Defending Britta Stein: A Novel

· Liam Taggart and Catherine Lockhart Book 6 · St. Martin's Press
4.7
7 reviews
eBook
352
Pages
Eligible
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About this eBook

One of Newsweek's 20 New Books to Cozy Up With this Fall

Defending Britta Stein
is a story of bravery, betrayal, and redemption—from Ronald H. Balson, the winner of the National Jewish Book Award


Chicago, 2018: Ole Henryks, a popular restauranteur, is set to be honored by the Danish/American Association for his many civic and charitable contributions. Frequently appearing on local TV, he is well known for his actions in Nazi-occupied Denmark during World War II—most consider him a hero.

Britta Stein, however, does not. The ninety-year-old Chicago woman levels public accusations against Henryks by spray-painting “Coward,” “Traitor,” “Collaborator,” and “War Criminal” on the walls of his restaurant. Mrs. Stein is ultimately taken into custody and charged with criminal defacement of property. She also becomes the target of a bitter lawsuit filed by Henryks and his son, accusing her of defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Attorney Catherine Lockhart, though hesitant at first, agrees to take up Mrs. Stein's defense. With the help of her investigator husband, Liam Taggart, Lockhart must reach back into wartime Denmark and locate evidence that proves Mrs. Stein's innocence. Defending Britta Stein is critically-acclaimed author Ronald H. Balson's thrilling take on a modern day courtroom drama, and a masterful rendition of Denmark’s wartime heroics.

Ratings and reviews

4.7
7 reviews
brf1948
9 September 2021
I received a free electronic ARC of this novel from Netgalley. Ronald H. Balson, and St. Martin's Press. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I love everything I have ever read by Ronald H. Balson. I think I shed more tears over this one than I did over Saving Sophie. It is always a good idea to be waiting in line when his books are published. They are one's I keep close, to read again. This is the sixth in a series featuring Liam and Catherine but is completely stand-alone. We have three wonderful women telling this story, a deeply nuanced tale of the steps we must go to to keep the past in balance in our hearts. Britta, now 92, a Chicago resident for many years, is a Jewish refugee from Denmark during WWII. Her grand-niece Emma lives close and tries to keep an eye on Britta, but she's a feisty one. Until the news of the Danish-American Association of Chicago's plans to honor 95-year-old Ole Henryks for his wartime rescues of Jewish families during the war. Britta knows Ole. Ole Hendricksen, as he was known in Denmark, was no hero. On the contrary, Britta recognizes him, even after all these years, as the man who was responsible for the deaths of her sister Grethe and her husband Lukas. Rather than saving the Danish Jews, he was responsible for selling them out to the Gestapo. It's often hard to be heard when you are a 92-year-old woman. But Britta has worked out a way to draw attention to the facts in this case. And with the help of investigator Liam Taggart and attorney Catherine Lockhart, she will see justice done. If she can live long enough.
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About the author

RONALD H. BALSON is an attorney, professor, and writer. His novel The Girl From Berlin won the National Jewish Book Award and was the Illinois Reading Council's adult fiction selection for the Illinois Reads program. He is also the author of Eli's Promise, a Target Book Club selection, Karolina's Twins, The Trust, Saving Sophie, and the international bestseller, Once We Were Brothers. He lives in Chicago.

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