The Storyteller of Krakow: A BRAND NEW unforgettable wartime story of survival, courage and love across enemy lines

A BRAND NEW captivating dual-timeline novel from the bestselling author of The Watchmaker of Dachau . 🌹 Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah, Fiona Valpy and All the Light We Cannot See . 📚 It takes courage to tell your story…

Kraków, 1994 . When an elderly woman named Lena meets a young girl, the child is carrying a toy bear, who she has named Wojtek. She quietly tells Lena it’s named after a bear who was famous in the second world war. This is a name Lena hasn’t heard in many years. And so she begins her story…

Kraków, 1940. When Lena was young, she loved to tell stories – about the places she would go, the battles she would fight, the great loves she might have – imagining herself the heroine in every tale. But when the Soviet forces invade her town, and take her to a Siberian gulag, leaving her with no family, no home, no strength to fight… her dreams feel further away than ever.

Until the Soviets change sides in the war, and Lena finds herself being rescued, and on an unexpected journey – one that runs in parallel with a tame bear named Wojtek. As their journey takes them across the Middle East, to Africa, and finally to war-torn Italy, she realized there might be a chance for her to live the life she always told stories about – fighting the hated Nazis.

But there is one thing missing… a great love. Lena knows she doesn’t need saving by a man. But when Wojtek the bear leads her to an injured stranger, she realises perhaps it’s not her who needs rescue. The only problem is that the man she’s led to is a German soldier, on the other side of the war from her…

Can love conquer all in wartime? Don’t miss this unforgettable story!

Readers love Carly Schabowski’s powerful historical novels: “ A stunningly, different WW2 story … Emotional and raw… Will stay with me for a long time. ” Helen Parusel, author

“A powerful and moving story … I was both intrigued and touched… Highly recommended .” Kate Hewitt, author

“ Never have I read a story told in such a poignant manner … Absorbing with a beautifully-drawn cast of characters. An exquisite gift to the reader that wraps around your heart .” Jina Bacarr, author

“ Oh my gosh I don’t know where to start, this book broke me … it will stay with me for a very long time... Heartbreaking, poignant, gripping and compelling, I felt every emotion … I read this book in one sitting.” Fiction Vixen Reads ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“ Will rip your heart out … It has heartache, pain, loss, joy, and sorrow. It’s great WWII historical fiction … Heartbreaking.” Books Read By Prairie Girl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“ Left me speechless and had me wanting to roll up in a ball and cry hysterically … Heartbreaking… Had me in tears and kept me hooked until the final page… I could not stop thinking about the characters.” Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“ I was captivated by this powerful and emotional WWII novel … I found myself hanging onto every word, and it felt almost as though I had become part of the story … Heart-rending… left me close to tears .” Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐