In August 1961, the Soviets erected the first barrier cutting West Berlin off from East Berlin and surrounding East Germany. This barrier, which would later become the Berlin Wall, separated families overnight. Out of desperation, Luisa Voelker was handed through the wire barricade from East Berlin to her grandparents in West Berlin. Hans Voekler, her father, is a journalist loyal to East Germany's Communist Party.

Twenty-eight years later, as the Cold War rages on, Luisa is a skilled codebreaker for the CIA who has been tasked with decoding documents from World War II. A familiar symbol on a letter she is decoding leads her back to Berlin to uncover the secrets of her past on the eve of the collapse of the Berlin Wall.

"The Berlin Letters" is as dual perspective novel that alternates between Luisa and Hans's stories until the two intersect in Berlin.

"The Berlin Letters" is filled with intrigue and suspense set to a historical background. Reay's descriptions of the Berlin of the 60s and the 80s are vivid and easily drew me into those worlds. This book is a great read for historical fiction fans or fans of Kate Quinn, Pam Jenoff, or Kristen Harmel.

Thank you to Harper Muse Books and NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Berlin Letters is a well written, dual POV, historical fiction story set during the 1960's-1980's. Bouncing back and forth between the United States and East Berlin, Germany, The Berlin Letters follows Luisa Voekler, a code-breaker for the CIA, and her father, an imprisoned reporter. Long to have believed him dead, Luisa uncovers hidden letters addressed to her grandfather written by her father detailing his life in East Berlin. Determined to find her father and release him from prison and with no plan, Luisa covertly travels to East Berlin to do the impossible.
Part spy story, part Cold War novel, The Berlin Letters transports readers to a time before the fall of the Berlin wall, where tensions are high.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

“Don’t die in the waiting room of the future.”

Another phenomenal historical fiction from Katherine Reay! I was in high school when the Berlin Wall seemed to come down overnight. The Berlin Letters swept me back in time to 1989 when punk rock was at its height and the Iron Curtain was finally coming down. This powerful story of a father and daughter separated by a wall of information and a literal wall kept me on the edge of my seat.

Luisa grew up loving cracking the codes her grandfather created for her. Now a code breaker for the CIA, she uncovers a link to her own past while decoding letters from the WWII era.

After once being a proud Soviet East Berliner, journalist Haris Voekler is now disillusioned by the unkept promises of the GDR. After losing his daughter and wife, he begins writing coded letters to his father-in-law who lives on the other side of the wall. He shares what’s happening as neighbor spies on neighbor and the underground youth punk movement begins working for freedom.

After her grandfather’s death Luisa discovers hidden letters from her father. Learning he’s alive and in prison, she attempts a daring rescue to free him from East Berlin.

This book was such a touching, suspenseful snapshot of what was going on in Germany 1989. The intensity is palpable especially when Luisa is in East Berlin trying to rescue her father. When the borders are suddenly opened, I loved the feeling of both euphoria and fear as the people wonder if it’s real and lasting or if East Germany’s iron fist will close them again. When Luisa & Haris meet for the first time, it’s such an emotional yet intense moment after being separated for 20 plus years.

The twists and turns, complex relationships, powerful historical details woven throughout, suspense and even a hint of romance kept me eagerly turning the pages. Definitely recommend this amazing book to historical fiction lovers. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher through TLC Booktours. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

I always love Katherine Reay's writing, but this one stands tall for me as one of her best books since her stunning debut with Dear Mr. Knightley. When Reay is at her best, she strikes just the right balance between history and faith and life's difficulties and romance, and I thought she nailed it in this one! Dual timeline stories are hit and miss for me, but I absolutely loved this one and thought it was woven together perfectly, and no spoilers were given by the more recent timeline (which is a major pet peeve of mine!). I also think Reay is a master of epistolary fiction, and her use of codes in the letters in this book was brilliant and made it even more masterful! This is a book I will read again and again! I absolutely loved it! I will say the prologue absolutely gutted me - so much so that I didn't start chapter 1 for almost a week after reading it. I felt like I needed to prepare myself emotionally for the rest of the story. I'm glad I came back to it though. It will undoubtedly be one of my top picks for the year!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley, and I also checked out the audiobook from my library. I loved the use of two narrators and thought the male narrator's German-accented English was excellent and added a lot to the story for me. I was also impressed that the coded letters worked in audio format. I do want to look at the letters a little more closely and see how the codes worked, so I've also ordered the paperback and am excited to experience it in that format.

This book improved for me as it progressed - the end was definitely the most engaging and exciting part. As far as historical fiction goes, I found this one pretty predictable and therefore a little boring, but maybe I've just read too many books in this genre! I didn't feel like the main character was fleshed out enough for me to really care about or understand her, so that's also probably why I felt a little disconnected as I read. All that said, this book is full of espionage, family secrets, and post-WWII Europe, so give it a try if those things pique your interest!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. * I absolutely love this book. I will be adding a more in-depth review ASAP.

I really enjoyed reading about this time period because I haven’t read many novels set during the Cold War. I enjoyed taking the time while reading to do some research about the Berlin Wall to better educate myself about the history behind this beautifully written story. Katherine Reay does an amazing job using the dual timeline, dual perspective to take us through the journey of Luisa breaking the code of the letters to discover not only secrets for the CIA but also the secrets of her past.

One of my favorite quotes from the books is “It’s funny how easily you can convince yourself that the people that you live with see the world like you do.” It really stuck with me because it is so true.

1961: Monica Voekler tosses her 3-month old daughter over to her parents in West Berlin, just as the Berlin Wall is under construction. An act of bravery to save her daughter from the events to come, but an event that will haunt Monica and her husband Haris for the rest of their lives.
1989: Luisa Voekler is a CIA codebreaker. Raised by her grandparents in the US, Luisa has very little memory of her childhood in Germany. When she stumbles across some letters at work that are eerily familiar, she quickly finds herself back in her past and fighting for family she thought was gone forever.

I enjoy historical fiction and am always fascinated when reading about the Cold War. I remember seeing footage of the Berlin Wall coming down and hearing stories of how horrible it was when it was built....but I never really understood it until I read this book. All that to say, Reay does a phenomenal job at portraying the struggle endured during this tumultuous time in history. Her characters are well developed, likeable, and brave as hell.

I used to say that I'm not a fan of historical fiction, but it seems that when the author is Katherine Reay, I am. She writes engaging characters set in historical settings that are interesting and well-researched. She handles multiple POVs and dual timelines deftly. I won't go further into the plot than the summary, but if you're interested in Cold War era fiction, give this one a try!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #HarperMuse for a free copy of #TheBerlinLetters by Katherine Reay. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

Synopsis: In 1961, 3 month old Luisa handed over to her grandparents in West Berlin just as the Berlin Wall is being built. In 1989, Luisa, now an adult, works for the CIA as a codebreaker. When she happens upon a covert symbol in a set of old letters, she begins to uncover old secrets that will bring her back to Germany in hopes of finding her father, who was assumed to be dead.

Thoughts: The Cold War is a time in history that I do not know a ton. about, so I welcomed the opportunity to read a book set during this time. Paired with stories of hidden messages, espionage, and suspense, this book immediately grabbed my interest. I also really enjoyed the dual timelines/POVs, This is an excellent choice for readers who want to learn more about the Cold War through a fast-paced, genre-blending, book.

Luisa Voekler is a unique character I grew to love and cheer on with her every decision. Luisa suffered much in her early life, being moved from Berlin to Washington D.C. This clever young woman is brave and loving but lacking in belief in herself. I rooted for her on every page of this consuming novel.

What a trip to return to the eighties when East Germany was a mystery. At first, Luisa knows very little about her childhood in Germany, having been whisked off to the USA when she was barely four. Living with her grandparents provided a loving childhood, but the darkness of her dead parents always haunted her.

When Luisa gets some information at work, her life changes quickly, and with it, the novel speeds up (I started speed reading) to resolve all her questions. Overall, this story was superb in its telling, and the writing was excellent and substantial. I loved The Berlin Letters and look forward to reading more by Katherine Reay.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

4.0. A captivating yet interesting historical novel pertaining to East Germany, and ultimately the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification with West Germany. The story focused on a family in Berlin, post World War II, and the building of the Berlin wall in 1961 that impacted them personally and so many other families with some members in the West and others in the East as well as those who courageously attempted to breach it to escape to the west. A thriller though for me predictable. Nonetheless, the beliefs by some in the East that they would be better off soon crumbled with the reality and the difficulty of those in the West to understand their counterparts. Characters very realistic for the most part and well defined.. Enjoyable read. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an unbiased and candid review

This is not author Katherine Reay's first venture into the dispirited world of a Cold War-era Communist country. In her 2023 novel A Shadow in Moscow, Reay offers an alternating timeline which captures a story of secret agents, family dynamics, and struggles within the human condition. In her latest work, Reay travels to Germany in The Berlin Letters. Once again readers are brought into the world of espionage and intergenerational relationships, but the atmosphere is quite different this time. The threat and oppression of the East German government during the Cold War seems to hover over the entire narrative, bringing a seriousness to the novel that gives one pause.

Although I was born in 1971 and grew up during much of this era, I was fairly unaware of the majority of the political events that were going on in Eastern Europe at that time. Reading The Berlin Letters was an eye-opening experience. While it is a novel which was captivating and a source of entertainment, it was so much more than that. It seems to truly inhabit that world in such a way that the reader can genuinely feel the captivity of the people in that time period. They may have had their families and jobs, but their freedoms were quite limited. Often they were not given the option to even choose their careers. Some were strongly compelled to spy on their own friends and neighbors. Beauty and joy were extracted from their lives bit by bit. Their lives were literally and figuratively overcast and gray.

Despite the serious tone of the novel, I thoroughly enjoyed The Berlin Letters. Katherine Reay's historical research was impeccable, but she also crafted a fictional tale which bonded to the facts of the past seamlessly. Her characters are complex, likable, and well drawn. The villains are not always what they seem to be, and a few in particular took me by surprise. The alternating timeline was creative-- Chapter One opens in 1961, focusing on the lives of Luisa's parents, her father Haris in particular. The contrasting chapters are mostly set in 1989 with Luisa as an adult. As the novel moves forward, the experiences of Haris begin to get narratively closer to Luisa's in 1989. It was quite exciting to see those converging plotlines develop. The epic conclusion is historic, cinematic, and thrilling.

From a content standpoint, The Berlin Letters stands in an interesting position. There is remarkably no salty language, and any romantic content is quite sparse. Given the subject matter, this novel could have been much more graphic. That said, many difficult issues are addressed. This story is not for young children. The trials and tribulations of the people of this era are sometimes hard to take in. Some characters in the story are from the 80s punk scene and lead decadent lives. This is not a negative criticism of the book. Keay writes accurately and paints a realistic picture of what was going on at the time, and honestly portrays issues with which Luisa and her family were wrestling. I felt that this content lent an air of realism to the work. It did not water down or sugar-coat the situation, but its presentation was done in a non-gratuitous fashion.

The conclusion of The Berlin Letters rides the wave of hope and optimism which crashed into Germany during that historic moment in 1989. It doesn't come to that occasion easily. Many sacrifices and risks are taken for the sake of freedom and family love. The journey is fraught with tension, uncertainty, and no guarantee of success. Katherine Reay has crafted an excellent novel, combining the realities of the Cold War with the captivating fictional narrative of her characters. Her epilogue leads me to hope for more from Luisa, Haris, and their associates. The wall may have come down in 1989, but as the decades have passed, the possibilities for more epic tales endure. Katherine Reay not only brings exciting tales of espionage to her readers, but she also reveals history and hope in a way that bears repeating.

Great novel set in the Cold War era Germany, and duel povs and timelines. I enjoyed the suspense and historical background and seeing how both sides affected normal people. There's suspense and well written characters. As someone who enjoys fiction set in this era of history, I found it fast paced and enjoyable to read.
Thank you to both the publisher and Netgalley for this arc. Full review on my Instagram.

4.5 stars

Like anyone who grew up in the 80s, I remember the news footage of the day the Berlin Wall came down. I knew it was monumental, even in my 12 year old mind, but until reading The Berlin Letters, I didn’t really have a human connection to it. In her latest Cold War novel, author Katherine Reay gives heart and breath and soul to the people living on both sides of the Wall and those fighting for freedom (be they within or without).

I loved Luisa, the little 3-year-old we meet at a life-altering moment … and then the 31-year-old we become reacquainted with as everything changes for her once more. Bookending those two meetings is the Berlin Wall, from its very beginning to its final days, and the author made the history & politics come alive with a dual narrative that gave me a new perspective on those tough years in between. And while my life experiences don’t mirror Luisa’s in any sense, I still felt as though I could easily place myself in her shoes because of how relatable Reay made her personality and insecurities. I came to love her father’s character as well, through his narrative sections as well as through the letters that Luisa uncovers after her grandfather’s death. There are some stunning twists to his story, and I was glued to the last half of the book, barely remembering to breathe!

Bottom Line: Code breaking, hidden letters, mysterious pasts, the CIA, newspaper reporters, covert missions, snitches, secrets upon secrets… And family. And friends. And a subtle reminder that God never wastes a single thing in our lives. I loved The Berlin Letters from cover to cover and could not put it down! The characters are so well-layered, the history so compelling, and the writing voice so engaging that I’m confident you will quickly become immersed in it as well. The espionage elements fascinated me (I’ve secretly wanted to work for the CIA since my very first episode of Scarecrow & Mrs King haha), and I learned things that I wasn’t taught in school about the Berlin Wall. All while being thoroughly entertained and drawn to a story so far from my own and yet the emotions remained completely relatable at the same time. I’ve loved everything Katherine Reay writes but I have especially loved her Cold War novels and I hope there are more to come!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

I was surprised to see that author Reay has so many books out, because this reads like a novice attempt at a thriller. The premise is ok, but the plot is super simplistic, the coding aspect is really, really basic, and the story relies on way too much deus ex machina (and some seemingly unsound research) for this kind of book. The romance seems added in at the last minute and is 100% unnecessary and pointless. The characters are all pretty flat and the author spends way too much time emphasizing that the majority of the action takes place in 1989 (which, yes, tells any reader of this genre a lot of what will happen right there) and that we had corded phones back then. We get it. If only she'd spent that time giving the characters more depth and the plot more sophisticated.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book!

Such a good book! I didn't know very much about the Berlin wall and I learned so much from this book. Everything the Luisa goes through kept me on my toes and wanting to read more. Also getting to see the story from her father who lives in East Berlin helped to have you really feel what it was like during that time. I loved this story and would highly recommend it to historical fiction lovers and anyone who likes to figure out codes and CIA type things!

** “Infinity doesn’t mean endless or simply eternal. It means there is nothing lacking. It is all-encompassing. Complete. Self-determining. We are that when we do the right thing.” **

Katherine Reay delivers another incredible Cold War novel with “The Berlin Letters,” following the story of two generations greatly impacted by the Berlin Wall.

In 1961, as the Wall begins to go up, separating a German city, Monica Voekler, who lives on the eastern side with her reporter husband Haris, moves swiftly to literally toss her 3-year-old daughter Luisa over the barbed wire to her parents who live on the other side.

Eventually relocating to America, Luisa grows up to become a codebreaker for the CIA. When she stumbles upon some coded letters in her home in 1989, her world is quickly rocked. She learns of family secrets and unknown relationships and decides to take action.

Reay does an incredible job of fictionalizing a very real and horrible time in history. She develops great characters that are inspiring and full of moxie. She also fills “The Berlin Letters” with some great themes, like finding forgiveness, even when it seems impossible; doing the right thing; we have infinite possibilities; and the power of hidden secrets and lies.

Fans of historical fiction and stories with strong women characters will love “The Berlin Letters,” as well as fans of authors like Kate Quinn, Rachel McMillan and Kristy Cambron.

Five stars out of five.

Harper Muse provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Loved, loved, loved, loved! I am endlessly fascinated by stories of the Berlin Wall and Katherine Reay's storytelling is as fabulous as always. Love the writing, love the intrigue. Reay is an auto-buy author for me—even if I read digital copies of her book, I always end up buying a hard copy for my shelf.

A couple years ago I was introduced to author, Katherine Reay’s book The London House through bookclub. I loved the way that she weaved history with intrigue and mystery in a way that had me hooked.
The Berlin Letters delivered the same thing!

I loved the:
- CIA codebreaker and SPY VIBES!
- The Cold War— a different historical era
- Tension and intrigue
- Puzzles and mystery solving
- Secret letters with hidden messages
- Edge of your seat action
- Dual timeline/dual POV
- Secrets and lies
- Christian based historical fiction

🚪- Brief kiss
🧼- 1-2 mild cuss words