A Place More Dark is the second book in the Jock Mitchell Adventures series by Nathaniel M. Wrey. It's 1945. The Allies have almost won the war, but the prisoners in Stalag XX are still suffering from starvation, bitter cold, and horrendous abuse at the hands of their German guards and the SS soldiers. With the Red Army getting closer and closer every day, the Germans round up the prisoners and lead them on a brutal march across Central Europe during winter. Facing certain death, Richard "Jock" Mitchell and his fellow prisoners brave disease, starvation, and worse as they try to find their way to freedom. A sympathetic German guard named Konrad helps them along the way, and Jock and his friends even manage to save a young girl on their journey through hell.

In this gripping tale of survival against all odds, author Nathaniel M. Wrey paints a brutal and realistic portrait of the realities of war, demonstrating how it devastates the lives of not only soldiers but also innocent civilians who become collateral damage. A Place More Dark is unflinchingly gritty, relentlessly brutal, and thoroughly absorbing. Wrey's riveting narrative sheds light on the resilient nature of the human spirit that allows people to overcome extreme adversity in seemingly hopeless situations. The story is very much character-driven as it follows the harrowing journey of Jock and his close friends navigating extraordinary circumstances to survive one day at a time. Overall, this book will be right up their alley for any reader who enjoys historical fiction and craves a realistic depiction of war in stories. Highly recommended!

A Place More Dark by Nathaniel M. Wrey details the lives of prisoners of war as they march from central Poland to the Fallingbostel camp in Germany as the Nazis retreat from the advancing Russian army. Jock Mitchell is already a legend among his comrades after stealing Nazi gold and hiding with his friend Hyde. As the long journey starts, the prisoners have to deal with brutal weather conditions, starvation, exhaustion, and abuse from the SS officers and other Nazis. They also have to deal with disease outbreaks, especially dysentery, which eventually kills Arthur. Konrad is a German guard who is sympathetic to the plight of the prisoners. With his help, Jock and some of his friends steal some uniforms and a car, which they use to travel a huge distance before rejoining other prisoners later.

 A Place More Dark by Nathaniel M. Wrey is wonderfully written, and it offers a unique perspective of the Second World War that I hadn’t considered. For instance, I did not consider the possibility of some Germans being opposed to the brutality of the Nazis as portrayed by the characters of Konrad and Herr Dunge. This thought-provoking work also got me thinking about the horrors of war and its impact, especially on civilians. I loved how vivid the author was with descriptions, which helped create a mental picture of what was happening. The characters were well-developed, and the excellent narration also added to the overall beauty of the book. This was a great read, and I look forward to reading something else by Nathaniel M. Wrey.

In A Place More Dark, Nathaniel M Wrey takes us on a journey, a forced march of prisoners from Stalag XXA in the east of Poland to Fallingbostel between Hanover and Hamburg. The main character is Richard “Jock” Mitchell, a Tommy (British soldier) from Scotland, married to Jane and with two boys back home. His other prisoner-of-war inmates, Arthur Hepworth, Archie Peters, Tom Whatman, and 19-year-old Levitt Quigley known as Babe, form a close friendship as they are forced to walk the five hundred miles into Germany from one camp to another. In January 1945, the continental winter brought snow and freezing winds. Before the journey even begins, the men are emaciated, close to starvation, and are facing a desperate journey to an unknown destination as the war draws to a close. Their survival is due in part to Konrad, a German soldier who has befriended Jock.

I enjoyed the very British sense of humor, which is possibly unique to these island people and often misunderstood, but the hyperbole, the sarcasm, the rudeness, and the criticism of those who you like best are hallmarks of this humor. There is a smile on every page, despite the vivid descriptions of the appalling conditions as men in groups of 250 are force-marched from Eastern Poland into Germany in the bitter winter of 1945. The inhumanity of man to his fellow man is so well described, but despite the cruelty, brutality, and complete disdain for life, this group of soldiers rises above their suffering with humor and compassion. Jock’s care for the young daughter of the camp commandant, and his friendship with Konrad the German soldier, who helps them on their journey, shows man’s indomitable spirit. A Place More Dark by Nathaniel M Wrey touched me deeply and I shall remember it for a long time.

A Place More Dark is the second book in Nathaniel M Wrey’s Jock Mitchell Adventure series. In this book, Richard Mitchell, or Jock as he is known, and his fellow prisoners of war are forced to march west through a hostile winter. Without proper clothing or shoes, they endure hunger, disease, and cruel treatment, turning survival into a daily battle. Jock and his comrades must improvise and take risks, facing threats from both the environment and their captors. Amidst all these tribulations, Jock finds unlikely friendships with a prison guard and nine-year-old Birgit. Along the way, Jock and his comrades receive unexpected acts of kindness, just enough to keep hope alive. Will Jock be able to withstand the indignities of the harsh treatment and live to reunite with his family?

Despite A Place More Dark being the second in the series, Nathaniel M Wrey’s writing style made it easy to dive into the story without feeling lost or needing to read the first book. His skillful storytelling and well-explained context allowed me, a new reader of the series, to seamlessly pick up the plot and enjoy the story throughout. Additionally, light moments within the narrative offered unexpected moments of relief amidst the horrors of war and prison life. Wrey crafted a compelling cast of characters, with Jock being my favorite. His charisma, resilience, quiet strength, and intelligence, along with his ability to form unlikely bonds, made him a deeply relatable and inspirational leader. Ultimately, this book left me eager to explore more of Jock’s adventures in the series.