In this third installment of the Beyond the Tracks series by Michael Reit, we follow two women, Felicia and Sabina, as they face the brutal realities of life in Rajsko, the Nazi agricultural camp outside of Auschwitz. This was a fascinating and quick read, and I was really compelled by both women’s struggles. The fact that this was based on true events makes it all the more riveting. While ultimately a fictional take on real events, it’s important that stories like these don’t get lost in our collective history.

The Botanist’s Tracks by Michael Reit tells of the horrors experienced in Auschwitz-Birkeau during WWII. Felicia is a botanist assigned to take care of the plants being cultivated by the Reigh in Rajsko. They are hoping to grow all the rubber they need. She has been imprisoned for teaching in the underground education system. Sabina use to live in Rajsko before her family was relocated to town so Rajsko could be used by the Nazi’s for this purpose. Sabina’s father works with the prisoners in the mines. She discovers her father has been aiding the prisoners through an underground network. Sabina wishes to help as well.

Sabina works in the military filing office in town. Her boss has her delivering paperwork that needs signing to the commander at Rajsko. There she meets Felicia and secretly they begin working with the resistance to deliver much needed supplies to the prisoners. It is extremely dangerous. If they are caught it would mean certain death. Because the commander has taken a liking to Felicia, she is hated by one of the guards who has it out to get her. She endures much as a result.

The story is fast paced but at times has you on edge and in parts, definitely hard to read. The brutality described is awful. It is hard to believe anyone could survive what they went threw. There are several parts of the story however that seem unrealistic, particularly the ending. but it is fiction and I was happy with the ending.

Thank you Net Galley for giving me to opportunity to read this advanced copy.

Botanist's Tracks is another of Michael Reit's superb books about the death camps. Based on true stories, he takes an unflinching look at the horrors of the concentration camps. You feel every one of his character's fear, horror, determination and grief at the loss of friends and family. One way to survive is to make yourself useful. Felcia is assigned to work in the laboratories where they are researching plants that will produce rubber for the Nazi war effort. Sabina is not a prisoner but joins the resistance. Their narratives are told in alternating chapters.. Highly recommended, this book will make you feel and remember their stories long after finishing the book.

Beyond the Tracks Book #3

In this installment we are taken to the Nazi agricultural camp of Rajsko, a sort ride from Auschwitz- Birkenau. You needed to be a valuable asset to survive the horrors that lies ahead. Felicia Hodak, a botanist with vital skills is assigned to tend to the plants needed for the Reich most ambitious experiment. While Sabina Kupka agreed to work for the resistance, what starts with significant roles soon propels her into a frontline one. By chance the women met and soon were engaged in a daring plan to arm the prisoners of Auschwitz.

Although part of a series this novel can be read as a stand-alone

Mr. Reit historical fictions mainly focus on lesser-known events and people in WW11. His books have usually provided us with information between facts and fiction, but this time not much is mentioned, so I presume at first the events and people were the fruits of his imagination till Mr. Google came into play. Yes the camp existed; Dr. Joachim Caesar was the head of scientists working in green houses although in the story the goal was to raise a substitute rubber plant.

In this story everything goes too neatly to sound real, the events are farfetched and I hardly believe clandestine meetings can always go so smoothly. With the help of an active narration, the plot has enough tension and drama to move along at a steady pace to keep us captivated and turning the pages. Unfortunately, the story leaves us questioning the whereabouts of the traitor, who was he (she) what a hole in the story to ponder on. I love the characters, Felicia and Sabina where innocent although smart. They played the male guards well to get to what they wanted....although the female guards were ruthless....the story tells us how much....

This latest may not be my favourite in the series but it was nevertheless a captivating read I enjoy passing time with.

I found this book fascinating but I wasn't sure what was true and what wasn't. It was very interesting and I did some research after as this was all new to me. I did find it a bit unbelievable in parts, but I liked the tension and drama at the end that worked really well. This can be read as a standalone although it is part of the series.

All in all very readable and once started I just kept reading to find out how it worked out even though as mentioned I did struggle with credibility at times.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

This book unites the efforts of the Polish Underground resistance with resistance inside the camps and in Rajsko to fight the Nazis. I was unaware that an agricultural farm designed to produce rubber existed in Rajsko, Poland during World War II until I read this book.

I wish the author provided more information about how much of the story was based on true events.

Within the story, the action was enough to keep the pages turning. That said, some of the plot was a bit too tidy to be believable, and there was a traitor that was never revealed. I did enjoy the way the book ended, and wonder if there could be a sequel.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The amazing story of one botanist trying to survive in Auschwitz after she was caught trying to keep her country people educated and the young teacher who joins the resistance. More please.

A good novel in the sense that you can't put it down once you have started it. However, strictly speaking I found the plot rather far-fetched and not really credible. I also felt that some points were missing such as who is the traitor outside or inside Birkenau. Nevertheless as I said I wanted to know what would happen. A quick and tension full novel!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

“The Botanist’s Tracks” by Michael Reit is the third book in the “Beyond the Tracks” series. While I’ve read the two previous books in this series, this book can be read as a stand-alone. I must admit that this, so far, is my least favorite book of the series. Not a lot happens in this book until the last 5 or so percent. Yes, there is historical information - there really was a Dr. Joachim Caesar, who was put in charge of the Rajsko camp, with a goal to raise a substitute rubber plant for Germany’s use in WWII. The Rajsko camp did have green houses and raised a number of flowers (which were later made into wreaths) and vegetables. And, yes, Dr. Caesar did recruit a number of female scientists to work at Rajsko. However, once again, I greatly wish that Mr. Reit had included an Author’s Note on what was based on fact and what wasn’t. At times I felt like a number of things happened too neatly - such as all the clandestine meetings between characters (how did no one notice these meetings more often?) and also how many times a person would be told “don’t tell anyone” and then later spill the beans to a friend. I think if you’ve liked Mr. Reit’s previous books in this series - or really like interesting little known WWIi facts, this book may be one to pick up. For me, I wish there’d been a bit more action.