The Darkest Canyon

A Holocaust Story #2

by Roberta Kagan

Nazi Germany.
Gretchen Schmidt has a secret life. She is in love with a married Jewish man. She is hiding him while his wife is posing as an Aryan woman.
Her best friend Hilde, who unbeknownst to Gretchen is a sociopath, is working as a guard at Ravensbruck concentration camp.
If Hilde discovers Gretchen’s secret will their friendship be strong enough to keep Gretchen safe? Or will Hilde fall under the spell of the Nazi’s and turn her in her best friend to the Gestapo?
The Darkest Canyon is terrifying ride along the edge of a canyon in the dark of night.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Holocaust

318 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2019

About the author

I’m an American writer of Jewish and Romany decent. I write Historical Fiction and Historical Romance, most of which is set during the holocaust. Although I never discount the horrors of the time period, the main focus of my work is on ordinary people who prove to be strong heroic characters in unfathomable circumstances.

Facebook Author page:
http://www.facebook.com/Rkagan4

Facebook Book Club:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/14942...

Instagram:
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Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part I liked the book. I immediately got the next book in the series, which certainly says something for it. However, there are some really disturbing elements in the book. Of course there will be disturbing elements in a book where parts of the story are set in a Nazi concentration camp. If the reader isn't disturbed there's something wrong. But I skipped several pages because, unlike any other book I've read that has this setting, there is some sexual stuff with female prisoners that a female guard is involved with that I didn't want to read. I don't know exactly what went on and don't want to know. It's entirely possible it isn't as bad as I suspect, but there was enough hinted at before the incident that I skipped it.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I mentioned in my review of The Smallest Crack, I was disappointed that this is still an ongoing book without a conclusion. However, I restate that this is an excellent read in that it exposes the monster that Hitler was and how people became monsters in their own right towards people Hitler deemed unworthy, Jews, mentally retarded, etc. Gretchen takes in Eli and Rebecca, but Hilde’s actions put all 3 of them in horrible situations in which they may not survive. Not sure if or when I will grab book 3.

[peter david mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The darkest of times.

The war brings all manner of trials for the main characters to endure. Eli is on the run, hiding in the countryside. He is captured and incarcerated in Treblinka. Gretchen protects Rebecca as best she can and they become as close as sisters. Hilde marries an SS officer and becomes a prison guard. Gripping and emotional from start to finish and well worth the five stars.

[Cindy Kasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can't say enough about these books! They are phenomenal! The depth of information and the explanation as to how and why things happened is so well researched and explained without being long winded and redundant. So far there are 4 books in the series and I'm on book 4. They can stand alone, but to read them consecutively is amazing. I can only hope there will be a book 5!

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This was so hard to put down and I found every excuse to get back to reading it. The way this author writes makes you so engaged with the characters and the storyline. Yes there are similarities between her different series but the characters and what and how they endure their lives makes each series different. I can't get enough!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darkest Canyon

Kagen’s book, Darkest Canyon, was one of those you can’t put down so now I have to read the next in the trilogy. There were some parts of the book that were hard to get through because so many of these stories are based on what Hitler actually did.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it better than Book 1 in the series but I hate the way they both ended and when the next book starts with new characters. Book 2 ends with a knock on the door but bk3 doesn’t start there!! Frustrating!!

[Janet Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

History in a Novel

Lots of twist and turns in this book. It becomes more realistic when you see everything is in tied up with a neat bow. People die, people did things they would never have thought they could do, survival at what price?

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Darkest Canyon

The second book in the series and as good as the first. WWII is in full swing and the poor Jews are either scattered or imprisoned or killed. But Gretchen survives and Rebecca has a hard life being hidden away but also survives. Excellent book.

[Karleen Dewey]

Not as good as the first!

Very sadistic, cruel actions. I am sure these things happened. I just do no enjoy reading them. I can see why the book is not available in the library!
Won't read Roberta Kagan again!

[Patricia Whittington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

I can hardly wait to read the next book. I have read other books by Roberta Kagan. She is a great writer and I feel certain that so much of her books are based on true facts.

[Julie Breslau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't believe how much I loved it. It was a great read

[FC Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Another great book in this series. Keeps me wanting more to read. It's one of those books that you just can't out down, but sad that it's coming to an end.

[Lerryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. So glad she has made a series of this story. Could not have been told in one book. Now off to book #3!!! Cant wait!

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! I can’t wait to start reading the next book in this series!

[Janice Alter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roberta Kagan writes great stories. But some things are either incorrect historically, or judaically. However, these “errors” do not affect the readability of the book.

[colette kerlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book

I love Roberta Kayan’s books. This one was no exception. Looking forward to reading the next one. Very highly recommended.

[Sara Estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was in the ending I expected, but I cannot stop reading the book back to back. I loved it anyways and I am going to start on the third one.

[Karen Kepner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death camps and hope

The second book in this series continues the rise of Hitler and the death camps like Auswitcz, Treblinka and Ravensbruck. The story follows the characters introduced in book 1 and their hope and despair. Very well written

[Derek Sanderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent sequel!

Kagan has a gift for book series! She writes in an engaging way that holds your attention and leaves you longing for more. I have never read so many novels on the holocaust from one author! While the subject is always heartbreaking, the storylines are interesting and suspenseful so as to make it palatable to read. Book two of this series is no exception. I especially appreciated, as always, the various perspectives conveyed on all sides, with none being entirely blameless or evil. As a Christian, I was especially interested in the faith aspect, which the character, Eli, somehow maintained amidst unspeakable horror, and the Catholic priest demonstrated in his compassion for suffering Jews, even at expense to his life. What a lesson for us, one of many presented. Five stars all the way!!!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge Roberta Kagan fan and have read many of her books/series. She writes both sides of the Jewish/Nazi conflict. That being said, even after reading her books and other books on the subject, it is so hard to understand how people can be so cruel and hateful and do the things they did to women, children, etc. I don’t usually like cliff hangers, but I have accepted them from Kagan because she makes me want to read more. The reason for 4 instead of 5 stars is....I have to say that some parts of this story were repetitious. Yes...we got it....Hilde was infatuated and obsessed with Hann. How many times did we have to be reminded of that? Sorry....not really a spoiler, just had to say that in case the author reads these reviews. I look forward to Book Three....A Million Pebbles.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Darkest Canyon

This book held my attention because I wanted to know what would happen next to the character s from Book 1. Ms Kagan 's books are so real, so thought provoking and so much is so true of those times. It is so very important to never forget the Ho!ocaust..... Never...

[denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

Roberta has done it again! I read her books in one day because I love them, hate myself because it's over.
This is truly an amazing series, a little different in some areas but just as addictive!

[Mary Tiefenbacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved the first in this series and am very disappointed in the 2nd book. I’m debating stopping it. Most of it is good, but the author has veered off into sexual deviancies that detracts from the story.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this author write books in a “series” but I hated that this one ended in a cliff hanger. Now to wait it out for the next book!

[Ina Tuscano]

Great sequel.

Can't wait for the third book in this series. Well written, plenty of suspense and great twists. Enjoyed every word.

[Lindi Rudnicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Roberta has produced a brilliant book. Can’t wait for the next one!

[Debbie Trammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

This series is simply wonderful, written with so much feeling like all your books. I have been blessed to read them all. Looking forward to book 3.

[Roanne Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love her writing. Very powerful but compassionate

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great, informative book by Ms Kagan

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the past. The past is what weaves the future.