The Berlin Letters is a fascinating dual-timeline glimpse into East Berlin from the day the Berlin Wall was first erected to the day it began to be torn down. The first generation perspective takes us all the way from 1961 to 1989, giving us a glimpse of the heartache and the tears and the years. The second generation perspective spans exactly one week in 1989, providing a fast-paced style that makes you feel our heroine’s fear and urgency. And yet, with the two points of view interspersed with each other, it is somehow neither too slow nor too fast.

The Berlin Letters contains some of my favorite themes: epistolary and code breakers. Katherine Reay’s skilled research is evident in every page and coupled with the way she portrays family relationships, we have another 5-star read in The Berlin Letters.

I had requested The Berlin Letters via NetGalley after reading the synopsis and read it quite quickly after I received approval. This is a story that takes place in two timelines. In the prologue, we see the beginning of what will become the Berlin Wall, as a toddler Luisa is quickly passed over the barbed wire to her grandparents on the western side by her mother. We meet Luisa again in Washington, D.C. in the late 1980s. Having flunked out of CIA operative school, she is now working for the agency as a codebreaker because of her natural talent for the subject -- a talent that was encouraged by her recently deceased grandfather. When a coworker comes to her for help with the letters referred to by the title, Luisa notices a small mark on a letter that she knows she has seen before, and she goes looking through her grandparents' house in search of some clue her grandfather left her. She had been told her parents had died when she was young and that was why her grandparents had raised her, but suddenly she's not so sure they had always told her the truth. She soon finds evidence to suggest that not only was her grandfather known to the CIA, but her father is still alive -- and she may be the only one who can save him from an infamous Stasi prison. This is an entertaining and tense ride through the repressive years of the DDR, with the constant threat of surveillance, betrayal, and "accidental" deaths. I have no idea if the codebreaking details were accurate, but they felt well researched. The writing isn't great, but it's entertaining enough and certainly kept me reading. I gave it 4 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Harper Muse. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This book will be published March 5, 2024.

This is why I love historical fiction! Meticulously researched and filled with rich historical details and context about the Cold War, specifically around the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall and Soviet Union controlled East Germany. I’m appreciative of the author for writing a book that is equally intriguing as it was informative and provided much room for reflection and desire for further learning. It provides a deep exploration of communism as it led to political repression, cultural censorship, restrictions of human rights, etc. And gives readers an in-depth understanding of the danger, fear, and uncertainty of this time for those living in East Berlin and many parts of the world affected by their political system.

When I was a child, I remember hearing about the Berlin Wall go up. There were stories on the TV news that showed people trying to escape over the wall from East Berlin to West Berlin. Years later, my husband, a USAF pilot, flew the "Berlin corridor" over East Germany and East Berlin to land in West Berlin. This book brought back so many of those memories.

This is a story of familial love, of spies and intrigue, of personal liberty versus state control, of change in people and politics. Katherine Reay has become one of my favorite authors, and I could not put The Berlin Letters down. I don't giver many 5 star reviews, but this is one of those 5-star books.

Wow…what a story. I grew up hearing about the Cold War and the Berlin Wall but wasn’t taught much about either until I read The Berlin Letters. Katherine Reay’s story is compelling, heart stopping and so well written it kept me reading well into the night.

The Berlin Letters, set near the end of the Cold War, is more than historical fiction. Espionage, spys and code breaking, along with the twists and turns, keeps the story flowing and k3p5 m3 on edge. The dual timeline, which can be challenging for writers as well as readers, moves from one time period to the other without a hitch.

The story begins in East Berlin when citizens were free from repressive laws and limits. Luisa Voekler was about three when her mother, Monica, realizing what was happening politically, threw Luisa over newly constructed barbed wire fencing into the arms of her grandfather, Walther. He along with his wife and other daughter left East Berlin for West Berlin when it was still possible to do so. Eventually, Walther took his family to the United States where Luisa grew up believing her parents had died in a car crash.

Luisa works for the CIA as a code breaker, having been taught the skill by her grandfather who began her education in cryptology at a very young age. One day at work she recognizes a symbol on a letter she remembers seeing in her childhood. And, thus The Berlin Letters starts in earnest.

Reay’s use of letters written between Walther and Luisa’s father Haris is a brilliant method of recounting the history of that period of time in Berlin. The letters opened my eyes to what can happen to citizens when a totalitarian government takes control; when ones every move is monitored and people “disappear” after an interview at ‘Stasi’ headquarters. I new nothing of how the people lived behind the Berlin Wall or that there was an active Resistance movement fighting the tyranny of the Soviet regime as best they could - through music - until now. .

The events leading up to the destruction of the Berlin Wall and freedom for East Berliners kept me on edge…a very critical and exciting time in history brilliantly shared on the pages of this book. There is so much more I could say about The Berlin Letters but that would mean spoilers, which is something I prefer not to do. The Berlin Letters is one of the best books I’ve read in some time and I’m sure will be one of my top 10 books for 2024.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for a complimentary of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Luisa Voekler’s life is marked by significant historical events. As a small child, her grandparents fled with her when the Berlin Wall went up seemingly overnight. Her mother, seeing the writing on the wall, far ahead of her idealistic socialist husband, literally flung her daughter over razor wire to her father, so that she could have a better life. That one decision set the stage for the rest of Luisa’s life.

Raised in America, Luisa believed her parents to be dead, but her beloved Opa knew otherwise as he was corresponding via coded letters with her father Haris for decades. Luisa was destined to be able to read these letters one day, as growing up her grandfather would make her solve ciphers to find her own birthday presents. His training prepared her for her job as a cryptographer in the CIA.

When a stack of letters crosses her colleagues’ desk where they decode classified messages all day, she is shocked to discover a symbol similar to one she has seen in her grandfather’s office. As she figures out the cipher, she realizes everything she believed about her own family is wrong, and most importantly her father is alive and in danger.

Against her better judgment, and without any approval, Luisa heads to West Berlin determined to help her father out of a Stasi jail behind the Iron Curtain. Her operative training comes in handy, as she fights a clock to get her father out before it’s too late.

The Berlin Letters is a Cold War story that will keep you turning the pages long after its time to go to bed (trust me). Luisa and Haris’ story, like many families divided by the Berlin Wall, will leave you wondering “what if”. Both characters are defined by circumstances out of their control and only become more interesting the further into the novel you read. I was in elementary school when the Berlin Wall came down, and reading the Voekler’s story helped clarify history I was too young to understand.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse, and of course the author Katherine Reay for the advanced copy of the book. The Berlin Letters is out on March 5th. Go ahead and add it to your TBR pile, you won’t regret it. All opinions are my own.

This gripping Cold War narrative by Katherine Reay immerses readers in the heart of Berlin, capturing the tension and turmoil of both its early days and the historic fall of the Berlin Wall. Through the intertwined stories of CIA codebreaker Luisa Voekler and East Berlin journalist Haris Voekler, the novel delves into themes of sacrifice, identity, and the pursuit of freedom. As Luisa uncovers the truth about her family’s past and embarks on a daring mission to rescue her father from East German captivity, readers are taken on a journey of suspense and revelation. With its meticulously researched historical backdrop and compelling characters, this stand-alone novel offers a poignant exploration of human resilience and the enduring quest for truth and reconciliation. Plus, with discussion questions included, it’s sure to spark lively conversations in book clubs.

Wow. This is a strong work of historical fiction, opening up the world of a divided Berlin and life alongside the terrible wall. I have never learned a lot about the Cold War and the wall, so being able to read a work of fiction about it was truly enlightening and makes me want to learn more about this terribly difficult and sad time in world history. The author brings her characters to life and gives us small glimpses into their past that allow us to see how the past has influenced who they are at the time of the story. With so much danger and intrigue going on in our world during that time, I appreciate the way the author shows those things through the lives of her characters and their experiences. Lies, deception, betrayal, fear, loss, loyalty, love, and courage are all components that compel the reader to read more and to wish the book was not over when the last page is turned. Luisa’s whole world is rocked when she finds her grandfather’s letters, and I was not able to put down this book until I knew what the end of the story was. I highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, to those who know little about the Cold War, and to anyone looking for a well-written story.

I requested a copy of this book for review, but the thoughts expressed here are wholly my own.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley.
This story centers around a family who are separated in East and West Berlin when the Berlin Wall went up almost overnight. The loss and grieving for 26 years and how that created their roles in the family as each dealt with it in their own way. A great book about a subject I haven't spent much time on before so it was very thought-provoking.

The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay is a historical fiction novel about the Cold War focused around the story of Luisa, a code breaker for the CIA, in 1989 and her father in East Berlin during the 1960s. Luisa discovers the Berlin Letters through work and finds a link to her grandfather which sends her on a mission to free her father from jail in Berlin as the wall is coming down. The last part of the book reads like a Mission Impossible movie! This story is intricately woven with turbulent history and the ties of family that span decades. Luisa’s family loves her fervently and she risks it all to save her dad whom she has never met.

I highly recommend this historical fiction book for the nonstop action, relevant history, and perspectives of living in East Berlin during the Cold War.

Thank you Harper Muse and Netgalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I feel like l've entered my "historical era" and what I mean by that is that historical fiction now encompasses events that have taken place in my lifetime. While it's true that the Berlin Wall was erected long before my birth (1961), here is where *|* intersect with this chapter in history: born in 1987, the wall “came down” in 1989, and my family moved to Germany in 1990 (my parents used a mallet and chisel to chip away pieces of the wall to keep as souvenirs). It’s hard not to feel the enormity of this and Katherine Reay has written a compelling historical narrative to bring home the weight of what the wall meant and to remind us that in the midst of terrifying emotional and physical hardship, there were people brave enough to say this:

“It's letting go of what you're supposed to do be doing for whatever comes your way. It's about creating a future of our own making, not accepting the one they shove at us. And it's all risk. Every breath in every day."

I loved this story of a mother's sacrifice, a grandfather's secret, a father's evolution, and a daughter's determination to make it all worthwhile.

I know people who lived under this wall, and things were hard if you were on the wrong side! Loved Reagan's speech to Gorbachev!
This read has it all, such love and sacrifice, only to break ones heart and will to live. While others thrive, some pretend to be friends, so sad, and they do this right to the end.
This is a story of survival, and great love! Luisa is brought up in Washington D.C., when her Grandfather dies she learns that her father is still alive and behind that wall.
What a journey we begin and the sacrifices made to go to Germany and rescue her father! We travel with her with our hearts in our throat!
Keep reading the author's notes are great!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Harper Muse, and was not required to give a positive review.

I have read several of Katherine Reay's historical books and this one is now my favorite! Set in Washington D.C and Berlin, this story of what life was like in East & West Berlin is both heart breaking and amazing at the same time. It is suspenseful and leaves you wanting to know! This one will stay with me for awhile.

I loved this new historical fiction set in Berlin in the days of the cold war. There are plenty of books about WW2, but not so many about other periods related to it. I learned a bunch about East and West Berlin and how the wall came down in 1989. Fascinating story.
This was a compelling read which I finished in 24 hours; I had to know what happened next.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much NetGalley and Harper Muse, it was a treat!

'It's funny how easily you can convince yourself that the people you live with see the world like you do'.

The Berlin Letters takes on a journey back through recent history and the day Russia permanently detached East Berlin from the West by building a solid wall. A wall that unexpectedly and instantaneously divided friends, families, employees and even buildings. On that day in August 1961, Monika Voekler made a split decision, she wrenched her daughter Luisa from her stroller and threw her over the barbed wire into the arms of her father. Her father who, distrusting the increasing grip of the iron fist, had already moved to safety in the West. Eventually, Luisa moved to America. She grew up with her grandparents and believed her parents had died in a car accident when she was young. But in her new role as a decoder, at the CIA, she stumbles across a pack of letters that unsettle her. They seem familiar. In the true spirit of a spy game, full of secrets, she discovers the real truth about her family.

This dual-time, dual-narrated story ticks down from the building of the wall, a daring rescue before it's too late.

I really enjoyed this story. It has many layers to it and keeps building throughout and delivers at the end. 'The Berlin Letters' is not only for historical fiction lovers, and Cold War followers but also those who enjoy spy novels.

Three word summary: informative, complex and thrilling.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This was fast paced and I couldn’t put it down. I am a Gen Xer. So this was fantastic for me to remember these events. I loved having the pov from the dad’s side. I was nice to get all the view points from all the family. I did have all the feels for Luisa. I did tear up a bit. I felt for Monica and her family. I really feel like people dont remember enough about the Cold War and this is a refresher. It is incredible what the people did for their families good or bad. The punks I wan to read more about. I did have moments of flashback from the movie Gotcha.

This was a really good historical fiction book set in both East Berlin and Washington DC. I was really sucked into this book and held my breath for most of it. It’s weird because that’s a time period I lived through but feel like I haven’t done enough adult research on. Very good book!

This is a fast-paced page turner taking place primarily in East Berlin just before The Wall came down in 1989. CIA codebreaker Luisa Voekler finds a symbol on some letters from just after the Berlin Wall went up that seem familiar. So begins her search that will lead her to uncover secrets about her family that ultimately send her to Berlin at the end of the Cold War. Excellent book about a time I haven’t read much about.

The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay is a historical fiction novel that takes the readers back to the tense days leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The story follows Luisa Voekler, a CIA cryptographer who stumbles upon a coded message that hints her long-lost father is imprisoned by the Stasi in East Germany. This discovery launches Luisa on a dangerous mission across the divide of the Iron Curtain to find and free him before it’s too late.

Reay excels at capturing the chaos and confusion swirling around the big, squat, ugly, gray Berlin in the final years of the Cold War. Through Luisa’s eyes, the readers experience the bizarre juxtaposition of the Western capitalist and Eastern communist societies seated side-by-side, separated only by an artificial border. The stories of Luisa and her father under Stasi’s imprisonment are woven together skillfully, building suspense as his health deteriorates. Luisa races to navigate the complex ties of spies and smugglers on both sides of the wall to reach him.

The Berlin Letters succeeds as both a gripping thriller and a heartfelt story of a family torn apart by secrecy and political turmoil. Reay’s extensive historical research shows as she vividly reconstructs the covert wheeling and dealing behind the Iron Curtain while also maintaining an emotional core focused on reconciliation and second chances. As the wall crumbles around her characters, so do the barriers that keep Luisa from her father.

It’s a very satisfying and fascinating glimpse at an iconic historical moment through the eyes of a family that embodies its complex legacy. This was definitely out of my normal genre of reading, however, I did enjoy reading it. I recommend this book to all historical fiction lovers.

Thank you to Angela Melamud, and Katherine Reay for allowing me to read and review this book.

Longtime readers of the Books About Letters series may recall our 2022 review of 'The London House' by Katherine Reay. When I saw 'The Berlin Letters' by Katherine Reay (HarperCollins, 2024) available on NetGalley for review, I had to jump at the chance! In this novel, we time travel from the 1960s to 1989 as a young woman learns the truth about herself, her family, and her country through the medium of coded letters during the Cold War. Read on for a review and thoughts on this month's Book About Letters.

(P.S. I cannot look at this cover and not think of Uma Thurman!)

Our main character, Louisa, works by day as a CIA code breaker and discovers through the course of a routine assignment a symbol she recognizes -- from childhood. So we begin the story of Louisa and Haris Voekler, the father she never knew now ominously imprisoned in East Germany.

So the fundamental question: Is this a book about letters? Yes! We learn thanks to Louisa's well honed skill for code breaking that letters containing news about life in East Berlin have been making it out from behind the Wall for almost thirty years. But it is up to Louisa to detangle to what extent these letters have shaped not only her life, but history generally. While not wholly epistolary -- there are at length letters 'reproduced' in the context of the story, however -- this novel qualifies as a Book About Letters because they are used as a key plot device and are referenced with regularity as the story progresses.

If you, like me, know very little about the history behind the construction of the Berlin Wall and the regime(s) that developed around it, I recommend this excellent video from TED-Ed to help contextualize the dense history:

Reay's well researched novel weaves the historical and the human together with evident craft. World building plays a huge part in this novel as Louisa learns about her background and the very real circumstances of not only her father, but the citizens of East Berlin just before the Wall 'came down' in 1989. Through the use of journalist characters in her plotting, Reay is able to explain and layer exposition which flavors the novel as her talent for human connection braids the narratives.

I first visited Berlin in August of 2023. Strangely enough, Reay in her acknowledgments writes that she spent February of the same year exploring the city for research. An eerie parallel. I had never been to Germany before and found it hard to visualize, or imagine, the trip in the lead up. I could have never pictured the city I found there. I had a wonderful, local tour guide -- my penpal, Alex -- who brought us around and showed us -- it felt -- like almost 'everything' in just one gloriously hot day. We saw Barenberg Gate, saw the remnants of the Wall, and visited Checkpoint Charlie among other spots.

It was that trip to Berlin that colored my experience of 'The Berlin Letters' so vividly. And I am so thankful for both the opportunity to travel there then and to return to the city through Reay's words. I believe that reading can transport us and to be able to map the Berlin I had experienced against the world Reay builds in her novel, added to my overall enjoyment while reading.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review 'The Berlin Letters' by Katherine Reay, out March 5th from HarperCollins publishing.