Way back in December 2022, I interviewed author Andrew Tweeddale as I had just read his debut novel, “Of All Faiths And None”. This was an historical novel about the building of Castle Drogo and the beginning of World War I. You can read the book review and interview HERE.

Fast forward to December 2024, and the 2nd book in the Castle Drogo series has been released and, oh yes, it was just as riveting as book one! Book 2, entitled “ A Remembrance Of Death” continued the family saga. You can read my book review HERE

The storyline I pondered over after reading A Remembrance Of Death , was wondering what had happened to Christian Drewe, who resided in Vienna , as he had seemingly disappeared. Now, in April 2026, author Andrew Tweeddale has released “Only Breath & Shadow” , the 3rd book in the series and it is the story of Christian Drewe in Vienna…..

BOOK SUMMARY

Only Breath & Shadow is a gripping historical novel set against the darkening backdrop of 1930s Vienna.

The story follows Christian Drewe, an English gentleman who was blinded and scarred during the Battle of the Somme and now navigates the world entirely through sound, smell, and touch. Christian’s quiet existence is shattered by the escalating Nazi persecution of his Jewish friends, the Friedmann family. When the Friedmanns are arrested and sent to concentration camps, Christian finds himself the unlikely protector of their four young children. Aided by Claire Astor, a spirited American nightclub singer, and his fiercely loyal housekeeper, Frau Agnes Huber, Christian must move out from the shadows of his regimented life and orchestrate a desperate escape for the children.

MY THOUGHTS

I was so excited to receive a copy of Andrew Tweeddale’s latest novel, “Only Breath & Shadow” – although it had been 2 years since “A Remembrance Of Death” I was looking forward to reading more about Basil, Celia & the family. Although fleeting mentions of Mother, Basil, & Celia are in the book, this instalment is firmly about Christian Drewe and his life in Vienna – and it is just as riveting. Andrew cleverly weaves storylines throughout his novels and he has done the same with this one …with an ending I didn’t see coming…..

Storyline 1 – Christian & his blindness & his necklace from the love of his life who was killed when her nurses barracks were targeted in France during World War I. His reluctance to get close to other young ladies, his longing for intimacy and yet he was frightened to tarnish Rose’s memory. My heart went out to Christian as he tried to navigate his feelings.

Storyline 2 – Christian’s social life and array of friendships in Vienna . I loved the vision of the cabarets, the colourful characters including his homosexual friend Paul, the American singer Claire and his housekeeper Frau Huber. I was full of admiration as Christian seemed able to maintain an active social life despite his blindness, and have a close knit group of friends who genuinely seemed to care for each other.

Storyline 3 – the relationship between Christian and Claire….. that was frustrating in parts as they tried to fathom out their relationship…

Storyline 4- the raids on the Jewish community, forcing his friends to try and escape Austria…. and non Jewish Christian and Claire do all they can to help them… this part reminded me of the escape of the Von Trapp family in the film , The Sound Of Music, which always kept me on edge… Will they or won’t they escape?!

I absolutely adored this book! Do I have a favourite out of all Castle Drogo books? Well, all 3 are brilliant but I do think this one might be my no 1 …. I might read all 3 again to make sure!! 😂

Get your copy here: 🇺🇸 amazon.com/Only-Breath-Shadow… 🇬🇧 amazon.co.uk/Only-Breath-Shadow

My thanks to Andrew Tweeddale for sending me a preview copy of Only Breath & Shadow.
All photos have been published with the kind permission of Andrew Tweeddale