The author had a good plot for the story line based on the experiences of the Polish Jews who suffered under the Nazi regime and his experience as a lawyer no doubt helped with his story line also. The one thing I thought was lacking in the novel was character development. Each of the characters lacked their own voice and seemed more like a sock puppet for the author. It just didn't draw me into the story the way I hoped it might for that reason. A shame really, because it is a good story.

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The story itself is very good. I've read other reviews that say it's been done before. I haven't read any like it so I enjoyed the story. However, I think the writing could have been better. At times it seemed amateurish and just a little too simple. I love books that take me away with beautiful language and this one didn't do that for me.

I enjoyed hearing Ben's story and feeling emotion for the plight of the Polish people but the fact that a lawyer would sit and listen to such a drawn out story is unbelievable. I guess I would have liked it written in a different manner. Every time Catherine asked Ben to get to the proof she needed he would tell her to wait, to listen to more of his story. You knew every time she said this she was not going to get her wish. If she did there would be no story.

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Every so often there are still accounts of Nazi war criminals prosecuted. The question would be, how and who shines a light on their life. This book addresses some of the questions. It is set in modern times and one elderly gentleman is certain that a well known and well respected person has a very dark past. I did not want to set the book down as there are a few different story lines which kept my interest.
I do have a tendency to judge historical fiction a bit harshly, maybe. This book was well researched and I have no disagreement on the facts. The book has chapter headings of a year, to go from modern times back to the 1940's. We are taken back in time as the lawyer, Catherine, interviews Ben. My problem with this is that if we are back in time, she should not have injections, then it is simply an interview. Not only did this make the story a bit disjointed, it would also make Ben's voice not believable. When he is telling about his sister's final days, his explicit, coarse language is not in character. The only way that it would be believable is to be back in time, but it is obviously an interview, hence should have language suitable for Ben.
All in all a good first book, with a different take on the war.
I received an ARC of this book through a goodreads.com contest with the expectation of a fair review.

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