Finding Rebecca

By: Eoin Dempsey

Narrated by: Napoleon Ryan

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Nothing could keep Christopher and Rebecca apart: not her abusive parents, or even the fiancé she brought home after running away to England. But when World War II finally strikes the island of Jersey, the Nazi invaders ship Rebecca to Europe as part of Hitler’s Final Solution against the Jewish population.

After Christopher and his family are deported back to their native Germany, he volunteers for the Nazi SS, desperate to save the woman he loves. He is posted to Auschwitz and finds himself put in control of the money stolen from the victims of the gas chambers. As Christopher searches for Rebecca, he struggles to not only maintain his cover, but also the grip on his soul. Managing the river of tainted money flowing through the horrific world of Auschwitz may give him unexpected opportunities. But will it give him the strength to accept a brave new fate that could change his life - and others’ lives - forever?

©2014 Eoin Dempsey (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Immature Writing

Inexpertly researched, "sight-only" description, clumsy characterization, rushed plot and a weak premise, coupled with modern sensibilities smeared over 20th century scenes and dialogue that makes characters indistinguishable from each other. I wanted so badly to love this book, but bad writing ruined it in only six chapters.

I couldn't finish it

The narrator was very good. That's all the good I have to say about this book. I listened for about an hour and 1/2 and then stopped. It just plodded along. I didn't think the character development was done very well. The author didn't engross me in the story. It seemed a bit disjointed. The story was about 9 hrs long and at 1.5 hrs in I was thinking either 'lets get this party started or hurry up and end.' I decided to end it early and put myself out of my misery.

Needs more

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

As a huge fan of historical fiction primarily with WWII stories I found this story to be too far fetching to be believable. I enjoyed it enough to listen to it all the way through but there were too many powerful moments that I thought were too important to skip. I expected a lot more emotion from Christopher - I felt like it was more an outline of the events that happened -almost like a report. Dempsey fails to portray the raw emotion Christopher goes through after tragic events - for example, when another guy gets shot breaking into Christopher's office to save the little girl he was hiding there and cover Christopher's tracks for him you see no emotion or devastation after really - at least not to the point that you'd expect to him to go through once he is alone and has a chance to privately grieve over the events.

Another moment I was like "what?" was when Lahm tells Christopher he can see right through him during the card came. That really jumped out to me like something big was going to happen with that foreshadowing but nothing really transpired from it.

The end of the war, the aftermath and all that transpires is completely gone. Dempsey just jumps over all of that and picks up 13 years later. Why? That would be one heck of a story. Lets face it Christopher didn't really make any friends among the SS - He comes out of nowhere to "Canada" implements all these new procedures that completely change what some SS might think of as a "good operation" by taking away the perks of their job with random searches - busting a lot of guys with stealing etc etc. At the end of the war, it was every man for himself so when the time comes to point fingers and get themselves out of trouble, you would think a lot of SS men would like to see Christopher go down.

You would also think there would be a huge plot line with him saving all those children - I highly doubt in the real world that type of operation would go smoothly with no glitches or near disasters.

I think the story needed more depth, more emotion, and definitely more details. I wish we could of heard Rebecca's story from her viewpoint of what she was going through. At the end when we find out Rebecca is married, but is she really? Was it just part of her story? Everytime he pushed for detailed she deflects. Overall Dempsey gave us just the barebones of what could of been one hell of a story or stories for that matter. I loved where he was going as far as the concept but had he expanded and went a little deeper I think this could of been amazing.

Beautiful and heart wrenching at the same time

Another amazing read by Eoin Dempsey. After I finished White Rose, Black Forest, I had to find out what the great reviews if this storyline were about. Set in the WWII era again, it describes in raw detail and emotions the tremendous horror of WWII and amidst it all the light and love people tried to keep as well as give and find. Every evil act bore into me with a deep pain felt throughout my body. These stories weren’t new to me. As a German, I grew up with my grandpa’s sometimes talking about the war. My step-grandpa more than my mom’s dad. I’ve never been to Auschwitz but my mom has and she told me she got sick in her stomach walking the paths so many walked to their deaths. And somehow ironically, as I’m listening to these cruelties that were committed, we are witnessing the American government under Trump tearing innocents young children from their parents at the Mexican border. How can we have not learned from history?

He is OBSSESSED with her

Kind of an implausible, near stalker-like WWII love story.. Unique. Not my cup of tea. Overly dramatic, the narrator could have a side gig in horror movies. Strange all around.

Compelling Historical Novel

This book a wonderful personalized story that is so well-researched and written that it might as well be true. I find it always important to be reminded of the horrors of the Nazi atrocities and this book brings them home in a very personal way. The characters are realistic and believable, and the story is presented in an engaging manner. I will not reveal the ending; the book keeps one listening until the very end! I have traveled to the Channel Islands in order to picture what happened when the Nazi troops occupied. Finding Rebecca sketches the conditions there very well, but only as much as required to impel the story.

It was shocking to read that this was the author's first novel! It is so mature and smooth in its presentation. My congratulations to Mr. Dempsey on this monumental achievement. The narration is very well done with just enough drama to inform the story. This was my first experience with Whispersync, and I appreciate the additional information contained in the introductory pages of the book--pages that are never included with just the audiobook.

Incredible Story

I found myself holding my breath and with tears in my eyes throughout this read. Not that anyone wants to see the day-to-day affairs of the most horrible places on earth at this time up close, but it is imperative for us to know and understand the depth of horror and evil that was done to too many precious souls. I don't want to give any of the story away, but to experience a love story amidst Hitler's Hell, is incredible. The ending of the story, which is set in New York is quite remarkable. I found it engaging from start to finish. The historical element of this novel is quite fascinating and I definitely recommend this book.

Perfection .....

This was a very unexpected treat to listen to . The narration was great . The story was so moving , i found this book by email , the kindle editions . I’ve found some wonderful books this way. I loved this one .

Hauntingly Beautiful Tale

Brilliantly written story that will break your heart and give you hope at the same time. A love story of the highest caliber. Well narrated with an emotional punch. Highest praise for Finding Rebecca.

Horrible last hour

Good story. Narrator's pronunciation was often painful. Last hour of conversation was torture. Ruined an otherwise good story. So sad.

I can't say that I enjoyed this book but It was re

I am a high ran of this author but I can't say that I really enjoy them but keep coming back for more! They are so well written and usually have a happy ending.

Finding Rebecca A must read

who likes to read about the Second World War
A book that leaves you thinking will they or wont they that is the question which I liked

I listened to this book in two days usally a book takes me a month to read because I have reading problems so it was great to hear someone else reading the book to me

please give the book a go like I did you will be sprized with the out come like I was.

heartbreakingly sad

excellent read. sad, descriptive. a book that will stir so many emotions from happiness to anger and tearful