A must-read for children in these times

Our latest novel, published during this lockdown period is, A Cake for the Gestapo by Jacqueline King. It is set in 1940 and covers the first year of the German Occupation of Jersey, told through the eyes of five children.

In many ways the themes are similar to those experienced by us today; isolation, bereavement, being separated from family, fear of death, and the sheer frustrations caused by curfew. Between 1941 and 1945 the situation grew far worse. By the time the island was liberated, the islanders and their captors were on the brink of starvation. The author doesn’t cover all the war years, but she gives us a strong flavour of the darkness that was to come.

I wanted to share a review with you left by a Prof. Kerr, largely because I am proud of what our author, Jacqueline, has achieved with this novel but also because I am proud of our publishing company ZunTold for recognising a gem when we see one! I do believe this novel is destined to become a classic. It is books like Cake for the Gestapo that demonstrate the important role that independent publishers like ZunTold play. Publishing is a tough business, but stories like this make it all worthwhile. I hope you enjoy the review and feel inspired to buy a copy.

‘A Cake for the Gestapo’ contains exactly four necessary ingredients, skillfully blended together and baked to perfection. The resulting novel is gripping, great fun and I gobbled it up at one sitting!

First, it's authentic in its Channel Island setting. The author clearly knows Jersey’s

changeable weather, ferocious tides, lethally rocky coast, small beaches, fried

crispy sand-eels and conger eels. She knowledgeably seasons her prose with dabs

of exactly enough Jersey patois: man p’tit crabin.

Second, the author

has an ear attuned to the conversation of small children, flawlessly

reproducing the cadences of their speech, sense of humour and love of food. For

this skill alone, the author is to be congratulated and also because none of

the characters, even the Wehrmacht ones, are mere caricatures.

Third, the setting

is in the Second World War in a part of the British Isles that really was

invaded by Germany. Who knew? - certainly not this Scottish reviewer. Moreover,

only a very skilful authorial hand could imagine and then help one learn what

it felt like to live under the shadow of German occupation. That the shadow

grew darker and more sinister as the war went on is hinted at.

Fourth, the details

of the time and place are carefully painted. One family has, for example, an

Austin Ruby - the once-popular “Baby Austin” motor car, which in the story is

commandeered by the enemy, as were so many possessions.

Historical fiction, adventure, fun, dangerous enemies, the chances and changes of this

fleeting childhood world, in a realistic setting: all the ingredients which this author has

blended to produce just the sort of exciting story I have always enjoyed.

Moreover, it could possibly help the children of our time with its message of endurance and

hope in isolation.

I believe ‘A Cake for the Gestapo’ is destined to be a classic. Booksellers take note: do not

put this book on the culinary shelf under cakes and pastries.

You can buy A Cake for the Gestapo online or from your local bookshop sometime soon!