Marriage Before Death: WWII Spy Thriller

Still Life with Memories, Book 5

By: Uvi Poznansky

Narrated by: Don Warrick

Length: 4 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

After D-Day, her photograph appears on the most-wanted Nazi propaganda posters. Who is the girl with the red beret? She reminds him of Natasha, but no, that cannot be. Why does Rochelle step into his life when he is lead by SS soldiers to the gallows? At the risk of being found out as a French Resistance fighter, what makes her propose marriage to a condemned man?

©2017 Uvi Poznansky (P)2017 Uvi Poznansky

Brave comes in all shapes and sizes

A poignant story of the highs and lows of war and the everlasting effects on our brave heroes.

Don Warrick has great diction and a grasp of the characters he portrays.

I was given a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Adventures in the French Resistance

In this fifth installment of the story of their lives, Lenny relates a story of his and Natasha's time in France during the Second World War. Told with that bittersweet nostalgic magic that only Poznansky can capture, he recalls love and bravery and abject terror, counterpointed against the knowledge that the wife he adores is quietly but ever more certainly slipping away from him.
Another heart-wrenchingly beautiful story that you won't be able to leave until the very end.

"In War There Must Be Secrets"

Using her signature lyrical/poetic style, Ms. Poznansky has once again created a world filled with sights and sounds, inner thoughts, and in this book, riveting action. It begins with an extremely touching portrayal of Lenny and his wife Natasha, a couple facing unspoken––and thus secret––difficult times that promise to grow much worse. The book then guides us back into the couple’s earlier history with an up-close look at the French resistance during WWII. A time when “moaning minies,” mortar bombs, guns blasting, sniper’s firing, and enemy tanks filled everyone with fear, as they traveled through the lush countryside. When “beauty co-existed with horrendous ugliness,” the “rattling of our bones and the tightness of our heads,” and “soldiers falling like pins in a bowling alley” was the norm.

But what resonated with me the most was the nature of Lenny and Natasha’s love, and the ‘secret’ cat and mouse game they played with the enemy to preserve their lives and simultaneously, protect their loyalties. Even with mortar shells flying everywhere, Lenny can’t stop appreciating the little things––In the trenches where “the earth felt good, cradling me” as the soldiers snored, and forever thinking of his cherished Natasha––“Her letter in my breast pocket which made her feel closer to me,” and “flashes of what were if they were at peace.”

And all of this beautifully written novel brought to life by the thoughtful and melodious voice of narrator, Don Warrick, whose sensitivity, timing, and nuance for each scene pulled me in even closer to the author’s words. Truly excellent!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A WW II sy thriller like no other

Any additional comments?

Marriage before Death by Uvi Poznansky is a treasure, read alone or in its place in her series. We follow characters from her other books into a WWII milieu, with all the unparalleled darkness of those days. Poznansky's talent and resonance with the story means that you can read Marriage before Death on its own or as Book 5 in a series, following (Book 1: My Own Voice, Book 2: The White Piano, Book 3: The Music of Us, Book 4: Dancing with Air). Poznansky's protagonist Lenny, narrowly escapes execution, but not capture. Through his eyes and those of Natasha, who faces a more personal terror,a hideous fate, we are thrust into a world that not only breathes, but does so in a lyrical way that, somehow, brings the story closer, not farther away. If you haven't read Poznansky, Marriage before Death is a fine place to begin. Then, of course, you'll want to grab the others that came before. Brilliant.

Beautiful Story!

Wow! I was amazed with this beautiful story. I have been intrigued with spy stories ever since I met a real life WWII spy when I was in college. The stories he told were inline with this book. The imagery was so realistic in this book, and I loved the narration. Don Warrick is such a talented performer with his various distinguished voices. I found this book to be a standalone listen and part of a series. I am very impressed with this author and will definitely listen to more books by her. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. My review is not a synopsis of the book, but rather my opinion of it.

WWII French Resistance Thriller

The book opens as the characters are nearing the end of their lives. He was an American Soldier in WWII and she, unbeknownst to him was a French Resistance Fighter. The story moves from the present to the past and details their adventures.

Very good story, well written and entertaining. You never know where the story is going next.

I listened to the audio version and it was very well done - the narrator was great.

Beautifully written story

I loved this book! It’s a beautiful story that’s very well written. The author is new to me and, thus, the series, too. After listening to this book, I plan on starting the series from the beginning; I definitely intend to check out more of Uvi Poznansky’s work. The narration was okay, though, the female voices left a lot to be desired. I received a review copy at my request and voluntarily reviewed.

An entertaining WWII Suspense/Romance story...

Marriage Before Death,Still Life with Memories, Book 5 by Uvi Poznansky is a fun, fast paced WWII spy thriller with a bit of romance thrown in. If you like stories that take you back in time and show you how a particular story could have gone, then you'll likely enjoy this book. There's an American, the French Resistance, Nazi's, war...this book has all of the necessary elements to keep you listening until the end!

Don Warrick's narration wasn't bad, per se, it just didn't fit this book as well as I had hoped. His diction and cadence were great and he did a solid job with the various accents of the characters, but there was enough of the book where it was Rochelle/Natasha speaking, and I didn't love his female voices. This is a fairly minor thing though, so if this story sounds good, don't let it deter you too much from listening! I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher for an honest review.

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Well Done

Interesting inside look of two people who had condemn and what there lives were like as they lived in the moment. A good narration added to this interesting and enjoyable story and series,
Given audio for my voluntary review

3.5

Run Time: 4 hrs and 23 mins
Summary:
Well, that back cover copy pretty much tells you what the story’s about. I tend not to read them because I usually get books I’m asked to review or base the judgement off the cover and tagline. Lenny K somehow gets separated from his unit, though it’s very vague as to which unit that is. He gets captured by the Nazis. A strange woman tries to save him.

Additional Comments:
• Narration’s okay. His female voices are a tad painful. There are a lot of French accents, which makes sense because the bulk of the book is set in France just after the Normandy invasion.
• This is a framed story. Those have their uses, but I’m not seeing much reason to frame this. It would be a heck of a lot more suspenseful if it was told as it unfolded as opposed to memories. I am guessing there’s supposed to be deeper meanings like some war stories are lost to time, but the ending is just annoying.
• It’s a clean story that unfolds in 3 sections.
• The characters are likable enough. I’m not sure we know the boy’s name. Maybe it was said once.
• There are a LOT of coincidences.
• The action sections are decently well-described. The spy portions are okay.
• I would read more by the same author or narrator. Probably wouldn’t trip over myself to seek out either of ’em, but they’re decent.

Conclusion:
It’s a decent story, but I’m not sure I’d call it a thriller. Spy tale, maybe. If you’re in the mood for something light about WWII, this might fit the bill.
*Picked up a code on a site where authors/narrators leave them in the hopes people will review the book. Freely chose to leave this. All thoughts are my own.