The Gods Divided

Forbidden love. A wartime mystery. A lifelong search for the truth.

Wartime love is always difficult – but for Jewish airman Ben and married Catholic Olive, it’s even harder. Especially as – unusually for the times – they have two children. To stay together, they must defy the expectations of society, religion and Ben’s family.

When Ben goes missing in action, everything changes. Olive faces poverty and prejudice as a single mother in 1940's Britain. She must make some tough decisions, not only to support her sons but also to keep Ben’s memory alive. As years pass and the facts seem to grow dimmer, she refuses to give up. But uncovering the truth is the hardest struggle of all. Will Olive ever discover what really happened to Ben after his plane went down?

Based on true events and meticulous research, The Gods Divided is a haunting story of loss, hope, courage and the enduring power of love.

About the Author

Richard Sotnick is the author of two previous books, The Coburg Conspiracy and Retribution. He was senior partner of a family law firm and a well-known politician in Portsmouth. Richard’s first book, The Coburg Conspiracy: Royal Plots and Manoeuvres, is the story of how Queen Victoria’s uncle ensured the Coburgs dominated monarchies throughout Europe. His second book, Retribution, is a critique of the judiciary. He is also passionate about classical music and was the founder of the Portsmouth International String Quartet Competition in 1977, which translated to London in 1988. He now lives in north London.