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War Secrets: A Short Story: Prequel to A Bitter Veil
When I wrote my literary thriller, A BITTER VEIL, I intentionally left a loose end in the story. (It happens almost at the end of the novel). That unexplained plot point is explained in "War Secrets". The story takes place in the 1930s in Leipzig, Germany. The Nazis are in power, but the war has not yet begun. A young physics student and an older German scientist must work together to find a way to split the atom. But both men have secrets that could put the other in mortal danger.
This story was originally published in the 2013 MWA Anthology THE MYSTERY BOX, edited by Brad Meltzer.
This story was originally published in the 2013 MWA Anthology THE MYSTERY BOX, edited by Brad Meltzer.
- GenresShort Stories
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Libby Fischer Hellmann
79 books970 followersLibby Fischer Hellmann left a career in broadcast news in Washington, DC and moved to Chicago a long time ago, where she, naturally, began to write gritty crime fiction. She soon began writing historical fiction as well. Eighteen novels and twenty-five short stories later, she claims they’ll take her out of the Windy City feet first. She has been nominated for many awards in the mystery writing community and has even won a few. Her newest work is MAX'S WAR, her 6th historical saga. MAX, set before and during WW2, It will be released in April, 2024.
Libby began her career as an assistant film editor for NBC News in New York before moving back to DC to work with Robin McNeil and Jim Lehrer at N-PACT, the public affairs production arm of PBS. Retrained as an assistant director when Watergate broke, Libby helped produce PBS’s night-time broadcast of the hearings. She went on to work for public relations firm Burson-Marsteller in Chicago in 1978, where she stayed until she left to found Fischer Hellmann Communications in 1985.
Originally from Washington, D.C.—where, she says, “When you’re sitting around the dinner table gossiping about the neighbors, you’re talking politics”—Libby earned a Masters Degree in Film Production from New York University and a BA in History from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to writing, Libby writes and produces videos, and conducts speaker training programs in platform speaking, presentation skills, media training and crisis communications.
Libby’s best-selling novels have won widespread acclaim since her first novel, AN EYE FOR MURDER, which was nominated for several awards and described by Publisher’s Weekly as “a masterful blend of politics, history, and suspense”.
Libby is known for her portrayal of strong female characters. EYE introduced Ellie Foreman, a video producer and single mother who went on to star in five more novels in a series described by Libby as “a cross between Desperate Housewives and 24.”
Libby’s second series, also six novels now, follows Chicago PI Georgia Davis, a no-nonsense hard-boiled detective operating in the Northern suburbs and beyond.
In addition to her popular series, Libby has also written five standalone thrillers in diverse settings and historical periods that demonstrate her versatility as a writer. Readers will meet young activists during the late Sixties, a young American woman who marries and moves to Tehran, three women forced to make dire choices during WW2, and a female Mafia boss who chases power at the expense of love. And in A BEND IN THE RIVER, she takes a break from her thrillers to write an award-winning novel of two Vietnamese sisters trying to survive the Vietnam war. MAX is the upcoming 6th addition to the loosely-linked series she calls her "Revolution Sagas."
Libby began her career as an assistant film editor for NBC News in New York before moving back to DC to work with Robin McNeil and Jim Lehrer at N-PACT, the public affairs production arm of PBS. Retrained as an assistant director when Watergate broke, Libby helped produce PBS’s night-time broadcast of the hearings. She went on to work for public relations firm Burson-Marsteller in Chicago in 1978, where she stayed until she left to found Fischer Hellmann Communications in 1985.
Originally from Washington, D.C.—where, she says, “When you’re sitting around the dinner table gossiping about the neighbors, you’re talking politics”—Libby earned a Masters Degree in Film Production from New York University and a BA in History from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to writing, Libby writes and produces videos, and conducts speaker training programs in platform speaking, presentation skills, media training and crisis communications.
Libby’s best-selling novels have won widespread acclaim since her first novel, AN EYE FOR MURDER, which was nominated for several awards and described by Publisher’s Weekly as “a masterful blend of politics, history, and suspense”.
Libby is known for her portrayal of strong female characters. EYE introduced Ellie Foreman, a video producer and single mother who went on to star in five more novels in a series described by Libby as “a cross between Desperate Housewives and 24.”
Libby’s second series, also six novels now, follows Chicago PI Georgia Davis, a no-nonsense hard-boiled detective operating in the Northern suburbs and beyond.
In addition to her popular series, Libby has also written five standalone thrillers in diverse settings and historical periods that demonstrate her versatility as a writer. Readers will meet young activists during the late Sixties, a young American woman who marries and moves to Tehran, three women forced to make dire choices during WW2, and a female Mafia boss who chases power at the expense of love. And in A BEND IN THE RIVER, she takes a break from her thrillers to write an award-winning novel of two Vietnamese sisters trying to survive the Vietnam war. MAX is the upcoming 6th addition to the loosely-linked series she calls her "Revolution Sagas."
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 24, 2023
War Secrets
Libby Fischer Hellmann
War Secrets is a quick and easy short story to read. Ms. Hellman put as much energy into this one as she does her full-length novels. War Secrets is the prequel to A Bitter Veil, which I am sure you will want to read next if you haven’t read it yet. The end of A Bitter Veil leaves you hanging and War Secrets helps to bring closure while it explains the original plot.
This is not the first novel I have read by Ms. Hellman, nor will it be my length. I enjoy her writing style. She makes her characters come to life in my mind. I can visualize what they are doing and what is happening to them.
Libby Fischer Hellmann – keep writing!
05.24.2023
Libby Fischer Hellmann
War Secrets is a quick and easy short story to read. Ms. Hellman put as much energy into this one as she does her full-length novels. War Secrets is the prequel to A Bitter Veil, which I am sure you will want to read next if you haven’t read it yet. The end of A Bitter Veil leaves you hanging and War Secrets helps to bring closure while it explains the original plot.
This is not the first novel I have read by Ms. Hellman, nor will it be my length. I enjoy her writing style. She makes her characters come to life in my mind. I can visualize what they are doing and what is happening to them.
Libby Fischer Hellmann – keep writing!
05.24.2023
May 20, 2015
This short story takes place in Nazi Germany, just prior to the start of WWII.
As with most good short stories, I found myself fully engaged in the story while reading the 1st paragraph. It's an easy read, something that could be started and completed over a lunch break.
Although, this is a prequel the story ends in a manner that feels satisfying. For me this was a good introduction to the author and her style of writing. I have no doubt that I will look to read some of her other titles.
As with most good short stories, I found myself fully engaged in the story while reading the 1st paragraph. It's an easy read, something that could be started and completed over a lunch break.
Although, this is a prequel the story ends in a manner that feels satisfying. For me this was a good introduction to the author and her style of writing. I have no doubt that I will look to read some of her other titles.
May 14, 2015
"War Secrets" by Libby Fischer Hellmann is a short story prequel to her novel "A Bitter Veil," which I have yet to read. After enjoying this evocative story, I immediately moved it to the top of my "to-read" list. In a few pages, the author manages to fully immerse you into the world of pre-war Germany and I wanted to know more about these ill-fated lovers, who they are and what happens to them. An interesting little glimpse of WWII that was bittersweet and moving, sad and yet hopeful.
May 25, 2015
This is a prequel to another book. Set in late 1930's, early 1940's Germany. The story captivates you and makes you want to know what is going to happen to everyone. Will definitely have to read the next book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews