The Berlin Letters

Author: Katherine Reay
Pages: 368
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld, Ann Marie Gideon, P. J. Ochlan

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced listening copy.

Luisa Voekler works decoding messages for the CIA. She comes across some letters, that reveal a family secret. Following this, she finds herself leaving Washington D.C. and headed to East Berlin searching for her father, Haris Voekler. Haris was a journalist who grew up in East Berlin. Luisa makes it her mission to find out where her father is and free him. She has to decode letters written, has to confront and try not to get taken advantage of by schisty characters along the way.

The Berlin Letters is a fast paced story with dual POV/timelines. I enjoyed going back and forth between Luisa and her father, Haris. This book is for lovers of historical fiction as it takes us through Berlin during the time of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

I always find it fascinating when things in history can be learned from reading historical fiction, and this book was no different. Katherine Reay did her due diligence in researching and bringing us along the journey! The Berlin Letters is an unforgettable story of family and freedom.

I thought the narrators did a fantastic job of bringing this story to life and bringing readers closer to the characters.

✨Secret codes
✨Family secrets
✨Strong FMC
✨Multigenerational
✨Multiple timelines

I am a huge fan of historical fiction and this one was a little different twist from my typical reads. The focus on the Berlin Wall was interesting. And learning about the way cryptography was used was informative. This is a wonderful story of family, sacrifice, loss, dedication, and hope. The dual point of view was handled well and the tension you experience from those held against their will behind the Iron Curtain is palpable. I strongly recommend you get lost in the story of Luisa.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

I loved listening to this book! It is definitely a historical fiction time frame that I was not as familiar with bring the Cold War and the CIA. I didn’t know much of what was happening between the two sides of Germany so it was interesting to me to hear some about it. This is a very well written and developed book!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley

"Berlin Letters" is a journey of self-discovery and familial bonds. The story begins when Luisa's grandfather passes away, leading her to discover letters that her father in East Berlin had been writing since she moved to the U.S. with her grandparents as a young girl. Luisa finds that these letters are written in code, which turns her world upside down.

This book explores themes of memory and perspective. It poses the question, "Are our memories real?" and demonstrates how a new perspective can reshape one's future. Luisa goes on a journey to decode the letters and discover her family’s past, shaping her future as a CIA cryptographer and altering her relationships. The author skillfully weaves together Luisa's story with her father's through a dual timeline, building up to a dramatic convergence at the end.

"Berlin Letters" is a compelling read for those who enjoy stories that explore personal discovery, family ties, and intrigue. The use of coded letters, cryptology, and life-threatening danger adds an element of mystery that keeps the reader engaged until the very end.

This is such a brilliant historical novel - the dual timeline and the different POVs make it captivating but easy to follow. I particularly appreciated the vividness of the historical details, it wasn't hard at all for me to imagine what it might have been like to live in pre-Iron Curtain Berlin and the horrid consequences on people's lives of the overnight erection of the wall. The code-deciphering American granddaughter in more modern times kept me guessing and turning the pages. Thank you Netgalley for this wonderful ARC.

Rating: 4/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•
I am apparently on a historical fiction kick this month, and I’m not complaining about it! I love that I’m jumping back into a genre that I have always loved. The Berlin Letters is a different era for me to read about as I usually tend to stick with the WWII era. Definitely a welcome change for me.
•
Told in a dual POV through Luisa in the present (1989) and through her father Haris in a changing timeline of the past (1961) to the present (1989). You guessed it, we follow Haris through the start of the Berlin Wall to its ultimate collapse. The characters have such depth and such growth throughout you truly cant help but love them and feel like they are family. This story was incredibly heartbreaking. It was so hard to read at times. It was also super addicting and I love how Reay weaved these two separate stories into one masterpiece.
•
Call me dense, but when I learned of the Cold War, I never associated that horror so close to my existence. I also didn’t realize how long this went on for. I’m sure I learned of all this information in school, but it was definitely not something that stuck with me as much as it has now. It made me want to do more research on my own about The Berlin Wall.
•
This one is pretty stead/fast paced throughout making this a quick read. I really enjoyed this one. I was able to listen to this one on audiobook and I fell in love with the narrators: Saskia Maarleveld, Ann Marie Gideon, and P. J. Ochlan. They were awesome in bringing this one to life!
•
The Berlin Letters was just released on 3/5. If you are a historical fiction fan, definitely pick this one up! Huge thank you to NetGalley, Katherine Reay and Harper Collins Focus for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

I truly enjoyed this historical fiction novel by @katherinereay about events during the time of the Cold War and the Berlin Wall. I'll admit that while I remember being taught about the history of the Berlin Wall in my 7th grade German class and can vividly recall seeing a video of it coming down, I didn't actually know much about it until reading this book. This story was so well told and captivated my heart in a way that I found myself researching the history of this time period so I could learn more. The characters are intriguing and relatable, the history was well preserved, and I highly suggest this beautiful story. 5 ⭐'s in my book!

#bookreview #berlinwall #coldwar #theberlinletters

In "The Berlin Letters" by Kathryn Reay, expertly narrated by Saskia Marleeveld, listeners are transported to the gripping world of the Cold War, where a CIA code breaker embarks on a daring mission to free her father from an East German prison. Marleeveld's skillful narration shines as she brings Louisa Voekler to life and masterfully captures the subtle accents of Eastern Europe.

The audiobook follows the journey of Luisa Voekler, a brilliant CIA code breaker with a passion for puzzles and codes. While her colleagues engage in thrilling Cold War assignments during the late 1980s, Luisa finds herself decoding messages from World War II, stuck in the past. Meanwhile, journalist Haris Voekler navigates the harsh realities of postwar East Germany, separated from his daughter after the Berlin Wall divides their family. Through a series of coded letters, the truth about their family's past is unveiled, leading Luisa on a risky mission to free her father from East Berlin.

"The Berlin Letters" is a captivating tale of sacrifice, courage, and familial bonds set against the backdrop of one of the most tumultuous periods in history. Reay's intricate storytelling combined with Marleeveld's nuanced narration creates a compelling listening experience that immerses audiences in the emotional turmoil of the characters. The interwoven narratives of Luisa and Haris build towards the climactic events surrounding the fall of the Berlin Wall, offering a poignant exploration of freedom, truth, and reconciliation.

With "The Berlin Letters," Kathryn Reay delivers a powerful narrative brought to life by Saskia Marleeveld's exceptional narration. This audiobook is a must-listen for fans of historical fiction, espionage thrillers, and stories of resilience in the face of adversity. Prepare to be captivated by the enthralling tale of love, loyalty, and the enduring quest for freedom in a divided world.

This was the book I didn't know I needed. It surprised me in the most delightful way!!

Starting at the rise of the Berlin Wall and concluding at the fall of it, The Berlin Letters follows the lives of a family, both in real time and through letters, as they lived through the reality that was the Soviet occupation of Germany.

Reay did a brilliant job at capturing the essence of Germany, of the history but also the vibe, throughout the occupation. The fear, hopelessness and uncertainty are palpable. The speed in which the wall went up, catching the people off guard, as well as the victory when it came down bookended the story so well.

What really did it for me though was the way she captured the German people and culture. My family is from Germany. My mom has family living in Berlin. I remember them visiting and so much of the details that Reay used to describe the people, their personalities, their collective way of thinking and the culture was on point. Luisa's grandmother, reminded me of my grandmother, right down to the difficulty with physical affection. Little details that to some would have been throwaway, like the description of the German chocolate cake for dessert, were like delightful little easter eggs. As an added bonus, on the audio, Luisa's father, Haris, reads the letters and the narrator that does his part was chosen very well. His accent reminded me of so many of my great uncle's and their friends. It felt good and right and added a layer of authenticity.

Of course, for me, a novel with a strong female lead who loves puzzles, works for the CIA and is strong, brave and resourceful always hits well and that is Luisa. Throw in a little romance - yes, it's there - as a thread that weaves through and I consider it a win.

All in all, this book checked a lot of boxes for me and I truly did love it.

Thank you, NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this one! The Cold War is something I haven’t read much about. I feel like I began to know the characters and “feel like I was there” in parts of the story.
Enjoy very timelines. It was done in a way that gave you a full perspective of the narrative and the events without being confusing.
4.5 stars!

4.5 stars rounded up
“Like me, she wants to know what’s true, what’s a story, and who made it up. Like me she’s searching…”

From the publisher: “November 1989 —After finding a secret cache of letters with intelligence buried in the text, CIA cryptographer Luisa Voekler learns that not only is her father alive but he is languishing in an East German Stasi jail. Alternating storylines between Luisa and her father, The Berlin Letters shows the tumultuous early days of the wall, bringing Berlin, the epicenter of the Cold War, to life while also sharing one family’s journey through secrets, lies, and division to love, freedom, and reconciliation.”

Interesting, nuanced characters and a strong exciting plot make The Berlin Letters a historical fiction book that stands above many others. Reay’s book captures the DDR (East Germany) during the Cold War, with well-researched details. ”The new neighborhoods are full of tall and identical cement structures that have been built in the last several years, but with little style in their design and little grass and greenery between them. They are not beautiful…the bombed buildings are not being reconstructed in their original fashion. If not left in rubble, the new additions are uniform, cement, and uninspired.”

There is a menacing undercurrent, but the book is not frightening or graphic and moves along quickly. The romance at the end of the book was OK but didn’t really add to the story.

I listened to the audio, which was excellent and made the story come alive. Small German accents added to and did not distract from the easy of understanding. I wasn’t as fond of the voice narrating Haris, Luisa’s father. It seemed like the narrator was trying too hard to use a low tough voice.s

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"The Berlin Letters" offers a captivating journey through the labyrinthine corridors of Cold War espionage and familial secrets. Set against the backdrop of a divided Berlin on the brink of historic change, this novel masterfully weaves together the stories of CIA cryptographer Luisa Voekler and her incarcerated father. As Luisa embarks on a perilous quest to reunite her family, readers are treated to a gripping narrative that brims with suspense, emotion, and intrigue. With its richly drawn characters and vivid historical detail, "The Berlin Letters" is a spellbinding tale of love, courage, and redemption that will linger in readers' minds long after the final page is turned.

The Berlin Letters was an incredible piece of work. The story was highly engaging. I could very clearly imagine myself in East Berlin when the wall went up. The author is very well talented. Congratulations on this wonderful book.

Set in the Cold War era, Luisa is a CIA decoder who is tired of all the boring assignments. She was raised by her grandparents, but shortly after her grandfather’s death she stumbles upon letters between her grandfather and father. Her parents had died in a car accident when she was a child. But it seems to be her father is alive in East Germany. She’s on a mission to find out what happened to her parents and uses her CIA training to her advantage.

Fantastic historical fiction!

Thanks to Net Galley, Harper Muse, and Katherine Reay for the audiobook!

This was absolutely brilliant - a combination of a great book and delivered by a super narrator. I thought the book was perfect, really well plotted and navigated. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author as I had not come across them before. Stunning.

The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay lets us break free from the usual WWII historical fiction fascination by highlighting a different era instead: 1960s Germany, behind the Berlin Wall. It's engaging and immersive, with fleshed out characters and an underlying theme of personal sacrifices made for the sake of familial love.

Written with a dual timeline, The Berlin Letters centers around the story of Monika, a young German woman married to Haris, a news reporter who is a supporter of the Party in East Berlin. In 1961, Monika finds to her shock that the Berlin Wall is now being policed, and that she can no longer cross it to visit her family in West Berlin. Horrified and worried for what's to come, she throws her young daughter Luisa over the wall and into the arms of her waiting parents. The story of Monika's life in the days to follow is contrasted with that of Luisa in the 1980s, growing up in America, where her grandparents moved. Following the death of her grandfather, Luisa, now an agent in the CIA, discovers papers in her grandfather's belongings that suggest her past is more than what she's been told.

For readers who like slow burn, character-driven novels with a good amount of espionage, The Berlin Letters will be a great choice. It's also a great option for those who like historical fiction but need a break from the typical WWII novels. The audiobook production is done well and adds to the experience.

Thank you to Harper Muse and Katherine Reay for providing an advance copy for an honest review.

1989 USA - Luisa works as a CIA code breaker, though her Oma simply believes she works in finance. Letters with an eerily familiar symbol come across her desk and she realizes that her Opa had more family secrets than she realized. There was a reason he raised her to crack codes and break cyphers, and now her expertise may help save her family. (Also... don't read the Goodreads summary because it literally gives the whole story away.)

My knowledge of the Cold War and Berlin Wall eras is vastly lacking. This time period and story were fascinating to read about. I knew about the Berlin Wall, of course, but I never thought about how long it had been up and how it had come to exist. I never thought about the family members who may have been separated on either side. After this book, I want to go on a deep dive into all the great nonfiction. Katherine Reay (the author) included a substantial list of reference books at the end that she used while writing this.

The ending felt a bit rushed and wrapped up a little too neatly in my opinion. I can't share too much without spoiling, but I felt like help and solutions showed up a bit too easily in the final quarter of the book. Some people love a happy and neat ending, though!

I also highly recommend the audiobook. The two narrators do a wonderful job, especially with accents.

3.5 stars rounded up

A CIA code breaker discovered her grandfathers letter and family history during the raise and fall of the Berlin Wall. I enjoyed the dual voices sharing this story of love, secrets, lies, heart break and freedom.

I received this ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love historical fiction. I’ve read books about many different eras, but I can say I have never read one about the Cold War set in Berlin.

I remember learning very little about the Cold War in school, so it was a definite refresher on how everything went down. The author walks you through the years until the wall comes down (and even a later excerpt, which I truthfully found entirely too cheesy). The plot was great as it showed an average life of a Berliner in this time, not a higher up or exceptionally poor person.

The characters were written well, with great development throughout the book. Without giving too much away, it’s wonderful to see a character with a redemption arc. The author does a fantastic job of appealing to readers’ empathy, which creates great characters!

The writing was easy to read (listen to in my case, so I have not the slightest idea how to spell names) and you really did get a feel of what it was like to live there. She’s descriptive, which gives a more immersive experience.

As a whole, I really enjoyed listening to this book. The accents of the narrators were easy to understand, but I don’t understand why they use an English accent for American English natives. This is not the first time I’ve seen this in a book, but it doesn’t bother me enough to make or break it.

Overall I give it 4 ⭐️. Parts of the book were a bit too cheesy for me, but I’ve been reading darker stuff lately and maybe it’s just the contrast. The ending is extra 🧀 though, too saccharine for my tastes.

I really enjoyed this book! Being set during the Cold War was intimidating to me but I loved other books by this author and decided to give this book a try. It was wonderful and sucked me in right from the beginning.