Mists over the Channel Islands

A Novel of World War II

Behind enemy lines, adversary and ally become impossible to distinguish.

The German invasion of the British Channel Islands shatters Dr. Ivy Picot's peaceful world, forcing her to shoulder the weight of her father's medical practice and hold together a family unraveling under the strain of war. As conditions worsen in Jersey with the arrival of thousands of forced laborers, Ivy's quiet allegiance to the Allies compels her to risk everything by providing medical aid to escaped workers—even as danger closes in.

Dutch engineer and resistance member Gerrit van der Zee volunteers to build fortifications for the Germans so he can secretly send maps and diagrams to the Allies. On his arrival in the Channel Islands, he crosses paths with Ivy, who shows him contempt for the uniform he wears. As tensions mount and their missions grow increasingly dangerous, Ivy and Gerrit must confront the cost of courage, the meaning of sacrifice, and whether love can survive in the shadow of war. Will their covert efforts turn the tide—or will they pay the ultimate price for defiance?

©2026 D & S Enterprises (P)2026 Tantor Media

Wonderful historical novel!

Love Sarah Sundin’s historical novels! She easily transports the reader to other countries and weaves the hardships of war with the strength of the characters and their faith that sees them through.

Prepare yourself

I can never just pick up a Sarah Sunden book. I have to prepare myself to go on an emotional journey. Because at some point, it will always make me laugh out loud and at some point it will always bring me to tears. Her books are so wonderful that they immerse you in that time and make you so grateful for the things you have now that those poor people had to go without.

Captivating storyline!

Sundin creates colorful characters, a captivating storyline, and a rich settings making her books incredibly difficult to put down!!

Could Not Stop Reading

Sarah Sundin has a remarkable way of drawing you into a story. She is an auto buy author for me and this book did not disappoint. I couldn’t put it down!

This story follows the third van der Zee cousin, Gerrit, as he puts his life and reputation on the line to do his part for the Allied cause. While Dr Ivy Picot is ashamed to find herself drawn to this man whom she believes is a traitor, his quiet strength and honor pulls her ever closer. What a beautiful story of love and courage in the face of impossible and terrifying odds!

Kate Walsh’s narration is perfection!

Not as Compelling as Sundin’s Previous Novels

I wanted to love The Mists Over the Channel Islands by Sarah Sundin because I’ve enjoyed several of her earlier WWII novels, but this one just didn’t work for me.

While the historical setting—the German occupation of Jersey—is fascinating, the book never fully immerses the reader in life under occupation. Instead, details about rationing, forced laborers, and German control feel sprinkled in rather than deeply connected to the plot or the characters’ experiences.

The premise also stretched my suspension of disbelief. The idea that a character could voluntarily work for the Germans building fortifications while secretly passing plans to the Allies throughout the entire war felt unrealistic, especially on a small island like Jersey.

I also struggled with the character dynamics. The romance between Ivy and Gerrit seemed to come out of nowhere and never felt fully developed. Ivy herself often came across as passive—frequently frustrated that others didn’t take her seriously while rarely asserting herself. Her sister was also difficult to connect with and often felt more irritating than sympathetic.

Overall, the story felt slow and less engaging than Sundin’s earlier books. I kept hoping it would pick up or that the characters would become more compelling, but it never quite happened for me.

I’m still a fan of Sundin’s earlier work, but unfortunately this one was a miss.