What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hidden Soldier
From the Amazon charts bestselling author of White Rose Black Forest and The Longest Echo.
Peter and his two-year-old daughter, Sara, escape war-torn Poland after WW2 and settle in Pennsylvania, but when tragedy strikes twenty-one years later, the dark secrets of the past will be revealed.
Eastern Poland, 1942
On the run from the Nazis in occupied Poland with his daughter, Peter Kovalenko goes on a deadly mission to prove himself to the Polish resistance. He meets Natalia, a beautiful underground fighter with little left to live for. Desperate to hide Sara from the horrors of the fighting, the trio hide out together, waiting for the war to end. But when the Soviet forces return, fate will intervene once more, leaving Peter and Sara alone and facing a deadly chase to survive that will lead them all the way to America.
Philadelphia, 1966
After one of his friends from the war is killed in a hit and run, a bomb rips through the social club where Peter, his brother, and the rest of their friends meet after the funeral. One of the men is killed and Peter is left in a coma. Realizing her family is being targeted, and without her father to turn to, Sara teams up with Tom Kirby, an FBI agent who’s meeting a wall of silence at every turn. Working with, and getting ever closer to Tom, Sara will reveal secrets and conspiracies that stretch from the Philadelphia underworld all the way back to the darkest days of the holocaust in Poland. She will be forced to confront demons of the past she never knew existed and face truths that will change her life forever.
The Hidden Soldier is the new page-turner by Eoin Dempsey, the author of the #1 Amazon bestseller, White Rose, Black Forest.
Download The Hidden Soldier and discover Eoin Dempsey’s books today.
Peter and his two-year-old daughter, Sara, escape war-torn Poland after WW2 and settle in Pennsylvania, but when tragedy strikes twenty-one years later, the dark secrets of the past will be revealed.
Eastern Poland, 1942
On the run from the Nazis in occupied Poland with his daughter, Peter Kovalenko goes on a deadly mission to prove himself to the Polish resistance. He meets Natalia, a beautiful underground fighter with little left to live for. Desperate to hide Sara from the horrors of the fighting, the trio hide out together, waiting for the war to end. But when the Soviet forces return, fate will intervene once more, leaving Peter and Sara alone and facing a deadly chase to survive that will lead them all the way to America.
Philadelphia, 1966
After one of his friends from the war is killed in a hit and run, a bomb rips through the social club where Peter, his brother, and the rest of their friends meet after the funeral. One of the men is killed and Peter is left in a coma. Realizing her family is being targeted, and without her father to turn to, Sara teams up with Tom Kirby, an FBI agent who’s meeting a wall of silence at every turn. Working with, and getting ever closer to Tom, Sara will reveal secrets and conspiracies that stretch from the Philadelphia underworld all the way back to the darkest days of the holocaust in Poland. She will be forced to confront demons of the past she never knew existed and face truths that will change her life forever.
The Hidden Soldier is the new page-turner by Eoin Dempsey, the author of the #1 Amazon bestseller, White Rose, Black Forest.
Download The Hidden Soldier and discover Eoin Dempsey’s books today.
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2021
718 people are currently reading
823 people want to read
About the author
Eoin Dempsey
37 books1,047 followersEoin Dempsey was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1977. He grew up in the beautiful Dublin suburb of Dalkey, where he and his friends would jump into the icy waters of the Irish Sea (during summertime) to prove their manliness. Eoin had a fantastic time attending Blackrock College, where he played rugby (poorly) and did his best to coast his way through. Eoin’s first ambition was to play rugby for Ireland. Due to a lack of talent, he soon abandoned that goal for the more reasoned path of the rock star. He played in bands through his teens and well into his twenties before harsh reality came calling, and his dreams of being the next Keith Moon faded.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
August 18, 2022
I am a big fan of Eoin Dempsey’s WW2 historical fiction. His stories always present captivating characters and harrowing stories from that time in history. In THE HIDDEN SOLDIER, Peter and his two-year-old daughter Sarah are trying to escape war-torn Poland. I really liked the way that just like in his other novels, Dempsey illustrates the shades of gray between the clear-cut black and white right and wrong choices. It makes for interesting storytelling. The novel is told in split POVs and split timelines, with the latter part being from Sarah’s part of view in the 1960’s when she and her father have immigrated to the United States. After a bombing in a community center, Sarah tries to uncover secrets from her father’s past to understand who could be responsible.
January 27, 2021
In "The Hidden Soldier", Dempsey does what Dempsey does so well.. extremely well!
A story told through multiple timeframes intertwining the main characters in a beautiful, and at times enraging story of love and survival.
When it comes to Historical Fiction there are few that I have found do it better then Dempsey and his latest book is no exception to that.. Told partly by Peter in 1933-1945 (WWII -Poland) and partly by his daughter, Sara 21 years later in Philadelphia, this book offers you a fast paced ride through war torn Poland and a glimpse into the consequences that come from the tough decisions we are forced to make in life.
This book was amazingly heart felt and beautiful.. reminding us about what "family" and "survival" truly mean. If you are a fan of historical fiction novels, I wouldn't miss this one!
A story told through multiple timeframes intertwining the main characters in a beautiful, and at times enraging story of love and survival.
When it comes to Historical Fiction there are few that I have found do it better then Dempsey and his latest book is no exception to that.. Told partly by Peter in 1933-1945 (WWII -Poland) and partly by his daughter, Sara 21 years later in Philadelphia, this book offers you a fast paced ride through war torn Poland and a glimpse into the consequences that come from the tough decisions we are forced to make in life.
This book was amazingly heart felt and beautiful.. reminding us about what "family" and "survival" truly mean. If you are a fan of historical fiction novels, I wouldn't miss this one!
July 15, 2025
Eoin Dempsey is an Irish Writer Currently living in the US. He specializes in the historical Fiction Genre, mainly in the back drop of WWII.
Well, there are so many historical fiction writers dishing out too many fiction in the backdrop of WWII and aftermath. So what is that which makes this book stand out? Why is it that I had to pick this from so many of them? Even his earlier read, "White Rose, Black Forest" was not that great for me. Like most in the market, this is a fast read, requiring you to just go with the flow of the narration.
One thing history teaches us is the midst of all the human crisis in the backdrop of myriad geographies and cultures, is to offer a Lesson that human kind needs to learn and correct. Apparently we do not. Most Historical Fictions that are written try to keep you hooked to the Story only based on the Thrill factor and ignore any relevance to Historical facts. Some go little further with some basic research and weave a narration based on a factual event or context. However very few go beyond that even, and try to offer a learning from the human crisis that evolves out of the factual Context.
On that note, Eoin Dempsey has based his narrative on the infamous "Trawniki Men". While making it a fast and interesting read, he has unraveled the human emotions and values that go into it and offers a narration that not only talks about the psychology behind those that are ensnared into it, but also on redemption from it.
Definitely an interesting and fast read.
For understanding of
"Trawniki men"
############################################
Eoin Dempsey, தற்போது அமெரிக்காவில் வசிக்கும் ஐரிஷ் புனைவு எழுத்தாளர். இவருடைய புனைவுகள் அனைத்தும் வரலாற்றுப் பின்னணியில் புனையப்பட்டவை. அவற்றில் பல புனைவுகள் இரண்டாம் உலகப் போரின் பின்னணியில் அமைந்தவை. எழுத ஆரம்பித்த குறுகிய காலத்திலேயே பல கதைகளை எழுதிக்குவித்துவிட்டார். அத்தனையும் வேக வேகமாக விற்றுத்தீர்த்து விடுகிறது.
சரி, உலகம் முழுதும் இரண்டாம் உலகப் போரின் பின்னணியில் ஏற்கனவே ஏராளமான எழுத்தாளர்கள் கொள்ளை கொள்ளையாய் புனைகதைகளை படைத்துள்ளார்கள், படைக்கிறார்கள், தொடர்ந்தும் படைப்பார்கள். இருந்தும், இந்த புத்தகம் மட்டும் ஏன் தனித்து நிற்கிறது? ஏற்கனவே படித்த, டெம்ப்ஸியின் "White Rose, Black Forest" கூட எனக்கு அவ்வளவு சிறப்பாக தோன்றவில்லையே? இதுவும் கூட ஒரு வேகமாக வாசித்துவிடக்கூடிய திரில்லர் வகை புதினம்தான். விறுவிறுப்பாக விரைவாக வாசித்துவிட்டு வைத்துவிட முடியும். பிறகு இதை மட்டும் நான் ஏன் தேர்ந்தெடுத்தேன்?
பொதுவாக திரில்லர் வகை என்றதும் தமிழ் வாசகர்களுக்கு பாக்கெட் நாவல் வடிவில் கலர் கலரான அட்டையுடன், வெளிவரும் எதோ ஒரு நாவல் ஞாபகம் வரலாம். கோவை டூ ஈரோடு பஸ்ஸில் ஏறி பயண நேரம் தெரியாமல் இருக்க அதில் ஒன்றை வாங்கினால், விவேக் ரூபலாவோ, நரேனோ, கணேஷ் - வசந்த்தோ வெறு யாரோ துப்பறிய ஆரம்பிக்கும் முடிச்சு அவிநாசி வருவதற்குள் முடிந்து, தூக்கம் வராமல் கம்பியில் சாய்ந்து கொண்டே செல்லும் வகை நாவல்கள் தான் பெரும்பாலும். அவை பெரிதாக ஏதும் சிக்கல் இல்லாமல் தட்டையாகவே முடிந்துவிடுபவை. தமிழ்நாடு தாண்டி அவற்றுக்கு இருப்பு ஏதும் இருக்காது.
ஆனால் ஆங்கிலத்திலும், மற்ற உலக மொழிகளில் வெளிவரும் சிறிய த்ரில்லர் நாவல்களில் பல அப்படி இல்லை. பெரும்பாலான புனைவுகளில், திரில் என்ற ஒரே காரணியை மட்டுமே அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்டு கதையுடன் உங்களை கட்டிப்போட முயல்வார்கள். இன்னும் சில வரலாற்று நிகழ்வுகளைக்கொண்டு தரவுகளின் அடிப்படையில் சுவாரசியமான படைப்பாக உருவாக்குகிறார்கள். மேலும் சில அதையும் தாண்டி வரலாற்று நிகழ்வுகளின் பின்னே ஏற்படும் மனித மனச்சிக்கல்களை வைத்து முடிச்சுகளை ஏற்படுத்தி, அதற்கான மீட்சியையும் முன்னிறுத்துகின்றனர்.
அந்த வகையில், இயோன் டெம்ப்சி தனது கதையை இரண்டாம் உலக யுத்த வரலாற்றின் மறந்து போன பக்கங்களில் உள்ள "டிராவ்னிகி மனிதர்கள்" ("Trawniki Men" ) அத்தியாயத்தை அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்டு கதையை பின்னியுள்ளார். இது அதிவேகமான திரில்லர் என்றபோதும், மனித உணர்ச்சிகளையும் அதன் பிறழ்வுகளையும் காட்சிப்படுத்தியுள்ளார். மேலும் அந்த சிக்கலின் பின்னால் உள்ள உளவியலைப் பற்றி மட்டுமல்லாமல், அதன் மீட்சியை பற்றியும் பேசும் ஒரு கதை இது.
நிச்சயமாக ஒரு சுவாரஸ்யமான, வேகமான வாசிக்க வேண்டிய நாவல்.
Well, there are so many historical fiction writers dishing out too many fiction in the backdrop of WWII and aftermath. So what is that which makes this book stand out? Why is it that I had to pick this from so many of them? Even his earlier read, "White Rose, Black Forest" was not that great for me. Like most in the market, this is a fast read, requiring you to just go with the flow of the narration.
One thing history teaches us is the midst of all the human crisis in the backdrop of myriad geographies and cultures, is to offer a Lesson that human kind needs to learn and correct. Apparently we do not. Most Historical Fictions that are written try to keep you hooked to the Story only based on the Thrill factor and ignore any relevance to Historical facts. Some go little further with some basic research and weave a narration based on a factual event or context. However very few go beyond that even, and try to offer a learning from the human crisis that evolves out of the factual Context.
On that note, Eoin Dempsey has based his narrative on the infamous "Trawniki Men". While making it a fast and interesting read, he has unraveled the human emotions and values that go into it and offers a narration that not only talks about the psychology behind those that are ensnared into it, but also on redemption from it.
Definitely an interesting and fast read.
For understanding of
"Trawniki men"
############################################
Eoin Dempsey, தற்போது அமெரிக்காவில் வசிக்கும் ஐரிஷ் புனைவு எழுத்தாளர். இவருடைய புனைவுகள் அனைத்தும் வரலாற்றுப் பின்னணியில் புனையப்பட்டவை. அவற்றில் பல புனைவுகள் இரண்டாம் உலகப் போரின் பின்னணியில் அமைந்தவை. எழுத ஆரம்பித்த குறுகிய காலத்திலேயே பல கதைகளை எழுதிக்குவித்துவிட்டார். அத்தனையும் வேக வேகமாக விற்றுத்தீர்த்து விடுகிறது.
சரி, உலகம் முழுதும் இரண்டாம் உலகப் போரின் பின்னணியில் ஏற்கனவே ஏராளமான எழுத்தாளர்கள் கொள்ளை கொள்ளையாய் புனைகதைகளை படைத்துள்ளார்கள், படைக்கிறார்கள், தொடர்ந்தும் படைப்பார்கள். இருந்தும், இந்த புத்தகம் மட்டும் ஏன் தனித்து நிற்கிறது? ஏற்கனவே படித்த, டெம்ப்ஸியின் "White Rose, Black Forest" கூட எனக்கு அவ்வளவு சிறப்பாக தோன்றவில்லையே? இதுவும் கூட ஒரு வேகமாக வாசித்துவிடக்கூடிய திரில்லர் வகை புதினம்தான். விறுவிறுப்பாக விரைவாக வாசித்துவிட்டு வைத்துவிட முடியும். பிறகு இதை மட்டும் நான் ஏன் தேர்ந்தெடுத்தேன்?
பொதுவாக திரில்லர் வகை என்றதும் தமிழ் வாசகர்களுக்கு பாக்கெட் நாவல் வடிவில் கலர் கலரான அட்டையுடன், வெளிவரும் எதோ ஒரு நாவல் ஞாபகம் வரலாம். கோவை டூ ஈரோடு பஸ்ஸில் ஏறி பயண நேரம் தெரியாமல் இருக்க அதில் ஒன்றை வாங்கினால், விவேக் ரூபலாவோ, நரேனோ, கணேஷ் - வசந்த்தோ வெறு யாரோ துப்பறிய ஆரம்பிக்கும் முடிச்சு அவிநாசி வருவதற்குள் முடிந்து, தூக்கம் வராமல் கம்பியில் சாய்ந்து கொண்டே செல்லும் வகை நாவல்கள் தான் பெரும்பாலும். அவை பெரிதாக ஏதும் சிக்கல் இல்லாமல் தட்டையாகவே முடிந்துவிடுபவை. தமிழ்நாடு தாண்டி அவற்றுக்கு இருப்பு ஏதும் இருக்காது.
ஆனால் ஆங்கிலத்திலும், மற்ற உலக மொழிகளில் வெளிவரும் சிறிய த்ரில்லர் நாவல்களில் பல அப்படி இல்லை. பெரும்பாலான புனைவுகளில், திரில் என்ற ஒரே காரணியை மட்டுமே அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்டு கதையுடன் உங்களை கட்டிப்போட முயல்வார்கள். இன்னும் சில வரலாற்று நிகழ்வுகளைக்கொண்டு தரவுகளின் அடிப்படையில் சுவாரசியமான படைப்பாக உருவாக்குகிறார்கள். மேலும் சில அதையும் தாண்டி வரலாற்று நிகழ்வுகளின் பின்னே ஏற்படும் மனித மனச்சிக்கல்களை வைத்து முடிச்சுகளை ஏற்படுத்தி, அதற்கான மீட்சியையும் முன்னிறுத்துகின்றனர்.
அந்த வகையில், இயோன் டெம்ப்சி தனது கதையை இரண்டாம் உலக யுத்த வரலாற்றின் மறந்து போன பக்கங்களில் உள்ள "டிராவ்னிகி மனிதர்கள்" ("Trawniki Men" ) அத்தியாயத்தை அடிப்படையாகக் கொண்டு கதையை பின்னியுள்ளார். இது அதிவேகமான திரில்லர் என்றபோதும், மனித உணர்ச்சிகளையும் அதன் பிறழ்வுகளையும் காட்சிப்படுத்தியுள்ளார். மேலும் அந்த சிக்கலின் பின்னால் உள்ள உளவியலைப் பற்றி மட்டுமல்லாமல், அதன் மீட்சியை பற்றியும் பேசும் ஒரு கதை இது.
நிச்சயமாக ஒரு சுவாரஸ்யமான, வேகமான வாசிக்க வேண்டிய நாவல்.
March 20, 2021
Could this be your favorite book too… a fast-paced, poignant, historical fiction with a dash of warmth and romance?
Eoin Dempsey’s track record is embellished with bestsellers. In his latest book, The Hidden Soldier, he demonstrates his ability, not only to shine, but also to grow as an astute writer. Through vivid passages and enticing characters, Dempsey grabs the reader right from the starting line, and places them within his pocket, as he escorts them on a gripping ride that begins in Eastern Poland in 1939. Here we experience the grit of a POW camp, the sweat of a deadly chase, and the tears of family scars and secrets.
Scenes carry the reader to decades later, where violence, questioning, and conspiracies abound. Through vigorous and surprising plot twists, Dempsey allows us to reflect on who we are and what our values are, as we relate to the characters.
Yes, WWII has been written about before, but Dempsey’s perspective is original and illuminating. Accounts of war have to stay in the foreground, so those who made boundless sacrifices can be honored and the horrific mistakes of mankind can be avoided in the future. Many readers, including myself, have had close family members who courageously served in WWII. That seems to explain why this genre and topic is so popular with readers.
Eoin Dempsey is writing in 4th gear these days….and the road before him is lined with bestsellers!
Thanks to Eoin Dempsey and Ulverton Press for allowing me to read a copy of the book in return for an honest review.
Eoin Dempsey’s track record is embellished with bestsellers. In his latest book, The Hidden Soldier, he demonstrates his ability, not only to shine, but also to grow as an astute writer. Through vivid passages and enticing characters, Dempsey grabs the reader right from the starting line, and places them within his pocket, as he escorts them on a gripping ride that begins in Eastern Poland in 1939. Here we experience the grit of a POW camp, the sweat of a deadly chase, and the tears of family scars and secrets.
Scenes carry the reader to decades later, where violence, questioning, and conspiracies abound. Through vigorous and surprising plot twists, Dempsey allows us to reflect on who we are and what our values are, as we relate to the characters.
Yes, WWII has been written about before, but Dempsey’s perspective is original and illuminating. Accounts of war have to stay in the foreground, so those who made boundless sacrifices can be honored and the horrific mistakes of mankind can be avoided in the future. Many readers, including myself, have had close family members who courageously served in WWII. That seems to explain why this genre and topic is so popular with readers.
Eoin Dempsey is writing in 4th gear these days….and the road before him is lined with bestsellers!
Thanks to Eoin Dempsey and Ulverton Press for allowing me to read a copy of the book in return for an honest review.
January 18, 2021
The Hidden Soldier is a poignant page-turner that will leave you breathless. Gorgeously written, Eoin Dempsey carries you back in time and inserts you into the heart of this tragic, pivotal moment in history. Part thriller, part love story, I was completely enthralled from beginning to end.
August 8, 2023
The novel begins in Eastern Poland, 1942 and extends through Philadelphia, 1966.
Ukrainians Peter Kovalenko and his brother, Daniel are part of the Polish resistance. When the Germans conquer and occupy Poland the brothers are sent to a stalag. Needless to say the conditions are unlivable and the treatment inhumane. But because the brothers are not Jewish and can speak passable German they are taken out of the stalag and trained to be guards in the Camps.
Both brothers are reluctant to commit mass murder, however. They managed to escape through the forest. Peter grabs a two year old girl, Sara, on his way to his escape. Sara's mother had just been killed by the guards. Peter and Daniel are separated during their escape. Peter and Sara wait out the war on a farm owned by a sympathizer.
Now in Philadelphia, 1966, Sara is now a lawyer living with her father. A bomb has detonated in a social club where Peter and Daniel meet up with Polish friends. There are some causalities, but Daniel is unhurt. However, Peter was found in critical condition and rushed to the hospital. He is in a coma.
Meanwhile the FBI starts to investigate. Special Agent Tom Kirby is the agent in charge.
Sara, however, starts her own investigation. It seems there was a camp in Poland called Trawniki where Peter and Daniel were kept. Sara comes upon a list of those people housed there. Her father and uncle are among them.
Sara uncovers many secrets about her father, uncle and her own life on the run during the war.
This was an incredible story to read; and much of it is based on actual events.
Ukrainians Peter Kovalenko and his brother, Daniel are part of the Polish resistance. When the Germans conquer and occupy Poland the brothers are sent to a stalag. Needless to say the conditions are unlivable and the treatment inhumane. But because the brothers are not Jewish and can speak passable German they are taken out of the stalag and trained to be guards in the Camps.
Both brothers are reluctant to commit mass murder, however. They managed to escape through the forest. Peter grabs a two year old girl, Sara, on his way to his escape. Sara's mother had just been killed by the guards. Peter and Daniel are separated during their escape. Peter and Sara wait out the war on a farm owned by a sympathizer.
Now in Philadelphia, 1966, Sara is now a lawyer living with her father. A bomb has detonated in a social club where Peter and Daniel meet up with Polish friends. There are some causalities, but Daniel is unhurt. However, Peter was found in critical condition and rushed to the hospital. He is in a coma.
Meanwhile the FBI starts to investigate. Special Agent Tom Kirby is the agent in charge.
Sara, however, starts her own investigation. It seems there was a camp in Poland called Trawniki where Peter and Daniel were kept. Sara comes upon a list of those people housed there. Her father and uncle are among them.
Sara uncovers many secrets about her father, uncle and her own life on the run during the war.
This was an incredible story to read; and much of it is based on actual events.
January 11, 2021
I was anxious to read Mr. Dempsey’s new book because I loved his best seller, White Rose Black Forest. It did not disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning and it kept me guessing. I learned a lot about the suffering of the people in Poland during the war. But he still managed to make it a great story about love and family. Historical fiction lovers like me will enjoy.
January 12, 2021
I have loved all the books I’ve read by Eoin Dempsey, this book included. I always learn a little more about history in addition to reading a good story in all his books. The characters in this book are believable and it keeps you guessing on how it will all come together in the end. Another great read for historical fiction lovers.
April 9, 2021
A multi-layered story well crafted and written, not an easy feat. This novel leans more toward commercial fiction than this author's literary fiction masterpiece White Rose Black Forest. Still, it is an interesting story and paints a picture of how complicated wars can be. Eoin Dempsey is one of the few authors I follow. I've read most of his novels and think he is one of the best.
January 27, 2021
The Hidden Soldier is a story of unconditional love, courage, bravery, death and survival. It is a story of undeniable hate for the Jewish race during WWII and the price paid for choices made by the main characters.
The Choice: to murder for survival, to attempt escape rather than murder, to commit suicide rather than murder.
The Choice: to bury the past and one's collaboration with the Nazis.
to seek the truth about family members who may or may not have collaborated with the Nazis in order to live.
to seek revenge
to forgive lies told or truths kept
The primary choices made under duress affected those who survived for the rest of their lives.
What would you do in similar circumstances?
This is a tale that needs telling over and over. Eoin does so tenderly and with complete understanding of his characters and the times in which they lived and died.
It is a " Good read."
The Choice: to murder for survival, to attempt escape rather than murder, to commit suicide rather than murder.
The Choice: to bury the past and one's collaboration with the Nazis.
to seek the truth about family members who may or may not have collaborated with the Nazis in order to live.
to seek revenge
to forgive lies told or truths kept
The primary choices made under duress affected those who survived for the rest of their lives.
What would you do in similar circumstances?
This is a tale that needs telling over and over. Eoin does so tenderly and with complete understanding of his characters and the times in which they lived and died.
It is a " Good read."
March 5, 2021
Eoin did it again, his newest story has blown me away! I’ve read all of his books and was so excited that he had two new ones come out early this year. It’s 2 a.m. and I’ve just finished the Hidden Soldier and my cheeks are wet with tears. My heart is racing and more than a little broken. The things humans do to one another... the things we are forced to do just to survive... the reality that between wrong and right and black and white there are a million different layers... that reality has never been expressed better to me than by the story told in this book. For all of the hard times I have imagined myself to have barely survived, I know that it is nothing compared to those who have and will survive the horrors of war. This book gave me perspective in a major way. This book will remain with me for a very long time, maybe even forever.
February 24, 2021
Eoin Dempsey has done it again! A dual love story told in parallel timelines and countries meticulously woven together. As with his other books, I'm so impressed by the extensive detail oriented research that clearly went into painting the WWII backdrop. His portrayal of the time period engulfs you and the mystery and intrigue of the plot leave you always saying "I'll just read one more chapter before I go to bed" and then actually reading many more because you were so engrossed. A perfect mix of heroes and villains, ups and downs, history and romance. I can't recommend this book more highly!
June 8, 2021
A lot of books are just a bit of light entertainment and some are beautiful and haunting and will stay with you for a very long time. The Hidden Soldier is beautifully written and teaches about a very dark time during the reign of the Nazis. This book made me question myself and I wondered if I would have been as brave and principled as Peter or Victor. I have read White Rose Black Forest and will look for more books by this outstanding author.
July 15, 2021
Another page-turner by Eoin Dempsey, the author of White Rose, Black Forest and The Longest Echo, The Hidden Soldier tells the dual tale of Peter and his 2-year-old daughter Sara’s life in war-torn Poland during WWII and the subsequent life-changing events in Philadelphia of 1966. Dempsey’s fast-paced, dialogue-driven writing is strong on the multi-faceted complications of both history and relationships.
December 20, 2022
Peter and his daughter Sara escaped the Nazis and fled Poland for America. Twenty one years later, Peter is in his Polish-American social club, when a bomb goes off and he falls into a coma. It's up to Sara and Tom, the FBI agent, to find out who is behind the attack. And why.
I am a big fan of this author's work but this one was just okay to me. I never felt really emotionally involved with the characters and the timeline felt really jerky.
I am a big fan of this author's work but this one was just okay to me. I never felt really emotionally involved with the characters and the timeline felt really jerky.
March 6, 2021
This is one of the best books I’ve read. I didn’t think he could top White Rose Black Forest, but he did!
May 9, 2022
4.5 stars
January 10, 2026
Eoin is a new favorite author. This book was powerfully written about the incredibly tough choices Europeans needed to make to survive during WWII. I loved the back and forth between decades and the twist at the end. A strangely similar storyline (and locations) to my own family and their survival in Poland/Germany in WWII. A great book to start the new year!
July 23, 2023
Do not judge a man until you have walked in his shoes
I am hopeful that more people were able to do what Peter did during the war. Unfortunately everyone had to do what they had to to survive! This was not my favorite book but it was a difficult subject matter!
I am hopeful that more people were able to do what Peter did during the war. Unfortunately everyone had to do what they had to to survive! This was not my favorite book but it was a difficult subject matter!
January 6, 2024
What an amazing dual timeline story covering a WWII prison camp, its detainees and their courage, strength and survival followed by repercussions 30 years later!
March 12, 2021
This book is an absolute show-stopper and a must read for anyone who loves historical fiction. It provides the beautifully descriptive language you can expect from an Eoin Dempsey book, but with multiple, elevated plot twists that are unlike any of his previous novels. The Hidden Soldier reads like a heart-pounding thriller with historical facts and heartbreaking themes that seem to flawlessly weave together into literary excellence. The story starts off in Ukraine in April 1933, during the Great Famine where millions of Ukrainians tragically starved to death. We are introduced to characters Peter and Daniel, brothers who love each other, but have polarizing ideology and tactics for survival. We see this relationship develop over time and come to a head towards the end of the book. The psychology behind how two people who witness the same trauma can react vastly different is eye-opening, especially in a historical fiction novel where readers are left wondering how they themselves would react in that environment. We also meet Peter’s daughter, Sara, who steals the hearts of readers early on with her unapologetic attitude, charming stubbornness, and the sheer love she feels for those around her, especially Peter. She is a feminist through and through, which is refreshing for characters set in this time period. She at times provides comedic relief that is needed to balance out the sometimes grim themes and heart-wrenching drama. Getting to hear from both Sara and Peter as narrators adds to the beautiful complexity of each character as well. Although Sara and Peter are close, a dark secret Peter has been keeping from Sara may alienate her from the rest of the family. This book will have you in tears, in love, in awe, and in laughter. If you love beautiful descriptive language, tragic WW2 themes, developing romances, and plot twists, look no further. Pick up The Hidden Soldier. You won’t be able to put it down, and the story will stay with you long after you flip that final page.
June 18, 2023
Sweet Historical Romance
I seem to be on a WWII kick lately. What I loved about this story is the longer time frame. The story goes from when the hero was a teen boy, to when his daughter is 2 yrs old, till 25 or so years later. It also covers several locations overseas and finally in America.
The story is filled with horrific scenes and touching moments. Fragile memories to a bright future. Total isolation to a large family uniquely built by friends, coworkers, and marriage.
The narration was powerful! It was almost whispered in parts then practically screaming in others. Various accents make this audiobook seem very real. Except for the sounds of families begging for their lives, and the blast of gunfire, and the smell of death, This was written very much like a movie and I could picture the whole story quite vividly.
I seem to be on a WWII kick lately. What I loved about this story is the longer time frame. The story goes from when the hero was a teen boy, to when his daughter is 2 yrs old, till 25 or so years later. It also covers several locations overseas and finally in America.
The story is filled with horrific scenes and touching moments. Fragile memories to a bright future. Total isolation to a large family uniquely built by friends, coworkers, and marriage.
The narration was powerful! It was almost whispered in parts then practically screaming in others. Various accents make this audiobook seem very real. Except for the sounds of families begging for their lives, and the blast of gunfire, and the smell of death, This was written very much like a movie and I could picture the whole story quite vividly.
January 23, 2021
The Hidden Soldier historical novel totally immersed me into what I believe people experienced in eastern Europe through WWII and years to follow. Many writings about the Nazis are from western Europe’s, Great Britain and the U.S. view. The Soviet Union, dominated by communist Russia, was a strange ally for Great Britain and the U.S. It created unbearable human trauma at the end of the Nazi period and for many more years.
When a word is used to describe events and conditions it can have a sanitizing effect. “Atrocity” is such a word for me. It overly summarizes and simplifies the Nazi treatment of Jewish people. The compounded dynamic of communist Russian’s victorious occupation of eastern Europe, overlapping the Nazi regime, created a life for essentially all people there which was among the most brutal in modern history. They went from being oppressed by Nazi aggression, barbaric killing and instilling fear – to that of Russian communism which lasted largely until 1990.
This book vividly portrays insight into people caught between Nazi domination and Russian warfare. The fictitious characters come to life in the story. It is a most difficult read in parts, vividly describing the effects of the evil conduct of the Nazi regime on people who were forced to endure, survive and make impossible choices. The events which unfold are unpredictable! The story is complete.
This novel is superb! AND transported my thoughts away from the oppression of life with the COVID-19 pandemic. Eoin: May the spirit of authorship continue to dwell in you.
Frank Callahan, NJ, USA
When a word is used to describe events and conditions it can have a sanitizing effect. “Atrocity” is such a word for me. It overly summarizes and simplifies the Nazi treatment of Jewish people. The compounded dynamic of communist Russian’s victorious occupation of eastern Europe, overlapping the Nazi regime, created a life for essentially all people there which was among the most brutal in modern history. They went from being oppressed by Nazi aggression, barbaric killing and instilling fear – to that of Russian communism which lasted largely until 1990.
This book vividly portrays insight into people caught between Nazi domination and Russian warfare. The fictitious characters come to life in the story. It is a most difficult read in parts, vividly describing the effects of the evil conduct of the Nazi regime on people who were forced to endure, survive and make impossible choices. The events which unfold are unpredictable! The story is complete.
This novel is superb! AND transported my thoughts away from the oppression of life with the COVID-19 pandemic. Eoin: May the spirit of authorship continue to dwell in you.
Frank Callahan, NJ, USA
December 15, 2021
4.5 stars ……Eoin Dempsey lived up to my expectations with his book, The Hidden Soldier. Previously I had read White Rose Black Forest by him, and at that time I found a new favorite author. I wish I didn’t wait so long to read another of his books.
An escaped Soviet prisoner of war turned Nazi collaborator and a Jewish girl are two of the people you will become attached too. Is it possible to fall in love and sympathize with a war criminal? Could you kill bound men, women and children to save your own life? That is what many did during the Holocaust, but when the Holocaust was over they had to find a way to live with themselves.
This is a fast paced, page turner, filled with horrible atrocities that were committed during WWll. The story goes from Poland during the war to Pennsylvania where many of the war criminals fled to escape the murders they committed. An excellent read that will bring you to tears at the end.
An escaped Soviet prisoner of war turned Nazi collaborator and a Jewish girl are two of the people you will become attached too. Is it possible to fall in love and sympathize with a war criminal? Could you kill bound men, women and children to save your own life? That is what many did during the Holocaust, but when the Holocaust was over they had to find a way to live with themselves.
This is a fast paced, page turner, filled with horrible atrocities that were committed during WWll. The story goes from Poland during the war to Pennsylvania where many of the war criminals fled to escape the murders they committed. An excellent read that will bring you to tears at the end.
February 27, 2021
Very moving but honest book.
I found this book extremely moving looking at a very difficult period of recent history. It as set in Ukraine/ Poland during the second world war when Russia and Germany were fighting over the same territory. Life's for the residents was extremely difficult ,even surviving was a struggle. This book is about two brothers Peter and Daniel who eventually manage to move to the USA along with some friends. It looks at how different people respond to difficult situations and the way we need to survive.
The book is also a tale about Peter and his daughter Sara and their journey from Poland to the US with a few surprises along the way.Wonderfully portrayed characters and storyline in a book that really makes you think about how you would respond to certain situations.
I found this book extremely moving looking at a very difficult period of recent history. It as set in Ukraine/ Poland during the second world war when Russia and Germany were fighting over the same territory. Life's for the residents was extremely difficult ,even surviving was a struggle. This book is about two brothers Peter and Daniel who eventually manage to move to the USA along with some friends. It looks at how different people respond to difficult situations and the way we need to survive.
The book is also a tale about Peter and his daughter Sara and their journey from Poland to the US with a few surprises along the way.Wonderfully portrayed characters and storyline in a book that really makes you think about how you would respond to certain situations.
March 6, 2021
A great book...
A wonderful story of suffering, devotion, betrayal, sacrifice and the complexity of war and relationships. In so many areas we can see good verses evil. Interesting how two people raised alike in a family, and suffering the same hardships, can be so different in character and devotion. The book has several strong characters and Eoin Dempsey brings them all to life in their struggle to survive during and after the war. This book is hard for me to review and not give away the story. Suffice it to say, that it’s a great book with suspense, twists and turns and an interesting ending, that may surprise you. It was an enjoyable read. I’ve read a few of Eoin’s books and they are all wonderful!! Don’t miss this one!
pamarella
PRCS
A wonderful story of suffering, devotion, betrayal, sacrifice and the complexity of war and relationships. In so many areas we can see good verses evil. Interesting how two people raised alike in a family, and suffering the same hardships, can be so different in character and devotion. The book has several strong characters and Eoin Dempsey brings them all to life in their struggle to survive during and after the war. This book is hard for me to review and not give away the story. Suffice it to say, that it’s a great book with suspense, twists and turns and an interesting ending, that may surprise you. It was an enjoyable read. I’ve read a few of Eoin’s books and they are all wonderful!! Don’t miss this one!
pamarella
PRCS
January 26, 2021
Having read White Rose Black Forest, it was with eagerness that I dove into The Hidden Soldier. It did not disappoint! Throughout the book Dempsey has effectively sprinkled the horrors of Poland during WWII alongside the strong bonds of loyalty to family and unwavering commitment to purpose. If intrigue appeals to you, know that at one point, I actually gasped as I was reading! The story is one that makes you place yourself in the shoes of the characters and wonder what you'd do under similar circumstances. What would you do to survive? How far would you go to honor commitments you've made?
February 2, 2021
This is one of those books that grabs you right away and you're immediately hooked! I found myself hiding from my family just to escape back into the world of Peter and Sara Kovalenko. While steeped in historical events, the storylines transcend time. My own lack of historical (or geographical) knowledge could not penetrate the exciting tale in these pages and did not impede my enjoyment. This is a book I will and have recommended to lovers of all types of literature - historical, dramatic, suspenseful, etc... Seemingly, this would be a great book club recommendation for the same reason - it is a true "crowd-pleaser." Dempsey's characters are authentic and genuine.
March 6, 2021
Another novel that keeps you guessing
With every book Mr. Dempsey impresses me with his skill to ride the line between truth and fiction. It began with a novel about a girl that finds a downed airman in a forest and continues with his latest A Hidden Soldier. He writes about hard choices -some not being choices at all. He deals with stories that show the good and evil of the choices we make while honing in on the consequences that eventually come to light when the truth is revealed . He is quickly vying to be my favorite author and his books hold places in my heart that I will never forget. Until the next book comes along that is.
With every book Mr. Dempsey impresses me with his skill to ride the line between truth and fiction. It began with a novel about a girl that finds a downed airman in a forest and continues with his latest A Hidden Soldier. He writes about hard choices -some not being choices at all. He deals with stories that show the good and evil of the choices we make while honing in on the consequences that eventually come to light when the truth is revealed . He is quickly vying to be my favorite author and his books hold places in my heart that I will never forget. Until the next book comes along that is.
January 17, 2021
I have read 2 prior books by Eoin Dempsey and both have been terrific.
This chronicles the life of young men and their family from Poland in early 1930's
through WW II and German ad Russian occupations to 1966 where the families resettled
after WW II. The story is a well told tale and I felt like I was hearing the life story
of the people directly from the characters in the book. It is an engrossing read and
a page turner throughout. It certainly gives you a sense of what the people who lived
during these times went through. Looking forward to more wokr s By this author.
This chronicles the life of young men and their family from Poland in early 1930's
through WW II and German ad Russian occupations to 1966 where the families resettled
after WW II. The story is a well told tale and I felt like I was hearing the life story
of the people directly from the characters in the book. It is an engrossing read and
a page turner throughout. It certainly gives you a sense of what the people who lived
during these times went through. Looking forward to more wokr s By this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews