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  • Karolina's Twins

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Ronald H. Balson
  • Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
  • Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (31 ratings)

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Karolina's Twins cover art

Karolina's Twins

Written by: Ronald H. Balson
Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
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Publisher's Summary

In the tradition of The Nightingale, Sarah's Key, and Lilac Girls, comes a saga inspired by true events of a Holocaust survivor’s quest to return to Poland and fulfill a promise, from Ronald H. Balson, author of the international bestseller Once We Were Brothers.

“Readers who crave more books like Balson’s Once We Were Brothers and Kristin Hannah’s bestselling The Nightingale will be enthralled by Karolina’s Twins.” —Booklist (starred review)

She made a promise in desperation
Now it's time to keep it

Lena Woodward, elegant and poised, has lived a comfortable life among Chicago Society since she immigrated to the US and began a new life at the end of World War II. But now something has resurfaced that Lena cannot ignore: an unfulfilled promise she made long ago that can no longer stay buried.

Driven to renew the quest that still keeps her awake at night, Lena enlists the help of lawyer Catherine Lockhart and private investigator Liam Taggart. Behind Lena’s stoic facade are memories that will no longer be contained. She begins to recount a tale, harkening back to her harrowing past in Nazi-occupied Poland, of the bond she shared with her childhood friend Karolina. Karolina was vivacious and beautiful, athletic and charismatic, and Lena has cherished the memory of their friendship her whole life. But there is something about the story that is unfinished, questions that must be answered about what is true and what is not, and what Lena is willing to risk to uncover the past. Has the real story been hidden these many years? And if so, why?

Two girls, coming of age in a dangerous time, bearers of secrets that only they could share.

Just when you think there could not be anything new to ferret out from World War II comes Karolina's Twins, a spellbinding new novel by the bestselling author of Once We Were Brothers and Saving Sophie. In this richly woven tale of love, survival and resilience during some of the darkest hours, the unbreakable bond between girlhood friends will have consequences into the future and beyond.

©2016 Ronald H. Balson (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

What the critics say

“Readers who crave more books like Balson’s Once We Were Brothers (2013) and Kristin Hannah’s bestselling The Nightingale (2015) will be enthralled by Karolina’s Twins.” —Booklist (starred review)

“A heartbreaking tale of a mother’s love, friendship, and family in the face of increasingly brutal conditions and the constant threat of imminent death in Nazi-occupied Poland…reminiscent of the author’s first novel Once We Were Brotherscompelling.” —Library Journal

“The third in Balson’s promising series about a husband-and-wife investigation team specializing in Holocaust cases. [Lena Woodward’s] survivor account becomes the main source of suspense, since she is reluctant to reveal the full horror of what she experienced until the end…and [it] does not disappoint.” —Kirkus

What listeners say about Karolina's Twins

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This story is riveting!

From the moment I started I could not stop listening. This story and the way it was written is very captivating and moving.

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Excellent!

The story is so well written. It keeps you in suspense. The narrator is fantastic.

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a really good read

I really enjoyed this story. I would have to say I enjoyed just listening to Gabra as much as I enjoyed the actual story..... she is fantastic at narrorating and I'm looking forward to listening to the next book from her. great job!!

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Excellent

I couldn’t stop listening. I usually try to make my audio books last a while but this one I couldn’t turn off, I was hooked from the start.

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Amazing!

This book was uplifting and tragic and had me crying and cheering and every emotion in between. I loved every second. I’m sad to say good bye to all of these characters. Beautiful. Just beautiful.

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Excellent read

This was a story that kept my attention till the very end. It was so well written I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend this book.

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