional stand in for the real life Obersturmbannführer Herbert Kappler, had Hugh and those who associated with him, in his sights, meaning that Hugh and the rescue line were under constant surveillance while they accomplished so much right under the noses of the enemy. So many lives were lost, so many lives were saved. It's a remarkable story, told through mostly fictional retellings in later years. The story can get overly descriptive and wordy at times, these characters can be a chatty bunch as they reminisce, but their stories do put us right there with Hugh and the people he worked with so closely. I look forward to the other two books in this trilogy.

Thank you to Europa Editions and NetGalley for this ARC.

On Christmas Eve, 1943, a mission (code name Rendimento) was run by members of a choir and a network of accomplices. The goal: safe passage from Vatican City for Jews, escaped Allied POWs and Diplomats. These escapees had been hiding in Vatican City, a neutral independent country within Rome. The Rome Escape Line was formed by Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty and his cohorts. Intricate, underground plans were crafted to be implemented on Christmas Eve, a time thought to be less guarded by the Gestapo. Death would lurk at every turn.

At great risk to themselves and family, some Romans helped escaped Allied prisoners and Jews, providing train tickets in false names, which helped them flee to Switzerland. The assistance was intermittent and unorganized. Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty (Hugh) was an Irish priest assigned to the Vatican. "This Monsignor fellow was different, down to earth...his means of transport...was his motorcycle...". Hugh created a network dedicated to moving as many "books" (code for escapees) from the "shelf" as possible, A cover was needed for this operation. Why not a choir? Rehearsals were conducted for "a performance" on Christmas Eve. During each rehearsal, Hugh would silently fed information (to be memorized) to each choir member. Included were street maps, underground tunnels, and street front passthroughs. No verbal exchanges occurred, musicality only! "Hugh was obsessed with the notion of the German's listening...We had to keep mixing the codes to stay ahead of the Gestapo.

A dossier on Hugh was complied by his nemesis, Obersturmbannfurher Paul Hauptmann. Hauptmann's animosity had been heightened after Hugh was ordered "to serve as an official Vatican visitor to the Italian concentration camp for British prisoners of war...Four thousand frightened prisoners...half starved...In my pockets I had bars of chocolate...American cigarettes...[Does] wartime mean these men may not be given water?" Hauptmann was the Gestapo Officer who had appointed Hugh as the Vatican Envoy thinking that an Irishman would be unlikely to sympathize with English prisoners. Hauptmann claimed he had knowledge of an Escape Line. "I will crack it". He issued a warning to Hugh who found his motorcycle in flames.

The story of the Roman Escape Line was told in dual timelines, the days leading up to the Rendimento on December 23, 1943 and 20 years later in 1963, as revisited by members of the Choir. Details of the mission were cobbled together, through the recollections of the choristers, into a cohesive tale of fear, intrigue, and bravery. The choristers were very well fleshed out as were Monsignor O'Flaherty and Paul Hauptmann. Information was conveyed through whispers...scribbles notes on toilet paper. Hauptmann's Gestapo had planted microphones and informants to catch Hugh in the act.

"My Father's House (The Rome Escape Line Trilogy Book 1)" by Joseph O'Connor is the first installment in the Rome Escape Trilogy. This read of historical fiction, based upon the true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, is a literary thriller. At any moment, the Gestapo might uncover the operation performed by a courageous, unassuming cast of remarkable characters who risked their lives for the betterment of others. Highly recommended.

Thank you Europa Editions and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There's no doubt in my mind that the Monsignor’s training prepared him to intervene in difficult situations rather than being content to remain a bystander. His response was in line with his value system, seeing the persecuted as humans deserving of help, regardless of their background. His confidence came with his religious training. Regardless, I was in awe of his courage on command and his ability to fuel others, albeit a quirky cast, to join the cause.

This first book in the Rome Escape Line trilogy is inspired by the true story of Monsignor O’Flaherty, an Irish priest in the Vatican who helped smuggle Jews and escaped Allied prisoners out of Italy.

First of all, I’m excited that O’Connor brought to the forefront a little-known piece of wartime history. I’d never heard of ‘the Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican’ before and was curious as to how he hid and protected so many from the Nazis. Not only did he hide POWs, but he also aided downed pilots and rescued books. I was held captive with O’Connor’s premise; a choir conductor and choir preparing for a performance! I was also prompted to research the head of the SS and Gestapo in Rome, Herbert Kappler and understand a little more of the irony of his last days. I’m still shaking my head.

Secondly, although I didn’t care for the writing style, it kept me captivated as I read about attempts to sneak out of the Vatican City unnoticed through underground tunnels and in/out of stores with false fronts. I was in awe of the risks taken to save others. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the vivid and descriptive writing, I just found the sentence structure too choppy with too few context clues and little continuity. I dreaded putting the book down because I knew it meant I had to reread previous sections to familiarize myself with what was happening before I could continue. It's obviously my issue as I know this author has earned several awards for his writing. Please don't let my personal preference influence you.

Thirdly, I found myself smirking at a few lines and saved them for future use.

"Sweet Mother of James’s Street, is this the way it’s going to be?”

Referring to a pub as “Satan’s waiting room”

“Memory Lane is a thoroughfare best visited fleetingly.”


Finally, the conclusion confirmed for me that God’s hand is in everything - even events we could never imagine happening.

I’m happy I investigated this ‘great escape’ novel set in the Vatican during WW2 and featuring an Irishman and an escape route I’d never heard of before.

I was gifted this copy by Europa Editions and was under no obligation to provide a review.

A wonderful book from a great writer about the occupation of Rome by the Nazis, based on the real life hero Father Hugh O’Flaherty. Known as the Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican he helped hundreds of Jews, allied soldiers and refugees escape the Nazis. A riveting story with intriguing characters, all taken from real life. Just a great book appropriate for our times.

I did not finish this book. I could not stay engaged with this story.

I usually love a story that is based on a real person, but I found the back and forth in this book too hard to follow.

I hope to read other books by this author. Sadly, I could not get into this one. Thank you for sending it to me to read.

Very often, I find that if the opening paragraph of a book lures me in, there’s a remarkable story to follow. This is certainly the case with My Father’s House. “Grunting, sullen, in spumes of leaden smoke, the black Daimler with diplomatic number plate noses onto Via Diciannove, beads of sleet fizzling on its hood. A single opal streetlight glints at its own reflection in an ebbing, scummy puddle where a drain has overflowed. Pulsing in the irregular blink of a café’s broken neon sign, the words “MORTE AL FASCISMO” daubed across a shutter.” This lush sensory imagery continues throughout the story.
Set in Rome, 1943, where the Nazi’s have invaded, Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty resides in the Vatican as a representative of Ireland. He’s far from being a stiff, grim cleric. Wearing leather boots, gloves, and a helmet, he buzzes around Rome on his motorcycle! He has scores friends and certainly doesn’t “eat and sleep and die in the chapel.”
So troubled by the actions of the Nazi’s against Jews, prisoners of war, and anti-fascists, Hugh, as he is called by his friends, forms a Choir of “unlikely friends” which he “conducts” as they secretly plan a rendimiento (performance) for Christmas Day, 1943. Not only will the rendimiento be mortally dangerous, but the advance planning of logistics is also fraught with peril. They are planning to active an elaborate escape route to free prisoners of war and send them to Switzerland.
This thriller story spans only 119 hours and 11 minutes until the “performance” but is interspersed by transcripts of BBC and other interviews and written statements from Choir members as they reflect on the events leading up to and throughout December 25.
This book is full of suspense and danger with themes of courage, faith, and sacrifice. O’Connor masterfully develops the character of O’Flaherty allowing the reader to view his innermost thoughts and feelings. The Choir members’ voices are expertly developed as well. They are a quirky lot of individuals, but they all are dedicated to their mission.
I highly recommend this historical novel based on the heroism of the real Hugh O’Flaherty against the Nazi regime. Rating 5