"An engaging, emotional, and rewarding debut based on the true story of a young Jewish woman trapped as Nazi Germany invades Jersey."
A captivating, heartfelt and rewarding debut based on true events that began in 1940 when Nazi Germany invaded Jersey. As a young Jewish woman Hedwig Bercu had already arrived in Jersey having fled Austria, she soon finds herself relying on the islanders and a certain German lieutenant. There is a vivid simplicity to the tale, so intimate and sincere, that allowed me to see the events playing out in my mind’s eye.
I could feel the uncertainty, fear, and conflicting thoughts as relationships grew. I was transported into the darkest of times, where friendship and love manages to shine a much needed light, creating a genuine balance. This may be a novel, it is all too easy to imagine the reality. Author Jenny Lecoat was born in Jersey and her parents were raised under German occupation.
Her research is clear to see, and I can still feel the warmth that surrounded me when I read her acknowledgements regarding the work of Dr Carr and the submission of Righteous Among the Nations Status. Hedy’s War is a stimulating, emotional, and engaging novel, and has been chosen as one of our Debuts of the Month.

'Combines historical fact with the fictional narrative, and offers a cast rich with multidimensional characters. Readers will be riveted' – Publishers Weekly In June 1940, the Channel Islands becomes the only part of Great Britain to be occupied by Hitler’s forces. Hedy Bercu, a young Jewish girl from Vienna who fled to Jersey two years earlier to escape the Anschluss, finds herself once more entrapped by the Nazis, this time with no escape.
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
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'Combines historical fact with the fictional narrative, and offers a cast rich with multidimensional characters. Readers will be riveted' – Publishers Weekly In June 1940, the Channel Islands becomes the only part of Great Britain to be occupied by Hitler’s forces.
Hedy's War features in the following genres: Historical Fiction, Debut Books of the Month, Debuts, Thriller and Suspense, Fiction, Recommendations, Romance / Relationship Stories
Paperback, Digital download. £4.99. Digital. Available Immediately.
Hedy's War was written by Jenny Lecoat and published by Polygon An Imprint of Birlinn Limited an imprint of Birlinn General
Hedy's War has 272 pages
£4.99. Digital. Available Immediately.