The Warsaw Orphan

By: Kelly Rimmer

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson, Charlie Thurston

Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Instant New York Times best seller!

Inspired by the real-life heroine who saved thousands of Jewish children during WWII, The Warsaw Orphan is Kelly Rimmer’s most anticipated novel since her best-selling sensation, The Things We Cannot Say.

“Gripping... This one easily stands on its own.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Heart-stopping.” (Lisa Wingate, number-one New York Times best-seling author)

“A surefire hit.” (Kristin Harmel, number-one New York Times best-selling author)

In the spring of 1942, young Elzbieta Rabinek is aware of the swiftly growing discord just beyond the courtyard of her comfortable Warsaw home. She has no fondness for the Germans who patrol her streets and impose their curfews, but has never given much thought to what goes on behind the walls that contain her Jewish neighbors. She knows all too well about German brutality - and that it's the reason she must conceal her true identity. But in befriending Sara, a nurse who shares her apartment floor, Elzbieta makes a discovery that propels her into a dangerous world of deception and heroism.

Using Sara's credentials to smuggle children out of the ghetto brings Elzbieta face-to-face with the reality of the war behind its walls, and to the plight of the Gorka family, who must make the impossible decision to give up their newborn daughter or watch her starve. For Roman Gorka, this final injustice stirs him to rebellion with a zeal not even his newfound love for Elzbieta can suppress. But his recklessness brings unwanted attention to Sara's cause, unwittingly putting Elzbieta and her family in harm's way until one violent act threatens to destroy their chance at freedom forever.

From Nazi occupation to the threat of a communist regime, The Warsaw Orphan is the unforgettable story of Elzbieta and Roman's perilous attempt to reclaim the love and life they once knew.

©2021 Kelly Rimmer (P)2021 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Critic reviews

"Intensely moving.... Bravo, Kelly Rimmer! I’m going to be recommending this book to everyone I know." (Karen Robards, New York Times best-selling author of The Black Swan of Paris)

A true masterpiece!

Once again Kelly Rimmer astounds with an unforgettable heart stopping tale of the plight of families in the middle of the German occupation. From the Nazi occupation to the communist regime, this gut wrenching story invokes the emotions I left behind at the end of her previous jewel “the Things We Cannot Say. It’s safe to say historical fiction is her calling. As long as Kelly Rimmer writes, WWII’s forgotten stories will live on through the ages.

beautiful historical fiction

This is not advertised as a sequel to The Things We Cannot Say but it should be. This is the story of Emilia who is adopted by Truda and Mateusz and I highly recommend reading TTWCS first.

I loved this story! It felt like a story of redemption after reading the previous story and feeling so much sadness and sorrow. Even though this novel is full of sadness and tragedy there is redemption and resolution that brought me hope.

Up until bout 90% through the story I would have said this book was better than the first. Then I changed my mind and thought I want going to like the ending. Then, what do you know, by 95% I was back to this one being better. Ended perfectly!

Elilia is narratorated by the amazing Nancy Peterson who is ones of my favorites. Her accents and voices are perfect. The voice of Roman by Charlie Thurston took me a little bit to get used to but it was well done.

Content rating: mild for some minor language, violence, and implied rape.

Great story of love and tragedy!

I didn't want to stop listening! It kept me in suspense the whole time! Great story!

so good

I loved it. The narration was great. It was an easy listen and compelling story

Loved It!

Loved it! Great story that is not completely typical of WWII historical fiction. loved the narrators too.

Good story and presentation

An interesting story, reminds us of the eval of war and the innocent impacted by it .

Have the Kleenex ready!

Absolutely could not put it down! It was so heart and mind catching that I finished it in 2 days!

Great with one exception

The narration is good. There are several reviews about the males voice being terrible or annoying. I initially thought the same thing but decided to stick it out. After about the third chapter the voice of the male narrator becomes more bearable and actually begins to suit the character Roman in the book. Worth the listen.

Heart touching.

I absolutely love this beautifully written historical fiction....It was a pleasure to listen to and it touched my heart.

very moving, courageous people who fought

the story of these courageous people who fought for their city and country. great example to us all to value what is important and fight for it..