My Mum gave me The Librarian of Amsterdam by Uri Dushy for my 50th birthday, knowing my love of World War Two fiction, and it didn’t disappoint.

It is inspired by true events and tells the story of Sophie, who escapes Germany before the war and settles in Amsterdam, only to discover she is not safe there either after war breaks out and Holland surrenders. She puts her artistic talents to good use in forging documents, first to help Jewish refugees escape Europe, then to create false identities, and finally to give ration cards to those who would otherwise starve.

Along the way, Sophie falls in love with Marika, and has to cope with their separation when Marika is sent to Hampshire to help with the war effort as a secret agent. Sophie also has parenthood thrust upon her as she shelters a child, who is then torn away from Sophie when it is safer for that child to move on.

Sophie’s story is uncovered in the present day by her daughter, Anna, whose relationship with her mother is strained in life, but after Sophie’s death, Anna discover the secrets of her mother’s wartime past and seeks out Marika to discover her mother was a hero.

A very satisfying read.