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The Night Before Morning
June 1945. Hitler has triumphed, Britain is under German occupation and America cowers under the threat of nuclear attack.
In the dead of night, a figure flits through the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey, searching for a hidden document he knows could change the course of history. The journal he discovers, by a young soldier, David Erskine, records an extraordinary story.
When the Allies drive the Germans out of France and victory seems imminent, Erskine is in Antwerp, where he witnesses a world-changing reversal of fortune. From a high vantage point, he watches a huge mushroom cloud rise over an atomic bomb has been detonated by the Germans in a last desperate roll of the dice.
Captor becomes captive and Erskine is held as a POW in his own land. As the brutal grip of the occupying forces tightens, he is determined to join the resistance. A daring escape leads him and his fiancée Katie on a breathless chase to the university town of St Andrews, where the Germans have established a secret research laboratory. When it becomes clear what its purpose is, David, Katie and their small, trusted band must adopt a desperate and audacious plan to thwart Nazi domination . . .
In the dead of night, a figure flits through the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey, searching for a hidden document he knows could change the course of history. The journal he discovers, by a young soldier, David Erskine, records an extraordinary story.
When the Allies drive the Germans out of France and victory seems imminent, Erskine is in Antwerp, where he witnesses a world-changing reversal of fortune. From a high vantage point, he watches a huge mushroom cloud rise over an atomic bomb has been detonated by the Germans in a last desperate roll of the dice.
Captor becomes captive and Erskine is held as a POW in his own land. As the brutal grip of the occupying forces tightens, he is determined to join the resistance. A daring escape leads him and his fiancée Katie on a breathless chase to the university town of St Andrews, where the Germans have established a secret research laboratory. When it becomes clear what its purpose is, David, Katie and their small, trusted band must adopt a desperate and audacious plan to thwart Nazi domination . . .
- GenresFiction
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published September 1, 2021
2 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Alistair Moffat
58 books211 followersAlistair Moffat is an award winning writer, historian and former Director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Director of Programmes at Scottish Television.
Moffat was educated at the University of St Andrews, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Medieval History. He is the founder of the Borders Book Festival and Co-Chairman of The Great Tapestry of Scotland.
Moffat was educated at the University of St Andrews, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Medieval History. He is the founder of the Borders Book Festival and Co-Chairman of The Great Tapestry of Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 2, 2021
I really wanted to like this a lot more but, to be honest, I had serious problems with the occasional naivety of the story, the lack of factual elements (our heroes and heroines can travel very easily in Nazi-occupied Britain - no need for travel passes or ID Cards, and you can get hold of guns like buying ice cream!), and, perhaps most important, the occasionally rather dated writing style. Had this been written by Robert Louis Stevenson it would have seemed less fanciful.
Which is a real shame, because there is a really strong centre to the concept...
Real shame.
Which is a real shame, because there is a really strong centre to the concept...
Real shame.
March 4, 2022
The Alternative War
The narrator at the beginning of the book was hard to understand at first as the accent was very dramatic, but it got better throughout the book and I could understand with ease.
It was a story written about an event in WWII that could have happened in an alternative history of WWII. The book was interesting if you read it as an alternative history and not too much into the historical part. It was a bit unbelievable in parts and the event a little too convenient. Since it was not real history I could put that aside and enjoy the story.
I would recommend this book to my friends that enjoy sci- fi and fantasy I think they would enjoy it.
Thanks to Alistair Moffat for writing the story, to Grant Cartwright for narrating it , to Tantor audio for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.
The narrator at the beginning of the book was hard to understand at first as the accent was very dramatic, but it got better throughout the book and I could understand with ease.
It was a story written about an event in WWII that could have happened in an alternative history of WWII. The book was interesting if you read it as an alternative history and not too much into the historical part. It was a bit unbelievable in parts and the event a little too convenient. Since it was not real history I could put that aside and enjoy the story.
I would recommend this book to my friends that enjoy sci- fi and fantasy I think they would enjoy it.
Thanks to Alistair Moffat for writing the story, to Grant Cartwright for narrating it , to Tantor audio for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.
March 3, 2022
As I enjoy alternate history novels, along with the recent spate of WW2 historical fiction, I was interested in listening to The Night Before Morning. For me, the book was a decent effort, but nothing memorable.
The basic story line revolves around the exploits of David Erskine, a Scottish military officer whom we first meet while he’s fighting in Normandy. At some point after the liberation of Paris, the Nazis unleash an atom bomb on London, and hold the world hostage to further nuclear war unless the Allies surrender. He’s then taken prisoner, returned to Scotland, and the tale recounts his escape and eventual leadership of resistance to the Nazis. This narrative is being read by a mysterious man whom we meet at the beginning of the book, who finds Erskine’s journal hidden in the ruins of a Scottish abbey.
I didn’t find anything original in the plot of The Night Before Morning. Parts of the book were interesting, but listening to other sections made me wish the narrator could have sped up the story. There were also times when I became confused while listening, as the narrator went from one section to another without pause, forcing me to repeat what I just heard. There were also way too many deus ex machina moments.
Overall, not a bad read.
My thanks to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for providing a copy in return for an honest review.
The basic story line revolves around the exploits of David Erskine, a Scottish military officer whom we first meet while he’s fighting in Normandy. At some point after the liberation of Paris, the Nazis unleash an atom bomb on London, and hold the world hostage to further nuclear war unless the Allies surrender. He’s then taken prisoner, returned to Scotland, and the tale recounts his escape and eventual leadership of resistance to the Nazis. This narrative is being read by a mysterious man whom we meet at the beginning of the book, who finds Erskine’s journal hidden in the ruins of a Scottish abbey.
I didn’t find anything original in the plot of The Night Before Morning. Parts of the book were interesting, but listening to other sections made me wish the narrator could have sped up the story. There were also times when I became confused while listening, as the narrator went from one section to another without pause, forcing me to repeat what I just heard. There were also way too many deus ex machina moments.
Overall, not a bad read.
My thanks to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for providing a copy in return for an honest review.
May 15, 2025
This is not my kind of book really, but I enjoyed it all the same.
At first, I had my reservations, but because I wasn't able to identify them, I let them go and just got on with enjoying the read.
It's a piece of history that could easily have come true. I mean, imagine if the Germans (the Nazis) developed atomic weapons before the Americans and used them in much the same way that the US did against Japan.
And part of you may be thinking that there's no difference between what the ISA did and what the Nazis might have done, but this book tries to show that there is by leaning into the image of a Nazi as a heartless monster. We're they like that? Maybe some were, but probably not all.
The story's told well, the characters are convincing and the ending's ... ah, but I can't tell you about that, can I.
Read it. Can't hurt.
At first, I had my reservations, but because I wasn't able to identify them, I let them go and just got on with enjoying the read.
It's a piece of history that could easily have come true. I mean, imagine if the Germans (the Nazis) developed atomic weapons before the Americans and used them in much the same way that the US did against Japan.
And part of you may be thinking that there's no difference between what the ISA did and what the Nazis might have done, but this book tries to show that there is by leaning into the image of a Nazi as a heartless monster. We're they like that? Maybe some were, but probably not all.
The story's told well, the characters are convincing and the ending's ... ah, but I can't tell you about that, can I.
Read it. Can't hurt.
March 2, 2022
Moffat seals my dislike for alternate history. Some subjects are not to be mocked and are off limits. I'm disappointed in myself for not looking at this more closely before placing a request to read.
The story itself moves slowly, and anyone with WW II knowledge will recognize that Moffat's story is not reasonably obtained. While his rewrite of history is the tag, he did not use proven facts for traveling, housing, sleeping, meeting the enemy, etc.
The narrator has a great voice. It didn't bode well with this story. Several times I was distracted, seriously I was bored. However, I believe Grant Cartwright could entertain sports' fans.
Thank you NetGalley for accepting my request to read and review The Night Before Morning.
The story itself moves slowly, and anyone with WW II knowledge will recognize that Moffat's story is not reasonably obtained. While his rewrite of history is the tag, he did not use proven facts for traveling, housing, sleeping, meeting the enemy, etc.
The narrator has a great voice. It didn't bode well with this story. Several times I was distracted, seriously I was bored. However, I believe Grant Cartwright could entertain sports' fans.
Thank you NetGalley for accepting my request to read and review The Night Before Morning.
May 19, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an AudioARC in exchange for an honest review.
Historical fiction is something that has always tickled my fancy, but this alternate reality was a hard pill to swallow. While I knew the premise going in, the atrocities that could have become reality sent my mind on many tangents if what could be, making it hard to focus solely on the content provided. War is not an easy thing to read about and this book has plenty of it. It wasn't for me, but those who enjoy alternative timelines in history, the what if? scenarios, will find this an enjoyable read.
Historical fiction is something that has always tickled my fancy, but this alternate reality was a hard pill to swallow. While I knew the premise going in, the atrocities that could have become reality sent my mind on many tangents if what could be, making it hard to focus solely on the content provided. War is not an easy thing to read about and this book has plenty of it. It wasn't for me, but those who enjoy alternative timelines in history, the what if? scenarios, will find this an enjoyable read.
March 12, 2022
A cracking good story of what could have happened in world war two in 1944 of Germany had have had a devastating secret weapon, and used it to win the war. Our heroes have made it back from the front to Scotland and are trying to just hide from the occupying Nazi forces. Along the way they discover important information that could change everything. Full of action, twists and turns and solid characters, well narrated.
March 4, 2022
Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audiobook.
Although this book had a lot of action and intrigue, it didn't quite hit me the way I was expecting. Interesting premise for sure, I just didn't find myself connecting with the story at all.
Although this book had a lot of action and intrigue, it didn't quite hit me the way I was expecting. Interesting premise for sure, I just didn't find myself connecting with the story at all.
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April 17, 2022Good "what if" story.
March 5, 2025
I enjoy history books, and I especially enjoyed this one because I was able to put aside my historical knowledge and experience the alternate history that is in this story - the world if the nazis had won. The characters in this were also really easy to connect with which made it more enjoyable. :)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews