Hidden In Plain Sight

by Karen Batshaw

As Nazis expand their domination of the European continent, nearly sixty thousand Greek Jews mistakenly believe they are safe.

Anna, a young Jewess from Salonika, has gone to live in Athens. Trained as a doctor, Anna knows if the German army invades, she will no longer be allowed to practice medicine at the hospitals.

With great anguish, Anna masks her faith and her vocation to live as a Christian and avoid arousing any suspicion. Anna falls in love with Alexander, an Orthodox Christian.

Documenting the terrible brutal occupation of Greece by the Nazis, Hidden in Plain Sight shines a light on the plight of Greece’s Jews and the brave attempts of the Archbishop of Athens to protect them. Carefully researched and expertly plotted, this novel’s attention to detail and compelling characters will appeal to fans of historical fiction and those of Jewish faith or Greek heritage. This book is similar to The Lost Wife by Alyson Richmond.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Greece, Historical

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2016

Reviews

[Darryl Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

According to author, Karen Batshaw’s note at the end of "Hidden In Plain Sight," during the World War II Nazi occupation of Greece, 80% of Greek industry and 90% of ports, roads, railways and bridges were destroyed, 25% of all forests were decimated and over 1,000 villages were burned to the ground; 40,000 people died of starvation in Athens alone. Greece has the sad distinction of being home to the largest percentage of Jews annihilated in Europe. 87% of Greek Jews were murdered; Salonika lost 97% of its Greek Jews. Against this background Karen Batshaw has set her fictional novel. Anna, a vibrant, young Sephardic Jewess from Salonika who is qualified as a doctor, is sent by her father to close friends, a Greek Orthodox family in Athens, in an endeavour to keep her from harm’s way. As the book’s title suggests, she is hidden by posing as a nurse, pretending to be a Greek Orthodox Christian, attending services, wearing a crucifix and generally giving all outward appearances of being of the Christian faith. While living with this family, Anna falls in love with a member of the household, Alexander, also a doctor. Working together as doctor and nurse they tend the sick and wounded but one day the home has an invasion of its own when a Nazi officer decides to take it over. He ‘magnanimously’ allows the family to stay but Anna is constantly on edge in case her real identity is let slip to this Visitor from Hell. Threaded throughout the narrative we are taken to events in the year 1963 involving Anna’s daughter, Suzanne, an amiable, talkative 19-year-old on a holiday in Greece from America. When Suzanne injures her foot, there is a chance meeting at a local hospital which triggers an extraordinary chain of events.

"Hidden In Plain Sight" is a fascinating tale, guaranteed to enthral as well as shock. The world has had over seven decades to learn every intricate, disturbing detail of the Holocaust, yet here is a story, set in a country that is not usually the focus of Nazi atrocities against the Jews, which shines a spotlight on one particular household and the devastation it suffers at the hands of just one Nazi officer. Yet parallel with each day’s abominations a beautiful love story is gathering momentum. From the powerful opening to the touching denouement, Karen Batshaw takes her reader on a journey that will simultaneously shock, disturb, amaze and warm the heart. Not an easy feat. "Hidden In Plain Sight" is an incredible tale of remarkable heroism in the face of horrors of Kafkaesque proportions. The research required for the background historical setting must have been exhaustive. I usually read, write and review thrillers but this romantic novel gripped me throughout. Look out for the movie — this story would make a riveting film.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intensely moving and deeply poignant story is told in Karen Batshaw's newest book "Hidden in Plain Sight." Extremely well-written, it follows the life of a young Greek Jewish doctor, Anna, as her life is impacted by the horrors of the Nazi occupation of Greece during World War II. It is a love story set against well-researched facts, but far more than that, it makes the characters and this horrific period of history come totally alive. We share in Anna and Alexander's desperation and fear and love and hope as the occupation takes hold of their lives and the lives of all the Greeks and Jews around them. We share in the difficult and often heart-wrenching emotions of their choices and decisions, as this unfamiliar-to-so-many period of Greek history unfolds. It follows them and their story through the Nazi occupation and the Greek Civil War and beyond. The extreme evil and cruelty of the Nazis versus the extreme compassion and determination of the Greek people is highlighted in this fascinating, informative, and totally engrossing story. I most highly recommend "Hidden in Plain Sight," you will be captivated by every page.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

pg. 62: Yiddish word for soul mates, beshert.

An incredible book. I never knew that 60,000 Greek Jews were killed by the Nazis during WWII.
Mostly from Salonika.

I knew that Jews felt very strongly about their religion and culture, which I can relate too given I'm a first generation Greek American. It was a constant presence in our home of the importance of being Greek and to retain our identity, tradition, religion and culture as Greeks.

I was glad to read that the Greek Archbishop of Athens denounced what the Germans were doing to the Jews. Mind you he was the only religious leader to do so during WWII. This was certainly a difficult thing to do, since the Germans threatened death to anyone who helped the Jews, which they did to the Archbishop. They said they'd shoot him. His reply, as an Archbishop it's customary to hang me (in past history an Archbishop was hanged for political views). Fortunately, the Germans did not take action against him.

[Judy Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Greece, Hidden in Plain Sight is the story of a Greek woman of Sephardic Jewish ancestry and how she survived the German invasion of World War II. This was a part of the Second World War I was not familiar with and it gave me new insight into Greece and into the decisions that that it’s citizens, both Jewish and Christian, had to make during this time of war.

In this highly factual novel, the author seamlessly weaves historical events into the day to day lives of her characters and shows the pain, as well as the strength, love and compassion that can occur when people are faced with a horror beyond belief.

Hidden in Plain Sight would be an ideal choice for a book group discussion.

[Jay Giff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The history behind this book is very important. Before reading this book I never thought about Greece being affected by WW2. It was terribly affected, with 95% of the Jewish population being killed or removed from the country by the Nazis. I learned a lot and will remember this book for a long time. The writing is good, but not the best, probably because she was true to the history.

[Debbie Trammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely great book

We hear so little of the Greek Jews thank you for sharing this work with the public. The characters were great an the emotions spot on. It was evident the amount of research you did for this novel!

[Diane Barsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned about the history of Jews in Greece during WWII. Told in setting if romantic love story in Athens. Ending a bit to coincidental . Easy read and can’t put down.

[Frederick D · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book, well written and and a page turner

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This emotionally-charged book tells the story of the Nazi occupation of Greece and in particular, the fate of its Jewish population. Sadly, most Americans aren't aware of this chapter of World War II or the devastation. The author has created rich characters that allow the reader to experience it all, as both Orthodox Greeks and Greek Jews did. Each page is infused with Greek culture and customs that enrich the storytelling of a tragedy that we should all know.

You rarely read about World War II in Greece. It wasn't part of my formal education. Fortunately, I've traveled all over Greece because my family was posted to Turkey many years ago. Salonika was one of our destinations and I have never forgotten it. Please read this well-written, fast-paced book so their sacrifices will be remembered. I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book by Karen Batshaw.
It was a fascinating, wonderful and heart-wrenching read.
So interesting to learn about the history of Greece
during World War II and the lives that were affected.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but not as must history as I wanted

Gave me some incite into Greek history and involvement during WWII something I know very little about. Good character development.

[Ken Fireman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Batshaw captures the tragic history of Greece, and Greek Jews, during World War II in a vivid historical novel.

[Lois Rowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Real Page Turner

The story of the Greeks and the Greek Jews during WWII is not very well known to the average American. This is a gripping portrayal of survival and help during those dark days and beyond.

[Katherine Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A departure from Batshaw's historical romances, this novel is set in Greece during the Nazi occupation, and, although there is a love story embedded, is more a compelling depiction of the cost of survival for the daughter of a Greek Jewish family. The subject matter took me by surprise, as I had been unaware of the number of Greek Jews and the impact of the war on Greece. Batshaw weaves a rich tale in which difficult choices and the pains of compromise are made in the name of survival. Batshaw remains true to her writing style by taking the reader through twists and mysteries, while a strong female lead character balances love with survival.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book that brings a little know event into stark light. Compelling and gripping. A must read.