Books like City of Shadows by Ariana Franklin

Set against the backdrop of a Berlin scarred by war, hyperinflation, and political upheaval, City of Shadows follows Esther Solomonova, a Russian emigré working as a secretary to the adventurous "Prince" Nick. Nick, ever on the hunt for profit, partners with Esther to present Anna Anderson—who insists she is a surviving Russian grand duchess—to a society eager for a claimant to the Romanov fortune. While Esther initially dismisses Anna’s fear, the relentless deaths of those around them compel her to seek help from Inspector Schmidt, a German police officer determined to uncover the killer’s motives. As they dig deeper, Esther and Schmidt find themselves entangled in a dangerous conspiracy that threatens their very lives. The novel immerses readers in the political climate that would eventually give rise to National Socialism, painting a vividly atmospheric portrait of a nation wounded by defeat and deprivation.

First publish date: 2006