The Bootmaker of Berlin
People lie, especially the ones you love.
Berlin, 2010: A deathbed promise launches Kathy Giuliano on a quest for the truth about her family during World War II. Alone, she travels to Berlin in search of an enigmatic octogenarian who holds the keys to the past. The only clues to his identity and whereabouts and are a black-and-white photograph and an outdated address in Reinickendorf.
England, 1938: After fleeing Nazi Germany for the safety of England, a teenage boy is captured when Churchill gives the order to ‘collar the lot’. One of 2,000 prisoners on the hell-ship Dunera, he is sent to Australia. At the ‘family camp’, he makes footwear and forms life-long friendships. Eight years later, what does he find when he returns to Berlin?
Victoria, 1943: With the Japanese at Australia’s doorstep, a mother and daughter are arrested at their cane farm in far north Queensland and sent ‘down south’. Their crime? Teaching the Italian language to school-children. The internment camp at Tatura changes everything. The secrets they share must be kept for the rest of their lives.
Short Blurb: When the tentacles of war stretch across the globe, families divide, neighbours become enemies, friends disappear. Whom can you trust? A deathbed promise thrusts Kathy Giuliano into a whirlpool of close guarded secrets with life changing consequences. In Berlin, she uncovers shocking truths about her sister, her family, and herself.
WWII fiction, based on historical events and inspired by research undertaken by the author as a Fellow of the State Library of Queensland.
Reader reviews
A fascinating read. Well written and researched. Maggie C.
The sheer scale of the novel is astounding … Whilst the human story of Horst and Alice is at the heart of the novel, it doubles as a history lesson. It is clear that extensive research has gone into this book. Yet, for all the wartime drama, it’s the actions and secrets of other family members that rock the lives of Kathy and Horst. Both are left to make sense of, and make peace with, those revelations. Diane C.
See more reviews and ratings on Goodreads.
Bookstores
The Bootmaker of Berlin is available from most online bookstores, eg Booktopia.
It is in stock at the following physical stores in SE Queensland:
Dymocks Chermside, Westfield Chermside, Level 1, Cnr Gympie & Hamilton Rd, Chermside. Phone (07) 3350 5255
Dymocks Indooroopilly, Level 3/322 Moggill Rd, Indooroopilly. Phone (07) 3878 5544
Genealogical Society of Queensland, 25 Stackpole St, Wishart. Phone (07) 3349 6072.
State Library of Queensland (SLQ) Shop, Cultural Precinct, Stanley Pl, South Brisbane. Phone (07) 3840 7576
St Lucia Newsagency, 219 Hawken Dr, St Lucia. Phone (07) 3870 9244
eBook
Click here to purchase from your favourite eBook store
Buy a Paperback directly from me
The Bootmaker of Berlin ~ 1 paperback $27. Includes delivery within Australia.
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Book Club Offer ~ 5 paperbacks of Bootmaker for $115. Includes delivery within Australia.
For other purchase options or to request the author to appear at a Writers or Readers Festival, Book Club or library event, please contact her direct.
Libraries
Available at public libraries across Australia. If it’s not in the catalogue, please ask your friendly librarian to make a purchase.
Enemies within these Shores
What really happened in Australia during WWII?
A page-turning saga that sweeps from the sugar towns of tropical north Queensland to the internment camps of South Australia. Inspired by a true story, the novel brings to life the tumultuous years of WWII, political opportunism, retribution, and ultimately survival.
A realistic blend of truth and fiction that is engaging and well-paced. Completely engrossing.
eBook
Click here to purchase from your favourite eBook store
Bookstores
Enemies within these Shores is now in stock at the following retailers:
Dymocks Chermside, Westfield Chermside, Level 1, Cnr Gympie & Hamilton Rd, Chermside. Phone (07) 3350 525
Genealogical Society of Queensland, 25 Stackpole St, Wishart. Phone (07) 3349 6072.
State Library of Queensland (SLQ) Shop, Cultural Precinct, Stanley Pl, South Brisbane. Phone (07) 3840 7576
Buy a Paperback directly from me
Enemies within these Shores ~ paperback $27. Includes delivery within Australia.
Log in for Paypal OR select Credit Card. Accepts Mastercard, Visa, or Amex
The Scarlet Key
A scarlet key. A bittersweet secret. A corpse with cryptic tattoos.
When a shiny red key lands on his news desk, reporter Seth VerBeek is thrust into an enthralling mystery that involves a female corpse, a psychic tattooist, and a handyman who mends melancholy hearts. Like the newshound he is, he follows his instincts and gets more than he bargains for.
A fabulous read … lots of action and intrigue … many thoughtful moments.
eBook
Purchase from your favourite eBook store ~ Smashwords, Apple, Kobo.
Sold on Kindle as ‘Indelible Lies’.
Paperback
Paperbacks temporarily out of stock. More coming in July 2023.
The Scarlet Key ~ paperback $25. Includes delivery within Australia
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Baby Farm
How much is a baby worth?
Inspired by true events, this page-turner reveals the mysteries of Maidenhead, a country retreat in rural Australia. What went on behind the scenes? What became of the teenage girls and who were sent there in shame? Years later, what happens when the truth comes out?
What a fabulous read. I couldn’t put it down and was sorry when the story was all over!
eBook
Purchase from your favourite eBook store ~ Smashwords, Apple, Kobo.
Sold on Kindle as ‘Shameful Lies’.
Paperback
Paperbacks temporarily out of stock. More coming in July 2023.
Baby Farm ~ paperback $25. Includes delivery within Australia.
Log in for Paypal OR select Credit Card. Accepts Mastercard, Visa, or Amex
Mowbray Brothers
Saturday night, summer of 1920. Mowbray Park is where the local lads go for a laugh, a beer and a smoke. Eight-year-old Lucky sneaks out of bed to discover his brother and hero has taken a dare that could cost much more than his one shilling bet. Inspired by the author’s father, who liked to talk about growing up in East Brisbane in the 1920s.
Debbie’s writing is so descriptive and vivid. I felt more invested in these characters in the short time I knew them than a lot of characters in full novels.
Short story – eBook only
Download from Smashwords, kobo, iBooks, Amazon.
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