Fey von Hassell was the daughter of Ulrich von Hassell, who was a German politician and Hitler's ambassador to Italy. Her father was also a member of the Resistance, and was part of the failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944. Fey was married on January 08, 1939 to Detalmo Pirizo-Biroli. The couple moved into his ancestral home, Castello di Brazza, located in northern Italy. The couple had three children, and lived in relative peace and security until 1943. Their home was taken over by SS troops and the Wehrmacht when Germany began the invasion of Italy. Unfortunately for her, her father's failed assassination attempt caused her some serious trouble. She was arrested, along with her family, and held as a prisoner of the SS. She was held in concentration camps, facing inhumane and unsanitary conditions. The story of Fey and her family was very harrowing and extremely interesting. I had never heard of her family, though I do remember briefly reading her father's name in connection with the July 20th plot.

Catherine Bailey is a terrific author. I have read another of her books and really enjoyed her writing style and attention to detail. I didn't realize that this was a book by the same person, but I am glad that I wound up finding it on sale. I really enjoyed it, and I hope to read some more of her work one day when I get some of these unread books beaten down. If you are into nobility and their actions during World War II, this would be a really great book to pick up.