Poland, 1944. "Please, officer, I beg you-", I cry. But my father has already fallen. "Don't leave me, Tata," I whisper, rushing to desperately cradle him close. As the kind, loving man who raised me takes his last breath, I weep into my hands and promise to fight to end this terrible war, no matter the cost...
Although it won't bring her beloved father back, twenty-three-year-old Wanda vows to honour his memory and all he stood for. Throwing herself into the Polish resistance, she risks her life on the dangerous mission of transporting ammunition for the underground network's uprising against the Nazis.
Slipping through the night-time shadows of an empty park to meet an informant-one who could provide crucial supplies in the battle for what's right-the sight of the man waiting turns Wanda's blood to ice. Even in the dim light, she instantly recognises him as the soldier who killed her father.
The soldier claims he is a double agent, working for the resistance. Questioning everything, Wanda's heart races as she is forced to make a split-second decision. Believe the man who she thought was the enemy? Or endanger the lives of her network-and their secret plans to fight the Germans?
Can Wanda trust the man she hates most in the world? Did her father die in vain? Or if she fights her every instinct, will she truly change the tide of the war?
Fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will adore this utterly heartbreaking page-turner. You will not forget this unputdownable story of love, loss, and the courage it takes to hold on to hope in darkest times.
Previously published as The Last Sketch.
Read what everyone's saying about Gosia Nealon:
'Absolutely spectacular!!!.... Devastating... Beautiful... I could not stop... Grabbed my heart and it didn't let go... An absolute MUST READ!' Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars