“Before the Storm” by James D. Shipman is a gripping historical fiction novel that takes you on a thrilling chase across post-WWII Europe. The story unfolds in 1948 Berlin, a city divided and on the brink of a new era of conflict. The Russians have cut off access to West Berlin, attempting to seize control from the Allies, setting the stage for a tale of power, revenge, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

The novel introduces us to Sara Sturm, a German woman working for the US Department of Public Affairs, who becomes entangled in the hunt for a notorious Nazi nuclear scientist, Heinz Hoffman. Hoffman, responsible for betraying Max Portnoy’s family to the Nazis, is now a fugitive wanted for his war crimes. Max, a Holocaust survivor, along with his brother Karl, are determined to bring Hoffman to justice, as they are among the few who can identify him.

Sara, moved by the Portnoy brothers’ harrowing stories of loss, joins them on their quest, which leads them through the treacherous backroads of Bavaria to the Soviet border. Their journey is fraught with danger, as they must evade assassins from the shadowy Odessa organization and other adversaries hungry for the knowledge Hoffman possesses—knowledge that could shape the outcome of future wars.

The novel’s exploration of themes such as revenge, the quest for power, and the enduring scars of war is thought-provoking. “Before the Storm” is a compelling read that offers a unique perspective on a pivotal moment in history. It’s a story of resilience, the human spirit’s capacity for hope, and the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of overwhelming odds.

Book started off a little slow and then it picked up and I could not put it down. There were twists and turns that kept me wanting more and the book did not disappoint.

A romance during the world war and the plot twists keep coming to keep you guessing. A cold world war thriller with perilous dangers.

This story looked like it would be an exciting tale filled with intrigue, danger, spies, romance and Krauts. The cover art was crisp and rich, and it featured said spies on the foreground. Unfortunately, the old adage of don't judge a book by its cover rings true with this book.

The plot was interesting, but this book was so chock full of language I could not and would not finish it. While I know it was not from a Christian publisher, it was way over the top and unnecessary. The author is talented enough with the storytelling they need not use foul language to try to impress the reader. It simply turned me off.


Negative Elements and Trigger Warnings

A woman thinks to herself that a certain hateful coworker can "pick up his own damned clothes" from the cleaners.
"What the hell" and variations of that are used some 20+ times.
Damn, damned used many times as well.
Other worse obscenities were used as well.

Trigger warning: attempted rape

A man attempts to rape a woman. It doesn't happen however, as she beats the tar out of him as he deserved. He also tried to force her to go drinking at a bar with him.

It's a pity, because this book had potential. But I cannot recommend this book to anyone. :-(

I received a complimentary e-book from the publisher through Netgalley. A positive review was not required of me, and the thoughts above are my own.

A couple of Jewish brothers seek monetary assistance from the US government after vandals destroy their China shop. It is there that Max and Sara the secretary meet. When they are not approved, Sara's boss sends her on a mission with Max to capture the Nazi Dr. Heinz who he believes killed his family. They go on a huge chase together and fall in love. I tried enjoying this book, but for me it was a little bit too unbelievable, dramatic, and far fetched. This scientist was working under the orders of Adolf Hitler, it's not like he was in charge. This is a book you also had to pay close attention to, as there are several key characters in this story. I give it 4 stars though because even I was surprised at the end, that's when it finally became a good book. I received a sample from NetGalley for an honest review.

Before the Storm, by author James D. Shipman, mixes fact and fiction. The story is told from multiple points of view, primarily those of the protagonist Sara Sturm, a German who works for the Americans Office of Public Affairs, and the Nazi she’s hunting, Heinz Hoffman who may have been one of the primary scientist on German's attempt to create nuclear weapons. There is also a third character; a man named Otto who has a very bad reputation after his participation in the Battle of the Bulge. Otto is a member of the group known as Odessa.

Set in 1948 against the backdrop of the Berlin Blockade by the Soviet Union, this fast-moving Cold War thriller brings to life the shifting alliances that splintered the Allies in the years immediately following WWII. The story takes place over just a few days in October 1948, sending Sara Strum and Matt Portnoy on a breakneck race throughout Europe in pursuit of a war criminal, from the Tiergarten and Stasi Headquarters of Berlin, to the Soviet border, Bavaria’s mountainous backroads and Schloss Leutstetten, and more.

It is inspired by Beate and Serge Klarsfeld, the real-life husband and wife Nazi-hunting team who spent decades hunting down Nazis and bringing them to justice. They were responsible for finding and organizing the extradition to France of Klaus Barbie, a.k.a. the “Butcher of Lyon,” helped clinch the convictions of former Nazis and their collaborators, and documented all 76,000 Jews deported from France. While the protagonists of Shipman’s novel are not married, they do have a romantic relationship tainted by Cold War government elements.

While the characters are fictional, this novel incorporates many historical facts and truths, including the fact that the Catholic church, particularly the Franciscan monks, worked with Odessa and the CIA to hide former Nazis and relocate them to South America. The story also has a pretty twisted ending that involves some curious revelations about all of the primary characters from Sarah, to Max, to Hoffman, to Otto. While there is some romance, it doesn't overshadow the highly important message of this story sends to readers about the horrors of war, and the sickness of antisemitism.

The story explores how German scientists were swooped up by the Americans and Soviets, and rather than being punished for their significant use of slave labor they were given careers and homes in the United States and Russia. It also paints a highly realistic portrait of West Berlin under Soviet blockade, when it was cut off from the rest of the US/French/English territory of Germany as part of the Russian effort to take over the entire city. It also paints a highly realistic portrait of West Berlin under Soviet blockade, when it was cut off from the rest of the US/French/English territory of Germany as part of the Russian effort to take over the entire city.

As always, I encourage readers of this book, as well as my review, to do your own research when it comes to the Berlin blockade after World War II, as well as the tremendous work done by the Americans in order to fly massive supply drops into West Berlin. I would also encourage you to read about the Catholic Church and how they literally helped Nazi's flee persecution by the allies. Many of them ended up in South America while many others were given amnesty by the American government in order to help the US beat the Soviets in dominance. Something China has now past and will continue to do so for the near future.

It's 1948 shortly after the end of World War II, Sara is a secretary at the Office of Public Affairs in the American sector of Berlin. One day as she is walking to work, she comes across a store that has been smashed and trashed with the words and a Swastika scrawled across the window telling the Jewish owners to go away. The owners, Max and Karl - brothers, were already angry at the Nazi, Hoffman, who had sent their family to death at concentration camps, and they were determined to find him and turn him in. Sara soon finds herself involved with the brothers in attempting to find the Nazi.

Filled with twists and turns along with a very surprising ending, this book had both heroes and villains. It provided an interesting picture of some of the events that took place after World War II when most people assumed that things were returning to normal while it was far from that. With both Nazi supporters still trying to continue to the war along with groups trying to help the Jewish population while others were trying to track down the Nazi terrorists behind the death camps. This was an interesting suspense read by a new-to-me author.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Post WWII, Sara Sturm is working for the the US Department of Public Affairs. Teaming up with Max Portnoy, concentration camp survivor, they hunt for Heinz Hoffman, a nuclear scientist known to Max, as working for the Nazi regime. Well written historical fiction, worth the read!

Set after WW2, this book takes you on an excursion to find a German scientist responsible for the deaths of many people. Thru twists and turns, you quickly learn not all can be trusted. I found the book to be somewhat predictable.

Before I had even gotten 10% into this story, the female MC had already cried three times. Sorry, but that is just a big no-no for me. I cannot take a character seriously, if the only emotional reaction she has is tears. Especially not when she is written by a male author.

In 1948 Berlin was a divided city and the Cold War had begun. West Berlin was surrounded by the Russians and surviving with the arrival of supplies by airlifts. Sara Sturm, a German, was working for an American agency concerned with public affairs. When an antiques shop is vandalized and painted with anti-Semitic signs she is sent to take a report. The shop was run by Max and Karl Portnoy, Jewish brothers who had lost their family in the Holocaust. While Karl was indifferent to the Americans, Max was attracted to Sara. Over a dinner he reveals what they had suffered and vowed to find Heinz Hoffman, a scientist who used them as slave labor and later sent their family to their deaths. Sara vows to help him find Hoffman and bring him to justice. Obtaining travel permits, they head to Bavaria and Hoffman’s last known location. Hoffman is being aided by Odessa, a group formed to aid SS members escape Germany. It is a race to find Hoffman before he disappears. As tragedy strikes, Sara shows strength and supports Max on his quest for justice.

James D. shipman was inspired by the Klarsfelds, a German woman and her Jewish husband, who were involved in hunting Gestapo members after the war. Sara and Max relentlessly pursue Hoffman through Germany, only to have him taken by the Americans and offered asylum in exchange for working on their nuclear program. Their pursuit is also complicated by Jeffrey Scott, who works with Sara. The son of an affluent family, he is entitled and uses every opportunity to put Sara in her place. Shipman ends his story with a number of twists that you will never see coming. With the ongoing recovery from the war, allegiances changed, connections were severed, and not everyone was who they seemed. While some of Shipman’s characters were difficult to tolerate, this was a period of history that is not often covered, making this an interesting story to follow. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing this book for my review.

Post WWII, Berlin is left in a shambles when the war ended. The people are left trucking through the chaos left in the wake of war. Amongst the destruction is Sara a German woman working for the US dept. of Public Affairs when she is enlisted to investigate a hate crime, thus starting her on a crusade to track down Nazi criminals who have eluded authorities so far.
This story is based on real people and events in the after math of the devastating war.
I wasn't sure about this book until I got about two thirds of the way thru, it really does open your eyes to a whole new host of topics that aren't usually written about when reading WWII fiction. I learned a lot and got a better sense of what it was like being German and living in germany after such horrors that had made up Hitler's reign came to light.
I will recommend to readers who are interested in reading serious WWII historical fiction books. This is not some frivolous, soft, fell good novel.
Thank you to Kensington Books and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest revies in return.

Sara meets Max one morning when his shop is vandalized. Although, his brother Karl is grumpy and uninterested in being nice to the women, Max is immediately smitten. The two are definitely interested in the other. However, throughout the entire book, the two will face so many obstacles.
Sara works for a US government agency that is around after WW2 in Germany to take control of the German government. In 1948,the Soviet Union and the US were both trying to help put Germany back together again. When Sara learns that the brothers want to follow Heimann, a Nazi scientist to turn him in for war crimes he has so far avoided. With the help of Sara's boss the three start off on their journey.
I was immediately drawn to the story because if it's originality and the fact that it's based on true stories. The book is very suspenseful and when you think you know how the story is gonna end it takes a hard right.

What can I say about this book. It was not my cup of tea. Some parts were good, but the pacing so ueneven. And the characters they were so flat. They made me so angry with theor behaviour and talk. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

Set after WWII Berlin, Before the Storm is an engrossing, captivating and thrilling novel based on the true story of Nazi hunters Beate and Serge Klarsfeld whose greatest purpose was to bring Nazis to justice. WWII was horrendous and changed lives forever but what came after is less discussed. Anti-semitism continued to flourish and ordinary Germans wanted to get on with living. Russian "liberation" was anything but. The Cold War meant extreme hardship, especially for Jews.

In 1948 Sara worked as a secretary in the US Public Affairs office with Mr. Varberg and Jeffrey. Her world changed when she lost her parents during the war. Her job meant the world to her and as an independent young woman she stood firmly in spite of difficulties. Losing their store on Krystallmorgen galvanized Jewish brothers Karl and Max's resolve to track Nazi nuclear scientist Heinz Hoffman. They lost their family in concentration camps. Though not a high-ranking official, Hoffman did hold important secrets. But he wasn't the only one. Along with workplace angst there are bits of romance, courage, espionage and agent work. Surprise after surprise created exciting reading! I particularly liked the twisty ending.

If you are at all fascinated with post WWII and/or Nazi tracking, do be sure to read this.

My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fabulously gripping book.

Berlin in 1948 was a stew- a messy confusing stew. This intriguing novel of the period packs a lot into a relatively (given the breadth of the subject matter) short space and it suffers somewhat from it. There are Nazi hunters, there's revenge there's romance, there's a bit of espionage. I wanted to like it more than I did but there was too much going on. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. An unusual pass from me.

I loved this book. The books is set post-WWII in 1948 German, an incredibly unstable country at the time.
The readers follow Sara Sturm, a German working for the US Public Affairs Department. Sara, along with jewish brothers Karl and Max, go in search of nuclear scientist Heinz Hoffman- who has gone into hiding.
This is a story of mystery and intrigue, danger and romance, justice and survival. I found this book riveting, with such big twists at the end that I couldn't see coming. It is perfect for fans of historical fiction, who enjoy added suspense and espionage.

A different type of WWII, actually the aftermath, 1948 Berlin. This book is really so much more, and I had so many mixed emotions as I turned this fast paced read.
Sarah Sturm now works for the US Department of Public Affairs, and is sent to investigate a hate crime against two Jewish brothers, and thus we are on an adventure to bring justice to those whom committed the war crimes.
The author gives us a bit of romance, but there are so many twists and turns, and lots of action. There are people presented that you will really dislike, but in the end want justice.
This is really a book that I didn't realize exactly what was happening, there are so many twists and surprises, and bombshells!
Be sure to read the author's notes at the end!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.

Before The Storm is an amazing book centered around the post WWII era in Germany where Sara, a secretary representing the US enlists two Jewish brothers to capture a Nazi war criminal. I love reading books around this era because you learn so much about things you never knew about one of the most famous Wars to ever happen. There was lots of action, lots of twists and turns and an enthralling adventure, and a little bit of romance, of course. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good historical fiction.

I read a lot of stories of this genre, so I was excited to check this one out. Sadly, I'm not sure it lived up to its potential. It has a bit of everything, from espionage and intrigue to romance, but the characters felt a bit flat. The pacing was uneven. While there were some unexpected twists, parts of the story dragged, and the ending came together a bit too neatly and felt rushed.