The Einstein Vendetta: Hitler, Mussolini, and a true story of murder

Brought to you by Penguin.

From the Sunday Times bestselling author of HANNS AND RUDOLF, THE HOUSE BY THE LAKE and BLOOD ON THE PAGE, comes the gripping story of an unsolved murder which took place against the extraordinary background of Nazi-occupied Florence during World War Two . . .

Italy, Summer 1944

A unit of German soldiers arrives at a villa near Florence. Villa Il Focardo is home to Robert Einstein, cousin to the most famous scientist in the world, Albert Einstein – a prominent enemy of the Nazi regime. Having renounced his German citizenship a decade earlier, Albert’s safely in America, well beyond Hitler’s reach.

The same is not true for his cousin.

Twelve hours after arriving, the soldiers have vanished – and a family is dead. This crime – and what happened next – still haunts those who survived.

Who ordered it? Who was involved?

And why did they get away with it?

This is the untold story of the Einstein vendetta.

Praise for Thomas Harding:

Hanns and Rudolf

'A gripping thriller, an unspeakable crime, an essential history' John le Carré

'Thomas Harding has shed intriguing new light on the strange poison of Nazism, and one of its most lethal practitioners... Meticulously researched and deeply felt' Ben Macintyre, Times Book of the Week

'Fascinating and moving...This is a remarkable book, which deserves a wide readership' Max Hastings, Sunday Times

The House by the Lake

'A passionate memoir about Germany' Neil MacGregor, author of A History of the World in 100 Objects and Germany: Memories of a Nation

'I loved this book. I admire the elegance of it, the hope, the honesty and the generousness with which every resident is given his or her place. It has made me think about our individual parts in the bigger story, and the coming and going-ness of things. It is a book that will stay with me for a very long time' Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

'A superb portrait of twentieth century Germany seen through the prism of a house which was lived in, and lost, by five different families. A remarkable book' Tom Holland, author of Rubicon

© Thomas Harding 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

© 2025 Penguin (Lydbog): 9781405975025

Udgivelsesdato

Lydbog: 17. april 2025