Picture a storyteller who unearths the hidden courage of wartime Holland through gripping historical fiction—meet Imogen Matthews! An Oxford-based author with Dutch roots, Matthews weaves tales of resilience and love set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Netherlands. Her novels, inspired by her mother’s vivid wartime memories, bring forgotten stories to life with heart and authenticity.
With bestsellers like The Hidden Village, Matthews has earned acclaim for her ability to blend historical accuracy with emotional depth. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the life, works, and lasting impact of this award-winning author!
The Making of Imogen Matthews
Born in Rijswijk, Holland, to a Dutch mother and English father, Imogen Matthews moved to England at a young age. Her mother’s stories of surviving the Hunger Winter of 1944–45 in Nazi-occupied Holland left a lasting mark, planting the seeds for her future novels. A journalist by trade, Matthews initially wrote romantic fiction under the pen name Alex Johnson before finding her true calling in historical fiction. Her frequent visits to the Veluwe woods in Holland, where she stumbled upon a memorial to a real hidden village, sparked her passion for uncovering wartime tales.
Imogen Matthews’s Unforgettable Stories
Matthews’s novels are a love letter to the resilience of the Dutch during World War II, blending true events with richly imagined characters. Her debut, The Hidden Village (2017), tells the gripping story of a secret village in the Veluwe woods that sheltered Jews in underground huts. A bestseller, it captures the courage and peril of those who defied the Nazis. Its sequel, Hidden in the Shadows, picks up the pace as a thrilling love story, following two young lovers torn apart by war.
The Girl Across the Wire Fence shifts to Amersfoort, Netherlands, exploring a poignant romance amid the horrors of Kamp Amersfoort, a lesser-known Dutch concentration camp. Another standout, The Girl with the Red Hair, draws on the true story of Hannie Schaft, a fearless resistance fighter. Matthews’s style—vivid, empathetic, and meticulously researched—brings history to life, making readers feel the stakes of every choice her characters face.
Published by Bookouture (a Hachette imprint), her works resonate with fans of authors like Fiona Valpy and Kristin Hannah. Whether it’s the quiet heroism of ordinary citizens or the defiance of resistance fighters, Matthews’s themes of love, sacrifice, and survival shine through.
Why Imogen Matthews Matters
Imogen Matthews does more than write novels—she resurrects forgotten voices from wartime Holland. Her stories highlight the bravery of ordinary people, especially women, who risked everything to resist oppression. By drawing on her Dutch heritage and her mother’s experiences, she offers a unique perspective on World War II, enriching the historical fiction genre. Her work has inspired readers worldwide, earning praise for its emotional depth and historical insight.
Matthews’s ability to uncover obscure stories, like the hidden village or Hannie Schaft’s resistance, ensures that the sacrifices of the past are never forgotten. Her novels remind us that even in the darkest times, hope and humanity endure.
- Born: Rijswijk, Holland
- Key Works: The Hidden Village, Hidden in the Shadows, The Girl Across the Wire Fence, The Girl with the Red Hair
- Awards: Award-winning author with international bestseller status
- Publisher: Bookouture (Hachette)
Ready to be swept away by tales of courage and love? Grab The Hidden Village and dive into Imogen Matthews’s unforgettable world of wartime Holland!