Historical fiction, crime, murder mystery… this book had it all for me! I loved the flitting back and forth between chapters of the point of view of Maddie and Max. I knew places such as Trent Park existed in England to help the war effort, and that these men and women who massively contributed to the success of the war are sworn to secrecy for the rest of their lives, but the toll put on those people and the risks they took can never be understood and they’re definitely some of the unsung heroes of the war effort. If you love historical fiction, a bit of a ‘who done it’ vibe, short chapters and lots of emotion, you’ll love this story!

The Light We Left Behind is set during WW II in England.
Maddie is a psychologist called to a lovely estate where she finds captured nazi's. It is her job to gain their trust and, subsequently, their secrets.
Max, a Jewish German refugee, is brought to the estate to essentially do the same thing.
Max and Maddie previously met in pre-war Germany and a romance binds them together. Of course it must remain a secret in order to meet their goal.

Interesting characters and plot

This book tells the secret story of British WWII intelligence by spying on German “prisoners.” Maddie is a fierce female character and I loved the intrigue and romance of her story. Definitely recommend for any historical fiction lovers! I received a free copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Stunningly emotional, gripping, engaging and heart-breaking. I absolutely loved this book, I was gripped with the story from the very first page and couldn't put it down right to the last, it's kept me reading. I cannot recognise this book enough, it's a haunting and spectacle story, I can't wait to read more from the author.

Beginning in 1940, the Trent Park estate outside London housed captured German Luftwaffe pilots to extract military information. The rooms of the house were equipped with hidden microphones to MI19 operatives could listen in on their conversations.

In 1942, it became a prisoner-of-war camp (the Cockfosters Cage) for German generals and staff officers. They were pampered with delectable meals, fine wine and whisky, and luxury accommodations in hopes they would lower their guard and converse openly about military intelligence. The British Germany’s military capabilities, weaponry, war crimes, and the resistance movement. Among the 109 German top brass held at Trent Park were generals Otto Elfeldt, Ferdinand Heim, Gerhard Bassenge, Friedrich Freiherr von Broich, Heinrich Eberbach, Georg Neuffer, Dietrich von Choltitz, Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, Hans Cramer, and Ritter von Thoma, Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt, and Admiral Walter Hennecke (the man in charge of all sea defenses for Normandy, France).

Such is the backdrop for Tessa Harris’s new historical novel, The Light We Left Behind. In 1944, psychologist Maddie Gresham is sent a mysterious message ordering her to report to Trent Park. It will be her job to gain the Nazis’ trust and coax them into giving up information. When Max Weitzler, a Jewish refugee, also arrives, Maddie is stunned. The two had met and fallen in love in Germany before the war. She’d held onto hope that he had escaped the Nazi threat. But their love must remain a secret. When there’s a shocking death at the mansion, Maddie realizes that not everyone at Trent Park is on the same side.

The Light We Left Behind is a fascinating twist on women’s wartime efforts in England. I’d never heard of MI19, a section of the British Directorate of Military Intelligence during WWII, and their role at Trent Park makes for a gripping emotional novel about love, sacrifice, and betrayal. It was well-paced and features an intelligent, courageous heroine. 4 stars.

Published date: December 2021
Genre: Spy thriller, historical fiction
Read-alikes: The Rose Code by Kate Quinn, The Lost Girls of Paris, by Pam Jenoff

* Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book. The opinions are my own.

I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher.
I'm afraid I didn't enjoy this book at all and found it quite frustrating.
It is less for fans of WW2 historical fiction and more for romance fans. The writing style was so contrived and over-blown it was cringeworthy at times.
The premise was interesting and had potential, covering the activity at Trent Park during the war where captured Nazi generals were held, however the novel barely scratched the surface and the characters and story development were simple had no depth.
I am definitely not the target audience here, one for soap opera lovers looking for a light read.
2 stars, which feels generous.

England 1944. Maggie Gresham is a budding psychologist recruited to help with a secret project at the Trent Park estate in London. Can she provide insight into the captured German military officers housed there to help the war effort?

As a teenager she met Max Weitzler in Germany and grew to care deeply for him. She is worried that he will never escape Nazi Germany due to his Jewish heritage. When she meets him again at Trent Park they work together with others at the facility to solve the mystery of several deaths that recently occurred there.

Full of twists and turns, the story was enjoyable with only a few unrealistic points near the end. Anyone who enjoys WWII historical fiction would like the spy games and relationships in this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Different take on the classic WW2 novels that seem to be everywhere lately. Trent Park is a little known part of the war effort, full of secrets and tricks to get the enemy to talk.

Psychologist Maddie is sent to Trent Park a former stately home, to help the war effort
.She is to analyse captured German officers detained there.
Maddie is in love with a German Jew called Max whom she met before the war in Germany but has since lost touch with until he turns up at Trent Park.
Based on a true story it is full of twists and is gripping to the end..A very enjoyable read.

A great thriller set in WW2. Lovely back story to set up the main characters. Interesting idea of captured Nazi leaders being held together in a stately home seemingly wth every comfort apart from the fact that every conversation is recorded and monitored. Likeable characters. I was rooting for them. A good read.

A light but entertaining story with good characters, well written. I'd heard about Trent Park, but this book filled in a lot of detail. Enjoyable.

Not knowing about the goings-on at Trent Park during WW2 it was brilliant to see it fictionalised. A gripping story that had a brilliant backstory of love and commitment and hope. I could not stop reading this and I was sad to finish it. Will look at the other books by this author and also look into the finer details of facts. This novel was throughly researched and this showed in the writing..

I really enjoyed this book. Set in 1944 and based on a true story, Maddie Gresham, a psychologist, is sent to work at Trent House, a country mansion. Here she discovers that high ranking German prisoners are being held in relative luxury. The place is bugged in the hope that the prisoners may reveal important military information. Maddie is horrified to learn that she is to 'befriend' a particularly nasty individual and to try to get him to talk. I found this book interesting, as I had no idea this happened. The story is well written with a dose of murder and romance added to the mix. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

Exploring a topic we haven't seen yet in the WWII genre, The Light We Left Behind, is the fiction account of a true story. Maddie Gresham is a young psychologist sent to Trent Park mansion during WWII. She is to assist with reviewing recordings of captured German generals and develop effective interview techniques that will help uncover information important to the English war effort. Little does she know that two close, personal acquaintances are also at Trent Park assisting in the effort. Trust is hard to come by, as are friends, in this unknown and dangerous setting. What an interesting read as Maddie begins to assess the psychological profile of the Nazi detainees while they are treated in high style at the mansion setting. Overall, an enjoyable book, not as biting as some, but still held my attention. I recommend it. Thank you, Net Galley, for an ARC of this book, which was published December 3, 2021. If you like The Rose Code and The Huntress, you will like this one, I recommend it!

A love story, a mystery and espionage I found this a light read of a dangerous and essential part of the Allies' work to overcome the German invasion. It was interesting and a real page turner.

This novel was wonderful. I really enjoyed reading about Maddie, Max and Eddie who are the main characters in this book. I was unable to put the book down until I had finished it, it was such a page turner. A terrific read. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.

THE LIGHT WE LEFT BEHIND by Tessa Harris, HQ, HQ Digital. Psychologist Maddie Gresham is tasked in 1944 with getting captured Nazi generals to reveal info essential to the Allies. The same mission assigned to Jewish refugee Max Weitzler, whom Maddie loves. A winner for fans of histfic, romance, and wartime suspense. Out now.

Thanks to the author; HQ, HQ Digital; and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine.

#TheLightWeLeftBehind #NetGalley

This fascinating historical fiction book is set during WWII. Maddie, a psychologist, speaks fluent German and she is sent to a country house called Trent Park where high ranking, captured Nazis are being held. Their rooms are bugged in the in the hopes that they’ll give up useful information that they wouldn’t tell an interrogator.

Maggie is supposed to work on psychological evaluations, but when the General who is responsible for the V-2 rockets arrives, she has another job. One of her old friends is playing the part of Lord Frobisher, and they decide he needs a Lady wife. Hopefully the Generals will be forthcoming with her.

The love of Maggie’s life, a part Jewish German, has had his own issues trying to survive the war. He ends up at Trent Park as a translator, where he and Maggie find each other again.

It’s vital for the British to find out where the V-2s are being launched so it can be destroyed. Can Maggie save the day?

I really enjoyed this book, the writing was good and the plot well done. 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I had never heard of Trent Park before & found it fascinating to hear of its existence. I loved Maddie as a character, I really respected her loyalty and kindness. I will definitely be reading more of Tessa Harris’s books and recommending this one to friends, family & book clubs.
Thank you to the publisher & netgalley for the ARC and chance to provide an honest review.

I could not put this book down, fantastic twist and turns which you do not see coming, the cross over timelines are ok which i don't normally like.