Berlin in 1943 is a City of Women because the men have gone to war. It is also a city of rationing, drabness, enforced patriotism, fear and suspicion. Sigrid Schroder lives in a small apartment and argues with her mother-in-law while her husband fights on the Eastern Front. Then dutiful Sigrid meets a mysterious man and becomes involved—in lots of things.

This well-written and compelling debut novel by David R. Gillham is a character study, a morality tale and a thriller. One of the best novels I’ve read this year, other than my own.