Once again, Mandy Robotham has written a riveting and immersive book based on WW2. This time we follow Marnie, who works for the BBC in London and lives in a bed sit. After her beloved grandfather is killed in an air raid, but his radio transmitter survives intact, she meets Willem. At first he is something of an enigma, but then Marnie discovers he is a member of the Dutch Resistance, fighting against the Nazi Occupation of Holland.
How Marnie is drawn into this dangerous and precarious world makes for a tense and interesting read. We learn about the incredible bravery and ingenuity of the oppressed Dutch nation, but also about the cruelty and deprivation they endure, even their children, at the hands of the Nazis.
I could not put this book down, and was once again captivated by the author’s storytelling talent, based on in-depth and thorough research. Her wonderful characterisation brought Marnie, Willem and the other main players alive on the page for this reader.
This is the third book I have read by this author, all are well-deserved 5 star reviews.
My thanks to Mandy Rowbotham, the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book. I highly recommend it, and look forward to the author’s future work.

This novel opens in London in the summer of 1940 with the Blitzkrieg in full effect. Marnie Fern has remained in London working for the BBC and keeping in contact with her beloved grandfather. After he is killed in a bombing, she makes her way to his home and discovers a secret cupboard hiding a radio as well as books and papers dealing with codes. She takes the radio and out in the rubble is stopped by Willem, who as it turns out was her grandfather's handler and a member of the Dutch resistance. Marnie had played Morse code games with her grandfather and is thus suited to take over his position at Willem's urging. Marnie, code name Lizzy, becomes a "pianist" (radio operator) funneling news to her contact Corrie, code-name Daisy, in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam. When Corrie is captured by the Nazis and Willem departs for Amsterdam Marnie follows. This WWII tale is full of intrigue, suspense, heart and bravery.

The War Pianist aka Morse code radio operators during WWII. This new book by Mandy Robotham took me a few chapters to get into the story but it was well worth persevering.
It is London during the Blitz and Marnie works for the BBC. She is a solitary character who has a very close relationship with her grandfather. They used to play Morse code games together and when he is killed in the blitz she finds out that he was assisting the Dutch resistance as a radio operator.
Marnie meets her grandfathers Dutch resistance member, Willem, and he talks her into taking over her grandfathers role as a radio operator in continuing to assist in their work in London passing on information to fellow resistance workers in Amsterdam.
Marnie’s recipient of her messages in Amsterdam is Corrie who is very special to Willem. A special connection forms between the two ‘pianists’ and the story is told through their eyes.
When Corrie is captured by the Nazis Willem secretly leaves London to assist in her release. Marnie decides she will be of help so also leaves London and travels to Amsterdam.
There is intrigue, espionage, danger, romance, the horrors of living during the Blitz in London and in a city overtaken with Nazis in Amsterdam. A book you won’t be able to put down.

When I picked up this book, I imagined a concert pianist was somewhere in the story much like the Holocaust survivor in the movie and book, “The Pianist.” Yet, the “perfect pianist” was rather one with flying fingers translating Morse code at a fast speed during WWII. The story follows two radio translators: Marnie (known as Lizzy) in London and Corrie (known as Daisy) in Amsterdam.

Like Mandy Robotham’s other WWII books, the story grabs you from the beginning with the hope that the characters will survive through their dangerous missions. There is suspense in every chapter which builds into an intense ending. We know the outcome of the war. However, the reader is left with a great admiration for the group of brave workers of the Dutch resistance fighters against Nazi Germany. It was when trust meant everything.

Marnie’s Grandad was not to tell a soul of his work with the radio surveillance. It made me think of my dad who during WWII used Morse code but wouldn’t talk about it. However, I heard him tap the table at times as if the machine was in front of him wondering what he just spelled out.

The story and vivid characters don’t go away. It lingers in the reader’s mind with what the courageous behind-the-scenes workers did to take back their country. Perhaps their names aren’t carved in stone, but books like this make us remember what they did to stop the madness.

My thanks to Mandy Robotham, Avon Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read this advance copy with an expected release date of February 16, 2023.

I must say to start with this is quite a long book but I did enjoy it and also learnt a few new things about the war.
This is the story of radio code controller and a mission that must be completed. This is where Marnie Fern enters, to take over from her grandfather who died doing this job.

This story takes you on a journey, and not one you would really want to be on. This is a tale of bravery, courage, fear and life or death. It is a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps you reading as if you are like me you can't put it down until you know what happens and how it all ends.

This is an exciting historical fiction that has is all. The characters are wonderful, the story is emotional and the concept is one that must be told.

A great read and one I would highly recommend..

This is a well-researched and descriptively written novel about two women radio operators (pianists), who worked for the Dutch resistance in Holland during WWII. Marnie is based in London and Corrie is based in Amsterdam. The characters are believable, and the plot twists kept me turning pages. This was first Mandy Robotham book I have read. I look forward to reading more of her books.

Thank you, Avon Books UK and Net Galley, for this ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

It did take me a few chapters to really get into the story, but once there I was hooked unable to put it down. The War Pianist follows the story of two brave courage’s women who become the other half of each other as they use their nimble fingers to pass on crucial information during the time of need, putting their lives in extreme danger. A wonderful tribute to the many “Pianists”.
Beautifully written story of betrayal, family, love, loss and friendship. The ending was a little different although it did finish the story up nicely.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK as I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Another well written story by Mandy Robotham, who has become one of my favourite historical authors. Marnie works for the BBC and used to play games with her beloved grandfather using Morse code. After he is killed in the blitz she discovers he was a radio operator helping the Dutch resistance. She is recruited to take his place and we discover the shadowy world in London at the time. The place is full of divided loyalties and danger. When the Dutch radio goes quiet and her new friends have to go back to Holland to help the resistance, she fully commits and goes with them. Rich characters, another lesser known part of world war two history with an engrossing story to bring it all together.

A great novel about the resistance effort in Denmark and the Netherlands in WW2. A inspirational story of the horrors and tragedy endured by the resistance fighters. A fast paced novel that will hold your attention. A great read!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

My thanks to Net Galley and Avon Books UK for allowing me to review this arc. Marnie Fern finds a radio after her grandfather s store is bombed. She finds out from a resistance operative Willem that her grandfather was war Pianist...or operative and is asked to pick up where he left off. She connects to Corrie another operative in the Netherlands who has a connection to Willem. Something happens when Corrie goes missing which connects all these characters together.

I enjoyed this book. Very well written, and well executed. My only issue is it was slow and dragged a bit but do recommend.

Thank you net galley for giving me this opportunity to read Many Robotham's latest book.
It is set in England at the start of WW II. London is bombed and Marnie Fern goes to her grandfather's store to find it was destroyed during the raid. She walks through the store of what is left of it and finds a secret room where her grandfather was working undervover as a radio opperative for the Dutch resistance.
Marnie meets up with a Dutch resistance worker in London and soon becomes a radio opperative.
Marnie is communicating with Corrie Bakker in The Netherlands.
Soon the Dutch cell is compromised. But who is the mole?
I found this book a little slow to start, but I kept up with reading it am I ever glad that I did.
When the characters are in The Netherlands the suspense really picks up.
I have read all of Mandy's books and have enjoyed every one of them.

The War Pianist grabbed me from the first page. Marnie Fern works for the BBC and the Blitz is in full swing. She loves her job and the people she works with. Then one night her grandfather is killed by a Nazi bomb and her life changes forever. Her grandfather had secrets he'd never shared with Marnie, including that he was a "pianist", a radio operator for the Dutch resistance. Then Marnie meets Willem, her grandfather's Dutch contact, who convinces her to take her grandfather's place and help the nascent Dutch resistance, who are desperate for information. Her contact in Holland? Daisy....and Marnie becomes Lizzie. As Marnie gets deeper into her resistance activities, she feels a connection building between "Lizzy" and "Daisy", until suddenly, Daisy is off the air. But who is Daisy, and what his her relationship to the enigmatic Willem?

Alternating between Marnie in London and Daisy in Holland, The War Pianist is a vivid telling of the two women and the connections between them. Well written, fast paced, and suspenseful, it's one of those "can't put it down" kind of books!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for this ARC. London, 1940, Marnie is trying to stay alive each night during the bombings. She soon finds out that her beloved grandfather was not so lucky. When she looks through his flat, she finds a radio. As she is trying to discreetly take it home, she is stopped in the street by Williem, who thankfully was his handler. She agrees to take over her grandfather's transmissions and joins the resistance. After a few months of successful transmissions to her partner "Daisy" in Amsterdam, she grows to love the people she is working so hard with. When Corrie "Daisy" disappears, Williem runs to her rescue with Marnie not far behind. Will they all survive the war?
Robotham is always a good read! I also loved reading about a girl named Corrie. It doesn't happen often!
#TheWarPianist #MandyRobotham #Feb2023 #AvonBooks

The War Pianist was an absolutely fantastic read!

Beginning at the end of 1940 in London, as Londoners battle the wrath of Hitler and his Blitzkrieg, Marnie Fern’s life is turned upside down when her grandfather is taken from her suddenly. Wrecked with grief, she is dumbfounded to find out her grandfather had been working with the Dutch Resistance as a radio transmitter, aka a pianist. Marnie is confused but knows she must continue her grandfathers work. Soon, Marnie is connected with Corrie Bakker, code name Daisy, a fellow pianist in occupied Holland.
Aside from being both being a pianist, what else connects these two? The charming William Bakker. Without giving away any spoilers, know these three are connected and intertwined in a rather fascinating way. But, will they all three survive?

From the Blitzed out streets of London, to the cobblestone roads and narrow canals of Nazi-Occupied Holland, this is a thrilling and gripping WWII novel filled with Morse code, adventure, bravery, strength and courage. Mandy Robotham has a unique and captivating writing style that simply put, is quite soothing to read along with, despite the content. She can beautifully describe a scene and bring a vivid image to life in the readers head.

The War Pianist is a thrilling story that shows the story of espionage during World War II. In Blitz-torn London, Marnie Fern finds herself working as an undercover radio operator, or "pianist". In Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, fellow pianist Corrie Bakker is at the other end of the wireless. She is caught in a lethal game of cat-and-mouse as she tries to keep her loved ones safe.

Robotham does a wonderful job creating an inspirational story of espionage during World War II. The War Pianist had me turning the pages to the very end. This book is an easy 4 stars. I would recommend this book for anyone who loves historical fiction.

I received a free advanced copy and all opinions are my own. I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

The War Pianist. Much better title than radio operator. Never knew a Morse code operator is called a pianist, very poetic. And that’s just what this book is, poetry. Absolutely fave book by this author. She really knows how to weave live, betrayal, intrigue, murder, war and turmoil into a beautiful story. Thanks so much for giving me an early opportunity to read this historical fiction book of the year! Historical, Poetic masterpiece!

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the arc of this book for my honest review.

Wow! This is the first of Mandy Robotham’s books I’ve read and it definitely won’t be the last. My favourite genre anyway but so skilfully woven together using multiple pov. I had never read about the Dutch resistance before & it was both fascinating and moving. Loved the character of Marnie.

I had no idea that war pianist was the name given to radio transmitter operators either. Awesome read. I shall be seeing out more by this author immediately!

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

Mandy Robotham does it again with another well written, engaging historical fiction book. Compelling storyline, relatable characters, and well researched, The War Pianist ticks all the boxes for historical fiction that I'll recommend to interested readers. I thought the book moved well between Amsterdam and London for the first part of the beginning and seamlessly transitioned to being fully set in Amsterdam for the latter part of the book.

The War Pianist is the second Mandy Robotham novel I have read via NetGalley. As was the case of that first novel, The War Pianist focuses on the roles of women in dealing with the Nazi occupation of Northern European countries during WWII. A portion of The War Pianist takes place in London during the Blitz. The final third of the novel moves to Amsterdam. The entire novel, though, is fraught with tension and the risk of betrayal.

Robotham does a fine job of creating believable characters. The primary characters are two women, one in London, Marnie, and one in Amsterdam, Corrie. Both of them are connected via a two-way radio, Morris code, and a Dutch war refugee, Willem. These individuals are brave enough to risk their lives helping people behind enemy lives, using Morris code. This novel includes an element of espionage about which most people know little. Marnie and Corrie are two very ordinary women, who are willing to risk their lives to help the allies win the war. These are characters and a plot that capture the readers' attention. It was difficult to put down this novel.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing this ARC for me to read and review. The comments above are my honest thoughts about The War Pianist. Robotham is an author whose books should not be missed. Thank you to NetGalley for introducing me to such a terrific writer.

Ooh this was good. Thoroughly recommended. I only recently discovered Mandy Robotham via net galley but I am so glad I did.