Passing Rites Series by Elena Graf

In the waning years of Queen Victoria’s reign, a brilliant daughter is born to an aristocratic, military family in Prussia. A quirk of inheritance law allows Margarethe von Stahle to inherit both her grandmother’s and father’s noble titles. Her elders collaborate to educate her to take on her future duties, which include administering her family estates and supporting an order of nuns. Margarethe’s curiosity and precocity delight and perplex her teachers as they try to mold her... moreIn the waning years of Queen Victoria’s reign, a brilliant daughter is born to an aristocratic, military family in Prussia. A quirk of inheritance law allows Margarethe von Stahle to inherit both her grandmother’s and father’s noble titles. Her elders collaborate to educate her to take on her future duties, which include administering her family estates and supporting an order of nuns. Margarethe’s curiosity and precocity delight and perplex her teachers as they try to mold her. Her father trains her with his military cadets. A retired opera singer, now the choir mistress of the convent, teaches her how to sing. Her grandaunt, headmistress of the convent school, educates her in philosophy and classics. At an early age, Margarethe heads to Oxford to follow in her father’s footsteps. Gifted with both musical and intellectual talents, she must choose between singing and service. Raised to take her duty and noblesse oblige seriously, she decides to study medicine and becomes one of a handful of female surgeons in 1920s Germany. Being the heir means she needs children to inherit her titles. She reluctantly marries, despite preferring her own sex, but that doesn’t stop her from finding solace in the arms of women. She trains under the best surgeons in Germany and England and rises to prominence as London’s infamous “Lady Doctor.” But duty finally demands that she return to her homeland and take the reins of the family fortunes. The Imperative of Desire, the first volume in The Passing Rites Series, takes Margarethe from La Belle Époque, through a world war, a revolution that outlawed the German nobility, the roaring twenties, to the decadent demimonde of Weimar Berlin. This coming-of-age story spans one of the most tumultuous periods of history, a time that changed women’s lives forever. less

For seven centuries, the convent of Obberoth has been hiding the nuns' secrets-scandalous manuscripts locked in a vault, a ruined medical career, forbidden passions, perhaps even a murder. In the spring of 1931, Margarethe von Stahle, an aristocratic physician, arrives at the convent to interview a candidate for head nurse. Dr. von Stahle has a reputation for perfectionism and a quick temper... moreFor seven centuries, the convent of Obberoth has been hiding the nuns' secrets-scandalous manuscripts locked in a vault, a ruined medical career, forbidden passions, perhaps even a murder. In the spring of 1931, Margarethe von Stahle, an aristocratic physician, arrives at the convent to interview a candidate for head nurse. Dr. von Stahle has a reputation for perfectionism and a quick temper. None of the sisters want to work with her except Sister Augustine, who seems exceptionally well qualified, but her past is shrouded in mystery. She holds a medical degree but abruptly quit medicine. Her final vows were delayed for an unspeakable reason no one will discuss, not even Margarethe's aunt, the head of the order. A champion of women in medicine, Margarethe is determined to win Sister Augustine back for the profession and to discover what lies hidden under the veil of secrecy. As their friendship grows, so does convent gossip, threatening Sister Augustine's preparations for her vows. Recalled to the mother house and the counsel of Obberoth's superior, Sister Augustine begins to realize she must finally make peace with her past. At once a mystery and a love story, Occasions of Sin is part of the Passing Rites series, which follows the aristocratic Stahle family through the 20th Century. This novel, set in the twilight years of the Weimar Republic, touches on issues the Nazis would later address in frightening ways-the role of women, homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia, and the rights of the individual versus duty to the group. It also explores how religious institutions conspire to hide the truth. Elena Graf was inspired to write about this period by her father's war stories. She fell in love with the city of Berlin while working for a German publisher. She lives in Maine. less

In 1938, Margarethe von Stahle is desperately trying to practice ethical medicine despite the Nazi policy of "racial hygiene" that is forcing doctors to collaborate in the extermination of the handicapped and mentally ill. She has always avoided politics, but now she must decide whether to remain on the sidelines or to act on her convictions. At the same time, she is struggling to hold her family together, despite intrigue, secrecy, and an unforgivable indiscretion... moreIn 1938, Margarethe von Stahle is desperately trying to practice ethical medicine despite the Nazi policy of "racial hygiene" that is forcing doctors to collaborate in the extermination of the handicapped and mentally ill. She has always avoided politics, but now she must decide whether to remain on the sidelines or to act on her convictions. At the same time, she is struggling to hold her family together, despite intrigue, secrecy, and an unforgivable indiscretion. The people she holds most dear are conspiring against her for their own ends. Neither of Margarethe's children are playing to script, frustrating her hopes for the future of the House of Langenberg-Edelheim. Perhaps the only solution is to face the truth...or tell more lies of omission.This timely novel is the third volume of the Passing Rites series, which follows the aristocratic Stahle family through the 20th century. Set in the last years before World War II, Lies of Omission addresses the challenge of resistance to the Third Reich. Despite great danger, some doctors honored their Hippocratic Oath. Ordinary citizens, working in small groups, came to the aid of the disenfranchised. A few brave souls managed to keep their moral compass, while all around them, a nation descended into collective lunacy."The writer captured the tone of the between-the-world-wars-era aristocratic Germany perfectly. The characters were complex and nuanced, and their story arcs compellingly told. I was engrossed from the very start. Wonderfully rich storytelling had me wanting for more, and I could hardly wait to start the next book in the series." - Rainbow Awards less

World War II has finally come to an end and Berlin has fallen. Nearly everything Margarethe von Stahle has sworn to protect has been lost. After being brutally abused by occupying Russian soldiers, Margarethe must rely on the kindness of her friends to survive. Fortunately, the American Army has brought her former protege, Sarah Weber, back to Berlin. As Margarethe confronts painful events that occurred during the war, she must learn both to forgive and be forgiven.