What do you think?
Rate this book
The Changeling of the Third Reich
How Do You Maintain Your Identity When the Lines of Reason Become Blurred?
The year is 1968, and the Vietnam War is in full swing. Dr. Bridget Castle, a neurosurgeon in Boston, handles the victims of anti-war protests, the casualties of war, and the stress of being a woman in a male-dominated profession with ease. For more than twenty-three years, Bridget has walked in the shoes of a girl killed in the Blitz, blurring the line of when her own identity as a German-born Jew ended and when she assumed the role of changeling. If not for her childhood diary to remind her of all she endured, she would be completely successful in taking on the memories of the girl she replaced.
But when the son of a Nazi soldier is placed in her care, she finds herself unable to deny her past any longer. The last time Bridget had to stare into the face of evil, she learned, despite losing everything, just how strong she was. Now that the ghosts of her past have awakened, will she be strong enough to avenge the life that was stolen from her?
The year is 1968, and the Vietnam War is in full swing. Dr. Bridget Castle, a neurosurgeon in Boston, handles the victims of anti-war protests, the casualties of war, and the stress of being a woman in a male-dominated profession with ease. For more than twenty-three years, Bridget has walked in the shoes of a girl killed in the Blitz, blurring the line of when her own identity as a German-born Jew ended and when she assumed the role of changeling. If not for her childhood diary to remind her of all she endured, she would be completely successful in taking on the memories of the girl she replaced.
But when the son of a Nazi soldier is placed in her care, she finds herself unable to deny her past any longer. The last time Bridget had to stare into the face of evil, she learned, despite losing everything, just how strong she was. Now that the ghosts of her past have awakened, will she be strong enough to avenge the life that was stolen from her?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2023
About the author
Rachel Carrera
6 books7 followersI grew up in Florida with my grandparents who plied me with stories about the Great Depression, World War II, and life before electricity or indoor plumbing. While my peers heard bedtime stories about Disney princesses, my grandparents read me stories by Edgar Allan Poe, Agatha Christie, Charles Dickens, and my first cousin 14 times removed, John Milton the poet.
My childhood was enriched with a deeper understanding about the ways of life when books, radio shows, and storytelling were the only forms of home entertainment and every ending was not sugar coated. I believe this is why I prefer to write fictional historical thrillers.
I have an amazing son, a lovely daughter, and four curious cats. To date, I’ve won three Honorable Mentions in as many Writer’s Digest Annual Competitions. When I’m not writing, you can find me reading, cake decorating, or doing graphic design.
My childhood was enriched with a deeper understanding about the ways of life when books, radio shows, and storytelling were the only forms of home entertainment and every ending was not sugar coated. I believe this is why I prefer to write fictional historical thrillers.
I have an amazing son, a lovely daughter, and four curious cats. To date, I’ve won three Honorable Mentions in as many Writer’s Digest Annual Competitions. When I’m not writing, you can find me reading, cake decorating, or doing graphic design.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 16, 2023
A dual timeline novel, this interesting story moves between an American city during the Vietnam War and war-torn Europe during WW2.
Dr Bridget Castle is a successful woman. A female doctor, she has fought for, and received, recognition, attaining the position of head of neurology at the Catholic hospital where she works. Bridget has a happy and fulfilling marriage to another neurologist; she also has a loving family. Bridget's adopted father is also a doctor.
Bridget has overcome a terrible past. As a young Jewish girl in Nazi Europe during WW2, she survived internment in three concentration camps and was finally rescued by her adopted father, one of the liberators of the camp. During this period of her life, Bridget, lost both her brothers and both her parents. She has terrible memories of abuse, her own and other peoples, and suffers nightmares.
The story revolves around Bridget's interactions and experiences with several patients and a few fellow doctors at the hospital. Each interaction triggers memories from Bridget's traumatic childhood which are presented as diary entries in a journal Bridget managed to hold on to during the war years.
While some suspension of belief is required by the reader to embrace the many coincidences in this story, it is a good read, well researched (I wondered if some of the historical input came from relatives or people who lived through the war in Europe) and with an entertaining and thought provoking story.
Bridget's character is full of internal conflict as a result of her traumatic past and particularly, the deemed rejection by her mother that took place a few short weeks before Bridget was captured by the Nazi's and incarcerated. This perceived rejection has coloured Bridget's entire life and thoughts about her former family.
The book examines some deep themes: racial and other prejudices (in addition to Hitler and his Nazi's prejudice against Jewish and other people during WW2, the book examines also prejudice against the teenage Vietnam War protested who were abused by the police based on their looks and a dismissal that they were all drug takers); gender inequality at that time in America; family and other relationships and the concept of sacrifices made for love.
I enjoyed this book and the detailed history presented all wrapped up in an entertaining story.
Dr Bridget Castle is a successful woman. A female doctor, she has fought for, and received, recognition, attaining the position of head of neurology at the Catholic hospital where she works. Bridget has a happy and fulfilling marriage to another neurologist; she also has a loving family. Bridget's adopted father is also a doctor.
Bridget has overcome a terrible past. As a young Jewish girl in Nazi Europe during WW2, she survived internment in three concentration camps and was finally rescued by her adopted father, one of the liberators of the camp. During this period of her life, Bridget, lost both her brothers and both her parents. She has terrible memories of abuse, her own and other peoples, and suffers nightmares.
The story revolves around Bridget's interactions and experiences with several patients and a few fellow doctors at the hospital. Each interaction triggers memories from Bridget's traumatic childhood which are presented as diary entries in a journal Bridget managed to hold on to during the war years.
While some suspension of belief is required by the reader to embrace the many coincidences in this story, it is a good read, well researched (I wondered if some of the historical input came from relatives or people who lived through the war in Europe) and with an entertaining and thought provoking story.
Bridget's character is full of internal conflict as a result of her traumatic past and particularly, the deemed rejection by her mother that took place a few short weeks before Bridget was captured by the Nazi's and incarcerated. This perceived rejection has coloured Bridget's entire life and thoughts about her former family.
The book examines some deep themes: racial and other prejudices (in addition to Hitler and his Nazi's prejudice against Jewish and other people during WW2, the book examines also prejudice against the teenage Vietnam War protested who were abused by the police based on their looks and a dismissal that they were all drug takers); gender inequality at that time in America; family and other relationships and the concept of sacrifices made for love.
I enjoyed this book and the detailed history presented all wrapped up in an entertaining story.
June 29, 2023
This is an exciting story set in an explosive era in American history that weaves in and out of the Second World War. Almost immediately I was invested in Dr. Bridget Castle ‘s story. The author expertly transports the reader to Nazi Germany with the use of cleaver diary entries to increase the suspense of the psychological thriller. The characters are so well written I find myself still thinking about them after I finished the book which is the definition of a great story.
February 28, 2024
Jean38no
A inspiring tale of the Holocaust . Told by a survivor of three camps. A non fiction story of a doctor living in 1962 That has flash backs from the Holocaust. I really liked how the author has interwoven real historical events through out the story . The main character became so alive eating lifesavers and drinking coffee I feared for her teeth! I really enjoyed this first book in this series.
A inspiring tale of the Holocaust . Told by a survivor of three camps. A non fiction story of a doctor living in 1962 That has flash backs from the Holocaust. I really liked how the author has interwoven real historical events through out the story . The main character became so alive eating lifesavers and drinking coffee I feared for her teeth! I really enjoyed this first book in this series.
January 22, 2025
I enjoyed this book although I don't think that it was very well written. The author overused words to the point of distraction and I don't think that conversations were handled very well. I did enjoy the story line enough to overlook those problems. I don't know if this was the author's first book or just the first in this series. I may try the second book and hope for some growth and improvement in her writing style.
July 20, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Most of it you could even believe would have been a true story however there is a point where the idea of nonfiction and fiction come together as if a horizons and the sun. I did enjoy the story line and what it offered. I will definitely be reading the other two books in this series!!
January 18, 2024
Good read. I’m hooked enough to read book 2 but I’m so tired of the word “bollocks”. After the second book I hope I never see it again. I didn’t like the ending at all. Contrived and somewhat out of character.
July 17, 2024
I REALLY enjoyed the story. There were times when the writing seemed amateur, especially in conversations. I also think I read the words "bullocks" and "lovey" WAY too many times. Overall the book was great though, and I'm looking forward to the next one!
March 2, 2024
Shocking
Well told stories never get old . What will be next? Where will we be taken? The next book is already downloaded!
Well told stories never get old . What will be next? Where will we be taken? The next book is already downloaded!
March 15, 2024
Great twist!
June 28, 2023
I LOVE THIS BOOK!! I love the way it follows right along with real history, and it absolutely takes hold of your attention from page one!! The characters are captivating and lovable, and the story line itself is entralling. I honestly had trouble putting the book down after I started reading it! I just can't wait to see what happens next!!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews