“Gruppenführer’s Mistress” is book two in the series “The Girl from Berlin,” which continues to follow Annalise’s story. Caught up in a dangerous game between the Allies and Nazi Germany Secret Service – the RSHA – she’s torn between staying faithful to her husband and yielding to the demands of her American superiors and starting a romance with the unpredictable Chief of the RSHA Ernst … Kaltenbrunner, who she finds herself attracted to more and more every day…
Reviewed By Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite
The Girl from Berlin: Gruppenführer’s Mistress is the second book in Ellie Midwood’s historical fiction series, The Girl from Berlin. Annalise realizes that she is playing a very dangerous game when she asks for Gruppenführer Dr. Kaltenbrunner’s assistance in exacting revenge on her boss, Reinhard Heydrich, but she’s mad with grief over his complicity in the suicide death of her brother Norbert and the resulting miscarriage of her and her husband’s first child. While the leader of the Austrian SS has an evil reputation as a monster and a sadist, Dr. Kaltenbrunner has always been oddly gentle and attentive with her. And while he’s initially taken aback at the audacity of her request, he agrees to start the process that will result in Heydrich’s death.
Ellie Midwood’s World War II historical fiction novel, The Girl from Berlin: Gruppenführer’s Mistress, is an outstanding and enthralling tale recreating the lives of Annalise and her husband as they work for the American Secret Service in the guise of loyal Germans working in the Reich Main Security Office. The depth of the author’s research and her expertise on the subject of Nazi Germany is evidenced on every page of this thrilling and suspenseful tale. I would urge new readers to begin with the first book in the series, Standartenführer’s Wife, to get the full impact of this most impressive series. Gruppenführer’s Mistress is impeccably researched and beautifully written, making the workaday world and intrigue surrounding Annalise and Heinrich’s lives feel real, and the psychological thriller aspect of Annalise and Ernst Kaltenbrunner’s growing attraction to each other is masterfully played out. While the title does let prospective readers know that there is definitely romance, some of which is steamy, in this novel, The Girl from Berlin: Gruppenführer’s Mistress is historical literary fiction at its finest. It’s most highly recommended.
Other books in the series:
Book one: “The Girl from Berlin: Standartenfuhrer’s Wife”
Book three: “The Girl from Berlin: War Criminal’s Widow”
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Picking up from the first book in this series, two of the main characters, Annalise and her husband Heindrich, deepen their anti-government work and by doing so, learn valuable lessons: how making the choice to kill to protect one’s own family can take its toll, and following the edict, “For the better good” can have some unexpected consequences.
But to me, this book is ultimately a portrayal of a woman’s attraction to her boss, someone she herself readily calls “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” Why is she so forgiving of and drawn to such a sweet-one-moment/vicious-the-next man? That leads us to the age-old question: why do certain women get involved with men they shouldn’t?
Ms. Midwood presents this quandary extremely well. Her slow buildup of Annalise’s feelings—her excuses, her anger/indignation, h¬er softening, her guilt, her physical stimulation is so well done, once again, the pages were turning—nay, flipping by—as I HAD to find out more, all the way to the book’s cliff-hanging end. Well, all I can say is . . . now it’s on to the series’ third book!
I keep repeating myself while reviewing Ellie Midwood books, because I love them so much.
I adore Ellie Midwood rich and detailed writystyle and her complex and layered characters. She makes them so real and they are affected by the horrors they see. It changes them.
You can tell this is a subject that is dear to her heart and there is a lot of research into the story. What I love most is that nothing is black and white. Good people do bad things and the other way around.
This story made me laugh and gave me goosebumps at the same time.
LOVED this book!
It’s rare when a character sticks with me long after I close a book. Annalise is strong and decisive—a wonderful, memorable heroine. I admit, because of an automatic dislike of the setting and time period, I had some qualms about this story. But the characters immediately came alive. The lies and deceit of the era were portrayed skillfully and kept me reading to the end. I wouldn’t hesitate to read more from Ellie Midwood.
After finishing the first book in this series, I ordered the second book without delay and eagerly awaited its arrival (not at all helped by the super slow shipping process). When I finally received it, I immediately dived into it and was quickly obsessed with finishing it. I loved everything about this book, but especially the relationship played out between Annalise and her boss, Dr. Ernst Kaltenbrunner, the head of the RSHA. The book primarily focuses on their very dysfunctional relationship and Dr. Kaltenbrunner’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” personality. Ms. Midwood did an outstanding job in showing this personality shift and how Annalise is split on what she thinks of him. I know for me, during certain times in the book, I was just as confused as she was! On one side he can be kind, charming, and protective of her, never wanting to hurt her. But then, like a light switch, which is not at all helped by his drinking problem, Dr. Kaltenbrunner morphs into this creature that will do anything to get his way regardless of who he hurts. I have read plenty of World War Two literature, both fictional and nonfictional, and have come across Dr. Kaltenbrunner several times so I did a basic understanding of his personality when I began reading this story. But, the way Ms. Midwood does it, making him someone you both like and hate at the same time is something I haven’t seen before. It is definitely a very good portrayal of a very interesting person in history. Now, as I wait for the third book to arrive, I eagerly await to see how Annalise’s story will end and what she will decide. Another fantastic job Ms. Midwood!
Amazing follow up to book 1, the spy games continue. As Annalise’s journey continues, you find that her story was far from over. Vengeance, espionage, lies and love are all entwined through this story. There was one scene where I was worried how it would play out. But, as expected, it twisted from what you (and Annalise) originally thought it was and became more. I cannot wait to start book 3 and complete the journey!