Manifold are the stories that have been untold, but do unfold in historical works of fiction such as Roberta Kagan can create. This After the Betrayal is a prime example. It is timeset in Hitler's Germany during WWII. Atrocities and cruelty abound even among members of an SS Officer's family against whom the 'weaker' members suffer. Despite that, we are told of kind and caring Germans who stuck their necks out to hide, protect and care for Jewish people. Both ends of this spectrum are seen in this book.
Although this book can be a stand alone, it would be helpful to read Books 1 and 2 in this Duty and Betrayal Series to draw and weave the ends together in greater pleasure and enjoyment. Either way, we meet good folks like Greta, Ziggy, Hermann, Lily, Ruth, Rebecca and others; and the not so good, like Ludwig and Alex. Each expose their true characters.
We learn of the dangers of those who hid folks in their homes, of the Partisans and other groups of resistance people, with their varying successes and devastating consequences. We learn of Hitler's sadistic project against those with disabilites: anything NOT Aryan and 'whole'.
As Kagan masterfully weaves her story, I often felt maximun emotional impact. I believe potential readers would come to 'feel' some of what those characters portraying the strife of those days revealed, even down into their souls. The author keeps the kettle boiling with the pathos the whole way through, adding a well executed ending.
5-Star rating, from me.
~ Eunice C. Reviewer/Blogger ~
September 2026
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.
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