Nothing quite compares to a gripping historical thriller, especially if it’s a World War II saga such as The Nightingale. World War II sagas can be tragic, heart-wrenching stories of loss and love or more light-hearted tales of friendship and adventure.
Kristin Hannah weaves an immersive tale of love, loss, and hope that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. The Nightingale is one of those rare novels that manages to be both heart-wrenching and uplifting, all at once.
So, if you like Kristin Hannah and are seeking out books similar to The Nightingale, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll also throw in some movies, TV shows, and podcasts we’re sure fans of Kristin Hannah will absolutely love.
If you want to READ fictional historical thrillers set during World War II:
Like Isabelle, who joins the Resistance after being betrayed by her young love, the Littlefield family discovers that all’s fair in love and war. Imagine sloshing in the waters near Dunkirk and being forced to hide in dead bodies to avoid the Germans. You’ll bite off your nails as you encounter the obstacles Lance
Littlefield and his crew must overcome. But it’s not just at the frontlines where all the good stuff happens. You’ll be left nodding in appreciation of the sacrifices made by those who joined the war effort. This book is the first of five in the “After Dunkirk” series. Read here.
If you like Kristin Hannah, you’ll surely appreciate how Chris Glatte humanizes WWII. How does one deal with the culture-driven conflict of serving a cause they don’t wholeheartedly support? What is Shawn, who’s stationed at the Panama Canal, to make of Ilsa, who he’s totally smitten with? Like other books similar to
the Nightingale, A Time to Serve promises to be an exciting World War II saga. It’ll leave you caring and rooting for the Cooper men as they head out to war in the wake of the Pearl Harbor bombing. This book is the first of two in the “A Time to Serve” series. Read here.
Eva is a tenacious young woman who is forced to flee Paris after her father, a Polish Jew, is arrested. Her contribution to the war effort is to forge identity documents for Jewish children seeking refuge in Switzerland. Together with the handsome but mysterious forger Rémy, Eva works to preserve the children’s real
names in The Book of Lost Names. As the Nazis steal or destroy priceless books during the war, Eva and Rémy’s record becomes more precious. The dual timeline in this book will appeal to fans of the trend.. Read here.
Forging identity cards and illustrating pro-Resistance tracts. These are some of the measures Lucie takes when she feels the growing anti-Jewish measures in Nazi-occupied Paris can’t be allowed to continue unabated. As the authorities reward French citizens for denouncing “traitors” in their community, more Jews
get arrested—some aren’t seen again. How much further can Lucie go to defend the rights of others? This title should make your list of books to read if you liked The Nightingale. It’s an authentic and thought-provoking read that’s meticulously researched. Read here.
This tense and well-researched thriller has definitely earned its place in your roster of books to read if you liked the Nightingale. The suspense is gripping as we follow Captain Marce Reese on his mission to thwart the Nazis during the freezing winter of 1944. But even as Reese works undercover for the British
navy, he falls in love with Charlotte, a woman who might be a German spy. The plot twists and turns are guaranteed to leave you on edge, as will the historical accuracy in this creatively reimagined WWII thriller. Comes highly recommended! Read here.
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If you want to WATCH fictional historical thrillers set during World War II:
1. Operation Mincemeat
This movie recounts the actual mission that succeeded in deceiving Hitler into thinking the Allies would assault Greece rather than Sicily. The year is 1943, and two British Intelligence officers hatch a scheme using a corpse and planted papers to trick the Nazis. The objective? To alter the course of World War II.
If you like Kristin Hannah and her description of the women’s perspective of war in The Nightingale book, you’ll appreciate the spy’s perspective. Also, check out the book this movie is based on—Operation Mincemeat by Ben Macintyre.
2. The Bombardment
Available on Netflix, this movie is based on true events where a WWII bombing mission accidentally targeted a school full of children. It’s a solid reminder of how the innocent suffer during wars and how death hurts no less, no matter which side executes it. The Bombardment is a powerfully emotional and heart-
wrenching film. Rotten Tomatoes ranks it 100% on the Tomatometer based on five reviews, while the audience score is 94%. If you’re one of the many who broke down when finishing The Nightingale book, you’ll need boxes of tissues before pressing play
This emotionally gripping and adrenaline-packed World War II drama is set in Britain, France, Germany, Poland, and the United States. The TV show describes the first year of the war, which started with the German invasion of Poland in September 1939. It does an excellent job covering the intertwining .
fates of ordinary people as they grapple with the effects of war on their lives. How will Lois react to the news that her sweetheart Harry has vowed to help his Polish lover escape Warsaw? Fans of The Nightingale book or any other author similar to Kristin Hannah will love this show. Watch here.
This captivating film is based on the real story of an ordinary Norwegian family whose fate was sealed because they were Jews. As millions of Jews are deported and killed in German concentration camps during World War II, the Braude family is betrayed by their countrymen. Is there hope for them like there
was for Isabelle when she got caught and thrown into a camp? You’ll have to watch to find out. Suffice to say, this movie provides an emotional rollercoaster that rivals The Nightingale book. Watch here.
What happens when a Danish industrialist and his family find themselves on opposite sides of the German occupation of Denmark? Find out as Karl Skov collaborates with the Germans to keep his workers employed while his son joins the rising resistance movement. Kristin Hannah’s fans will enjoy wondering
whether there’s any hope that the family will be reunited. Like in the book, questions arise about the love for one’s people and country and of fighting for what is good and right. Watch here.
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If you want to LISTEN to fictional historical thrillers set during World War II:
Inspired by the Channel Islands’ occupation by German forces during WWII, this audiobook tells weaves a story of courage, resilience, and defiance. Estelle’s father is killed when the Nazis invade the island. Nonetheless, she and her grandmother must look after a Nazi officer who’s been billeted with them.
Is there more to this officer than meets the eye? What of the comments from Estelle’s neighbors that she is collaborating with the enemy? You’ll be begging for a sequel by the time you’re done listening to how vividly Helen brings the characters and details to life. Like The Nightingale, this audiobook will give you a different perspective of women’s roles during the Second World War. Listen here.
This audiobook tells the coming-of-age WWII story of a young girl who leads a solitary life in the unforgiving wilderness of Eastern Europe. She draws from her knowledge of self-sufficiency in the forest to help a group of fleeing Jews escape the Nazis. In turn, she’s taught about opening her heart. But as fate would have
it, a sudden twist brings back her past and throws everything she knows into question. There was a good reason she was warned to avoid any interaction with people outside the forest. It’ll be hard to stop listening once you get started, especially as the narrator makes you question how far you’re willing to go to help others. Listen here.
3. SNAFU – Podcast
SNAFU is a historical fiction podcast that narrates the events that transpire for a bomber crew of the 8th Air Force in 1944. The group of men is led in their war effort for the Allied Forces by a 24-year-old lieutenant. Their mission? Suicidal. Their one motivation? Survival. With the odds only growing worse for them, their
Gillian seeks some much-needed peace at her family home after an agonizing betrayal from the man she loves. But there’s no peace for her when she discovers a picture of her grandmother in the loving embrace of a Nazi officer. She must investigate. This one’s a beautifully done multigenerational saga by
Julianne MacLean, an author similar to Kristin Hannah. You’ll find it an immersive listening experience that doesn’t fail to deliver on covering the historical points of WWII Listen here.
All Grace Bennet aspired to in her life was a career as a department store employee. But with the war all around, she’s lucky to be employed at an offbeat bookshop in London. Listening to this book will make you feel the bombs falling come nightfall and empathize with the children being sent away from the city for
their safety. It’s a truly elevated reading experience. But even in the middle of a war, there’s no shortage of bravery and heroes who just won’t stop helping. Will Grace evolves into one? If you like Kristin Hannah, you’ll also want to find out what the author Madeline Martin has in store for Grace. Listen here.
