This is one of the most unusual historical novels I have read with a combination of mystery and history.  The story switches from 2014, U.S.A to Germany in the 1930’s during World War 2.  I like comparing the present and the past in the character’s lives.

Ivy, in her twenties, is trying to sort out what she wants do to with her life. She has conflict with her parent’s religious expectations.  They were raised Amish to became Mennonites when they married.  A sudden car accident takes their lives and leaves Ivy and her family reeling.  Her sister who was driving has a memory loss and severe emotional trauma.  The facts don’t add up and she suspects her parent’s death was not accidental.

She is urged by her maternal grandmother that lives with them to go with her sisters to her paternal grandparents in Pennsylvania for a time to heal.  They have had practically no contact with their son her granddaughters their entire life.  Not to mention they are very strict Amish. 

On the way she visits with her Great Great Aunt Rosene and learns about a young woman in their family named Clare that traveled to Germany in the 1930’s. Her stay turns from a visit to an extended stay as she helps care for her young twin cousins who have health problems.

The story is told on and off as Rosene takes turns riding with Ivy to Pennsylvania. 

It was fascinating!   I did not know anything about the German Anabaptists during that time.    I have read and heard about Dr. Josef Mengele’s cruel and inhumane genetic experimentation on twins.  All this was brought home even more so by the personal story of Clare’s cousins and the family.  This book has some very surprising endings!  I love history and this book is packed with it!  I cannot wait for the next in the series! 

I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions stated are my own.