My Father's House

Based on the true WWII story of a daring attempt to smuggle thousands through the Vatican and out of occupied Rome right under the noses of Nazi occupiers.

A Washington Post and Irish Times Best Book of the Year

Finalist for the 2024 Walter Scott Prize

September 1943: German forces have Rome under their control. Gestapo boss Paul Hauptmann rules over the Eternal City with vicious efficiency. Hunger is widespread. Rumors fester. The war’s outcome is far from certain. Diplomats, refugees, Jews, and escaped Allied prisoners flee for protection into Vatican City, a neutral, independent state nestled in the city of Rome. A small band of unlikely friends led by a courageous Irish priest is drawn into deadly battle of wits as they attempt to aid those seeking refuge.

Suspenseful and beautifully written, My Father’s House tells an unforgettable story of love, faith, sacrifice, and courage.

“A potent blend of excitement, suspense and intrigue . . . A gripping World War II-set drama featuring the unlikeliest of heroes, one whom the reader roots for every step of the way . . . hugely satisfying.” —Malcolm Forbes, The Washington Post

“My Father’s House is primarily—and triumphantly—an intimate drama that illuminates both the fragility and the wonder of unlikely human connections forged in adversity and, in some cases, enduring for a lifetime.” —Anna Mundow, The Wall Street Journal

“A riveting tale about the power of community in the face of unfathomable evil . . . A seamless blend of fact and fiction by a master of the genre; a brisk, polyphonic narrative that brings the heroism of ordinary people thrillingly to life.” —The Irish Times