Das Medallion: "The Locket"

by Kathryn Scarborough

It is 1980 and a woman is plagued by a recurring dream-turned-nightmare about a child, a foreign language, and the terrifying world of warfare and danger. Who is the little girl in that dream, and what language is she speaking? In Das Medallion, a novel of suspense and intrigue, Kathryn Scarborough creates a terrifying scenario of retrieved memories and family secrets. American Margaret Richardson is driven by exhaustion caused by a desperate need to know who she is and why her father has lied to her for forty years. In a gritty and often edge-of-your-seat story of deceit and reconciliation, Margaret travels to Germany to discover the truth about her past. With the help—and then the love—of Dutch General Pieter Van Leeuvan, Margaret is able to uncover the mystery behind the woman in the photo, the woman standing next to Adolph Hitler, the woman who could be her twin…or her mother. Who was the woman, and would her passion for this vile leader destroy Margaret’s ability to live…and love?

344 pages, Paperback

First published November 16, 2009

About the author

Kathryn Scarborough won the 2018 Paranormal Romance Reviewers Award, for her book, The Wild Mountain Thyme and critical acclaim for Turn of the Key, a WWII historical novel. She spent her youth moving around the world with her her Naval Aviator father, which makes for living inside your head totally appropriate. Kathryn started out as a musician, music teacher, and director before studying teaching and special education. She has four grown children and three wonderful grandchildren. She lives in central North Carolina with her husband and two crazy dogs.
You can see Kathryn’s other books at www.Scarboroughbooks.com and can reach her at Kathryn@scarboroughbooks.com

Reviews

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes a new author emerges onto the writing scene with a first book that has the makings of becoming a bestseller right off the bat. With Das Medallion: "The Locket," Kathryn Scarborough has written a book that has all the potential to do just that.

Das Medallion is a historical suspense that's full of intrigue and sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats. It's a story of dreams and memories that revolve around one of the most terrorizing eras in history - Hitler's Third Reich. The historical details that are peppered throughout the book are just enough to intrigue, but not bore the reader.

The story of Margaret Richardson comes alive in Das Medallion when her dream is revealed. It's the dream of a little girl speaking a language that Margaret doesn't understand. Then, Margaret discovers that the dream is actually filled with suppressed memories of herself as a little girl living in war-devastated Germany.

Inevitably, Margaret meets a Dutch general - Pieter Van Leeuvan -- and together, they attempt to solve the puzzle of Margaret's young life. What they uncover is so damning that it could topple Germany's present government. The subsequent truth becomes excruciatingly painful to Margaret, but she knows she must persevere and get to the bottom of the emotional ruins of her life.

One of the memories Margaret brings to the forefront of her childhood is good - the memory of a grandmother who loved her. But there are also nightmare images of abandonment and murder that haunt her dreams -- and now, every waking moment. Margaret knows she must find answers before she can let the past go and build a future with Pieter.

Margaret desperately needs to find out why her father has lied to her for forty years. Why the mystery behind the woman in a photo that shows her at the side of Adolph Hitler? The woman looks so much like Margaret - could it be her mother? What was her connection to Hitler and could the truth destroy Margaret's emotional well-being?

Readers who love historical fiction, especially the World War II era, will find Das Medallion a fascinating read. Those who love suspense and mystery tales will also enjoy the book and have fun putting the puzzle together as the story unfolds.

Scarborough will soon launch the "prequel" to Das Medallion, which involves Margaret as a child living in the shadow of Nazi Germany as it crumbles under the advancing Soviet army. The book is called Deception and it will be Volume 1 of the Das Medallion series. The series promises to become an exciting choice for romance and historical fiction readers.

Das Medallion: "The Locket," was named "choice pick for literary fiction readers" by Midwest Book Reviews and sets up the blossoming career of an emerging author - Kathryn Scarborough.

Review by Lauren Smith

This review covers Das Medallion: "The Locket," by Kathryn Scarborough.

Article Source: Romance, Mystery, and Intrigue - Das Medallion Has It All

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting a lot from this book as I knew that combining history, fiction and mystery can be nothing else but good. Especially if it is connected with WWII which is important period for every person from Poland, I believe. And I am not disappointed. Das Medallion shows some historical background - what is important - we can see war from slightly different point of view. We can see there really were victims in Germany too.
Not too much history,(this could probably be too tiresome for some readers and I do not think that was not the intention of an author) and some nice, developing through the book, mystery. Although when you read the beginning you think - ok, I know almost everything, not too many secrets there, so what next? Ha! that is the point - there are still some mysteries waiting for you and believe me - the farther you go, the more difficult it is to stop reading! I am not sure about romance though, too beautiful to be truth, but still - it spices the story up, so why not. Das Medallion is a really exciting experience. I am already waiting for some more from Kathryn Scarborough, and more, and more...

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! A must read!

I loved the way she wrote the story so you got bits of information so it kept you questioning and wanting to know what was going to happen this made it very hard to put down.

The story is jam packed with suspense, love, family, and mystery! I had a friend I let borrow it and she couldn't put it down either. We loved talking about it and our feelings of the characters and what happened.

I will look for more books by Kathryn Scarborough! I hope to see some for the Kindle!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has got to be one of the best books I have read for some time.
The Characters are believable , the plot exciting and gripping.
I understand it is the second of three in a series so I am now on the look out for the other two.
I thoroughly recommend this book to all my friends on Goodreads.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. You wanted to read it slow to savor it. But, on the other hand, you wanted to turn the pages as fast as you could read to find out the ending. Can't wait for the next one.

[shinfu]

I have just won this book from First Reads. I look forward to reading it. Thanks.