She was a rule follower, yet defiant at times, impulsive. Wilhelm was a complete narcissist who was consumed with controlling Elsa’s life, career, and future. His attraction and admiration for her turned to possessiveness, always loyal to himself. As Elsa became more independent, he lost control over her and became a mentally abusive husband. Elsa could not see beyond his charm and was mesmerized by him.
He was really smitten with Elsa in the beginning, wanting them to be a superstar couple.
Part of her attraction to Wilhelm is because he was so much older than her that there was this parental feel. RR: Because she lost her parents at such a young age she is struggling with this grief. But beyond that Wilhelm was arrogant, conceited, ruthless, selfish, greedy, optimistic, and smug.ĮC: The relationship with Wilhelm and Elsa? With Wilhelm, he could spot Elsa’s talent. Everything regarding the show falls on their shoulders, the leader. They know they are good, the best of what they do. RR: A lot of Maestros have some of his traits. There is also a naivety which was willful, refusing to see people who they really were.ĮC: Is Wilhelm, Elsa’s husband, an evil character? She is lonely, independent, dignified, optimistic, kind, grateful, and strong. She has guilt feelings that things came so easy to her. She was desperate to be great, but also had a fear of falling short. RR: A musical prodigy who loved her art form so much. Because her late mother wanted her to hide her heritage and change her name, she had Elsa’s aunt raise her as a Catholic. RR: Being part-Jewish she felt she needed to help Jews escape the Nazis to survive. Instead of a sister book like the Cooks I wanted to make it a friendship book of unlikely people.ĮC: How did being partially Jewish affect Elsa? I did the ‘what if’ and slowly the story came together. They would go to Opera Festivals and help Jews escape through that route. But more importantly, she and her sister Louise rescued 29 Jews from Nazi persecution. She was a British typist who ultimately became a Harlequin Romance writer. Renee Ryan: In 2013 I was at a conference working on my previous historical novel, The Widows of Champagne, and was told about this person’s autobiography, Ida Cook. This is a novel that will stay in readers’ thoughts long after they are finished.Įlise Cooper: How did you get the idea for the story? Readers will be on the edge of their seats as the story has suspense, danger, and intrigue. The characters were brave, kind, loving, and resilient during a dark time in history. Who betrayed her and will she survive the harsh conditions of Bergen-Belsen? The mystery of the story comes into play after Elsa is arrested in 1943 and taken to a concentration camp.
A network is built to rescue as many Jewish people as possible. As the Nazis gain more and more power, they band together to help people escape them, including Elsa’s Aunt Malvina, who is Jewish and living in Germany. Hattie, the painter, her sister Vera, the writer, and Elsa, the opera singer, have in common a medium where they express themselves. Meeting backstage at several performances all three realize they have a lot in common, becoming close friends. Wanting to return the kind gesture, Elsa invites Hattie and her sister to see a performance. While Elsa is in London, Hattie gives her a picture she painted of the famous opera star. In the mid-1930s, Londoner Hattie Featherstone, an aspiring artist, falls in love with opera and after hearing Elsa Mayer-Braun sing paints a picture of her. These two women attempt to save the lives of Jewish refugees during WWII. As with her previous books, Ryan writes about two strong women who work together for a common goal.
Ryan has hit a home run.Įlsa and Hattie are the most unlikely individuals to become sister-like friends. In this current period, when there is so much decisiveness, reading stories like this reminds people how working collectively brings everyone together. The Secret Society of Salzburg by Renee Ryan is a heartwarming story with heartfelt characters.
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