Johanna van Zanten novel follows Dutch policeman under Nazi occupation

Johanna van Zanten’s World War II novel centers on a Dutch military policeman who faces pressure from the Nazi occupation, divided loyalties and personal risk in the Netherlands. The book is aimed at readers of historical fiction and includes a 30% direct-order discount through Aug. 31.

Why it matters: - The novel uses one Dutch policeman’s experience to show the moral strain of living under Nazi occupation. - The story focuses on duty, resistance and conscience, themes that still resonate with readers drawn to World War II history and ethical conflict.

What happened: - Johanna van Zanten wrote Between a Rock and a Hard Place: A Dutch Policeman Fighting the Nazi Occupation, a historical novel set in the Netherlands during World War II. - The book follows Jacob van Noorden, a Dutch military policeman assigned to lead a crew in a rural town near the German border. - German forces invade and occupy the region, and the Dutch government orders Jacob and his colleagues to stay at their posts. - Jacob must balance obedience, public pressure, personal loyalty and Nazi influence as the occupation deepens.

The details: - The novel shifts the focus from battles and military campaigns to the human cost of occupation. - Jacob’s conflict extends into his home life. - Jacob has a German-born wife. - Jacob’s mother-in-law openly supports Hitler. - Jacob’s brother-in-law is aligned with the Dutch Nazi Party. - The book examines the space between survival and resistance, duty and morality, and silence and action. - The book is positioned for readers of historical fiction, World War II literature, European history, resistance stories and character-driven novels about ethical complexity. - Readers who order directly from Histria Books can get a 30% discount through Aug. 31. - The book is available on Amazon.

Between the lines: - The release frames the novel as timely because readers are again asking what it means to stand firm under pressure. - The story’s appeal comes from its smaller, personal stakes rather than large-scale battlefield scenes. - Van Zanten presents courage as a series of quiet choices, not a single dramatic act.

What's next: - The book is available now for purchase. - Review copies and interview requests are directed to Johanna van Zanten through BrightKey PR. - The direct-order discount remains available through Aug. 31.