If I'd Known You in a Better Time

In the bleak days of 1942, Countess Elisabeth von Trecheim, Berlin-born and city-raised, runs her husband’s family estate in isolated Silesia, while her Panzer officer spouse, Hans-George, confronts the horrors of Stalingrad.

Meanwhile, Gideon Rokesby, an English mining engineer, is captured by the Germans in North Africa and endures brutal internment, showing determination to escape.

As fate links these characters within a chaotic, war-torn world, a dance of survival, loyalty, and forbidden connection unfolds against the looming collapse of the Third Reich. This gripping tale, set in a time where love clashes with duty, and danger lurks in every choice, will delight fans of Heather Morris, Alyson Richman and Pam Jenoff.


David Donachie (1944-2023) was an acclaimed British author, best known for his expertly crafted maritime historical novels and a rich career spanning over three decades in literature. He also wrote under the pen-names Tom Connery, Jack Ludlow and Jack Cole.