Althouhh the book was well-intentioned, it was poorly executed in my opinion. The premise was interesting...a man lauded as a hero during WWII is accused of being a liar...having actually been a collaborator.
The book is chock full of facts about Danish history, but tbe characters present these facts as though they are reciting from a text book. I would have preferred flashbacks rather than one character reading from the notebook of another.
The final courtroom scene was better than the rest of the book.
So, 4 stars for what I learned, and 2 stars for characterization and dialogue. 3 stars total. ( )

If you like historical fiction because you learn from it, then DEFENDING BRITTA STEIN is for you. The story within a story is more facts than fiction, even down to the names of the major players in Denmark’s dealings with the Nazis. Go to the back of the book before you even begin it, and read Ronald Balson’s "Acknowledgments" for his explanation.

This story is, apparently, the sixth in a series about fictional lawyer Catherine Lockhart, although I have not read the other five. Now I will.

Catherine is defending a 92-year-old woman, Britta Stein, who is accused of and admits to writing defamatory words on the walls of a bar/restaurant about its 95-year-old owner, Ole. These words accuse him of being a Nazi collaborator and traitor just when he is about to receive an award for being a war hero. But a legal defense of defamation is truth. So Catherine defends Britta by attempting to prove that the words are true.

Within this story is the story that Britta tells Catherine about the Nazi occupation of Denmark during World War II. Both Britta and Ole lived there. Britta was Jewish; Ole assisted the Nazis, as did a minority of Denmark residents. Although Catherine, Britta, and Ole are fictional characters, Denmark’s story of majority heroism is true.

Once Britta's story is told and Catherine defends her case to a jury, maintaining that Britta's accusations are true, DEFENDING BRITTA STEIN gets fun to read. I loved the courtroom drama.

I really did enjoy this book because I learned from it and because of the final courtroom scenes. But I had to ignore that a 92-year-old woman could not supply such a detailed story of her and her family's experiences 80 years ago. While it is possible that much of it stuck in her memory, not all of it could have. But that's OK; you can easily ignore it like I did. You'll be glad to and you'll be rooting for Britta. ( )

Defending Britta Stein is a gripping legal thriller that takes place in Chicago during 2018. Britta Stein is a 92-year-old woman who has a tiff with Chicago's beloved 95-year-old tavern owner Ole Hendryks. When it was publicly announced that Ole was going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Danish American Association of Chicago, Britta spray-paints insults in the middle of the night on the exterior of his tavern The Melancholy Dane. Britta exposes Ole as a Nazi collaborator during the Nazi occupation of Denmark with her insults. Attorney Catherine Lockhart is asked by a lawyer friend, Walter Jenkins, to represent her in a $5,000,000 defamation lawsuit filed by Ole. Ole Hendryks has retained a high priced lawyer named Sterling Sparks from the prestigious Jenkins and Fairchild law firm. Sparks' nickname is Six O'Clock Sparks because he is an aggressive publicity hound. A former law clerk of Walter's, Emma Fisher, is Britta's grand-daughter and she accompanies Britta to her appointments with Catherine as well as does research for Catherine.

Ole Hendryks has had an old photograph of him and his father posted in his restaurant for fifty years. He claims that in 1943 his family helped hundreds of Jews escape from the gas chambers during WWII. Ole and his father snuck Jewish families out of Denmark in their fishing boat in the middle of the night heading toward Sweden. He has been labeled a hero by his customers as well as the media. However, Britta Stein has alleged that Ole did not rescue any Jews but in fact helped gather Jews for deportation by the Nazis. She also said that the family's name is Hendrickson, not Hendryks. The lawsuit is being heard by a no nonsense judge, Obadiah Wilson, in the Cook County Circuit Court Law Division. With Catherine's husband Liam Taggart investigating Hendryk's background in Denmark the defense of Britta Stein begins.

This story was captivating from the beginning. I couldn't put it down even on the day I needed to shop for my Thanksgiving dinner. While I got to the store in late afternoon, the book was satisfying enough for me to keep thinking about it for the rest of the day. The plot follows the work that Catherine is doing on Britta's case. Most of that work involves interviewing Britta to get her side of the story. Britta insists on taking her time telling her story even though Catherine only has 3 weeks to get ready for trial. The interview takes 100 pages but is very entertaining. Unfortunately, what Britta reveals about life in Denmark under German occupation actually happened. The rest of the story, including the characters, is fiction. I loved that the 1943 photo of Ole and his father in front of their boat turned out to be proof that he was a Nazi collaborator. Because Catherine cannot prove Britta's allegations, she uses an in court strategy that tricks Ole into telling the truth.

Awesome read! 5 out of 5 stars. ( )

Excellent book concerning an elderly woman's allegations against a beloved local bar owner for past Nazi collaboration. I've read numerous books about the Holocaust, though I don't remember reading any that took place in Denmark. I found the present-day story of the trial to be a bit contrived, while the back story of Britta's life in Denmark during WWII was completely fascinating. The courage and loyalty of the Denmark citizens was truly inspirational.

Highly recommended. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. ( )

Britta Stein has been caught. And she is being sued. But, this 90 year old lady has nothing to hide and she is determined to get her story out there for the whole world to hear.

Ole Henryks is a popular restaurant owner in Chicago. He is about to be honored for his charitable contributions. But, Britta knows a secret from WWII and she is spreading the word by painting disparaging words on the side of his restaurant. Ole Henryks is not taking this lying down. He is suing Britta for defamation of character.

Catherine Lockhart has decided to take the case. It is going to be difficult to prove Britta is telling the truth. It has been around 75 years since the war. Plus, Britta and Ole are in their 90s. This trial is going to be very strenuous to both parties.

Britta is a character which pulls at your heart and your soul. As she tells her narrative, the reader is captivated by her country, her family and their situation.

To say I loved this book is an understatement. I devoured this story. It is so well researched and so well written. I also believe the uniqueness of the Danish situation in WWII is another reason for my fascination. I do not think I have ever read about the Danes during the war.

Gabra Zackman is the narrator and is excellent! She was Britta. No doubt in my mind. She made this character come alive.

Need a fantastic story with a unique setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. ( )