Night Witch in Berlin

by Joanna Brady

A journey that begins in Moscow and ends in Key West, Florida.

Captain Kira Voronova was an ace pilot in the Soviets’ storied Night Witches regiment during WWII. These young women were sent into combat by Stalin to bomb Nazi-held territories in flimsy open bi-planes during freezing Russian winter nights.

But it’s 1947. The war over, death-defying feats are forgotten; affiliations have switched. In Cold War Berlin, she’s forced to spy on American Intelligence officer, Major Vick Moran. Nightmares of the past assail her; an uncertain future clouds even the perilous present. Major Moran turns out to be more than Kira bargained for. When faced with return to Moscow for good, choices must be made: whether to follow her heart or remain loyal to her country; become a government pawn, or seize the chance to transcend gritty reality into a life beyond her dreams. A firing squad looms in the balance.

A journey that explores post war stress, betrayals, and despair, it’s also a celebration of love, victory, compassion, friendship, rebellion against tyranny, and second chances.

Genres: Historical Fiction

397 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2021

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous story. Fabulous writing. What more could a reader want? Nothing--read this book!!

[Carin Lozano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! What a fantastic and well written story. ❤️

[ANNETTE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it !
A post-war setting in Berlin. A twisting plot with brave women as pilots. A young lady facing life - altering events with tons of suspense,love and action.
Well done

[Mary Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by Mary Cross, Ph.D., professor of American literature and author of 8 books:

The Germans called them "the night witches" -- the Nachthexen. They were a battalion of Russian female pilots, some of them barely out of their teens, flying flimsy biplanes never meant for combat and sent on night missions over Nazi territory during the last days of World War II to take out railway encampments. Relentlessly they bombed, flying in as low as 600 feet, cutting their engines and their lights, and dodging the Messerschmitts and Folke-Wulf fighter planes the Germans sent to stop them.

It's quite a story, and writer Joanna Brady, an aficionado of World War II history, recognized its potential right away. Intrigued by the feisty women who piloted those planes, Brady ended up writing an entire novel --this one-- about their role n the war and its aftermath. Inventing her own Russian heroine, Captain Kira Voronova, she has deftly woven an exciting novel around her, imagining her as a spy in Berlin after the war. Kira tracks down the American officer she's assigned to spy on, flies American planes with him, and ends up sharing his bed.

Joanna Brady writes like a pro and the novel speaks of her skill at creating a well-plotted and thrilling story, solidly grounded in real-life events. Read this book--you'll be highly entertained and emerge even smarter!

[Lisa Ard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was immediately sucked into the story of Kira, a female Russian pilot in WWII, labeled a "night witch" by the Allied Forces. The story picks up with Kira in East Berlin following the end of the war and Joanna Brady brilliantly captures the desolation of the city and the desperation of its people. With a B.S. in German Area Studies, I've read a fair amount of German history and even so, I was surprised by the details in this book I didn't know - mostly from the Russian perspective. With the Russian invastion of Ukraine, this is a timely read to look back at their motives for Germany in the aftermath of WWII. A terrific blend of historical detail and the story of a woman finding love, purpose, and freedom during the Cold War.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited when I learned that Joanna Brady had released her second novel. I read her first one years ago when it was first released and LOVED it. “Night Witch in Berlin” did not disappoint!

With August 2021 being the 50th anniversary of the surprise overnight raising of the Berlin Wall, I have been reading novels getting the perspectives of Americans and East Germans over the events leading up to it. This is the first Soviet perspective I have read, and it is fascinating.

It is obvious that Joanna did a lot of research for this brilliantly written story. There are characters I loved and others I detested; but they all elicited an emotional response from me, the sign of great character development. At its heart, it is a love story – romantic love, sisterly love, motherly love.

Captain Kira Voronova is an ace pilot with the Soviets’ Night Witches, a battalion of Russian female pilots, some of them barely out of their teens, flying biplanes on nightly bombing missions over Nazi territory. (If you loved “The Huntress” by Kate Quinn, I highly recommend this book to you.) She is forced to spy on American Intelligence officer Major Vick Moran. But who is spying on whom? Kira will be forced to make decisions, and the wrong choice could place her before the firing squad. My only regret was that I was unable to set aside the time I needed to totally immerse myself in this wonderful novel. At some point I plan to go back and re-read it in order to fully appreciate the remarkable bravery exhibited by its myriad of characters.

I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy discovering another unknown gem in history. Actually, I recommend it to everyone!

[Jacqueline Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this book down

My favorite books are stories about WW2 and the period right after.

I grew up in post war London with its bomb sites, food shortages and rationing. I can't remember a day when my parents didn't talk about the War and the bombing.

Joanna has exactly the right tone for an exciting book about a strong woman.

It should be a movie.

[Honor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is marvellous to read an historical novel with so much action. The heroine is a young World War II warrior woman; in between gun fights, airplane chases and explosions, she is concerned for sexual politics, looking good and children. I had to interrupt my schedule to finish this book.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second Joanna Brady book I’ve read. Both were excellent. This tells the tale of a Russian night witch after the War is over. Set in East Berlin just before the wall is built. The story is interesting in the beginning and picks up speed as it twists and turns until the end!

[Elizabeth Buechner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna Brady has done a ton of research to give us the setting of this wonderfully constructed story set in Berlin just following WW2. You can 'see' the scenes as they unfold, and you can 'hear' the dialogue, in whichever language is being spoken at the time.

[Deb Atherton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read! I had trouble putting it down. I learned some interesting history plus a great story. Bonus she ended it in Key west!!🏝

[Judi Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Night Witch in Berlin is a backward-forward, coming-of-age love story, overlaid with memories of the horrors of World War II. It captures the tenuous and politically charged moment in time between a post-war and a pre-cold war told through the eyes of Kira, a Russian female fighter pilot, a Nachthexen, or night witch. The history of these young women conscripted by the Russian military is unique and intertwines with what is commonly known and chronologically significant.
Brady interweaves and balances the historical events with the protagonist’s emotional development artfully. Her literary references and foreign language insertions are masterful and give flavor to the story. The reader is not only left with the bittersweet aftertaste of loss but the fragrant comfort of Kira’s “stubborn gladness” (“the ability to cultivate joy and wonder even at life’s bleakest,” according to Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love). At its core, Night Witch in Berlin is a love story, a delightful reading journey, which you will be stubbornly glad you took.

[Amy Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was first introduced to Joanna Brady, a Key West-based author of historical fiction, several years ago when my book club won copies of her first novel, The Woman at the Light. Though I was a total noob of a reviewer at the time, you can find my thoughts here in the time capsule that was my fourth ever review for this blog. Long story short, it's a beautiful and unique work of historical fiction that follows a female lighthouse keeper in Key West in the mid-1800's. It was universally liked by all our book club members, and I highly recommend it. Continue Reading at https://libgirlbooks.com.

[Patty Patten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this story from the first chapter. Had no idea of this piece of history and how these Russian women tortured the Nazis with their glider skills in raid after raid. No wonder the Germans called them night witches! The transition from hero to desk job in Berlin is both disappointing but also a reflection of the times and how a woman's bravery was shelved and undervalued when not needed in a crisis. Rebuilding her life in the ruins of Berlin, falling in love, and navigating the dangers of Russian intrigue, this night witch will leave a mark on your heart. The ending will make you want to stand up and cheer for a true hero!

[Janet McDougall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna Brady has written another riveting read about an intelligent, brave and successful woman in “Night Witch in Berlin”. That is, successful against the odds, of course. How Kira manages her life in the midst of WW2 and subsequent years in Berlin is admirable. The ups and downs of her life are inspiring, especially during this pandemic. The writing is very good; hard to put the book down with its good pace of action and changes of scene. An appropriate sprinkle of humour in Captain Kira’s flight from Berlin toward the end of the novel bodes well for her future. Nothing like an excellent read while there is time for it, as now.

[Robin Dorfman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came upon the author and her book at a local market on Sunday morning while on vacation. I was taken by the idea of a WWI story that focused on post-war realities between countries and between different types of survivors of the conflict. Night Witch did not disappoint! It was an engaging story that captured my attention from chapter one. I read the story in two days and learned so much. The topic is so complex and I had known only a little about Russian involvement post war. So grateful to have found this book.

[Bradley Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to believe that the heroine survived the scary hardships Ms. Brady tells about in this book. The story is well written and keeps you turning pages right from page one. I remember as a teenager being on a school tour that visited Munich and I could not believe the ravages that were still there from WWII. Ms. Brady captures the horror and turns it into a very readable tale. I highly recommend this book!

[Joan Hart]

I know Kira, Vick and so many others in the book. I wanted to just keep reading and reading; no eating and drinking and sleeping. It was difficult to put down "Night Witch in Berlin" as my friends were in trouble and someone had to help them.

I did not need to force myself to read this novel as the setting in post-war Berlin; the bravery of the women and those who helped them and the twisting plot pulled me into their lives. I am sorry the book ended. Will there be a sequel?

[Lewis Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

engagingly plotted ... several surprises well presented ... past events brought in through short effective flashbacks ... a character you had to root for ... all set convincingly in post-WWII Berlin ... Brady exposes the horrors of a decent person living within an oppressive totalitarian regime intent on making all of its enemies and potential enemies disappear ... IMO, it portrays exactly what Donald Trump would like to do in America

[Linda Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Night Witch In Berlin. I had never heard of the Night Witches but did a little research. They were a courageous bunch of women who's country owed them much. The story was well told and the chapters were short. The story came full circle with a happy ending. The main character was a smart, gutsy beautiful gal. Well done Joanna.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and did not want it to end. I would love for there to be a sequel. 4 stars instead of 5, because I felt the ending was rushed. The sequel of my dreams would pick up from the ending and end at the epilogue. Very good book and I’m glad I own it. I will definitely reread it.

[Dale Dapkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you can put this story down after the first chapter, you need more coffee. I couldn't. Problem with a book like this is I race to the end, flooring, the gas while pumping the brakes, hoping to prolong my enjoyment. Anyway, I console myself knowing I have more Joanna Brady books on order.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting! An intriguing journey of a brave WWII heroine whose harrowing existence faces one life-altering event after another. “Night Witch In Berlin” delivers suspense, love, betrayal, death-defying action, and colorful characters that burst into life.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very well written and takes you back in time! I couldn't put the book down.
Who knew you could learn something new about history. I give this book my highest recommendation. Pick up a copy today you won't be disappointed.

[stephen cornell · Rating 4 out of 5]

night witch truly was a night book, stayed up most of the night trying to finish, could not put it down

[Heather Hitchcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant story combining historical fiction, romance and suspense. I couldn’t put it down and love that I learned a lot too. A definite must read!

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book.

[Vicki Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both A Thriller And Historical Fiction At Its Best

Much has been written about the events and time period upon which this novel is based, but Joanna Brady’s novel Night Witch in Berlin surpasses all. Heavily researched and brilliantly written as a page turning edge-of the-seat story with well drawn characters and plot that time-traveled me into a history studied, but never fully experienced until this book. Both male and female readers will enjoy its intrigue and gripping adventure while also finding relevance to contemporary struggles for acceptance, inclusivity and empowerment.

[Thomas F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I obtained my paperback copy of this historical fiction while in Key West and it was autographed by the author whom I had learned to admire after reading her first novel, The Woman at the Light. I was so enthralled by the compelling story and the well-researched details and the flow of the story-line that I wanted to share this with Amazon readers. Ms. Brady leads us through the nightmare of WWII as seen from the perspective of Russian female fight pilots, the price of this patriotism in the Cold War, the rendering of families torn apart and the eventual denouement of the main characters. This is a book that I could not put down until finished. Well done!

[Megan McCandless · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her second novel, Night Witch in Berlin, Joanna Brady has opened my eyes to a part of WWII history that I never knew about, that of female fighter pilots of the Soviet air force. The heroine of the novel, Kira, is brave, dynamic and captivating. Her story, along with the stories of her female comrades, highlights the hardships and heroism of women during the postwar era in Soviet occupied Germany. The pages kept turning throughout this exhilarating tale about self-determination, espionage, and romance. A thoroughly enjoyable read!