ABOUT THE BOOK

The Queen’s Sacrifice

Jamos had been sitting for nearly ten minutes, waiting for the orchestra to begin, when he heard a low droning sound coming out of the North. It was a sound he had never heard before. It grew steadily in intensity, becoming louder and louder before developing into a horrendous roar. Then the bombs began to fall. Suddenly Jamos realized Budapest was being attacked. But by whom, and why?

Women were screaming as the bombs began exploding in the distance. Jamos quickly ran toward Nora and took her into his arms. Planes were now streaking low overhead. Their altitude was less than five hundred feet. Jamos had not thought this was even possible, but it was happening. War had finally come to Hungary on this perfect summer day.

The planes were Allied bombers: American B-25s and British Lancasters. The B-25s were attacking the center of the city, where the Germans were located. The Corinthia was the largest and oldest hotel in the city; it was also the most luxurious. This is the reason the Germans had selected it for their headquarters.

They had commandeered the hotel in March for their own purposes. Shortly after their arrival, they began identifying Jewish citizens.