I have read every one of Mandy Robotham's books. She is the absolute queen of WW2 historical fiction. This book is as good as the others. I always learn more about WW2, this time about the pianists - the code breakers. Following in her grandfathers footsteps Marnie takes over the coding. Powerful and moving - a really great story of love, loss and bravery.

I love books with history in the background, so I decided to read "The War Pianist". The action of this novel takes place during the Second World War. Our main character, Corrie, is a "pianist". She lives in Amsterdam. Sends messages in walrus code to other cities. Carries hidden messages. It's a very dangerous job. At any moment, Abwehr soldiers can expose her and thus murder her. She hates Hitler. This heroine will go through real hell. Will she make it out alive? Another character is Marnie Fern. Live in London. He works at the BBC. She meets a man in uniform. She is terrified because she wanted to take a secret radio found at her grandfather's place. Plus, she found a lot of encrypted messages in his basement. The mystery man caught her doing it. From him, she learned that he knew her grandfather. Supposedly her grandfather worked for him. Was her grandfather a spy? Who is this man? Will this heroine also be a "pianist"? You will find out all this by reading "The War Pianist". You will witness the rise of the Dutch resistance movement, formed to fight against the Nazis. A beautiful and painful story. It's worth getting to know her. I read it in one day. Let me tell you that I am very impressed. I found here a lot of twists, an interesting plot and wonderful, brave heroines. Was there time for true love in "The War Pianist", or just time to fight for freedom against sadistic Nazis? If you want to know what climate our heroines moved in, imagine that bombs exploding near you. Explosions are heard in the distance. Fear is their daily bread. They are always afraid for their lives. Can they trust everyone? Will the two heroes ever meet each other? Thank you to the author Mandy Robotham for such a wonderful work. I hope someday there will be a movie based on this novel. Thanks to our heroines, I learned what the Second World War looked like in England and the Netherlands. I saw how the resistance movement worked in these countries. The novel "The War Pianist" is divided into two parts. Each part has about 30 fantastic chapters. Are you ready to meet the real heroes?

Set during the second world war, BBC radio production assistant Marnie is recruited in London by the Dutch resistance. Her counterpart in Amsterdam is Connie, a bookshop owner. Willem is the link between them. When Willem goes missing, presumably back to Amsterdam, Marnie decides to follow him.

Although I enjoyed the first part of the story, once Marnie travels to Amsterdam, I felt the storyline becoming more and more unbelievable. I was hoping that there would be an afterword which recalled some real, historical events which inspired this story, putting my doubts to rest; there wasn’t.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The War Pianist was the third book that I have read by Mandy Robotham. Little had I realized before reading The War Pianist that a pianist during World War II was “a person who operates or controls a radio transmitter- often in code”. I had never heard that title used for radio transmitters before reading this book. The War Pianist was a riveting book that drew me immediately. It was well paced and had its share of twists and turns. Like in most books written by Mandy Robotham, there were strong female protagonists. The War Pianist took place in both London during the Blitz and in Nazi occupied Amsterdam. It was well plotted and the characters were quite convincing.

Marnie Fern lived and worked in London as the Blitz started to become a reality. Her parents had evacuated their London home and moved to Scotland. Marnie was employed by the British Broadcasting Company or the BBC. Her beloved grandfather, Gilbert Coop, remained in London despite the dangers. Marnie had always had a very close relationship with her grandfather. She felt closer to her grandfather than to her own parents. Gilbert Coop was a very proficient tailor with an excellent reputation. He was also a “pianist” or radio transmitter working with the Dutch resistance during World War II. Marnie had never known or suspected anything about this secret her grandfather had kept from her.

After so many months of quiet, Marnie surprisingly found herself seeking shelter as the first air raid siren went off warning the people of London of an attack. Marnie found shelter underground. After the all clear signal was sounded, Marnie went to check on her grandfather and make sure he was alright. To her complete devastation, the bombs had exploded on her grandfather’s home and killed him. Marnie had never experienced such sorrow before in her whole life. Her grandfather was everything to her. The next day, Marnie went to collect some of her grandfather’s possessions. It was then that Marnie discovered a radio transmitter. She was so puzzled over it. What was her grandfather doing with a radio transmitter? The next thing Marnie knew was that she was being approached by a handsome man close to her age that she had never met before. His name was Willem, and he explained to Marnie that he was her grandfather’s contact in London. It was then that Marnie learned what her grandfather had been doing. Marnie’s grandfather had been working with the Dutch resistance. Willem shared Marnie’s grief over the loss of her grandfather. He had approached Marnie to express his sympathy but also to ask her to take over the important role her grandfather had played in helping the Dutch resistance. Marnie’s grandfather had taught her Morse Code as a child. To honor her grandfather and continue his work for the Dutch resistance, Marnie agreed.

Back in Amsterdam, another radio operator known as Daisy had sent a message to her contact named Gatsby but to no avail. Gatsby, code name for Marnie’s grandfather, was not answering. Daisy suspected the worst and she was right. Daisy was saddened that something must have happened to Gatsby. After Marnie received her training, she and Daisy exchanged coded messages frequently. Sometimes, Marnie found herself set up in a basement and sometimes in an attic. It was important to move locations often so not to be discovered. She knew she had to be fast when transmitting messages. Her fingers had to fly across the keys in record time so no one could trace her coded messages or intercept them. Marnie became quite proficient at it and looked forward to receiving and sending messages through Daisy.

Marnie’s contact with Willem was one she felt herself looking forward to more and more. She was attracted to Willem and longed to find out more about him. The longer Marnie worked as a pianist to help the Dutch resistance, the more Marnie started to become suspicious of everyone about her. She wasn’t sure who she could trust. Willem had warned her to trust no one. There was talk of Fifth Columns that had infiltrated London. Then Daisy sent Marnie a message for Willem. Marnie did not know how to find him. Willem had always come to her. With the help of Willem’s good friend, Marnie discovered that Willem had returned to Amsterdam. Why the sudden departure? What had Willem learned about to make him act so impulsively? Marnie had made up her mind that she had to find Willem. She would do whatever she needed to do even if it meant that she and Willem’s friend would have to leave London and go to Amsterdam. Marnie had to find out why Willem had returned to Amsterdam so suddenly. Would Marnie be able to find him and deliver the message she had received for him? What role would Marnie play in Amsterdam? Could she be of help to the resistance cell Willem was part of?

I really enjoyed reading The War Pianist by Mandy Robotham. It portrayed the actions of the Dutch citizens who formed resistance cells and rose up against the Nazis. The Dutch resistance could not fight the Nazis alone, though. Willing volunteers like Marnie and her grandfather until he was unmercifully killed by German bombs and those in Amsterdam, teamed together, worked tirelessly and at times put their lives in danger, all to help their countries win the war against the Nazis. The War Pianist was about courage, family, loss, betrayal, espionage, bravery, strength, resolve and love. It was well written and researched. Mandy Robotham’s talent as a storyteller was masterful. I really enjoyed reading The War Pianist and recommend it highly.

Thank you to Avon Books for allowing me to read The War Pianist by Mandy Robotham through Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When Marnie loses her beloved grandfather in the war she knows the best way to honour him is to follow in his footsteps. She takes on the role of pianist for the Dutch resistance. This takes her on a risky journey but she is determined to play her part. A great historical novel.

Another win for Mandy Robotham! The War Pianist is brilliant historical novel that takes readers to two cities during WWll Blitzed London and Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. I must admit that when I requested to read this book my first thought was it was going to be something about music, piano… little did I know that a pianist is person who operates or controls a radio transmitter and in this case in code. It makes sense since their fingers must move quickly, and they only have a short time to send a coded message. The movement mimics that of the motion of playing piano. This is a story about a group of people who work for the Dutch resistance. We follow the two pianists as they live through the dangers of war, try to save people, live through betrayal, and find love.

Thank you #netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Exciting! Best describes this book as Marnie decides to change from her comfortable life at the BBC to pick up the helm as pianist for the resistance when her grandfather who’s place she has taken dies in the blitz on London in 1940.
Marnie uses code name Lizzy to transmit to Daisy using references to the old classics as code for the messages. As Marnie becomes adept at exchanging messages she starts to add small personal niceties, feeling that she is getting to know Daisy.
Then the unthinkable happens and they can’t make contact with Daisy. This throws Marnie into the middle of the plans to go abroad and find out what’s become of Daisy. This means having to travel overland and water, sometimes walking for miles. Sleeping in safe houses.
I was on the edge of my seat at times, recommend this book.

I enjoyed this story. These types of books are always so interesting and quite sad. Mandy does her research well and it seems to be based on a true story. I’ve enjoyed all her books so far. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The latest WWII novel from Mandy Robotham, The War Pianist, is an intriguing look at life in London and Holland during the war. Holland was under German rule and people were struggling to find ways to resist. Corrie is a mother whose adult children are working in the resistance. Corrie helps too by sending radio messages to London. On the other side of those messages is Marnie, who wants to do more to help her country and the people around her. When Corrie goes missing from the air waves, Marnie must decide just how much she is willing to risk. Both captivating and wrenching, the story will keep you reading until the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. I look forward to more!

A heartbreaking story about the resistance effort in Denmark and the Netherlands during World War II.
Mandy Robotham delivers another great read with The War Pianist.
Espionage
Romance
Dutch resistance
Double agents
Translating Morse Code
A emotional historical fiction set during Nazi occupation in Amsterdam.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mandy Robotham describes wonderfully how people got dragged into some of the more secret areas of World War 2. It reads well, with a bit of tension throughout. I wondered about the title but it sums the heroine up well. I recommend this book

A World War 11 drama set in London and Amsterdam and telling the story of two radio operators working for the Dutch resistance. An enjoyable read.

‘… when the streets outside are layered in dust and debris, as if Hitler has shaken the contents of a giant vacuum cleaner bag across Britain’s capital.’

I have read and loved all of Mandy’s books and I believe her latest offering, The War Pianist, may very well be one of her best! As always Mandy offers her readers a story packed with everything historical fiction readers love - espionage and betrayal, to plights and flights whether it be in blitz ridden London or Nazi occupied Amsterdam.

‘… a mesh of letters and numbers … the vital work of a radio ‘pianist’ with nimble fingers … this fleeting stream of dots and dashes spells out ‘hope’ in her mind.’

There is never any doubt on the amount of research Mandy undertakes for her books. I learnt so much as I had never heard of radio operators being referred to as ‘pianists’ for their lightning finger movement in sending coded messages in quick time so as their position may never be compromised. Mandy’s war stories come alive off the page as she makes each and everyone of her characters someone you care about. You not only see the rubble in the streets of London but you feel the fear as Nazi boots are heard approaching on the streets of Amsterdam. Mandy’s writing is so vivid that despite all the knowledge readers bring, she still can invoke fear and shock as events play out.

‘Only inside are you allowed to die and scream and pummel your heart back into life and weep into your WVS tea, which swills alongside the swallowed-back tears.’

The story is brilliantly paced with twists and turns, with courage and bravery and with a touch of romance (shout out to the Jane Austen references, “Darcy to her Lizzy”.) Told from multiple points of view, Mandy’s writing is sure to hook you especially as Marnie is just an ordinary person like many of us and therefore so relatable in her thoughts and actions. Congratulations Mandy on yet another winning book. I have read and adored all your books and recommend them highly to all lovers of historical fiction.

‘Is she strong enough to withstand it? Equally, can she walk away and pretend this doesn’t exist?’






This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

The War Pianist is set in London and Amsterdam during World War II. Marnie Fern is a BBC employee, and Corrie is based out of Amsterdam. Marnie is extremely close to her grandfather, and after she loses him to an attack, she is pulled into a game that she never thought she would be a part of.

The War Pianist is everything that you want in historical fiction. Strong female characters, jaded characters, and pure resilience make this book a good read. The pace is a bit slow, and it takes some time for the pace to pick up.

Marnie and Corrie are extremely strong characters. Their story makes me think of the real-life War Pianists whose stories will never see the light. Wars were not only fought on the fields but also in secret, and this makes me curious to read more books from this era. I enjoyed reading this haunting and beautiful story.

Thank you, Avon Books and Netgalley, for this book.

This was a very exciting but also very sad storyIt covered the years between 1940-42, when London was being blitzed by the Germans and a large part of Europe was under their control. Some of the Dutch Resistance with their queen had moved to london and wre in contact with, and helping those left behind, who were fighting in anyway that they could. The descriptions were amazing and I really felt part of the story. The characters were very appealing and relateable. Great read!

“Descending into Aldrich Underground means entering a different hell. Each time she is forced to descend she thinks it might actually be the stink that proves the undoing of the British nation, rather than the mighty Third Reich; a type of dense, foetid miasma that in mediaevil times was believed to have perpetuated the plague”

I love descriptive writing that just takes you to a place and awakens your senses so you feel, see and even smell that scene. Mandy Robotham certainly does that in this incredible story.

Though a little slow at the start, she is able to transport you to the resistance during WII and will on each character as they face the hardships and challenges of this time period. I will be seeking to read more of her work.

Not 5 stars as the switches from present tense (which worked so well at the start) to a mix of present/past in other parts just bothered me. I also wanted it to hook me at the beginning more. Persist through those early stages as it is an incredible tale and I love the title so much.

I am thankful to NetGalley and Avon Uk for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Mandy Robotham has a way of writing that magically transports me back to another time in history. In the War Pianist we are taken to 1940s London during the Blitz. Marnie Fern works for the BBC as a production assistant and spends her nights holed up in one bomb shelter or another or in her grandfather's basement playing cards. When her grandfather's house is bombed during an air raid she is drawn into another world of transmitting coded messages to a woman, Corrie, in Amsterdam in support of the Dutch Resistance. I had no idea that during the war these radio operators/transmitters were called Pianists.

Marnie travels to Nazi occupied Holland on a mission and is thrust into the middle of danger where she finds friendship, intrigue and love.

We also see a parallel story from Corrie's point of view in Amsterdam which really gives depth to the book. Though I've read many historical fiction novels through the years I haven't read much about the Dutch Resistance and really enjoyed learning more about this part of history.

I really liked this book. I have read other books by this author so I know I like her writing style. Marnie, Corrine, Willem and Gus were great characters. I did take a little longer than usual to get into this book, but once I did, I sped through it. It always amazes me what all these people had the foresight and bravery to do the things they did for their countries.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley

Using their piano skills as radio operators during WWII is an ingenious way to pass messages through skilled keyboardists. With 2 radio operators, one in Amsterdam and one in London, the exploration of their skilled work is a fascinating look at these brave people. Recommended reading.

"Marnie Fern, erstwhile wallflower and follower of the flow, has made a decision. Possibly one she might regret, but after tonight, it’s clear to her there’s little choice. Not when the dead tell her that the only way forward is to live for the living."


Raise a hand if you were one of those who thought that this book would be about a woman who played the piano during WWII. 🤡

Just me? Perfect!
Maybe this is a sign that I really need to start reading blurbs in order to avoid misunderstandings in the future. 😅

On a more serious note, this was a pleasing read for a regular WWII historical aficionado. Mandy Robotham always delivers a grasping novel where all characters have strong backside stories.

In this one, we saw how two women had their paths crossed in a hopeless time. Each one offered a hand to help the others in need, and although there is not much a person can do when the world is at war, they proved that compassion and resilience will win the game.

To be honest, I've read better books written by Mandy R. Here in this one, I struggled mostly with the 3rd person POV. I know that I often mention this, but it really didn't give justice regarding my closure with the two women in this book. Some things were a bit rushed, others were too long and descriptive and somehow the magic was gone.

Real feel: 3.5 stars

Many thanks to the publisher, who provided the digital ARC via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.