Midnight on the Scottish Shore

Author: Sarah Sundin
Genre: WWII Historical Fiction
Pages: 384
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Publisher: Revell

The only way Cilla van der Zee can survive the German occupation of the Netherlands is to do the unthinkable--become a spy for the Nazis in Britain. She soothes her conscience with a plan to abandon her mission and instead aid the Allies. Her scheme is thwarted when naval officer Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie finds her along the Scottish shore and turns her in to be executed.

But perhaps she is more useful alive than dead. British intelligence sends her to Scotland to radio misleading messages to Germany, messages about the naval base at Scapa Flow to be crafted by Lachlan. At the station in the lighthouse at Dunnet Head, Lachlan and Cilla must work together if the war is to be won. But how can he trust a woman who arrived on his shores as a tool of the enemy--a woman certain to betray both him and the Allied cause?

Master of World War II fiction Sarah Sundin takes you to the wild Scottish seaside, where danger lurks under the surface of the water--and in the depths of the human heart--for a WWII tale you won't soon forget.

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Reviewer: Winnie Thomas

“Sometimes you have to find freedom inside the trap.” 

It’s always a treat to read one of Sarah Sundin’s books. They are full of rich historical detail which shows her impeccable research. Sundin is also a master at creating realistic, engaging characters and plopping them down in imaginative settings and perilous situations. Such was the story of Cilla van der Zee and Lachlan Mackenzie, set mostly in Scotland during World War II. 

I admired Cilla’s sunny, cheerful, positive attitude and her courage and resourcefulness. In order to escape a perilous situation in the Netherlands during the war, Cilla volunteers to go to Scotland to be a German spy. Upon landing in Scotland, she is discovered by Lachlan Mackenzie, who turns her in to the authorities. The authorities, in turn, train her to be a double agent and assign her to work with none other than Lachlan. He is a rather serious, taciturn man who doesn’t trust Cilla. I enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine trope, with Cilla always being positive and trying to make friends with Lachlan.  

I liked the way Cilla and Lachlan encouraged each other to become better people. Their spiritual growth was inspiring to see and added depth to the story. 

“It’s good to acknowledge our faults. If we never see ourselves as wretched sinners, we never see the need for God’s mercy.” 

With plenty of suspense, action, history, and a good dose of romance, this book has something for everyone. I loved learning more about this slice of history while enjoying a riveting story.  

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Revell through Interviews and Reviews and NetGalley. All opinions are my own. 

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

“Sometimes you have to find freedom inside the trap.”

This was a unique WWII novel set in 1941-1942 Scotland and I loved the history and espionage. I’ve read very little historical fiction set in WWII, Scotland, so it was fascinating to travel to this area at such a pivotal time in world history. 

The spy world and the works of MI5 and MI6 were intriguing. I loved Lachlan, the stalwart, serious, steadfast hero whose sense of justice and faith drove his words and actions. Cilla was the complete opposite, with her fun-loving ways and flirtatious banter, but equally intelligent and mission-driven as Lachlan.

The inner workings of a naval base in Scotland were interesting to learn about. Watching Cilla and Lachlan engage in the warfare of information and misinformation was really captivating. Cilla’s journey to understanding her need for God and accepting the eternal love was a highlight of the story. Fans who have read Embers in the London Sky will recognize some delightful cameo appearances.

Those who enjoy WWII fiction will love this newest by the queen of WWII historicals. 

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

I have long been intrigued by spy stories set during World War II and this book delivers. The setting in the remote Scottish Islands was eye-opening for me. The characters were brought to life in this captivating tale. 

Cilla was escaping occupation in the Netherlands and went ashore at Dunnet Head, only to be captured by Lieutenant Lachlan MacKenzie. Accused of being a German spy, she turned to spying for the British and proved herself very brave. Even while kept confined in a lighthouse. 

This many layered story has danger, intrigue, family, drama, and a growing romance. Cilla even found shelter in her faith: “This year I have found walls like never before, but I have found freedom. True freedom-in faith and forgiveness.”

As always, the extensive research lent authenticity to the story. I enjoyed learning about the real events that the story is based on. I also liked the legend of the selkie that was woven throughout.

This was another World War II adventure that impressed and entertained me.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.

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Reviewer: Jeanette Durkin

Another exceptional book by Sarah Sundin! Wow! There are so many books about WWII, but this one offers a new twist. It’s mainly based in Scotland (a place that’s on my bucket list). There are spies, lies, subterfuge, double agents, suspense, and intrigue. To balance all of that, there’s a sweet love story that touched my heart.

Cilla is one of the most remarkable characters that I’ve read about. She’s brilliant, smart, and incredibly brave. Her gift of creativity saves her own life many times. Lachlan has a lot of rough edges. He has major trust issues, but they’re justified. He’s loyal to his country and his job. I absolutely LOVE Lachlan’s parents! They open their hearts and home to Cilla.

It was interesting to me that Cilla and Lachlan had younger siblings who got into trouble. Unfortunately, Cilla doesn’t get the chance to reconcile with her sister. When Lachlan finds out that something devastating happened to Neil, the walls between them are broken.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Monica Huyser

My love for Scotland and for Sarah Sundin’s books merged into one in Sundin’s newest release, Midnight on the Scottish Shore. As is typical of her books, this one is set during World War Two.

Cilla van der Zee is struggling to survive in German-occupied Netherlands. As she reaches a point where she can’t take it anymore, she volunteers to become a spy for the Nazis. In doing so, she hopes to escape to England and connect with some distant family members there. 

However, things don’t go as planned. Cilla washes up along the Scottish shore where she is discovered by naval officer Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie near his family’s estate. He believes she is a spy and turns her over to the authorities to be executed. However, British Intelligence believes she is more useful alive than dead and she becomes a double agent. Soon after that, Lachlan is forced to provide her with naval intelligence and they must work together to outsmart the Germans as part of England’s M15 program.

I enjoyed getting to know both Cilla and Lachlan. I especially liked how each one brought out the best parts in each other. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow. I also enjoyed seeing how Cilla grew and changed as she faced personal challenges in her new role. Lachlan also grew closer to his family and overcame some struggles there. 

Lachlan and Cilla’s faith deepened, and their relationships with others grew stronger. I thought the book was interesting with the various characters and in a compelling plot. Sundin’s thorough research comes through and I enjoyed learning about the history of the era in this book. I also enjoyed learning more about both Irish and Dutch cultures. Midnight at the Scottish Shores was an enjoyable and fascinating read for me.

I received a copy of this book from Revell through Interviews & Reviews. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Connie Porter Saunders

'Cilla had found her freedom...To escape the Nazis, she would become a Nazi spy.'

Author Sarah Sundin shares the compelling story of a young Dutch woman drawn into a world of danger, deception, and espionage during World War II. This war vividly comes alive as we follow Cilla van der Zee's effort to reach Great Britain, her capture in Scotland by a naval officer, and her important work as a radio messenger. Midnight on the Scottish Shore is a captivating blend of historical details, emotional dilemmas, and struggles between right and wrong. It made me wonder what choices I would have made. What would I have considered doing in the fight for freedom? Would I have remained true to my moral compass?

I'm a fan of Sundin's World War II novels so I wasn't surprised with her impeccable research but this isn't just a war novel. Dynamic characters, a slow-burning romance, and an inspiring faith message made this a mesmerizing story to savor! I recommend Midnight on the Scottish Shore for all who enjoy historical Christian fiction.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin is an epic historical novel that immerses readers in WWII, Scotland. The story catapults you into a world of intrigue, code-breaking, danger and spying.

Cilla van der Zee is a vibrant, intelligent girl who infiltrates the Nazi party in the Netherlands, to escape to Britain, where she plans to stay with her aunt for the duration of the war. However, not everything goes her way, and she is captured as a Nazi spy. Despite being on the allies’ side, they treat her like the enemy, forcing her to become a double agent. The author has captured the intricacies of spying during the war and has created a story that reads like a movie.

The supporting cast of characters makes this book hard to put down. As usual, Sundin has done her research and takes the reader on an adventure that is filled with intrigue, danger, faith and love. If you like WWII historical fiction, you will love Midnight on the Scottish Shore.

I received a complimentary ebook from Revell through NetGalley for my honest review.

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Reviewer: Conny Withay

“For the good of her family, for the sake of the Double Cross program, and to protect Lachlan and Yardley and the Wrens, she had to abandon all she loved and return to the sea,” Cilla decides in Sarah Sundin’s novel, Midnight on the Scottish Shore.

This 384-page paperback targets those who enjoy Christian historical romance in Scotland during World War II. With no profanity or overtly sexual scenes, topics of abuse, murder, death, and war may not be appropriate for immature readers. While the beginning has a map of Scotland, the ending includes an author’s note, acknowledgments, fifteen discussion questions, the author’s biography, and advertisements.

In this 1940s tale set mostly in rural Scotland, Cilla van der Zee can no longer take Germany’s occupation of her Netherlands home, so she pretends to become a spy for the Nazis by being dispatched to England. With plans to flee, she finds herself ashore in the small town of Dunnet Head in Scotland, arrested by naval officer Lieutenant Lachlan Mackenzie. With no one believing the truth, she becomes a double agent for England as she transmits coded messages to the Abwehr from her job at the Dunnet Head lighthouse. Although Lachlan continuously thinks Cilla will betray him and MI5, the two must work together as they learn what trust and forgiveness really are.

I enjoy historical fiction where I learn something new, and this one about how a small Scottish community bands together for the war effort was interesting. I appreciate learning about the Selkie legend, the Twenty Company, the Double Cross program, and spying. The budding romance of the protagonists was believable, considering their circumstances. 

Those who do not like stories of spies and war may want to pass on this read, but it is not too graphic in its details. Some may not know a couple of the characters were incorporated from another one of the author’s novels. I found the first fifty pages or so a little slow to comprehend, but I’m glad I read the entire book. 

Although the read mentions believing in God, others may wish the eternal plan of salvation was included. I wish all pronouns of God were capitalized for reverence. If you like a tale of a WWII double agent who wants to do everything in her power to be set free, this one about loyalty and forgiveness provides the path to win both external and personal wars.

Thanks to Revell and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.

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