Description

 City of Women: A Novel

“National New York Times Bestseller”

The year is 1943, and Berlin is a city of women. The men are either fighting on the front lines or have been conscripted into the war effort.

Sigrid Schröder is one of these women, a model German soldier’s wife who goes to work every day and does her best to make do with the limited rations available. But Sigrid is hiding a secret – she dreams of her former lover, a Jew who is now lost in the chaos of the war.

Sigrid’s life takes a dramatic turn when a high-ranking SS officer and his family move into her building. She finds herself drawn into their world and soon discovers that everyone around her has secrets of their own. As Sigrid’s eyes are opened to the reality of the regime she has been blindly supporting, she must make a choice – to continue living in ignorance or to take a stand and fight for what is right.

David Gillham’s novel is a gripping exploration of what happens to ordinary people in extraordinary times. Sigrid’s story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope – and that the choices we make can have a profound impact on our own lives and the lives of those around us.

“Who Is David R. Gillham”

David R. Gillham is a renowned author who has made a name for himself in the literary world. He is a New York Times bestselling author, and his latest novel, SHADOWS of BERLIN, has been making waves since its release in hardcover in April of 2022. The novel is now available in paperback, E-Book, and award-winning Audio Book, making it accessible to readers in various formats.

Apart from being a talented writer, David is also passionate about engaging with his readers. He loves to join book club discussions, whether virtually or in person, and encourages readers to visit his website at davidrgillham.com for the book club kit. This shows his dedication to building a community of readers who can share their thoughts and insights on his work.

David’s journey to becoming a successful author is a testament to his hard work and determination. He studied screenwriting at the University of Southern California before transitioning into fiction. After moving to New York City, he spent more than a decade in the book business, honing his craft and gaining valuable experience. Today, he lives with his family in Western Massachusetts, where he continues to write captivating stories that resonate with readers around the world.

“I can’t wait for Gillham’s next novel—play it again, Sam.”
—Stephen King

If you’re a fan of well-written historical novels in the vein of Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto, this one is for you.”The writing is a great mix of the literary and commercial, page-turning and suspenseful, with a morally complex, intelligent heroine at its center.
—Slate

“Philip Kerr and Alan Furst have outdone their literary counterparts. Now, with his first novel, City of Women, David R. Gillham joins their rank.”
—Charles Finch, USA Today

“Gillham’s writing is often stunning . . . The characters are complex . . . Deeply felt and mercilessly real.”
—The Plain Dealer, Cleveland

“A meticulously researched and beautifully told love story—and a remarkable look at life in Germany during World War II.”
—Minneapolis Star-Tribune

“[A] stunning debut . . . Transcendent prose.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“As impossible to put down as it is to forget.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“An exemplary model of historical fiction generously laced with romance, suspense, and exciting plot twists.”
—Library Journal (starred review)

“A thriller of searing intensity that asks the most urgent of questions—how to love, who to trust, what can be saved in the very darkest of times. . . . Utterly compelling.”
—Margaret Leroy, New York Times bestselling author of The Soldier’s Wife

“A moving and masterful debut . . . Powerful and piercingly real. You won’t soon forget these characters.”
—Paula McLain, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife