Infiltration

by Rachel R. Heil

East Berlin, 1986.

Lina Prochnow has dreams. To be the best ice skater she can be. To qualify for the Olympics. To win the Gold Medal and escape the Soviet occupied zone of the German Democratic Republic.

Ernst Jung has no such fantasies. A career Stasi officer for fifteen years, every arrest and interrogation is just another tick on a list of responsibilities he has been forced to memorize. His role is simple; to root out every opposition and keep citizens of the GDR safe, whether they want it or not.

Lina’s dreams and Ernst’s responsibilities collide when they are brought together by the actions of a group called the Brotherhood. To Lina, the organization members are liberators she desperately wants to join. For Ernst, they are a terrorist organization threatening the very foundation of the GDR and need to be routed out.

When Georg Bauer, Lina’s boyfriend, is discovered as the ringleader and executed on Ernst’s orders, Lina vows to avenge his death, even if it means risking her own. Her plan is a risky one, to infiltrate the Stasi by becoming the secretary to the man who ordered his death. Lina believes she has the upper hand, but that would be foolish. Ernst is known for getting his way, and he views Lina’s appointment as his opportunity to infiltrate the Brotherhood, which he believes Lina is part of.

Despite their polarizing ideas, Lina and Ernst have the same goals; to infiltrate the others’ group and come out on top. Told against the backdrop of the crumbling Iron Curtain, Infiltration blends historical fact and fiction in this dangerous game of cat and mouse between a GDR citizen desperate to survive and the Stasi officer who represents one of the most terrifying police organizations.

Let the games begin.

Kindle Edition

First published May 26, 2023

About the author

Rachel R. Heil is a historical fiction writer who always dreamed of being an author. After years of dreaming, she finally decided to turn this dream into a reality with her first novel, and series, Behind the Darkened Glass. Rachel is an avid history fan, primarily focused on twentieth century history and particularly World War Two-era events. In addition to her love for history, Rachel loves following the British Royal Family and traveling the world, which only opens the door to learning more about a country's history. Rachel resides in Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Marina Osipova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under-explored topic
Like in the Soviet Union, in the German Democratic Republic (1949 - 1990) anyone, who even slightly disapproved or questioned the policies of the governing power, got harsh treatment. Who didn’t rebel enjoyed their well-regulated life. Infiltration by Rachel R. Heil tells the story of them who were not ready to succumb to the pressure - physical and of propaganda. Aside from the Soviet KGB, the previous century’s most infamous spy agency was the Stasi, the East Germany State Security Service, or Staatssicherheitsdienst in German, which was formed in 1950 and was instrumental in the history of East Germany. There aren’t that many books on the subject and Infiltration is one of them that offers the definitive contribution to our understanding of this still largely unwritten aspect of the history of the Cold War.
The author paints an excellent picture of the doings of the secret police that surpassed the Nazi Gestapo in its depth, as well as of the all-permeating fear common citizens experienced in their everyday life. Still, as it was during the Hitler regime, resistance was gradually building inside the populace to help to put the Berlin Wall down, eventually. The story provides a fascinating look into the inner workings of one clandestine organization (in the novel) called the Brotherhood.
I’d like to compliment the author for her thorough research and the cast of believable characters, vivid (some) in their perseverance and unquestionable loyalty to the chosen path or (others)—in evil-exercising.
However disquieting, the narrative is gripping, entertainingly written, with twists and turns, and masterfully built suspense, which resolves in a shocking revelation at the end of the narrative. If you would think this story has no genuine human feelings, you are wrong, but if you don’t take my word for it, you should read the book.
Stories like this must be told and read. I recommend this book to all who have any interest (and you should) in this chapter of human history, lest we be doomed to repeat it over and over.

[Rachel Heil]

🎁 FREE on Amazon 5/26/2024! 🎁