The Viennese Dressmaker: A Haunting Story of Wartime Vienna

From USA TODAY Bestselling author, Kathryn Gauci, comes a powerful and unforgettable story of one woman’s incredible will to survive and protect those she loves against insurmountable odds.

“In the half-light of a new day, the city resembled a macabre scene from hell. The gay Vienna of her youth had disappeared – vanished as utterly as if it had never existed.”

Vienna 1938: Austria’s leading couturier, Christina Lehmann, sits at the pinnacle of Viennese society. Her lover, the renowned painter, Max Hauser, is at the height of his career. But Max harbours a secret, and it is only a matter of time before the Gestapo finds out. The situation takes a dramatic turn on Kristallnacht, when the pogrom against the Austrian Jews escalates and one of Christina’s Jewish seamstresses is brutally murdered.
In order to protect both Max and her couture house, Christina begins a double life, plunging her into the shadowy world of Nazi oppression, fear, and mistrust fuelled by ancient hatreds.

As Vienna descends into chaos, hunger and disillusionment, will her deception be enough to save Max – or will it end in tragedy?

Based on actual events, this is an epic story of courage and resilience. It is the kind of book that wraps around your soul and leaves an impression.

“Brilliant and moving, The Viennese Dressmaker is a compelling and vivid portrait of wartime Vienna; a story of human relationships, and the will to survive under the shadow of the most evil power the world has ever known.” –JJ Toner, author of The Black Orchestra

"Filled with suspense from the first chapter to last, The Viennese Dressmaker is a nail-biting story masterfully crafted to show the oppressive reality of life in Vienna during the dark days of WWII. I feared for Christina at every turn as she confronted threats and dangers lurking in every corner to help the victims and those she loved. For WWII resistance fiction fans, Gauci never disappoints.” — Alexa Kang, USA Today bestselling author of the Rose of Anzio series.

“Triumphs, defeats, and loss. Kathryn Gauci’s characters bleed from the pages in this perfectly paced novel set in Vienna. This great historical novel transported me to Austria and allowed me to see, smell and feel the streets beneath my feet as I walked alongside the characters.” – Jana Petken, the #I bestselling author of “The German Half-Bloods Trilogy.”

“With The Viennese Dressmaker, Kathryn has once again created a page-turning story based on well-researched historical detail. Searing and heart-breaking, Christina’s story will stay with you long after you finish the final page. I loved it.” – Eoin Dempsey, bestselling author of White Rose, Black Forest and The Longest Echo.

“The Viennese Dressmaker is a WWII novel in all the best traditions of the genre. Deeply touching and captivating, this is a power tale of courage and self-sacrifice under the pressure of unrelenting terror. The brilliantly portrayed characters, breathtaking twists of fate, and a surprise ending will take you on a journey you won’t soon forget.” – Marina Osipova, multi-award-winning historical fiction author of How Dare the Birds Sing.