The Prisoner by Sally Carson continues the story of the Kluger family in the summer of 1933 as they prepare to leave Kranach for Munich following the death of Lexa Kluger. The novel, a sequel to Crooked Cross, draws on Carson’s firsthand experiences in Bavaria and portrays the devastating rise of fascism in Germany.

The story revisits the tragic deaths of Lexa and her boyfriend, Moritz Wiseman, who were persecuted and hunted because of anti-Jewish laws forbidding relationships between Germans and Jews. Although Moritz’s family was largely assimilated and his father had fought for Germany in the First World War, his Jewish surname made him a target.

As the family struggles to cope with grief, particular focus falls on Helmy, Lexa’s brother, who witnessed the traumatic events on the mountain. His distress deepens as the Nazi Party strengthens its control over society, leaving his family fearful for his safety. The novel, rediscovered and republished after years out of print, stands as a powerful reflection of its time.