This interesting dramatic literary debut is based on the life of author’s German Jewish journalist grandfather who ends up living in Sweden as a refugee. Birnbaum cleverly uses the historical facts and applies his imagination to them to create a wonderful spy thriller that resembles an intricate chess game where it is difficult to predict who is playing who and who are the pawns. The story brings alive wartime Stockholm touching on the book publishing world, famous authors , spies, diplomats and deadly games to change the course of the war and history. If you are a fan of Joseph Kanon or Robert Harris you will love this historical thriller.