'The Ghosts of Rome' follows on from 'My Father's House' in Joseph O'Connor's 'Escape Line' trilogy, telling the improbable but inspiring story of a small resistance group known as 'The Choir' working from within the Vatican City during the Nazi occupation of Rome.

The first novel focused primarily on the Irish priest Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, the Choir's director; in this installment, set over the course Lent 1944, O'Flaherty has somewhat retreated into the background and we follow other Choir members, particularly Contessa Giovanna Landini, as they continue to help Allied airmen and other prisoners of war and fugitives hide and escape. This includes Bruno, a Polish airman with major injuries who will die if he does not receive medical attention. At the same time, the Gestapo's Paul Hauptmann continues to wage war both on the people of Rome and those involved in the Escape Line, and he has moved into the Contessa's Palazzo.

We witness this game of cat and mouse through a mix of gripping present-tense narration (following Hauptmann, the Choir and those on the run) fictionalised interview transcripts from after the war and other documents. As with 'My Father's House', there are times when it can be quite tricky to keep track of all the action - I think this was a deliberate at times as subsequent revelations sometimes clarified earlier sections, but it does make this a challenging read in place. However, for the most part I found this an exciting and often deeply moving read. Hauptmann offers a fascinating portrait of human evil, but the novel is at is best when celebrating the faith, courage and camaraderie of the Choir. As one member recounts,

"The story of our Roman Escape Line has been characterised as a tale of courage. But it was also always a story of friendship, first and last. The friends we knew and those we did not, some fleetingly encountered, others never at all. I am no sentimentalist, but I call it a love story. I met insanely brave people during the war in Rome."

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book about insane bravery to review.

“‘𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑺𝒂𝒎,’ 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒔. ‘𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒂 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒏. 𝑩𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅’𝒔 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇-𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒅, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒕. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒃𝒐𝒙 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕.’”

The Ghosts of Rome is part two of the Rome Escape Line duology, with the first part - My Father’s House - published in January 2023. That book was one of my favourites of the year, and *the* book I recommended to everyone. Needless to say, I was chomping at the bit to get my hands on part two, so I was elated when I was approved for an eARC on @NetGalley.

The Ghosts of Rome continues the story of “the Choir”, headed by Kerryman and Vatican priest Hugh O’Flaherty, whose covert work is to help prisoners (both allied soldiers and Jews) to escape the clutches of the Nazis.

I am, in general, a lover of historical fiction, but I have a particular interest in this specific piece of World War II history in Italy. My beloved aunt, who died almost 3 years ago, told me the story of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, even lending me her DVD of the 1983 movie The Scarlet and the Black, where Gregory Peck plays his part to perfection. Having seen the movie did not detract from Joseph O’Connor’s imagined version of the people and the events. I was going to say that his writing lifts the characters and the place in time off the page, but I think a more accurate description is that his writing inserts the reader into the book - it is that rare and wonderful novel that I feel like I’m inside, walking the cobbled pavements of Rome, holding my breath in the shadows as Gestapo officers march by.

The central characters all reappear, though they are all more weary, more beaten-down by the relentless Nazi occupation and tyranny of SS Commander Paul Hauptman. But their resilience and unbending goodness thrusts them onwards in their work. In contrast to the first book, the second focuses more on Contessa Giovanna Landini, for whom Hauptman has a creepy obsession. I do love a powerful female lead and the Contessa is inimitable.

An early contender for one of my favourite books of the year. If you enjoyed My Father’s House, you will no doubt love this book too.

Second in the trilogy based on the the Escape Line and the Choir which ran from the Vatican in WWII. Like the first book in the series, the author's vivid descriptions makes the reader almost feel like they are there. Fascinating historical insights too about where the 'Books' (escaped POWs) hid including an old theatre, and the pressure of each day & hour trying to evade discovery by the German forces, including the notorious Gestapo commanded by Hauptmann.

Moving, thought provoking and a fine read.

Absolutely incredible, except this is a story based on fact and much of it is true. This is the second book in a trilogy, set in Rome in WWII. It follows the role of a few individuals and the Vatican in helping Allied soldiers escape. Joseph O’Connor is such an amazing storyteller I feel certain he could weave a tale of interest about a cereal box if he set his mind to it. He brings the period and locus to life suggesting extensive research. Occupied Rome was a city under threat. Until starting this trilogy, I had no idea that the Vatican had a role in assisting allied soldiers. I don’t have a positive view of the Vatican but these stories have influenced my opinion for the better. The characters, especially the females are so well drawn and it’s good to see women recognised for their, often understated and underestimated, role. There’s a real sense of threat and tension as the Germans close in and it set my pulse racing, literally. Haunting, exciting, tense and top league, storytelling at its very best…again.

I was really looking forward to this book, as I'd read the first one and thought I'd loved it. But when I read this book, I found it a bit of a slog and it took me weeks to read. I went back to see what I thought I'd liked in book one and found that I didn't in fact love it that much, and had the same issue with the second book as I had the first.

Whilst enjoying the plot line, I struggled to understand all the characters and indeed who was speaking at any given time. The book jumps around in narrative from one person to the next without any real indication. It tells the story of a group of people helping others escape from various scenarios in WW2.

at one point there was a line "The story of our Roman Escape Line... a tale of courage ... a story of friendship, first and last" . I found this quite profound and found myself enjoying the book much more after reading this - focusing on the people and less on the plot.

The book is part 2 of 3, not sure if I will read book 3, although I am interested to see how they all get along post ending of the war.

The book is published on 30th Jan, and I read an digital ARC which was gifted to me by Random House UK @vintagebooks via @Netgalley

This follows on from 'My Father's House'. It follows the Choir a number of months later. Things in Rome have become more difficult for all the members. There is great action and suspense throughout the book. I enjoyed the role of the Contessa in the story. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

The Ghosts of Rome is a book I picked up because I felt I didn't and still don't read a lot of Historical Fiction and I was hoping this would change that. My only issue was that I didn't realise that this was part of the Rome Escape Line Trilogy and it was book 2. I don't know if I've made a mistake in not reading the first one or not, I don't think I had any issues reading this book but I really don't know.

Thank you Random House UK, Vintage, and Harvill Secker for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A further episode in the escape line story set in Rome towards the end of World War Two. The group called The Choir continue aiding escaped pow’s and this time a seriously injured Polish fighter pilot shot down in a raid over the city. It’s a serious read with extreme Nazi violence depicted led by the vicious Hauptmann. Fascinating descriptions of secret aspects of the city underground tunnels dating centuries old used to travel from place to place out of sight of the enemy all add to the contest between Gestapo and Choir. Full of characters from the first episode this doesn’t disappoint.

I read this not realising it was a sequel, but was easily able to pick up the characters and story. . Obviously well researched, I found it unputdownable and was very engaged in the story of The Choir and the brutality of Hauptmann. A satisfying ending too..

Joseph O’Connor’s series based on the ‘Choir’ in the Vatican operating the ‘escape line’ for allied forces escaping the nazis is both fascinating in its evocation of Rome under the nazi occupation, and a hugely entertaining thriller. This second part focuses on the Contessa, and a particular tension with Hauptman, the nazi with responsibility for Rome. With a large group of supporting characters - both those in the choir, escapees and Hauptman - there is a real opportunity to become immersed in the challenges faced by escapees, the risks taken by many of the local population living under occupation, and the problem for the choir of keeping their hidden charges under control…
O’Connor creates a wonderful sense of place, and writes with both wit and tension. I understand this may be a trilogy which is hugely exciting - I’d assumed My Father’s House was a one off, so more are a real luxury.

I enjoyed this book even more than the previous one (My Father's House).
I am looking forward to the last of the trilogy.
The story is (just about) believable, the characters excellent, the storyline just the correct blend of light and darkness.
Having never been to Rome or the Vatican, I enjoy the description of the location, which transports the reader there in wartime.
My thanks to the author for the hours of enjoyment that the book has brought me, I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a sequel to My Fathers House.
Whereas the first book concentrated on Father Hugh O'Flaherty, this time the focus is on Contessa Jo Landini, with two threads running through the book, that of her relationship with the Gestapo boss, Paul Hauptmann and the desire to save one particular allied prisoner. An excellent book which is worth reading. Recommended.

I would still give this novel four stars for its varying POVs and great ways of playing with form - transcripts/present tense/looking back etc. But, for me, it wasn't as good as My Father's House which I absolutely adored. I think the problem - for me - was that the huge ensemble cast meant that it takes a long time for the actual story to get going, and it was difficult to know who you were meant to be focusing on because although the plot eventually weaves together, it took more than half the book to get there.

Set in 1945, this continues the fictionalised account of the Rome Escape Line which began with My Father's House. The 'choir' are now living together within The Vatican City and embark on a dangerous mission to save a Polish airman. Gestapo boss Hauptman is closing in on them and it is increasingly difficult to operate. We mainly follow the character Giovanna Landini but again it is told from multiple POV, with a cast of distinctive voices. It's atmospheric, full of suspense, thrilling and incredibly moving. A fab sequel that would also work as a standalone.

A sequel to My Fathers House. Another really interesting and well written book illustrating the bravery and dedication of those who risked their lives to help allied solders escape from under the noses of the Nazi occupiers.

My Father’s House by Joseph O’Connor is one of my favourite reads of this year. Listed for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, it told the story of the Escape Line that was operating during Nazi-occupied Rome, and how they managed to rescue nearly 6,000 prisoners of war, Jews and others from persecution by the Nazis. Their leader, Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, operated from neutral Vatican City, with a group of people known as ‘The Choir’ who would help extract, move and save ‘Books’ from the pursuing Nazi forces.

Whilst the first book focussed mainly on O’Flaherty, the second, The Ghosts of Rome, zones in on Contessa Giovanna ‘Jo’ Landini; widowed, aloof, nerves of steel. It’s a wonderfully, breath-taking ride through occupied Rome, with danger breathing down your neck in every alleyway. I started this yesterday and simply couldn’t put it down.

O’Connor has deftly blended fiction and history together, creating well-drawn characters that are completely real, even that of the SS Commander, Paul Hauptmann, who dreams of his wife and children whilst interrogating prisoners. I cannot wait to read the final instalment and surely this must turn into a Netflix series at some point!

Out in January 2025. Thank you again to Vintage Books and Harvill Secker for my NetGalley ARC.

I enjoyed this book for its unique writing style, which captivated me from the beginning. The author creates a vivid ambience, expertly describing perfect scenes that draw you into the narrative. I particularly appreciated how his writing sometimes takes on a lyrical quality, especially during the interviews, adding a poetic touch to the reading experience. However, I did find that it could be challenging at times due to the shifts in the characters' points of view. Despite this, I believe it is an overall good book with a solid sequence that keeps the reader engaged.

The next book in the author's series about the The Choir, the escape line based in the Vatican during the Nazi occupation of Rome. The focus shifts from Hugh O Flaherty who is a more ghost like presence in this novel. It is now Spring 1944 and the Nazi occupation us taking a toll on everyone. The author's sparse style adds to the tension as the choir cope with the nverending flow of escaping prisoners coming to Rome for sanctuary whilst dodging the Gestapo and trying to manage the 100s of allies they have in hiding. At the heart of this story is the battle to treat one injured soldier.
An exciting well plotted and written story that will jeeo yoh on the edge of your seat.

I enjoyed His Father's House and pleased to receive.an arc of the sequel. The historical detail is impeccable but I found the swapping of narrative styles and multiple characters very difficult to navigate as a reader.

The Ghosts of Rome is about the efforts of a group of patriots based in Vatican City to help a large number of allied soldiers and airmen escape from Rome during 1944 when it was under occupation by fascist Germany. It incoporates several historical events of the period into the fictional narrative and refers to ancient sites and place names throughout the book.
Having recently returned from a week exploring the sites of ancient Rome on foot, I found the book fascinating and an exciting read. It is the first book I have read by Joseph O'Connor but it certainly won't be the last.