Beelitz-Heilstätten: Where Ghosts Never Die by Marina Osipova

A Historical Fiction Book published on (05/01/25)

I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery

Summary:

A Russian-American writer’s return to her homeland leads to an unexpected journey through time. In a WWI hospital, she falls for a doomed doctor and meets a patient tied to history’s turning point. As love and truth collide, she must choose between changing the past or protecting the future.

Keywords:

Romance, Historical Fiction, Germany, 1900’s, Time Travel, WWI, Hospital, Nurse

My Review:

The story follows the main character Marion in a first-person narrative. We’re deep in her head from the start, and that doesn’t really let up. She reflects on love, regret, identity, and memory. Most of the story is set in Beelitz-Heilstätten, a former sanatorium. There’s a romantic relationship with her husband Hans that grounds her in the present, but her true focus is the past and a longing to reconnect with her birthplace. The visit to Heilstätten carries weight, but the meaning stays just out of reach. You feel it matters, even if you’re not entirely sure why. That mystery pulls you further into Marion’s quest for answers. At times, I wasn’t even sure why I couldn’t put the book down, but it lingered in my mind as persistently and unsettlingly as it did in Marion’s.

The characters are quiet but layered. Marion feels out of place in the hustle and bustle of modern life. She spends most of her time in her own head, but also seems slightly lost. Hans is kind but possessively overprotective. The female nurses of Beelitz-Heilstätten are exacting and ever-present, though often on the periphery. The doctor is intriguing but almost unknowable, while patients come and go.

The story is divided into three parts, though structurally it reads more like an emotional arc than a traditional plot. The pacing is slow and deliberate. At times, it’s unclear where it’s headed, but you still want to follow. You need to know why, and that why feels inevitable.

There’s a sense of something stirring beneath the surface, pointing to a deeper, possibly darker truth behind Marion’s daily life in the past. Her discomfort with a particular patient, the recurring storms, her dreams, and ghostly phrases all hint at hidden layers beneath the story’s surface.

What really works in the novel is its emotional depth and immersive setting. The way the author describes the landscape, the weather, and even the silence in a room mirrors the characters’ moods and ties to the narrative. Cultural and historical details add richness without feeling forced. For readers craving thoughtful historical fiction, this delivers.

The writing itself is thoughtful, poetic, and full of sensory detail. While it’s clear English isn’t the writer’s first language, the phrasing and structure create a unique literary feel rather than a distraction. It reminded me of something you’d find on a book club list. There’s plenty to unpack in the story, from the characters to the themes to the writing style itself.

Overall, this is a quiet, introspective story about memory, longing, and how the past never really stays in the past. It’s beautifully written and emotionally on point. If you enjoy reflective, character-driven fiction with a slightly eerie edge, this is absolutely worth reading.

This novel was published on 05/01/25 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information:

Goodreads