The Communist's Secret: A Novel

by Suzanne Parry

Written by a former arms control negotiator turned historical novelist, this epic WWII tale of betrayal and second chances details how a woman trapped in occupied Russia fights the Nazis—and her own demons.

For fans of Kate Quinn and Mark Sullivan, a haunting World War II novel of mistakes and second chances, of courage and the search for forgiveness, and of finding peace with oneself.

Driven by a blind devotion to the Communist Party, self-centered Katya Karavayeva has broken the most important rule in Soviet never say anything that can be used against you. On the heels of that betrayal, Nazi Germany invades and the Soviet Union mobilizes. Katya hopes to halt her downward spiral by joining the volunteer militia, but within a few short weeks finds herself under attack.

After escaping with another volunteer, Katya spends weeks on the run before landing in a town under Nazi occupation. There, she finds a place and a purpose and learns to fight a different kind of war, repaying German brutality with a harsh justice of her own. All the while she struggles against her inner demons and dreams of reunion with her daughter and forgiveness from her husband—the one she betrayed.

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II

312 pages, Paperback

Published August 5, 2025

About the author

Suzanne Parry is a former arms control negotiator turned historical novelist. She studied Russian in Moscow and worked for the US Department of Defense. While at the Pentagon, she helped negotiate the first international security agreement of the Gorbachev era. She has taught university, coached high school cross-country, and raised a large family. A dedicated runner, Suzanne lives on both coasts but calls Portland, Oregon, home.

Reviews

[Stephanie Darrough · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
“The communist’s secret is a gripping World War II tale of a complicated heroine. By turns courageous, impulsive, and desperate, she battles the Nazis and her own demons in this story of second chances.”

This story is so beautifully written. Not only does it give you a different pov of WWII, it gives you a not so typical story of a women’s survival through it all. I have read my fare share of WWII reads and none were ever from this pov. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot.

This story shows you that opinions can change and so can you. You don’t always need to follow in your parent’s footsteps. I really love the character growth throughout the book.

This definitely isn’t your typical WWII story.

•betrayal
•second chances
•found family
•strong FMC

[Anna (Literaria Luminaria) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Rage was different than sorrow. Sorrow incapacitated. But the rage she now felt gave her purpose and a strange sense of satisfaction. She was alive and they were dead. To live would be her revenge."

What a story.

I originally picked this book up because the cover, title, and synopsis intrigued me. It wasn’t until I was already a good ~20% in that I realized it was actually book two of a trilogy. So, naturally, I paused, went back, and read book one first.

Lost Souls of Leningrad (book one) centers on the siege of Leningrad during World War II, told through the eyes of a teenager, Lena, and her grandmother, Sofya. The Communist’s Secret (book two) unfolds at roughly the same time, but follows Katya—Lena’s mother and devoted Communist—as she survives a German assault on the Luga line and becomes involved with the partisans afterward.

Both books are incredibly impactful and raw. The author does a remarkable job balancing intimate, individual stories with the broader historical reality. Here, I especially appreciated Katya’s arc. Her growth—as a person, a mother, and a wife—felt messy, honest, and earned. It’s hard to change your worldview when it’s been the backbone of your whole life, even when that change is for the better, and I found myself genuinely proud of her transformation.

I’m looking forward to the final installment and highly recommend this trilogy to fans of Kate Quinn, Mark Sullivan, or anyone looking for a fresh perspective on World War II.

Thanks to Get Red PR for the gifted copy for review.

Website | Bookstagram | BookTok

[Sarah Talks Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first WWII fiction set in the Soviet Union and I certainly gained a new perspective on this period in history. The main character, Katya Karavayena, is a loyal supporter of Stalin and Communism. But despite her loyalty and dedication to the Soviet cause, she and her family are under attack because of her carelessness. Her husband was recently sent to a work camp because of something she said, her party card has been revoked and she is on her way to join a volunteer militia in an attempt to regain good standing with the communist party.

When the volunteer militia is attacked by Nazi soldiers, she finds herself on the run. The struggle to survive is fierce, but Katya is smart and strong willed. Throughout her journey to outrun the Nazi’s, she encounters atrocities against Soviet citizens caused both by the German Army and her own government. Parry’s story really helps the reader appreciate how the people living in the Soviet Union were in a terrible, no win situation; their lives threatened by both the invading Nazis and their own communist government. They were living in a world where only the elite mattered and the rest of them were expendable.

This is the second book of a trilogy. I haven’t read the first, but have added it to my TBR list, as I want to read more about her family’s experiences in Leningrad, where they remained, unable to communicate with Katya, not knowing what had become of her.

Read if you enjoy:
🗺️WWII Historical Fiction
👥Second Chances
👱🏻‍♀️Strong FMC
💔Betrayal
🙏Redemption & Forgiveness

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the first novel in this series and this one is just as good! The characters just stay with you and you hurt when they hurt. Katya joins the war in order to prove her loyalty but in war is there really loyalty? During a Nazi attack on the camp, her and another girl escape into the rugged woods hoping to find food, shelter and safety before they are found. Finding refuge in her hometown, she seeks out an old friend of her father, who helps her get a position, papers and a place to stay. When a Kommandant shows interest in her, she knows she is walking a fine line by keeping his company. But he can offer food, protection and possible insight into what's really happening in the war. After a deadly explosion that killed some high ranking Nazi's, Katya knows it won't be long before they will be out for blood and once again she is on the run. She joins up with a group of partisans where she is in the forefront of war once again. Her skills are used to help those who have been injured but she knows this isn't where she belongs. She needs to get back to Leningrad. Back to where she left her loved ones and it all really began. There was just so much in this novel and how it ended, ohhh! I cannot wait until the next book comes out to see where the story goes. Thank you kindly to the author, publisher and Get Red PR for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Armando Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suzanne Parry’s The Communist’s Secret is a masterful work of historical fiction that deeply deserves five stars. Her ability to portray history with such vivid realism makes the novel feel as though it straddles the line between actual events and imagined possibilities. In weaving the backdrop of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union with the intimate lives of her characters, Parry blurs those boundaries so seamlessly that the reader is left questioning where history ends and her storytelling begins.What strikes me most is how powerfully she conveys the inner world of her characters; their devotion to both party and country, only to reveal the heart-wrenching sense of betrayal when their leaders fail them. The emotional weight of this conflict is awe-inspiring, evoking both empathy and historical insight. It’s rare for an author to make the reader not only understand but feel the complexity of such loyalty twisted by disillusionment, and Parry achieves it with grace and precision.This is historical fiction at its finest: rich in detail, emotionally charged, and grounded in authenticity. The Communist’s Secret is more than just a novel; it’s an immersive experience that lingers with the reader long after the final page.

[kesy_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a historical book during the time of war, specifically WWII? Then this is definitely your book.
This is book 2 of the Leningrad trilogy, a follow up of lost souls of Leningrad.

This book had everything from storytelling to suspense . I had a hard time putting it down, I literally flew through this book. It was so good !! When you have a secret to protect while under a strict regimen during the time of Nazis, how would this turn out?
The story shows the consequences of breaking trust or being loyal, fighting to stand on your ground, and courage. How are you supposed to act while living in a war zone that’s being invaded, when you are also dealing with so much and dreaming of reunion with your daughter while also working for the forgiveness of your husband you betrayed? This is exactly what Katya had to live through. This book is beautifully written and I’m looking forward to more from this author.

This book will be released August 5, 2025.
This is an amazing read. I’m so grateful that I was able to have this ARC copy from Getredpr and She Writes Press.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you @suzanneparrywrites & @tlcbooktours for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

SUMMARY: Katya Karavayeva's blind loyalty to the Communist Party leads her to make a comment that betrays her husband who is sent to a work camp. As Nazi Germany invades, she joins a volunteer militia, only to quickly find herself in danger. After escaping to a town under Nazi occupation, Katya seeks her own method of justice against German brutality as she wrestles with guilt over her past betrayal. Torn between her fight and her longing for reconciliation with her husband and daughter, she navigates the harsh realities of war and redemption and learns what is truly important in life.

MY THOUGHTS: I enjoy reading historical fiction set during World War II, and yet, I’ve never encountered a story told from the perspective of a communist woman on the run! This compelling narrative captures the stark realities of hiding from the Nazis while contrasting them with the more privileged life of a beautiful woman who cleverly infiltrates the Nazi ranks with a daring plan to assassinate. Spanning from 1941 to 1945, the protagonist, Katya, faces numerous hardships and setbacks, making it feel like several intertwining stories. Yet, everything converges into a satisfying conclusion. This book has it all—betrayal, hardship, regret, and love. A must-read for anyone who appreciates such themes set during WW2.

[Tammy Snead · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story follows Katya Karavayeva, a proud supporter of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union. But when she says the wrong thing, her life begins to fall apart. Then, everything changes—Nazi Germany invades, and the world is thrown into war. Hoping to make up for her mistake, Katya joins a volunteer militia. She wants to prove herself. But soon, she’s caught in a terrifying attack and forced to run for her life.

Katya is a complicated character. She’s brave, but also carries guilt for things she’s done—especially for betraying her own husband. As she hides in a town under Nazi control, she begins fighting back in her own way.

Tense, emotional, and beautifully written, this book shows how one woman finds strength in the middle of chaos.

[Michael]

My conversation with Parry discussing the book here:
https://umfm.com/programming/broadcas...

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Communist’s Secret is an enthralling, fast-paced adventure that surpasses Parry’s Lost Souls in style and character study, taking the most minor of characters and building an arc that stands on its own. Katya is truly relatable - someone you grow to admire despite her flaws. Parry entwines historical detail about life under Nazi occupation and partisan fighters with themes of heartbreak, betrayal, revenge, and redemption. I could not put this one down and cannot wait to see where Katya’s (and Shura’s!) story goes next.

[Katie Samsock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads Giveaway win!

I really enjoyed this. Apparently it’s the second in a series but I was fine not having read the first. It’s a great story and very propulsive for the most part. The last 25 ish pages dragged fora bit until the literal last few pages.

[Kathryn Crawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This eagerly awaited second in a series of a trilogy of Russia during World War II did not disappoint. The novel provided the origin story and rationale for actions by Katya, a less than sympathetic character in "Lost Souls of Leningrad." Thanks to the author's skillful narrative abilities, the reader develops a compassion for Katya as she fights as part of the resistance against Hitler's occupation of her country. This is both a suspenseful and moving story of love and courage in the time of a horrific war. Lessons for today.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sat down late yesterday afternoon planning to read just one chapter and before I knew it, I’d finished the whole book. I couldn’t put it down. One of the things I love most about historical fiction is when authors shine a light on overlooked corners of history. While I’ve always been a fan of WWII stories, I realized I’d hardly read anything around Russia. This book, though fictional, sparked my curiosity to dig deeper into their experiences. Watching one woman’s harrowing fight against it all was devastating and powerful. The final chapters nearly wrecked me… I even had to go back and reread them this morning. If you’re drawn to history but don’t want a straight nonfiction lesson, this is exactly the kind of historical fiction to pick up. Vibes include betrayal, second chances, found family, revenge, hope.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Smart, intelligent and well written with interesting characters.
A historically written novel about events that one has never heard of before.
Read this one out of order so will be reading the 1st and 3rd books, can't wait!

[Bonnie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "The Communist's Secret" Suzanne Parry has written another fast paced and emotionally charged novel set Russia in the era of WW 2. The details of Katya's journey from her faith in Stalin to killing some of his generals was extremely painful at times. Her growth, while hoping to get to Leningrad and family, was full of woah and wonderment as chance allows her to find her army husband is alive. In this second novel in her Trilogy, Suzanne's creative writing makes you anxious for the third one.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is the most action-packed book that you have read lately?

Katya Karavayeva has a secret. In a moment of weakness, she complained about her husband at work. Little did she know that this information would be used to arrest her husband and throw their entire family out of the communist party. Katya joins the war effort to prove her loyalty. Her camp is attacked, and she escapes with Svet, a young woman also working at the camp. Will they be able to survive in the wild and keep themselves save from the Nazis? Will Katya be able to forgive herself for the betrayal of her husband?

My thoughts on this novel:
• The author of this novel, Suzanne Parry was a former Pentagon arms control negotiator and studied Russian in Moscow.

• This historical fiction novel was action packed. It pulled me into the story right away and kept me enthralled throughout the book.

• This is book two in the Leningrad series. I haven’t read the first novel. This can be read as a stand-alone. I need to read the rest of this series!

• I always enjoy stories of living off the land, but also trying to hide from the Nazis and keeping yourself on the right side of your own government really pushed up the thrill level of this book.

• There were themes of betrayal and forgiveness throughout this novel.

• Katya really grows as a character throughout the story to realize that her own government isn’t perfect and doesn’t treat its citizens with care. It also looks at the communist system. For example, a successful farmer had their farm taken away and it no longer produces as well under the new communist system.

• The ending was perfect. It was unexpected and hopeful.

• This book really got me thinking – how did families that were split up in WWII find each other again? Katya’s daughter and mother-in-law were in Leningrad while Katya was all over the place.

• It also made me think - what would I do to stay alive? Katya has a relationship with a Nazi commandant at one point in the novel. Would you be friendly with the enemy?

The Communist’s Secret by Suzanne Parry was a unique and very engaging WWII story set in Russia with an unforgettable main character in Katya.

Book Source: Thank-you to She Writes Press for a review copy of this novel as part of the Get Red PR Book Tour.

This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2025...

[Esther Erman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some people claim that the reason the Allies won World War II was because of the Russian role in the fighting. Actually, the Russians appeared to be supporting the Axis cause at the start of the war, with the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, signed on August 23, 1939, signaling non-aggression between the two states. All that changed when the Germans invaded Russia in 1941. Like Napoleon before him, Hitler was to learn the hard lessons taught by the Russian winter. The Russian victory, however, did not come without the unimaginable suffering of the Russian people.

Katya starts the war as a wife and mother hopeful that Communism is the path forward for herself and her people. A careless remark, however, puts all she values at risk. Her determination to help her people win this war is a deceptively simple-seeming goal. Even what would appear to be clear victories come with teeth-grinding consequences. She faces down dangers, physical and psychological, in a world where one’s comrades can be more dangerous than one’s enemies. We are with Katya on her breath-taking journey to survive and hold on to her humanity in a world bent on her destruction. Suzanne Parry’s superbly written and researched novel puts us right in the scene with this heroine, flawed but worthy of our cheers.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
The Communist’s Secret by Suzanne Parry
This book is a World War 2 historical fiction from the perspective of a Communist Russian woman that joins the Soviet War effort through their volunteer ranks.
The book offered me a perspective that I’ve never delved into before, it showed the spirit of the socialist/communist citizens, showed insight into the way the citizens were programmed to believe in the system and how cruel the government of Russia was to@its citizens under Stalin’s rule. The story itself was interesting though at times it did struggle to keep my attention.
This is book 2 of a The Leningrad Trilogy. I did not read book 1 and was able to follow this without difficulty. I can also how the story is set to@continue into book 3. There is definitely more to the story as Katya’s life is entering a new path at the end.
Overall I highly recommend if you are looking for unique WW2 historical fiction. Than you so much to @getredprbooks for my gifted ARC copy!

#getredPR #thecommunistssecret #suzanneparrywrites #worldwar2 #historicalfictionbooks #bookrecommendations #arcreviewer

[Ellen Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I think I’ve read all there is to read about WWII, along comes Suzanne Parry. In The Communist’s Secret, protagonist Claire is supporting her country against the Nazis in every way she can. Of course she is – we see that all over Europe: partisans in Allied nations carrying out guerilla operations in their Nazi-occupied homelands. But this story is different. Claire’s war is on the eastern front. Her loyalties are to her country, Russia. It quickly becomes clear that more is going on than a desperate effort to defend the homeland and defeat the enemy. She is caught between the Nazi aggressor and Stalin, the dictator who is attacking his own citizens while also fighting off the external enemy. This book is a harrowing read of history and a warning about the future.
Well researched and well written, this historical novel stands on its own, or it can be read as a follow-on to the author’s previous WWII novel, Lost Souls of Leningrad.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy Pub Day!
The Communist’s Secret
By: Suzanne Parry
Pub Date: August 5, 2025
Tour: GetRed PR

After reading Lost Souls of Leningrad I was excited there was another one in this series. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and Parry is beautiful writer. I was completely invested in Katya’s story. She has broken the trust of the Communist Part. You should never say anything that can come back and hurt you.

She joins a militia and her life is in danger. Can she hide in plain sight? All she wants is forgiveness and her family. How can she have that after she betrayed them?

Emotional, captivating and one to add to your shelf. Thank you GetRedPr and author Parry for a spot on your tour.

[Julie Hatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get carried away with this moving, realistic war story.
The Communist's Secret is a beautifully told war story. Suzanne Parry takes us inside the realities of war providing a powerful and original telling of WWII. Describing the war scenes in fine detail, Parry gives us a heroic story of one woman's survival in wartime. It is a novel that offers up suspense and intrigue, human emotion, compassion, love, and loss. The contrasts through the book are poignant: peaceful settings of Russian countryside against war destroyed towns, raw emotions of death and loss set against human love and courage. This is not just another WWII story.

[Maryka Biaggio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katya Karavayeva’s life is complicated in 1941 Russia: An errant few words from her leads to the arrest of her husband and her expulsion from the Communist Party. Forced to leave her daughter and mother-in-law in Leningrad, she labors for the volunteer militia to prove her loyalty to the homeland and Party. But when the Nazis invade, she flees and begins a sojourn of alienation and dislocation. This beautifully written novel, the second in the Leningrad Trilogy, easily stands on its own and also continues the family saga launched in Lost Souls of Leningrad. I’m looking forward to the last in the trilogy—and all of Suzanne Parry’s novels, for that matter.

[Bradley Eckelmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second installation of the series is a sharp, keenly written departure from the survivalist epic of Lost Souls. Instead we follow a personal search for absolution through places and times where it cannot be found. Katya's struggle to find herself is placed in stark contrast to the struggles of her country and the people around her, to gripping effect. This book is both a thriller and a moral examination of sacrifice, deftly shifting narrative with the turning tides of World War II.

An outstanding follow-up effort by Parry more than worthy of the first. I recommend it whole-heartedly and can't wait for the third!

[Deb Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting follow-up to Lost Souls of Leningrad, The Communist’s Secret deepens Suzanne Parry’s masterful exploration of love, loyalty, and betrayal in Soviet Russia.

With taut pacing and emotional complexity, this second installment reveals the chilling cost of secrets under a regime where truth is dangerous.

Parry’s storytelling is sharp, cinematic, and rich with historical detail—once again proving she knows how to weave a personal story into the sweep of history. I couldn’t put it down.

[M.M. Desch · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Communist’s Secret, second in her Leningrad Trilogy, Suzanne Parry follows Katya Karavayeva, whose rigid communist faith collapses after she betrays her husband to the regime. Stranded in Nazi-occupied Soviet territory, Katya moves through partisans, informants, and shifting front lines with one driving goal: reach her daughter again. Parry’s tight pacing, layered moral stakes, and clear sense of place give the story weight. Katya’s genuine change—from loyal believer to clear-eyed survivor—turns this wartime escape into a fierce study of guilt, loyalty, and earned redemption.

[Roxy Soulé · Rating 5 out of 5]

As before with Lost Souls of Leningrad, Parry knocks this one out of the park. Her deep knowledge of Russia/USSR/Soviet Union gives this novel haunting authority. The character Katya from the first book is a complex, multifaceted herione who takes the reader on a harrowing journey through her Nazi-invaded home town, where she discovers there are more layers to the geopolitics of the day than she ever knew. This one is the historical page-turner you've been waiting for.

[Natalie Hirt · Rating 5 out of 5]

WWII historical novel told from the perspective of a complex and courageous heroine, Katya. We follow her as she works to redeem herself for an impulsive, deeply regrettable mistake. Now she strives to prove her loyalty and find forgiveness from her husband and daughter. In the process the reader finds out Katya is resourceful and brave.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling read!

Excellent second book in the trilogy! Captivating characters, interesting plot lines and an overall compelling read. I was glad I'd read The Lost Souls of Leningrad first, but I don't think it's necessary in order to fully enjoy this book.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this an amazing g historical fiction about Russia during the second world war. Readers will find a compelling story that puts you in the middle of what faced ordinary people driven to extraordinary ary actions,

[Deirdre Megan Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a historical thriller based during WW2. It was very interesting and I enjoyed the story as a whole. Rating 3.5.

Thank you to Get Read PR for the gifted arc.