Crossing the Rhine

After Dunkirk #9

by Lee Jackson

In late 1944, as Allied forces grind their way toward Germany’s Siegfried Line, the Littlefield family finds themselves caught at the center of a desperate struggle.

Jeremy, the daring pilot, flies dangerous missions across Europe and beyond, risking his life and his heart as he battles a waning and desperate empire. Beside him stands Amelie, the courageous ambulance driver dedicated to saving soldiers’ lives at the front—Allied and enemy. She is equally devoted to Jeremy—undaunted by the chaos around them.

Claire, the brilliant cryptologist who is stationed at Bletchley Park, races against time to crack enemy codes that could save thousands. Her sharp mind unearths enemy secrets, but she is haunted by the fear that her warnings could be ignored—leading to catastrophic consequences.

Paul, the steady and determined soldier, advances through France, uncovering Nazi atrocities as he liberates war-torn villages. The discovery of a hidden Nazi prison camp forces him to confront the unimaginable, fueling his mission to expose the truth and bring freedom to the oppressed.

And in the brutal confines of Colditz, Lance, the bold adventurer, is willing to risk everything, escaping and joining forces with the French Resistance as he fights to defy Nazi rule. As he and his comrades endure unspeakable conditions, Lance’s spirit burns fiercely—a defiant spark of rebellion behind enemy lines.

Will their collective strength be enough to silence the guns of war?

Crossing the Rhine is the ninth installment in Wall Street Journal bestselling author Lee Jackson’s riveting After Dunkirk series. This historical fiction saga offers readers an epic glimpse into the turmoil and triumphs of WWII.

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Praise for Lee Jackson and the AFTER DUNKIRK

"...an exceptional work of historical fiction..." —Lieutenant General Rick Lynch, US Army (Ret.)

"...compelling fiction is masterfully woven in with the actual events...” —John J. Gobbell, author of The Last Lieutenant

"A sweeping, wonderfully crafted saga...Jackson has created a masterful, enduring tale." —H.W. "Buzz" Bernard, award-winning author of When Heroes Flew

"[Jackson]...deftly balances the deeply personal stories of his characters with the action..." —Commander George Wallace, USN (Ret.), author of Warshot and Operation Golden Dawn

“There is intrigue and action galore, but also true and gripping personal depth in this remarkable story...” —Don Keith, author of Final Bearing and Only the Brave

460 pages, Paperback

Published June 9, 2026

About the author

My Tagline: Lee Jackson Brings Heat To The Cold War. I write Historical Thriller Fiction - particularly surrounding the Cold War. Having lived in Morocco, Germany, Costa Rica, and of course in the United States; and, having been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan for a combined 38 months, I've been up-close-and personal with many different cultures. I graduated from West Point and Boston University, resulting in a front row seat on many pivotal events. I live in Texas with my wife. My first novel, "Curse The Moon" was published on 10 December 2013. I publish under my own name, Lee Jackson.

Reviews

[Mike Crooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end of war in Europe in the ongoing story of the Littlefields...

I have rated the previous 8 books at least 4 stars (some 4 1/2) and I was thankful that all 8 were available and I could read at my leisure. #9, "Crossing the Rhine" made me wait quite awhile and was just released 5 or 6 days ago, was a touch disappointing...I rate it 3 1/2 stars. It's still a good read, but for me, it didn't hold up to the pace of most of the previous installments. When writing about the main characters (the Littlefields) and their friends, lovers, etc. the stories moved and flowed quickly. When writing about tangential historical occurrences, I feel the author erred on the side of too much info. Don't get me wrong, MOST of these occurrences were very informative and moved the stories along, but some were just not very entertaining or necessary. And I feel much of these fillers were in some of the later installments and especially this 9th volume.
As it stands now the next volume will be out in a year...I hope I'm still around for it for I want to know the conclusion of each of the Littlefield's stories...

[Diane J. Futer · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the edge of my seat

Being a WWII enthusiast, I have been reading the 'After Dunkirk' series with baked breath. I have developed a close association with the characters and I'm on the edge of my seat to see what's going on with each of them. Realizing 'Crossing the Rhine' would deal with the victory in Europe, the closer I got to the end, the more I realized there had to be one more installment in the series.
Having said that, the battles that took place to bring the war in Europe to completion were well described by the author. Both sides had to endure the lousy weather and the ground conditions it caused. I felt the coldness and dampness and the muddy ground all along not imagining a foot soldier surviving and able to function in those conditions.
I have as glad for the chapter of the battle at Utter Castle. Truly one of the unusual events of the war!
Looking forward to the next installment!

[KSue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ninth book in the After Dunkirk historical fiction series. Although I don’t usually jump into the middle of a series, I’m glad I did this time. The story resonated with me because Jerry Littlefield reminded me of the wartime stories my favorite uncle shared about flying the Hump in the Pacific, as well as another uncle’s experiences with the RAF in Europe. Even though I thought I already understood a great deal about World War II, the author’s research, attention to all aspects of the war, and empathetic portrayal of the characters filled in gaps and deepened my understanding of how it all fit together. I’ll be definitely going back to the beginning and reading the entire series. This is a series I would highly recommend to others.

[Jim Flagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review. This is a continuation of an outstanding series about a family and extended family during World War II. This book takes place mostly in Europe but, also covers the Pacific theater to include parts of Asia. The war in Europe ends and the return to the Philippines is documented. This is historical fiction at its best. I look forward to the next book in this series.

[Alicia Marsland · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent over

Excellent overview for those who did not grow up as I did hearing all about the war and watching war movies, this is well written and easy to understand in so far as something as huge and complicated as a war can be understood. The confusion and uncertainty of people facing unfamiliar peace is also well presented. Since every work contains within itself the next war, we would all do well to pay close attention!

[Lionel B. Dyck · Rating 5 out of 5]

could not put it down

This latest book in the After Dunkirk series was impossible to put down. The characters, both new and previously introduced, were fascinating to get to know and/or catch up with. The historical fictional accounts are well written showing outstanding research and care for authenticity.

This series could easily be a fantastic TV mini-series.

[Bob Willis]

Currently I'm at 42% read. So far an excellent read. This is a historical fiction and the historical facets of the book are very accurate. Recommended for those who enjoy good historical fiction. If you're interested start with book 1. "After Dunkirk" which actually starts during the evacuation of the beaches at Dunkirk.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The littlefield saga continues, getting better each time. Cannot wait for the next installment

[Dick Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another riveting book in this series. It would be a great read in and of itself, but you’re cheating yourself if you don’t read all of the series.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jackson does a good job telling the story even if it seems impossible that his characters would always be involved in events he relates. One more to go I guess.

[LouiseH Loiselle · Rating 5 out of 5]

crossing the Rhine

Riveting! Beautifully written. Crossing the Rhine reads like a suspenseful novel. Lee Jackson combines the hell of war with humor and love.