The Baker's Secret

A Novel

By: Stephen P. Kiernan

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

From the multiple-award-winning, critically acclaimed author of The Hummingbird and The Curiosity comes a dazzling novel of World War II—a shimmering tale of courage, determination, optimism, and the resilience of the human spirit, set in a small Normandy village on the eve of D-Day.

On June 5, 1944, as dawn rises over a small town on the Normandy coast of France, Emmanuelle is making the bread that has sustained her fellow villagers in the dark days since the Germans invaded her country.

Only twenty-two, Emma learned to bake at the side of a master, Ezra Kuchen, the village baker since before she was born. Apprenticed to Ezra at thirteen, Emma watched with shame and anger as her kind mentor was forced to wear the six-pointed yellow star on his clothing. She was likewise powerless to help when they pulled Ezra from his shop at gunpoint, the first of many villagers stolen away and never seen again.

In the years that her sleepy coastal village has suffered under the enemy, Emma has silently, stealthily fought back. Each day, she receives an extra ration of flour to bake a dozen baguettes for the occupying troops. And each day, she mixes that precious flour with ground straw to create enough dough for two extra loaves—contraband bread she shares with the hungry villagers. Under the cold, watchful eyes of armed soldiers, she builds a clandestine network of barter and trade that she and the villagers use to thwart their occupiers.

But her gift to the village is more than these few crusty loaves. Emma gives the people a taste of hope—the faith that one day the Allies will arrive to save them.

This audiobook includes an episode of the Book Club Girl Podcast, featuring an interview with Stephen P. Kiernan about The Baker’s Secret.

I loved it why do all good books have to end!

I loved the story and it's detailed description of people and the place they lived. The narration was great! Thank you for not reading a novel that takes place in france during the German occupation with an American or rather english speaking accent. The joy of hearing the narration with the many accents needed made it all the more real.

What would you do to survive?

Imagine you live in a small village on the Normandy coast in June, 1944. What would you be willing to do to help your family and neighbors while everything is being taken by the occupying troops?

A fantastic story. Well written and performed.

different perspective on WWII

First time author for me.

Set in a village on the Normandy coast in France, it tells the story of one small village and how it fared in the war under the German occupation through the eyes of a young adult female. The people are desperate to be rescued by the Allies but not knowing if and/or when it might happen, sometimes even despairing that it would ever happen. Through it all they are all trying to survive in their own ways. Then they are caught right in the middle of the action on D Day.

The author lives in Vermont. One interesting aspect of his life is that he got a Master of Fine Art from the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop.

Very Good

I'm still amazed at what people had to go through during World War I and II. I know this is a fictional portraying of what happened in a small town in Normandy, but oh, my, war is truly Hell! Emma, a strong and courageous young lady, gives the people of her town more than sustenance, she gives them Hope! A wonderful read that will make you look inside yourself and wonder if you have the strength of this young lady. Definitely a fantastic read, especially during the time from Memorial Day to Independence Day. Well done Mr. Kiernan. This book has definitely encouraged me to purchase more of your books.

Pleasantly Surprised by this One!

I feared I had bought a somewhat trite story book -- but once I began listening, found I had bought an amazing, true-to-life narration of life-during World War II in an occupied French village. It wasn't filled with war heroics by solders, but rather heroics by ordinary people, who in their effort to survive, created a means to do so. Very enjoyable!