The Last Light over Oslo
A Novel
Published on 26. September 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-06-328620-7 (ISBN)
Description
Based on true events, this gripping work of WWII historical fiction set in Norway and Sweden in 1940, follows one of the first female US Ministers, Daisy Harriman, and her niece as the two are unexpectedly caught up in the German invasion of Norway.
Cleo Jaffray was an American. A war in Europe had nothing to do with her. She told herself that right up until the man she loved went missing in Poland and Cleo was forced to turn to the only person who might be able to help-her aunt Daisy, the US Minister to Norway.
Daisy Harriman has never shied away from a challenge, be it canvassing for women's suffrage or driving Red Cross ambulances in WWI, so as only the second woman ambassador, she is determined to prove the naysayers wrong and succeed in her post. When her disgraced niece Cleo lands on her doorstep, penniless and demanding help to find her lost lover, this accomplished female diplomat must balance her responsibilities with her desire to help her family.
Their search for answers is interrupted when Germany invades Norway and the pair find themselves on the run in a countryside that is quickly becoming a battleground. Then as Daisy is given the task of escorting the Norwegian Crown Princess and her young children to America, Cleo's lover resurfaces with a story that doesn't add up and dangerous enemies on his trail.
This riveting historical novel, based on the astounding life of Daisy Harriman and a real-life royal rescue, vividly captures a desperate time, a story of survival, and a fearless heroine.
Cleo Jaffray was an American. A war in Europe had nothing to do with her. She told herself that right up until the man she loved went missing in Poland and Cleo was forced to turn to the only person who might be able to help-her aunt Daisy, the US Minister to Norway.
Daisy Harriman has never shied away from a challenge, be it canvassing for women's suffrage or driving Red Cross ambulances in WWI, so as only the second woman ambassador, she is determined to prove the naysayers wrong and succeed in her post. When her disgraced niece Cleo lands on her doorstep, penniless and demanding help to find her lost lover, this accomplished female diplomat must balance her responsibilities with her desire to help her family.
Their search for answers is interrupted when Germany invades Norway and the pair find themselves on the run in a countryside that is quickly becoming a battleground. Then as Daisy is given the task of escorting the Norwegian Crown Princess and her young children to America, Cleo's lover resurfaces with a story that doesn't add up and dangerous enemies on his trail.
This riveting historical novel, based on the astounding life of Daisy Harriman and a real-life royal rescue, vividly captures a desperate time, a story of survival, and a fearless heroine.
Reviews / Votes
"A riveting story set in Norway in 1940, which brilliantly captures the growing sense of menace as the Nazis take control of the country. Daisy Harriman and her niece Cleo are true originals - feisty, brave, and vulnerable at the same time. Fast-moving and vividly described, The Last Light Over Oslo is a triumph!" - Gill Paul, USA Today bestselling author"Wonderfully atmospheric and beautifully written, The Last Light Over Oslo is the riveting story based on a real life heroine: Daisy Harriman, the U.S. Ambassador to Norway, who was charged with escorting the Norwegian Crown Princess and her young children to America to keep them safe from the invading Nazis. The Last Light Over Oslo is utterly absorbing-I could not put it down!" - Christine Wells, Internationally bestselling author of THE PARIS GOWN
"Compelling and fresh, Rickloff pulls you into the complicated lives of Cleo and Daisy, two women who don't know the meaning of the word "No", their determination and loyalty at once admirable and dangerous. A thrilling read from beginning to end." - Noelle Salazar, USA Today Bestselling author of The Roaring Days of Zora Lily
"The Last Light Over Oslo tells the true story of Daisy Harriman, the US Minister to Norway who, after the Nazis' invasion, bravely led members of the Norwegian royal family to safety. Alix Rickloff brilliantly describes the heartbreaking desperation of a country drawn into war against their will. An engrossing read! " - Elizabeth Langston, author of The Measure of Silence
"The Last Light over Oslo is a beautifully paced and written story, which introduces readers to Daisy Harriman, a historical heroine of epic proportions who revolutionized the role of ambassador in a world at war. A fabulous addition to your TBR pile!" - Bryn Turnbull
"What a story! Daisy Harriman and her niece Cleo are just the kind of heroines I love: bold adventurers who don't lose their spirit even in the face of war. Combining the gripping tale of a royal rescue with atmospheric writing and fascinating characters, The Last Light Over Oslo speeds like an avalanche towards a thrilling conclusion." - Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Orphan
"Rickloff does a phenomenal job depicting the time period and the sense of urgency as the women escape to the countryside. The Last Light Over Oslo celebrates the life of a brave American woman on the world stage during World War II." - Novels Alive
"The Last Light Over Oslo is a distinctive entry into the ever-growing canon of World War II fiction. The novel will appeal to readers looking for strong, atypical heroines and a unique setting." - Historical Novels Review
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Dimensions
Height: 206 mm
Width: 133 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
287 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-328620-7 (9780063286207)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2024
HarperCollins
€12.93
Available for download
Person
Award-winning historical fiction author Alix Rickloff's family tree includes a knight who fought during the Wars of the Roses and a soldier who sided with Charles I during the English Civil War. With inspiration like that, what else could she do but write her own stories? She lives in Maryland in a house that's seen its own share of history so when she's not writing, she can usually be found trying to keep it from falling down. .