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Monika Ritter #2

The Wounded and the Lost

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It is 1943, and WW2 is raging.

After parting with her husband, Michael, in London, Monika Ritter is sent to the Swiss city of Bern to begin her career with the OSS. Bern is an international hub for the secret war being fought between the spies of America, Britain, and their counterparts in the German secret service. There, her new boss, the spymaster Allen Dulles, introduces her to a mysterious German double agent who might prove to be an invaluable asset. The German spy soon invites Monika back across the border to Germany to meet a contact who could change the face of the intelligence war, but when disaster strikes, Monika finds herself in a race against time to find an old ally in a country where enemies lurk around every corner.

Meanwhile, Michael Ritter, a pilot in the US Army Air Force, is sent on a mission to bomb a target in Norway. After his B-24 bomber is shot down over the German-occupied country, he and his wounded co-pilot find themselves lost in a barren landscape, hunted by a Gestapo officer obsessed with their capture. In staying one step ahead of their relentless pursuers, they will find themselves reliant on the help of the Norwegian resistance, who will come up with a daring plan to help them escape to freedom across the border into neutral Sweden.

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2024

893 people are currently reading
214 people want to read

About the author

Eoin Dempsey

35 books1,033 followers
Eoin Dempsey was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1977. He grew up in the beautiful Dublin suburb of Dalkey, where he and his friends would jump into the icy waters of the Irish Sea (during summertime) to prove their manliness. Eoin had a fantastic time attending Blackrock College, where he played rugby (poorly) and did his best to coast his way through. Eoin’s first ambition was to play rugby for Ireland. Due to a lack of talent, he soon abandoned that goal for the more reasoned path of the rock star. He played in bands through his teens and well into his twenties before harsh reality came calling, and his dreams of being the next Keith Moon faded.

Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.

He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.

By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.

Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.


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5 stars
968 (64%)
4 stars
431 (28%)
3 stars
88 (5%)
2 stars
10 (<1%)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Lisa .
837 reviews49 followers
June 26, 2024
If you loved the first book in this series, you will be blown away by the second one! Do yourself a favor and clear a couple of hours in your day so you can read this book in one sitting. If you don't, you'll just end up annoyed by anyone who interrupts you. It's 1943 and Michael Ritter is flying the new bombers from a base in England while his wife, Monika, is working for Allen Dulles and the OSS in Switzerland. The action is non-stop for both characters which kept me madly flipping the pages. So, what's new to learn in this one...how about a Norwegian reindeer resistance group and the White Rose movement in Germany? You won't be disappointed. This book is stunning and I can't wait for the next one to be released!
75 reviews2 followers
June 23, 2024
In the prior book Michael and his new wife Monika are settled in New York, as USA is pulled into WW II. The main characters are from previous books by the author and Michael’s past included
a move to Germany with his family to have a better life during the depression in the USA.
When Hitler came to power Michael met Monika, a German girl, in Germany.
Michael and Monika became married in their early 20’s when the war broke out.


Previously Michael joined The US Airforce and Monika took a position with the OSS to help her new homeland.

In this book Michael ends up based in England flying bombing missions on German war installments and Monika ends up in Switzerland working for the OSS on spy missions. The story that unfolds is riveting and quick paced. This is an action-packed historical novel, and a page turner from the beginning.

I read this book non-stop. It is a gripping story of the two main character’s roles during WW II.

The author’s power to make the lives of these characters seem historically real is incredible.

While it is not written as a continuance of the prior stories about these characters,
it does help to read Eoin’s prior books that introduced these characters.
This book has a Prologue which gives the character’s background,
so, this book can stand as a read alone book.
However, I recommend reading all the prior books as they were all terrific.

Eoin has written a great epic series on the Ritter family prior to this book.
This book is beyond any of my expectations!
Eoin is terrific at painting an historical picture of the WW II’s times with his words.
Profile Image for Kat.
Author 14 books603 followers
April 12, 2025
THE WOUNDED AND THE LOST continues one of my favorite WW2 series and family sagas by Eoin Dempsey. This part of the series focuses on Monika and her husband Michael Ritter, who after escaping Berlin during the 1930’s and moving to New York, are now enlisting in the war effort. Monika is working as a spy and Michael is flying bombers for the US military.

THE WOUNDED AND THE LOST was a thrilling book from start to finish. Michael has been sent on a mission to bomb a target in Norway and gets shot down, along with his men. The events that followed, as he and a wounded co-pilot are being hunted by the Gestapo and are hidden by resistance leaders in Norway, were harrowing and well written. I always love the way author Eoin Dempsey brings such heart to his characters, and brings the time period to life. Monika Ritter has been sent to Switzerland, to try to get information from a double agent operating in the area. But as Monika works with the double agent under the guise of translating his book, she may find herself getting in deeper than she realizes. I found myself on the edge of my seat through Monika’s portions of the book and don’t know how I’ll wait for the next installment to come out. This is such a great series! 5/5 stars.
Profile Image for Ave Jeanne Ventresca.
56 reviews
June 11, 2024
The bombardier opens the bomb bay doors, and the aircraft, Baby Doll, releases her load. Suddenly, an engine cuts out. There’s black smoke everywhere, and shattered glass is plummeting from the cockpit. Want to hear more?
The best-selling author, Eoin Dempsey, continues to shine in the genre of historical fiction. The Wounded and the Lost is Book #2 in the Monika Ritter Series, and once again, the author transports the reader back to 1942’s merciless war in Europe. We find the main characters, husband and wife, both serving their country to fight a notorious dictator whose surmounting devastation plagues fragile faces and a once picturesque landscape.
As in Book #1, the plot bounces back and forth with the heroic undertakings of the two main characters. There’s an abundance of suspense, and the reader is glued to the embedded action. The author’s vigorous dialogue, intense layers of tension, and honest tone urge the reader onward. The ending’s cliffhangers have the reader thinking... Where is book #3?
Thanks are extended to the author and BookFunnel for an advance review copy.
Profile Image for Pam.
4,625 reviews67 followers
October 30, 2024
Monika put her all into training for the OSS and was doing a great job. She is determined to be the best, whether male or female. She gets her share of razzing and bullying; but she prevails. While taking the final field test, she not only manages to foil the theft of weapons; but manages to foil the attempted assassination of President Roosevelt. As a way to reward her while keeping her e
xploits hidden, the President makes arrangements for Monika and Michael to be on leave at the same time and presented them with a five star hotel stay. This reunion hasto last them as Michael is whisked off on bombing missions out of England and Monika has to report to her new assignment in Switzerland. Just how can she get in trouble while translating Mr. March's very detailed autobiography. What can she learn while doing this?
When will she see Michael again? It seems neither one can stay out of trouble!
Profile Image for Cindy.
776 reviews1 follower
June 23, 2024
Monika continues her work as a spy for the US working for the OSS, and Michael is flying bombers for the US. The story begins as they are together in a beautiful hotel as a thank you to Monika for saving the president’s life. But they are both soon off on their respective missions. Michael’s plane is shot down over German territory and he and his co-pilot have to rely on help from locals to escape the German officer intent on finding them. Monika is introduced to someone who may or may not be working for the Germans. When he is captured, Monika escapes but has to turn to an old friend for help. The ONLY reason I am not rating this 5 stars is because, although Michael’s story is concluded, Monika’s is more of a cliffhanger. I anxiously await the next book in the series. Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,036 reviews
July 27, 2024
Book 2 of 3 of Monica Ritter Series, Wounded and Lost by Eoin Dempsey. This all begins with THE LION’S DEN SERIES and should be read first so the reader understands how the American family of Seamus Ritter wound up in Berlin in 1938. This book is about Michael Ritter and his wife Monika Ritter, German born, now living in New York City. When Michael decides to sign up to be a pilot in 1942, Monika decides she needs to do something to help stop the Nazis. After all, she has experienced first hand the heavy weight of the Gestapo. So, when she is told about a new spy agency being created she jumps at the chance to join. Michael winds up in the Army Air Corps flying bombers, gets shot down and he and his co-pilot must traverse enemy occupied territory to get the Switzerland. Monika is accepted into the OSS and is processing paper until an opportunity to go into the field. This is a fast paced book written by an excellent author. Start with Lion’s Den and read the books in order. They are all available on Kindle Unlimited.
Profile Image for Michelle Schulten.
209 reviews2 followers
June 26, 2024
I was blessed with receiving an advanced reader copy of this book!!! I am amazed that Eoin continues to write phenomenal books. He is very talented and this book, like all of his others, does not disappoint! The story continues with characters that become your friends and your family. They are well developed people that draw you into their lives, loves, hardships, and history. This book is not to be missed.......although, you need to clear your calendar for a day or two and enjoy the story that is woven so well you won't be able to put it down. You also won't have to wait long for the next sequel to come out. I'm amazed he can write them so well and so quickly!!!
22 reviews
March 4, 2025
Breathtaking -couldn't put it down!

Monika and Michael - heroin and hero- head over heels in love with each other and with the freedom they courageously fought for. Despite the war calling them to separate jobs and countries, they remain steadfastly loyal to each other and to their goals of stopping the Nazi onslaught.
LOTS of ACTION, insights into the various intrigues and treacherous situations they are thrust into, plus a very palatable dose of WWII History. You'll love it!

7 reviews
July 1, 2024
Another GREAT Book

Another book with a story within a story. The two were well woven together making for another great book. Michael's story kept you
reading to find out what happened next and kept you guessing to the very end. Monika's story started slower but at the end another suspenseful, can't put it down, story that will take you into his next book in the series. An all around GREAT BOOK. Keep them coming Eoin.
378 reviews2 followers
October 10, 2024
enlightening

There are elements of this story which need to be answered. Hopefully they will be in the next book. An example would be about the mission to destroy submarines in Norway at the beginning of the book. Who is Monika? What’s her relationship with the Ritter woman in France. Also there were many more grammatical errors the in the other books I read. That’s annoying and slows down reading time. I’m available for proofreading.
1,073 reviews7 followers
June 27, 2024
What a book - read it in an afternoon! The story of Maureen and michael Ritter continues in this saga. Michael is flying a bomber over Norway that crashes - his travails to get to freedom in Sweden are harrowing. Monica is in Bern working for the OSS, and has a chance to return to Germany. What happens to each of them is what this second book in the series is about. Loved it!
Profile Image for Cheryl.
148 reviews16 followers
July 10, 2024
I love this author! Michael’s story was much more appealing. Again, I think the author doesn’t write women’s stories/point of view as well as men’s. I noticed it first with Maureen’s books. Still great but not as good as he writes men’s stories.
Also, did anyone else have the commanding office Mason jump around from Major to Colonel?
I can’t wait for the next in the series!
1 review
October 20, 2024
Tense, beautifully written, and easy to devour

Could hardly put this exciting story down. It alternates between Monica’s WWII experience and that of her husband’s. Both characters are quick on their feet in the challenges they encounter from the Nazis. I now can’t wait to start reading Book 3 in the series.
33 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2025
The Wounded and the Lost

The second book in the Ritter Series was a good follow up to the first. The training of Monika in the early CIA seemed a bit of a stretch, but it fit with the story. Michael's adventures were plausible for the time. I'm looking forward to the 3rd book in the series.
46 reviews
July 9, 2024
Fast paced Great read!

I find historical fiction so fascinating and this book did not disappoint! It really describes different angles of the war with likable characters that were both believable and easy to follow.
805 reviews8 followers
July 28, 2024
Wonderful book/series

This really ended on a cliffhanger can't wait to see how it works out. This book was really good. I think I have read all of Eoin books and they are all suberb. I highly recommend his books.
Profile Image for Arla Allen.
160 reviews
August 5, 2024
multilayered story

Monika and Michael are strong characters either way individual story lines. This was a great followed up to German Girl but not I have to wait for the next installment in September.
414 reviews1 follower
August 9, 2024
Not a book for the front hearted.

I thought the other books about the Gutter canisters tense, but this book puts them to shane! I can't wait to see what happens next We know that Connor and Michel survived the war from previous books, but what happened to Monika may die or suspense before the next book comes out
250 reviews5 followers
February 24, 2025
A Vary Good Book

I finished this in one day. It’s that kind of story. Strong characters and description’s of the time! Being a child at the time of time of this war I’m an avid reader of this kind of story.
130 reviews
June 4, 2025
You are held to your seat with this book

Dempsey keeps the reader hanging as we struggle along with Michael to find his way out of enemy territory. That author is quite creative in moving the Americans thru Norway. Excellent book!
2 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2025
Interesting, flowing read...

Good read...interesting and can learn from it...some of the technical flying details are lacking, but it doesn't impede the interest for the typical reader...
Profile Image for Kathleen Wierzbicki.
43 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2024
WOW

Can’t wait for Book 3 of the Monika Ritter series! This was terrific! What will happen next, I am anxiously waiting.
185 reviews2 followers
September 16, 2025
Suspenseful!

I had to keep reading to find out what happened next. I needed to know what the main characters were up to and where they were. I am about to download the next book!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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