The Secret Society of Salzburg

Renee Ryan has taken some very trying circumstances and put them into an incredible narrative to draw her readers in from the very first page and doesn't let go until the epilogue.  She based the story on real people and real events.  

 Hattie Featherstone meets Elsa Mayer-Braun's aunt when she visits the place where Hattie works.  It is through Elsa's aunt that Hattie is introduced to opera and to Elsa's incredible voice. Hearing Elsa sing inspires Hattie's artwork to a level Hattie had never achieved before.  Through Elsa's aunt, Hattie and Elsa met and became friends and more than friends, they became partners in helping Jews escape the reach of the Nazi regime.  

Hattie and her sister travel to Salzburg to hear Elsa sing and meet up with Elsa while they are staying there.  Elsa connects them to people who need to leave the continent and go to a friendlier country until the hostilities are over. Once war breaks out, Hattie and Elsa have to meet up in Stockholm, Sweden, but between Elsa's music and Hattie's art, they both have legitimate covers for their activities.  

Oliver Roundel is an art dealer who sees a sketch Hattie did of Elsa and sees beyond the surface of the sketch to the real art that lies beneath.  He is the one who sets up her art shows and aids in the rescue mission of the Jews. 

This novel is one of the most gripping novels I've read about World War II and the political climate in Europe.  The characters are entirely believable and the settings are explained with great detail without distracting from the plot.  The villainous characters live up to their evil natures and the good guys ride their "white horses" quite well.  This is a five star book with two thumbs up and artwork that matches the beautiful voices of the opera. 

Harlequin Publishing (Love Inspired line) provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.