The Watchmaker of Dachau by Carly Schabowski

An unforgettable novel of human kindness, inspired by an incredible true story

Snow falls and a woman prepares for a funeral she has long expected, yet hoped would never come. As she pats her hair and straightens her skirt, she tells herself this isn't the first time she's lost someone. Lifting a delicate, battered wristwatch from a little box on her dresser, she presses it to her cheek. Suddenly, she's lost in memory...

January 1945, Dachau, Germany. As the train rattles through the bright, snowy Bavarian countryside, the still beauty outside the window hides the terrible scenes inside the train, where men and women are packed together, cold and terrified. Jewish watchmaker Isaac Schüller can't understand how he came to be here, and is certain he won't be leaving alive.

When the prisoners arrive at Dachau concentration camp, Isaac is unexpectedly pulled from the crowd and installed in the nearby household of Senior Officer Becher and his young, pretty, spoiled wife. With his talent for watchmaking, Isaac can be of use to Becher, but he knows his life is only worth something here as long as Becher needs his skills.

Anna Reznick waits table and washes linens for the Bechers, who dine and socialise and carry on as if they don't constantly have death all around them. When she meets Isaac she knows she's found a true friend, and maybe more. But Dachau is a dangerous place where you can never take love for granted, and when Isaac discovers a heartbreaking secret hidden in the depths of Becher's workshop, it will put Anna and Issac in terrible danger...

A gorgeously emotional and tear-jerking read set during World War Two. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, We Were the Lucky Ones and The Alice Network.

What readers are saying about The Watchmaker of Dachau:

'I need to dry my eyes now after reading this book... a deeply profound book that was deeply moving... A very moving read and one I will not forget anytime soon.' -- Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

'Powerful... an epic, moving story based on a true account... a must-read. You'll find yourself grabbing tissues in this atmospheric tearjerker and wishing the last page was chapters and chapters away. I devoured it in one sitting... a masterful painter of words!' -- Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

'An incredibly emotional, thought-provoking and heart-wrenching read... Schabowski did a superb job of making this the right amount of hopeful, sad and eye opening. Highly recommend!' -- Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

'An amazingly stunning book... a real tearful read... so vividly rendered... one story that I will never forget... took my breath away.' -- Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars