The premise of this one was intriguing; a Holocaust survivor discovers that the concentration camp guard that murdered her sister is alive, well, and living close by in Queens, New York. It becomes her life goal to make sure that the “Stomping Mare” is punished for her war crimes, after decades of the woman living a charmed life in America.
I was disappointed in the quality of this novel. The writing was choppy, there were endless run-on sentences, and many grammar and spelling mistakes. As well, the story line was difficult to follow, because single paragraphs sometimes covered periods of years of time passing, with little explanation.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

As a Jewish reader, it is only very recently that I've been able to get past my own emotions and carefully delve into Holocaust historical fiction. I'm very leery of anything that tries to exploit the Holocaust, of course. The title and cover of this book immediately caught my attention, as it is meant to do. Reading that it was based on "actual" events, I thought it would be worth reading. I should have paid more attention to the buzz words like "astonishing" and the use of "shocking" not once, but twice in the description.

Reading it was one of the most horrifying experiences I've ever had with a book. But as I continued reading and reached the end of the book, I started to wonder who the author is and why she is telling this story. Is it her story to tell? It seems not. She has simply exploited a discovery of a Jewish reporter and capitalized on that. Why did she choose to write about it?

Many will be intrigued by the cover and the title. And, let's face it. We all have a voyeuristic pull towards tragedy porn. For those readers, this will certainly be a shocking revelation and introduction to the Holocaust. We Jewish readers may have a different response. It hurts. It actually hurts.

“The Nazi Housewife of Queens, New York” is a debut historical fiction novel by Stacy Kean. This book is inspired by true life events. This book is told by two people in alternating timelines. We meet Helma, the eventual prison guard, as her upbringing, time as a guard in WWII, migration to the US, and eventual trials. My one complaint about Helma’s depiction is that for a long time, she appears very flat and one-dimensional. As the story progresses past WWII and Helma’s first imprisonment, while her burning anger is simmering below the surface, she becomes a slightly softer person, but why or how seemed missing (was it because she found someone who loved her - maybe?). But Ms. Kean makes it very clear that when Helma is uncovered as a former Nazi guard that people are shocked - and it’s understandable, though from the title the reader knows Helma will be discovered and put on trial. The other timeline follows Hannah - a woman who ends up testifying against Helma after the atrocities she witnessed. Hannah’s story is more moving with greater depth - making me wonder if Hannah’s story was more fictional (there wasn’t an Author’s Note, so I don’t know if Hannah was also based upon someone or a collection of people). I thought that Ms. Kean did a great job with Hannah’s life once in the US - the dependency upon pills (so often prescribed for nerves back then), the hiding of the horrors she and her husband experienced yet how Hannah was haunted by them, and even Hannah’s awkwardness with motherhood. I found the pacing of this book to be a bit slow and I really wish there had been an Author’s Note with information. But, in the end, I think if a reader wants a well researched book about WWII from both the perspective of a guard and a prisoner, this book does a good job presenting both sides.

The Nazi Housewife of Queens, New York by Stacy Kean transports readers to a tumultuous era in world history, telling the life story of two women whose lives first intersected in a Jewish concentration camp. Kean superbly blends historical facts with fictional storytelling. Each chapter explores a period in the lives of Hannah and Helma from their point of view.

I confess being attracted to the book because of the vintage style book cover, not understanding that there was a real Nazi Housewife in Queens New York (My own state). Unfortunately, I am sure that there were more.

This book is a treat for fans of historical fiction and World War II enthusiasts who relish exploring the hidden stories of the past. Trigger warning the book contains graphic violence and torture against humanity.

Hannah's time in the Nazi concentration camp is filled with unimaginable hardships and loss; the constant threat of violence, abject conditions, and the pervasive atmosphere of fear formed Hannah's grim reality. Her mother, father and sister are sent to the gas chamber upon arrival at the camp. One of her sisters survived about a year, only to be stomped to death by Helma, the Nazi prison guard.

As the narrative unfolds, Hannah's life experience is further compounded by the devastating loss of her family in the concentration camps. She marries a wonder man, has children and tries her best to live a wonderful life in America. Why does it not make her happy? Why can’t the past be the past like her husband says?

Hannah's mental health struggles are key throughout the book. She struggles in most social situations, wanting the past to be the past, and self-medicates with nicotine and cigarettes. You cannot blame her. The emotional scars from the concentration camps followed her throughout her life. The behavior of hoarding food in the basement confounds her children who do not know she was a survivor. Honestly, it all breaks my heart.

Helma's journey to becoming a Nazi prison guard at a concentration camp was shaped by the turbulent socio-political climate of the time and her personal circumstances. Her father dominated her mother and beat her often.

The rise of the Nazi regime presented a chance for women like Helma to secure employment and financial stability, albeit in one of the most heinous capacities. Indoctrination played a crucial role, as the pervasive Nazi propaganda infiltrated every aspect of life, painting the regime's actions as a duty to the nation. Helma, like many, was swept up in the nationalistic fervor and the promise of belonging to a cause larger than herself. She finally fit in.

As Helma took up the uniform, and never looked back. Helma never took responsibility for any of her actions.

In the book, the narratives of Hannah and Helma unfold through alternating chapters that vividly depict each woman's life journey and the historical context surrounding them. The intertwining of their stories is cleverly constructed, allowing readers to witness the stark contrasts of their experiences and choices. Hannah's life is one of survival and rediscovery in the aftermath of unimaginable loss, while Helma's journey reflects a descent into complicity and moral denial.

Who Should or Should Not Read the Book? If you are a fan of historical fiction or have an interest in the nuanced narratives of World War II, this novel should be on your reading list. However, if you prefer light-hearted reads or avoid books with themes of violence and profound sadness, this might not be for you.

I really loved reading this book. It was fast paced but, yet so sad. I recommend this book to anyone but have the tissues ready. And, unfortunately, it did not completely answer my question that I always have when reading books about survivors of the Holocaust; why did this happen?

How does it all turn out? If you dare to read the book, you will find out.

Thank you to Netgalley and Level Best Books for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Very touchy, controversial undertones, but such a good story line. It is a topic that I am sure was fairly common back in those times though. The fact that it is based on a true story is even more crazy.

3.5 ⭐ rounded up

This story is inspired by a Queen’s housewife whose notorious past as a Nazi camp guard, the Stomping Mare, was discovered and action was eventually taken to have her extradited and face trial in Germany.

Shocking is a word I’d use to describe this story. Author Stacy Kean has harnessed this emotion to get our attention focused on the atrocities of the Holocaust and the unforeseen outcomes of Operation Paperclip.

Buckle up, Helma Braun’s days are numbered. Justice will be served.

I was gifted this copy by Level Best Books and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Nothing ordinary about Nazis…such a brutal past that Hannah and her sisters faced….no one we should face humiliation of any kind ….