the setup…
Hana Babic lives a solitary and quiet life in Saint Paul, working as a librarian and living in a small farmhouse. When Detective David Claypool comes to see her at the library with the news that her best friend Amina Junuzovíc was murdered, Hana fears their past has somehow found them in the present, especially after learning what Amina said moments before she died. Thirty years ago Hana was Nura Divjak, a teenager living in war-torn Bosnia until her entire family was ruthlessly killed. She joined a group of fighters and became the legendary Night Mora…with a bounty still remaining on her head.
the heart of the story…
Sadly, my knowledge of this time in history of the genocide of Bosnian citizens by Serbian forces was basic at best. It was heartbreaking to live Nura’s story as well as her fellow countrymen. Her courage and fierceness was fueled by rage as she sought out those who had killed her family. The story effectively transitions between 1995 Bosnia to present day Minnesota, peeling back the layers Hana created to protect her true identity. Her personal investigation into Amina’s murder gave me a strong sense of her younger self back in Bosnia.
the narration…
Ilvana Muratovic made me believe she was Nura and the demure, clever Hana. Her storytelling was riveting, creating tension in both timelines.
the bottom line…
While the events in this story are fictional, they are based on true events that happened in Bosnia. Hana is the most interesting woman who sacrificed so much in leaving her country behind. There were shocking revelations that heightened the suspense and had the old Nura re-emerge not only to protect herself and Amina’s eight-year old grandson but to avenge the past. It’s an intense, important story that everyone needs to know lest we repeat the past.
Book Info
- Release Date: February 18, 2025
- Narrator: Ilvana Muratovic
- Audio Length: 8 hours, 12 minutes
- Publisher: Hachette Audio
Blue Mood Café 
I read this one and once again learned something I knew little about. The tragedy of war follows all. Wonderful review, Jo.
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Thank you, Marialyce💜 I never understood the why of it. It was even more senseless.
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I have recently read a book which is briefly set in this war (Kate & Frida) so it’s good to see books making readers not forget about the atrocities of this war. Great review Jonetta.
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Thank you, Jodie💜 It’s timely as we need to be reflective about the atrocities of war.
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I’ll look out for this one, Jonetta. I enjoy Allen Esken’s books and judging by your comments, the narrator was excellent.
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I’m an Eskens fan and the narrator had an appropriate accent, speaking the language perfectly.
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Good to know, thanks 🙂
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I knew you would appreciate this one.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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You know me well💜
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Wonderful review, Jo. I love Esken’s writing and need to read this. 💖📚
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Thank you, Sandy💜 He’s why I decided to read the book.
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I saw this one hit Libby at my library and was intrigued … sounds like a read that’ll have more emotional depth than anticipated.
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That it does, especially in the hands of a writer like Eskens.
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I’m going to keep my eye out for this one! Fab review. xx
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Thanks, Yvo💜
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Excellent review, Jo. I have not seen this book around at all, and I don’t know why. Allen Eskens is an author that I have only read a couple of times, but enjoyed. I also know very little about the war in Bosnia and am definitely adding this to my TBR shelf.
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Thank you, Carla💜 It’s different from his typical stories so I think that might be why it doesn’t have its normal traction. He’s an auto read so I didn’t even care. Same exquisite writing.
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I used my Libro credit this month to get this one.
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