The Lies They Told

Praise for Ellen Marie Wiseman

“Harrowing….The fast-paced plot gains momentum as Lena grapples with her sense of powerlessness [in this] clear-eyed and resonant portrait of an ignominious era.” – Publishers Weekly on The Lies They Told

“A heartbreaking yet insightful read, this novel will open one’s eyes to the evil in this world.” —New York Journal of Books on The Lost Girls of Willowbrook

“Wiseman shows how humans are capable of great cruelty but also great compassion in this ultimately uplifting, compelling read.” —Shelf Awareness on The Orphan Collector

“Ellen Marie Wiseman’s powerful novel will bring awareness to a whole new audience… Grounded in historical fact, it ends like a fast-paced thriller.” —Historical Novel Society on The Lost Girls of Willowbrook

“A portrait of Willowbrook State School that is unvarnished, painful and startlingly clear…Bringing the unquiet ghosts of Willowbrook to life is what this book does best, and if it didn’t do anything else, it would be worth your time…credit to Ellen Marie Wiseman for bringing Willowbrook back to the national consciousness.” —Bookreporter.com on The Lost Girls of Willowbrook

“Readers will not be able to help making comparisons to the COVID 19 pandemic, and how little has changed since 1918. Wiseman has written a touching tale of loss, survival, and perseverance with some light fantastical elements.” —Booklist on The Orphan Collector

“Wiseman’s writing is superb, and her descriptions of life during the Spanish Flu epidemic are chilling…Well researched and impossible to put down, this is an emotional tug of war played out brilliantly on the pages and in readers’ hearts.” —The Historical Novels Review, EDITOR’S CHOICE for The Orphan Collector

“Wiseman chronicles the devastation the 1918 flu pandemic wrought on a German immigrant family in Philadelphia…Wiseman’s depiction of the horrifying spread of the Spanish flu is eerily reminiscent of the present day and resonates with realistic depictions of suffering, particularly among the poorer immigrant population. Historical fiction fans will appreciate Pia and her pluck and determination to survive.” —Publishers Weekly (Boxed Review) for The Orphan Collector

“Wiseman’s novel raises relevant issues about what it means to be an American and about the forms that anti American sentiment can take in times of crisis…Reading the novel in the time of COVID 19 adds an even greater resonance, and horror, to the description of the fatal spread of that 1918 flu. The pathos inspired by the sheer scale and indiscriminate nature of pandemic death is almost overwhelming, especially given current events.” —Kirkus Reviews on The Orphan Collector

“The author masterfully conveys empathy for the characters…an emotional roller coaster that was eerily similar to today’s events. I felt Pia’s strength, courage, guilt, and grief come through the pages clear as day.” —The Seattle Book Review on The Orphan Collector

“Wiseman’s blistering, moving and profound novel, set against the devastating backdrop of the 1918 Spanish flu, hones in on an extraordinary exploration of the plight of immigrants, as two very different women grapple with finding, keeping, and changing their place in the world. Absolutely amazing.” —Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author on The Orphan Collector

“An immersive historical tale with chilling twists and turns. Set during the Spanish Flu epidemic in Philadelphia, this atmospheric novel explores the depravity to which some will sink in adversity, but it also illuminates the strength of family bonds and the resilience of the human heart. Beautifully told and richly imagined.” —Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling author on The Orphan Collector

“Switching back and forth in time and narration from Lilly to Julia, Wiseman has crafted a can’t put it down novel of family secrets involving two young girls who only seek to be loved. Perfect for book clubs and readers who admired Sara Gruen’s Like Water for Elephants.” —Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW for The Life She Was Given

“The Life She was Given is a vibrant maze of desires. The sharp divide between expectations and painful truths, mothers and daughters, past and present, culminate in a sensational finale.” —ForeWord Reviews

“A powerful, poignant novel.” —In Touch, Grade A for The Life She Was Given

“Wiseman excels at creating an atmosphere…Her characters are all vividly drawn and complex…Fans of Karen White and Sara Gruen will be drawn in by the drama and mystery of Wiseman’s novel.” —BookPage on The Life She Was Given

“Intense and heartbreaking at times, but full of hope. The author’s impeccable research into this era makes for a spot on portrayal of a dark time in American history. Coal River [is] one of the most “unputdownable” books of 2015.” —The Historical Novels Review, Editor’s Choice for The Plum Tree

“Wiseman eschews the genres usual military conflicts of daily life during wartime, lending an intimate and compelling poignancy to this intriguing debut.” —Publishers Weekly on The Plum Tree

“Ellen Marie Wiseman weaves a story of intrigue, terror, and love from a perspective not often seen in Holocaust novels.” —Jewish Book World on The Plum Tree

“The meticulous hand crafted detail and emotional intensity of The Plum Tree immersed me in Germany during its darkest hours and the ordeals its citizens had to face. A must read for WWII Fiction aficionados—and any reader who loves a transporting story.” —Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us on The Plum Tree

“The Plum Tree is a touching story of heroism and loss, a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of love to transcend the most unthinkable circumstances. Deft storytelling and rich characters make this a highly memorable read and a worthy addition to the narratives of the Holocaust and Second World War.” —Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Ambassador’s Daughter