What do you think?
Rate this book
The Anna Klein Trilogy #3
That Which Remains
IPPY Gold Medal, Historical Fiction, 2022This enthralling climax to the series has all the trappings of a great summer complex WWII history, requited love, and the chance to live through the eyes of a passionate woman as she grows into the person the reader can applaud. - Claudia Fontaine Chidester, author of Trusted Post-World War II Adventures of a Fearless Art AdvocateIn February 1946, Anna Klein and her boss Henry Cooper face major changes at the Monuments Men Collecting Point. With Cooper's dreaded re-deployment looming and their feelings for each other intensifying, Anna has to decide between him, her family, and her marriage. A future with Cooper means giving up everything she knows and running away from her own past, which isn't at all what it seemed. Meanwhile, a destitute artist asks for her help in finding paintings he sold before the war. But his story doesn't pan out, leaving a despairing Anna running against the clock with more questions than she may have time to answer.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2021
308 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
C.F. Yetmen
5 books49 followersC.F. YETMEN is author of the Anna Klein Trilogy: The Roses Underneath (2014), What is Forgiven (2017) and That Which Remains (2021). Her first two books have received the IPPY Award for historical fiction, and been named finalists for the INDIEFAB Book of the Year. The third will be published in May 2021.
An avowed history nerd and political junkie, she lives and works in Austin, Texas.
An avowed history nerd and political junkie, she lives and works in Austin, Texas.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
April 23, 2021
"That Which Remains" is the third segment in an fascinating trilogy about the Monuments Men, British and American civilians, who were tasked with saving the historically and culturally significant monuments as well as artwork stolen and hidden by the Nazis.
Anna Klein, a young mother and German translator has been working for the Americans in Wiesbaden, Germany who are trying to locate and return stolen works of art to their original owners. She enjoys her job working for the "Amis" with her boss Captain Cooper. Their shared passion for restitution of the stolen art has caused a stir amongst some of the local German experts. Adding to the tension is their need to hide their love and mutual admiration for each other.
Although life is easier with a steady income, Anna is reeling from the unexpected death of her elderly friend, Madeleine, with whom she shares an apartment. She fears for herself and her daughter, Amalia and "adopted" son Oskar, a lost Polish boy who has found himself adrift after the war. Captain Cooper is due to be shipped back to the US and Anna is uncertain about whether she will lose her job as well as her home. She has no desire to return to a camp for displaced persons and is struggling to come to terms with her love for Cooper.
Although you can enjoy this book as a standalone novel, I highly recommend you read the first two books "The Roses Underneath" and "What is Forgiven" to get a real sense of what was happening at the time.
C.F. Yetmen is a superb storyteller. I felt genuinely sad to have finished this last book and look forward to more of her work in the future.
Anna Klein, a young mother and German translator has been working for the Americans in Wiesbaden, Germany who are trying to locate and return stolen works of art to their original owners. She enjoys her job working for the "Amis" with her boss Captain Cooper. Their shared passion for restitution of the stolen art has caused a stir amongst some of the local German experts. Adding to the tension is their need to hide their love and mutual admiration for each other.
Although life is easier with a steady income, Anna is reeling from the unexpected death of her elderly friend, Madeleine, with whom she shares an apartment. She fears for herself and her daughter, Amalia and "adopted" son Oskar, a lost Polish boy who has found himself adrift after the war. Captain Cooper is due to be shipped back to the US and Anna is uncertain about whether she will lose her job as well as her home. She has no desire to return to a camp for displaced persons and is struggling to come to terms with her love for Cooper.
Although you can enjoy this book as a standalone novel, I highly recommend you read the first two books "The Roses Underneath" and "What is Forgiven" to get a real sense of what was happening at the time.
C.F. Yetmen is a superb storyteller. I felt genuinely sad to have finished this last book and look forward to more of her work in the future.
May 25, 2021
This is book 3 of The Anna Klein Trilogy. All set in Wiesbaden Germany at the end of World War II. As with the others, this book focuses on the work of the Monument's Men stationed in Wiesbaden and tasked with the Herculean job of identifying stolen art, endeavoring to protect it, & potentially track down living rightful owners. Throughout the series, the author, C. F. Yetmen, has done a brilliant job of re-creating amazing visuals of the destruction of the city, and of the lives of the German's making Wiesbaden their home. This work highlights the continued shortages with which they had to contend, and the strong presence of the black market for items in demand, for those who could trade or pay for them. There is a subtle underlying theme of owning or deserving the conditions they find themselves in because of the atrocities of the Holocaust, at even the local levels of each community. The main characters go about their days with a willingness to work hard, to rebuild what has been lost, to tolerate and even help the American's who are inhabiting their lives, and a hope that they will be able to make 'right' what they can. Of particular interest are the characters who are trying to 'scrub' clean their actions from the war and the other's who have jumped in to profit from opportunities to gain wealth in the chaos of all the confusion. Ms. Yetmen has delivered an amazing work of fiction that could very well be believed to be a firsthand accounting of one's experiences in the American Occupied Zone of Germany.
June 7, 2021
I received an advanced copy of That Which Remains in exchange for an honest review of the book. I became so invested in these characters over the trilogy, and was happy to learn more about these historical events after WWII. Anna Klein is a German woman learning how to survive after the war, being separated from her husband and losing her parents, all while raising a daughter and fostering a young boy as well. I loved Anna's character, she was smart and determined and self sufficient. She worked at the Collecting Point with Captain Cooper, who over the course of the trilogy began to be a romantic interest for her. I enjoyed their relationship, working off each other and supporting each other at all times. solving mysteries together. Very satisfying ending!
January 12, 2022
Remains
What remains for me about this author is her willingness to profane that which is sacred. She does this by the use of the names many hold sacred as gutter language. Not acceptable on any level.
What remains for me about this author is her willingness to profane that which is sacred. She does this by the use of the names many hold sacred as gutter language. Not acceptable on any level.
July 2, 2022
excellent read
I enjoyed this story a lot. The characters captured my heart. The author made them so real that I couldn’t help care about what happened to them. Historical context was also very compelling
I enjoyed this story a lot. The characters captured my heart. The author made them so real that I couldn’t help care about what happened to them. Historical context was also very compelling
August 9, 2025
Anna hasn't known what it was like to have stability and control in her life for what seems like a lifetime. Even as she has gained some routine with her job for the military and care of her daughter and a boy she took into her care there is a whirlwind of problems. She grieves the loss of a loved one. She is wrecked with guilt for breaking up her family but finds the idea of entering the world her husband had chosen incompatible with her values and desires. Not the most distressing on her conscience is her undeniable attraction to the officer she works with that dotes on her and the children. A man who sooner or later will be returning to America.
Now comes even more trouble. The project has shifted phases sending more military to reassignment and putting in place people who hold no affection for Anna. Legal troubles threaten to leave her homeless, her daughter snatched into custody by her father, and her charge sent to people he'd never met. The cherry on top? An artist official declared dead comes to her pleading for help retrieving the artwork he created from a former curator he was close with.
I never expected to become so invested with Anna and her story when I picked up this trilogy on a whim. What I've found is a series that somehow perfectly balances the historical, mystery, and literary elements. It creates a story that is informative, engaging, and entertaining all at once. Just when the story might be leaning very heavily it pulls back and gives appropriate attention to all of the plot points. All while building fully realized characters you can't help but wanting to succeed.
There is one element to this story that quite nearly left a sour taste in my mouth. I am always uncomfortable when one character acts in an immoral or vile manner simply to make another character's choice black and white. I was willing to swallow it as it also functions to highlight a piece of history to be remembered. I should have had faith. Even my dislike of the trope turned into a well thought out moment that addresses how discovering this information has influenced them.
Without spoilers, I can only say that the ending to this novel and series was one of the most satisfying I've read in ages. All too easily there could have been actions that were inconsistent with others to achieve a particular type of ending. This takes the high, hard, road with each character remaining true to themselves.
Now comes even more trouble. The project has shifted phases sending more military to reassignment and putting in place people who hold no affection for Anna. Legal troubles threaten to leave her homeless, her daughter snatched into custody by her father, and her charge sent to people he'd never met. The cherry on top? An artist official declared dead comes to her pleading for help retrieving the artwork he created from a former curator he was close with.
I never expected to become so invested with Anna and her story when I picked up this trilogy on a whim. What I've found is a series that somehow perfectly balances the historical, mystery, and literary elements. It creates a story that is informative, engaging, and entertaining all at once. Just when the story might be leaning very heavily it pulls back and gives appropriate attention to all of the plot points. All while building fully realized characters you can't help but wanting to succeed.
There is one element to this story that quite nearly left a sour taste in my mouth. I am always uncomfortable when one character acts in an immoral or vile manner simply to make another character's choice black and white. I was willing to swallow it as it also functions to highlight a piece of history to be remembered. I should have had faith. Even my dislike of the trope turned into a well thought out moment that addresses how discovering this information has influenced them.
Without spoilers, I can only say that the ending to this novel and series was one of the most satisfying I've read in ages. All too easily there could have been actions that were inconsistent with others to achieve a particular type of ending. This takes the high, hard, road with each character remaining true to themselves.
March 18, 2026
Oh wow… finishing “That Which Remains” by C.F. Yetmen left me utterly breathless. This finale of the Anna Klein Trilogy is a rollercoaster of emotions—tense, haunting, and heartbreakingly human all at once. From the first page, Anna’s journey grips you with its raw authenticity; her fear, determination, and courage felt like my own. Yetmen has this insane talent for blending psychological suspense with heart—she doesn’t just scare you, she makes you feel every single moment.
The plot twists? Genius. I kept thinking I had it all figured out, and then—bam—my expectations were completely upended. The way the past and present collide, the layers of Anna’s trauma and resilience, and the ethical dilemmas she faces hit me right in the gut. Yetmen’s prose is so clean yet emotionally loaded; simple words, massive impact.
Honestly, this book doesn’t just entertain—it resonates. It reminds you of human fragility, strength, and the shadows that linger long after the worst is over. I can’t recommend it enough; if you love thrillers that make your pulse race and your heart ache, dive in. You’ll finish it wondering how one story can feel so close to home and yet so epic.
This one’s a masterpiece. C.F. Yetmen, you have my awe.
The plot twists? Genius. I kept thinking I had it all figured out, and then—bam—my expectations were completely upended. The way the past and present collide, the layers of Anna’s trauma and resilience, and the ethical dilemmas she faces hit me right in the gut. Yetmen’s prose is so clean yet emotionally loaded; simple words, massive impact.
Honestly, this book doesn’t just entertain—it resonates. It reminds you of human fragility, strength, and the shadows that linger long after the worst is over. I can’t recommend it enough; if you love thrillers that make your pulse race and your heart ache, dive in. You’ll finish it wondering how one story can feel so close to home and yet so epic.
This one’s a masterpiece. C.F. Yetmen, you have my awe.
January 29, 2025
I devoured this trilogy in a week. Yetmen is adept at building suspense and developing her characters, and the historical detail is both educational and interesting. I felt that she deftly explored not only the moral dilemmas faced by her characters, but also the psychological impact of World War II and it’s aftermath upon the German people in general, as well as the Americans who occupied the country during reconstruction. The task of the Monuments Men is described in detail, and the incredible feat of recovering and returning cultural artifacts and art amidst graft, deceit, and information lost or altered in the aftermath of war makes an excellent setting for all three novels. In this one, the American involvement is winding down, but the characters have some final challenges both personal and professional that make for an excellent final book in the trilogy. At the onset of book three, I thought I might be disappointed by just more of the same, and I anticipated that the ending would be predictable. That was not the case! I would snatch up anything by this author, and hope she plans to write more!
June 11, 2022
Absolutely loved this last entry in this wonderful series! I think this is the best series I have ever read. What a great blend of WWII history (my favorite era for books), intrigue, mystery and love. I am usually not a fan of romance (in books at least... lol), but it was just the right touch in this series. Absolutely fabulous job Ms. Yetmen! I immediately went to look for more books by Ms. Yetmen and was dismayed to find none! This was her first series?? Unbelievable! What a talent. I can only hope she is at this moment working on her new book. (I am following you on Amazon... please write faster ;-)
When I got to the epilogue, I was so upset there were only 5 pages left in this story!
When I got to the epilogue, I was so upset there were only 5 pages left in this story!
August 10, 2022
This book has a lot going for it: romance, history, interesting and realistic characters, mystery. The ending turned out well, but not as I was expecting.
I expected that Anna would be one of many war brides heading to the United States with U.S. servicemen they met and fell in love with. At first I was disappointed that this was not her choice, but her reasons made a lot of sense. When her friend Karla married her GI and left for America I did wonder if the United States would meet her expectations and whether her new in-laws would be welcoming. I imagine that some of the war brides, especially those from Germany, must have had some real difficulties with their new lives. The German girls would likely have been met with suspicion that they had married solely to get away from a devastated country. They might have had people thinking of them as Nazis, hated enemies. And a few of them might have been just that. Cooper's decision to stay and help rebuild Germany would have had some difficulties, but at least he knew what they were, having been there for some time.
I expected that Anna would be one of many war brides heading to the United States with U.S. servicemen they met and fell in love with. At first I was disappointed that this was not her choice, but her reasons made a lot of sense. When her friend Karla married her GI and left for America I did wonder if the United States would meet her expectations and whether her new in-laws would be welcoming. I imagine that some of the war brides, especially those from Germany, must have had some real difficulties with their new lives. The German girls would likely have been met with suspicion that they had married solely to get away from a devastated country. They might have had people thinking of them as Nazis, hated enemies. And a few of them might have been just that. Cooper's decision to stay and help rebuild Germany would have had some difficulties, but at least he knew what they were, having been there for some time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2024
A fascinating read. Yetmen really brings to life the workings and challenges of the Central Collecting Point in Wiesbaden and the role played by the Monuments Men in rescuing, tracing and restoring Nazi looted art. Perhaps less known are the challenges faced by the immediate post-war German population as they begin to come to terms with what had been done in their name, attempt to survive in a shattered landscape and look to a different future. Yetmen manages to seamlessly interweave these elements without being heavy-handed and create a cast of interesting characters and an enthralling mystery against her backdrop. Each part of the trilogy could stand alone but do make up a satisfying series, too. Recommended.
September 21, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed all three of these books. Having read a lot about the Monuments Men and their contribution of identifying and returning stolen art and to their rightful owners after WWII, I was interested to see the treatment the author would give this episode of history.I am pleased to write my review now after completing the the third book. I found them to engrossing and captivating. The story of Anna and her coming to enlightenment at the end of WWII, her determination, strength and steadfastness to do the right thing as a German woman faced with the atrocities her country had inflicted during the war was moving and hopeful. To avoid spoilers, I will say it was a very satisfying read from page one of book one to the end of book 3.
Read
March 7, 2025I shall abstain from leaving stars because I enjoyed this until the heroine decided to remain in the privations of war-ravaged Germany for IMO weak reasons. Strong reasons would have been easy: surely she couldn't leave the country with two children who weren't legally hers yet. Cooper thinks about how poorly she'd fit into country club life and how she'd always be the outsider German, but why didn't Anna think those things or why didn't they discuss them together? The end was finally satisfying, but only implied, and I'd lost respect for her Anna by that point. Also, I'm annoyed that NONE of the titles of these books are explained in the books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2026
I really wanted to love the conclusion to Anna’s story, especially with the post-war German setting being so atmospheric. Yetmen clearly knows her history, and there were a few scenes that really captured the tension of that era perfectly. But the plot just didn't hold up for me. It felt like the characters were wandering around waiting for things to happen rather than actually driving the action. The dialogue also felt a bit stiff this time around, and the ending felt rushed after such a slow build. It’s okay if you’ve already read the first two and just want closure, but it didn't live up to the potential of the earlier books.
May 25, 2021
What a wonderful ending to an entertaining and enlightening trilogy. I enjoyed reading about the art that the Monuments Men found with a touch of mystery and intrigue.
The characters are well developed and the scenery perfectly described. I hope there is more to come from this author.
Definitely highly recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction. Be sure to read the first two books in this trilogy so you can truly know the characters and enjoy the plot lines.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The characters are well developed and the scenery perfectly described. I hope there is more to come from this author.
Definitely highly recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction. Be sure to read the first two books in this trilogy so you can truly know the characters and enjoy the plot lines.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
January 23, 2022
Heart wreching joy and sadness. Excellent!
I can't begin to express my gratitude to this writer for bringing humanity to an awful time in our history. It is history for all of us less we forget and allow it to ever happen again. The aftermath of this war was so well depicted, I could see the characters, their emotions and see post-war Germany as I had never imagined. Thank you.
I can't begin to express my gratitude to this writer for bringing humanity to an awful time in our history. It is history for all of us less we forget and allow it to ever happen again. The aftermath of this war was so well depicted, I could see the characters, their emotions and see post-war Germany as I had never imagined. Thank you.
July 19, 2024
The Anna Klein Trilogy by C. F. Yetmen
The Anna Klein Trilogy was a great read. I couldn't stop reading. Actually, I read all three books in 3.5 days, so of course that's all I did. The characters were realistic, it seemed as if II was there with them. It was an interesting & well researched, although a somewhat fictional account of the immediate post- war Monuments Men initial cataloging & plans to return the Nazi's stolen art work. Highly recommend this trilogy.
The Anna Klein Trilogy was a great read. I couldn't stop reading. Actually, I read all three books in 3.5 days, so of course that's all I did. The characters were realistic, it seemed as if II was there with them. It was an interesting & well researched, although a somewhat fictional account of the immediate post- war Monuments Men initial cataloging & plans to return the Nazi's stolen art work. Highly recommend this trilogy.
September 27, 2024
Successful Trilogy
It is difficult to write a trilogy that keeps one’s interest throughout three books. There is a uniqueness in a story that tells the story of a German mother after WWII. The setting in the world of art and dealing with the American soldiers is interesting. There is some intrigue and some hear warming characters. I enjoyed all three books. Congratulations C.F. Yetmen
It is difficult to write a trilogy that keeps one’s interest throughout three books. There is a uniqueness in a story that tells the story of a German mother after WWII. The setting in the world of art and dealing with the American soldiers is interesting. There is some intrigue and some hear warming characters. I enjoyed all three books. Congratulations C.F. Yetmen
January 17, 2022
Wonderful series
I have been sick for a couple of weeks, but I consider it a joy to become friends with new characters while my body has healed. It's also a pleasure to read a new author ''s work . I know that I will reading more of Ms. Yetmen's. She is a wonderful author!
I have been sick for a couple of weeks, but I consider it a joy to become friends with new characters while my body has healed. It's also a pleasure to read a new author ''s work . I know that I will reading more of Ms. Yetmen's. She is a wonderful author!
January 22, 2022
I love this story!
I don’t say that too often, but this book has captured my heart. It’s a story of commitment and courage. It’s about doing the right think, no matter the cost. I suspect a lot of research was done to create this well-written account of how works of art might have been stolen and hidden by Nazis before and during WW II. I cannot praise it enough.
I don’t say that too often, but this book has captured my heart. It’s a story of commitment and courage. It’s about doing the right think, no matter the cost. I suspect a lot of research was done to create this well-written account of how works of art might have been stolen and hidden by Nazis before and during WW II. I cannot praise it enough.
August 4, 2022
Unable to put down
I loved every word of the trilogy. What an amazing historical telling of a story with such reality. It's hard to believe that the Wiesbaden I visited in the late 1960's was a site of so much destruction just 20 years ear!ier. This trilogy was a heartwrenching, exciting, nail biting work of art. And ultimately very satisfying. Highly recommended.
I loved every word of the trilogy. What an amazing historical telling of a story with such reality. It's hard to believe that the Wiesbaden I visited in the late 1960's was a site of so much destruction just 20 years ear!ier. This trilogy was a heartwrenching, exciting, nail biting work of art. And ultimately very satisfying. Highly recommended.
April 6, 2024
Great read
The three books in this series are a learning process about the after effects of a heinous war. People trying to put a country back together, trying to put lives together and love. It made me think of what people can endure, how they survive and how they move forward with life.
Highly recommended for reading, but start from book one as that is where it all begins..
The three books in this series are a learning process about the after effects of a heinous war. People trying to put a country back together, trying to put lives together and love. It made me think of what people can endure, how they survive and how they move forward with life.
Highly recommended for reading, but start from book one as that is where it all begins..
May 21, 2024
Could not put them down...
I read all three books within a week. It's a good storyteller who can make the characters come to life. Cooper and Anna became friends and I hope that now a 4th book will show up. These detectives deserve further adventures. I want to see the children grow up and how they put Germany back together again!
I read all three books within a week. It's a good storyteller who can make the characters come to life. Cooper and Anna became friends and I hope that now a 4th book will show up. These detectives deserve further adventures. I want to see the children grow up and how they put Germany back together again!
August 4, 2024
Lots of suspense
I enjoyed this book very much. It was very interesting, full of intrigue,and action. It was NOT boring. It kept me going through the whole book. The interaction between the characters was well thought out. It realistically portrayed a moment in history that really happened using fictional characters.
I enjoyed this book very much. It was very interesting, full of intrigue,and action. It was NOT boring. It kept me going through the whole book. The interaction between the characters was well thought out. It realistically portrayed a moment in history that really happened using fictional characters.
September 6, 2024
Lovely series!
I just had to read the three books back to back. Such a fabulous story and compelling characters. Well told and crafted, especially addressing the horrific issues of the time and how survival was so very tenuous. The why of things is much clearer after my well-spent time with Anna Klein. Many thanks to C F Yetmen!
I just had to read the three books back to back. Such a fabulous story and compelling characters. Well told and crafted, especially addressing the horrific issues of the time and how survival was so very tenuous. The why of things is much clearer after my well-spent time with Anna Klein. Many thanks to C F Yetmen!
October 17, 2025
Audiobook review: The narration was very good, easy to understand and good voice inflections.
Story review: I enjoyed the story very much. I have not read the other two books in this trilogy but it didn't hinder me in following the story. I liked the main characters and the historical story.
Story review: I enjoyed the story very much. I have not read the other two books in this trilogy but it didn't hinder me in following the story. I liked the main characters and the historical story.
January 22, 2022
A very interesting book
I loved this story and it gave me an insight into problems after the war. A lot of information about paintings and art lost and taken from Jewish people in the war. A nice Love story and some extra beautiful memories. A nice read
I loved this story and it gave me an insight into problems after the war. A lot of information about paintings and art lost and taken from Jewish people in the war. A nice Love story and some extra beautiful memories. A nice read
February 11, 2022
Great ending
And they lived happy ever after....so happy to see this after all the bad. These books were great, loved them all. The author has a winner with all 3. Looking forward to reading so more of her work.
And they lived happy ever after....so happy to see this after all the bad. These books were great, loved them all. The author has a winner with all 3. Looking forward to reading so more of her work.
March 6, 2022
That Which Remains
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the three books by yetman. It covered a lot of the trials for the German citizens at the end of World war Two, and trying to recover stolen art and returning the stolen art, which still surfaced in this day and time.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the three books by yetman. It covered a lot of the trials for the German citizens at the end of World war Two, and trying to recover stolen art and returning the stolen art, which still surfaced in this day and time.
January 23, 2023
great book
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I learned more about Germany and so many parts of the war and how it impacted so many people. If you get a chance read it yourself. You will be glad you did!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I learned more about Germany and so many parts of the war and how it impacted so many people. If you get a chance read it yourself. You will be glad you did!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews