Child of the Ruins

a gripping, heart-breaking and unforgettable World War Two historical thriller

By: Kate Furnivall

Narrated by: Gloria Sanders, Imogen Church

Anna and Ingrid have survived World War II. Now they must live through the Berlin airlifts.
Evocative and unforgettable, CHILD OF THE RUINS is set during the Berlin air lifts of 1948 and written by one of the most brilliant writers of historical fiction in the UK.

People are disappearing. I spoke to my neighbour yesterday, we laughed at some nonsense, and today he is gone. We only discovered he was missing because the dog wouldn't stop howling and we all knew he would never leave his beloved pet. So I am careful, extremely careful.

Two families divided by war.
An entire city on the edge of disaster.

1948, Berlin. World War II has ended and there is supposed to be peace; but Russian troops have closed all access to the city. Roads, railway lines and waterways are blocked and two million people are trapped, relying on airlifts of food, water and medicine to survive. The sharp eyes of the Russian state police watch everything; no one can be trusted.

Anna and Ingrid are both searching for answers - and revenge - in the messy aftermath of war. They understand that survival comes only by knowing what to trade: food; medicine; heirlooms; secrets. Both are living in the shadows of a city where the line between right and wrong has become dangerously blurred. But they cannot give up in the search for a lost child ...

Praise for Kate Furnivall's writing:

'Kate Furnivall has a talent for creating places and characters who stay with you long after you have read the final word' JANE CORRY

'Hugely ambitious and atmospheric' KATE MOSSE

'Fast-paced with a sinister edge' THE TIMES

(P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2023 Kate Furnivall

Critic reviews

I was blown away not just by the gripping story, which had my heart thumping at times, but the sheer eloquence of writing. It is a story of the strength of the human spirit, and of love which will not be defeated. I know I will be recommending it to everyone

An impressively researched, powerfully emotional tale of two women surviving post-war Berlin . . . Child of the Ruins will have you gripped in suspense from the first line to the last

In Kate's inimitable style we are immediately drawn into this impeccably researched and terrifying period of history. Stunning from the very first line, this is a masterclass in historical fiction writing. An absolute triumph!

An absolutely stunning book from the Queen of Historical Fiction. Emotional, powerful, meticulously researched, sharp writing, just wonderful

There is only one word to describe Child of the Ruins and that is awesome. It is compelling and evocative, thrilling and yet hugely touching. Kate Furnivall has really steeped herself in the period and faced the horrors of those times. I congratulate her

An extraordinarily tense and gripping story set in a city brought to its knees in the aftermath of war, where life is cheap and crusts of bread are currency. The plotting is ingenious and the writing beautifully atmospheric

Unforgettable characters negotiate desperate times in this vivid, brave and suspenseful novel set in the chaos of war torn Berlin. The final twist made me gasp!

Gripping from the very first page, Child of the Ruins is a powerful and emotionally intense reminder that heartache and hardship linger long after a war ends. Highly recommend!

I have just finished reading Child of the Ruins and now I am bereft. Such an emotionally powerful and compelling story, told with skill and impeccable research. I was immersed from beginning to end

Each page and each word made me feel as though I was in Berlin at the end of the Second World War, alongside a mother searching for her son. Kate Furnivall has a gift for description, heartbreak and joy. I defy anyone not to read beyond the first killer sentence'

Atmospheric and compelling

A harrowing and compelling portrait of Berlin in the aftermath of World War Two, told through the interconnecting stories of two courageous women struggling to survive in the rubble of their war-torn city

A beautifully written and atmospheric portrayal of life in Berlin in the aftermath of WW2, with exquisitely-drawn characters and a storyline that is both powerful and heart-breaking. Kate has become one of my favourite writers and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next

Brilliantly written and incredibly moving. I was gripped from the first page

An exciting listen

I enjoy Kate Furnivall's books, and this one did not disappoint. Perhaps a bit improbable with the Russian soldier/boyfriend of Anna's working outside of his Soviet mandates, but nevertheless, very enjoyable. It gave quite a picture of what Berlin was like after the end of the war: the fear, the filth, the hunger, the crime, the revenge, etc etc. The only thing I was hoping for but the novel ended, was perhaps an epilogue, describing how Anna and Timor, her mother and Felix, ended up. You are given the hope that all will be well, but it would have been a bit more satisfying to hear more of an ending/summation of the characters. The narrators were terrific. I've always enjoyed Imogen Church. The other narrator I was unaware of, but she was terrific as well. I was a bit surprised that Felix was Louisa's child (spoiler, sorry!), but it would have been possible, as in those times, women married much earlier, so Louisa could have been younger that you may have thought. All in all, a good listen.

Intrigue … Furnivall always keeps the mystery going !

As always Kate Furnivall has such wonderfully researched historical content and an intricate storyline. Great narrators too!

Child of the Ruin

This took a bit to get going. The superb narration made me stick with it. There are many twists and turns - you think you have it figured out and then you don’t. The characters are multi layered and the author builds on this very well.

Well researched

One must pay close attention to follow the text, but worth it. I almost turned it back in 1/3 of the way through and decided to relisten. Then I began to understand the author's transition methods from character to character and present to past which is different from usual. The readers knocked themselves out to make each character seem actually speaking. For some listeners the readers may seem over dramatic, but I enjoyed their efforts. I had no idea the Russians treated the East Germany sector people with such heartless actions after WWII. While USA went back to business as usual, great suffering happened. Thanks for this historical fiction read.