The Nanny Outside the Gates

By: Shari J. Ryan

Narrated by: Antonia Whillans, Matthew Biddulph

Auschwitz, 1944. Halina clutches the baby to her chest, cuddling her close for warmth. She must keep moving. Her heart pounds as she races through the thick trees. If she’s caught, this is the end—for both of them....

Walking to work at the orphanage she was raised in, Halina tries to ignore the imposing gates of Auschwitz nearby. She has one dream: to survive the war and find out who her parents were. But one morning, a Nazi officer with icy eyes blocks her way. He needs a new nanny, and he gives Halina a choice: serve in his home, or be sent to the camp....

In the enemy’s world, one wrong step could land Halina in prison—or worse. But she pledges to do good while trapped amongst evil and protect the innocence of the children in her care, especially sweet baby Flora. And when she meets Gavriel—a Jewish prisoner forced into hard labor in the officer’s home, with the kindest eyes she’s ever seen—she knows she’ll risk everything to keep him safe.

But then one day, Halina discovers a letter hidden in the book her mother left with her as a baby. She always wanted to know who she really was—yet that knowledge has plunged her into unimaginable danger.

Because the letter reveals that her mother was Jewish. And Halina is working in the enemy’s home, just a stone’s throw from the prison they’d lock her in if they knew the truth. She must find a way out, to save Gavriel’s life, as well as her own.

An addictive World War Two novel which will make your heart sing with hope even as you reach for the tissues. Perfect for fans of The Midwife of Auschwitz, The Choice, and The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

©2025 Shari J. Ryan (P)2025 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Terrific Book

I really enjoyed this storyline. The story begins with a young but very brave and courageous young adult woman … I loved her confidence, directness and willingness to see the truth around her and be willing to help and defend those who couldn’t…

Courageous characters

Had me from the very start of this Holocaust story. The resilience of the characters that had to be in that house. Wow! Had me on the edge of my seat, wondering oh now what is going to happen?! A few surprises I didn’t see coming. Loved it!