Goodnight, Vienna

by Marius Gabriel

Katya never wanted to look after Gretchen. Now she’s the young girl’s only hope of survival.

1937. Katya Komarovsky is studying medicine in Glasgow, living among friends and eager to begin her career as a doctor. But when her spendthrift parents announce that they’ve run out of money and are facing ruin―and that she’ll now have to support them by working as a governess in Vienna―the life she’s dreamed of goes up in smoke.

Furiously resentful, Katya rages at her wealthy employer, Thor, for stealing her future―and saddling her with twelve-year-old Gretchen, a deeply troubled child who has only a blazing musical talent to redeem her. Yet as Katya grudgingly digs into her reserves of compassion, she finds herself losing her heart to both father and daughter.

Storm clouds are gathering, though, and when Hitler annexes Austria, patriot Thor is arrested, leaving Katya wholly responsible for saving ‘imperfect’ Gretchen from being forced into a Nazi medical research laboratory. With the terrifying uncertainty of the new world order, can Katya and Gretchen flee to safety? And dare they dream of ever seeing Thor again?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, World War II, Historical, Book Club, Audiobook, War

379 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 8, 2022

About the author

Marius Gabriel is an international thriller and mystery writer.

Under the pseudonym Madeleine Ker, he wrote over 30 romance novels in the 1980s.

As Marius Gabriel he has written several mystery best-sellers, some of them historical novels.

He has three grown-up children and currently lives in Cairo and London. He is 59.

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way the book started (talking about the first page!) really intrigued me.

The way the main female character gets introduced is something I would wish most of the books I would read in the future would do!

I would say I am thoroughly impressed with the writing as well as the character development of the three basic main characters.

It's been a while since I read a historical romance with an outspoken main female lead. I was a bit apprehensive when I reached further into the book if the character would lose its identity as to how she was introduced: a strong independent woman who strived hard to become a doctor when no one was actually quite impressed with the idea but was rather interested in getting her married to pay off her parents' debts).

But I am glad I met and came to know the male lead character as well as Gretchen, the child who no one could diagnose what made her quite different from the rest of the children her age.

I find the plot quite interesting. I feel the themes of child behaviour and behaviour therapy are dealt with with an understanding and with reference to the facts available about similar conditions. I find this quite interesting and refreshing.

As much as I love the writing and the characters, I couldn't feel the romance. It's okay as I was expecting a bit more I guess.

I would say all's well that ends well.

Thank you, Lake Union Publishing and the author, for the advance reading copy.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can certainly understand why someone once said of Marius Gabriel’s writing that, “It makes you read until your dinner is burning!” So, so true! This is the first book of his that I’ve read, and I’m sure it won’t be the last one.
This is one of the best books about WW2 that I’ve ever read, (and that’s saying something, because I read a lot about that time period.) It focused on the German annexation of Austria and the aftermath, rather than the concentration camp horrors in many WW2 books. A particularly chilling aspect was the attitudes towards those that the Nazis considered “undesirables”, and the means that were employed to rid the world of them. (I have anxiety and hear with hearing aids, so I would have been in big trouble.) The author did a masterful job of showing how the Nazis gained power little by little, the “slow burn” technique. By the time most people realized the actual danger, it was too late to put a stop to the atrocities.
I have to state that this book did have some light-hearted moments. The best one? The display of portraits of Hitler without the famous mustache in a basement, created by a woman in a wheelchair that Hitler would have eliminated. And the musings of this young woman about drawing Goering without his huge belly, and Himmler to look like a street thug; hilarious!
As soon as this book is released in February 2022, I’ll be buying a copy. *Thanks to Netgalley for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions were strictly my own.*
Memorable Quotes:
“Interesting, isn’t it? You’d think the man has a face one would recognize anywhere. But all you really see is the ridiculous mustache. If he were to shave it off, nobody in Germany would be able to pick him out of a police line-up of bag snatchers.”-Dr. Turtletaub

[Diana Stoyanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Мариус Габриел е чудесен разказвач, пресъздава човешките съдби и вниква в емоциите им с голяма емпатия.
Историята на героите в " Goodnight, Vienna" се развива на фона на Втората световна война, но е фокусирана главно към човешките взаимоотношения.
Прожекторите основно са насочени към Катя, Thor и неговата дъщеря Gretchen. Появяват се и два известни персонажа в психоанализата- д-р Фройд и д-р Аспергер. Очакванията ми за Фройд някак си се припокриха, но тези за Аспергер искрено ме отвратиха.

Катя е наследница на аристократичен руски род, който загубва всичко след като Болшевиките вземат властта в Русия по време на Гражданската война. И охолието, с което са свикнали в родината си, бързо се заменя с борба за поддържане на някакъв стандарт, та дори и впоследствие с борба за оцеляване, като изгнаници в Англия.
Притисната до ъгъла от обстоятелствата, Катя е принудена да замине за Виена като гувернатка, за да може да изпълни синовния си дълг към семейството и да го спаси от финансов колапс. Това на пръв поглед изглежда голяма жертва от нейна страна, загърбване на мечтите й, копнежите и целите й, но в крайна сметка, точно това заминаване се оказва нейно духовно спасение и благословия.

Книгата започва плавно и сантиментално, а впоследствие се превръща в мрачна картина. Последната глава е много трогателна. Огромно сърце за Shulamit. ❤ Историята е пълна с обрати и напрежение, а като добавим и талантът на Мариус Габриел да увлича с думите си, мога да кажа, че бях силно заинтригувана.

===
" Being brave doesn't mean not being frightened  Being brave means carrying on even though you are frightened. "

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hats off to author Marius Gabriel for writing a 5-star novel that encapsulated all of what ‘Goodnight, Vienna’ really means.

Firstly, the phrase captured in the title implies ‘it’s all over.’ Readers certainly get a sense of all the threads in this story that showcase that meaning; it’s over for Austria after Anschluss, it’s over for Katerina’s post-secondary education and it’s over for Mr./Mrs. Komarovsky.

Secondly, the phrase also refers to an implied coming conclusion that’s become inevitable. Readers certainly see the inevitable situation the Jews find themselves in when Austria is incorporated into the Third Reich, the inevitable when Katya assumes her caregiver role in the Bachmann household and the inevitable when it’s revealed what’s happening behind closed doors at Dr. Hans Asperger’s clinic. I love this title!

Gabriel stuffs so much into this novel, yet it doesn’t read like stuffing oneself at Christmas dinner and walking away uncomfortable. It’s amazing what little known historical facts he’s included!

The absolute highlight of the book for me was how expertly Gabriel was able to tap into my emotions. I threw this book down MANY times and walked away. Yet, I kept coming back to it because Gabriel tells so much more than a story; it’s full of emotion-evoking scenes! The unsympathetic characters in this novel were fantastic. I loved to hate the ugly soul of the man they met at the resort. I just knew when he opened his mouth there’d be more nasty comments I wouldn’t like. Furthermore, there were cruel characters doing cruel things. I knew when Katya took Gretchen to Dr. Asperger’s clinic, I’d hate what I’d read. Katya’s reaction to the care Gretchen was receiving gave me validation for the emotions I was experiencing. Because Gabriel crafted Gretchen as a mysterious, gifted and delicate child, I was already cautious of people who came into her life. When I saw how others treated her, I became agitated. With respect to the effects of war, the suspense and anticipation Gabriel included only served to increase the tension and emotional impact. He was able to draw the fear out just enough that when horror occurred, I lost it!

At a close second was the conflict Gabriel included in Katya’s life; she was placed in an uncomfortable spot where there really were no options. I loved that she was en route to achieving her dream of becoming a doctor and giving back to society and loved her strength and drive. Therefore, when she was made aware of her parents’ improvidence and their plea (solution) was presented, I got defensive. It propelled me to keep reading because I had to find out the repercussions of the ‘choice.’

Katerina Komarovsky and the Bachmann family's tale is an exceptional read and should be on every historical fiction lover’s radar come February 8, 2022.

I received this advance copy from Marius Gabriel, Amazon Publishing UK, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Shirley McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving Gretchen

There are times in life when we make great sacrifice for others, even for strangers, this is one of those times. To some it would be inconceivable that one would give up their career and risk their lives for a child that was not their own. This is a story of a young woman and a gifted child that had to be saved at all costs.

Katya and her parents were forced to flee from Russia when the reds came and had gone to England where they have made their home and were now British citizens. Katya had been sent to the best schools and was currently attending medical school with her dreams of becoming one of the few women doctors. Then her world ended when her parents told her they were basically bankrupt and she must take a post as a governess in Vienna to save them from financial ruin. This made Katya very angry but finally she agreed since there was no more money for school or for anything else it appeared.

Upon arriving in Vienna Katya meets Thor and his trouble daughter Gretchen. The child cannot read or write, but she is a musical prodigy. Gretchen can play any song just from hearing it on the gramophone. Katya soon falls in love with both the father (her employer) and the daughter.

Then the Nazi's arrive and horrible events start to happen. Their friends are arrested and questioned, some are murdered. One day Thor is arrested and Katya is left with Gretchen to care for alone. When Gretchen is threatened with medical euthanasia because she cannot read and write, Katya knows that somehow she needs to get Gretchen out of Austria.

Will Katya be successful at saving Gretchen. she almost gives up when they barely escape being sent to Dachau, but then she has help from Austrian strangers that do not believe in the Nazi's and their view for Vienna. These proud Austrians put their lives on the line to help Katya and Gretchen.

The story is exciting and full of suspense and terror. It is also full of the love that a young woman has for the child and the trust they both have in each other. It makes for a great story of the lengths that some will go to for others.

I did enjoy reading this book about great courage in the face of danger and I would recommend it.

Thanks to Marius Gabriel for writing a great story, to Amazon Publishing U.K. and Lake Union Publishing for publishing the book and to NetGalley for making it available to me.

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I do not recommend this one.

Goodnight, Vienna, is the story of a Russian emigrant turned British governess, and her Austrian charge, who flee after the Nazis take over Vienna and all of Austria. I've thought a lot about this book since I finished it, trying to pinpoint why this did not work for me. While I think the effort was for a story arc of overcoming adversity and one of survival against repeated overwhelming odds, I think the story spent too much time buried in the adversity and very little time making me care about the characters except for in context of what was happening to them.

The writing was better when discussing some really horrible people and their revolting beliefs. The villains are more brightly drawn, such as Dr. Asperger and the Nazi commanders that show up repeatedly. That's not to say there aren't amazing and amazingly good people on the right side here. Specifically, I think Hildegard, the music student in Innsbruck, and the doctor, David, and his sister, Shulamit, were characters that were not as one dimensional. Though each had a relatively short time on the page, they had huge impact on Katya's and Gretchen's safe escape. That's great. But there was so much negative that ate up the pages, it was hard to find anything positive. Katya felt very determined but never very warm. Gretchen is a child struggling with the loss of her mother, a severe learning disability, possible neurodivergent behavior, and a magnificent musical ability. I saw more growth in the Gretchen character, but there was little in her POV. I think that would have been helpful. For example, her thanks in the prologue, to those that helped her, that showed her growth and character. But it's at the end!

And repeatedly over and over, the two of them escape the Nazis. Over and over and over. And the number of times someone said, just go, leave, and that's how they escaped? It just kept happening.

Instead of the persecution of Jews, the author focuses mostly on the Nazi plans to cleans the Aryan race of those who were not physically perfect. Gretchen herself is a target of this program because of her neurodivergence and dyslexia. Through the story multiple characters are subject to horrific treatment solely because of their disabilities. And yes, this absolutely was a component of the Nazi programs. The parade of disabled characters that Katya and Gretchen connected with, and who were then murdered by Nazis, began to wear on me as a reader. Georg and Shulamit are both well drawn initially, and while Shulamit helped Katya and Gretchen reach Switzerland successfully, both Georg and Shulamit were ultimately only victims. They existed mostly to be killed, it felt. And that was so disappointing.

I do not recommend.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall Impression
Marius Gabriel weaves a compelling tapestry of love, loss, and courage against the ominous backdrop of Vienna on the brink of WWII. His storytelling is immersive—readers often describe it as a one‑sitting read—perfect for fans of emotional historical fiction.


The Story & Setting
We meet Katya Komarovsky, a fiercely intelligent medical student forced into a governess role when her family's finances crumble. Sent to care for 12‑year‑old Gretchen, a musically gifted but struggling child, Katya arrives in Vienna just as the Nazi threat looms. Gabriel delivers historical detail—mentioning Freud, Asperger, and the looming Anschluss—with both elegance and urgency

Characters & Relationships
Katya: Audacious, morally stubborn, and fiercely protective. Readers note she “never learns discretion until the very last chapter” and yet her impatience and sense of justice are among the story’s strengths

Gretchen: A beautifully drawn secondary presence—autistic, dyslexic, and musically gifted. One reviewer praised “the relationship formed between Katya and Gretchen was incredibly done”

Thor, the widowed father, provides emotional depth and high stakes when he’s arrested by the Nazis—a move that propels Katya into action

What I Liked

Rich historical texture: The inclusion of real figures like Hans Asperger is both fascinating and haunting

Emotional pull: I laughed, cried and cheered.



Strong female lead: Katya’s independence and drive shine through—even when her bluntness lands her in trouble—making her journey deeply resonant. She is a staunch survivor who loves and cares.

Final Verdict
Good Night, Vienna is a hauntingly emotional tale of bravery and survival. It’s perfect for readers drawn to WWII historical fiction with bold heroines, moral complexity, and heart‑pounding escape narratives. While its romantic thread could be richer and it leaves some deeper issues at the periphery, the force of Katya and Gretchen’s bond is unforgettable.

Rating: 5/5 stars — a gripping, heartfelt journey through one of history’s darkest moments. And a wake-up for me as to what happened in Austria during WWII and before.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging historical romance set in Austria during the German invasion. As expected, this latest by prolific Marius Gabriel has a solid narrative and characterization. I especially enjoyed the character of the troubled child who in the hands of the governess/would-be doctor flourishes into a lovely human being. Aside from the topic of the imminent arrival of WW2, Gabriel’s focus on behavioral issues in children, supported by real-life historical figures like Freud and Asperger who appear in the story, gives the novel an extra oomph to make the reading experience all the more worthwhile. The romance between the protagonist and her employer feels a bit hurried but the overall delivery is quite impressive. Definitely recommended, especially to those seeking emotionally-driven offerings. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a promising start I was a little bit disappointed by the path this story took. I did not particularly warm to Katya as she took up her new post, her immediate success with the awkward Gretchen and the attraction to her father was a bit predictable. The description of life in Vienna, although interesting was a bit lacking in depth.
As the Nazis arrived and it is decided that Katya and Gretchen must leave, the story continued to follow a fairly familiar path. I am afraid that I found the constant repetition of Nazi sentiments quite difficult to read and several times was almost on the verge of giving up. I am glad I persevered though as the last part of the story introduced new characters which livened it up a little, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel set in 1938 in Vienna has kept me glued to the pages all way through! The second half of the story was so intense that I read it in one go! Good characterization, a suspenseful and realistic plot, tension does not let down. Fear is strongly described, I felt with it with the characters. No gruesome details which is a plus for me. Highly recommended for readers of WWII novels.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this novel for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Kathryn Curran · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average book if I’m honest. Shocking storyline about Vienna before WW2 when the persecution of the Jews (and others) had begun. Other than the historical parts though that were interesting, there wasn’t much depth to the story or the characters. For that reason it was a 3 from me at best.

[Parpaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction: WW2. Reading this book, you have to put yourself in the shoes of a young woman in 1939. The author did a great job of portraying this. This was such a beautiful story. // KU

[ЙОАНА МАНДЖУКОВА · Rating 5 out of 5]

Прекрасен Мариус Габриел!Сюжетът разказва за съдбата на Катя и малката Гретхен по времето на може би най-мрачния период от човешката история-Холокоста.Показва силата на духа,страха,мъченията както физическите,така и психическите в тези ужасяващи години,преплитайки личната история с историческата.Единственото,което не ми хареса е,че автора на моменти използва думи и изрази,които се съмнявам,че са използвани в ония години,като например-"...двете са на една вълна","свежа като краставичка "...Но се надявам,че те са написани за по-добра четаемост.

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Forced to abandon her dreams of completing medical school in order to support her profligate parents, Katya reluctantly accepts a position as a governess in Vienna. Though she quickly grows fond of both her peculiar young charge and the child's father, their safety is very soon threatened by the the onset of World War II, Hitler's sudden annexation of Austria and unrest in the streets.

There has been a whole string of recent books I have had complaints about, and I feel kind of bad because often the negative aspects make up a greater portion of my review due to the extent to which they irritated me. I consider Gabriel to be one of my favorite authors, going all the way back to his epic The Original Sin which swept me away during formative teenage years, but unfortunately this is another of those instances in which most of the notes I took while reading were about things that were driving me nuts. Most of the characters were like caricatures, especially the villainous — no subtlety. Katya and Thor's relationship felt weirdly abrupt with few to no supporting scenes suggesting a progression of intimacy. It was also almost gag-inducingly saccharine ("You are everything I've always wanted in a man"). Katya herself comes across as naively lacking in common sense. Minutes after she has been beaten by a mob in the street she is heard to utter, "I don't think things are that bad." ??? Over and over throughout the story she has opportunities to avoid conflict/detection by blending in or going through the motions, whether it be remaining silent, saluting or wearing a Nazi badge, but nearly every single time she chooses the worst action, thereby continually risking her and others' safety. Also disappointing was Thor's false choice as he justified to Katya his reasons for remaining in Austria. They could absolutely have fled together.

Having said all that, I thought the beginnings of WWII from a more unfamiliar Austrian perspective was new and interesting, and (assuming this is based on a mostly accurate timeline) I was both surprised and disappointed at how quickly Austrians ate up the propaganda. There were numerous moments and dialogue that I felt were pointed, though fitting, warnings for today's United States and increasingly conservative Europe. I really wanted to like this book more than I did — there were just too many things that made me want to pull my hair out.

[Sherri · Rating 5 out of 5]

***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review

It begins in 1937 .with Katya Komarovsky studying medicine in Glasgow. She is excited about her plans to become a doctor, and life is good. Then she gets a call from her spendthrift parents that they are in dire financial trouble and she must quit school and become a governess for a 12 year old girl who is severely troubled, in order to get them out of debt and save them financially. Katya resentfully goes to live with the widower and his daughter. As she spends more and more time with the two of them, she begins to fall in love with them both. She discovers Gretchen's amazing musical talent, and as she grows closer to the girl, she is able to understand her better and therefore change many of Gretchen's negative behavorial issues. When the Nazi's begin to invade Vienna, and Thor is arrested, Katya has to take Gretchen and flee. It is up to her to keep Gretchen safe, and out of the hands of those who would want to put Gretchen in a Nazi medical research laboratory, never to be seen again.
This book was so good. I have read a lot of WWII books, but none about the Nazi medical research laboratory, or the role Hans Asperger played in this. This was truly fascinating, and I ended up doing a few searches on the internet to find out more on the subject after reading about this. I loved Katya. She was a force to be reckoned with, and I loved how she protected Gretchen and completely turned her life around in the story. This book is definitely a must-read for all historical fiction fans, and especially all WWII fans out there.

[Alissa Bentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

Synopsis: Katya becomes a governess for a young girl (Gretchen) who cannot read or write and has behavioral outbursts, but is a musical prodigy. Gretchen's father is arrested by the Germans and unfortunately, Gretchen is considered "undesirable" by the Germans. She is threatened with medical euthanasia. Katya's takes it upon herself to protect Gretchen and get her out of Austria before the Germans can take her away to meet her fate.

Goodnight, Vienna is one of the most unique historical fiction books about WWII that I have ever read. Instead of focusing on the concentration camps, it centers around when Germany infiltrated Austria. So much of this book talked about the "slow burn" of the German occupation, the idea that once people realized what was happening, it was too late. It also focused on the idea of "undesirables" in society. Most of the time with WWII, people think mainly about the Jewish population that was targeted. Another population hugely targeted were those with disabilities or those that presented as "different" from everyone else.

The musical aspects of this book really drew me in and provided some light in an otherwise dark period in history. This was a different perspective of WWII that I have never read before and had me captivated from the first chapter. I wish more people knew about this book!

[Emiliya Bozhilova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Действието е твърде предвидимо, а героите са неубедителни и сладникави. Отношенията се развиха светкавично и захаросано. И хайде стига с тези прогонени руски аристократи - клетите, глезени страдалци! Виена от времето на Аншлуса е интересна и е приятно описана, включително с доктор Фройд и доктор Аспергер. Втората част е леко по-мрачна, но отново искрата липсва - за почитатели на историческите сюжети няма нищо кой знае колко интересно, а романтичката и любителката на драми в мен се прозяваше през цялото време, с изключение на няколко изречения в края. Потенциалът на сюжетната нишка с детето не е реализиран - и то, горкото, е напълно нереалистично описано. Габриел е написал един що годе сносен чиклит от модерната напоследък вълна за втората световна война, което е жалко, защото може и повече.

⭐️2,5 звезди⭐️

[Mercy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Questionable authenticity

The story was well narrated, however the characters although depicted as historical had very contemporary ideologies. Hence why it felt very inauthentic. Historical novelist should write to reflect the attitude and etiquette of the era, unfortunately very few do.

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, yet heart-wrenching.

When Katya reluctantly accepted the position of governess, she had to give up her idea of becoming a doctor and travel to Vienna and face an unknown future during the onset of WWII.
An incredibly powerful and moving story of the horrors of war, love and loss.
Brilliantly written and researched; I cannot recommend it highly enough.

[Jennifer Hines Hansel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. HF. What a great ending to a really good book! It is about a Governess who is sent to Vienna, Austria right before the German Anschluss & her experience w/a wealthy outspoken anti-Nazi man and his daughter who probably today would be dx with SPD/dyslexia & maybe even HFA. So much happens in this story I don’t want to give away. I knew Hans Asperger was a bad man, but didn’t know before reading this book what an evil Nazi he was! 😳😡 I learned more about the Nazi takeover of Austria from a non-Jewish perspective. What an absolute horrific time for anyone and everyone who wasn’t a Nazi sympathizer! And woe to those who were! Truly enjoyed this book. But it wasn’t enough to get 5 stars from me. A few things I didn’t love. But I absolutely LOVED the ending, which is so very important to me when reading a book! Kudos to the author for such a wonderful ending! I finished it so happy & relieved. There was closure. Such sweet relief! I laughed, cried, got angry, irritated,,,,so many emotions while reading this book. Highly recommend!

[Karla-Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marius Gabriel is now firmly one of my favourite authors, and Goodnight Vienna has a solid range of strong characters, particularly the women. Gabriel is excellent in writing stories about marginalised groups of people, and Gretchen's journey makes for an interesting read. I enjoyed reading about how people with disabilities were treated during this time and also how other groups who were non-Jewish suffered terribly under Nazi occupation.
Katya is an interesting character. I admired her courage but felt some of her actions odd. At times, she just felt too modern for the story. This was also an issue with Shulamit, who felt like a very unrealistic character for the time but her final act of heroism was heartbreaking.
The descriptions of Vienna pre and post war are brilliant, and the menace that were the Nazis is portrayed very well.
If you enjoy WW2 historical fiction from a different perspective, you'll like this.

[Roxana Amir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolut superba!!! Are autorul acesta un stil... te tine efectiv prins in poveste si nu te poti detasa de ea. Creeaza niste momente de tensiune si niste situatii neprevazute de o incarcatura emotionala extraordinara! Efectiv m-a tinut in poveste de la inceput pana la final si m-a trecut prin toate starile sufletesti. Iar descrierea Vienei... ei bine, iti face un dor nebun de ea! Excelenta carte! O recomand!

[Vickie Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I will always remember. The character development is so rich that I feel I must surely have known them personally and witnessed their story. If time had allowed, I would’ve read the book cover to cover without stopping once.This story is heartbreaking and unthinkable yet full of courage, devotion and the kind of love that goes to the ends of the earth.

[annasbook nookk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a gripping historical fiction story set in Vienna in the late 1930s.

Katya Komarovsky was a young woman who wanted to be a doctor, but her financially strapped parents forced her to work as a governess.

She is forced to leave her studies in Glasgow and work as a governess in Vienna, which she dislikes.

From the first meet she has resentment towards Thor and his daughter Gretchen.

As the story progresses, the bond develops...

When Thor is arrested for being a patriot, Katya vows to protect Gretchen, and the story takes a perilous turn, leading to a gripping and terrifying journey.

Katya and Gretchen's escape was full of tension, hope, and desperation.

As the book progressed, I enjoyed reading about Katya and Gretchen's character development.

[Alice4170 🌙 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️

[Вероника Стоянова · Rating 5 out of 5]

Прекрасна, прекрасна. Може би най-любима от всички на автора. Топла и нежна книга, въпреки ужаса на войната. Обич и смирение, но и упорство и сила извират от страниците!

[Kathy Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodnight Vienna engaged me from the start this book is well worth your credit!! The author & narrator were excellent as well & the story line was fast paced & creative ! This is my first HF book to take place in Austria during Hitlers take over…… if u enjoy non stop action & the authors ability to transport u back to this time period in Vienna….you need to get this book now!

[suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ story
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ narration

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second book of trying to read about Austrian history, and it's ALSO focused on WWII and it's complicity in the atrocities which I had not really known about. Compelling story about selfmade families and sacrifice.

[P.R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb, terrifying, unputdownable.

Highly recommended, but not for the faint-hearted!

Five glittering stars. Would I read it again? Not for a while!