In a desert outpost, nuclear scientists and their families face the toll of the secrets they keep from the world and from each other in this gripping wartime novel from debut author Galina Vromen.
Los Alamos, 1943. The US Army has gathered scientists to create the world’s first nuclear weapon. Their families, abruptly moved to the secret desert base with no explanation, have simple orders: Stand by. Make do. Above all, don’t ask questions.
Christine, forced to abandon her art restoration business in New York for her husband’s career, struggles to reinvent herself and cope with his increasing aloofness.
Gertie, the inquisitive teenage daughter of a German Jewish refugee physicist enlists Christine to help her unravel hidden truths and deal with parents haunted by their past.
Gertie’s father, Kurt, anguished by what the Nazis have done to his family and bent on defeating them, carries burdens he longs to share but cannot confide in his wife—leading him to find comfort elsewhere.
And Jimmy, a young army technician, falls for Gertie but is unsure if even her deep affection can overcome his agonizing self-doubts.
Will so much secrecy save them or destroy them?
Genre: Historical
Los Alamos, 1943. The US Army has gathered scientists to create the world’s first nuclear weapon. Their families, abruptly moved to the secret desert base with no explanation, have simple orders: Stand by. Make do. Above all, don’t ask questions.
Christine, forced to abandon her art restoration business in New York for her husband’s career, struggles to reinvent herself and cope with his increasing aloofness.
Gertie, the inquisitive teenage daughter of a German Jewish refugee physicist enlists Christine to help her unravel hidden truths and deal with parents haunted by their past.
Gertie’s father, Kurt, anguished by what the Nazis have done to his family and bent on defeating them, carries burdens he longs to share but cannot confide in his wife—leading him to find comfort elsewhere.
And Jimmy, a young army technician, falls for Gertie but is unsure if even her deep affection can overcome his agonizing self-doubts.
Will so much secrecy save them or destroy them?
Genre: Historical
Praise for this book
"Perfect for book clubs or anyone who appreciates beautiful writing and heartfelt characters in historical fiction. A must read!" - Anita Abriel
"A fantastic historical novel about a rarely written about time in history, featuring an endearing cast of characters. Meticulously researched and beautifully written, it stayed with me long after I turned the final page." - Soraya Lane
"A powerhouse of a novel, not to be missed! This compelling, thought-provoking story deftly dives into the emotional complexity of the Manhattan Project, particularly for the women behind-the-scenes. The setting, Los Alamos during the development of the bomb, serves as a prism to expose the many consequences of secrecy during this singular moment in history. Hill of Secrets has it all: drama and romance, conflict and pain, compromise and loss and, through it all, hope. I highly recommend this original and haunting book." - Samantha Greene Woodruff
"A fantastic historical novel about a rarely written about time in history, featuring an endearing cast of characters. Meticulously researched and beautifully written, it stayed with me long after I turned the final page." - Soraya Lane
"A powerhouse of a novel, not to be missed! This compelling, thought-provoking story deftly dives into the emotional complexity of the Manhattan Project, particularly for the women behind-the-scenes. The setting, Los Alamos during the development of the bomb, serves as a prism to expose the many consequences of secrecy during this singular moment in history. Hill of Secrets has it all: drama and romance, conflict and pain, compromise and loss and, through it all, hope. I highly recommend this original and haunting book." - Samantha Greene Woodruff
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